Search PNC News for stories of people and churches in our UCC Conference:

Transitions announced

Enoka Rex Gatolo’i died in 2021. He was serving the Ala I Le Ola Church #5 that met in Burien.

Retired pastor Ron Hutchinson died in February at age 89.

Mac Buff who is at United Churches of Olympia, has been approved as a Member in Discernment.

Kevin Carr, a hospice chaplain at Evergreen Hospital, completed his transfer of standing in February.

Transfering to other regions are Steve Davis, formerly of Plymouth Church, UCC in Seattle, received a call to the Penn Southeast Conference.

Nathaniel Mahlberg, resigned as of March 20 at First Congregational Church, Walla Walla and received a call to serve the United Church of Christ in Valley Forge, Pa.

Paul Ashby, formerly of Richmond Beach UCC in Shoreline, has transferred out of the PNC.

Chris Hayward, former pastor of Greenacres Christian Church, received a call to the Iowa Conference.

The Committee on Ministry has approved exempt status for Catharine Cline, Gail Crouch, Megan Crouse, Benji Files, Dennis Hollinger-Lant, Randall Mullins, Anthony Robinson and Wayne Wilson.

Amara Oden began her ministry at Suquamish UCC in January.

Newport UCC has called Larry Stalley as pastor. He began on January 2.

Bonnie Dalious was approved for transfer. She is a full-time chaplain in Anchorage.

Stevi Hamill has been approved for ordination pending call.

Kelle Brown, senior pastor at Plymouth UCC in Seattle, has announced that she and Stephen Smith will marry on May 28.

Women’s Retreat is May 13-15

The PNC Women’s Retreat on the theme, “Who Do You Say I AM,” is May 13-15, at N-Sid-Sen.

It’s a weekend of faith, fellowship and fun,intentional time for renewal both individually and collectively.

The retreat includes creativity, dancing the labyrinth and listening to Spirit.

The facilitators are Sharry Nyberg and Bobbi Virta.

Registration is at https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessionDetail.aspx.

UCC seeks youth leaders

The national UCC is asking anyone who has regular contact with youth in the UCC to complete a short survey to provide additional insight to the Faith INFO team and national setting.

The survey is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Youth_Min2022. For information, email Trayce Potter, minister for youth and young adult engagement at pottert@ucc.org.

Jubilee Justice planned

The Justice Leadership Program (JLP) has kicked off the first online session of the 2022 Justice Leadership Jubilee, a six-month program for adults who want to deepen their understanding of justice and learn practical organizing skills.

The online format removes geographic limitations, so the five Jubilee associates from around the PNC are joined by one in Texas. Their home congregations include Richmond Beach UCC, Normandy Park UCC, Keystone UCC, Spirit of Peace UCC and Colby UMC in Port Orchard.

The group gathers via Zoom for monthly workshops and discussion, while serving in their congregations, and volunteering with a nonprofit addressing the roots causes of injustice.

JLP recently received a booster grant from Volunteer Ministries of the National UCC and are recruiting now for the next cohort of Jubilee associates to begin in September 2022.

Applications are being accepted for the fall session. Adults interested in being more active in the work of social justice grounded in faith are encouraged to apply.

For information, email info@justiceleadership.org or visit www.justiceleadership.org.

OWL trainings are online

Our Whole Lives training is now available on a limited basis online, said Amy Johnson, UCC Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice. Applicants must commit to all dates and times listed. An endorsement is required from a church leader, which will be sent automatically at the time of application. Cost is $250 plus OWL curriculum. There is a 20 percent discount available for OWL materials to UCC members taking OWL training.

Information and dates are at https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/justice/health-and-wholeness-advocacy-ministries/sexuality-and-our-faith/justice_sexuality-education_training-schedule/

Earth Day Seminar planned

The national UCC is planning an Earth Week Event, “The Faith of Prophets: Lessons for the Climate Crisis,” at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 23 beginning with a keynote and followed with an 11:45 a.m. panel discussion. There will be suggested actions for congregations to take.

Planners say prophets are needed as the world confronts the climate crisis, but it’s not a time to wait for prophets. A recording will be available afterwards.

For information visit https://bit.ly/FaithOfProphets.

Join the Movements invites

The Rev. Traci Blackmon of the national UCC invites UCC members and congregations to “Join the Movement toward Racial Justice.”

“When love is the lens through which we see the world, justice is possible,” she said, inviting people to “imagine a church free of racism and a world where all people live without fear of violence or systems that harm God’s human creation.”

For information, visit jointhemovement.org.

Global partner video online

On March 14, Mary Olney-Loyd and Rick Russell, co-chairs of the Global Ministries Committee for the PNC and the Northern Lights Region of the Disciples of Christ recorded a Zoom Meeting with Angel Luis Rivera-Agosto, Global Ministries area executive for Latin America and the Caribbean, Xiomara Citron Garcia, and Alex Maldonado Lizardi mission co-workers in Colombia.

It introduces the work of Global Ministries with our partners, Justapaz and CEDECOL, in Colombia.

A link to 24-minute discussion is on YouTube link is below. A shorter version is planned. They urge sharing of it with congregations.

The link for the video is: https://youtu.be/4W1b3kMNB2c.

NOTE: Donations can be made for refugees and relief from the War in Ukraine at https://www.ucc.org/global-h-o-p-e/ukraine-emergency-appeal.
This and other services are possible because of OCWM. It’s also possible to give to the PNC, at www.pncucc.org.

Share this article on your favorite social media