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Transitions announced

Jermell Witherspoon is the new designated pastor serving Liberation UCC and Everett UCC.

Darrell Goodwin left Liberation and Everett to become an associate conference minister in the Tri-Conference of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.

Karyn Frazier, who is serving in ministry at Fauntleroy Church UCC, a previous PNCUCC Conference moderator, director of Christian education at Northshore and Fauntleroy received her master of divinity from Seattle University, was ordained March 10 at Fauntleroy Church UCC in Seattle.

David Schlicher was installed as pastor of Northshore UCC in Woodinville on March 24.

Happy Applewhite died while visiting his waterfront home in Port Townsend. His celebration of life was Feb. 23 at Plymouth Church, Seattle.  He served First Congregational Church in Bellevue until he retired in 1994 and became a member of Plymouth Church.

Bob Fitzgerald, 91, retired UCC pastor died March 28. He was a long time member of University Congregational UCC in Seattle, served Magnolia UCC in Seattle, two churches in California and as interim for other PNC churches, including University UCC and Eastgate in Bellevue.  He also worked as a counselor with Youth Eastside Services in  Bellevue.

 

Clergy Training in April 26

Clergy Boundary Training sponsored by the PNC-UCC Committee on Ministry will be facilitated by Tara Barber from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, April 26, at University Congregational UCC, 4515 16th Ave NE in Seattle.  Registration due April 13.

“This is a new, improved, shorter core boundary training, covering the basic understanding of how our health, social location and power affect our ministries,” said Tara. “We will explore how to navigate our ministerial relationships so that we can better serve. We will also review the new proposed Minister’s Code based on the Marks of Faithful and Effective Ministers.”

All clergy with standing and those who are ordained, licensed or commissioned in this Conference need to take a boundary training workshop every three years in order to maintain their standing in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ. Retired clergy who have been granted “Inactive Retired” standing in ministry are exempt from this requirement.

For information, call Cassie Emanuel, Westside Committee on Ministry co-chair, at 206-384-6111 or eamail comcassie@gmail.com.

Or contact the Rev. Michael Denton at 206-725-8383 ext. 102 or by email at revdenton@gmail.com

 

General Synod announced

National UCC General Minister and President has announced that the 32nd General Synod of the UCC will be held June 21 to 25 in Milwaukee, Wis. The keynote speaker is Matthew Desmond, professor of sociology at Princeton University and Pulitzer Prize winner for the book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City.

Preachers include Kaji Spellman Dousa, Traci deVon Blackmon, Sharon Mei-Shern MacArthur and Amy Butler.

General Synod will celebrate the ministries of retiring national leaders, Jim Moos, who is associate general minister for global engagement, and Don Hart, president and chief investment officer for United Church Funds. It will re-elect the General Minister and President and elect a new associate general minister for global engagement.

For information, visit ucc.org.

Youth Synod is an opportunity for youth ages 13 to 18 to engage with the wider church and experience what the United Church of Christ is like beyond their local churches. The UCC values the youth voice and is inviting youth to engage business coming before the delegates.

There are opportunities to meet the Rev. Traci Blackmon, visit museums, engage in service and meet other youth from around the county.

For information, visit  https://www.synod2019.org/en/uccsynod2019/Youth-Synod or contact Lara Crutsinger-Perry, at lara@theunitedchurches.org.

 

Youth opportunities set

UCC Summer Communities of Service are offered for young people ages 19 and older to engage youth with community, gardens, environmental and racial justice, food and economic sustainability, serving with faith communities and social justice from the end of May to early August.

For information, visit ucc.org/volunteer_scos.

Young Adult Service Communities engage young adults ages 21 to 35 in community organizing, economic and racial justice, accessible education and health care, serving with faith communities and social justice activism from the fall through summer 11 months.  For information, visit ucc.org/volunteer–yasc

 

Covenant Groups available

The Adult Spiritual Formation Task Force has four series of Covenant Group sessions available for PNC congregations.

“Covenant Group Ministry is focused on building relationships, exploring aspects of our lives through a spiritual lens, and recognizing that our stories are sacred—filled with the movement of the Spirit,” said Kathie Forman.

“It is a context in which people are truly heard, respected and treasured as the unique individuals they are, beloved children of God,” she said.

Groups are based on mutual respect and trust. Participants can share their stories and thoughts, find care and support, and offer care and support to one another. This small group ministry is multifaceted, she said.

The program provides a covenanted community, authentic listening in safe space, freedom to talk or be silent, opportunities to move the conversation beyond the surface level, acts of service for the church and community, and an environment for building relationships and establishing trust.

“Whether a church is new to small group ministry or seeking new options for ongoing small group ministry programs, these materials can,” said Kathie.

For information, email pkforman@juno.com.

 

PNC-UCCNews Copyright © April 2019

 

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