God's Extravagant Welcome

• Executive Director Search Committee Is Underway
• Haiti Earthquake Relief
• Calling All UCC Transgender Folks!
• Transgender Education
• 10-Year ONA Anniversary
• UCC Resources Sale Items
• Black History Month Poster
• Task Force Seeks to Queer the Census
• National Gathering Theme: Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body

The Executive Director Search Committee was elected during the special meeting on January 11, 2010. Thanks to these volunteers serving on the committee.

• Sam Loliger
• Marie Bacchiocchi
• James Darnell
• Barbara Satin
• Eric Smith
• Loyce Newton-Edwards
• Kyle Lovett

You can review the updated timeline for the search process at http://www.ucccoalition.org/about/staff/timeline/.

If you have input you would like to share with the search committee, please email projects@ucccoalition.org before February 1, 2010.

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With aftershocks continuing, the devestation continues in Haiti.  Please consider joining in the UCC emergency response by giving today.

More Updates

One Great Hour of Sharing: http://www.ucc.org/disaster/major-earthquake-strikes.html

Global Ministries: http://globalministries.org/news/lac/haiti-earthquake-what-we.html

Donate now: https://secure3.convio.net/ucc/site/Donation2?df_id=1234&1234.donation=form1

How You Can Help:

1.  Pray for the people of Haiti their leaders and emergency and humanitarian aid workers.

2.  Please help the people of Haiti by sending gifts payable to your congregation marked for "OGHS—Haiti Earthquake Relief" with the request they be sent through your Conference office on to Wider Church Ministries.

OR

Send gifts, made out to Wider Church Ministries and marked in the memo portion "OGHS—Haiti Earthquake Relief" to Wider Church Ministries; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.

OR

Make a secure online donation at https://secure3.convio.net/ucc/site/Donation2?df_id=1234&1234.donation=form1.

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Dear Transgender Friends and Allies,

On Saturday, January 30, 2010, 3 p.m. Eastern, we will be gathering transgender* people affiliated with the United Church of Christ for a phone call to discuss opportunities for further connection within the UCC and among ourselves.

The agenda of the January 30, 2010, conference call will include:

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Looking for opportunities to learn more about transgender experience so you can help your congregation update its ONA statement? Here are some upcoming opportunities where we know there will be transgender education appropriate for UCC allies.

• The Fellowship's Leadership Retreat, March 10–13, 2010, Atlanta, GA (see details in event section)
• Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, June 3–5, 2010, Philadelphia, PA (including a keynote by UCC member, Dr. Rebecca Allison)
• UCC Coalition National Gathering, July 14–17, 2010, San Diego, CA (watch for registration details coming soon)

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We've just finished reviewing our links to the UCC Resources site, which includes a variety of books from Pilgrim Press.  It's worth a fresh look at the resources that are available there as Pilgrim Press has published a number of good ones in recent years. 

In addition, you'll want to check the Clearance section (at https://secure3.convio.net/ucc/site/Ecommerce?store_id=1401) for a wealth of discounted materials.  The following titles in particular caught our eyes, being discounted by 50% or more.

• Coming Out Young and Faithful $3.00
• Reconciling Journey: A Devotional Workbook for Lesbian and Gay Christians $8.00
• Talking about Homosexuality: Holy Conversations series $6.50
• Trans-Gendered: Theology Ministry and Communities of Faith $7.60
• Where the Edge Gathers: Building a Community of Radical Inclusion $11.50

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Visit http://www.queerthecensus.org to read what the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has to say about the 2010 U.S. Census. There are answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Census, as well as opportunities to advocate for more inclusion in this important survey.

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The overall theme of this year’s Gathering will be Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body, following up on the Accessible to All resolution passed by General Synod in Atlanta, GA, calling on UCC congregations and instrumentalities to be physically, spiritually, and emotionally open and affirming to people with disabilities. We hope to address these issues specifically and in the wider context of living out God’s extravagant welcome. Additional workshop tracks being considered and developed are the ONA process for congregations and next steps, advocacy and empowerment, and families.

The planners are also considering a multi-part Bible study separate from the workshops, events, and sessions of particular appeal to young adults, and more opportunities for casual community time. Attendees of the last four Gatherings have been surveyed online in order to help the Planning Committee develop a program responsive to your needs. Questions or suggestions about National Gathering can be directed to the Coalition office or to Planning Committee chairperson, Byron Adams, byronadams@verizon.net.

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