Register now for 2019 Annual Gathering of the Florida Conference

Now is the time to gather the church and to celebrate and recommit to our shared covenant as The United Church of Christ in Florida comes together in Orlando Oct. 10-12 for the 2019 Annual Gathering of the Florida Conference United Church of Christ.

The United Church of Christ in Florida is a progressive Christian movement that represents the great diversity that is the United Church of Christ. No two congregations are exactly alike, each a reflection of their individual culture, theology, setting and heritage. Yet, while we are very different from one another, we are connected and share in common a love of our neighbors, a concern for stewarding the gift of creation, and a desire to create a just world for all.

This year’s theme is “What Wondrous Love,” and our scripture is Acts 2:42-43, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.”

Bernice Powell Jackson

Featured presenters at this year’s annual gathering include our own Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson and the Rev. Velda Love of the UCC national setting.

Rev. Jackson has served as pastor of First United Church of Tampa for almost 10 years. She is an activist on behalf of human rights, civil rights and women’s rights, and she has been an advocate for peace with justice and ecumenism around the world, including serving as president of the North American region of the World Council of Churches for nine years. She just finished her term as co-president of HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality) and still chairs its Criminal Justice Committee.

Velda Love

Rev. Love joined the UCC as Minister for Racial Justice, beginning her ministry to help the church live into its vision of building a just world for all. A native of Chicago, she brings to the national setting of the UCC her knowledge and expertise in critical race theory, leadership development, community outreach, along with preaching, teaching, writing and even fund development. “Given this critical juncture in our nation, conversations on race are still a priority,” Love says. “Racial justice and racial equality need to be part of our national dialogue. As Christians in the United Church of Christ, we are responsible for changing the narrative of how we engage the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is inclusive, liberating and radical.”

We hope you will join us at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive, 8001 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, as Florida Conference staff, lay people, musicians, clergy and guests gather for fellowship and to worship, discern, deliberate, learn and serve together.

Registration is $99 per person and includes a lunch buffet and a banquet dinner on Friday, Oct. 11, at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive.

In addition, before the main event on Friday and Saturday morning, come join us from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, for “Local Church University,” followed by a reception at Chuy’s, just across the parking lot from the Wyndham. We’ll be handing out a drink ticket to everyone, good for a free margarita, beer or glass of house wine, and happy hour pricing for these drinks ($6) will apply until 7 p.m. after that. There will also be a free nacho cart with all the fixings.

We look forward to seeing you in Orlando in October!

Your Florida Conference Staff

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