Reflection on Clergy Retreat & Conference Minister Installation
Center stage this weekend was the activity of nurturing existing connections and making new connections within the K-O conference, across UCC Conferences, and with our interfaith partners in Kansas. The activities began with the Friday evening, Saturday morning Clergy Retreat in Tulsa. Clergy from across the conference gathered at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel Warren Place, to learn, lament, support, laugh, and share with each other the success and challenges of their individual ministries.
Pastor Julia Gaughan, our Consultant for Equity and Inclusion writes this about the Clergy Retreat:
Lorraine with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister & President, United Church of Christ
“This weekend, prior to the Installation Service for Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros, all authorized ministers from around the Kansas Oklahoma Conference were invited to participate in a retreat. The Committees on Ministry invited Rich Henderson from Type 3 Consulting to provide training to authorized ministers on imagining and re-imagining sabbatical. From providing the theological and practical reasons supporting a sabbatical to the logistics of making one happen, Mr. Henderson led the group in a great discussion. If you were unable to attend but are interested in learning more, please visit his website, https://type3consulting.com/.
In addition to Mr. Henderson's session, participants met in affinity groups to discuss current struggles and offer support, worked through the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers, took a yoga class together, and socialized. As a newly authorized minister, I had a wonderful opportunity to learn from and just be in community with colleagues across the conference.”
Following the Clergy Retreat, we moved to Fellowship Congregational Church for my Installation service, which began at 4:00pm. Guests from across the conference and the United States gathered in person and over Zoom to celebrate this important event in the life of the conference. It took a whole host of people working together to create, coordinate, and deliver a service as meaningful and beautiful as this installation service. I am deeply thankful for Rev. Chris Moore and the good people of Fellowship Congregational Church who gave a hearty yes to hosting the event. They went above and beyond in their efforts to create a meaningful theological experience and extend an extravagant welcome for all.
K-O leaders and ministers, and church people participated in service as well as guests and clergy from across the UCC. Distinguished guests from outside our conference included:
Rev. Dr. Nancy Claire Pittman
President, Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa OK
Rev. John Dorhauer
General Minister and President, United Church of Christ, Cleveland OH
Rev. Darrell Goodwin
Executive Conference Minister, Southern New England, MA, CT, and
Rev. Phil Hodson
Conference Minister, South Central, Texas and Louisiana
Rev. Tyler Connoley
Conference Minister, Central Pacific Areas of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington
Rev. Freeman Palmer
Conference Minister, Central Atlantic, Maryland
Rev. Linda Jaramillo
Former Executive Minister, UCC Justice and Witness Minister
In attendance in-person were Conference ministers from the Southeast and Missouri Mid-South Conferences. Over Zoom were Conference Ministers from Penn Northeast, Illinois South, Northern California Nevada, and the Southern California Nevada Conferences.
I share this information to remind you the Kansas Oklahoma Conference is supported and cared for by the larger UCC community. Many of the conference ministers listed are working together to share resources and support each other in the important work of conference ministry. As we support one another we are better able to provide resources our respective conference leaders, authorized ministers, and congregations.
Rev. Darrell Goodwin
The weekend ended with Rev. Rachael Pryor and I attending the Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) Board of Directors orientation and retreat in Kansas City. Sunday afternoon/evening and all-day Monday, the board led by Rev. Pryor, who serves as chairperson, voted in new board members, of which I am one of, and planned for the year. I’m excited to share the work of KIFA with you more fully in the coming months. Many of our clergy are already active with KIFA. For those of you who might not know about their work, KIFA provides education, training, and support for clergy and church members who want to put their faith into action in a variety of ways. From inviting a city or town representative to your food bank, community meal, or blessing of backpacks to learn about the good work your church is doing for the community all the way to going to the state house to give testimony about how your faith-based values compel you to speak up about ending poverty, racism, environmental degradation, and violence, KIFA can help. Creating relationships with city representatives is often the first step needed to have to foster the connection which allows your voice to be heard when needed.
This brings us back to the importance of connections. Connections are important for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Reach out to someone you don’t normally connect with, check in on a neighbor, and bless one another. Together we will strive to live out Christ’s presence in our world.
Joyfully,
Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros
Conference Minister