For Thursday Thoughts this week, I want to take time to reflect and say thank you.  As I shared with some of our congregation on Sunday, it has been an emotional roller coaster for me of late!  I have been part of this beautiful cohort of clergy colleagues pictured above for 10 years.  Our journey together in the Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) began in August of 2014 at the UCC’s National Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.  The official end of the program (NGLI Benediction) happened last week, in January of 2025 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona. 

When we began, there were 15 in our cohort and 10 of us completed the program.  Some of our colleagues have moved on to other forms of ministry, and we were even able to have a Zoom check-in with our whole cohort during our time together in Arizona.  Among us, we have served 26 churches in the United Church of Christ.  During this time, some of us have had children, gotten married, lost loved ones, moved to new states, and we have supported one another as we have done our best to minister to our respective flocks through it all.  The UCC Pension Boards brought us together and funded our collective and individual learning opportunities. I cannot say enough about how important NGLI is not just for individual clergy but for congregations who benefit from all we learn and bring back to share.  The whole idea of the program is that healthy clergy help build healthy congregations, and this can change lives and further God’s love in the world.

As you can imagine, I found myself overcome with emotion on Sunday as Nicole, Pastor Jack, and Jocelyn spearheaded you all celebrating my graduation from NGLI within our congregation here at CFC.  I am so grateful for the laying on of hands to bless me during worship, kind words, hugs, cake, and the special gift of 10 trees being planted in our nation’s forests in my honor.  My heart is fit to bursting.  Thank you!

For me, the experience of NGLI Benediction has provided an opportunity to pause and give thanks.  It has been a chance to consider all that has been and look forward to all that will be.  Because sometimes we are given those moments in life that allow us to take stock and reflect with thankful hearts.  We can thank God and all those who have walked beside us on our faith journeys.  I am blessed indeed, and glad to be back to walk beside our church family.

Love,
Pastor Lauren 

Photo by Rev. Krista L. Betz, Director of Leadership Initiatives for The Pension Boards United Church of Christ.

Thursday Thoughts 1/23/25