A 20th Anniversary celebration for the UCC Office Support Staff Network was held April 12th in New York City prior to the annual event for local church, association, conference and national support staff. “Remembering Yesterday…Living Today…Securing Tomorrow” was the focus for the event.

The Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, was the keynote speaker for the Welcome Reception and Dinner – Honoring 20 Years of Ministry. Seven honorees were presented pins that identified them as an ‘essential piece’ in “Remembering Yesterday”. While those honored are not with the offices that initially brought them to the UCCOSSN gatherings (most have ‘retired’), the entities are listed here. Bernie Bliss, Rocky Mountain Conference; Joan Brannick, Pension Boards; Sally Crichton, Florida Conference; Susan Gibson, New York Conference; Pat Peirce, Rhode Island Conference; Cheryl Tibbetts, Maine Conference; and Peggy Wright, Connecticut Conference. Sally, Susan and Cheryl were unable to attend the dinner.

“Securing Tomorrow” was the focus for Friday, beginning with morning worship at 475 Riverside Drive where the Pension Boards offices are housed. Saturday’s theme “Living Today” included the annual business meeting, a day-long workshop, and evening worship. Worship on Sunday at Riverside Church concluded the event.

The Purpose of the United Church of Christ Office Support Staff Network is to help bring about dignity, respect, and fair compensation for all United Church of Christ Office Support Staff. The Objectives are: To create a network of United Church of Christ Office Support Staff at all levels throughout the denomination. To raise the level of professionalism of United Church of Christ Office Support Staff. To provide continuing education opportunities for United Church of Christ Office Support Staff. To provide opportunities for fellowship and sharing among peers. To raise the awareness of local churches, associations, conferences, national bodies – the denomination as a whole – of the vital role the contributions of United Church of Christ Office Support Staff.