Working Together in Faith, Trust, and Love
We Strive to Foster Faithful Witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will Shape a Strong UCC Identity with Effective Staffing that Equips and Empowers Local Churches, Clergy and Lay for Transformative Ministry and Growth.
WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR OF FAITH & FAVOR
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SOC WILL THRIVE IN 2025
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WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR OF FAITH & FAVOR - SOC WILL THRIVE IN 2025 -
Click Here to Donate to the Southern Conference
Click here to donate to the Southern Conference and to purchase your 60th Year Souvenir Book Ad
SOC Annual Gathering
A 60th Anniversary
Date: June 19-21, 2025
Place: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Registration for Gathering: Registration is now open for the Southern Conference 60th Annual Gathering. Register HERE
Registration Fee: Youth Registration (grades 6-12) $50 (they have their own program), Registration Clergy & Lay Delegates & Visitors $150 (include Diamond Gala), Retired Clergy $125, (include Diamond Gala) vendors & exhibitors $50, Gala only $50 (should we have specialty luncheons & trainings, which are optional, there will be an additional charge)
CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER
Host Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach, 1900 Pavilion Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23451; Direct Line 757-437-2017 (Booking Link is Annual Meeting 2025)
(Note there are a limited amount of rooms reserved due to if the rooms are not booked the Southern Conference is obligated to pay for them. Once this block is filled, additional blocked rooms will be requested.)
Anniversary Commemorative Souvenir Book: To help us celebrate we are asking churches, businesses, friends of the Conference to take out an ad for our Souvenir Booklet. They must be received by June 1st to be included and in the proper format per the instructions. Download Souvenir submission form HERE
Theme: “Reconnecting as One: In Christ, In Covenant, In Community.”
Scripture: “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Opening Worship: June 19th at 7:00 pm with speaker Rev. Yvonne Delk (D.Min.). (No registration required to attend opening worship.)
by C. L. "Curly" Stumb
A group of retired church servants gathered around tables at the Blowing Rock Conference Center during Holy Week to explore the contemporary moment in which they are finding themselves navigating. Compasses identified true north. Guided self-assessment helped chart — for these life seasoned pilgrims — their bearings amidst serendipitous discoveries of finding themselves off-course, and (with Jonah) in the belly of a big fish.
The retreat joined persons from both Southern and Southeast Conferences. Rev. Belinda Sledge (representing Rev. Edward Davis [D.Min.]) and Rev. Kim Wood joined the group from their respective conferences.
Rachel Hackenberg, a self proclaimed book nerd and publisher for the United Church of Christ’s Pilgrim Press, offered bouys and bookmarks for discovering Grace, and the creative tension of moving back and forth between the tides. Her charts highlighted the rip currents of polarity between FEAR and CREATIVITY, SHAME and COMMUNITY, ANGER and BEAUTY / WONDER / CURIOSITY.
Participants were invited to write their Jonah stories, using the technique of a “Six Word Story.” A few examples from people willing to share include:
Old People Alone Connect Laugh Cry — Maria Spada
Job No! Run / OK Whatever Damn — Maria Spada
NO MEETINGS - NO REPORTS - SLEEP LATE — Frank Spada
Choice: Poisonous Grudge or new life - Rick Edens
Look me in the eyes - PLEASE — Curly Stumb
