Annual Gathering creates a "wonderful harmony"
500 members from 90 NCNC churches gathered at Asilomar Conference Grounds May 13-16 for the NCNC annual gathering and meeting to celebrate the "wonderful harmony" we share, inspired by the Acts 2:39-47 text in the "Message" translation: "All the believers lived in a wonderful harmony."
Some highlights:
Thanks to Renie Stamm-Kirk for great photos and tech, and the whole planning committee, especially Jeannie Hobson, chair. More info on the event: the printed special issue of the Pacific.
"These women look like nice church ladies, but they are hell raisers," was how Ron Buford, Conference Development Director introduced four members of First Congregational UCC, Redwood City and thanked them for their $200,000 gift to a new Conference special fund for youth and young adult ministries. Millie Cole, Annette Howitt, Kathleen Mahany, and Bonnie Ploeger represented the church as they shared their gift and challenged the Conference to grow this fund in support of new ministries in support of youth and young adults, as they recalled how important church was for them in their youth.
Then Kevin Manz, Conference attorney and leader, announced his gift to the Conference of his family farm, valued at $250,000, as part of a planned giving legacy.
The gathered assembly also passed a $964,000 budget that included a 20% reduction in support staff ministries and a voluntary 10% salary cut for four of our staff.
Youth members quickly organized, promoted, and the gathering passed a resolution affirming marriage equality and affirming the Conference opposition to Prop. 8. Brianna from First Congregational UCC, Berkeley spoke in appreciation of her two moms and the need to affirm the right and choice of marriage equality.
On the budget item, Jeff Spencer, pastor of Niles UCC, Fremont encouraged churches to tithe; "We must meet our commitment to support the wider church."
The delegates also voted in favor of continuing the Conference commitment to a sacred conversation on race.
Conference Minister Mary Susan Gast reported on "The State of the Covenant" and welcomed Vine Moni UCC, Fremont, as a new congregation in full standing.
Gast reminded folks, as she reflected on her upcoming retirement in February (see accompanying article) that in her 14 years of service, she has enjoyed shepherding this "motley crew of grace" and that "those who were them yesterday are us today and we are forever changed."
Our task, Gast said, is to ruthlessly provoke, taunt, and incite greater and greater experiences of love. "I am what I am because of you. Without you I would not be who I am. Have I told you lately that I love you?"
New Conference leadership was voted into office, including new Conference moderator Steve Glauz-Todrank, pastor of Skyland UCC, Los Gatos.
Outgoing Conference moderator Sophia DeWitt let folks know that the meeting was not just about budgets and issues, but about creating a beautiful harmony. Small groups considered growth, wishes for community, church and denomination.
Special meals highlighted and honored various groups, including Pacific Islander Asian American Ministries (PAAM), Open and Affirming Ministries, Pacific School of Religion, Earth Stewards, and the Women’s Network, which honored Sandy Baldwin from Congregational Almaden Valley UCC, San Jose; Darlene Bogle, First Congregational UCC, San Jose; Robin Carlson, College Community Congregational UCC, Fresno; Cipriana Ghebre, Cosmopolitan Evangelical UCC, San Jose; Dena Hokom, Niles UCC, Fremont; and Mary Richardson, Congregational UCC, Elk Grove.
A special polity lesson included the "entwined craziness" (in Mary Susan’s words) of our denomination as we installed Marty Williams as Associate Conference Minister for the Sequoia and Mountain Valley Associations, in partnership with the Bay Association, where she serves also as pastor of the UCC/DOC church in Livermore.
Keynote speakers Ben Bohren, our partner Disciples of Christ Regional Minister, Charlene J. Smith, Congregational Vitality specialist at the UCC national setting, and Ron Buford all challenged the group to promote efforts in churches and communities to embrace our wonderful harmony. Bohren said our work is "soul sharing, heart healing, life changing, turning your world upside down."
A Saturday night concert led by Curran Reichert honored Bill and Linda McKinney as Bill retires from 14 years as President at Pacific School of Religion.
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