National Association of Congregational Christian Churches:
Community Connections
Leadership Council Highlights
Laura Hamby, Moderator

We've done it! We made the leap from the wonder of Christmas 2016 to New Year's 2017, with a host of opportunities to greet us! NACCC Boards and Ministry Councils are working away at their 2016-2017 goals. The Nominating Committee is actively recruiting nominations to fill leadership positions for 2017 (and beyond) while the Annual Meeting and Conference (AMC) Committee are busy finalizing the details for Piedmont 2017 in Demorest, GA. The theme for this year's AMC is
Dreaming*Talking*Acting. It also has potential for us as individuals. I encourage you to: 
  • Dream to attend the AMC at Piedmont College.
  • Talk up nominating someone (you?) in your church or regional fellowship for an NACCC leadership position.
  • Act on making your church a Fair Share or Fair Share Plus church.
Dreaming*Talking*Acting can take us from the whimsical to reality. As we embark on this new adventure we call 2017, I invite you to become an active link between your church and the NACCC. Let's make this a year of communication, of doing, of Dreaming*Talking*Acting together!


Plymouth Congregational Church of Wichita, KS hosted their annual intergenerational Christmas Pageant.
Join Our Leadership
 
The NACCC's slate of Officers, Board of Directors, and Ministry Councils are presented by the Nominating Committee to the delegates at the Annual Meeting & Conference. The Committee strives to choose a cross section of men and women, clergy and lay leaders from multi-sized membership churches representing various regions of the country. We heartily request your recommendations by the January 15 deadline. 

2016-17 Nominating Committee
Rev. Dr. Ashley Cleere, Chair (Georgia)
Larry Sommers (Wisconsin)
Rev. Bobbie Chapman (Connecticut)
Jim Larson, Scribe (Iowa)
Rev. Dr. Thomas Richard (Massachusetts)
Rev. Linda Anderson (Michigan)
Laura Hamby, NACCC Moderator, Board of Directors Liaison, (California)
Rev. Dr. Michael Chittum, Executive Director, Staff Liaison
Carrie Dahm, NACCC Meeting Planner/Vendor Manager, Staff Liaison

 
New Year's Resolutions
Jim Waechter, Vice Moderator

I don't know about you, but for me, New Years is a time to set goals for myself and hit the ground runni ng. Your entire NACCC Leadership is starting 2017 with eight goals. These include:
  1. Orientation and integration  of new churches into the NACCC
  2. Creating a leadership orientation program
  3. Integrating youth into leadership
  4. Research for development of a new website
  5. Creating a "Case for Support," which is valuable to our fundraising efforts
  6. Revitalizing the Ambassador's Program by visiting member churches
  7. Developing new ministers for our churches
  8. Developing a long-term plan for annual meeting workshops.
Accomplishing all these goals is now underway and we will report back on our progress.
Board of Governors Highlights
Ashley Cleere, Vice President, Board of Governors

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34) Decades ago, as a CFTS intern, I prepared for a treasure hunt that would be a children's sermon about this verse by hiding scraps of paper around the sanctuary.  During worship, when the children hunted, the clues were missing! My scrambling to handle the situation became an unexpected lesson in thinking on my feet. Afterward, a deacon explained that she had checked the sanctuary before the service, and "tidied up" my clues. 

Congregational churches are sustained by hard working people whose effort may be highly visible or go unnoticed, leading to predictable and surprising results. Through the generosity of both individuals and congregations, the Shared Ministries Fund exists to ensure that treasure is in place to accompany these labors of the heart, to meet needs of local churches however they arise.

 
Cool Clicks


Excellence in Ministry nomination form

2017 Minister's Convocation

JJ Russell Sermon Award nomination form

 
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From Our Churches

First Congregational Church of Ceredo, WV wrapped and delivered Christmas gifts to families in need on December 14th.

First Congregational Church of Beloit, WI hosted a Celebration of First Responders.  Members of the church delivered food to each fire and police station for those unable to attend while on duty. 

Congregational Church of Menifee, CA collected gloves, hats, and coats for homeless individuals.

On December 10th, First Congregational Church of Williamsburg, MA hosted a Christmas Caroling event with a horse drawn sleigh.

First Congregational Church of Marshfield, MA hosted a Living Nativity Scene on December 18th.

First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, WI began a free concert series on December 18th.



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Happy New Year from the NACCC!


Order Lent Devotionals


 
Order your Lent Devotionals  here. Be sure to order before postage goes up on January 22, 2017.
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January 20, 2016
 
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