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John Thomas says good-by to SOC friends and colleagues during final visit in his current role as General Minister and President of the UCC.
Amidst the hospitality of Abernethy Laurels (United Church Homes & Services in Newton, NC), Johns Thomas lamented, "This feels like the great good-by which has gone on for much too long." His term of office will end with General Synod 27 in Grand Rapids this summer. Sharing personal stories spanning Afghanastan to Johns River, he re-called a string of connections with Southern Conference people.
In a second engagement during the May 9-10 weekend, Thomas delivered a sermon at Bethany UCC (Claremont, NC), sharing in that congregation's celebration of their 100th anniversary.
Photo: John Thomas receives gift from Southern Conference, as presented by Conference Minister Stephen Camp.
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News & Notes |
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Christian Temple Is Sold
On April 17th, Steve Camp --SOC Conference Minister --announced: "I report to you with joy that the building formerly known as 'Christian Temple' has been sold." The Conference received a check for $809,000 from buyer Tabrnacle of Faith after most expenses were deducted.
The Norfolk historic church had sanctuary seating for 1,000, a built-in organ, windows of ornate 80-year-old glass, and a massive bell tower. The stone building dated from 1922, when another church was demolished to make way for it.
Notes Camp, "Let me thank each board member who stayed faithful during this process, and staff who endured much to see us to this day. God is good!" A detailed report on expenditures and proceeds of the transaction will be provided to board members and delegates at the Annual Gathering in May. |
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Southern Spirit highlights ... April / May 2009
- A lead story and a special feature on p. 4 look at youth ministry in Southern Conference
- Says Jay Laurens of First UCC, Salisbury, NC, "I don't think I'm stretching it to say that the young people of our congregations are viewed as its single most valuable resource."
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UCC colleges and universities among U.S. News and World Report's best
Thirteen UCC and historically UCC related colleges and universities have received U.S. News and World Report's top 100 rankings for 2009....
Regional top 100 rankings are divided between schools offering masters and baccalaureate degrees: (List includes both Southern Conference UCC related schools.)
• South Masters – Elon University (N.C.), 2;
• South Baccalaureate – Catawba College (N.C.), 16.
Read complete story by UCC News editor Gregg Brekke
Read US News Full Report |
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Quick Links
Staff directory / Office locator - map / Contact us @ e-mail / Contact us - street address / Outdoor Ministry Sites / Southern Spirit (News: April - May ) / Pastoral Leadership Development ... PLD Program / Associations ... ENCA ... EVA ... WNCA /
2009 SOC Annual Gathering information, lodging options, and meeting documents can be downloaded from center icon link. Note pre-gathering Preaching Workshop with Lancaster Theological Seminary's hermeneutic's professor Donna Allen.
  
May 2009
The Southern Conference 2009 Annual Gathering
Catawba College, Salisbury, North Carolina
May 20-21, 2009
You Shall Live” Ezekiel 6: 1-14
NEW: Occasional Letter from the Conference Minister
The Southern Conference continues in faithful service, in the local setting, in the association settings and on the conference level....
Southern Conference finds itself rich in outdoor ministry settings. Four sites offer opportunities for hosting retreats, camps, conferences, and justice programs. Those centers include Franklinton Center at Bricks, Black Lake Retreat Center, Johns River Valley Camp, and Blowing Rock Conference Center.
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From the Conference Minister, Stephen W. Camp
- April 3, 2009...
The Southern Conference 2009 Annual Gathering
Catawba College, Salisbury, North Carolina
May 20-21, 2009
You Shall Live” Ezekiel 6: 1-14
A CALL TO THE 2009 ANNUAL GATHERING:
- All are invited to attend this year’s Annual Gathering. It promises to be a time of lively discussions and include spiritually uplifting worship. The Southern Conference Annual Gathering is always a great time of fellowship, plenary business and fun. Come, one and all!
- This year you are invited, even encouraged to register on-line. Deadline for early registration is May 1st. All paper materials for the Annual Gathering will be on-line this year and you are invited to make copies of the financial and business materials and bring them to the meeting. Check this website a few days before the meeting to be sure you have all the latest documents. We hope to have all of them posted by May 10th for your review. Please register for the meeting on-line and even pay for your registration with a few clicks of your computer mouse.
- This year we will welcome Rev. Dr. Donna Allen, on the faculty of Lancaster Theological Seminary as our principle preacher. Rev. Allen is a gifted preacher you will not want to miss. Also, this year we will take a look at the Conference progress and have times of award giving, including the coveted “Rising Star Award for 2009”.
- If you are staying in the dorm of Catawba College, please be reminded that you will need to bring your own bed linens.
- So click on one of the icons at the top of this page and get yourself registered for the 2009 Southern Conference Annual Gathering. It will be well worth your time.
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Leadership / Program Events planned
(1) Franklinton Center at Bricks announces 2009 Programs
(2) Preaching Workshop [pre-Annual Gathering Event] with The Rev. Dr. Donna Allen [Lancaster Theological Seminary]; May 20, 10:00 AM - noon
(3) Johns River Valley Camp previews 2009 Summer Schedule
(4) Congregational UCC, Hendersonville presents Ashley Lecture Series with Dr. Walter Bruggemann - June 6 & 7. 2009
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New Occasions Teach New Duties … Hope for the Future
The Conference Minister has written a covenant statement as a guide for living together as Southern Conference community. The document is a draft in its current format, having only passed through the filter of feedback from Conference Staff. He welcomes further response from the congregations and persons in the conference at large. An abbreviated format with bullet points appears below. The entire document can be downloaded in pdf format (requiring Adobe Reader). Read entire document (This is an updated version as of 3/23/08.)
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Southern Conference ... Spending for Mission
January through December 2008 Profit & Loss Statement
Read more
January through December 2008 Balance Sheet
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