08/03/2026
Musings of a Traveling Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences Minister of the United Church of Christ
By Rev Roberto Ochoa
August 3. 2026
Living Together as Neighbors in Christ
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:37-40 – NRSVue)
Dear Friends of the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the UCC and beyond.
Blessings in Christ be upon y’all this summer.
One of the joys of serving as Conferences Minister is the privilege and opportunity of meeting the good folk of our local UCC churches throughout the conferences, whether it be during a milestone celebration of clergy installation or congregational anniversary or at an Association gathers of local churches, I love learning about individual church history and finding out the congregational passion within their communities.
Often, I’ll ask what are some of the things the local church does to engage the community as neighbors. It is amazing how many of our churches support local food pantries, offer free dinners, create backpacks for school children and childcare services in their communities, offer spaces for AA and NA gatherings, and some support homeless shelters. Volunteering within the community is a common practice for local church members, youth and those with abundant years alike. And during emergencies, many have provided relief in supplies and cash for victims of fire, tornadoes, floods, as well as those experiencing gun violence, beyond their communities and providing prayerful vigils for communities to gather to grieve and hope.
Yes, I see much evidence that being a good neighbor in Christ is a primary mission of our UCC local churches.
A follow up question that I always ask of the local church, how can the Conference be a good neighbor to local churches. The most common response is, be present, listen and provide pastoral support from the United Church of Christ.
For ten years, the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences have been partnering as neighbors in Christ through the Tri Conference Ministries. This year each of the conferences approved the creation of a Conference Minister’s Task Force to Reflect, Discern, and Re-Imagine the Tri Conference Ministries. A twenty-one member task force (7 from each conference) will assess the effectiveness of the TCM over the next two years through thoughtful reflection, discernment and prayer and make recommendations about its future in 2028. A special worship service to commission the Task Force will be held during the joint annual meetings (JAM) of the conferences in Sioux Falls, SD, Sept 17-20.
I believe being good neighbors is reciprocal. The Associations and Conferences in Iowa Nebraska South Dakota need the presence of the local churches to its gatherings to hear the voices of affirmation and concerns in our common ground ministry of spreading the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Sioux Falls, the JAM planning team is producing an ambitious regional UCC gathering of local UCC churches and pastoral leaders in South Dakota Nebraska Iowa Conferences to ponder the question, how do we live together as neighbors in Christ? How do the individual conferences of Nebraska South Dakota Iowa live together as neighbors in Christ? How does the local churches live together as neighbors in Christ within Associations, Conferences, and the National Ministries of the UCC? And most importantly for me how are we teaching our youth to live with one another as neighbors in Christ? All of us asking, who is my neighbor that Jesus has commanded us to love?
I’d like to acknowledge that in our world today, in our country, and in our communities, the concept of loving the neighbor has been under enormous pressure due to the current turbulent times we are living in. It is my prayer and hope that the voices of faith to follow Jesus’ teachings of loving and living together in Christ Love will prevail. I am praying the JAM gathering in Sioux Falls will be one such example. Please come Sept. 17-20, to worship together, to learn together, and celebrate together as the United Church of Christ Iowa Nebraska South Dakota. Send your confirmand age youth (12-16) to the special Youth Rally…and bring the whole family, for there is much to do in Sioux Falls. https://ucctcm.org/jam-2026/
Below are the workshops being offered during JAM 2026:(subject to change)
New Earth Literacy
How do we live faithfully in a changing world? Through practices of listening, lament, and hopeful action, participants will explore spiritual disciplines that deepen our relationship with creation and inspire faithful responses to environmental challenges.
Called to Serve? Exploring Lay Ministry and Ministry Education through the Leadership and Ministry Program (LAMP)
Curious about where God may be calling you? Learn about lay ministry opportunities, educational pathways, and leadership development available through LAMP and the Nebraska Conference. Whether you're discerning a call or encouraging others, this workshop offers practical next steps.
Talk Saves Lives
Learn the warning signs of su***de, how to respond with compassion, and ways congregations can support mental wellness in their communities. This workshop offers practical tools, current information, and hope for faithful ministry in difficult conversations.
A Place at the Table: A Presentation by Evangelical Conservative Orthodox or Traditional Ministries (ECOT) of the United Church of Christ
Healthy churches create space for honest conversation across differences. Explore practical tools for facilitating respectful dialogue, building understanding, and strengthening relationships within diverse congregations.
Open and Affirming in Small Town and Rural Churches
Hear stories from Open and Affirming congregations serving rural and small-town communities. Panelists will share their journeys, lessons learned, and practical insights, followed by an extended question-and-answer session.
Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM)
Learn about the ministry and mission of the Council for American Indian Ministry, its partnerships within the Dakota Association, and opportunities for churches to deepen relationships through Neighbors in Need and Indigenous ministries.
(Tentative) Understanding the Heart of the UCC
Ever wonder why the UCC functions the way it does? Explore how our history, theology, and polity continue to shape our identity today. Discover what makes the United Church of Christ distinctive and why our covenantal way of being church still matters.
Strengthening Our Connections
The Local Church, Association, Conference, and National Setting each have unique gifts to offer. Explore how these ministries work together, discover available resources, and strengthen partnerships that support the whole church.
Artificial Intelligence: A Reader's Digest Introduction for the Church
Artificial Intelligence is changing how we live and work—but what does it mean for ministry? This accessible introduction explores the opportunities, challenges, ethical questions, and practical uses of AI for congregations and church leaders. No technical background is required.
Empowering the Sheep: Thriving in Bi-vocational Ministry (Tentative)
As more congregations move toward part-time or bi-vocational ministry, new models of shared leadership are emerging. Explore practical resources that help pastors and congregations thrive together in changing ministry contexts.
Growing Hope Ministries: Rural Churches Changing the World
Rural churches are uniquely positioned to make a global impact. Experience The Global Farmer Experience, an interactive simulation that reveals the daily challenges facing smallholder farmers around the world. Discover how your congregation can respond to global hunger while celebrating its own rural identity, strengths, and mission.
The Marks of Faithful and Vital UCC Churches
What makes a church unmistakably UCC? Drawing from the Manual on Local Church, we'll explore the Marks of Faithful and Vital UCC Churches—not as a checklist, but as an invitation to deeper discipleship, courageous community, and faithful witness. Through conversation and shared reflection, you'll discover practical ways these marks can shape your congregation's identity, strengthen its ministry, and inspire hope for the future.
Living Together as Neighbors in Christ…I pray to see you in September.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto