Equipping a courageous Church alive with Christ's transforming love

Volume 24, No. 29 | September 3, 2026

We Are in This Together, My Friends

“It’s a new day.” How many times have we heard that phrase? And how does it affect our ability to work with one another? Usually, it is a response from someone who wants something to change, while you may be reluctant to have it do so. Yet, every day is a new day – the sun rises anew, we feel the dawn and the beginnings, we walk into new actions and new challenges. Truly, we see new things, new people, new obstacles, and new joys in the days as they are ushered in and begin.

The days are new for me as I have begun and continue my work with you as your Interim Conference Minister. The traveling to Minnesota, preaching in churches, meeting with pastors—all this is new, and continued, work in my ministry. I enjoy getting to know the people I meet, collaborating with the staff, preaching at churches, wandering along the highways between all the places I am meeting, preaching, and residing when I am in the state.

I seek to listen to the grief you have experienced during the many transitions at the conference and in the ICE and anti-immigration actions. I hope you are holding your pain and your grief as you continue to walk the journey of ministry, whether it is authorized ministry or lay ministry in our church. It is a heavy burden to carry while you are caring for those around you. And it is a new day. The sun rose again. The people you loved touched your heart again. Your ministry bears fruit.

Jesus reminds us all, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Even as we carry our burdens, Jesus is with us. Your partners in ministry and faith are with us. The staff and volunteers who support our work in the United Church of Christ are with us. We do not work, walk, or carry alone. I encourage you to reach out when you have a question, when you have a concern, when you have a brilliant, or even a not so brilliant, suggestion, or idea. We are in this together, my friends. As we greet each new day, I hope we remember that and connect with one another.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates

Interim Conference Minister

Conference News

“Love at First Sight”: Clark-Grace UCC celebrates 13 years of groundbreaking history and a vision of radical welcome

Thirteen years ago, two faith communities—Grace Community UCC, an African American congregation led by Rev. Oliver White, and Clark Memorial UCC, a European American church led by Rev. Lisa Bodenheim—fell in love at first sight.

“That love began when each congregation saw one another as fully human when we worshipped together and shared an after-worship potluck dinner,” said Rev. White.

Several weeks before the two congregations met, Rev. White had called Clark to inquire about renting its sanctuary on Sunday afternoons. Grace had experienced a significant drop in attendance and subsequently lost its building, due in part to the global attention Rev. White received for his support for same-sex marriages. The Grace congregation needed a new place to call “home.”

At the same time, Clark was struggling financially to keep its own doors open. Rev. White said that as he and Clark’s moderator at the time, Jackie Boler, began rental negotiations, Ms. Boler threw out the idea of trying to have the two congregations worship together. “She said, we will have a few more people in the pews, and you will have some place to worship if it works out,” says Rev. White, who was subsequently invited to preach. His congregation was invited to participate in a potluck dinner following worship.

Rev. White admits that he was reluctant to accept the invitation. “I kept saying to myself, this idea could never work,” says White. “Given that racism still abounds in the United States, I didn’t think that white people were ready to worship ‘for real’ with black people. They would only sit in their pews with their lips sealed and hands frozen in their laps, and they would never say ‘Amen.’”

Fortunately, the story didn’t end there. As Grace Community UCC entered the narthex of Clark Memorial UCC 13 years ago, they were greeted extravagantly! Rev. White brought his gifts of Motown keyboardist and oratory skills along with 15 worshippers. “I could hardly wait to get into the pulpit and preach to such an eager gathering of white worshippers, who had never before invited a black minister to stand in their pulpit,” he says. And as it turned out, he did surprisingly receive a few “Amens.”

“Instantaneously, both congregations felt the liberating promise we share with Christians of all races, cultures, colors, and non-Christians alike that are literally working to dismantle the barriers of racism brick-by-brick,” says Rev. White. “It was literally love at first sight!”

Today, the merged congregation includes folks from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Music and singing, dancing, and laughter abound in a church filled with creativity, love, joy, and blessings. The congregation has been initiating and providing a safe space for community building, education, and organizing events, such as the South St. Paul MLK Commemoration and the South St. Paul Juneteenth celebration. To foster financial stability, the church also rents its office, kitchen, and classroom space to individuals and organizations who align with the church’s mission to create a truly multicultural community that is radically and unconditionally inclusive.

“This is the antithesis of Clark Memorial UCC during the civil rights era, when people of color were not allowed to purchase or rent a home in South St. Paul,” says Rev. White. “Because of this mission to strive for social activism, Clark-Grace UCC has become a vital part of the community in South St. Paul.”

On September 13, 2026, Clark-Grace will celebrate its 13th anniversary. All are invited to attend the celebration and to support the church’s vision of radical welcome. Clark-Grace is located at 769 15th Avenue North. South St. Paul.

Support Sessions for Church Leaders to be Held Quarterly

Twenty-four presiding officers — Moderators, Council Chairs, and Consistory Presidents — from congregations across the state gathered via Zoom on August 24. Participants shared ministry joys and challenges and identified information and resources that could support them in their role as chief covenantal, fiduciary, and legal officer.

The group will be gathering quarterly, online twice more and in-person at the June 2027 Annual Meeting. Each meeting will be co-hosted by a presiding officer and a conference staff member and will focus on a specific topic such as governance models, policies and procedures, and changing congregational demographics. Registration for individual sessions will be advertised in the COMMAntary. All presiding officers are welcome to join for one or all three of the upcoming sessions.

If you have questions, contact Rev. Kelly Gallagher.

Multiple Congregations Come Together to Worship at Lake Harriet Bandshell

Thank you to the organizers and those who attended worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell earlier this month. Interim Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates joined with five other clergy to speak on "Living Transformed." It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful way for multiple congregations to come together for worship.

UCC Continues its Care for Our Sacred Waters

Caring for our sacred waters is a growing movement, and the UCC is playing a part in this conversation.

In late August, folks from across UCC conferences surrounding the Great Lakes (including MN) traveled to Five Oaks Retreat Centre in Paris, Ontario, for At Waters' Edge: Sacred Relations. For the fourth annual gathering of the Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative, we met at the confluence of rivers, sharing in worship, learning, and community. Adrian Jacobs gave the keynote and shared from his Indigenous Haudenosaunee traditions throughout our time together, opening us with a condolence ceremony at the waters' edge. We waded into the creek for a stream study, created alongside artist and storyteller Lorrie Gallant, prayed by the water, did movement prayer, and shared modern songs and old hymns together.

It was a beautiful moment of connection for Canadian and U.S. churches. In all this, we built community and spiritual life across states and countries, with ministers and attendees from the United Church of Canada and the U.S. UCC joining forces. These lakes have histories and Indigenous names reaching back far longer than either country existed — Ontario is Wendat for "Great Lake.”

We learned from each other how much passion there is to move forward in this work. The Collaborative centers itself around fostering working relationships across Great Lakes watersheds, conferences, and borders. The future involves letting those relationships grow naturally into action plans, and turning these connections into water-protecting realities. Our connection is where it all starts: at the waters' edge.

Conference Events

Four Days Left to Register for the Women's Retreat: How the Wild Blooms Within Us

Co-led by Interim Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates and Rev. Claire Klein

Friday, September 11 (arrive 4:30 pm) through Sunday, September 13 (depart 11:00 am)

Camp Onomia

LEARN MORE & REGISTER (registration closes Monday)

There is a wilderness blooming around us: woods, sacred water, birdsong, the slow turning of late summer into fall. And there is a wilderness blooming within us: something sacred, alive, and seeking to thrive. We invite self-identifying women from across the Minnesota Conference to spend a weekend among the woods and waters of Camp Onomia, exploring how the Sacred Wild blooms within and through us. We'll deepen our connection to the wilderness surrounding us and the wilderness within — through music, movement, and embodied practice. Come rest. Come breathe. Come bloom.

Samaritans Documentary to Show at Locations Across Minnesota

Sept 24, 5 pm, Riverview Theater, Minneapolis
Sept 26, 7 pm, location tbd, Duluth
Sept 27, 5 pm, First Congregational Church, Alexandria
Sept 28, 6 pm, Event Center, Hutchinson

Join the Minnesota Conference UCC, Minneapolis Immigrant Allies Coalition, and many congregations and organizations for a showing of Samaritans. Filmed over three years in Southern Arizona, the documentary follows a dedicated group of volunteers who risk scorching heat, freezing nights, and their own safety to provide lifesaving humanitarian aid along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. With intimate access to the frontlines, the film bears witness to the perilous journeys and resilience of migrants seeking safety and freedom—and to the courage of those who refuse to look away.

Be a Gender-Affirming Health Care Champion!

A resolution to support gender-affirming health care passed resoundingly at this year’s Annual Meeting. The resolution calls for the creation of gender-affirming healthcare champions in congregations as well as educational advocacy and financial support.

If you are interested in being part of this initiative, plan to join a September 23 gathering on this topic. LEARN MORE

We Want to Equip a Generous Church

What are people saying about the Cultivating Generous Congregations seminar?

“A lot of information that can help us expand our Stewardship/Annual giving to a more comprehensive, year-round approach. We also learned about generosity as a spiritual practice. Lots of great resources to further explore.”

“We gained confidence that the conversation about stewardship does not need to be so scary or controversial but a form of ministry.”

Also…Change of Date!

The Generosity Webinar series held on the fourth Tuesday evening each month will bump to a fifth Thursday, September 30, and feature the leadership of our own Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates on Generational Giving, with a focus on Gen Z and earlier. LEARN MORE

Damascus Project Courses Focus on Immigration and Ethical Repair

Join the Damascus Project this fall for two online learning opportunities that speak to us now: Strangers within Your Gates reads the Hebrew Bible through the lens of caring for immigrants and strangers.

Sacred Reckonings introduces learners to the reparatory eco-map created by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel, and engages in ethical conversation about reparation and repair in cause of solidarity and gospel action.

The Damascus Project is the regional theological education ministry of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences UCC. The Damascus Project welcomes theologically curious lay learners, lay leaders, members in discernment, and authorized ministers seeking clergy education into a learning community.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Join Us for the First FourThursday September 24

FourThursdays for Faith Formation are back! We invite clergy, lay staff, and volunteers to come together for conversation, connection, mutual support and resourcing. Mark your calendars to join us either in person or on Zoom on each of the following dates:

2026: September 24 & October 22

2027: January 28, February 25, March 25, and April 22

Come for lunch and information conversation at 11:30 am and stay for the presentation/facilitated conversation from noon-1:30 pm. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER GATHERING

Registration Closes September 17 for the Autumn Equinox Retreat

Where the Light Turns: Harvest & Hibernation in the Way of the Wild
September 25–27

Camp Courage, Maple Lake, MN

Led by Heidi Steffens, spiritual healer and member of Union Congregational UCC, Elk River - Arrive Friday 4:30 pm · Depart Sunday 11:00 am

$200 · scholarships available · open to adults

A reflective weekend of meditation on harvest, release, and preparing for winter. Quiet contemplative practice and the wisdom of seasonal transition, a chance to slow down, let go, and turn gently toward the rest of the season ahead.

All Invited to a Panel Discussion on Lay Stories of Church Mergers, Partnerships, and Resource Sharing

September 27, noon-3 pm (hybrid event)

Olivet Congregational Church, St. Paul

Lay leaders and clergy are encouraged to attend this hybrid event together and those attending at a distance will receive guiding questions to help deepen the learning. Lunch will be provided for those attending in person. LEARN MORE

Partner News & Events

Let's Connect!

A few months ago, a few congregations started receiving letters from churches across the country who wanted us to know we weren't alone during a crisis. We read them aloud in worship as a Pauline-like Epistle. They inspired us!

That experience sparked the idea for KinMN. What if this kind of connection happened regularly?

KinMN pairs ecumenical urban and rural congregations with a desire to connect across Minnesota. It starts with letters written from one congregation to another, read aloud in worship and shared in print. From there, relationships can flourish as churches decide.

So many congregations do amazing work, feeling like they're acting alone. Imagine what's possible when two communities learn about each other and share their strengths. KinMN is built on mutuality, inviting congregations to encourage, imagine, and build one another up.

If interested, we’ll make a match. You write the letters.

KinMN is offered through The Ministry Lab in conversation with the Minnesota Conference UCC, the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, and MN ELCA synods. (logo above created by Giulia Grace Calland, age 14)

LEARN MORE AND RSVP

Join an ISAIAH Lighthouse Clergy Democracy Defense Training

Sept. 17, 10:30 am–3:00 pm; starting at State Capitol and continuing at Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church; REGISTER

We will prepare ourselves to ensure every vote is counted, and that the outcome of the election is honored. We will ground ourselves in an analysis of the threats facing our elections and the strategies necessary to protect every citizen's right to have their vote counted. You will be equipped to enroll fellow clergy and faith community members in the work ahead of election day: maximizing voter turnout, providing nonpartisan poll protection, preparing for de-escalation as votes are tallied, and leading a scaled faith movement to ensure our right to elect the leaders we choose. God is calling us to action, and we will answer the call.

Interested in Organizing a Satellite Location of the FREC Overcoming Racism Conference?

The Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) Greater Minnesota Partnership Committee is planning a November 13 or 14 (your choice) 2026 Racial Equity Conference titled “Weaving a Wider Community.”

This conference will highlight two excellent speakers—Amanda Florence Garcia Goodenough and Victoria McWane-Creek—in the morning who will discuss how to be actively engaged in creating more welcoming and inclusive communities and how to break down barriers which impact marginalized community members.

It is available to local communities which organize a gathering (of any number of people) on the day of the conference to watch the statewide morning zoom sessions and then have a community driven conversation afterwards.

The shape and form of the activity which happens in the local communities is shaped by those communities, although the goal is for them to have some form of interactive activity which focuses on local action. This might be a lunch conversation about the content provided in the zoom speaker sessions and how that applies to the local community or it can include additional workshop sessions, speakers or other activities. Each community decides what level of investment they can commit to.

If interested and if you have any questions, please contact Renee Cardarelle at criticalconversationsmn@gmail.com.

Offered this Fall — Embodied Practice For Spiritual Care Workers: Coming Home to the Body as a Source of Wisdom and Connection

A 4-Week Somatic Practice Series for Spiritual Directors, Chaplains, Clergy and others Offering Spiritual Care

Tuesdays September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 1:30-3:30 pm

Embodiment work is sometimes called “somatic” work. Soma, a term coined by Thomas Hana, simply refers to the body in its wholeness. So many forces in our world have served to disconnect most of us from our bodies, causing us to experience our thoughts and intellect as the center of our experience and wisdom, and the primary site of our discernment and power. Somatic work does not minimize the value of “head-knowing”; rather it seeks to repair that disconnection and reconnect us with the fullness of our experience. For many of us, this not only feels like coming home to ourselves, but profoundly expands our access to our own deeper knowing, and a felt-sense of support and belonging with spirit, land, creation, ourselves.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

ConNext Summit 2026 is October 11-13 in Deerwood, MN

Beyond Belonging: Branch Out - Bring In - Build Together

David Scherer (AGAPE*) will guide us in branching out to bring folx into fully inclusive, affirming, beloved community in three plenary and two workshop sessions. Alsa and Morgan Bruno will lead worship and music and two workshops. This dynamic, creative, inspiring couple will build us up through humor and song.

Our expansive workshop offerings include tips, tools, and take-homes for:
Creating Cultures of Full Inclusion
Developing Internal & Community Confidence
Dismantling the Appeal of White Christian Nationalism
Creating an Ecology of Healthy Spirituality for Boys & Men
Neurodiverse Children & Youth in Worship
Collective Art in (Re)Shaping Community
Inclusive Sports
Creating Safe(r) Spaces while Addressing Violence
'Book of Belonging' Peer Panel Discussion

Over three days we’ll branch out beyond barriers and comfort zones, bring one another into new relationships and networks, and together, build community that will reshape our ministries.

LEARN MORE

Joy & Concerns

Share them with us! Send your items to communications@uccmn.org.

Employment Opportunities

The Conference maintains an up-to-date listing of authorized minister, interim minister, and other positions available in Minnesota, as well as positions with the UCC National setting. This site is frequently updated. See the current listings.

More Resources & Opportunities

STORY IDEAS: Have a story or idea to share in COMMAntary? Send an email to communications@uccmn.org. COMMAntary is published every other Thursday. Submissions are due Tuesday prior to publication at noon.

PROGRAMS & SUPPORT: Check out the wealth of resources available on the Conference's website for authorized ministers, local churches, and faith formation leaders.