_{The Sunshine Connection}

October 15, 2026

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What's Happening In Florida Conference UCC

From Rev. Mary Nelson

Bridge Conference Minister

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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 Annual Gathering Planning Committee is shaping the workshop offerings for this year’s Annual Gathering, February 4^th - 6^th. We would love to hear your ideas for topics you would like to explore—as a facilitator or participant—and invite you to email Neal Watkins at nwatkins@uccfla.org for the committee’s review. While time and space limit the number of workshops we can offer at the Gathering, your suggestions will also help the conference plan opportunities to continue these conversations on Zoom – we look forward to hearing from you!

The Florida Conference UCC website is full of resources including an entire page devoted to Church Health and Vitality. Visit uccfla.org to explore the resources available.

For Authorized Ministers

Disaster Response Ministry

From Coordinator John Ristow

What's Happening In Our Local Churches

Nadia Bolz-Weber to Visit JupiterFIRST

JupiterFIRST will host Nadia Bolz-Weber's Red State Revival on Saturday, December 5, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at 1475 Indian Creek Pkwy in Jupiter. Nadia promises pretty good singing and real good gospel, and she pays for the tour herself, so nothing is for sale. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, including free, because she wants everyone who wants to come to be there.

Reserve your seat(s) here!

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

NOW HIRING: Full-Time Director of Music

JupiterFIRST Church, an inclusive UCC congregation in Jupiter, Florida, seeks a Director of Music and Worship to shape meaningful worship for a diverse, multigenerational community. Our services draw on hymns, gospel, jazz, pop, and contemporary worship, and we're looking for a musician who can move fluently across that range.

Our mission: to embrace all as beloved images of God, love and serve in the ways of Jesus, and participate in God's dream for all creation. Music is central to how our congregation lives that out.

Click here for full job description and contact information

What's Happening In the Wider Church

The new Global H.O.P.E. Monitoring Center has updates on the latest storms impacting several areas around the country. Learn how the team is responding and ways to support the work.

For those who are growing the work of Childeren's Ministry in the UCC, you can find the latest newsletter from Love of Children here in addition to the many resources available at their website, 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:

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.