October 22, 2010
Written by Jeff Woodard

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 http://www.ucc.org/lcm/link/link-background.html.

United Church of Christ News Service