Western North Carolina Association

Comprising 65 churches in four program districts, WNCA is led by professional staff working with specialized commissions and committees — all working together to strengthen the spiritual and community life of people and congregations across the Association. We want churches to send in their special programming dates to their Association so that it can be added to the Association and Conference Calendar.

WNCA Associate Conference Minister

Rev. Dr. Tom Warren

Reverend Tom Warren has served as Pastor of Peace United Church of Christ in Greensboro, North Carolina, since 2013. Originally from Oneida, New York—a small community near Syracuse—Tom developed a love for music and backpacking during his youth. These passions continue today through annual Appalachian Trail hikes (with over 600 miles completed) and musical performances at local venues, where he sings and plays guitar to the classics of the 1960s through the 1980s.

Tom is married to Kimberly Miller, a licensed professional therapist. Together, they have two adult children: Daniel and Abigail, both of whom are currently working and pursuing further education.

His pastoral journey includes previous calls in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. A graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, Tom received the Grauer Award for Pastoral Promise and was later honored with an Honorary Doctorate in 2011 for his dedication to pastoral ministry and social justice. Ordained in the United Church of Christ since 1996, he also holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of South Florida, where he was recognized in 2014 with the department’s Excellent Alumni Award.

A commitment to evangelism, Biblical theology, creation care, interfaith dialogue, pastoral care, and social justice marks Rev. Warren’s ministry. He also co-chairs the UCC Cuba Study Seminar, an annual 10-day cultural immersion program, alongside his wife, Kim. The next trip is scheduled for January 2026.

Tom is honored to serve on the staff of the Southern Conference UCC and is enthusiastic about connecting with and supporting the congregations of the Western North Carolina Association in faithful ministry and mission.

Register for Annual Meeting Now:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wnca-2026-annual-meeting-registration-1998025834055?aff=oddtdtcreator

View Annual Meeting Call Letter

Annual Meeting Speaker

Vergel Lattimore

Read Bio and Discover More

Dear Members of the Western North Carolina Association,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. On behalf of the Executive Committee and in accordance with our Association’s Constitution and Bylaws, I hereby issue this Call to the Annual Meeting of the Western North Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ, to be held on:

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Abernethy Laurels, 102 Leonard Ave, Newton, NC

Topic: “Prophetic Advocacy in a Fragmented Season”

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Vergel L. Lattimore, III, Brig. Gen., USAF (Ret.)

Rev. Dr. Lattimore is the President and Professor of Pastoral Psychology and Counseling at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina. While serving in the Air National Guard (ANG), he served as the Chief of Chaplains, USAF, Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC (202-2005). He was the first African American chaplain to attain the rank of Brigadier General in the USAF and ANG. His full biography can be found here:

https://www.hoodseminary.edu/employee/vergel-l-lattimore

During our time together, we will:

• Worship and celebrate the life of our churches and shared ministries

• Receive updates from the various committees and working groups

• Elect new leadership for Association roles

• Engage in meaningful dialogue about the mission and future of our faith communities

• Fellowship

This year, as part of our Annual Meeting, we will include, a medical supply drive to benefit the main hospital (called a polyclinic) in Santiago, Cuba.

As many of you know, Rev. Dr. Tom Warren and wife Kim Miller have been deeply involved with
mission work in Cuba as illustrated most prominently through their UCC Cuba Study
Seminar annual trip. You may also know that Cuba is facing a tremendous humanitarian crisis at this time due to 64 years of U.S. economic blockade and a more recent oil embargo that has
almost brought the island to a stand still.

Their upcoming trip in January will include a significant humanitarian aid component collecting and delivering medical supplies directly to the main hospital in Santiago. His contacts in Cuba are meeting with hospital administrators to provide a list of medical supplies that they need,
which we can distribute prior to the meeting. We will have a designated area set up at the meeting to collect donations to be sent with Rev. Warren and Kim. During the meeting we will offer a WNCA blessing upon these supplies. The list of needed items will be forthcoming prior
to our meeting. We also have a member of the WNCA (Gisela Maria Lavastida) who is a member of Peace UCC Greensboro and is also a Member in Discernment to become a UCC pastor.

Register Today at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wnca-2026-annual-meeting-registration-
1998025834055?aff=oddtdtcreator

Each congregation is encouraged to send its pastor(s) and delegates, as outlined in our bylaws.
Each church is entitled to two delegates. Local churches with more than 300 members will be
entitled to have one additional lay delegate for each additional 200 members or fraction
thereof:
• Churches with up to 300 members shall be entitled to have 2 lay delegates.
• Churches with 301 to 500 members shall be entitled to have 3 lay delegates.
• Churches with 501 to 700 members shall be entitled to have 4 lay delegates.
• Churches with 701 to 900 members shall be entitled to have 5 lay delegates.
• Churches over 900 members shall be entitled to one additional lay delegate for each
additional 200 members or fraction thereof.

A registration fee of $25 helps offset the costs of the meeting, with lunch provided. Materials
such as the agenda and reports will be sent out in advance and made available on the
Association’s website. You will be asked to indicate your lunch preference when you register.

We look forward to your presence, your voice, and your prayers as we do the work of the
Church—together.

In Christ,
Mark S. Thomas, PhD, MBA, CSM, CSPO
President, Western North Carolina Association
Southern Conference, United Church of Christ
Mark.thomas@msn.com