Florida Conference, United Church of Christ

09/10/2026

📣 REMINDER! Join us TOMORROW!

🧊 As Immigration and Custom's Enforcement (ICE) continues to terrorize communities, separate families, and even kill citizens and non-citizens alike as part of this administration’s mass deportation campaign, there is also increased public scrutiny of this country’s detention center system for migrants.

🧊 In 2025 alone, ICE broke records for the number of people who have died in detention, most often due to the horrific conditions and lack of proper medical care. Since this administration's inauguration in 2025, 52 people have died in detention according to Human Rights Watch—four times that of the previous administration.

📣 Join us to learn from UCC pastors and lay leaders as they share how they've taken action and learn what we can do as people of faith to stop detention and continue to resist this deadly system.

👉🏾 Register: https://ow.ly/Y4Gw50ZKLjC

with: United Church of Christ Rio Grande Valley, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, Truth & Destiny, and Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ

09/03/2026

Throughout the summer months, the Florida Conference Board of Directors has been putting in extra time to serve together with renewed hope.

During this time of transition, we held an in-person Board Training, called Bridge Conference Minister Rev. Mary Nelson, elected Rev. Shawn Proctor as our new Vice Moderator, and held Special Board Meetings to review offers on the Conference Property at 9300 University, one of which has been accepted.

By serving together with hope, the FL Board of Directors has remained dedicated and committed to serving the mission and vision of the Conference. If you are interested in serving as a leader in the Conference, please be in touch. We would love to hear from you!

08/31/2026

Introducing Rev. Mary Nelson, Bridge Conference Minister of the Florida Conference United Church of Christ!

Rev. Mary Nelson comes to us with a wealth of experience across the Church. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Rev. Nelson attended Grinnell College and earned a BA in Religious Studies, then attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, for her MDiv. A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, she served as a pastor in UCC congregations in Atlanta and in Colchester, Vermont, and during that time became the first Treasurer of the 2030 Clergy Network of the UCC. She served as a Regional Minister in the Connecticut Conference (later Southern New England Conference) from 2014 to 2021, and then became the Transitional Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference from 2021 through 2025. Since the beginning of 2026, Rev. Nelson has served as Bridge Pastor of First Congregational Church UCC of Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Rev. Nelson has served on several committees and task forces for the national setting of the United Church of Christ over the years; most notably, co-chairing the Giving Task Force, which reimagined OCWM and proposed a “new plan of giving” adopted by General Synod in 2017. Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees of Chicago Theological Seminary, and on the Board of Directors of United Church Funds; she is Chair of UCF’s Sustainable and Responsible Investing Committee.

Mary and her partner Brian live in Holyoke, Mass., with their cat, Tiberius.

Mary's Bridge Conference Ministry begins September 8th and will be hybrid, sharing her time between Massachusetts and Florida until a Settled Minister is called. The Board of Directors and Staff look forward to her ministry and leadership within the Florida Conference.

08/20/2026

https://conta.cc/4qvheGz

Email from Florida Conference, United Church of Christ Save the Date for the Annual Gathering The Sunshine Connection August 20, 2026 GIVE: Florida Conference UCC Ministry Please note: Sometimes, de

08/13/2026

https://conta.cc/4gcwe7o

Email from Florida Conference, United Church of Christ Save the Date for the Annual Gathering The Sunshine Connection August 13, 2026 GIVE: Florida Conference UCC Ministry Please note: Sometimes, de

08/12/2026

The Florida Conference grieves the loss of the Rev. Derek Terry, whose ministry gave powerful expression to what it means to lead with conviction, courage, and love.

Rev. Terry understood that the Gospel calls us not simply to welcome people into the church, but to stand alongside those whose dignity and belonging have too often been questioned. His leadership within the United Church of Christ, and especially through the Open and Affirming movement, helped countless people see a church where they could bring their whole selves and know they were loved.

We give thanks for the many ways Rev. Terry shared his gifts: as a pastor, advocate, teacher, colleague, and friend. His absence will be deeply felt across our denomination and by the many communities touched by his ministry.

During this time of sorrow, we pray for his loved ones, his congregation at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, his colleagues and friends throughout the UCC, and all who are grieving this tremendous loss.

May the love Rev. Terry proclaimed so boldly continue through the people and communities he inspired.

08/11/2026

📣 Join us TOMORROW! (register even if you can't make it, we'll email the recording to you)

🗳️ Are you confused about what your church can and can't do this election season?

✅ As we head into the 2026 election, now is the time to get clear. This webinar cuts through the confusion around 501(c)(3) status and IRS guidelines, giving you practical, actionable guidance on how your congregation can engage boldly and legally in the public square this election season.

✅ This webinar will feature Heather Kimmel (United Church of Christ’s General Counsel) and Rev. Michael Neuroth (Director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy), and Rushad Thomas (Domestic Policy Advocate of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy).

Register to join us: https://ow.ly/l7kG50Zy8rf

08/06/2026

A prayer for a new school year and updates from the Settled Conference Minister Search Committee.

Email from Florida Conference, United Church of Christ Together We Grow The Sunshine Connection August 6, 2026 GIVE: Florida Conference UCC Ministry Please note: Sometimes, depending on the email se

07/30/2026

https://conta.cc/4blkRsf

Email from Florida Conference, United Church of Christ Act Now: Free Will Writing Tool Available for UCC Members! The Sunshine Connection July 30, 2026 GIVE: Florida Conference UCC Ministry Please no

07/23/2026

https://conta.cc/4wTm5De

Email from Florida Conference, United Church of Christ Upcoming Ordinations- Be a Part of the Joy The Sunshine Connection July 23, 2026 GIVE: Florida Conference UCC Ministry Please note: Sometimes,