March 1, 2024 – Community Connections

March 1, 2024 Community Connections

NACCC

NEWS

Lenten Discipline

Rev. Arthur Ritter, Moderator

We have just entered into the Lenten season, a time in which followers of Christ embrace disciplines that hopefully bring them closer to God.  This year I am trying to be more disciplined about my own habit of prayer.  Instead of praying when I remember to do so, I have scheduled my prayer time, much as I do my daily walk.

As part of my Lenten prayers, I use the information faithfully provided daily by Bill Rafuse on Facebook, raising church and ministry concerns within the NACCC.  I give thanks for churches and ministers and our staff, along with the large numbers of volunteers who serve our association.  I am comforted and inspired as I consider the names and faces and the memories attached to each prayer concern.  Thank you for including the blessings and the concerns of the NACCC in your daily prayers.  Know that you and your church are in the prayers of others. Peace and grace!

I’m Excited, Are You?

Jodee Lord, Vice-Moderator, Chair, Board of Directors 

It’s that time of year when we look forward to receiving the registration information for the Annual Meeting & Conference.

We look forward to:

• seeing old friends and making new ones
• worshipping and singing praise with your fellow Congregationalists
• learning new things and sharing ideas

This year marks the 70th Annual Meeting & Conference of the NACCC! Now, that is something to celebrate! We will be gathering in Spokane, Washington from June 22-25, 2024. As in previous years this will be a hybrid event with in-person option and virtual attendance options.  This year’s host is the Pacific Northwest Association. Our home for these few days will be The Centennial Hotel. 

If you haven’t done so already, take a virtual tour of the hotel and see the exciting and fun places to visit while there, it will all be on the NACCC Website. Next week, be sure to check your email inboxes for the registration information to the 70th AMC. If you would like to receive printed copies of the registration packet, please contact the NACCC office. 

God Bless You! See you in June!

Click the link to read our Moderator’s OFFICIAL CALL to the 2024 ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE.

Stewardship Progress

Kevin Gromley, Congregational Foundation Treasurer

One of the Congregational Foundation’s responsibilities is the stewardship of permanent endowments donated to support the NACCC. At the end of 2023 the Foundation had 32 endowments with a total market value of $13.2 million.  This compares to a market value of $11.6 million at the end of 2022, the difference primarily due to the strong market performance last year.  Foundation assets are invested with the Congregational Investment Trust, enjoying the shared financial management and low fees of the CIT.

The peak value of the Foundation’s assets was $14.4 million at the end of 2021, falling to $11.0 million in September of 2022, recovering thereafter.  Throughout this period the Foundation continued its financial support of the NACCC.

If you would be interested in donating to any of the Foundation’s endowments, starting a new endowment of your own, or leaving a legacy gift to the Foundation, please contact Kristin Ward.

Listening Tour

Rev. Dr. Ashley Cleere, Executive Director

The prospect of wintry weather, our budgeting process, and a search for a communications manager persuaded me to pause the Listening Tour for the month of January. February carried me to a couple churches in the Upper Midwest.

Read more about these recent visits on our website.

Event Calendar

Webinars:

Thursday, March 14, 2024, 2pm-3pm – Strong Church Cohort; NACCC Lead or Executive Ministers from strong (larger) churches exchange ideas and talk about ministry, leadership, stewardship, staffing, and volunteers.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2pm-3pm – Interim Ministry Network joins with the NACCC to talk about navigating the crisis of change.

There is NO COST  to attend these webinars. Visit our website to register. These webinars are organized by the NACCC Director of Programs, Rev. Gerry Brannon Krupp.

April 8 – 11, 2024

Spring Ministers’ Convocation, University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, IL. Register by March 15 on our website.

June 22 – 25, 2024

Mark your calendar! The 70th Annual Meeting & Conference of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches takes place in Spokane, Washington and virtually from June 22-25, 2024, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Association.