Pilgrim UCC (Durham, NC) Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Pilgrim's web site tells story of a rich history embedded in UCC traditions and culture. Pilgrim is rooted in the James O'Kelly branch, one of four historic denominations making up the present day United Church of Christ. Read more about Pilgrim's noteworthy church milestones.

High Country United Church (Boone, NC) Celebrates 10 Years [also featured in UCC's Keeping You Posted 9/25/12]

The church uses the UCC's motto “God is still speaking,” which is based on the Gracie Allen quote “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.” After moving to and then outgrowing buildings in Foscoe and Boone, the congregation moved to its present Vilas location in 2004. Read more

Parkway UCC receives heart defibrillator through NC Council of Churches' program

Parkway United Church of Christ is now ready to take action if someone in the building shows signs of a heart attack. Through the North Carolina Council of Churches' Strive to Revive program, the Winston-Salem congregation qualified for a free automated external defibrillator (AED) and CPR training, and the Rev. Craig Schaub made sure his church took advantage of the opportunity. Read more

SOC Board Equipping Members for Online Conferencing

The SOC Board is providing tutorial oppiortunnities for its members, in order to equip more persons for online conferencing. SOC Minister of Communication facilitated a workshop on September 24, in preparation for Conference Board members to further explore this technology when they will soon engage in a scheduled "Fireside Chat" with the Designated Conference Minister.

At the May 2011 Annual Gathering of the Southern Conference, the Technology Action Group was tasked to provide recommendations for greater conference wide connectivity.  Per the conference mandate, the Technology Action group briefed the Southern Conference Board of Directors in January of 2012.  One of the recommendations made was the conference wide use of the WebEx online conferencing tool to decrease travel costs, reduce time required to attend and participate in meetings, and to increase conference wide connectivity.  To date, it has been used successfully to conduct interviews and host SOC Executive Committee meetings.

On the agenda of the September 2012 SOC Board Meeting was a proposal by Rev. John Myers, who put forth a recommendation for expanding the use of the WebEx technology to all Associations and also local churches, for meetings that are consistent with the mission and goals of the conference. WebEx service is currently being provided to Southern Conference by the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ.

Local Church Dedicates Garden Produce to F.A.R.M. Cafe

F.A.R.M. / feed all regardless of means

High Country United Church of Christ (Vilas, NC) was a driving force behind the establishment of F.A.R.M. Cafe from the restaurant’s inception.  And now that the pay-what-you-can cafe is up and running, the church is continuing to support its mission by donating fresh produce grown in the church garden.  Read more
F.A.R.M. Cafe, Boone, NC
UCC News Release
High Country UCC, Vilas,NC

St. Matthew's UCC (Maiden, NC) Celebrates 175th Anniversary

Organized on M ay 3, 1837, St. Matthew's Church became know for its camp meeting program. From 1839 to 1845, these services were held under a spacious brush arbor, which was then (1845) replaced by a more substantial wood arbor structure. That historic structure was destroyed by arson in more recent times, but replaced as an authentic replica. It is still used for special services and an annual "revival under the arbor."

A series of services in late August and early September highlighted the congregation's rich history, with a list of featured preachers that included Mike Collin (Emmanuel Lutheran Church), John Barnette (St. Matthew's Youth Minister), Rev. Earle Potts(Emanuel Reformed Church), and Rev. Linn Finger (Homecoming Guest Preacher).

The anniversary committee highlighted a theme of "Celebrating 175 Years: From the Old White Church to Beyond Today." St. Matthew's UCC is currently served by The Reverend Ray Jachowski. [September, 2012)

Rev. Edward Davis Installed as SOC Designated Conference Minister at June Gathering

above photo: UCC General Minister and President congratulates Rev. Edward Davis during recessional of Davis' installation service in the chapel of Catawba College during the 2012 SOC Annual Gathering.

SOC Board -- on April 10 -- Prepares for Annual Gathering

"I can now truthfully say that word of the Southern Conference demise was greatly exagerated," stated Rev. Edward Davis in opening remarks to SOC Board members at their Spring April 10 meeting in Burlington. "We have to get back to serving and caring for people," he continued, and then proceeded to outline a conceptual staffing model for the Southern Conference, which will be presented to the entire Conference at its Annual Gathering in June.

Davis identified general principles of the new staffing model as 1) transitional, 2) involving SOC Board discernment, 3) prompted by financial considerations, 4) emphasizing a "team" approach, 5) to be evaluated at 6 month intervals, and 6) integrated into budget revisions at 12 months and constitutional changes as warranted at 18 months.

In other business and conversations, the Designated Conference Minister noted: 1) "We are grateful for Catawba College's generousity of Spirit" regarding Black Lake, as affirmed in an agreemeny signed on April 1. 2) ... that Linda Carter will be retained in the Conference Administrative Assistant role. 3) "We have to become more creative,"[ he said more than once] 4) The PLD [Pastoral Leadership Development] advisory board should put forth a more specific proposal regarding its vision of providing leadership development and education roles in the conference. 5) "The Annual Meeting is not a place where we come to fight, but come together to celebrate." 6) "The month of May is declared a Southern Conference Month of Prayer."

Board members departed with hope and vision --as articulted by Rev. Rick Eden, -- of "living into" a new paradigm for ministry in Southern Conference. In a closing emotional moment, Tammerie Day shared with the Board about her premature departure as SOC Board Secretary. "You have been my congregation," she said. "I'm moving away from work that I love [including role as SOC Board Secretary], in the hope and faith that I can find a pastorate of my own." Functioning as a microcosm of Southern Conference congregations and its members, the SOC Board seemed to be grasping a long interim process with re-newed conviction for moving forward in faith. [cls]

Rev. Davis Shares in Anniversary Event

Galatians UCC Suffolk, celebrates a 25th Pastoral Anniversary of their pastor,
The Reverend Madelene F. Beard.

Photo from left to right: The Rev. Edward Davis, Designated Conference Minister of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ; Rev. Madelene F. Beard; Arnold H. Beard, Sr. (Madelene's husband); and Mrs. Lorita W. Mayo (Laurel Hill UCC)

EVA Hosts "Faith Works" Event

Above photo: Revs. Lisa Gaul (wearing National Youth Event Shirt) and Larry Diehl converse during break between workshop sessions. Sixty adults and youth attended this event planned by the Eastern Virginia Association's Education and Training Commission.

Peace UCC Reaches Out to Neighbors

Above photo:This Greensboro Church has been inviting neighbors to a Saturday Easter Carnival and Egg Hunt for the last eight years, and families living around the church have responded by the hundreds. Games, rides, food, and -- of course -- Easter Egg Hunts (yes, plural), with promises of eggs for all, offer fun (and an Easter message and invittion) for all. Rev. Jim Luck is currently serving this congregation as Interim Minister.

Death of Ruth Alexander McDowell, former missionary to Angola

1915 - 2011

Ruth Alexander McDowell, 96 years old, former missionary to Angola, former member of the United Church Board for World Ministries (UCBWM), and active in the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ, Western North Carolina Association, died November 4, 2011, at the Asbury Care Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read more