Highlights of the meeting included:

• Keynote address from the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, general minister and president of the UCC
• A theme of “Together”
• Passing the 2026 budget, which includes two new, full-time positions: Covenant Organizer and Minister for Outdoor Ministry.
• A report from the Faith Formation and Outdoor Ministry Assessment Team. Watch the video here
• An update from the young adult cohort   
• A report from the Settled Conference Minister Search Committee, which included a request for people to hold July 23 for a possible candidate event

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And here are some reflections from a number of our delegates and visitors. Other attendees included: Richard Lanford, Jane McBride, and Shannon Voelkel.

Jean Chagnon:
“One of the things that moved me during the Annual Meeting was the report by the Young Adult Cohort regarding their trip to the border. I was struck by the transformative nature of their simultaneous witness to the abhorrent conditions for our immigrant brothers and sisters paired with the persistent commitment to acts—large and small—intended to provide resources and support for those who seek to immigrate.”

Schanan Harris:

“At the Thursday evening clergy dinner, I appreciated hearing UCC president/general minister Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson answer questions on a variety of topics and speak to how the UCC might show up in this time and place. It was also fun to meet and get to know some UCC ministers from around the state.”

Sandy Johnson:

“I looked around the meeting room and saw people I had as students (when I taught one year at United Seminary), people who I had helped along their road to ordination when I was on the Committee on Ministry, and lots of new people who are giving life to our church.”

Maggie George:

“It’s so hard to reflect back on the annual meeting and not be right back in that Saturday morning meeting when we all learned of Melissa and Mark Hortman’s assassination and attempted assassination of the Hoffmans. The communal horror, grief, disbelief, anger, and . . . gratitude for being together in it all. Otherwise, I’m always happy to be in the UCC spaces and hearing of the progressive, innovative, supportive, encouraging environment the church is creating around the state.”

Hikaru Peterson:
“The meeting was a very meaningful time to deepen connections with other attendees from First Church. The conversations, the chuckles, and all other exchanges were nourishing, and I felt ‘healed’ from attending the meeting. The music by The Many was integral to the sense of togetherness we shared. It was lovely and healing, particularly after the news of the shooting.

“The Committee to Dismantle White Supremacy workshop (a talk by Warren Read, the author of The Lyncher in Me) was really good! I almost wish it was part of the plenary and attended by everyone.

“On a more substantial/structural note, I wish it was organized in a way where attendants can be more actively engaged in discussions and activities that could steer the direction of our conference. It felt too passive and reliant on the Board’s decisions and attendants merely had opportunities for one-way questioning of the Board, which were limited to a very set numbers of minutes. There are many important questions facing the Conference including more meaningful use of its assets. It’s actually not surprising that many churches don’t find it worthwhile to spend their resources and time to attend.”