A congregation in transition is a lot like a garden at the end of the growing season. The produce has been harvested, and our attention turns to the next growing season (next pastorate).
Gardeners (parishioners) will want to consider what worked well over the last season, and what did not. Was there enough water, and enough nutrients for the garden to produce? What barriers prevented a robust harvest? Weeds? Inattention? Lack of resources? Were the plants in the garden the right ones for the location of the garden? Did we have all the tools necessary to care for the garden?
Sometimes choosing a different variety of a popular garden plant can make all the difference.
What does the garden (congregation) need in order to overwinter (transition)? Tilling (interim work) is always a plus, along with composting (feeding).
And most gardeners look forward to planning for the next growing season. Gardeners that do not look at past growing seasons and the details around the care and feeding of the garden as they relate to the harvest risk having difficult growing seasons in the future, so planning what to plant, how to approach the long growing season, and having the proper resources to meet the challenges ahead will go a long way to ensuring a good harvest.
Sometimes a tried and true gardening technique stops working. Having an open mind to trying other gardening techniques can lead to an even greater harvest.
If you’re a gardener (parishioner) at the end of the growing season (in pastoral transition), I hope and pray that this time of reflection and planning leads to verdant and extravagant garden with an abundant harvest!
– Rev. Gary E. Ferner
Rev. Gary E. Ferner Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call UCCNY
Comments for My Thoughts can be sent to communications@uccny.org and will be shared with the author.
Prayers and Reflection During the Annual Meeting, we took time to pause, reflect, and remember all of those who we hold dear to us that have transitioned in the last year or more. It is important for us all to allow for space to mourn, and to know that we are not alone in our moments of sorrow. If you feel you need a helping hand in grieving/mental health wellness, please email: sestilley@uccny.org
The New York Conference, UCC send our condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Daniel James Maiden, former minister of Victoria Congregational Church (Queens, NY)- Services and Obituary
NY UCC Conference Connection
New York Conference Staff Directory
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams Transitional Conference Minister mwilliams@uccny.org
Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Vitality sestilley@uccny.org
Rev. Gary Ferner Associate Conference Minister of Search and Call UCCNY gferner@uccny.org
Rev. Ryan Henderson Associate Conference Minister for Communication and Online Community rhenderson@uccny.org to set an appointment via phone or online: calendly.com/revjava
Rev. Dr. Marjorie Purnine Associate Conference Minister for Leadership Development Dean of the New York School of Ministry MPurnine@uccny.org
Susan Frost Conference Registrar and Wider Church Ministry Coordinator sfrost@uccny.org
David Losito Manager of Finance and Administration dlosito@uccny.org
We are here to listen, to have you bounce ideas off of us, to ask for specific resources,
to pray and perhaps even to laugh together.
What’s Happening at Your Local Church?
~ New York Conference Happenings now delivered on Fridays! ~
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CONFERENCE TRANSITIONAL CORNER
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As our conference moves forward in this time of transition, your Transitional Conference Minister (TCM) and your Board are eager to hear from you as our transitional “plan” would not be complete without the input and insight of you, the members of the New York Conference.
To facilitate meaningful and manageable dialogue, TCM Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams and Conference Moderator, Rev. Judy Van Kennen, are hosting Association-wide Town Hall Zoom meetings. This will be your opportunity to share your ideas, thoughts, hopes and dreams for the future of our conference.
Where are we headed? What are the challenges before us? What ministries should we prioritize in the coming years?
Please see the schedule of upcoming Town Hall gatherings. If you don’t see your association listed, DON’T PANIC! We are scheduling time with every association which will be announced soon.
Mark your calendars and plan to join Marsha and Judy for faithful and fruitful conversation.
Black River- St. Lawrence Sunday, October 2, 2022 2pm | Hybrid
Essex TBA
Genesee Valley Associations (GVA) Sunday, October 30, 2022 Time | In-Person The First Congregational Church, 65 Church Street, Spencerport, New York
Hudson Mohawk Association (HMA) TBA
Metropolitan Saturday, November 19, 2022 9AM-Noon | via Zoom Registration Details to Come
Oneida Saturday, September 24, 2022 9am-12Noon | In-Person Trinity Church, 215 W Court St, Rome, NY 13440-5707 Reformed TBA
Suffolk Saturday, November 5, 2022 9am | In-Person Location TBA
Susquehanna Sunday, September 25, 2022
Western TBA
***UPDATE*** ANNUAL MEETING 2023
June 16-17, 2023 Niagara Falls Convention Center
Due to pandemic bookings, we’ve had to slightly alter the previously announced Annual Meeting 2023 location.
We are happy to announce the 2023 UCCNY Annual Meeting will take place in scenic, Niagara Falls! The Niagara Convention Center and adjacent Sheraton Hotel will be the location for our gathering beginning on June 15, 2023, with the Continuing Education Institute and Annual Meeting, June 16-17th.
