Note: Bill Hadley, our "Crusin' around the Conference" correspondent from Shepherd of the Hills, will resume his monthly column, "Crusin around the Conference" in the fall.
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From Church of the Beatitudes' 'The Grapevine'
Advocating for the disabled
Church member Tom Vickery is a disabled man who has lived with cerebral palsy since infancy. He describes his spiritual life as one that “has gone from being nonexistent/resentment for being disabled to grateful for the opportunities that living with a disability has provided me along with being told many times that I am an ‘inspiration’ to others.”
Tom was recently appointed to the board of the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries, where he will continue to inspire and lead others. The Disabilities Ministries supports people with all kinds of disabilities, for full participation and inclusion in the Church. It encourages churches to be a church where everyone is welcome. The Disabilities Ministries advocates for and collaborates with persons with disabilities, especially those who have been marginalized and alienated. Tom will be attending the Widening the Welcome II United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Conference in Columbus, Ohio, from September 29 to October 1, 2011.
Tom has plenty of experience in being an advocate and organizer. When he lived in Chicago, he founded Rainbow Bridge Organization for persons with disabilities who are LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning), the first organization that was inclusive of all disabilities. Many of you know Tom from Taste & See, where he made us all feel welcome. He is also involved in the Men‘s Ministry. Tom advocates for Church of the Beatitudes in many capacities. He keeps track of people at the Oasis and Incite services of worship, and sends out welcoming notes to visitors and sends out “Beatitudes Cares” notes to people who we haven‘t seen at the services.
Thank you, Tom, for everything you do!
Council for Youth and Young Adults elects Elizabeth Koebel
Elizabeth Koebel has been elected to the United Church of Christ‘s Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries (CYYAM) for the 2011-2013 biennium. CYYAM‘s mission is to advocate, communicate, coordinate, and network with youth and young adults across the UCC.
CYYAM members work together and with other church leaders to establish strong youth and young adult ministries throughout the UCC by advocating to church leaders, helping make youth and young adult voices heard at General Synod, seeking to address issues of social justice and peace, and serving as a voice for UCC youth and young adults.
Most CYYAM members are elected at General Synod by youth and young adults from across all conferences of the UCC, there are also members appointed by the Historically Underrepresented Groups (HUGs). Each member serves a two-year term. CYYAM communicates with youth and young adult leaders in their region, with Covenanted Ministries, and with HUGs to identify issues, needs and successes for ministries with youth and young adults in all settings of the UCC.
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From Prescott First Congregational Church's "The Caller"
Three Things that Re-affirmed or Re-shaped My Understanding of the UCC
By Julie McCurdy
- "Autonomous" does not equal "Independent."
The relationship encompassing the local church, conference and wider church denomination is one of covenant, through which we mutually support the practices and missions of all expressions of the United Church of Christ. This covenant is entirely voluntary. Covenant is freedom.
- "That they may all be one."
This is the fervent prayer of the UCC. As stated in the preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ, “The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession." In sharing Jesus' message of God's love for everyone, and of God's desire for everyone to know God and to build a relationship with God, the UCC recognizes that any path (or denomination) is valid which leads to knowing God.
- Multiple paths to authorized ministry.
The UCC recognizes that not every minister is called to follow the path, which includes four years of college, three years of seminary, and then ordination. The call may lead to Commissioned Ministry (which may authorize service for a specific church-related ministry) or to Licensed Ministry (which may authorize service to a designated Local Church and for a designated time). These are not to be seen as "alternate" paths from ordination, but equally valid paths leading to ministerial practice recognized and authorized by the UCC. Also, the requirements and qualifications may vary from person to person, depending on their life experiences, level of education, and personal needs.
I am grateful to First Congregational Church for encouraging my participation in the seminars presented by the Southwest Conference Lay Academy. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to grow in my relationship with God, through greater understanding of the Bible, the teachings of Jesus, and his church.
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From Oro Valley UCC's "Vision"
To assist members who need help occasionally, the Mutual Ministries Group has gathered the names and phone numbers of members who are willing to give rides to church, doctor appointments. Members are encouraged to not give up if the first person they call is unavailable, but to continue down the list, assuring them that someone will be able to respond.
From Church of the Good Shepherd's "The Staff"
July is officially tornado season at the church. Well, actually Tomato Tornado season, a month-long food drive to collect canned spaghetti sauce and pasta for the local food pantry, The Storehouse.
From Casas Adobes Congregational Church's "Tidings"
The church has received a stained-glass panel as a legacy from First Congregational Church of Tucson. First Congregational, which was dissolved in June, commissioned the panel for one of its previous buildings. The panel, based on the painting “The Light of the World” by Will Holman Hunt, shows Jesus standing by a door preparing to knock.
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