Concerns and Celebrations
April 25—26 at the Annual Meeting of the Georgia-South Carolina Association, the Association, gathered in Ecclesiastical Council took the following actions: Marlene Underwood and Stephanie Crumpton members of Sankofa UCC, Atlanta were approved for ordination pending a call, Andrew Kim co-pastor of Salim UCC, Roswell, was approved for ordination, Heidi Schuler and Rachel Small members of Pilgrimage UCC,Marietta were approved for ordination pending a call, and Elizabeth Lorick, a member of Garden of Grace UCC, Columbia, SC was approved to be a commissioned minister. Four of the candidates came from new churches!
On April 5, the Alabama Tennessee Association at its annual meeting in Huntsville, acting in ecclesiastical Council approved Chrissy Cataldo for ordination, pending a call. Chrissy is a member of Church of the Savior, Knoxville, TN.
On April 20, David Brown was installed as the pastor of Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Chattanooga. Representing the Association was Tom Baird Chair of the Association Church and Ministry Committee
April 13 Steve Sterner was installed as Acting Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ at a worship service in Cleveland, OH. Preaching for the occasion was Susie Smith pastor of peace Congregational UCC Clemson South Carolina, and Tim Downs represented The Georgia South Carolina Association. Steve and Judy Sterner hold their local church membership at Central Congregational UCC, Atlanta and regularly attend Peace Congregational UCC, in Clemson, SC.
Joel Alvin, ordained in the PC(USA), has been called to serve as interim minister at Central Congregational UCC Atlanta. He began his ministry mid April.
Joe Ingle, a member of Brookmeade Congregational UCC, Nashville, has announced the release of his book "Last Rights". The story is about 12 condemned men and one condemned woman serving on death row. For over three decades Joe Ingle has argued eloquently against the death penalty. Some years ago he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for this work. The book is available in bookstores everywhere.
Marvin Morgan, Associate Pastor at First Congregational UCC, Atlanta, and coordinator of the faith community support for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union undertaking to organize the workers of Smithfield, a meat packing and food giant headquartered in North Carolina, has announced an effort to encourage the TV personality, Paula Deen to cease her association with Smithfield.
Phil Price has announced that he will be installed as pastor of Sandy Springs Christian Church in Sandy Springs, GA this summer. Phil had previously served as interim minister at Central Congregational UCC, Atlanta.
We received word from Kristin Vaughn of her resignation as minister for youth at Pilgrimage UCC Marietta, to move back to her family home in North Carolina.
Congratulations to Tom Warren, pastor of Pleasant Hill Community UCC, and Kathy Clark, Associate Conference Minister of the Southeast Conference for having each received a grant from the Brown Foundation in support of their respective sabbatical leaves this summer.
Terry McCreary, pastor of Community Congregational UCC, Montgomery has announced his resignation effective August, 2008. He has accepted a position working for the Montgomery school system.
Tewana LeCounte, pastor of Midway Congregational UCC has announced her resignation effect in May.
Oveta White, assistant minister at Unity, UCC, Montgomery, has announced her retirement from the Air Force, in which she agreed that achieved the rank of Lt. Col. her retirement party will be held on May 18. Oveta is in the process of seeking to become a student in care of the Alabama Tennessee Association.
We were saddened by the death of Kwai Chang, whose memorial service was held on April 27. Kwai was a member of Central Congregational UCC, Atlanta. He had spent his career teaching comparative religions at Agnes Scott College, Decatur. Kwai was known for his thoughtful nature, his searching mind and was an outstanding teacher. Participating in a memorial service was Norman Rates, retired chaplain of Spelman College and a classmate of Kwai’s in Yale Divinity School. Kwai is survived by his wife Miyo.
If there is news that you wish to have shared with others in the Southeast Conference family, please contact Tim at tdowns@secucc.org.
Posted on May 12, 2008
Listen
