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A Ripple of Love in Action
What began as a simple act of care through the Lewisville Christian Community Action’s Kids Eat Free Weekend Program grew into something much larger. Round Grove United Church, Lewisville, invited the Carrollton Music Teachers Association and the North Texas Association to join the project, and together that invitation became a shared movement of generosity and compassion.
Together, we collected
796 fruit cups
and
639 individual cereal boxes
to help provide weekend meals for children in our community. We are so excited to see this ripple effect in action—how one act of care can grow, spread, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
Article & Photos submitted by Rev. Byron Wells / Round Grove United Church
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Conference 2026: United in Spirit, Diverse in Sound
will offer workshops, worship services, concerts, optional activities, and networking to church musicians and worship leaders. The First Community Church of Columbus, Ohio, which is affiliated with both the United Church of Christ (UCC) and Disciples of Christ (DOC), will host the conference. Attendees will have access to a wide range of activities designed to refine musical skills and provide valuable resources and ideas for expressing God's Spirit creatively, especially during challenging times.
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Scholarship Opportunity!
The John Stansell Fund is available to UCCMA and UCC members who wish to attend our national conference
for the
first time
but may be limited by financial constraints. A portion of your registration can be paid for with this Fund.
For more information or to apply for scholarships, contact
Eric Dundore
,
UCCMA President, at
ericdundore@uccma.org
.
For complete information and registration, please visit
Conference 2026
.
For information about the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, visit
www.uccma.org
.
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Happenings Around the Conference
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Join the SCC Conference Minister and Clergy from around the Conference for fellowship and conversation every Wednesday morning @ 9:30am
Join the May 13th Cafe' Here
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The Houston Association Task Force Proposal
During the Business Meeting of the Houston Association, in addition to other association business, Houston Association Task Force will present their proposal. We have attached a link to four (4) documents that reflect the work that has been done by the Task Force. Please note that we will not be providing printed copies of the documents at the meeting. Here is a list of the documents in the link:
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HA Task Force Summary Sheet Spring 2026
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HA Task Force Proposal Spring 2026
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PROPOSED HA Constitution Bylaws Redline 2026
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PROPOSED HA Job Description 2026
HA Task Force Documents
We look forward to this gathering and talking together about a vision for the Houston Association moving forward. There is a registration link in the SCC News. If you have not registered there yet, please let Robert Goodson, the HA Moderator, know you will be attending. You may reach Robert at
rgood2031@gmail.com
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The Spring Association meeting will be hosted by Beecher Memorial UCC located at 1914 N. Miro St., New Orleans, LA. 70119
Please see Agenda Here
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Celebration of Life
Rev. Arlene Infante Turner
With gratitude for a life beautifully lived and faithfully served, you are warmly invited to join us in celebrating the life of Rev. Arlene Infante Turner on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2:00 pm @ United Christian Church located at 3500 W. Parmer Lane, Austin, TX. 78727
Together, we will honor Arlene’s legacy, share memories,
and give thanks for the love and light she brought into our lives.
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Unified Committee on Ministry: An Invitation to Learn More
Over the past year, leaders from across the South Central Conference have been engaged in a thoughtful, collaborative process exploring how we best support the authorization, oversight, and care of our ministers and churches. That work has led to a proposal for a Unified Committee on Ministry (UCOM)—a conference-wide body that would serve on behalf of our Associations.
This proposal has been shaped through listening sessions, Association conversations, and a gathering of current COM members—and has now been unanimously affirmed by all four Association COMs.
There will be several opportunities to learn more and engage:
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Q&A at each Association Spring Meeting
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A Conference-wide Town Hall (May)
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A vote on bylaw revisions at Annual Meeting (June6, 2026)
This is an invitation to stay engaged in a process that seeks to strengthen our shared ministry while honoring the important role of our Associations.
More details can be found in the attached documents.
SCC UCoM
Proposed Bylaw Changes - UCoM
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Youth Ministry & Summer Camp
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Join SCC Youth Director, Brooke Dooley, for the Youth Ministry Support gatherings every second Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm.
No meeting this month as Rev. Dooley is traveling for the Network of Wider Church Youth Ministry Gathering.
The next meeting will be
May 12th
Join meeting here
.
Contact Brooke for more questions at
brooke@sccucc.org
.
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Registration is Open for the collaborative youth trip to Back Bay Mission.
The cost is $250 per youth participant with $150 partial scholarships provided by the South Central Conference and $0.00 for Adult Chaperones.
Register Here
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Call To A Special Meeting of the Thirty-Fifth General Synod
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On January 12, 2026, the United Church of Christ Board voted to call a Special Meeting of the Thirty-Fifth General Synod (UCC Bylaw 188). Notice is hereby given
the meeting will take place on May 9, 2026, at 6:00pm Eastern Time, and is expected to conclude by 9:00pm Eastern Time.
All delegates' will attend the meeting remotely through communications
equipment (UCC Bylaw 191).
The purpose of the meeting is to elect an Associate General Minister to an unexpired term.
See Official Letter Here
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APC Endorsement Deadlines
Authorized Ministers working in Specialized Settings may pursue Board Certification which is available primarily by the Association of Professional Chaplains. This requires a process of discernment with the local Committee on Ministry. Upcoming deadlines for applications submitted digitally by the candidate are found below; note that all interviews held by APC are online now. Final materials and the Letter of Endorsement written by the Committee on Ministry should be submitted via email to
glaser-bacona@ucc.org
for certification no later than three weeks before each of these deadlines.
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June 30, 2026
for interviews in October 2026
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October 31, 2026
for interviews in March 2027
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NEW Committee on Ministry Resource Library
The Committee on Ministry Resource Library is a new website developed by the MESA Team as a source of sources to support COMs in three areas:
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Resources for new COM members
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Creating a more hospitable COM
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Resources for healthy COMs
Check out the new page
here
and stay tuned for new resources as they are uploaded to the page. If you have ideas of resources you would like to see or share, contact the Rev. Melanie Oommen, Minister for Committee on Ministry Development and Leadership at
oommenm@ucc.org
.
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Cybersecurity Awareness & CISA's No-Cost Resources for your Ministry
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
1 pm CDT via Zoom
This free live webinar highlights essential cybersecurity awareness practices and introduces no-cost, federally funded resources from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Register now
as this Zoom has a limited number participants.
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Youth Ministry Leadership Certificate
We are pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the Yale Divinity School Certificate in
Youth Ministry Leadership
!
This is a nine-month, digital, cohort-based program where participants learn from faculty and staff from Yale Divinity School and other leading institutions. The next cohort for this academic and practical primer on the themes relevant to leading resilient, healthy, theologically rooted youth ministries will run from September 2026 - May 2027.
Applications close on May 15th so save your spot now!
Learn More & Register Here
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Stronger Together Through OCWM Monthly Giving
Our shared ministry across the wider church is made possible through OCWM giving to the Conference. Every gift helps support and connect our churches, clergy, and associations.
When associations and congregations contribute
monthly
, it strengthens the Conference’s cash flow and allows for consistent, faithful stewardship. Reliable giving helps sustain staff support, pastoral care, leadership development, and other vital ministries throughout the year.
OCWM is a living expression of our covenant—reminding us that we are truly
stronger together
. For your convenience, donations may also be made
electronically
if that is easier than mailing a check.
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You can make a difference,
become a
Friend of the Conference!
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Conference Minister Contact Information & Donation Link
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CM
Contact Information & SCC Calendar
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Would you like to submit an Article for the eNews? Email your information
to Stacey at
office@sccucc.org
or call the office at 830-313-5855
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Our Contact Information
South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
651 N. Business IH 35, Suite 420
New Braunfels, TX 78130
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