UPCOMING: Ministry Burnout and Self-Care Workshops

The Florida Conference will be underwriting two "Ministry Burnout and Self-Care" online workshops, one for clergy and members in discernment on Jan. 27 from 1-4 p.m. and another for UCC lay leaders Feb. 5 from 2-5 p.m.

Florida Conference clergy who attend will earn one unit of boundary training credit.

Click here for the flyer with more info!

A Minute for Ministry

This week's Minute for Ministry is offered by Rev. George Miller of Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Sebring. We would love to hear the thoughts, reflections, ideas, celebrations and questions that arise from the ministries in and of your church. Email NWatkins@uccfla.org

We UCCers love food. We gather in Fellowship Hall to share meals. We have a food pantry or donate to one. We prepare special meals for families in need on holidays. We make and distribute sandwiches to the needy and homeless. And some of us create meals for the homeless and serve them on our premises.

The Ruth Ministry at UCC/Fort Lauderdale does this in a big way. It is named after church member Ruth Earn who encountered a hungry woman outside the church one Sunday morning after worship a score of years ago. Ruth returned to the church kitchen and made her a sandwich and gave her something to drink – and a ministry was born. It now serves more than 100 meals every Thursday at 11am – now during the pandemic with to-go eco-friendly food containers and serving in-person outside -- for anyone in need who stops by. In 2021 the ministry served some 8,000 meals. Clothing and hygiene items also are available, and a brief optional worship service is offered before the meal. Individuals, organizations and businesses in the community generously support the ministry with financial contributions, services and other donations.

Watch for other examples of our churches “being church” in each of these weekly e-blasts and the next issue of Celebrate Florida coming in April.

Click Here to Read Our Latest Issue of Celebrate Florida

• “ Let’s chat!" - Conference Minister John Vertigan is having coffee every Wednesday at 11:00am (starting TODAY!!) and would love to greet you in his Zoom living room for conversation. Lay and clergy alike are welcome to pop in for a minute or a longer moment. Hope to see you there! ZOOM Meeting ID: 836 9207 6879

• Job Opportunity - Sarasota United for Responsibility & Equity (SURE) is seeking a Lead Organizer who is passionate about working with local congregations to proactively address issues of concern in the community and to seek Justice for those who are struggling. The job posting can be found here and questions can be addressed to Lynn Jones at HonickyL@gmail.com.

• Keep Us Posted! - As each local church is responding to Omicron realities specific to their own context, the Florida Conference would love to know what modifications your church is making for the time-being. Email NWatkins@uccfla.org

Click Here to Read More about What's Happening from the National Setting of the United Church of Christ!