UCC
Conference
Forums for the Future
The Conference Board of Directors and your Conference Staff invite you to take part in "Forums for the Future." Fifteen years have passed since a period of Conference-wide reflection and envisioning has been conducted. The Conference has changed. New congregations, new leadership, new needs and new possibilities call for a new look at how we can best carry out our mission.
Each Forum will focus on a particular area of mission for local churches. National UCC staff and board members will provide inspiration and a wider perspective, but the focus will be upon the challenges faced by local churches. Each Forum will be designed by a specific Conference-based planning team, and the "results" of the conversations which ensue will be taken back to the Board of Directors so that they can shape the future "what" of the mission of the Conference.
We want every church to go "5 for 5" with the Forums for the Future. That is, to send at least 2 people (probably not the same people) to each Forum. The Forums will take place in 5 different locations on five Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arrangements are in progress to offer overnight housing for those who "come from afar" to a Forum. Yes, "5 for 5" certificates will be awarded – maybe even prizes. But the greatest reward will be the enlivening of your church's ministry and mission and a strengthening of the support which the Conference can offer you.
These are the Forum topics and proposed dates:
w # 1: UCC Identity-how do we build on who we are, 6/17/06
w # 2: Youth & Young Adult Ministry-addressing the realities and calling forth the gifts of young people, 9/9/06
w # 3: Forming & Transforming Churches-church vitality, 11/4/06
w # 4: Justice & Peace-our churches' faithful witness, 2/10/0
w # 5: Making the Dreams Real-developing a sense of stewardship, promoting financial support for the ministries of our churches, 4/28/07
Descriptions will be posted on the NCNC website as the details are put into place. Meanwhile, mark your calendars. Talk it up. See if this is something you would like to attend. And remember, it's really God's mission – not ours – that we're talking about.
