Western NC Association UCC

06/01/2026

The Healthy Boundaries Workshop for Clergy is Saturday: June 6, 2026!

In the UCC, boundary training is a required continuing formation for authorized ministers to maintain ministerial standing. The exact schedule and format vary by Conference or Association, but the Western North Carolina Association, Southern Conference require clergy to complete Boundary Awareness Training every three years.

If you haven't had it in the past 3 years, we encourage you to register now to get caught up. If you have taken a course that was offered from WNCA, Stefanie in our office will have record of that. If you have taken a class elsewhere, please remember, if you haven't already, to send in your certificate to the WNCA office email ([email protected]) so we can make sure your records are up to date.

Register here:
https://WNCABoundaryTraining.eventbrite.com

Saturday, June 6th from 9 am - 1 pm

Hosted by First Congregational UCC in Asheville, Rev. William Sowers will facilitate the workshop.

$25 and lunch will be provided.

First Congregational UCC
20 Oak Street. , Asheville, NC 28801
Parking is somewhat limited in the church lot (approximately 12–15 spaces, including two handicap spots). There is additional parking available across the street at One Oak Plaza on Saturdays (non-business hours), and the College Street Parking Garage is also within short walking distance at 164 College Street. Street parking is permit only.

Learn how to set healthy boundaries as a clergy member to avoid burnout and maintain well-being in your personal and professional life!

05/25/2026

Amen.

🙏🏾 We pray for more love to flood this world.

We pray that everyday, we can find the good and that it keeps us going.

I pray that others will see this love and it will be a domino effect all over.

I pray for all those who don't have a safe space or even a place to sleep.

Keep those people safe God.

-Spring Hill, FL

👉🏾 Add your prayers to the People's Prayers for Peace initiative:
https://ow.ly/pjwl50Z0UWY

05/24/2026

Memorial Day is a holiday for honoring the memory of the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving our country.

Please pause this weekend, pray, and give thanks for them and their families.

05/15/2026

So many opportunities for youth to enjoy their summer while making new friends in Christian fellowship at Johns River Valley Camp!

Learn more and sign up:

https://www.jrvc.org/summer-camps

05/08/2026

Join us for the Southern Conference Youth Event Informational meeting!
The excitement is building for the 2026 Southern Conference Youth Event, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Parents, youth leaders, pastors, chaperones, and youth in grades 6–12 are invited to attend our upcoming Youth Informational Meeting to learn everything you need to know about this year’s unforgettable gathering.

This meeting will provide important details about registration, hotel accommodations, transportation options, Carowinds Day, workshops, schedules, safety information, and what to expect during this powerful time of faith, fellowship, fun, and spiritual growth.

Whether you have already registered or are still considering attending, this meeting is the perfect opportunity to ask questions and get excited about what promises to be an amazing experience for our Southern Conference youth!

Youth Informational Meeting
📅 Thursday, May 14, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM Eastern Time
📍 Via Zoom

Learn more at https://www.soc-ucc.org/

Registration is officially open for the Southern Conference Youth Event in Charlotte, NC (July 7–10, 2026)—and you don’t want to wait.
Remember spread the word because it is not just for SOC youth but any rising grades 6 th - 12 th and this year graduates.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL — ACT FAST!
Take advantage of discounted rates NOW through May 16, 2026:
- Youth: $250 (early bird) → $300 after May 16
- Chaperones/Leaders: $125 (early bird) → $150 after May 16

Important: The Early Bird Special WILL NOT be extended.

HOW TO REGISTER
Event Registration:
Go to: https://www.soc-ucc.org

05/08/2026

Summer is coming at JRVC!

Contact Kevin Russell (Director), [email protected]

Spring Work Day
May 16, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch provided; Please RSVP.

Summer Residential Camps
Read more / Register now!

Join Summer Staff at JRVC!

Spring Work Day
May 16, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch provided; Please RSVP.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCUJVF3HXpwxvtUBjdTgq6Ty4Lphoap5l5xfXE_w3eDxas7w/viewform?mc_cid=baebde823f

Summer Residential Camps
Read more / Register https://www.jrvc.org/summer-camps

Join Summer Staff at JRVC!

05/07/2026

🙏🏾 On this National Day of Prayer, we invite you to pause and lift your heart for peace—across our world, our nation, our communities, and within our own homes.

Let us pray for courage to dismantle injustice, for compassion to heal wounds, and for hope to guide us toward a

👉🏾 Share your prayer in the comments or join our People's Prayers for Peace Initiative: https://ow.ly/Xl0r50YW2Gl

🙌🏾 Together, may our voices rise as a force for peace and justice.

04/30/2026

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! Registration is officially open for the Southern Conference Youth Event in Charlotte, NC (July 7–10, 2026)—and you don’t want to wait. Remember, spread the word because it is not just for SOC youth but for any rising grades 6th - 12th and this year's graduates.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL — ACT FAST!
Take advantage of discounted rates NOW through May 16, 2026:

- Youth: $250 (early bird) → $300 after May 16
- Chaperones/Leaders: $125 (early bird) → $150 after May 16

Important: The Early Bird Special WILL NOT be extended.

HOW TO REGISTER
Event Registration: Go to soc-ucc.org
Note at registration, there will be forms for both the youth and the chaperone that must be completed. No one will be allowed to participate without those forms for everyone's safety.

See more details in the comments below.

04/20/2026

LAST CALL:

Our WNCA Annual Spring Education Day, with keynote presenter Rev. Dr. Avery Danage, multiple workshop choices, and a Service of Anointing, is THIS Saturday. Workshops will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Avery Danage, Rev. Sarah Parker, and Rev. Dr. Tom Warren.

To ensure we are ordering enough lunches, we must finalize the numbers quickly.

Please share this with your congregations and friends.

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. PROVERBS 1:5

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-these-times-what-does-jesus-expect-tickets-1985459823780?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

04/10/2026

Healthy Boundaries Workshop for Clergy

Saturday, June 6th from 9 am - 1 pm

Hosted by First Congregational UCC in Asheville

Rev. William Sowers will facilitate the workshop.

$25 lunch will be provided.

Location:
First Congregational UCC
20 Oak Street. , Asheville, NC 28801
Parking is somewhat limited in the church lot (approximately 12–15 spaces, including two handicap spots). There is additional parking available across the street at One Oak Plaza on Saturdays (non-business hours), and the College Street Parking Garage is also within short walking distance at 164 College Street. Street parking is permit only.

Link to register: https://wncaboundarytraining.eventbrite.com/

Rev. William M. Sowers is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and currently serves as pastor of St. Matthew’s Reformed Church. He holds a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from Catawba College. Over the years, Rev. Sowers has served congregations in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina, bringing a passion for biblical preaching, spiritual formation, and pastoral care. He is certified in Congregational Consulting through the Center for Congregational Health and holds credentials from the FaithTrust Institute to teach Healthy Boundaries101 and 102 for Clergy. With a thoughtful, grounded approach to ministry, Rev. Sowers is committed to helping individuals and communities grow in faith, health, and grace.

Learn how to set healthy boundaries as a clergy member to avoid burnout and maintain well-being in your personal and professional life!