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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 Re-opening

Where do we start? How do we have the conversation? What is the right thing to do?

I wish I had all the answers and could say definitively THIS is the who, what, where, and when, and how of moving forward. I can’t.

Nine weeks ago, when churches were asking if they should close their doors, we asked them to follow the guidelines of their county’s health department and any state orders. Not everyone closed immediately but, eventually, all of our churches did. In the weeks since, we learned how to worship online, how to connect with one another in new (and, sometimes, old) ways. We figured it out the best we could, taking one day at a time.

And, we will figure this out too. Click HERE to read more.

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.
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Question of the Week

This week's question to ponder is "What about these weeks of shelter in place do you want to make sure your faith community doesn't let go of as we consider reopening?" Click HERE to view past questions and to add your reflections.

Register Today for Annual Meeting 

Annual Meeting of the Northern California Conference of the United Church of Christ will be held online on Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Registration has been re-opened, don't miss out register HERE today! Registration closes May 26.

As a special postlude for our special meeting, Melinda V. McLain would welcome one or two good quality photos of your congregation engaged in ministry in the last year for inclusion in a brief slide show. Please send it to: melinda@miravistaucc.org or call/text 415-378-3193 with questions.

Upcoming Support Sessions

May 26, 11-12:30 p.m., Practices for coping with stress and anxiety (Facilitator: Capacitar International)
May 27,  5-6:30 p.m., Choral and Congregational Singing (Facilitator: Jenny Matteucci, FCC Palo Alto)
June 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Planning for Reopening (Facilitator: Diane Weible)

Click HERE to join any session. 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.

Join the Poor People's Campaign Digital Mobilization 

During the summer of 2018, poor people and moral witnesses in 40 states committed themselves to a season of direct action to launch the Campaign. Since then, UCC members and congregations have been faithfully engaged in the Poor People’s Campaign. Now in this unprecedented time, we are called to step up again. Join with UCC leaders in the largest digital and social media gathering of poor and low-wealth people, moral and religious leaders, advocates and people of conscience in the nation’s history on June 20th. Register HERE.

Cornerstone Loan Program for Churches

NCNC is partnering with The Cornerstone Fund (CF) to provide low-interest loans to churches who need a little help to get through the COVID-19 crisis. The minimum loan amount is $5,000 and the maximum amount is $15,000. The interest rate on these loans will be 2.5%. The first payment will not be due for six weeks and then for the next ten months will be an interest-only payment. The full loan amount will be due in month 12 or can be negotiated with CF for a longer term. Click HERE for more detailed information and click HERE to download application. 

Insurance Board Webinars 

The Insurance Board has hosted many webinars to offer support to churches in this time. View the list and listen to recordings HERE. Recent topics include HR issues to consider as offices consider reopening.

ChurchWest  Insurance Webinars 

The latest in webinar support from our Insurance Board partners will cover PPP Loan Forgiveness and Mental Heath and Church Ministry. Information as follows:

May 22,  11:30 a.m.: Maximizing Your PPP Forgiveness Part 3
Register HERE

May 27, 11 a.m.: Mental Health & Church Ministry
Register HERE

California Council of Churches COVID Resources Page

The California Council of Churches has published a resource list for churches related to issues around COVID-19. Click HERE to access this resource. It is also posted on our COVID-19 Resources Page

NYE Offers Interactive Digital Experiences

COVID-19 may have canceled plans to meet in person at Purdue University this summer but National Youth Event planners have moved the event online. Interactive experiences have been planned for this summer. Bookmark the NYE page and visit often to participate. The new dates for NYE are July 27-30, 2022. 

Pathways Webinar on Death, Dying and Grief in Isolation 

Pathways is offering a webinar on Death, Dying and Grief in Isolation, hosted by Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of the UCC. Register in advance for this workshop to be held on May 26, 5 p.m. (PT). 

UCCR Looking For Caz Stories

The recent UCCR newsletter included a request to share stories about Camp Cazadero on social media sties with the hashtag #MyCazStory. Click HERE to learn more.  

PSR Webinar with Denominational Leaders 

A recording of the May 12 webinar seeking to provide support to our communities in a time of great uncertainty, is now available. The webinar featured 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 to view.

Becoming Our Vision: Seeing Beyond 2020

This year, PSR will ritualize Commencement and the accomplishments of our graduates remotely, creatively blending elements of a traditional ceremony with live-streamed and prerecorded messages. The theme of this year's Commencement is "Becoming Our Vision: Seeing Beyond 2020" We hope you'll join us for this special ceremony on May 24, beginning at 4 p.m. Please bookmark this link where we'll share more information soon. 

Open Position at National Setting 

Director of Philanthropy- The Director of Philanthropy will provide vision and oversight for executing the UCC's strategic fundraising agenda. For Full job description click HERE.

In Memoriam

It is with profound sadness that we inform you that Carmen Ranches passed away May 4, surrounded by her family.  Carmen is the beloved wife of former NCNC Associate Conference Minister Rev Federico Ranches.

Carmen will be remembered for her gentleness, her elegance, and her quiet, generous, humble, and loving ways.  When Fed was called to serve in the national setting of the UCC, she left her own career and moved to Cleveland with him in order to support him and his ministry.  This faithful, seminary educated, self-sacrificing child of God has always gone above and beyond the call of duty to support her husband in his ministries.  She will be missed greatly. 

Carmen is survived by husband Fed of 53 years, daughter Carminda, sons Jun and PJ (Maria France- daughter in law ), grandchildren Kal and MariJo and numerous relatives.  We mourn with and pray for the extended Ranches Family.

The Family is planning a Celebration of Carmen’s life once the Shelter in Place is lifted.

Condolences/Cards may be sent to:
Rev. Fed Ranches & Family
19161 Anne Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014

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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 Johnson, Conference 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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