_{The Sunshine Connection}

August 13, 2026

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What's Happening In Florida Conference UCC

2027 Annual Gathering

Save the Date | February 4-6, 2027

Greetings Florida Conference,

Grace and peace be with you today. Conference leadership has been working to support the ministry of the Florida Conference, and we are pleased to share that a Bridge Conference Minister has been called to serve during this time of transition. We look forward to introducing her in the coming weeks.

We also invite you to save the date for our Annual Gathering, February 4-6, 2027, in Altamonte Springs, FL. This in-person gathering will be a time for our congregations to connect, empower, and engage Together with Hope.

Additional details about our Annual Gathering, including the schedule and registration information, will be available in September. Check the Sunshine Connection and our website at uccfla.org for updates.

God is still speaking,

Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey, Moderator

Florida Conference | United Church of Christ

Conference Minister Search Committee Update

Dear Florida Conference Community,

The official Florida Conference Profile for our new Conference Minister search is now available for your review.

Please take a few moments to review the profile and complete the short feedback survey at the end. Your input is vital as the committee works to incorporate your perspectives into this process. The deadline to submit feedback is Friday August 14th.

I also want to publicly thank the members of the Search Committee. Their dedication, thoughtful collaboration, and hard work over the past few months to finalize this profile have been extraordinary. I deeply appreciate their service during this season of transition.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

Blessings,

Sumner Hutcheson III

Chair, Florida Conference Search Committee

Conference Office Building News

Dear Florida Conference,

Due to financial concerns related to ongoing building maintenance costs, at its May meeting, the Board of Directors voted to sell the Conference Office Building on 9300 University Ave, in Orlando.

This was not a simple or easy decision. To address the many questions and concerns that come with this decision, the Board of Directors formed an ad hoc committee to explore and make recommendations for discernment that are aligned with the vision and mission of the Conference.

The Board’s Ad Hoc Building Exploration Committee members are Kerry Weisner, Sheila Harvey, Rachel Parker McClendon and Nayiri Karjian.

The property is now listed live on several platforms. Please check them out here:

https://portal.onehome.com/en-US/share/2942041y24210

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/9300-University-Blvd-Orlando-FL/41446337/

https://www.crexi.com/properties/2642598/florida-9300-university-boulevard

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=6bo8Wgd15Qm&brand=0&mls=1&

Faithfully,

Board of Directors' Building Exploration Ad-Hoc Committee

Upcoming Ordinations

You are invited to a worship service to celebrate the ordination of

Shelby Hall into Christian Ministry

on Saturday, August 22 at 2pm at United Church of Gainesville

1624 N.W. Fifth Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32603

You are invited to a worship service to celebrate the ordination of

Marie Griffin into Christian Ministry

on Sunday, August 23 at 2pm at Hope United Church of Christ

2555 S Fiske Blvd Rockledge, FL 32955

Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.

Receptions to follow

Neighbors in Need | SUN October 4th

The Florida Conference UCC website is full of resources including an entire page devoted to Faith Formation Resources . Visit uccfla.org to explore the growing faith formation resources available for all ages.

For Authorized Ministers

Disaster Response Ministry

From Coordinator John Ristow

What's Happening In Our Local Churches

Sacred Connections Flier

Help Wanted: Christ Congregational UCC Miami

Sunday School Coordinator (Part-Time)

Christ Congregational Church (UCC) is looking for a caring, creative, and reliable individual to help lead and grow our Sunday School ministry.

Right now, our program is small, but we are excited about building something meaningful and engaging as our community grows. We are looking for someone who can both care for our kids during Sunday service and who can grow with us as we expand youth programming.

Click here for full job description and contact information

What's Happening In the Wider Church

A Make a Will Resource for UCC Members

This August, the United Church of Christ is observing Make-A-Will Month by providing a free will-writing tool.

This is done in partnership between the National Ministries, The Pension Boards, and FreeWill. It’s a moment to be thoughtful stewards of family, finances, and faith. Nearly two-thirds of American adults do not have a will, and this program empowers congregation members to prayerfully plan for their future and protect loved ones.

Registration for the

2026 Southern Regional UCC Women's Retreat is OPEN!

Join the South Central, Florida, Southeast & Southern Conferences for the 2026 Southern Regional United Church of Christ Women's Retreat

For more details and the registration link click here

The UCC 2027 Desk Calendar & Plan Book Available!

“For over four decades multiple teams have touched this project and shared both time and talent creating such a worthwhile resource and point of connection between our National Ministries and the people we serve and support,” said Megan Vogias, the UCC’s director of Marketing & Communications. “My prayer is that you find just as much joy in using it as we do in creating it.”

Order Here

The UCC is part of an effort with the Values in Action Foundation and you're invited! To learn more about the movement or to sign up your church, click here.

Justice Resources For Churches

The UCC has developed tools and resources designed to strengthen the Justice Ministry in local churches. Click here to access these resources.

Stewardship Webinars | United Church of Christ

2026

Save the Dates for the 2026 Stewardship Webinars offered the following Wednesdays by the United Church of Christ. Click here for full webinar details and Zoom registration links.

Topics Include:

August 26: Narrative Budgets
September 23: Gen Z and Generosity
October 28: Thanking People

Upcoming Webinars from UCC

Aug 19, 2026 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Financial wellbeing is inseparable from pastoral wellbeing. When clergy build healthier relationships with money, they reduce stress, expand capacity for spiritual leadership, and strengthen their ability to serve without fear or scarcity. Retirement readiness becomes an act of stewardship—of self, vocation, and community—reframing financial planning as an essential component of sustainable ministry.

Thursday, Aug 20, 2026 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Join the Disability Ministry Board for an interactive conversation around the intersections of disability and economic justice. We'll learn a bit about how the limitations of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) impacts housing and financial stability for the community diagnosed with disabilities. More importantly, we'll ask the hard questions about why we should care beyond being called and led to be a caring, gracious and loving community that honors the dignity of all our neighbors.

UCC Partner Schools & Centers of Learning

Resources for Continuing Education

The Damascus Project a ministry of the Wisconsin and Minnesota Conferences UCC
Pathways a ministry of the Southeast Conference UCC
Lay Academy of Lancaster Theological Seminary PA Academy of Ministry
Walker Leadership Institute Eden Theological Seminary
New York School of Ministry New York Conference UCC

The UCC Action Center

The Justice and Peace Action Network is our denomination’s grassroots advocacy network that educates and engages in shaping public policy in keeping with God’s vision of a just and loving society.

Did you know that the Justice and Peace Action Network has an Action Center where you can contact your legislators on pressing issues with one click? Grounded in General Synod resolutions and consonant with historic UCC witness, and formed by a biblical understanding of prophetic ministry, the action center helps us to collectively advocate for social change across a variety of issues.

Global Ministries offers weekly prayer and stories about one of our global mission partners. This weeks prayer is with Nicaragua.

The Deadline for Sunshine Connection Articles and Submissions is Tuesday 12pm. Please email a flier and event details to: office@uccfla.org. See policy and guidelines for remittance. Thank you.