Talofa lava! "My family and I bring you greetings in the Name of our Savior Jesus, who is the Christ, and on behalf of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. It is my esteem honor to be your Conference Moderator.

We are joined in covenant and pray God's blessings will continue to shower us abundantly. As we stand together today in our Annual Gathering we are reminded of Jesus' prayer that remains our motto, "That They May All Be One." It is this unity that binds us closer together and connects us in Spirit to God.

Through our diversity, we honor God’s love and creative intent for all God's people to share in the great mission of showering each other with loving hearts, caring, and supporting one another. We share the gifts of the Spirit, through vision, service, worship, prayer, education, hope, passion and joy as we proclaim Good News and humbly present ourselves as witnesses in the long, noble struggle for justice and peace."

I want to extend a special invitation to all of you to come to our Annual Gathering this June in Orange County, California. We are employing the spacious school campus of Chapman University in order to accommodate all of us comfortably.

The Thursday pre-event will be visiting three grassroots groups working for social justice at the local level in Orange County, California, experience social justice work from the perspectives that they bring, and engage in dialogue about similar efforts in our own congregations and communities: Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of Orange County of Orange County (CLUE OC) & Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD).

Our Friday night key-note speaker and Saturday morning preacher is Waltrina Middleton, Minister for Youth Advocacy and Leadership Formation; Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team.

Your Annual Gathering Planning Committee has put together Workshops which will include General Synod and You, Shower the People with Spiritual Practices and Tools resources for welcoming visitors and integrating them into the life of the church, music, worship resources, small group formation, and others... including workshops in Spanish.

The vendor space will be large and welcoming, featuring resources for our churches that will enable us all to learn more about how we welcome, provide entry into our congregations, and celebrate together on Sunday morning and on into the week.

Finally, let’s get together as one body and enjoy each other's company with good food and fellowship. I look forward to being a part of this Annual Gathering and I hope you do too.

Faafetai tele lava,

Foai Tanuvasa
Conference Moderator