A group of workers from Western North Carolina Association just returned from Biloxi on the Gulf Coast. March slide show features their work. More detailed reports will be forthcoming. View complete photo journal posted by work camper and photographer Paul Davis.

_________________________________________

Come to the 43rd SOC Annual Gathering

June 26-27, Hilton Garden Inn, Suffolk, VA Read more

For online registration, click "Strike the Rock" button above

Really Important Details

1. Hotel reservations must be made directly with Hilton Garden Inn in Suffolk VA, which will require a credit card or deposit to reserve rooms. Call 1-757-925-1300 and ask for the Southern Conference Annual Gathering rate of $99/night per room (rate includes taxes).
2. Make checks for registration fees payable to Southern Conference UCC and mail to 252-B West Fifth Street, Burlington, NC 27215. Do not send a check if you register online.
3. The number of lay delegates is determined by church size as reported in the 2007 Membership Report. Churches with 1-300 members may send one delegate, with 301-600 members may send two delegates, with 601-900 members may send three delegates, with 901+ members may send four delegates.

For mail in registrations only, download the following pdf forms:
Soc 2008 Gathering Registration
SOC 2008 Gathering Childcare

Featured speakers include Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago (recently retired), and Rev. Reiss Potterveld, President of Lancaster Theological Seminary.

_________________________________________

Media focus on Obama's pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, prompts new attention toward United Church of Christ

Read it in USA Today. A full page ad appeared on Friday, April 11 page 5A, thanks to extra-generous support for the UCC's Tell Our Story Fund. The ad invites the nation to enter a sacred conversation on race and asks other communities of faith to join the preach-in scheduled for Trinity Sunday, May 18. Together, as the United Church of Christ readies itself for this important preaching opportunity and the intentional dialogues that must follow in the months to come, this ad clearly puts the UCC on public record as a church willing to grapple forthrightly with difficult issues. The United Church of Christ is a risk-taking church. Read ad

Read it in the New York Times. A full page ad appeared on Wednesday, April 2 on page 11 in the main section, sponsored by the UCC with overwhelming support by its members. The vision for the ad is to speak proactively to the breadth and diversity of the UCC denomination, while also acknowledging the hurt that many in this country have experienced in recent weeks, including the members of Trinity UCC in Chicago. The ad is an occasion to explain the uniqueness of United Church of Christ polity, to acknowledge the freedom of pulpits, and to affirm the rights of members to agree or disagree in love. The statement speaks to a oneness in Christ, a Christ who strengthens persons to be agents of justice, peace and reconciliation. Read ad... letter size or church bulletin size.

Triad clergy were moved to respond to an article in the Raleigh Niews and Observer, "Obama's Church Holds Controversial Views" by Margaret Talev of McClatchy Newspapers. In that article of March 21, 2008, the story -- in the view of the signers -- presents an incomplete and rather slanted view of our denomination, The United Church of Christ.  An edited version of the letter appeared on March 29. Read original letter to the News and Observer editor.

Daniel Burke (of Religion News Service) interviewed John Thomas in the wake of the United Church of Christ finding itself in the center of the news. Read complete interview, posted in two parts: Part 1; Part 2.

Resources are available on Racism, Experiences of the African-American Church, and Trinity UCC as assembled by the Connecticut Conference of the UCC.

_________________________________________

IRS Investigates Obama's GS Speech delivered at UCC's "Synod in the City" which was part of the denomination's 50th Anniversary Celebration in Hartford, Conn.

Reports about Sen. Barack Obama and the General Synod speech he offered at the United Church’s 50th Anniversary celebration have generated considerable conversation across the country and also drawn the attention of media and the Internal Revenue Service.

The Council of Conference Ministers along with the Collegium of Officers (a body that happened to be gathering when this story broke) have put forth a letter of information. The conference minister strongly encourages church members and leaders to consult the UCC website for factual information and to better understand the media and legal challenges confronting the denomination, and the position of the United Church of Christ.

Letter from the Council of Conference Ministers: read document

United Church New press release: www.ucc.org/news/obama-speech-in-2007-prompts-1.html

___________________________________________________

Southern Spirit highlights ... April / May 2008

- A lead story by Irwin Smallwood chronicles Back Bay Mission Trip sponsored by Western North Carolina Association.
- UCC General Minister John Thomas speaks to CHHSM members in Charlotte.
- Circle of Mercy (an Asheville NC congregation) approves unusual response to tax rebate.