The Sunshine Connection

February 26, 2026

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What's Happening In Florida Conference UCC

Annual Yearbook Information Center

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For Authorized Ministers

Dear Authorized Ministers Serving our Churches and Communities

You are Enough: An Invitation to Rest

Clergy Renewal Retreat

April 14 - 15, 2026

9 a.m. - noon


You are invited to a Clergy Renewal Retreat beginning at 9am on Tuesday April 14 and ending at noon on Wednesday April 15

San Pedro Retreat Center, 99 Bishop Grady Lane, Winter Park, FL, 32792. 


You Are Enough is an invitation to rest. Led by Rev. Nicole Havelka, Burnout Recovery Coach and Yoga Teacher, this lakeside retreat explores the seven types of rest—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, creative, sensory, and social. Release the fear of “not doing enough” and step into deep renewal alongside clergy who understand the weight you carry. If you’re exhausted but don’t feel safe enough to truly rest, this space is for you. Come lay down the many hats—caregiver, healer, preacher, activist, administrator—and remember: you are enough.


The cost of the retreat is, $160 for in-state clergy and $210 for out-of-state clergy which includes meals, housing and the program. 


Rev. Nicole Havelka is a United Church of Christ clergy leader, burnout recovery coach, and founder of Defy the Trend. After more than a decade serving as conference and national staff in the UCC—coaching and supporting congregations nationwide—she now helps clergy and other caregivers reclaim Sabbath and create sustainable, life-giving rhythms. Nicole is also a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and trauma-informed movement facilitator, blending embodied practice with practical tools for boundaries, time, and rest. Learn more at defythetrend.com.


Schoarlships are available.

Speak to ACM Rev. Michelle Taylor or TCM Rev. Nayiri Karjian. 

Grant Applications

The Florida Conference UCC website is full of resources including Grants to support transformational ministries. Take time to explore the many resources available at uccfla.org including Grant Applications.

2026 Women's Conference

Laywoman of the Year Nominations Open

Conference Registration Extended

Greetings to Florida Women of the United Church of Christ,


Each year, the Florida UCC Women honors women in our Conference who, through their faith and actions, embody the true meaning of being a Christian. We celebrate women whose lives reflect service, leadership, and love — women who strengthen both church and community.


This year, as we gather under the theme “Be Courageous,” we are reminded that God equips us to live boldly. Courage is found in the women who speak truth with grace, who lead with compassion, who encourage others through hardship, and who trust God’s promises when the way forward is uncertain. The women in our churches are living examples of this call every day.

We are inviting each church in the Florida Conference to submit the names of women to be recognized as honoree —women who represent our purpose: to help women cultivate the spirit of Christ and to promote sisterhood among women of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ. It is not necessary to have an organized women’s fellowship to submit honorees. Every church is encouraged to lift up the faithful women among them.

Completed submissions are due on March 30, 2026.


You may find the form on our website or by scanning the QR code below. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or need assistance.


With gratitude and hope,

Kristina Samples

Email: floridauccwomen@uccfla.org

Zoominars and Drop- Ins

Save the Date

Calling All Church Moderators

Church Moderator Community of Connection ZOOM Drop-In

Tues March 10th, 12:00pm | the 2nd Tues of the month |

Community of Connection for Church Moderators is a monthly Zoom gathering for lay leaders serving in local church leadership roles, including Moderators, Council Presidents, Board Chairs, and those in equivalent positions within the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ. 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 meets on the second Tuesday of each month and is facilitated by Rev. Michelle Taylor. Participants are welcome to attend whenever they are able—there is no expectation to participate every month. Register here to receive the Zoom link.



Clergy Connection Drop-In

Authorized Clergy of the FLUCC ZOOM Drop- In

Wed March 11th, 12:00pm | the 2nd Wed of the month |

Community of Connection for Clergy is a monthly Zoom gathering for clergy currently serving in local United Church of Christ congregations within the Florida Conference. This is a welcoming, drop-in space to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and reflect together on the realities of ministry in this season. This Drop- In meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 12:00–1:00 p.m. and is facilitated by Rev. Michelle Taylor. Clergy are welcome to attend whenever they are able—there is no expectation to participate every month. Click here to drop- in.

What's Happening In Our Local Churches


Prayer Vigil and Advocacy for Immigration Detention Centers

To read more about the vigils and RSVP for bus transportation visit https://freedomvigils.org 

~

Prayer vigils and advocacy continue in response to Alligator Alcatraz building a rhythm of prayer and solidarity rooted in the call to honor the dignity of immigrants and those currently detained. Organized in support of Florida Immigrant Coalition’s ongoing advocacy and in collaboration with a broad interfaith coalition across Florida.

If you feel called to be part of this effort, JOIN US for one or two of ongoing meetings:

Main Interfaith Coalition Meetings (Wednesdays at 3 PM ET)

Prayer Vigil Working Group (Mondays at 2 PM ET)

What's Happening In the Wider Church

Black History Month Reflections

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson

Black History Month Reflections - Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson

Stewardship Webinars | United Church of Christ

2026


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

Topics Include:

  • March 25: Understanding Your Why
  • April 22: Testimony
  • August 26: Narrative Budgets
  • September 23: Gen Z and Generosity
  • October 28: Thanking People

One Great Hour of Sharing

Suggested Offering Date March 15

Order Special Offering Supplies Here

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ that supports partners worldwide with ministries that fund health, education, and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and both international and domestic disaster response. To learn more about OGHS and local church resources, click here.


CALL TO A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

THIRTY-FIFTH GENERAL SYNOD

 May 9, 2026

UCC Partner Schools & Centers of Learning

Resources for Continuing Education



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.


WEEKLY UCC EVENTS

NEWS FROM THE UCC

UCC ACTION CENTER

UCC DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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.

Conference Staff

Rev. Nayiri Karjian

Transitional Conference Minister

689-500-7280

nayirik@uccfla.org


Rev. Michelle Taylor

Associate Conference Minister for Committee on Ministry

and Clergy Care

689-500-7309

mtaylor@uccfla.org


Rev. LaTrell Harrison

Associate Conference Minister for

Search and Call and Congregational Care

689-500-7386

lharrison@uccfla.org


Neal Watkins

Minister of Church Vitality and Vision

689-500-7288

nwatkins@uccfla.org


Beth Shedden Scarbeary

Financial Administrator

bshedden@uccfla.org

407-835-7501 x7392


Mary Allen Briceno

Administrative Specialist

office@uccfla.org

407-835-7501 x7670


John Ristow

Volunteer Conference Disaster Response Coordinator

johnristow@disasterministries.org

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