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	Quick Links Staff directory Office locator - map Contact us @ e-mail Contact us - street address Outdoor Ministry Sites SOC Women's Ministry Associations ENCA . EVA .WNCA PLD (Pastoral Leadership Development) Annual Winter Youth Retreat... read more Role of Designated Southern Conference Minister Filled Above photo: Rev. Edward S. Davis has been called by the SOC Board to a position of Designated Conference Minister. A stranger sat central to a gathering of SOC Board members, amidst round tables in a Burlington church fellowship hall. At a November 5th meeting, that very stranger was introduced to the Conference Board as Rev. Edward Smith Davis. This thoughtful, soft-spoken, optimistic person rose to address the assembled body. “I don’t like to talk a language of scarcity because I serve an abundant God,” he offered. “Build on your strengths.” “Build bridges for your weaknesses.” Davis reflected on his Southern roots, having been born in Mississippi to a mother who later moved her family to Chicago. He always turned the conversation back to a future orientation however, suggesting, “God will get us as far as we can see.” And what about the theological diversity of this conference? ”I’m just a believer that the Gospel calls us to love everybody. We have to come together over things that unite us, not divide us. We’ll come together, not to be fractured, but to love one another.” Read letter by Rev. Lilton J. Marks, Sr. (SOC president) and Bio of Rev. Edward Davis

	News & Notes

	WNCA: above photo: Rev. Jerry Rhyne, Interim Associate Conference Minister (WNCA) and Rev. Gail O'Day, Dean and Professor of New Testament and preaching at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity Delegates met on October 1 at Abernethy Laurels Retirement Community, Newton, NC. Read more: 2011 meeting summary, photo journal and SOC restructuring documents Additional information on WNCA web site

	ENCA: Delegates gathered on October 1 at Umstead Park UCC, Raleigh, NC Photo journal of 2011 meeting ENC Association News ... November 2011

	EVA: Deacon's Workshop: February 11/ brochure & registration form Delegates met atLaurel Hill UCC, Suffolk, VA on October 15 to celebrate the service of Drew Morris and to be proactive with an action plan for future ministry. Read more, plus view 2011 photo journal.

	National Youth Event News Check Youth Page listings SOC Friends on Facebook Public link highlights SOC Gathering Southern Conference ... Spending for Mission ... * Report * SOC 2012 Budget


	How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! [Psalm 133:1] Above photos: Emerging leaders in Southern Conference 1 - Rev. John Myers, Corinth Chapel, Suffolk, VA; co-coordinator of Technology Action Group 2 - Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, co-pastor - Land of the Sky UCC, Asheville, NC 3. Rev. Kelly Barefoot, Calvary UCC, Thomasville, NC 4. Vivian Lucas, Director - Franklinton Center at Bricks 5. Rev. Nora Driver, Assoc. Pastor - First Reformed UCC, Burlington; ENCA secretary 6. Rev. William Sowers, Hedrick's Grove UCC, Lexington; and Elizabeth Schieman, WNCA secretary 7. Rev. Alberta Mclaughlin, chaplain (Dept. of Corrections) 8. Rev. Kristin Gerner Vaughn, Brick Reformed UCC, Whitsett, NC SOC Leaders Meet with Action Group Coordinators [photos by Don Flick / click here for larger images] A meeting on Friday the 13th gathered Action Group coordinators with the new Designated Conference Minister. Don Flick reports that it was a "good meeting [with] lots of sharing and good ideas...the Conference minister will now work with the Action Group Facilitators to push." Formal Reports of The eight Action Groups will be made to the Conference Board at a meeting in Burlington on January 28. Creating Covenant Community (draft c) Creating Covenant Community (Powerpoint) Southern Conference Officers / Minister Designated Conf Minister / Rev. Edward S. Davis President: Lilton Marks Vice-president: Carla Gregg Secretary: Tammerie Day Treasurer: Ervin Milton Tour Introduces New Seminary President to Southern Conference Above photo: Carol Lytch (LTS president) and Don Flick (LTS alum) field questions at a clergy gathering in Conover A tour zig zagging back and forth between Piedmont towns and cities is introducing to Southern Conference -- Carol Lytch -- the new president of Lancaster Theological Seminary. She is being accompanied by Paul Eyer, Director of Alumni/ae and Church Relations. In responding to questions, she acknowledged that overall church attendance is declining, applications for seminary are up, but actual seminary enrollment is in slight decline (in part because of economic reasons). "For me personally," says Lytch, Mainline Protestant denominations have an important mission and an important voice. They [the Mainline churches] don't need to have an elitist status [like they once did]." Read more about LTS on the seminary web site. Workshops and Conferences ... details on Calendar Page Communication is Key: Healthy church strategies for email, websites, social media, and personal & congregational communication; offered by Center for Congregational Health ... brochure for Jan. 30 Duke event / brochure for Feb. 3 Wake event EVA Deacons Workshop: February 11 /brochure & registration God is up to something / The Seven Secrets Conference by Cameron Trimble and Mike Piazza; March 2-3 at UCCH... brochure Four Practices of a Healthy Congregation sponsored by WNCA and the Center for Congregational Health, Tuesday, March 6, 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Memorial UCC, Lexington, NC ... brochure January 2012 - UCC News Feed

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