_{The Sunshine Connection}

August 27, 2026

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What's Happening In Florida Conference UCC

From: Rev. LaTrell Harrison

ACM for Search and Call and Congregational Care

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2027 Annual Gathering

Save the Date | February 4-6, 2027

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

You are invited to attend:

Preparedness Month Kick- Off

Tuesday, September 8 | 3pm.

Join UCC Disaster Ministries, Insurance Board, Pension Boards, and Cornerstone Fund, for a collaborative Preparedness Month kickoff webinar. Through an interactive mock disaster scenario, participants will explore practical strategies for how churches can effectively care for congregants, support clergy, safeguard facilities, and serve their communities when disasters strike.

Church Moderators Community of Connection | Tues, September 8th

Tuesday | September 8th | 12:00-1:00pm | The second Tuesday of each month
Moderators, Council Presidents, Board Chairs, and those in equivalent positions within the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ are invited to attend this monthly Zoom gathering for lay leaders. This is a welcoming, drop-in space to connect with other church leaders from across Florida, share experiences, and support one another in the work of church leadership. The gathering is facilitated by Rev. LaTrell Harrison, ACM of Search and Call and Congregational Life

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:

September 23: Gen Z and Generosity
October 28: Thanking People

Upcoming Webinars from UCC

We are all experiencing a rise in our food prices, but the people who harvest our food are often left out of the conversation. This webinar connects the cost-of-living crisis to migrant labor while exploring the roles of faith in this justice advocacy. Join us for an eye-opening conversation with faith and community leaders. Our conversation partners will share actionable ways for viewers to participate in Fill the JAR and Love Knows No Borders campaigns.

Employer-Focused Workshop: Building Healthy, Sustainable Ministries Through Better Benefits Education

Monday | Aug 31 | 3pm

Employers play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term wellbeing of clergy and staff. Effective benefits education, transparent compensation practices, and proactive support for retirement readiness contribute directly to healthier ministries, stronger employee retention, and more sustainable leadership pipelines. When employers champion financial and vocational wellbeing, the entire church ecosystem becomes stronger, more stable, and better equipped for the future.

Join us as for a conversation with Dr. Meg Bartlett-Chase, sex educator, organizer and advocate--about how providing great sexuality education is a way to resist authoritarianism. Dr. Bartlett-Chase has researched sex education policy, practice and controversy, and she is the founder and executive director of Honest Sex Ed Minnesota.

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.