eNews weekly update
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July 14, 2022 | Issue 28
Clergy Café
On Summer Hiatus

Retired Clergy Zoom Gathering
On Summer Hiatus Will Return August 25th

Ordination of Shelby Nowland
Saturday, July 30th

Open Arms Back-To-School Bash
Saturday, July 30th
Just Peace in a Southern Context Event
August 27, 2022 (10:00am - 4:00pm EST)

North Texas Association Fall Meeting
October 22, 2022 @ 10:00am
(First Congregational - Ft. Worth)

2022 Southern Regional Women's Retreat
October 14-16, 2022 (Live Oak, FL)
Conference Minister Connections
Schedule Rev. Hodson to Preach
Phil will bring the message, host a Q&A discussion with your congregation after worship, and meet with your leadership.
Conference Minister 1:1 Chats
Schedule a conversation via Zoom with Rev. Hodson at a time that fits your life. Phil looks forward to chatting with you!
We will take a summer vacation from weekly Clergy Cafe gatherings — stay tuned to eNews for the resumption of this important weekly gathering soon!
News from Around the Conference
You're Invited to the Ordination Service
for
Shelby Nowland
Open Arms UCC in Conroe Invites you to Their Back-To-School Bash
Saturday, July 30th
You're invited to join the Florida Conference "Just Peace in a Southern Context" Virtual Event
Click anywhere on the above flyer for additional information or to register for this event.
2022 UCC Southern Regional Women's Retreat
October 14-16-2022
Greetings to the UCC Women of the Florida, South Central, Southeast, and Southern Conferences!!
Have you ever attended one of the Southern Regional UCC Women's Retreats? If you have, I expect you will be coming to Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center in Live Oak, Florida October 14-16, 2022. You value the inspiration, camaraderie, making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, learning new skills, and listening to God in a natural setting.
 
If you have never been to our retreats, you are in for a treat! We are meeting in the same beautiful northern Florida setting on a small lake where we met in 2013. It has a lovely chapel looking out on the water, nice two-bed rooms with private baths, an inspiring outdoor patio area with rocking chairs overlooking the lake, a large dining room with great food, and trails through the woods. A perfect spot to retreat from our everyday lives. 
Key Church Leaders Update Request
As part of our ongoing effort to increase communication and share resources across the Conference, we're inviting all congregations to update their key church leaders' information annually.

Please take just a few minutes to share with us your leadership team information so that we can make sure everyone is "in the know" about what's happening across the Conference.

So far, we have only received five responses. This information is extremely important. Please take a few moments to complete this form. It assists the Conference office in updating the UCC National Data Hub Church Staff tab and keeping the SCC Directory current. Thank you!!
Conference Resources
Bookkeeping Services Now Available
Quality bookkeeping services that are built around the needs of your local church. The Conference now has this resource available to you!

Learn more about what we can offer your congregation!
Resources from Our Covenant Partners
A LOW-COST LOAN FROM THE CORNERSTONE FUND IS JUST A CLICK AWAY!
Sometimes you need to ask the difficult question. Deep down inside, you may already know the answer. But it’s not until you actually take the time to assess and realistically address the situation that you decide to act on the solution. While this scenario applies to a variety of issues in life, the topic at hand is the condition of your church property.

Is your congregation considering making improvements on your building to expand ministry or increase revenue? Is it finally addressing deferred maintenance items that worsen every year? Are you ready to reduce your building’s carbon footprint and save money on utilities in the process? Can you enhance digital capabilities to maintain and grow your online community?

If any of these questions apply to you, then now is a good time to talk with the Cornerstone Fund about low-cost loan options that will directly improve your facility and potentially strengthen your congregation.
MESA Zoom Training
What was behind the shift from Licensure to Lay Ministerial Standing in the 2018 Manual on Ministry? How are Committees on Ministry implementing these changes? What is the impact on congregations and those serving them? Join Rev. Elizabeth Dilley for a time of education and conversation.

Tuesday, July 19 3:30-5:00pm ET
Stewardship Webinars
Our friends in the Wisconsin Conference have created a series of online stewardship courses to help congregations consider these concerns, and we encourage you to check them out! Each opportunity has a unique registration button so that you can select those most relevant to your local church. These are offered at no cost, and we hope you'll be able to participate!
New Materials Available for Stewardship
"From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving" makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching about stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific content and size.
Your Gift Matters
You can make a difference as a
Friend of the Conference!
South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ www.sccucc.org