Many Gifts, One Spirit
April 25-26, 2003 – First Congregational Church, Atlanta, Georgia

The Southeast Conference of the UCC hosted the 2003 UCC Office Support Staff Network Annual Meeting.  Gerri Ryons-Hudson, Administrative Assistant for the Southeast Conference, and a long time member of UCCOSSN, headed the planning team.   The scripture chosen to support the theme was I Corinthians 12:4-6, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit….”  All activities were housed in the First Congregational Church of Atlanta, Georgia including meals.  Participants had overnight accommodations in the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel near the church.

The Keynote speaker for the event was The Rev. Joyce Hollyday, Associate Conference Minister for the Southeast Conference of the UCC.  She is co-director of “Rekindle the Gift” an oral history and renewal program in African-American churches of the Southeast Conference.  She is also founder and co-pastor of Circle of Mercy, an ecumenical congregation in the mountains of western North Carolina and the author of several books, including “Then Shall Your Light Rise: Spiritual Formation and Social Witness”.

In addition to the Annual Business meeting held on Saturday, the attendees had the opportunity be a part of Bible study, work-related peer group sharing and workshops that were both “personally renewing” and “professionally enhancing”, such as:

   Protecting Your Boundaries led by Bennie Liggins

   Spiritual Renewal: Wisdom on Prayer led by Norman Rates

   When There’s “Trouble in Paradise” led by Claudia Brogan, (Conflict Management Techniques)

   Strengthening Your Family led by Phyllis Richards

   Cherishing and Welcome on the Front Lines led by Budd Friend-Jones (replenishment of spirit and energy via the Benedictine experience.)

   Breathing New Life Into Newsletters led by Peter Johnston

   UCC 101 led by Lorin Cope, Assistant to the President and General Minister of the UCC.

The agenda also left time for exploring the attractions of Atlanta such as: The Center for Puppetry Arts Museum, The African-American Panoramic Experience Museum, Herndon Home, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, Margaret Mitchell’s House and Museum, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, and many more.

The weekend concluded with Worship at the First Congregational Church on Sunday.  We hope the pictures below help capture the excitement of this annual two day gathering which always takes place the first weekend after Easter.