Tag: South Central Conference (Page 2 of 3)

The Space Between

Submitted by Rev. Phil Hodson, Conference Minister

Your anchor passage at annual meeting 2021 came from Mark’s gospel. It referenced the storm over the lake and Jesus’ rebuke of the storm. At annual meeting reflections were offered on how God is with us in the midst of the storm and the power of faith in uncertain circumstances.

But there’s something else here, buried in the text. After Jesus rebukes the storm, all becomes quiet and still. In the stillness, in the quiet, the disciples reflect on who Jesus is and his significance in their lives. Today I write you in that strange quiet, almost surreal in-between space. A space where we are just beginning to understand the damage caused by Hurricane Ida in New Orleans. A space that has yet to be found for many as rain continues to shower across Louisiana, Mississippi, and makes its way north and east. A space where we can take stock of the reality of climate change in our world. A space where we can give thanks for lives spared. A space where we are going to remain, prayerfully together, for a little bit. I’ve heard from many already who want to spring into action, but we’re in a place where we don’t have enough information yet. We know there has been damage to several of our churches, and so we pray for them, knowing that we will respond with our bodies in working prayer to help rebuild and repair when the time comes. As we sit together in this space for a little while there is one other thing we can do: get ready. Pray up and ask God if we have the capacity to step in and help with rebuilding physically when the time comes. Pray up and then share our gifts so that the resources will be available to our churches and the wider communities when the time comes. 

We are a denomination built on being in covenant with one another. Being there for one another. And we, in the South Central Conference, will be. For today, we pray. And we prepare for the next faithful steps when the time is right. Each of us can give, as we are able, to lay the groundwork for recovery by responding to the Special Appeal issued this week by the national setting. I encourage us to do so. Let’s get ready, the action will spring forth in God’s good time.

Blessings,

Rev. Phil Hodson
Conference Minister
South Central Conference, 
United Church of Christ
3610 River Road
New Braunfels, TX 78132
T: (830) 625-2212 x 4 C: (765) 532-3429

“Zoom Cafe” Reminder – Wednesday Morning July 7, 2021

Wednesday, July 7th @ 9:30 am.

Join Rev. Campbell Lovett and other Clergy from around the SCC for the weekly “Zoom Cafe” on Wednesday, July 7th @ 9:30 am.

This is an opportunity for coffee and conversation about the challenges of the week.

There is no set agenda, and you are free to come and go as your schedule allows.
Topics of conversation might include preaching possibilities for the coming Sunday, COVID challenges to you and your flock, UCC mission updates, or a sharing of concerns about local matters.

If you have not already attended a “Zoom Cafe” and would like to, here is a link to the pre-scheduled meetings: Zoom Cafe.
Meeting ID: 827 8727 5793
Passcode: 224868

See you all soon!

Celebration of life for Rev. Jewel Johnson Wednesday, July 7, at 4 pm

Submitted by Rev. Glen Schoeneberg, Shared by Rev. Campbell Lovett

There will be a Celebration of Life for Rev Jewel Johnson on Wednesday, July 7, at 4 pm, at St. Peter’s in Coupland. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. 
Jewel is “Pastor Emeritus” at St Peter’s in Coupland. He also served conference churches in Dallas, Burton, Richland, and Neiderwald. Jewel died on July 2, 2020. 

South Central Conference – Let’s Worship Together at General Synod!

Submitted by Rev. Campbell Lovett, SCC Interim Conference Minister

You have read in these pages about the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, July 11 – 18. Most Synod events will take place in the late afternoon and early evening. If you are not able to register as a Visitor for the workshops, keynote addresses, worship services, exhibit hall and business sessions ($100), you can still sign up to “attend” the virtual worship services – for free!!

The worship services are usually highlights of Synod and help us all feel connected as members of the United Church of Christ. I hope that you will attend as an individual, family or at a church viewing party!

To register for General Synod worship services, please go to www.GeneralSynod.org. Click on the REGISTER NOW link and follow the prompts. When checking a registration category, indicate Live Stream Only, which will allow you to view worship only at no cost.

Worship services at Synod – schedule:
Opening Worship: July 11, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Mid-Point Worship: July 14, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Closing Worship – July 18, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

I look forward to worshiping with you at General Synod 33.

With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett Interim Conference Minister

SCC Conference at a Glance

UCC 2021 General Synod
July 11-18, 2021

SCC Executive Committee Zoom
July 12 @ 6:00pm
August 9 @ 6:00pm
September 13 @ 6:00pm
October 11 @ 6:00pm
November 8 @ 6:00pm (Subject to Date Change)

SCC Board of Directors Training
July 21, 6:00-8:00pm
August 12, 6:00-8:00pm

Heart of Texas Committee on Ministry Meeting
August 24, 2021

SCC Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, September 18, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Saturday, November 6, 10:00am – 2:00pm

SRWR Virtual Retreat
October 2, 2021

SRWR In-Person Retreat
October 14-16, 2021


Other Upcoming Events

Slumber Falls Summer Camp Descriptions

Geek Week & Streams of Faith 1 Camps
July 4-10, 2021
Eco & Living Waters Camps
July 11-17, 2021
Streams of Faith 2 Camp
July 18-24, 2021

Pathways Theological Offering Spiritual Growth Courses beginning July 19th

Submitted by Rev. Melissa Ashmore, Pathways Theological Registrar

Pathways Theological offers personal spiritual growth courses in addition to our ministry preparation program. PATHWAYS Theological, Inc. is an affordable and accessible online program in progressive theology. Participants are not bound by geography and have a flexible time schedule over the course of each week. The weekly readings and the facilitated accompanying online forum offer a practical, open-minded education and create a learner-centered environment where participants can bring their own questions and wisdom. 

Please get to know us through our website: https://pathwaystheological.org/

From the website you can enroll in our upcoming classes as simply as shopping online.  The following explorer courses are $99 for a 4 weeks.

  • Singing the Bible – [this is an extremely popular course and you need not be a worship leader or musician to take this course, it is for everyone] (Jul 19 – Aug 15)
  • The Bible Clearly Says…Or Does It? Homosexuality and the Bible (Jul 19-Aug15)
  • Good Sabbath: Restoring the Soul (Aug 18 – Sept 13)
  • What about the Bible? (Sept 15 – Oct 12)
  • Environmental Justice (Oct 20 – Nov 16)

Getting to know Pathways
Shared by Melissa Ashmore, Pathways Theological Registrar

Greetings, South Central Conference!
It is my honor and my pleasure to invite you to view the videos at the links below to introduce you to PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. As registrar, I have committed to the mission and vision of this organization as one of the multiple paths to ministry and as a provider of excellent education for church leaders at every level.

Please feel free to contact me directly or to complete the contact form at www.PathwaysTheological.org/contact-us to learn more about what PATHWAYS can offer to you and to your church.

Peace,
Rev. Melissa Ashmore
PATHWAYS Registrar
[email protected]

Community of Practice Sign-Ups

Submitted by Campbell Lovett, Interim Conference Minister

If you are an Authorized Minister in the South Central Conference and would like to be a part of a Community of Practice, please sign up using this link to a Google Registration Form.

A Community of Practice is a small group of four to six people who gather once a month for intentional sharing and learning. Each group will be guided by a trained Facilitator.

The South Central Conference has received a grant so that the first year of a Community of Practice is offered at no cost to the participants. These groups can be transformational.

With you on the Journey, 
Campbell Lovett Interim Conference Minister

New SCC Conference Minister Rev. Phil Hodson Affirmed

New SCC Conference Minister Rev. Phil Hodson Affirmed Saturday, April 17th
Submitted by Rev. Nikki Stahl, SCC Board of Directors President

[Note: An Introduction Statement from Rev. Hodson can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15p4GGRVI_FgtcJPqrh6o7ld4aUOuwjnx/view]

The South Central Conference is excited to announce that at Special Meeting held Saturday, April 17th members of the conference voted to affirm the selection of Rev. Hodson as our next Conference Minister. Rev. Hodson will officially begin his work in the South Central Conference on July 15th. 

A bit about Rev. Hodson from Rev. Vanessa Monroe, Chair of Search Committee, as spoken at first Meet & Greet: “Rev. Hodson comes to us from Wichita United Church of Christ in Kansas where he currently serves as pastor. Rev. Hodson has also spent a significant time pastoring in the United Methodist Church. He has experience planting churches including knocking on doors; revitalizing churches – finding what is within a particular congregation that is to be celebrated in a way that perhaps widens the welcome, or creates new interests, or allows people in a community to realize what has been sitting there all along. Rev. Hodson has even merged churches when congregants agree that they are stronger together. During the pandemic, as we all pivoted, Rev. Hodson guided his congregation in the creation of a film studio. He will for us be an advocate for our camp. He has served on the Board of Directors on Campus Ministry in Oklahoma, has taught mission insight strategies to congregations, and has worked on the vision process for the Kansas Conference. Rev Hodson is a successful grant writer and has excellent business [experience creating] strategies for growth. Rev. Hodson comes to us prepared to begin to walk alongside our board and our congregations as we seek to live more fully into the call of our God for this day and this time.” 

If you are interested in learning more about Rev. Hodson, you can watch the Meet & Greets where you can see relationships already being formed. 

A special thanks to the Search Committee: Rev. Vanessa Monroe, Cesar Baptista, Bessie Griffin, Debra Joseph, Rev. Jacqueline Lamensky, Rev. Joshua Lawrence, Marilyn Reyes, Rev. Neil Thomas, and Arlene Turner. And also to Rev. Lee Albertson who helped resource and guide the search committee. If you know any of these individuals, please reach out and thank them personally. You can get a glimpse of the huge amount of work that they accomplished in a relatively short time frame (and during a pandemic) by reviewing the search process they followed. 

We look forward to God’s spirit working through Rev. Hodson as he guides us as Conference Minister. We are excited and hopeful of our next steps as the South Central Conference and all the ways in which our local congregations/ministry settings, camp, and partners in ministry will benefit as well!  

In an effort to help with the transition, the Board of Directors approved extending Rev. Campbell Lovett’s call through September 30th. Between June 15th and September 30th, Rev. Lovett will work 1/4 time with his sole purpose of tying up loose ends (Jun 15th – Jul 14th) and then to be a resource to Rev. Hodson (Jul 15 – Sept 30th). We are grateful for your continued support – including monetary – and for the acquisition of a second PPP loan to allow this gift to happen. 

Again, we are excited and we welcome Rev. Hodson, his wife Joelle, and their four boys (Xander, Xane, Xackary and Xavier) to the South Central Conference!

Peace,
Rev. Nikki Stahl
President of the Conference Board of Directors

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