South Central Conference, United Church of Christ

06/02/2026

Have you Registered for Annual Meeting Yet?
If not, please do so by Thursday, June 4th @ Midnight

04/30/2026

Dear Friends in the South Central Conference,

Grace and peace to you.

We are writing to share an important update regarding our upcoming Annual Meeting. After careful consideration, the Executive Committee has made the decision to cancel our planned in-person gathering in College Station and move the meeting to a fully virtual format on Zoom.

This decision was not made lightly. In recent weeks, we became aware that a pre–World Cup game has been scheduled at the stadium in College Station during our meeting weekend. As a result, hotel prices—originally anticipated to be in the $80–$90 per night range—have risen dramatically, with current rates exceeding $200 per night. We explored multiple options, including alternative lodging and adjustments to our plans, but ultimately concluded that moving to a virtual format is the most responsible and equitable choice for our churches and participants.

Our Annual Meeting will now take place on Saturday, June 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. While the format will be different, we are committed to creating a meaningful gathering that includes not only the necessary business of the Conference, but also opportunities for worship and interaction.

For those who have already registered for the in-person meeting, full refunds will be provided. Registration will still be required for the virtual meeting, with a $5 fee to help cover the minimal costs associated with hosting the event.

We also want to acknowledge what is lost in this shift. Gathering in person matters. The relationships we nurture, the conversations in hallways, the shared meals and moments of worship—these are not easily replicated online. Because of this, we are planning an in-person event this fall focused on learning, fellowship, and worship, creating space for the connections that sustain and strengthen our life together. The clergy retreat originally scheduled prior to Annual Meeting will also be postponed and incorporated into this fall gathering.

As a reminder, our bylaws do allow for virtual meetings, and our usual quorum requirements will remain in place.

Thank you for your understanding, your flexibility, and your continued commitment to the shared ministry of the South Central Conference. Even as circumstances change, our connection to one another remains strong.

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

With gratitude and hope,

The Executive Committee
Rameen Zahed, President
Carol Etter, Treasurer
Ken Ehrke, Secretary
Molly Carlson, Conference Minister

04/22/2026

5th Circuit Court of Appeals to Rule on Habeas Rights for Anyone in Immigration Detention!

Dear Leaders,

Next week the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi) will rule on a case and likely deny habeas rights to anyone in immigration detention (they have already ruled again bond… habeas petitions can still go through based on constitutional arguments, but this would eliminate those).

Our allies for our Dallas habeas strategy, Texas A&M Law Clinic, are submitting an amicus brief and have asked if we would be interested in signing on. They are looking for any faith-based support they can get. I’m attaching here the draft brief they have written (it’s long), and a summary of it I generated (not long). They also created a google form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfq_fAwRK3M4jjVu70arz02MpqgmL2ide6W-PDnEmL9z1xrg/viewform)to make it easier for congregations, organizations to sign on.

If this would help you with clergy, denominations, or with your immigration strategies, please consider adding your organization and/or inviting clergy/denominations to do the same. Thanks!

04/15/2026

Registration is OPEN for the SCC Conference & Southeast Conference collaborative youth event scheduled for June 7-13, 2026 @ Back Bay Mission! See more information and register here:

The South Central and Southeast Conferences of the UCC are offering a collaborative youth trip to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS, June 7-13, 2026. During the trip, youth will have the opportunity to help out with the different areas of ministry provided at BBM, such as housing rehabilitation, a clie...

04/03/2026

The date has been set to Honor Rev. Arlene Turner

04/02/2026

Friends, we have just been notified of the passing of David Lamensky. David was the father of Rev. Jacqueline Lamensky who is part of our Heart of Texas Association.

David was very involved with the Conference and Slumber Falls Camp for many years.

Please keep Jacqueline in your prayers. Here is the message she posted on her personal FB page:

With tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart, I share that the greatest man I have ever known and ever loved, my daddy, David Lamensky, was reunited after 25 years 8 months and 23 days with his beautiful bride and my angel mom, Patti Lamensky.
These past 9 months have been the hardest on his body, so I give thanks to our God that he is no longer in pain, no longer suffering. He is walking and dancing with mom. He is hugging his mom and dad and his mother in law and father in law.
Since 2019 when dad had his first major health scare…EVER…he has been my focus. I may not always have been the best caregiver in the world, and he could drive me bananas, but I would not trade a single moment of these last several years.
Last night I watched as he found peace. I was holding his hand and told him it was ok to go be with mom again. I told him to go talk church shop with my Godfather George. And I told him that Uncle Lee had probably already got some stuff for him to help with, so he needed to get up to heaven and help.
I played our song by the Dujka Brothers, and his body relaxed. He of course took his final breath when I stepped out, but I know he was trying to ease a little bit of the pain.
I am at a loss. I don’t need a meal train. I am one person. I know you want to ask how you can help, and in many ways I’m still in shock and numb.
The only things I can say right now in the immediate is Venmo or gift cards to places to eat, or Invitations to eat if you live near by is option number one. I now live in a house on my own. I’m not the greatest cook. I need to get better. But option number one insures that I am eating or getting out of the house to get food. I am functioning and not just isolating.
Option 2: I have started a gofundme. While being with dad has been ideal, it has also come at a cost. I am currently on the job hunt, and I want to get back into my call to ministry. I want to be a hospice chaplain. I have been applying, but when dad took this turn over the past week, I’ve slowed my search. And let’s be honest, services aren’t cheap and there are things that dad has left behind that I will need to take care of in the near future. I can’t be mad at him. He was always striving to make sure we had the best life that we could.
I promised him that I would be ok and I would find my way in this world, and I will be the pastor he watched me work so hard to become again.
So this gofundme is to help offset funeral expenses, to try to nest some money for the future. To continue on David’s legacy.
And option 3: prayers. Texts to remind me that I have people and I have friends and I can HAVE a life, and it is OK to do so. I have been isolated to caring for him and I’ve forgotten how to be the social butterfly he always said I was.
I love you all. Be patient with me. This is a whole new world. If I suddenly have dark humor laugh or just let it slide for now.
A celebration of life will take place in a few weeks. I will share once finalized.
With love,
Jacqueline
Oh and P.S. to mom: I’ve done my best for 25 years now, it is bittersweet, but he’s all yours again, until we meet again! Tag you’re it!

03/18/2026

Grow your skills and deepen your impact with the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) eight-week online course this spring! 💐

You’ll explore the spirituality and practice of fundraising, learn research-based tools and strategies unique to religious communities, and complete a practical application project to bring these insights to life in your ministry.

Registration for the April 2026 online cohort is still open. Secure your spot today 👉 REGISTER TODAY: https://lakeinstitute.org/education/executive-certificate-in-religious-fundraising/ecrf-schedule/spring-2026/

03/17/2026

Dear Beloved South Central Conference Community,

With deep sorrow and abiding gratitude, we share the news that Rev. Arlene Turner, Chair of our Board of Directors, died on Monday, March 16, in a tragic car accident.

Arlene was traveling to visit her sister when a sudden accident involving a detached trailer led to the crash. We share this news with heavy hearts, even as we hold fast to the gift of her life among us.

Arlene was a faithful leader, a wise and steady presence, and a beloved colleague and friend to so many across our Conference. Her leadership as Board Chair was marked by deep commitment, clarity of vision, and a genuine love for the Church. She gave herself fully to this community, and her impact will continue to shape us in the days ahead.

Even as we grieve, we give thanks—for Arlene’s life, for her ministry, and for the many ways she helped to nurture the body of Christ in this place. We trust that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God.

Please hold her husband, Ron, her son, Danny, and all who loved her in your prayers. No memorial arrangements have been finalized at this time; we will share details with you as they become available.

In the days ahead, we will find ways to gather, to remember, and to honor Arlene’s life and leadership. This week’s Wednesday morning Clergy Café will be one such space for prayer, remembrance, and community, and all are welcome to join. Clergy Café zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89108033778?pwd=TVhiS255WnhBTU82UmdhSkpLNmdpdz09. The meeting ID is 891 0803 3778 and the passcode is 310543.

For now, we invite you to pause, to pray, and to give thanks for a life so generously lived.

Grace and peace,
Rev. Molly Carlson
Conference Minister

COVINGTON COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) – A Texas woman was killed during a crash in Covington County, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP). The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 49 around 5…

03/12/2026

The New Reality of Church Giving Webinar, Wednesday, March25 @ 1:00pm-2:00pm CT. Register Here: https://ministrybrands.registration.goldcast.io/events/454a4835-c69b-4941-a24a-d7cb8083ed91?utm_campaign=MIB-WBNR-Annual-Church-Giving-2026&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9RQ1W0y1OwwZXxpMWxNmthLjkpFOKKzZkNsiTOimX-W3t4A5eLZF344tCIJx6Q1JWK1HGeH9G0XuT166RZ7z9RytAMoA&_hsmi=408470115&utm_source=hubspot

03/11/2026

If you missed the first two, register for the last two!

Faithful Futures: Navigating AI in Ministry Without Losing Our Soul - Join us online @ 6:00pm Central

March 3, 2026 - AI & Church Administration
March 10, 2026 - AI & Preaching
March 17, 2026 - AI & Outreach
March 24, 2026 - The Ethics of AI in Ministry Designs

Register Here!

Join us online @ 6:00pm Central March 3, 2026 - AI & Church Administration March 10, 2026 - AI & Preaching March 17, 2026 - AI & Outreach March 24, 2026 - The Ethics of AI in Ministry