Workshops

Join us to experience how poetry can deepen our personal and group devotion, as well as liturgical expression. With deep understanding of the human spirit, each poem by Tina Datsko de Sanchez touches the reader’s core with its rich imagery. Tina will share poems from Drinking Pure Light: Daily Poems of Courage, Compassion, and Surrender and invite attendees into reflection with a journaling prompt. Poetry also has the power of intersecting with group work to deepen the spiritual grounding practices of organizations and group meetings. Whether by lectio divina or other practices, this workshop will offer tools and insights into how groups can utilize poetry as a transformational mechanism for spiritual leadership. Finally, exploring vibrant ways to enliven worship is important. Contemporary poetry is a way to hear more diverse voices in worship, deepen the experience of liturgy for modern ears, and find new depths of expression. 

Presenters: 

Tina Datsko de Sanchez, Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen, and Rev. Dr. Chad Abbott.

Time: B

Come and see how leading communal song paperlessly can bring your young and old together (and everyone in between!) in worship and beyond. We will dip our nets into an abundance of songs and leadership practices that make singing accessible for church bodies of all sizes and shapes: small and large, rural and urban, new and old. Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcome to participate!   

Presenters:  

Conie Borchardt is the current Executive Director of Music that Makes Community (MMC), an organization sharing the practice of paperless song leading. They have 30+ years of church music experience, 5 at a UCC congregation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro, and are half of the mixed Asian song leading duo, GOOD TROUBLE.

Rev. Breen Marie Sipes is an ELCA Lutheran pastor, a full-time parent, and prolific writer of pocket songs.  She is the board president of Music that Makes Community, a guest preacher in small, rural, vibrant congregations, and a faith formation leader at her home church.

Time: B

The Philanthropy Team of the National Ministries has expanded and deepened its work in response to the leadership of General Synod. This learning hour is designed to introduce the expanded Team to Synod attendees while introducing important updates to the National Ministries ‘donor-centric’ model of generosity. As a visible outcome of General Synod actions to encourage a New Ecology of Giving, this Team will present a spiritually grounded overview of the key themes in giving for the UCC: spirituality, relationships, wider trends, and legacy giving. 

Presenters: 

• Ms. Gloria Vicente, Generosity Officer, Great Lakes Region
• Rev. Michael Vollbrecht, Generosity Officer, West Central and Southern Regions
• Rev. Dr. James Fouther, Jr., Generosity Officer, Western Region
• Rev. Rachel McDonald, Generosity Officer, Special Mission Offerings & OCWM
• Rev. David Sigmund, Generosity Officer, Planned Giving

Time: A

Explore the transformative nature of God’s call through this writing workshop with members of the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group. God calls us all, whether to ministries or professions or acts of service or communities of love, but sometimes our call is difficult to discern or daunting to embrace. Through the crafting and sharing of personal testimonies, this workshop offers tools and support for embracing God’s call in today’s complex world. Attendees will engage in discussion, storytelling, and writing exercises to gain deeper understanding of the shape(s) that God’s call takes in our personal and collective faith journeys. Ideal for first-time discerners, discouraged clergy, lay leaders, and ministers in transition. 

Presenters:  

For 14+ years, the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group has provided an impactful ministry of the written word to spiritually nurture readers across (and beyond) the United Church of Christ. Their print resources for congregations and individuals are known for being practical and playful, honest and provocative.

Time: B

Scientific research shows the positive effects of awe, beauty, wonder, curiosity, delight, connection, and self-giving on our wellbeing and its relationship to becoming more empathetic humans. Dr. Marcia McFee is convinced that spiritual leaders and communities are uniquely equipped to offer experiences of awe through innovative events and rituals inside and outside of Sunday morning worship. Come learn why, what, and how to become a “Purveyor of Awe” for a world that so desperately needs it.

Presenter:  

Dr. Marcia McFee has been teaching sensory-rich worship for over 30 years. She is the Creator and Visionary of Worship Design Studio (www.worshipdesignstudio.com) that has resourced thousands of congregations with worship series and training. Find out more about her latest research on awe at www.purveyorsofawe.com. 

Time: A

In 2025, the UCC launched a new program called Climate Hope Affiliates. Local chapters across the country are now working to address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice. Our first five chapters have already launched, and five more will launch by the end of the summer. Chapters are dedicated to advancing and protecting federal legislation through the development of ongoing relationships with members of Congress, local media, and the broader community. In this workshop, you will learn about the collective sense of calling that guides this work, our current advocacy focus, and our long-term policy vision. 

Presenters:  

The Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt has served ten years as the UCC’s Minister for Environmental Justice. He is the author of “Cathedral on Fire: A Church Handbook for Climate Crisis.”  

Abigail Cipparone is the Domestic Policy Advocate for the UCC’s Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington, DC. Previously, she served as the Legislative Director for Congressman Kweisi Mfume.

Time: A

How we invest our resources reflects our values and priorities, and as stewards of God’s creation, we have a powerful opportunity to align our investments with sustainable practices that help mitigate climate change. This workshop invites people of call to explore how their retirement assets can advance environmental stewardship and create a more just and equitable world for all.

Join representatives from UCC Financial Ministries for an engaging panel discussion on how responsible investing empowers us to protect the planet, promote sustainability, and advocate for social and environmental justice. Together, we will unpack how aligning our retirement investments with our faith and values can drive impactful change ensuring that our financial decisions today contribute to a flourishing and sustainable tomorrow.

Learn how your investments are more than a financial way to live out your commitment to care for God’s creation. 

Moderator:

David A. Klassen serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc. Previously, David served as Chief Investment Officer for the Pension Boards and United Church Funds for 14 years. Formerly, Dave served as V.P. and portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and Managing Director and Head of Equities at JPMorgan Chase. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and currently is a member of the Board of Trustees of Union Theological Seminary in NYC. 

Time: B

As the climate crisis leads to more extreme weather events, faith communities can play a vital role as places of refuge and resiliency. For example, a house of worship with solar panels, battery storage, air conditioning, and an air filtration system can provide a place for community members to come during heat waves, power outages, or unhealthy air quality days. Faith communities not only can serve as drop-in centers, but they can also serve as evacuation zones, emergency shelters, and resource hubs in times of trouble. In this workshop, participants will learn more about the cutting edge of how faith communities are embodying a love of neighbor in very tangible and needed ways. We will hear stories of ministry directly from Congregational Church of San Mateo, CA, First Church UCC in Phoenix, AZ, and St. John United Church of Christ in Saint Charles, MO.   

Presenters:  

Katie Howe is Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery with the National Setting of the United Church of Christ. In her role she helps churches prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters. 

The Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt is the UCC’s Minister for Environmental Justice and the author of “Cathedral on Fire: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis.”

Time: B

Enter into deep conversations with Rev Dr Sarah Lund, UCC Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice, Rev Amy Johnson, UCC Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice, and Dr. Melanie Davis, UUA Our Whole Lives Program Manager, around creating welcoming and trauma-informed communities inclusive of neurodiversity and a holistic view of sexuality, identity and faith. Learn about neuroinclusive ministries and consent education as suicide prevention strategies. The presenters will share resources, including Sarah’s new book, Blessed Minds: Breaking the Silence about Neurodiversity, and a new Our Whole Lives Parent Hub with resources about inclusive sexuality education and conversations. 

Presenters:  

Sarah Griffith Lund the Blessed Minds author is an ordained minister and passionate advocate for neurodiversity. Her writing on mental health and neurodiversity is both personal and practical, offering a hopeful vision for the church. She is also the author of Blessed Are the Crazy, Blessed Youth, Blessed Youth Survival Guide, and Blessed Union.  

Rev. Amy Johnson (she/her) serves as the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice in the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ. She is the co-author of Our Whole Lives for Grades 4-6, 2nd Edition. 

Melanie Davis, PhD, (she/her) is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Our Whole Lives Program Manager. She wrote Our Whole Lives for Older Adults and Sexuality and Our Faith: Companion to Our Whole Lives for Grades 7-9, 2nd ed.

Time: B

The church should be a safe place for people to worship, work, connect and receive care and support in a manner that is free from abuse. Protect your ministry by learning policy best practices and boundary training to prevent abuse and provide a safe environment for everyone. 

Presenter:  

Chad Cunningham is the Director of Loss Control at Insurance Board. Prior to joining Insurance Board, Chad worked for Navigate360 (ALICE Training Institute) as the VP of Education and Curriculum.  During this time, he led a team of designers and trainers in developing and delivering training and curriculum to our clients.

Time: A

The choices we make about how we spend our money, where we deposit our checks, or how we invest our personal retirement or church endowment has real world effects on human and worker rights. In this workshop, we will see how our financial institutions and capital markets affect human rights in conflict zones (i.e., Israel/Palestine, Ukraine/Russia); indigenous rights; worker rights and fair wages. We will also discuss how responsible investors, like United Church Funds, address these impacts and the tools they employ to uphold and improve human rights. 

Presenters:  

Stacey Pettice: Stacey serves at UCF’s Institutional Relationships Executive. She brings extensive knowledge and experience in the Financial Services & Investment industry. Stacey graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hampton University where she received a BS in Finance. Upon graduation she joined Goldman Sachs & Co. Stacey is originally from Charlotte, NC and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. She currently serves as the Board of Investor Advocates for Social Justice. Stacey has traveled the globe to touch, move and inspire as many lives as possible. 

Matthew Illian: Matthew serves as UCF’s Director of Responsible Investing.  He has extensive experience working with philanthropic organizations and other values-based investors in designing investment strategies that achieve both financial and mission-aligned impact. Prior to UCF, Matthew served as a financial advisor to high-net-worth investors, on the Board of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation and an affordable housing non-profit. Matthew loves trail running in the Hudson Valley, coaching his kids sports teams and dabbles in a myriad of contemplative practices that rejuvenate his soul.

Lan Cai: Lan serves as UCF’s Chief Investment Strategist.  She joined the PBUCC in 2015, bringing with her extensive experience in investment and asset management. Previously, she was Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Millennium. Prior to Millennium, Lan was Partner and Head Portfolio Manager at PineBridge Investments in New York, where she managed $20 billion in equity strategies, including enhanced index, tax-efficient income, portable alpha, and merger arbitrage. Lan received her MBA from the University of Chicago and is a CFA® Charterholder.  She is passionate about investments that do well and do good.

Time: A

While it is true that we bring nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it (1 Timothy 6:7), we can make plans today so that our assets work to benefit others tomorrow. Planning done now to build a legacy is not an act of vanity, but a faithful and spiritual practice of stewardship. With what we have, we can ensure that our heirs, church or the causes we support have the means to thrive long after we have left. In this workshop, the staff of United Church Funds will discuss organizational legacy planning and strategic financial visioning for churches: how to begin, what to consider, where to find resources, and who to turn to for advice. They will also share inspiring stories of churches whose have created legacies that are helping fund mission well into the future.

Presenter:  

Matt Wagner, VP Institutional Relationships, United Church Funds. Matt joined United Church Funds (UCF) in February 2013. His current role focuses on executing strategic initiatives for organizational growth and building long-term relationships with non-profit institutions who share UCF’s commitment to sustainable investing strategies. He holds a B.A. from McKendree University, a M.B.A. from Murray State University, and provides volunteer leadership to several UCC-related Boards and Committees.

Time: B

Our Christian faith calls on each of us to speak truth to power alongside the most vulnerable. But how best can we answer this call on Capitol Hill? In this workshop you will hear directly from the UCC Washington DC Office and gain skills on how to contact, build relationships with, and effectively influence your members of Congress. Through practical exercises and interactive discussion, workshop participants will learn best practices to communicate their faith values, engage with decision-makers across the country, and honor the decades-long tradition of the United Church of Christ’s policy advocacy. Whether you are brand new to federal advocacy or are a seasoned member looking to refresh foundational skills are welcome! Join us and become a prophetic voice for change in your community and beyond. 

Presenters:  

Rev. Michael Neuroth, Abigail Cipparone, Helen Nwabara, Cassandra Saunders, and Hannah Santos.

Time: B

As congregations struggle to navigate this season of unprecedented change, church building concerns are high on the list of problems to solve.  Church properties are perhaps our largest and most widely held assets. But building maintenance costs 25% of most church budgets continue to rise. This workshop will provide practical solutions to common church building issues and demonstrate how churches are leveraging the value of their properties to advance the mission of the church, generate new revenue, and transform communities. 

Presenter:  

Reverend Doctor Patrick Garnet Duggan, a former UCC pastor, has served as Chief Divisional Operating Officer of the UCC Church Building and Loan Fund (CB&LF) since 2012. Under his leadership, CB&LF has thrived through its mission to transform communities through strategic real estate investments and empowering faith leaders and organizations.

Time: A

Can you imagine a more just world where we all can flourish? How could we move toward this vision if every local church became a space for transformative community organizing? What if we imagined and cultivated a United Church of Christ that is a movement of movements toward justice? This workshop is for beloved communities organizing for justice, affiliate partners, local church pastors and lay leaders and all who want to cultivate sustainable networks of mutuality, especially those who have been in engaged in the 2025 All Church Read Building Up a New World. Come together with movement mentors in roundtables to learn from one another by sharing stories, struggles, and strategies. Participants will work together to discern the next steps your community can take in organizing for justice with impact and help you stay connected with others across the denomination doing this work. 

Presenters:  

Rev. Dr. Velda Love’s racial justice work includes developing anti-racism curricula, training clergy, denominational leaders and laypersons. Her work centers on Restorative Justice, addressing historical and contemporary injustice resulting in systemic, structural, and individual racism impacting local communities, and national and global policies and practices.

Dr. Sharon Fennema is a facilitator, ritualist, activist, teacher, and scholar whose work lives at the intersections of critical race, decolonizing and gender theories and embodied spiritual practices, from worship to protest. She serves as the curator for the UCC’s Join the Movement toward Racial Justice initiative and campaign.

Time: B

Communities of Practice (otherwise known as COPs – covenanted, facilitated small groups) have been a godsend to clergy, providing much needed support, worship, and learning over the past 20 years. We’re expanding our offerings to lay leaders, and in the workshop, you will have an experience of a COP, learn more about how you can support the program in your area and connect with others who are doing the same. Join us! 

Presenters:

Rev Tara Barber (she/hers) serves as the Minister for Ministerial Support and Accountability on the MESA team in the National Setting. Beginning her ministry as a youth leader and companion to older adults, she then served as associate pastor in Northern California and co-pastor in the Pacific Northwest. She has devoted the last 15 years to wider church ministry, focusing on healthy boundaries, clergy support, anti-bias work, and Communities of Practice.

Cathy Wille worked as a high school Biology teacher and a Pastoral Counselor, Clinical Coordinator and Director of the Clergy and Congregation program for the Samaritan Counseling Center. She co-leads the Communities of Practice for the WI Conference and serves on the COMPASS Steering Committee.

Rev. Ellie Richardson (She/Her/Hers) is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ having graduated from Andover Newton Theological School. She is currently serving as pastor at Christ Church United in Dracut, MA. She previously served as Minister of Spiritual Development in the historic Andover Association of the Massachusetts Conference (MACUCC).

Time: A

Learn some of the fundamental skills and practices the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery teaches to settler activist communities who seek relationship, repair, and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. To integrate this learning, we will discuss a scenario together. Presenters will also share the seven commitments that Repair Network congregations and communities follow. Is your congregation ready to join the Dismantling Coalition in structural change organizing to address the ongoing harms of the Doctrine of Discovery? Join us! 

Presenters:  

Doe Hoyer is an organizer and song leader with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. They have lived on Dakota homelands for most of their life, and are involved locally with the Twin Cities Repair Community for Makoce Ikikcupi (Dakota land recovery). 

Bethany Davey is a racial justice facilitator and organizer, an improvisor, and a passionate Master of Divinity student at Drew Theological School. In Columbus, Ohioan ancestral lands of the Shawnee, Miami, and those known as the Hopewellóshe engages communities of faith, Columbus City Schools communities, and The Nest Theatre through the varied, connecting, and playful facets of her work.

Time: A

The Blanket Exercise is based on using Indigenous methodologies, the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Participants are actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land and the roles of Indigenous People. 

Presenters:  

Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy (Oglala Lakota) is Associate Pastor at All Nations Indian Church and Professor of Religion at Augsburg University and St. Olaf College. A theologian, activist, and storyteller, her work explores Lakota spirituality, systematic theology, and healing justice. Through her ministry, she invites people into deeper relationships rooted in faith, community, and sacred stories. 

Larry Littlegeorge is an advocate who serves the Ho-Chunk Nation’s Labor Department and the Hocak United Church of Christ. He is the President of Alliance for Justice, a nonprofit which raises awareness about the Doctrine of Discovery and its impacts on Indigenous communities. Larry’s work reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to justice, equity, and the empowerment of Indigenous peoples.

Time: A

Immigration and newcomer welcome is deeply engrained in who we are as a church and as a country. Our faith, and our General Synod resolutions, call us to love our neighbor, and welcome the stranger. This workshop will help congregations and churches understand the current political and societal aspects of immigration today. It will equip them with the tools they need to continue to welcome immigrants to worship and provide them with the services of the church. 

Presenters:  

Noel Andersen is the National Field Director for Church World Service (CWS) and serves as the Minister for Immigration Justice at the National Ministries of the UCC. Noel leads the UCC’s National Collaborative on Immigration.

Andrew Long-Higgins is the Minister and Team Leader of the Global HOPE team at the National Ministries of the UCC. The Global HOPE team houses and leads the National Ministries’ programs supporting refugees in migration and resettlement.

Abigail Cipparone leads Domestic Policy for the United Church of Christ Office of Public Policy and Advocacy located in Washington, DC. Before joining the UCC, she worked as a Legislative Director in Congress.

Time: B

At least 100 conflicts rage around the world every year.  Whether motivated by the quest for political power; control of land and resources; economic disparity; ethnic, class, or religious tensions, the toll of such strife inevitably impacts the most vulnerable and marginalized.  The church has a role in protecting rights and dignity and responding to the needs of the victims.  In this workshop, you will hear from a panel of international guests from UCC and Disciples partners around the world with perspectives on different contexts of conflicts.  What is the particular context each of our partners faces?  How are they responding?  What can we, as faithful partners, do to accompany them in their responses and struggles?  Our moderated panel will help us to understand the root causes including colonial history and policies and guide us in how we can most appropriately engage. 

Moderator:  

The workshop will include a panel of several (5-7) international partner guests from around the world, moderated by a Global Ministries Global Relations Minister.  Each panelist brings unique experiences and ideas to share and educate, from their respective work. 

Time: A

Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe,” marks the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in 1948, initiating a struggle for justice and the right to return. Al-Naksa, or “the setback,” commemorated on June 6th, recalls the 1967 expulsion of Palestinians and the start of the Israeli military occupation, which continues today. Currently, Palestinians face an even greater catastrophe with the genocide in Gaza. Relentless bombings, destruction of homes and vital infrastructure, and the deprivation of essential resources have created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with thousands of lives lost and families erased.  

This workshop reflects on 77 years since al-Nakba and examines decolonizing practices as essential strategies for justice, resilience, and liberation. Participants will explore narratives and actions needed to dismantle oppression, amplify solidarity, and envision a transformative path forward for Palestine and beyond. 

Presented by Mayadah Tarazi, YWCA of Palestine (with Peter Makari introducing and moderating) 

Presenter:  

As a Palestinian living through the realities of occupation and displacement, Ms. Mayadah Tarazi, International Relations officer for the YWCA of Palestine, brings a deeply personal perspective to this workshop. Originally from Gaza, where her family still resides, Mayadah has a profound connection to the ongoing struggle for peace with justice. Through her work, she focuses on youth leadership, civic engagement, and economic justice. Her experience has shaped her commitment to dismantling systemic oppression and amplifying Palestinian voices. In this workshop, Mayadah will share insights from her journey and discuss decolonizing practices as essential tools for transformative change. 

Moderator:   

Peter serves as Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe with the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a position he has held since July 1, 2000.  He is a co-convener on the National Council of Churches’ Interreligious Convening Table and represents the UCC and Disciples on the Faith Forum for Middle East Policy and on the board of Churches for Middle East Peace.  Peter earned an M.A. in Middle East Studies from the American University in Cairo (1993) and a Ph.D. in Politics and Middle East Studies from New York University (2003).  He is a co-editor of Rooted in Faith and Justice: Christian Calls to Conscience & Cries for Peace in Palestine (Chalice Press, 2024), and the author of Conflict and Cooperation: Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Egypt (Syracuse University Press, 2007).  He is an Egyptian-American and has lived in the Middle East.

Time: B

Many of our clergy and lay leaders long to be in solidarity with the people of Palestine in a time of heightened violence, occupation, and devastation, but may feel isolated or uncertain how to engage these issues in their contexts or in the public sphere.

This workshop would be a relational space to weave people together to pray, reflect, network, and commit to action to be in solidarity with our Palestinian partners in this time of ongoing struggle. It would call us to living into our UCC resolutions, offer a mix of pastoral care and connection, and invite people into engagement that could include: joining a UCC PIN Solidarity Circle, connecting with others in their area for shared action, participation in a justice campaign, education, and equipping people for bold public witness. 

Presenter:  

Rev. Dr. Linda Noonan is Senior Pastor of St. John’s UCC in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. She is co-chair of UCC PIN (Palestine/Israel Network) and was in the West Bank of Palestine on October 7, 2023. She has a PhD from United Lutheran Seminary where she is an adjunct professor, teaching on faith-based community organizing, religion and social change.

Time: A

Building on the 2023 resolution passed by the Thirty-Fourth General Synod condemning solitary confinement as a form of torture and calling on UCC congregations to partner with NRCAT in its campaigns to end the torture of solitary, NRCAT will host a workshop that invites UCC to join our 2025 push to add congregations to our membership who commit to taking a series of steps to become human rights congregations.” The workshop will present NRCAT’s issue campaigns (particularly ending the torture of solitary confinement in prisons/jails/detention increasingly likely immigrant detention) informing participants in how their local congregation can participate in taking a series of steps with NRCAT’s support to be engaged in our work, including plugging in to their local Unlock the Box campaign (if in one of the 23 states where those campaigns are working), participating in acts of public witness that call for an end to torture and the promotion of human rights and racial justice, creative examples of ways to build bridges with those currently and formerly incarcerated (including through the Lifelines to Solitary pen pal program and through NRCAT’s National Network of Solitary Survivors), and using their moral voice to be an active part of making change locally and nationally. Each participant will leave with an action plan and will receive on-going support from NRCAT national staff. 

Presenter:  

Rev. Laura Martin is Associate Pastor at Rock Spring United Church of Christ. She serves on the steering committee of Interfaith Power and Light DMV and the Board of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance. She and NRCAT national staff will coordinate to support UCC contacts carrying out action plans developed during the workshop.

Time: B

We are all aging. How we think and talk about aging affects how we age. The culture around us is ripe with anti-aging rhetoric and the church has absorbed these concepts. We will look at ministry implications based on research to reframe aging and the church’s role in the systems in our communities that support older adults. We will consider aging through a lens of faith and why this is important for all the generations we serve. Examples and resources for congregational ministry will be shared to help us counter the culture’s negative narratives. 

Presenters: 

Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, Kim Moeller, and Rev. Darla Metz serve with United Church Home’s Center for Abundant Aging. With over 50-years of collective experience serving local congregations and over 20 years working specifically in the field of aging services, they are passionate about considering aging as the divine gift it is.

Time: A

In this time when so many communities are under attack, whether immigrants, trans people, women or voters, media has become more critical to those safeguarding justice and those trying to thwart it. The UCC’s 60+ year-old ministry, UCC Media Justice, invites you to learn more about social and traditional media and how you can be part of the solution—as an individual or a congregation. What is happening in Washington, DC as attacks on the media proliferate? How can you help the UCC stop devastating media mergers? What will it take to make more impactful and accurate media in local communities? How can the media better represent and serve communities of color? In addition, we will offer the tools for a congregational learning opportunity about KnowPeace. Online campaign to stop mis- and dis-information online and ways to take individual action to create a kinder world online.

Presenters:  

Brian Lapis, UCC Media Justice Board member and professional communicator, employed as the Chief Meteorologist and evening weather anchor at WWLP TV, the NBC affiliate in Springfield, Mass. Brian has worked at a variety of stations, both radio and television, in a variety of cities, and has spent more than 20 years working with UCC Media Justice.

Cheryl A. Leanza, policy advisor, UCC Media Justice. Cheryl has worked with UCC Media Justice for several decades and specializes in the intersection of civil rights, technology, media and justice and is well-known for her ability to get things done in Washington, DC as well as connect communications law and policy to our daily experience and our aspirations for a socially just future

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, UCC Media Justice Board member and Pastor of Church of the Holy Cross United Church of Christ, in Hilo, Hawai’I. Eric spent seventeen years on the staff of the Connecticut Conference UCC in communications and technology and shares poetry, reflections, and original music at ordainedgeek.com. 

Time: A

The workshop will provide the basic framework for UN Advocacy opportunities and how we as people of faith are called to bring our voices for justice into the global arena. From local church members and ministers to conference leaders and mission workers, your voice needs to be heard. Join us to learn about the opportunities for engaging in humanitarian advocacy as we carry out UCC’s mission of “A Just World for All”. 

Presenter:  

Donna Bollinger, DMin (abd), MDiv, is the Director of United Nations Advocacy for the United Church of Christ. She leads faith-based advocacy in UN forums including: the Commission on Status of Women, CEDAW Treaty Body, Forums on Indigenous Issues and People of African Descent, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s.

Time: A

This workshop will review church life cycles, opportunities available at each stage of the life cycle, the types of capacity (financial, leadership, health, etc.) needed to maintain or build vitality, and the key elements to consider when redeveloping or renewing a healthy, vital church. Participants will leave with a series of questions they can use to assess their church’s vitality, conversation starters for measuring their church’s capacity for renewal and change, and topics for a process to discern a path forward. Connection to the Marks of Faithful and Vital Local Churches from the Manual on Local Church will be woven throughout the presentation. 

Presenter:  

Rev. Heather Ramsey Mabrouk, MDiv is the Director of the Center for Transformational Leadership at Southern New England UCC. A graduate of Andover Newton Theological School, Heather served as a local church pastor for 14 years before joining the SNEUCC staff. Prior to ministry, she was a public-school teacher.

Time: B

Loving God pulls us together into one place – the Church – not one voice. We encounter our differences with care, sharing our love of neighbor and enabling expressions of joy, grief, friendship, as well as our differences to be explored within the relationships we build through our work, ministry, and life together. We will share resources and programmatic support for our communities of faith. 

Presenters:  

The Reverend Dr. Bonnie Bates serves as Conference Minister, Penn Northeast Conference. She received her Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership, and Executive Certificate on Gender, sexual and Racial Justice from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. She serves on the Small Town & Rural Church (STAR) Coalition.

Time: A

In this digital age, how do we find meaningful connections with each other and our wider communities? Join us as we explore ways to support each other, amplify our messages of love, and encourage growth across ever-changing digital landscapes. We’ll share the UCC’s new social media mission and strategy, tips and tricks for quick content creation, our favorite progressive Christian influencers, and resources. We’ll also leave plenty of time for Q&A and an opportunity to share profiles and build our community in real time! Bring your phones or laptops! 

Presenters:
Charles Jefferson (News and Communications Manager) and Brooke Canada (Social Media Specialist) at UCC National.

Time: B

Learn how to expand the reach of your ministry and increase impacts, without necessarily spending more money, hiring additional staff, or exhausting your members.

Through a comprehensive review of case studies, examples, and concrete data this workshop will explore and explain some of the ways individuals and churches can do more with less. We will highlight the impact of using financial resources strategically and covenantally for increased vitality, community building and justice making. 

Presenters:  

Maria Coyne, Rebecca Perera, Betsey Saffar, and Rev. Dr. Courtney Stange-Tregear. Please see our website for full biographies.

Time: B

Do2025! is an engaging workshop designed to equip churches with the knowledge and strategies to navigate digital access, leverage cutting-edge resources, and foster digital literacy within their congregations. Whether you’re addressing accessibility challenges, exploring tools to enhance worship and outreach, or building the tech skills of your team, this workshop offers actionable insights tailored to today’s church needs. Learn how to bridge generational gaps, expand your ministry’s reach, and embrace technology as a powerful tool for spiritual growth and community building. Together, let’s ensure your church is ready to lead and serve effectively in 2025 and beyond!

This workshop is ideal for church leaders, tech teams, and anyone passionate about using digital solutions to inspire faith and connection.

Time: B

Presenter:  

Gregory “Greg” Clinton (President & CEO of VirtualJustice.US) brings over 30 years of expertise in leveraging technology to empower communities and institution. He co-founded the groundbreaking Virtual Justice Project, secured millions in grants to enhance digital access, and pioneered the use of advanced tele-presence and video conferencing tools.

Church Safety and Protecting Your Ministry from an Active Threat. This workshop will discuss the various positive impacts of greeting attendees at your congregation. The Power of Hello, the self-defined theme of this workshop will discuss the benefits of welcoming congregants and reducing and de-escalating the likelihood of those who might otherwise cause harm. This workshop will delve into specific examples of how the Power of Hello works, and when and how it should be implemented. 

Presenter:

Chad Cunningham is the Director of Loss Control at Insurance Board. Prior to joining Insurance Board, Chad worked for Navigate360 (ALICE Training Institute) as the VP of Education and Curriculum. During this time, he led a team of designers and trainers in developing and delivering training and curriculum to our clients.

Time: B

Convene, Connect, Collaborate. Energizing faith formation in the church requires that church leaders engage in networking with others doing this important work, being able to access resources that support forming faith in the local setting and practicing in new and innovative ways that engage learners of all ages. This workshop will introduce participants to existing networks for collaboration, connect participants with resources, and engage in an innovative faith practice. 

Presenters:  

Jenn Ringgold serves as the Program Associate for Faith Formation and Director of Communications in the Michigan Conference UCC.

Rev. Kevin Brown serves as Associate Conference Minister for Faith Formation with Children & Youth in the Minnesota Conference UCC.

Time: B

The many communities, organizations, and individuals we partner with in ministry continue to express the evolving needs and challenges of sustaining ministry. What are the challenges we need to address to recruit and retain the people who lead the UCC into the deep to fulfill their mission?

Presenters: 

Panel Moderator:

Rev. Dr. Paul L. Ramsey, Director, Church Relations and Philanthropy, Pension Boards-United Church of Christ. 

Rev. Dr. Paul L. Ramsey works closely with conference partners and the UCC National Ministries to understand the evolving needs in ministry across the denomination. A longtime UCC bi-vocational local church pastor and nonprofit leader, Paul understands is well-versed in the health and financial barriers to ministry affecting ministers today.  

Panelists:

Jamar Doyle, President and CEO of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) 

Previously, Jamar worked for over 16 years in community development in Cleveland, Ohio, leading organizations whose mission was to foster equitable and inclusive economic development and community engagement on Cleveland’s east side. 

The Rev. Darrell L.  Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ 

A Chicago native and serving as the chief vision keeper, the Rev. Darrell L. Goodwin is responsible for guiding the conference and its affiliates to have a positive and lasting impact in our world. Previously, he served the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences as an Associate Conference Minister.   

Rev. Dr. Sarah B.  Drummond, Founding Dean of Andover Newton Seminary and Professor in the Practice of Ministerial Leadership at Yale Divinity School and Ordained UCC Minister 

Since 2005, Sarah B. Drummond has been part of Andover Newton, a graduate theological school focused on ministry education for locally governed faith communities. At Andover Newton at YDS, Sarah is lead administrator for a professional school for congregational ministry within a world-class ecumenical divinity school.

Time: A

We will explore all the basics of Praygrounds (areas in worship spaces intended for children) — what you need to start one, how they work best, how to avoid common pitfalls, and ways to incorporate them into worship. If you want to nurture children through worship, join the conversation! 

Presenters:  

Rev. Trayce Potter currently serves as the Minister for Children and Youth Engagement for the national setting of the United Church of Christ. She also serves as the Program Director of the Love of Children. This program will run for several years and shape how the United Church of Christ welcomes and cares for its youngest members.  

Rev. Tyler Ung serves as the Assistant Director for the Love of Children Program. They are also a local pastor, serving as the Minister with Children and Youth at a church in Raliegh, NC.

Time: B