By MeLinda LaViene, Conference Managing Administrator
Better Together: NCNC, UCC at the 2026 TFAM Leadership Conference
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19
Representing the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Davena Creer-Jones and I were honored to attend the 2026 Leadership Conference of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gathering clergy, seminarians, denominational leaders, nonprofit partners, and justice advocates from across the country, the conference was more than an educational event. It was a powerful witness to what is possible when communities of faith come together to learn, build relationships, and faithfully respond to God’s call for justice and liberation.
This year’s TFAM Leadership Conference theme, “Ubuntu,” beautifully echoed the spirit of our own 2026 NCNC Annual Gathering theme, “Better Together.” Ubuntu, often expressed through the phrase “I am because we are,” reminds us that our humanity is deeply interconnected and that our flourishing is bound together in the well-being of one another. In much the same way, Better Together calls us to embrace covenant, collaboration, and shared ministry, affirming that the Church is strongest when we join our diverse gifts, voices, and experiences in faithful service to God and our communities.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in inspiring worship, dynamic plenary sessions, thought provoking workshops, and meaningful fellowship that challenged us to imagine new possibilities for ministry in a rapidly changing world. Every gathering reflected TFAM’s enduring commitment to developing courageous leaders who embody faith, justice, compassion, and inclusion.
At the heart of the conference was the visionary leadership of Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Presiding Prelate Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. Bishop Flunder continues to inspire the wider Church by proclaiming a Gospel that is deeply rooted in the liberating love of Jesus Christ, a Gospel that welcomes every person, affirms the dignity of every child of God, and calls the Church to prophetic action in pursuit of justice.
Her leadership reminds us that faithful ministry is not simply about sustaining institutions; it is about transforming lives. Through compassion, courage, and unwavering commitment to God’s inclusive love, Bishop Flunder continues to shape leaders who are prepared to serve both the Church and the broader community with integrity and hope.
One of the greatest gifts of the conference was the opportunity to build and strengthen relationships across denominational and ministry contexts. Conversations extended well beyond workshop rooms and plenary sessions as participants shared stories of ministry, exchanged innovative ideas, and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
These relationships embody the covenantal spirit that defines the United Church of Christ. We are reminded that our ministries are strongest when we walk together, learning from one another’s experiences and recognizing that no single congregation or organization can address today’s challenges alone. Together, we become a stronger witness to God’s vision of justice, peace, and beloved community.
The conference workshops provided practical tools for ministry while encouraging participants to think creatively about leadership development, congregational vitality, social justice, pastoral care, community engagement, and organizational sustainability. The plenary sessions challenged us to move beyond conversation into faithful action, reminding us that leadership requires both spiritual grounding, farming ministry and a willingness to engage the pressing issues facing our communities.
A particularly meaningful highlight was learning more about the Sankofa Faith Initiative, whose work invites faith communities to reclaim the wisdom of the past while preparing leaders for the future. Inspired by the Akan principle of Sankofa—to “go back and retrieve what is valuable in order to move forward”—the initiative encourages churches to honor their history while embracing innovative approaches to ministry, leadership, and community transformation.
For the Northern California Nevada Conference, this message resonates deeply.
As we continue living into our Conference’s commitment to extravagant welcome, racial justice, leadership development, youth and young adult ministries, and community engagement, the Sankofa Faith Initiative offers a compelling reminder that faithful innovation is grounded in remembering who we are and whose we are. Our history, our covenant, and our shared commitment to the Gospel continue to guide us as we discern God’s call for the future.
The experience also reflected the spirit of our own 2026 Annual Gathering theme, “Better Together.” Throughout the conference, that truth was evident in every worship service, every conversation, every workshop, and every shared meal. We witnessed firsthand that the Church is strengthened when diverse voices are welcomed, when relationships are nurtured, and when leadership is developed across generations, cultures, identities, and traditions.
As representatives of the NCNC, UCC, we returned home inspired by new partnerships, renewed purpose, and fresh ideas that will continue to strengthen ministry throughout our Conference. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues from across the country and to deepen our relationship with TFAM (The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries) as together we seek to embody Christ’s love in the world.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Bishop Vanessa Brown, the TFAM leadership team, presenters, workshop facilitators, musicians, volunteers, and every participant who contributed to an extraordinary week of worship, learning, and fellowship.
The work before the Church is significant, but we do not undertake it alone. Guided by the Holy Spirit, strengthened through covenant, and united in Christ’s love, we continue building communities where every person is welcomed, every voice is valued, and every life reflects the image of God.
May we carry the spirit of Ubuntu into our congregations and communities throughout Northern California and Nevada, remembering that when we learn together, worship together, and serve together, we truly are Better Together.
