The conference staff, the Conference Council, and the Annual Gathering (AG) Team are excited to officially announce the location of this year’s AG. We will descend upon FCC-Palo Alto June 15-17th. By having the AG at a local church, we can provide a more cost-effective experience, and it will be a much simpler project to manage.
In connection with the theme, The Elephant Within, our keynote speaker will be Rev. Marvin Silver. Rev. Silver serves as Associate Conference Minister for Justice & Witness Ministries with the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ. He has an unquestionable commitment to justice that has been demonstrated throughout his ministry in leading and organizing social justice campaigns as Policy Advocate with the UCC former Justice & Witness Ministries.
We have scheduled the following workshops: The Seven Pauses for Well-Being and Inner Peace led by Rev. Dr. Curran Reichert. “This workshop is designed to offer tangible ways to find your way back to your best self and help others do the same.” Rev. Carol Barriger will lead Lay Leaders in a Polity Workshop. Pastor Ron Buford will be offering a workshop on Racists Anonymous, “a 12-step program for ‘recovering’ from internalized racism.” We are reviewing other workshop proposals, which may be included in the schedule.
We have planned for youth ages 14+ a space to chill for informal discussions on issues of their hearts, time to relax, and play games. We will need volunteers to care for our children and youth ages 13 and under. Please contact Rev. Dr. Celestine Fields if you are interested in helping. All volunteers working with minors are required to get a Live Scan Clearance.
Jean Jeffress and guest will be doing a live recorded podcast titled THE WORD IS RESISTANCE, a project of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial and economic justice.
A formal black-tie (optional) award banquet will be held to recognize our clergy and churches doing outstanding ministry in our conference. If you are doing something phenomenal, please submit a video (landscaped) or an article about your work to Joy Davis on or before Sunday, May 14th.
Church leaders and clergy will be invited for listening sessions and a discussion regarding the vision of the conference with your new conference ministers.
Finally, please remember that we need three delegates from each church, at least one of whom must be a youth or young adult (see chart below).
VOTING DELEGATES TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
Local Church Representatives:
Each local church is allowed voting delegates at the business sessions of the Annual Meeting based on church membership:
| Number of Members | Number of Delegates |
| 250 or fewer | 3 |
| 251 to 350 | 4 |
| 351 to 450 | 5 |
| More than 450 | 6 |
Delegates may be church members of any age, including youth. At least one of the delegates must be a youth or young adult (ages 13 to 30).
Ministers:
Any Authorized Minister who has standing in the Northern California Nevada Conference is a voting member when present at Annual Meeting.
We look forward to seeing you in June! Registration and more information on the Annual Gathering page.
