CPC Blog
Responding to the Assaults on Our Trans and Nonbinary Siblings
The Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ stands with our transgender, nonbinary, masculine-of-center, gender-fluid, and gender-queer siblings. You are a divine gift. The kin-dom of God is not complete without your presence. You matter to God, and you matter to us.
Rev. June Boutwell Comes to Camp Adams as New Transitional Camp Manager
We're excited to announce that our Transitional Camp Manager for Camp Adams will be The Rev. June Boutwell. I’ve attached a short bio and photo of her below.
Disaster Readiness
None of us are ready for every emergency, but we can get ready for some, and then get ready for more. I’m challenging each of our churches to Get Ready, Set, Go! on your emergency preparedness.
Employment Opportunity at Camp Adams!
We are looking for a Transitional Camp Director who can lead the camp through a time of discernment for a Settled Camp Director.
Month of Prayer - Week 4
This week, please join with the Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros, Conference Minister for Kansas and Oklahoma, in praying for all our conference staff.
Month of Prayer - Week 3
This week, please join with the Rev. Dr. Courtney Stange-Tregear, Conference Minister for the Pacific Northwest Conference, in praying for our local churches, our associations and conferences, and and our covenanted partners.
Russell Ware Joins the CPC as Communications Strategist
Russell Ware comes to the Central Pacific Conference bringing extensive experience with marketing and communications both in the non-profit and commercial sectors.
Month of Prayer - Week 2
This week, please join with the Rev. Tyler Connoley, our Conference Minister for the Central Pacific, in praying for all our authorized ministers.
Our Ministers Need Care
Our authorized ministers are exhausted after three years of pandemic, and that our ministers need care so they can continue to care for God’s people. As we enter the new year, I wanted to publish the letter -- which was signed by both the AACM and the CCM -- in full here. I pray you will read it and take this call from all the conference staff across the country seriously.
Weekly Prayer in January
In January, you’re invited to pray together with our siblings from the Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ, the Kansas Oklahoma Conference/UCC, and the Pacific Northwest Conference, United Church of Christ.
The Immigrant Welcoming Church
The story of asylum-seeking and of becoming refugees is part of our yearly sacred story. Thank God for the Egyptians who took this little family in, people who made room for Jesus in their lives, and acted as family-of-choice to him when the rulers of his country supported by colonial powers threatened to kill him. And thank God for the people across our nation who do the same for people seeking refuge and asylum today.
End of an Era in the CPC
This month marks the end of an era in the Central Pacific Conference. The transition begins this week, as Gayle Dee completes her work as Communications Coordinator. Then, in December, Natalie Becker will move to her new position in Colorado. Finally, Bob Becker, leaves at the end of February to join Natalie. I’ve greatly appreciated working with these talented and dedicated people, and can only imagine what the CPC will be like without them.
What Can I Pray for You Today?
What can we pray for you this week?” In my recent experience, this is a simple question that has a powerful ability to build Christian community.
Where There is Love There is Sight
I will always remember the first time someone prayed over me using he and they pronouns interchangeably. You may have noticed my Zoom account says my pronouns are he/they, and when I introduce myself, I often say, “I’m Tyler. I use he and they pronouns.” This minister heard me, and decided to use both pronouns as he prayed. In those few moments, I felt seen and heard in a way I can’t describe in words. The thought still brings tears to my eyes.
Train of Tears
On May 13th, I thought about that experience as I sat in the sanctuary at Riverside UCC in Hood River, Oregon. It was the 80th anniversary of the internment of our neighbors of Japanese ancestry. In researching the history of the terrible harm perpetrated by our government in 1942, the people of Riverside UCC have found no record of their church speaking out against the internment.
Leaning into Love
We're all struggling with how to worship after Omicron. What's the right balance of precaution that will mean caring for one another and caring for our community? How scared should we be? How bold should we be? We thought we had a plan, and the Omicron sneaker-wave knocked us onto the rocks. Can we ever trust a plan again?
Women’s History Month - March 2022
It's Women’s History Month, and I hope it goes without saying that women are capable theologians, religious thinkers, and ethical decision-makers. That’s why I’m so troubled by laws, like the one proposed in Idaho, that limit women’s ability to make the complicated ethical decision of whether or not to have an abortion.
Black History Month - February 2022
There’s a story my parents tell about when I was four years old. I’ve come to realize it’s a particularly Oregon story. I’d grown up in Zambia, aware of race from a very young age. We had recently arrived in Portland where we were intending to live while my dad went to Western Evangelical Seminary. As we were driving to church one Sunday, I was looking out the window and shouted, “Mommy, where are all the Black people?”
In the Midst of the Storm
"I'm worried about our church council. They're not making good decisions, and the church is declining," the voice on the other end of the phone spoke rapidly, as if they needed to get the words out before I cut them off or contradicted them. The day before, I'd had a similar conversation. That one began, "I'm worried about our pastor..."
Moving into a New Phase
If you spend any time with pastors or church leaders of any kind, it's not long before the subject will turn to worship and contagion precautions. "How is your church doing worship right now? Are you requiring vaccines? Are you checking? What about masks? Are you singing? Is anyone singing?"
Downtown Portland & WyEast/Mt. Hood - Image by Tyler Connoley