Have You Heard? A Farewell and Thank You

By Rev. Lauren Jewett

After nearly two years serving as NCNC’s Associate Conference Minister for Youth, Young Adults, and Education, I’m writing to share that I will be leaving this position at the end of my (extended) designated term on July 31st. This was a newly created role when I stepped into it in December 2024, and together we got to re-build something from the ground up — I could not be prouder of what we’ve created, or more grateful for the chance to have done it alongside so many of you.

When I think back over these twenty months, what stays with me most isn’t any single event – it’s the relationships. It’s the volunteer staff who showed up to plan Camp Tam before a single camper had registered. It’s the pastors, youth directors, lay leaders, and dozens of churches throughout NCNC who welcomed me into their communities and trusted me with their young people. It’s the Youth & Outdoor Ministries Committee, which grew from a handful of dedicated folks and re-formed into a formalized, sustainable team with real structure, clear roles, and a five-year vision for the future.

And it’s the young people themselves. I’ve had the privilege of watching our youth lead their own worship service at IMMERSION 2025: SF, hike to the top of Mt. Diablo at Mid-Winter Camp, wrestle with questions of healthy relationships and consent and delight in a surprise final morning snowfall at Feb Camp, and — this June — stand at the U.S. Capitol as part of our largest-ever delegation to a national UCC youth advocacy event, representing NCNC alongside 17 youth from across the denomination. One of our youth put it better than I ever could: the trip helped them realize “my voice can be heard and that my voice is powerful, no matter where I come from or who I am.” That, more than anything, is why this work matters.

None of it happened because of any one person. Camp Tamarack was fully staffed for all three weeks this summer and last only because so many people said yes, again and again, often at the last minute and always with generosity. Our conference’s engagement with the Our Whole Lives program grew because people gave up their weekends to get trained as facilitators, and because congregations like First Church Berkeley took a leap to offer new age levels for the first time. Our young adult ministries began to happen again because young adults themselves stepped up to lead, mentor, and travel alongside one another. And our wider church partnerships, from the Disciples of Christ to the Campfire Collective to UCC National Ministries, exist because people across denominations chose collaboration over competition, again and again.

I want to name my deep gratitude to the volunteers, camp directors, committee members, and church leaders who made this ministry possible — you know who you are, and I hope you know how much your above-and-beyond service meant, not just to me, but to every young person whose life was touched by this work. I’m also grateful to conference staff and colleagues who supported a brand-new role and helped me find my footing in it.

Leaving is bittersweet. I’m proud of what we built together, and I trust it’s built to last — a stronger committee, deeper relationships, and a wider network of partners than existed before. I trust and know that NCNC’s youth, young adults, and educational ministries will keep growing.

Thank you for the trust, the partnership, and the privilege of doing this work alongside you.

With gratitude,

Rev. Lauren Jewett

PS. I’ll be staying on at Danville Congregational Church as the Minister for Youth and Community Engagement in an expanded role, and will continue work as an Our Whole Lives Facilitator and Trainer of Facilitators.