SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR
Sunday, August 21
Psalm 103:1-8
Isaiah 58:9b-14
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
As we shared and prayed a few weeks ago, our region of the United Church of Christ has taken an enormous hit with the July 19th death of the Rev. Dr. John Deckenback, our long-time Conference Minister.
John began serving this Conference twenty-four years ago, and he led it through some very challenging times. On countless occasions he traveled to churches in every corner of the Conference to support, to put out fires, to comfort, to reconcile, to teach, and much, much more. The General Synod which is scheduled for next Summer in Baltimore was widely understood to be a kind of cap-stone on John’s time of ministry with us— a time to take a bow and retire… but that was not to be.
Sunday, August 21
Psalm 103:1-8
Isaiah 58:9b-14
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
As we shared and prayed a few weeks ago, our region of the United Church of Christ has taken an enormous hit with the July 19th death of the Rev. Dr. John Deckenback, our long-time Conference Minister.
John began serving this Conference twenty-four years ago, and he led it through some very challenging times. On countless occasions he traveled to churches in every corner of the Conference to support, to put out fires, to comfort, to reconcile, to teach, and much, much more. The General Synod which is scheduled for next Summer in Baltimore was widely understood to be a kind of cap-stone on John’s time of ministry with us— a time to take a bow and retire… but that was not to be.
Instead, General Synod 2017 at Baltimore will remind us all, how much John did for this Conference and the wider church.
… the entire crowd was rejoicing
at all the wonderful things
that he was doing. (Luke 13:17)
http://www.ucc.org/news_ucc_mourns_long_time_conference_minister_church_statesman_justice_advocate_john_deckenback_07202016
Our Conference will hold a celebration of the ministry of the Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback on Saturday, September 17 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s UCC in Catonsville, Maryland (on the south side of Baltimore). A reception will follow the service. I am planning to attend, and I will be glad to take any of you with me if you, too, would like to go. Let me know.
… the entire crowd was rejoicing
at all the wonderful things
that he was doing. (Luke 13:17)
http://www.ucc.org/news_ucc_mourns_long_time_conference_minister_church_statesman_justice_advocate_john_deckenback_07202016
Our Conference will hold a celebration of the ministry of the Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback on Saturday, September 17 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s UCC in Catonsville, Maryland (on the south side of Baltimore). A reception will follow the service. I am planning to attend, and I will be glad to take any of you with me if you, too, would like to go. Let me know.
Now, our Conference Board of Directors is putting one foot in front of the other, to begin the process of carrying on the work we have been doing under Rev. Deckenback’s guidance. Here is an update :
Greetings Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for the many calls and messages of encouragement. This has been a very challenging time and your support has made a world of difference.
Since the sudden death of our beloved Conference Minister,
Rev. Dr. John Deckenback, the CAC Staff and Board of Directors has been hard at work on the Conference's behalf.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has met weekly to address the needs of the Conference. We have also followed the advice and leadership of our President and General Minister,
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer.
Through John Dorhauer's guidance, we have decided to bring in a retired Conference Minister, as our Acting Conference Minister, to help us through this time of transition. The Acting Conference Minister will be a short term contractually position that will be focused on leading the CAC Ministry Team, facilitating the interim search process, and aiding CAC clergy and churches through a time of healing.
John Dorhauer has personally recommended
Rev. Dr. Sheldon Culver. Over the last few weeks, the Executive Committee has been in a time of discernment with Rev. Culver, and we have prayerfully come to agreement. It is clear to the Executive Committee that Rev. Culver has the ministry tools and leadership skills that we need during this time.
Rev. Dr. Sheldon Culver is a recently retired Conference Minister having served in the Illinois South Conference, and previously, as an Associate Conference Minister in Missouri Mid-South Conference. She is a trained Intentional Interim Minister with years of experience in local church settings as well as in conference settings.
She is passionate about the welfare of congregations and pastors, and looks forward to walking with the CAC during this time of transition.
Rev. Culver will begin her position as the CAC Acting Conference Minister on Wednesday, August 24, 2016.
In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for you to meet and talk with Rev. Culver. Until then, please keep Rev. Culver, the CAC Ministry Team, our dedicated staff and volunteers in your prayers.
God Bless Rev. Culver and God Bless the CAC.
Peace,
Lois Carrigan, CAC Board President
Greetings Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for the many calls and messages of encouragement. This has been a very challenging time and your support has made a world of difference.
Since the sudden death of our beloved Conference Minister,
Rev. Dr. John Deckenback, the CAC Staff and Board of Directors has been hard at work on the Conference's behalf.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has met weekly to address the needs of the Conference. We have also followed the advice and leadership of our President and General Minister,
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer.
Through John Dorhauer's guidance, we have decided to bring in a retired Conference Minister, as our Acting Conference Minister, to help us through this time of transition. The Acting Conference Minister will be a short term contractually position that will be focused on leading the CAC Ministry Team, facilitating the interim search process, and aiding CAC clergy and churches through a time of healing.
John Dorhauer has personally recommended
Rev. Dr. Sheldon Culver. Over the last few weeks, the Executive Committee has been in a time of discernment with Rev. Culver, and we have prayerfully come to agreement. It is clear to the Executive Committee that Rev. Culver has the ministry tools and leadership skills that we need during this time.
Rev. Dr. Sheldon Culver is a recently retired Conference Minister having served in the Illinois South Conference, and previously, as an Associate Conference Minister in Missouri Mid-South Conference. She is a trained Intentional Interim Minister with years of experience in local church settings as well as in conference settings.
She is passionate about the welfare of congregations and pastors, and looks forward to walking with the CAC during this time of transition.
Rev. Culver will begin her position as the CAC Acting Conference Minister on Wednesday, August 24, 2016.
In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for you to meet and talk with Rev. Culver. Until then, please keep Rev. Culver, the CAC Ministry Team, our dedicated staff and volunteers in your prayers.
God Bless Rev. Culver and God Bless the CAC.
Peace,
Lois Carrigan, CAC Board President
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