Category: Announcements

New Issue of Celebrate Florida

Early Lenten greetings, Florida UCC members:  
 
Here is the link to the February/March issue of Celebrate Florida.
 
This issue reminds us of our Conference Minister’s intention to retire in July and how the Board of Directors is responding to this and other Conference matters. Other articles in this issue which may be of particular interest to you or others in your congregation include:”Carefrontation” — is that a typo?Discussing last wishes is uncomfortable, but isn’t that something churches can help facilitate?Which of our congregations recently burned their mortgages?Who is Bobby Jo Valentine and why has he recently been appearing at so many of our churches?Need info on securing grant funding?Looking for some examples of books for group reads/discussions and topics for seminars, lectures and workshops? You’ll find lots of ideas from our churches’ experiences in the “Across Florida” section.How do you celebrate turning 100?We know what a Little Library is but how about a Little Pantry?Check out all the imaginative and creative ways in which our congregations celebrated Advent and Christmas and engaged and shared with the wider community. What is the status of the letter about education policies in Florida that the Conference sent on behalf of our congregations to state officials?Answers to all these can be found in this edition. And, as always, the issue contains lots of links to helpful resources and programming ideas you may wish to consider adopting or adapting in your own congregation. 
 
If we’ve not been hearing from you – and you don’t see your church mentioned on these pages – please make sure we’re on the mailing list for your newsletter and e-blasts (rickcarson1@gmail.com) – simple and much appreciated. 
 
We especially welcome your providing the Celebrate Florida link (https://www.uccfla.org/celebrateflorida) to church members via your newsletters, e-communications and on your website.
 
Blessings,  
Rick Carson, Editor

Special Announcement from Trinity Church

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TRINITY CHURCH

January 24, 2024

To Our Friends and Fellow Congregants of Lakewood:

Trinity UCC is excited to announce that we have voted to merge with Lakewood!  We feel a sense of community with all of you and we share a like vision in matters of social justice and being an Open and Affirming congregation.

We want to thank all who participated in meetings to help us to come to this point. The shared gatherings of both congregations has lead Trinity to where we are today. We appreciate Lakewood hearing our shared joys and concerns and the open arms with which we were welcomed to bring our hopes for what will come in worshipping together.

Our hope is that Trinity’s spirit will continue with Lakewood’s spirit and that all of us may grow to work for God’s Glory in all we do to love, respect and serve others.

There is much work to still be done to complete the process of this cooperative ministry.  We ask for prayer and support as we work through this process.  Rev. Wells has been so wonderful to assist in any way possible and all of Trinity is most thankful for her guidance.  She has been Trinity’s pastor since October and we cannot express our gratitude enough!

Again, we thank all of Lakewood for the warm welcome!

Dan Craft

Moderator