Let’s Talk: NCNC News and Fall Events

This Fall there are a lot of things happening in our Conference—transitions, trainings, invitations to gather. Today I want to highlight these events and invite you to register as soon as possible.

As you all know, my time with this Conference is winding down. When I first announced my resignation, we had six months together. It is now just over three months and I am feeling all the feelings one would expect. I continue to insist to all my colleagues that this is the best Conference and stepping out from my role as your Conference Minister will be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I’m excited for what is next for me—more time with my family and a new ministry that I see as important work for the Church—but, of course, that doesn’t mean I won’t experience grief and sadness at my departure.

And the exciting news around this transition is announced below—the decision Conference Council has made as to the Bridge Conference Minister who will begin on January 1, 2023. I am equally excited for what is next for this amazing Conference as you begin a new chapter of ministry.

Between now and then, though, there is still much for us to do together! Below are a few words about each of several events coming up. We hope you will register and join as many as you can. Links for each are posted in the summary.

Racial Justice Training (one-day, six hours)

The next Racial Justice Training for Authorized Ministers will be held on Saturday, October 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This six-hour training will be held on-line. All Authorized Ministers are required to complete Racial Justice Training by December 31, 2023, and this training will fulfill that Life-Long Learning requirement. Cost is $50. Register here.

Racial Justice Training (three-day, 2 hours each day)

Another option for Racial Justice Training is three, two-hour sessions to be held November 3, 10 and 17, 6-8 p.m. each night. These sessions will also be held on-line and you must attend all three to complete the training. Cost is $50. Register here.

Authorized Ministers Boundary Training

This training will be offered Friday, October 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Niles Discovery Church in Fremont. Cost is $60 and includes lunch. Our facilitator is the Rev. Al Miles, Lead Chaplain of Pacific Health Ministry serving at The Queens Medical Center. There are about 140 Authorized Ministers who are due for Boundary Training by December 31 of this year or are already past-due and in danger of their standing being suspended. We have some spots left in this training and want to encourage those ministers who need to meet this requirement for their Life-Long Learning to sign up soon. Register here.

Lay Leaders Boundary Training

At the request of many churches and authorized ministers, Rev. Miles has agreed to lead a Lay Boundary Training on Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at United Church of Christ Fremont. There will be no formal lunch provided but we will have healthy snacks available, and you can bring your own food as needed. Cost is $15/person or $50 for a church to register as many people as they want. This event will offer opportunities to reflect on the boundary obligations of ministers especially around leave-taking and retirement and also boundaries that lay leaders need to be aware of when serving in leadership roles. Our Conference Council believes in the importance of this training so much that they have agreed to do this training as part of the regular Conference Council meeting. We hope churches and lay leaders will also participate. Register here.

Annual Meeting

A special, virtual Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m. Business items include voting on an adjusted budget if needed and approval of the adjusted Range of Light Resolution to be sent to General Synod for consideration in 2023. There is no cost for this event although we do need delegates to register for quorum verification. Register here.

Conference Minister Service of Release

As I end my time with the Northern California Nevada Conference, a service of covenant release will be held on December 11 in the afternoon. Time and location options are being explored and details will be publicized as soon as they are available. For now, though, please save the date as I hope to be able to say good-bye in person to as many of you as possible.