_{The Sunshine Connection}

October 1, 2026

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What's Happening In Florida Conference UCC

From Rev. LaTrell Harrison

ACM for Search and Call and Congregational Care

Beyond the Machine

This Week The Conversation Continues with Part 2

Every congregation carries a picture of itself, and most of us never chose the picture. It was handed to us.

Andrew Hogue and L. Gregory Jones name this directly in Navigating the Future (2021). “Our mental models shape the meaning we give to the world and, in turn, the ways we approach our ‘working forward’ toward the future,” they write. “Often, our mental models are hereditary, in the sense that they’re passed down from the people who came before us.” They cite time-as-money as an example. None of us invented that idea, yet it governs how we speak about our days: we spend, save, waste, and run out of time.

Then they name the metaphor they want the church to set down: the machine.

To read more click here

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

Rev. Marie Griffin as pastor and teacher of

Crossroads United Church of Christ

Sunday October 4, 2026 | 10am

A Reception will follow the service.

Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.

1621 Lake Washington Road

Melbourne, FL 32935

Oct 20

Meet Your Conference Minister

Tuesday, October 20th at 7pm.
Join us for a zoom get together with Rev. Mary Nelson, the Bridge Conference Minister of the Florida Conference United Church of Christ. We’ll have a chance to get acquainted, hear what’s happening in the Florida Conference, and talk about what’s ahead. This informal zoom is an invitation to connect, learn, and look ahead together.

2027 Annual Gathering

Save the Date | February 4-6, 2027

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.

Church Moderators Community of Connection | Tues, October 13th

Tuesday | October 13th | 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

For Authorized Ministers

Disaster Response Ministry

From Coordinator John Ristow

What's Happening In Our Local Churches

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

An Appeal for Help for Nepal after Flooding

by Renee DeLuca | published on Sep 8, 2026

The United Church of Christ, through the Global HOPE team and Global Ministries, is actively supporting the relief and response activities of ACT Alliance and our local Global Ministries partners who are providing shelter, food and nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), education, and mental and psychosocial support for affected communities. The UCC has launched an urgent appeal to deliver critical life-saving aid to help meet immediate humanitarian needs while supporting long-term recovery efforts.

Click here to read more

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:

October 28: Thanking People

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.