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Transitions announced
The Westside Committee on Ministry has taken the follow actions:
Marcia McLaughlin has been granted exempt status as a commissioned minister.
Carol Scott Kassner has resigned her standing as a commissioned minister.
The Rev. Stevi Hamill has been called to First Congregational Church in Bellevue as their associate pastor, beginning June 30.
The Rev. Roberta Rominger has completed a three-way covenant for exempt standing.
The Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist has accepted a call in the Rocky Mountain Conference, but her standing will remain in our conference.
Transfer of standing was approved for Rev. Jennifer Bannerman.
United Church in University Place UCC UMC installed Valerie Garrick as pastor and teacher May 26.
The Rev. Margo Richardson is bridge pastor at Everett UCC.
The Wallace Church is now being temporarily filled by Rev. Alice Ling and her husband, Ben.
A memorial service for Lois Brown was held June 22 at Sunnyslope Church of the Brethren in Wenatchee. She died May 21. Her husband, the Rev. David Brown, was conference minister from 1992 to 1996. She taught in Wenatchee schools.
Former pastor at Tekoa and Veradale UCC, the Rev. Dr. Bob Haworth, died July 15 in Bochum, Germany.
Clergy support groups resume
Communities of Practice, support groups of the Committee on Ministry, are led by trained facilitators for pastors in congregations, specialized ministers, retired clergy and members in discernment in the PNC-UCC. Most groups meet on Zoom, across mountains and time zones. An in-person South Puget Sound group is forming this year.
What people say about the program?
“I am new to the UCC ministry and find it helpful to be in a group with others who are further along and offer encouragement and guidance as I learn to do ministry the UCC way. Our leader poses good questions to get us talking and offers insightful reflections after each one shares.”
“Being able to meet regularly with a CoP group of colleagues is one of the best things I do for myself. The group keeps me connected and related to the PNC and UCC, supports me in my life and ministry and inspires me to grow as we support and learn from one another.”
The cost is $250.00 a year. Scholarships are available. Groups meet September to June, said the Rev. Amy Hitchens, pastor of Normandy Park UCC in Seattle, who is coordinating the groups. For information, email amy@npucc.org.
Blog shares building stories
“What’s Up with Church Buildings!” is a UCC Vital Signs and Statistics blog that explores how the understanding of what a church building is, is in transition, being re-visioned and repurposed. Congregations are leaving buildings, said David Schoen, minister for Church legacy and closure with the national UCC Church Building and Loan Fund in Cleveland. The blog includes church stories from Seattle and Portland.
For information, call 216-736-3839, email dschoen@ucc.org or visit cblfund.org.
Partners in Building set
The 17th annual “Partners in Building Today” will offer ideas on how churches can transform their communities and create vibrant, sustainable futures. Held Sept. 26 and 27 on Zoom, it explores how churches can leverage technology and repurpose their property to meet their community’s evolving needs.
Lindsey Peterson Black and her team at South Church UCC in Springfield, Mass., are “repurposing some of their church space for a community center promoting the arts, well-being and spiritual community.”
For information, visiti https://bit.ly/3Wn87KO.
OWL session is Oct. 4
Our Whole Lives is partnering with Pilgrim Firs to offer all three levels of OWL training this Nov. 22 to 24.
There is training for grades K-6, 7-9/10-12 and for young adults and older adults. Register with Mark Boyd, managing director at Pilgrim Firs, by emailing him at email mark@pilgrim-firs.org
For program details, contact Amy Johnson, who leads Our Whole Lives (OWL) workshops for the UCC.
For information, call 216-736-3718 or email amy@diligentjoy.com.
NW Women’s Retreat in 2025
The Pacific Northwest & Central Pacific Conferences of the United Church of Christ join together every three years to offer a spiritual and motivational retreat, the Northwest Regional Women’s Retreat.
The retreat on “Embrace Joy!” will be held Nov. 7 to 9, 2025 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash.
The Rev. Andrea Cano, a UCC minister serving as a clinical and palliative care chaplain who previously served with the World Council of Churches, the World Association for Christian Communication and the Latin American Council of Churches, is keynote speaker.
The Rev. Danae Ashley, an Episcopal priest and licensed marriage and family therapist in Seattle, is worship leader.
For information, visit nrwr.org.
General Synod is July 2025
Deadlines and information are available for those who want to submit business to General Synod 35, the next major gathering of the UCC which will be held July 11 to 15, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo.
It is the last time the Synod will be held biennially, because the UCC voted to meet every third year at GS34 in 2023.
The theme for General Synod 35 is “Into the Deep,” based on Luke 5:4, which says, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’”
General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson said, “Planning for GS35 is well underway, and we look forward to seeing the UCC well-represented in Kansas City.”
Resolutions may be submitted to resolutions@ucc.org by Dec. 31.
Resource available
The Rev. Joanie Henjum is offering a presentation and resource for congregations entitled “How We Will End the Sexual Abuse of Children.”
For information, email henjumjoan@gmail.com.
Justice Jubilee begins Oct.
The three-month Justice Jubilee program, beginning in October, is for adults interested in weaving social justice into the fabric of their faith and learning tools to build a more just, compassionate world. Scholarships are available for this online program that boosts knowledge, skills and confidence in working for change.
For information, visit google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelQwGAEfsMrQELg49hAzcmtlWICE59fIjxHb4p8gbtPOCGCg/viewform?pli=1.
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