Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ

10/23/2026

https://abc7.com/story/los-angeles-filipino-american-united-church-christ-will-host-first-history-month-celebration-saturday-eagle-rock/19972692/

Experience lumpia making, traditional Filipino games and make a Christmas star lantern (also known as a parol) this Saturday at Los Angeles Filipino-American UCC in Eagle Rock.

10/21/2026

Women's Retreat | Register by October 23!

Join us for a weekend of rest, reflection, and community at Pilgrim Pines! This year's retreat, Learning to Walk in the Dark, is inspired by Barbara Brown Taylor's book of the same name. Together, we'll explore what it means to become more comfortable with uncertainty, mystery, and the things we cannot fully know or understand. What might we discover when we don't rush toward easy answers?

The weekend will include opportunities for spiritual practices, creativity, time in nature, meaningful conversation, and simply being together. Women and gender-expansive folks who feel at home in a women-centered space are warmly invited to join us for the full weekend or Saturday only.

Register by October 23 at firstchurchlb.org/retreat. Register now, pay later options are available.

10/20/2026

AI in Medicine: A Community Symposium on Health and Hope | October 24
How is artificial intelligence transforming health care, and what could it mean for patients, families, and communities? Join the Gailen and Cathy Reeverts Center for Community Empowerment, Celebrate Life Cancer Ministry, and Healthy Lungs California for the AI in Medicine Community Symposium on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church in Los Angeles, with virtual participation also available.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Register here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOOiHYZJm87LTf42ZGAfuBNJ3Jw6wc760scb-UACj8PylE-g/viewform

10/20/2026

Sponsored Clergy Webinar: When Leaders Grieve

With a major election less than a month away, clergy and local church leaders may be feeling anxious about what the results will mean for our communities, our congregations, and our own families. The SCNC is sponsoring free participation in a post-election session on "What Happens When Leaders Grieve?" Rev. Kinsie Tate is ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with more than 15 years of experience in mental health settings, and a private practice in Newport Beach, CA. She will host Rev. Dr. Rae Karim of Good Grief Now! in a joint session on the ways grief affects a leader's faith (including moments of doubt or absence of faith), the impact on both congregational and personal ministry, effects on family life, and practical ways to navigate grief.

Get to know Rev. Kate and keep an eye out for future sponsored opportunities to participate in a contemplative Epiphany webinar, as well as a five-week series on Leading From Abundance starting in the new year. To sign up: authorized ministers can email or call Virginia Arroyo at the Conference office for a code to register for free; lay leaders in churches who do not currently have pastoral leadership may also be eligible to attend by contacting Rachael Pryor. These programs qualify for continuing education credit hours for clergy.

10/19/2026

Celebrate Filipino American History Month with LA Filipino American UCC | October 24

The Los Angeles Filipino American United Church of Christ invites the community to celebrate Filipino American History Month on Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of culture, creativity, and community featuring lumpia and parol making, Filipino books and storytelling, tinikling workshops, films and history, live music, mahjong and sungka, yoga, and community organizations. All are welcome to join in celebrating Filipino American heritage, traditions, and stories!

Location: 5080 N. Maywood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90041

Follow .UCC on Instagram for more information.

10/12/2026

2026 Christmas Card Project: Connecting UCC and Disciples Congregations with Japan

Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek, Global Ministries mission co-worker in Japan, invites UCC and Disciples congregations to participate in the 2026 Christmas Card Project, an opportunity to share prayers, greetings, and connection with churches in Japan.

Congregations interested in participating should confirm by the October 21 deadline so church pairings can be shared in November.

Read Rev. Mensendiek’s full letter and learn how to participate here:https://www.scncucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/JapanChristmasLtr2026.pdf

10/11/2026

Discovering God's Grace Through the Music of Dolly Parton & Bloom in the Desert Homecoming

You are invited to join Bloom for Pastor James Bowman Harris' fall sermon series "Discovering God's Grace Through the Music of Dolly Parton." This series is scheduled for October 18 and 25; November 1, 15, and 22 -- taking a break for Palm Springs' Pride Parade on Sunday, November 8.

Bloom's First Annual Homecoming Weekend will be October 24 & 25. During worship on the 25th, founding pastor Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Johnson will be honored as Pastor Emeritus of Bloom in the Desert UCC -- also a celebration of Kevin's 50th anniversary of being an ordained minister. At this service, the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus will sing Parton's "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" and "I Will Always Love You." A reception for Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Johnson and co-founder Michael Shear will follow the service. R.S.V.P. to Lynda Toland - call/text 503-789-8743 so they can plan food service.

10/10/2026

Preparing for Sabbatical: A Workshop for Clergy | November 2

A sabbatical can be a transformative season of rest, renewal, and discernment. Join DSF on November 2 at 1:00 p.m. PT for practical guidance on preparing for a sabbatical, including the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program, congregational communication, healthy boundaries, and preparing for both leave and return.

This free workshop through the DSF Collective will also explore why sabbatical matters for clergy and how intentional planning can support healthy, sustainable pastoral leadership.

Register today! dsf.edu/workshops

10/09/2026

Grant Opportunity with Lilly Endowment
The Lilly Endowment plans to award planning grants of up to $50,000 to approximately 60 organizations to help congregations and community organizations build real partnerships that serve their neighbors, with implementation grants of up to $5 million to follow and concept papers due January 19, 2027. For more information, see here: lillyendowment.org/serving-neighbors-initiative/. For assistance with the application, please contact Chad Tanaka Pack at [email protected].

10/07/2026

Voter Education | October 10

Be Informed. Be Engaged. Make a Difference. Join the League of Women Voters for a voter education event on October 10, 2026, from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church in Los Angeles.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the measures appearing on the ballot, ask questions, and become more informed and engaged in the civic process. All are invited to participate and gain information to help them make informed decisions at the ballot box. Register here.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQo6IuEFbJSlSeqqTaVxrHw1bn6zLuOf9L1P75PpeP3BpyMA/viewform