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Section A: Discernment & Initial Authorization
Section B: Ministerial Oversight & Support
Ministers Portal
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Transfer of Standing
Annual Meeting 2024
Our Conference
Who We Are
Conference Council
Conference Staff
Governing Documents
Associations
Become a Friend of the Conference
Contact Us
Covenant of Light: Praying For and With Each Other
Directories & Maps
Volunteer Opportunities
Leadership Interest Registration
Past Editions of Upwellings
Philanthropy & Stewardship
Our Commitment to Donors
Remittances
Reporting Ministerial Misconduct
Youth & Outdoor Ministries
For Churches
Fair & Just Compensation for Church Workers
Lay Employment Opportunities
Proof of Tax Exempt Status
Pulpit Supply
Search & Call Central
Ministerial Covenant Submission
Workshops & Learning for Churches
Youth & Outdoor Ministries
For Ministers
Considering a Call to Ministry?
Ministerial Authorization (Committee on Ministry)
Section A: Discernment & Initial Authorization
Section B: Ministerial Oversight & Support
Ministers Portal
Fair & Just Compensation for Church Workers
Lifelong Learning Policy
Pulpit Supply
Transfer of Standing
Annual Meeting 2024
Member in Discernment Application
Home
Portals
MID Dashboard
Member in Discernment Application
Step
1
of
6
16%
Section 1: Candidate Details
Include your personal details in this section. This will create your official UCC person record.
Full Name
*
Please enter your legal name as it displays on official documents. If your name has changed, please enter your name as it is today.
First
Middle
Last
Preferred Name
For example, if you use your middle name in lieu of your first name, or a different version of your first name, or a different name altogether. If not, leave blank.
Home Address
*
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe
Armed Forces Pacific
State
ZIP Code
Email
*
Home Phone
Leave BLANK if none
Cell Phone
Leave BLANK if none
Date of Birth
*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Gender Identity
*
Cisgender Female
Cisgender Male
Transgender Female
Transgender Male
Nonbinary/Nonconforming
Other
Decline to Disclose
Racial Identity
*
Check all that apply
African American/Black
Asian
Latinx
Native American/Indigenous
Pacific Islander
White
Decline to Disclose
Section 2: Local Church Attestation
Include information regarding your Local Church of membership in NCNC-UCC. Direct verification of membership by the Moderator/President of your Local Church and affirmation of your application by your Pastor will be requested. Make sure you have the email addresses for both the Moderator/President and your Pastor correct on this form, as they will receive an email invitation from us to provide their documentation.
Local Church of Membership
*
--- CHOOSE LOCAL CHURCH ---
Alameda - First Congregational Church of Alameda
Alturas - Federated UCC
Angels Camp - Union Congregational UCC
Auburn - First Congregational Church UCC
Belmont - Congregational UCC
Benicia - Community Congregational Church UCC
Berkeley - Berkeley Chinese Community Church
Berkeley - First Congregational UCC
Berkeley - Grace North Church
Campbell - Congregational Church of Campbell UCC
Carmel - Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula
Cedarville - Surprise Valley Community Church UCC
Cloverdale - United Church of Cloverdale
Clovis - United Japanese Christian Church
Daly City - First Cong Christian Ch of Amer Samoa UCC
Daly City - Samoan Congregational Church of Jesus Christ
Danville - Danville Congregational Church
El Cerrito - The Good Table UCC
El Cerrito - Sycamore Congregational UCC
Elk Grove - Elk Grove Congregational Church UCC
Elk Grove - Sacramento Marshallese Ministry UCC
Eureka - United Congregational Christian Church
Fairfax - Fairfax Community Church UCC
Foster City - Island United Church
Fremont - Filipino American UCC
Fremont - Niles Discovery Church
Fremont - United Church of Christ Fremont
Fresno - Community UCC
Fresno - First Congregational Church
Hayward - Eden UCC
Hayward - Satauro o le Ola
Hayward - United Church of Hayward, UCC
Kensington - Arlington Community UCC
Kenwood - First Congregational Church of Los Guilicos
La Selva Beach - Community Church
Lemoore - La'au O Le Ola Congregational Christian Church of Samoa
Lodi - United Congregational Christian Church
Loomis - Loomis Basin Congregational UCC
Los Altos - Foothills Congregational UCC
Los Gatos - Skyland Community UCC
Marina - Ola Fou-New Life
Marina - Penina Ole Ola
Martinez - First Congregational Church UCC
Mill Valley - Community Church UCC
Modesto - College Avenue United Church of Christ
Murphys - First Congregational United Church of Christ
North Fork - Grace Community UCC
Oakland - Bayview Samoan CCCAS UCC
Oakland - City of Refuge UCC
Oakland - Faith Community Church UCC
Oakland - First Congregational Church of Oakland UCC
Oakland - First Samoan Congregational UCC in Oakland/Alameda
Oakland - Ministerio Latino
Oakland - Plymouth UCC
Oakland - Skyline Community Church UCC
Olympic Valley - Squaw Valley Chapel UCC
Orinda - Community UCC
Oroville - First Congregational UCC
Palo Alto - First Congregational Church of Palo Alto UCC
Pescadero - Pescadero Community UCC
Petaluma - United Church of Christ
Pittsburg - Community Presbyterian Church UCC
Pittsburg - First Congregational UCC
Pleasant Hill - Hillcrest Congregational UCC
Portola Valley - Ladera Community Church
Redding - Pilgrim Congregational UCC
Redwood City - First Congregational Church
Reno - First Congregational UCC
Ripon - First Congregational Church
Sacramento - Christian Cathedral UCC
Sacramento - Parkside Community UCC
Sacramento - Pioneer Congregational UCC
Sacramento - Sierra Vista Community Church UCC PCUSA
San Bruno - First Filipino/American UCC
San Bruno - Saint John's Church of San Bruno
San Carlos - Community UCC
San Carlos - Kalavaria Reformed CCCSA UCC
San Francisco - Chinese Congregational UCC
San Francisco - First Congregational Church
San Francisco - First Samoan Congregational UCC
San Francisco - Pilgrim Community UCC
San Francisco - Saint John's UCC
San Jose - Congregational Church of Almaden Valley UCC
San Jose - Cosmopolitan Evangelical UCC
San Jose - Epenesa Fou Congregational Church
San Jose - First Congregational Church UCC
San Jose - New Community of Faith/Baptist UCC
San Jose - Tafatolu Congregational UCC
San Jose - Urban Sanctuary
San Lorenzo - Community Church
San Mateo - College Heights UCC Hillsdale
San Mateo - Congregational Church of San Mateo UCC
San Rafael - First Congregational UCC
Santa Cruz - Peace UCC
Santa Rosa - First Congregational UCC Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa - First Samoan Congregational Christian UCC
Seaside - Congregational Christian Church of Monterey Peninsula Malamalama Fou
Sebastopol - The Community Church of Sebastopol, UCC
Sonoma - First Congregational Church UCC
South San Francisco - Faafouina Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa
Stockton - First Congregational UCC
Suisun City - Suisun-Fairfield UCC Congregational UCC
Sunnyvale - Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale, UCC
Sunnyvale - Filipino American Church
Sunol - Little Brown Church
Tiburon - Community Congregational Church
Tulare - First Congregational UCC
Weaverville - Trinity Congregational UCC
Woodland - Saint John's UCC
Woodside - Village UCC
Pastor's Name
*
First
Last
Pastor's Email Address
*
Moderator's Name
*
First
Last
Moderator's Email Address
*
Section 3: Application for Member in Discernment
In this section you will provide names and email addresses for three references, as well as upload documentation regarding your spiritual journey, resume or curriculum vitae, and formal educational achievements.
Upload your Application/Spiritual Journey paper in PDF format
*
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB.
Upload your resume/curriculum vitae in PDF format
*
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB.
Copy of diplomas, certificates, and/or transcripts showing all formal postsecondary education.
*
No more than 5 files may be submitted. Consolidate documents into a single PDF file prior to uploading, if possible.
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 64 MB.
Name of Personal Reference 1
*
First
Last
Email Address of Personal Reference 1
*
I have notified the person listed as Personal Reference 1 that they will receive an automatic link to complete their Reference
*
Yes
Name of Personal Reference 2
*
First
Last
Email Address of Personal Reference 2
*
I have notified the person listed as Personal Reference 2 that they will receive an automatic link to complete their Reference
*
Yes
Section 4: Personal Disclosures
Information obtained in this section will be used to verify your background and confirm your eligibility to be received as a Member in Discernment with this Conference.
I affirm that the position, power and authority associated with a ministry authorized by the United Church of Christ extends and participates in the ministry of Jesus Christ and is intended to be of benefit to all served by this ministry.
*
Yes
No
In the past, I have:
*
Held Authorization/Standing in a Conference or Association of the United Church of Christ
Been a Member in Discernment (or Student In Care) with a Conference or Association of the United Church of Christ
Been ordained in another denomination, or by a local congregation, and had that ordination formally recognized/recorded in the denomination
None of the above
Considering only matters subject to official disciplinary or accountability review by a Conference or Association of the United Church of Christ:
*
I have not been the Minister in Question or subject of an official disciplinary review that resulted in a Program of Growth and/or counseling
I have not been the Minister in Question or subject of an official disciplinary review that resulted in censure.
I have not been the Minister in Question or subject of an official disciplinary review that resulted in suspension of Standing.
I have not been the Minister in Question or subject of an official disciplinary review that resulted in termination of Standing.
Commentary on official disciplinary or accountability review by a Conference or Association of the United Church of Christ, if any boxes above are not checked
Include only matters subject to official disciplinary review within another denomination:
*
I have not been the subject of official disciplinary proceedings that resulted in disciplinary action
Official disciplinary proceedings are not pending regarding me at the present time
Commentary on official disciplinary or accountability review by another denomination, if any boxes above are not checked
Include only matters subject to official disciplinary proceedings by a professional organization, credentialing body, or guild:
*
I have not been the subject of official disciplinary proceedings that resulted in disciplinary action
Official disciplinary proceedings are not pending regarding me at the present time
Commentary on official disciplinary proceedings by a professional organization, credentialing body, or guild, if any boxes above are not checked
No civil lawsuit alleging that I attempted or actually engaged in sexual discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or misconduct; physical abuse; child abuse; or financial misconduct has ever resulted in a judgment being entered against me, settled out of court, or dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired.
*
True
False
Explain your "false" answer to the above question.
*
With respect to driving record, include matters of reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and/or under the influence of a controlled substance; with respect to criminal charges do not include acts of civil disobedience:
*
I have not had my driving license suspended or revoked within the last five years
I have not been found guilty or pleaded guilty or no contest to criminal charges
Commentary on driving and criminal record, if any boxes above are not checked
My employment has not been terminated because I attempted or actually engaged in:
*
sexual discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or misconduct
physical abuse
child abuse
financial misconduct
I have not terminated my employment or professional credentials in order to avoid facing or to avoid being terminated because of charges of actual or attempted:
*
sexual discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or misconduct
physical abuse
child abuse
financial misconduct
Commentary on employment termination or resignation history, if any above boxes are not checked
In my judgment, there are no facts or circumstances involving me or my background that would warrant further review before my being entrusted with the responsibilities of ministry on behalf of a calling body of the United Church of Christ.
*
True
False
Commentary on my "false" answer above
*
Association in which you previously held UCC Authorization, were a Member in Discernment or Student In Care
*
If a Conference acting as/on behalf of Association, type Conference name here
Conference in which you previously held UCC Authorization, were a Member in Discernment, or Student In Care
*
For Conferences which have ceased to exist as a result of merger, indicate current Conference
----- CHOOSE CONFERENCE -----
California, Nevada Northern
California, Nevada Southern
Calvin Synod
Central Atlantic
Central Pacific
Florida
Hawai'i
Heartland (Ohio)
Illinois
Illinois South
Indiana-Kentucky
Iowa
Kansas-Oklahoma
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri Mid-South
Montana-Northern Wyoming
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New York
Northern Plains
Pacific Northwest
Penn Central
Penn Northeast
Penn West
Pennsylvania Southeast
Rocky Mountain
South Central
South Dakota
Southeast
Southern
Southern New England
Southwest
Vermont
Wisconsin
Briefly describe your prior In Care/Discernment process. Include beginning/end dates and identify why the process ended.
*
Have you previously been admitted to a formal process of ministerial formation with the goal of ordained or other professional ministry in another denomination or faith tradition?
*
Yes
No
Name of other denomination or faith tradition
*
Briefly describe your other formal ministerial formation process. Include beginning/end dates and identify why the process ended. Include the name of the appropriate body that supervised your process.
*
Is there a denominational official with whom we can speak about this process?
*
Yes
No
Name of Denominational Official
*
First
Last
Email of Denominational Official (if known)
Phone of Denominational Official (if known)
Release of Information & Criminal Background Screening
This allows other entities to share relevant and pertinent personal information with NCNC-UCC throughout your Member in Discernment process. This also permits us to conduct a criminal background screening using a commercial vendor.
Consent to Release of Information
*
I agree.
I authorize the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ and/or its officers, committees, and agents to make inquiries regarding my character and qualifications. I also authorize all entities, persons, seminary staff and faculty, former employers, supervisors, counselors, psychological testing agencies, ministers, ecclesiastical authorizing bodies of other judicatories, settings of other denominations, courts, law enforcement, and other public agencies to respond to inquiries concerning me and to comment on and state opinions regarding my background, character, and qualifications. To encourage such persons to speak openly and responsibly, I hereby release them from all liability arising from their responses, comments, and statements, including, but not limited to, any liabilities for alleged defamation of character or invasion of privacy. I authorize the Northern California Nevada Conference and its agents to circulate, distribute, and otherwise share the information gathered regarding me to those whom it, in its sole discretion, deems adviseable.
Consent to Background Screening
*
I agree.
All candidates requesting in Discernment status with the Conference must give permission for a criminal background screening. This information will be kept strictly confidential and interpreted alongside an individual's Personal Disclosure Statement. This screening DOES NOT take the place of the mandatory criminal background check required to circulate a Ministerial Profile in the United Church of Christ. Your personal information in the rest of this application will be used to conduct a criminal background check. You will be charged $13.25 and payment by credit/debit card will be collected now.
I have never been terminated from any employment or volunteer activity because I attempted or actually engaged in sexual discrimination, harassment, exploitation or misconduct; physical abuse; child abuse; financial misconduct; or drug- or alcohol-related activities. I have never terminated any employment or volunteer activity to avoid facing charges of any conduct named above. I have never been accused of those activities. If I have been I have explained fully in my Personal Disclosure Statement.
*
True
False
While in a ministerial authorization process, or working in any paid or volunteer capacity with the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ, I will not offend or discriminate against any person because of age, gender, race, color, ethnic origin, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, or physical handicap.
*
True
False
I hereby give consent for the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ to request a criminal background screening using the information provided on this application. I authorize any person or agency to respond to such request for background information.
*
True
False
I agree to hold harmless the Members, Directors, Officers, Employees, and Volunteers of the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ from any and all damages I may suffer as a result of said background search.
*
True
False
At this moment, I am physically located in this CITY:
*
At this moment, I am physically located in this COUNTY:
*
The above city and county are in this STATE/TERRITORY of the United States:
*
--- SELECT ---
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe
Armed Forces Pacific
Declaration of Truth
*
I do so declare.
I declare all of the above to be true under penalty of perjury, as of the date and time of my submission of this form.
Background Check Fee
Section 5: Payment & Signature
We will collect payment for your Background Check fee as well as a voluntary contribution to the Conference's ministry of oversight and support. We will capture your signature, which will complete your application.
Would you like to become a Friend of the Conference?
*
Our Conference invests at least $3,500 in each Member in Discernment as part of its ministry of oversight and support. Would you like to make a voluntary contribution of any amount and become a Friend of the Conference? This voluntary contribution will be in addition to your required Background Check Fee.
Yes
Not at this time
Friend of the Conference Voluntary Contribution Amount
*
Thank you!
Total to be Collected Today
$0.00
Signature
*
Your signature attests everything within this application is true and correct to the best of your knowledge, that you are requesting an appointment with the Committee on Ministry, Section A to be received as a Member in Discernment by this Conference acting on behalf of the United Church of Christ
Credit Card
Billing Address
*
Same as Home Address entered earlier
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe
Armed Forces Pacific
State
ZIP Code
Δ