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The Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ seeks to be a community of diverse congregations which nurtures, supports, and unites local churches in faithful covenant in Christ to carry out ministry and mission in the world.

Let's Talk: About Co-Creating a New Way of Being

I was in a webinar the other day and the presenter brought up the problem
with the term “the new normal”. She said that what happens when we say
“the new normal” is that people tend only to focus on the word “normal”.

We all know that getting “back to normal” is not an option after eight weeks
of sheltering in place and physical distancing. And the new normal still lends
itself to a belief that we want to go back to the way things were, with maybe
a few tweaks here or there.

I may be going out on a limb here to assume that many of us are on the
same page, but I want to invite contemplation and conversation around
something much bolder: Co-Creating a New Way of Being. Click HERE to continue reading. 
Our donors make this newsletter possible. Thank you!
Your Church's contribution to Our Church's Wider Mission and individual contributions to Friends of the Conference empower our covenant connection.
Make a Donation

  Deadline to Register for the Annual Meeting is TODAY! 

Today is the last day to register for  the Annual Meeting being held on May 30. Click HERE to register.  All registrants will receive a link by noon tomorrow for the information session on the Bylaws revisions to be held this Saturday, May 9, 10:30 a.m. Click HERE for details.

  Deadline Today to Complete Local Church Survey

The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched our creativity and capacity, and it continues to do so for the foreseeable future. As we find ourselves at the start of a third month impacted by this moment in time, as a Conference we would like to know:
  • How you and your Local Church are doing
  • What you and your Local Church have tried and continue to adapt, and that you are willing to share with others
  • Where the Conference, including Staff, Leadership Teams, and our covenant community as a whole, needs to be allocating time and other resources strategically
For Local Churches with multiple clergy, we are inviting all clergy to complete this survey with their own feedback. Your prompt response by end of day today, will help us as we fulfill on our mission to support, unite, and nurture the church of Jesus Christ in local settings and ministries.

 Sermon of the week

  • This Sunday's sermon was recorded by ACM Davena Jones. Links are posted in the Authorized Minister's Facebook page or you can email Davena (davena@ncncucc.org) to ask for the links.
  • Using the lectionary readings for May 17, the Council of Conference Ministers has created a complete worship service to offer to churches for worship planning consideration. Email Diane Weible for a link to the service.
  • The NCNC ministerial staff plans to record additional sermons the first three Sundays in June. If you have any questions, email Diane (dweible@ncncucc.org).

 Conference Minister Coffee Hour Link Changed 

Due to a glitch in our Ring Central system, we changed the link for the 10 a.m. Conference Minister Coffee Hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Click HERE for the new link.

 Upcoming Support Sessions

Today, May 7, 2:30-4 p.m., "Online Worship and Meetings". This session will focus on what are questions, best practices, needs and hopes as we live into continued Shelter in Place orders. Diane and Daniel will facilitate this session that will invite people to share what they are needing and what is working. Click HERE to join.

Additional support sessions are being planned for the coming weeks. Click HERE for a list of all sessions. New sessions will be posted on this page as they are confirmed and recordings from past sessions are also available.

 Take a Break!

Every Tuesday at 3 p.m. we invite you to spend 15 minutes with us for a  time of inviting Spirit in. T'Shala Auroralaia, will move us through a spiritual practice each week to quiet our hearts and minds and provide a much-needed break to our crazy schedules during this time of COVID-19.  Click HERE to join.

 PSR Webinar with Denominational Leaders 

As PSR seeks to provide support to our communities in a time of great uncertainty, tune in to the next webinar on May 12, 1 p.m. These webinar will feature our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Diane Weible, along with Rev. Dr. LaTaunya Bynum, Regional Minister for the Northern California/Nevada Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Bishop Minerva Carcano, Bishop for the California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church. Click HERE for more information and to learn about other webinars in this series.

 ONA Coalition Worship Opportunities

ONA Coalition is offering weekly worship opportunities:
  • Weekly Sunday Zoom services at 4 p.m. (PDT) are designed to supplement online worship in your own congregation
  • Daily Taize services at 9 a.m. (PDT) is a 15-minute centering experience with psalm, scripture, silence, prayer and Taize chant.
All services are in the Coalition's Zoom Chapel click HERE to join. No password is required.

 Online Giving Portal Updated

Local Churches that wish to make their contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), the outdoor ministries per capita assessment, special offerings, or other Conference-directed giving, will have an option to make those remittances online beginning next week. This is your OCWM dollars at work. Remittances can be made by electronic check, credit or debit card. Churches may continue to make their remittances by mailed check to the Conference Office. Thank you for your financial support!

 Mental Health Sunday is May 17

Mental Health Awareness Sunday is May 17. Resources for this important Sunday can be found on the UCC website

 Respond to the 2020 Census

The Census Bureau has adjusted its operations schedule due to COVID-19 with self-response extended to October 31 and non-response follow-up (census takers in neighborhoods) in August. These changes have been made to protect the health of Census employees and the American public. The Census Bureau encourages households to self-respond by internet (2020census.gov), by phone (844-330-2020) or by mail. Printed questionaries have been mailed to any household that did not respond by early April to reach those households without internet.

 Survey for Camp Program Visioning

The Camp Discernment Team is hard at work to envision what our Conference camp program will look like when we, hopefully, return to our camping program in 2021, We need your help. Whether you are a long-time camp program participant or you have never attended any camp program, please take a minute to fill out this survey so we can receive your valuable feedback

 Facebook Live: Party with a Purpose  

Join Cheryl Ward each Friday at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live for connection and conversation around important issues in the midst of this pandemic. Click HERE to join the Party with a purpose! 

 Race Forward Explores Structural Racism in Pandemic 

 Race Forward is offering a new webinar called #RaceAnd Pandemics: COVID-19 and Global Diseases Through a Structural Lens. The webinar will be held tomorrow May 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click HERE to learn more and register.

 Church West Upcoming Webinars 

Maximizing My PPP Loan Forgiveness, May 8, 11 a.m.
Tens of millions of loans have been granted through the Paycheck Protection Program. This webinar will offer tips for maximizing loan forgiveness for those who have received a loan. Register Here

HR Issues in this Challenging Time, May 13, 11 a.m.
To help you manage your HR issues through this challenging time, we’ve brought back the HR Duo of Leslie DeMattia and Bob Brockman to address issues regarding layoffs, rehiring, downsizing, and managing staff remotely.
Register Here

 Insurance Board Celebrates 35 Years

The Insurance Board was founded 35 years ago when leaders  in the United Church of Christ wanted to find a way to support churches who found it hard to find affordable insurance. Click HERE to view a message from CEO Timothy Harris.

Also, the Insurance Board is providing many resources in this time of COVID-19 to help churches. Click HERE to check them out. 

 Association News

May 17 - Bay Association Meeting. Click HERE to view Flyer 

May 9- Sequoia Association meeting,11:30 am. Email Jeremy Johnson for an invite to the Zoom session.

 Emily Linderman Ordination 

On May 17, 3 p.m., Emily Linderman will be ordained via Zoom by the Pacific Northwest Conference. Emily has accepted a call to serve at Stanford Medical Center. Her ordination service via Zoom allows us all to get us to know her as she will be seeking a transfer of standing to the NCNC family in the near future.
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United Church of Christ in Northern California Nevada
1320 Willow Pass Rd., Suite 600 | Concord, CA 94520
(510) 247-8990 + ncncucc dot org

Rev. Diane Weible, Conference Minister
Rev. Davena Jones, Associate Conference Minister
Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones, MPA, Associate Conference Minister
Elane JohnsonConference Administrator

The United Church of Christ acknowledges that its buildings and ministries in all of its settings are on traditional territories of Native, First Nations, American Indian, and Indigenous Peoples. Our Conference Office is on traditional Miwok land.






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Northern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ · 1320 Willow Pass Rd, Suite 600 · Concord, CA 94520 · USA