“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’”
June 12-13 | College of St. Benedict
Keynote Speaker: Jessica Vazquez Torres
DOWNLOAD THE SUMMARY AGENDA
Download a map of the St. Benedict campus
We are excited to welcome you to a few days on the beautiful campus of St. Benedict’s College. We invite you to join us in-person or via Zoom as we explore “Into the Deep”—defying division and celebrating our strength, unity, and resolve as Minnesotans and children of God.
Vision for the Meeting
Two years ago at the Annual Meeting, the Conference amended our bylaws to create the Committee to Dismantle White Supremacy as a permanent Committee of the Board. The new committee was charged with being a catalyst for the Conference to imagine “a new and life giving way of being church.” Throughout this past year, the committee has joined with the larger conversation already going on within the Annual Meeting Planning Work Group, the Board and the Staff. We’ve wondered together… how might this primary gathering of our community be more inclusive, integrated, and participatory? What would it look like to embody the transforming values of our faith?
Our keynote speaker, Jessica Vazquez Torres, Executive Director of Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training, has served as a thought partner to our Conference over several years. Her ongoing relationship with us uniquely positions her to be our guide and co-conspirator as we seek to go “Into the Deep,” experimenting with shifts in the tone, format, and spirit of our gathering. Rather than one keynote space where we sit and listen – Jessica will walk with us throughout our time together, sharing wisdom, inviting conversation, and journeying together into the deep of what it means to be the Minnesota Conference UCC.
In her keynote facilitation, Jessica will lift up the importance of the “far horizon story.” In the words of Norma Wong, Zen master and Indigenous Hawaiian leader, “The far horizon story is the embodiment of everything we hope our descendants will live into. It is the product, the destination, and the time made possible by hard choices, consequential decisions, big leaps. It is beyond the sightline of knowing only if we work toward this timeplace inch by inch as we fiercely search the ground for clues. It is entirely within the embrace of glorious possibility when we lift our gaze and tell its story.” (When No Thing Works, 43)
Those of us involved in this planning conversation have drafted an arc of events that weaves together worship, business, and relationship-building functions with opportunities for generative conversation. We aim to set a pattern that can continue to evolve in coming years, in which our far horizon story shapes the decisions of our leaders and the life of our Conference.
Hearings: Budget, Compensation Guidelines, and Resolutions
Available via Zoom at 6:30 pm Monday – Wednesday the week of Annual Meeting:
- Monday, June 8: Resolution to Advocate for Gender-Affirming Health Care
- Tuesday, June 9: Budget
- Wednesday, June 10: Compensation Guidelines
- Join Zoom Meeting via this link.
- Meeting ID: 892 9623 3243
Passcode: 708368
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,89296233243#,,,,*708368# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,89296233243#,,,,*708368# US (New York)
Items Up for a Vote
Workshops and Fellowship Time
We will dive deep into the challenges and blessings of being church like only we can be in the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, especially at this important moment in time. View the list of workshops.
Worship and Music
Led by the The Many, an uncommon, intentionally diverse collective making music for people to sing together about peace and justice and a world where all belong! The members of The Many came together around their shared love of music and commitment to honest expressions of faith, peace-making, economic and racial justice, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Clergy Standing Requirement Trainings
Racial Justice Training: The Values Gap – Examining the Values that Hold Us Back and Move Us Forward
Led by Jessica Vasquez Toerres
June 11, 9 am-4 pm; learn more
Boundary Awareness Training: A Contemplative Approach
Led by Rev. Stephanie Perdew, Damascus Project Director
June 11, 9 am-4 pm; learn more
Recovery
For those in recovery, there will be an AA meeting at 7 am both Friday and Saturday.
Childcare
Childcare will be available during plenary and workshop times on Friday and Saturday.
Jessica Vazquez Torres brings more than 20 years of experience facilitating workshops on antiracism, anti-oppression, and cultural competency. Her work focuses on addressing the structures and cultural dynamics that harm People of Color, Queer, and immigrant communities. As a 1.5-generation ESL Queer Latina of Puerto Rican descent, Jessica draws on both personal experience and academic training in her practice. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida, an M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary, and an M.T.S. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Jessica has co-authored a four-session adult study on the history of racism in the United States and presented her research at the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Studies. Her scholarly work explores moral injury, race, and solidarity in social justice contexts. A Presbyterian Ruling Elder, Jessica serves as Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training Transitional Executive Director, lives in Oakland, CA, with her Presbyterian Minister spouse, spoils her dog Magpie, and works on her bread baking when not at work.