Russell Ware Russell Ware

KO Books to Close: Support OCWM

KO books will close for 2021 OCWM gifts on January Tuesday January 18th. Please have your OCWM gifts postmarked and mailed in the to arrive by the closing date.

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Reflecting on 2021

Throughout December, we’ll be sharing reflections from authorized ministers, lay members, and friends of the United Church of Christ here in Kansas and Oklahoma.

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Incoming Conference Minister Arrives Home

I am now in Junction City and am excited to begin my work with you.  I arrived Saturday, November 27, and am knee deep in boxes; empty, full, and in between, as I attempt to put everything away.

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

New Compensation Guidelines Published

If you visit the websites of many UCC Conferences, you’ll find compensation guidelines available that assist congregations and authorized ministers develop their budgets or provide recommendations to consider when hiring a new pastor or specialized minister.

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

The Long Goodbye

My friend and former colleague Rev John Thomas called it the long goodbye; the time between when a person serving in a pastoral role in the UCC announces they are leaving until they are finally gone. Eventually, the time comes to actually leave. That is the hard part. 

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Colonial UCC Calls Associate Minister

Congratulations to Rev. Michael Vollbrecht on accepting a call to serve as the Associate Pastor at Colonial UCC in Prairie Village, KS where Rev. Aaron Roberts is the Senior Pastor.

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Annual Meeting Feedback Results

Following the week-long annual meeting October 5-8, the Conference asked for feedback on the virtual experience. The results are in!

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Change? Breathe deeply.

The thing about community is that a personal change for a pastor doesn’t happen in isolation; it affects the entire congregation and everyone deals with change differently. So, lots of people may be taking deep breaths these days!

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness

While many folks associate this month with Halloween costumes and the real arrival of autumn, October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. It is more likely than not that you know someone who has experienced pregnancy and infant loss - it affects one in four women.

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

Unafraid to Be Honest (about Annual Meeting)

With the exception of perhaps my first year as your Conference Minister, I have wondered about the registration numbers at Annual Meeting and what it said about our common life as “The Conference.”

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Russell Ware Russell Ware

To Proceed or Not to Proceed: Process Speaks Loudly

Should we proceed with in-person worship, or go (or continue to be) virtual? I was in a virtual meeting last week with the Council of Conference Ministers who were discussing this question as it relates to a retreat scheduled for December.

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