December 1, 2007

Dear Southern California/Nevada Conference Friend,

You may be familiar with the quote, erroneously attributed to a Chinese proverb that states, “May you live in interesting times.”  The origin of the quote is almost as ambiguous as the message it communicates.  Some believe that these “interesting times” are to be feared or at least avoided.  Let me suggest that interesting times may be exactly what we need for God’s Spirit to move in exciting ways.

We in the Southern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ are indeed living in interesting times.  We are planting new churches, we are expanding our administrative capabilities through improved internal systems, we are deepening our cultural awareness through training, instruction and staffing priorities, we are responding to disasters in increasingly effective ways, and we are responding to the needs of our churches and their members in times of joy and crisis.  In addition to all this we are living through a critical phase of transition, given the resignation of our conference ministers, as we seek new leadership to serve among us.  These are interesting times. 

You are an active member in one of our local churches that makes up our Southern California/Nevada Conference.  As a local church member, you know firsthand the importance of supporting many aspects of the church’s mission in order to participate fully in God’s exciting possibilities for our lives.  I invite you to join me in supporting our Conference this year through our annual Friends of the Conference campaign.

Your tax deductible gift will remain in our Conference to ensure all our priorities and intended goals will be met this year.  It is a joy to be in covenant with you as we realize God’s Spirit moving among us in new ways.  I thank you in advance for considering a second-mile gift to the Conference in support of our work together.

May we all live in interesting times and may we sense God’s abundant blessing as we do. 

David Cavanaugh, Chair of the Board of Directors

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