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Transitions announced

Naomi Schulz was installed as pastor of Fox Island United Church of Christ on April 12. Being new to the Conference, she seeks to connect with others whose ministry is shaped by justice work. Her ministry has been rooted in environmental organizing and economic equity and interfaith communities schulznaomi@gmail.com

Earth Summit is April 25

The theme for the fourth annual UCC Earth Summit on April 25 is “A Future with Hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). The Jim Antal Keynote Lecture will be delivered by the Kenneth Samuel, an advocate and organizer for justice who is pastor of Victory for the World Church in Decatur, Ga. The two-and half-hour summit will also feature a panel discussion on “Power to the People: Energy Justice for an Equitable Future” with panelists Shalanda Baker, former head of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the Department of Energy under the Biden Administration, and Chandra Farley, chief sustainability officer for the City of Atlanta.

The summit will include announcing the winners for the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award and the Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth, and recognition of the newest UCC Creation Justice Churches and the first Climate Hope Affiliates.

For information and to register, visit https://ucc.zoom.us/webinar/register/2317725508886/WN_f_JcT9dSQDyLT2hHDgSboA#/registration.

Clergy DEIB training held July 22

Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Training for authorized and lay ministers will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., PDT, Wednesday, July 22, on Zoom by the New York Conference UCC.

It fulfills the DEIB requirement for parish pastors, specialized, dual standing, lay and retired authorized ministers in the PNC. Training is required every three years.

Register at https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=367&campCode=nss&idSession=536241 Find DEIB July 2026 Training and click on “Register.” The cost is $55.

Email Cindy Bauleke, Westside Committee on Ministry chair at cindybauleke@gmail.com.

UCC plans visit to West Bank

The United Church of Christ Movement for Palestinian Solidarity (UCCMPS) plans a UCC delegation to the West Bank for August 2026— with the possibility it may be delayed to a time in 2027.

The visit is to keep faith with Palestinian partners who continue to endure horrific violence and ethnic cleansing—from Gaza to the West Bank. For partners, it’s critical that UCC friends know what they’re facing and visit.

The plan is to gather with Palestinian partners (Sabeel) in May—for a Zoom meeting that to clarify plans. Those interested in participating may register to join toe Zoom meeting, when there will be a decision about delaying or going, said Dave Grishaw-Jones, UCCMPS Delegation Planning Team.

OWL observance set

Per a resolution passed at General Synod 35, all settings of the church are invited to participate in an annual observance of Our Whole Lives in May, which is Sex Ed for All Month.

Yearbook updates due

The Yearbook update deadline has been extended to April 17 because of a bug in the yearbook reporting form that prevents churches from uploading ministerial support data. When the section of the form is reached where users are asked to select the categories of minister they need to report for, there are no options to choose from. If a church has already entered support data, they are unable to add or update categories.

For the time being, however, we are encouraging churches that do run into it to skip the section and go directly from finance to congregational engagement.

Each year, the National UCC office is required to collect data from the UCC churches across the U.S. to comply and retain its umbrella 501(c)(3) status, which UCC churches .

National UCC offers resources

The United Church of Christ has prepared a program, “Love Knows No Borders,” to support churches responding to the rising tide of systemic hatred and fear directed towards immigrant, refugee and LGBTQIA neighbors.

“Know Your Rights, Know You’re Loved is a bilingual resource available in English and Spanish that combines practical legal knowledge with spiritual affirmation. It outlines your legal rights when confronted by ICE agents and offers biblical grounding for the inherent dignity and worthiness of every person, reminding us that God’s love extends to all people regardless of immigration status.”

For information, visit https://www.ucc.org/love-knows-no-borders/. Download the pamphlet at https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Know-Your-Rights-Know-Youre-Loved-Bilingual.pdf.

Board fills vacancies

“Why Trust Is Essential to Democracy” is the theme of a Zoom presentation by Jacob Lewis, associate professor of politics, philosophy and public affairs at Washington State University, at 7 p.m., Monday, April 20, at Magnolia UCC in Seattle.

He will discuss how the global erosion of democratic institutions and norms comes from a crisis of trust, which builds slowly but can be destroyed quickly.

He will speak about the “three verbs” of trust: bonding, bridging and breaking and give an overview of how trust operates within democratic societies. His research focuses on the relationship between trust, conflict and democracy. This talk is underwritten by a grant from Humanities of Washington and presented in partnership with The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service.

To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zh_jfIdrSIKEiHo4vwvuIQ#/registration.

Musicians discuss staff issues

The UCC Musicians Association president, Eric Dundore, will talk with host Amanda Udis-Kessler about music staff relations in churches in a Saturday Sharing conversation at 9 a.m., PDT, Saturday, April 25.

They will address questions such as: How can church musicians collaborate effectively with pastors and staff? What are the best practices for music directors managing multiple staff musicians? How can directors support volunteer musicians from the congregation?

To register for the link, visit https://uccma.wildapricot.org/event-6636080.

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