UCC - Spotlight shines on Samoa as LinK event celebrates common gifts

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

Spotlight shines on Samoa as LinK event celebrates common gifts

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> October 22, 2010
> []

Leaders at the Koinonia Event (LinK) last month welcomed to the UCC
Church House 39 Samoan pastors and lay leaders from Conferences
representing seven states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Coordinated by Local Church Ministries in cooperation with other
national covenanted ministries, LinK set the stage for Conference
pastors and lay leaders from Alaska, California, Hawaii, Missouri,
Texas, Utah and Washington to dialogue with the national UCC setting
in the spirit of Koinonia. (Greek for "fellowship" or "communion,"
koinonia is referenced 20 times in the Bible, the first time in Acts 
2:42.)

Primary on the agenda was experiencing the gifts of all common
ministries, just as Jesus Christ did with his disciples.

"The energy of the leaders and the depth of engagement was stunning,"
says Kimberly Whitney, UCC minister for community life and assistant
to the Collegium. "It was particularly moving to hear the Insurance
Boards' presentation with Kathy Green, engaging with the Samoan
leaders about their experiences, including fire and rebuilding, and
learn about the ways in which the Insurance Boards partner with
Conferences and local churches in such collaborative and caring ways."

Participants also discussed effective methods used to partner with the
Church Building & Loan Fund, the Cornerstone Fund, Our Churches Wider
Mission and the "5 for 5" campaign. In addition, attendees took part
in conversations about best practices, sharing the joys and challenges
of their ministries along the way.

LinK hosts approximately 100 local church leaders for twice-yearly
meetings. Events have included groups of campus ministry staff and
volunteers, seminarians, UCC pastors under age 40 and military 
chaplains.

Conference ministers invite participants to LinK events, with priority
given to those who have not previously visited Church House. Past
gatherings have welcomed African-American, Latino/Latina and Pacific
Islander and Asian-American church pastors and lay leaders.
Representatives from the Conferences of each of the UCC's six
geographic regions also are invited.

While the next event has not yet been scheduled, momentum from the
recent gathering is keeping enthusiasm levels high, says Janet Gomoll,
executive for administrative planning in Local Church Ministries.

"We are excited about continuing to make important and lasting
connections with UCC pastors and lay leaders through future LinK
Events," says Gomoll.

> For further details about LinK, please visit
> <ucc.org/lcm/link/link-background.html>.