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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 “Wait With Me”

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”
― Rumi

by Rev. Curran Reichert

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, there is a deep spiritually grounded concept of a Jubilee year. Every 50 years, communities are invited to take one year to change the patterns of life. All debts are forgiven and the calendar is suspended. The idea is to reset perspectives and create a more equitable playing field.

We are all concerned about what the future will hold and what it might look like particularly for communities of faith. There is, understandable a desire to go back to the way it was as soon as possible but what if we aren’t being called to go back, but to move forward in a whole new way? Click HERE to read more.

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What Shall We Say? What Shall We Do?

Another unarmed black man has been murdered by police in Minneapolis. A white woman was caught on tape throwing around her white privilege, threatening an unarmed black man with inciting the police to come after him because SHE doesn't have her dog on a leash and HE is holding a camera. And this was just Tuesday. As the Church and as people of faith we need to speak out; we need to respond. For starters, read this letter to the Church by Minnesota Conference Minister, Rev. Shari Prestemon. And let us find opportunities to talk about this and learn and grow. It is our only hope for transformation.

Are you Attending the Special Conference Meeting on Saturday?

If you are registered as a voting member of the meeting (authorized minister or church delegate), you should receive information about connecting to our online meeting platform this morning. If you believe you have registered as a voting member and do not receive an invitation in your email by 2:00 pm today, please contact the Conference Office as soon as possible to confirm your registration.

National Setting Introduces Pandemic Relief Grants

The United Church of Christ National Setting is offering financial assistance to local churches whose ministries have been challenged by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

As one, the national officers have collectively identified $2.6 million in COVID-19 relief, $1.5 million in loans that will be administered through the Cornerstone Fund Loan Program (see article below for more details), and another $1.1 million in micro-grants. The grant application process opens on June 1. Click HERE for more information.

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 information, including the updated application form.

Camp Caz Management Change

Conference Council made the difficult decision last week to inform UCCR, the management company for Camp Cazadero, that we will end our agreement with them effective June 22, 2020. This decision is due to COVID-19. Shelter in Place orders and the reluctance of groups to book later this year means there is little to no expected income for the rest of 2020. The urgency of this decision is based on accumulated debt over the last two months. If we continue as is, the Conference could owe UCCR as much as $200,000 by December 31. By taking over management of this property as of June 23, 2020, and with the hope that we can find a volunteer caretaker to help us get through this crisis, we can reduce that debt significantly while remaining good stewards of this important and valuable asset.

An Interim Caz Management team has been named to make decisions regarding how the camp will be managed for the duration of the pandemic. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Conference Council President, Richard Brabham.

Webinar: Ending Life Without Parole

The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is offering this webinar which will lift up stories from people formerly incarcerated who will share their experience of being sentenced with Life Without Parole, how they survived and how faith helped sustain them. Faith leaders will also share why Life Without Parole must end from an interfaith and moral perspective. Register HERE.

National Day of Prayer Offerings Available Online

On May 7, National Day of Prayer, many voices from many faiths from many places over the world offered prayers with the United Church of Christ. These prayers are available online and include one from one of our own, Sharon MacArthur. Click HERE to view prayers.

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