wfn.org | UCC Listening tour visits Southeast Conference churches

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UCC Listening tour visits Southeast Conference churches

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> February 2, 2010

Continuing a 10-stop listening tour of United Church of Christ
conferences throughout the United States, the Rev. Geoffrey Black, UCC
general minister and president, is preparing to make several stops
Feb. 5-7 at Southeast Conference churches.

The tour ? featuring visits in Pleasant Hill, Tenn.; Stone Mountain,
Ga.; and Atlanta ? is geared toward giving Black the opportunity to
hear firsthand from diverse groups across the UCC. On recent stops,
Black has emphasized the need for clear communication by asking, "How
is God calling us to better shape the United Church of Christ with an
expectation that God's spirit is moving among us?"

The Southeast Conference transforms and strengthens lay leaders
through an innovative judicatory-based program, Theology Among the
People (TAP). It strives to provide theological training to leadership
throughout the conference. TAP also is a key partner in establishing
and developing the Center for Progressive Renewal (CPR), for which
Black will serve on the advisory board.

Black was elected UCC general minister and president in June 2009. He
has served as Conference Minister of the New York Conference;
local-church pastor; university chaplain; and staff member of the UCC
Office for Church Life and Leadership. He is a graduate of Lincoln
University and Yale Divinity School.