{"id":16177,"date":"2024-10-15T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T14:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/?p=16177"},"modified":"2024-10-14T16:23:19","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T21:23:19","slug":"october-15-2024-the-messenger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/october-15-2024-the-messenger\/","title":{"rendered":"October 15, 2024 &#8211; The Messenger"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><xml><o:OfficeDocumentSettings><o:PixelsPerInch>96<\/o:PixelsPerInch><o:AllowPNG\/><\/o:OfficeDocumentSettings><\/xml><!&#091;endif&#093;--><!-- &#091;if !mso&#093;><!--><!--<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<style>\n*{box-sizing:border-box}body{margin:0;padding:0}a[x-apple-data-detectors]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:inherit!important}#MessageViewBody a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none}p{line-height:inherit}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{mso-hide:all;display:none;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}.image_block img+div{display:none}sub,sup{line-height:0;font-size:75%} @media (max-width:620px){.social_block.desktop_hide .social-table{display:inline-block!important}.mobile_hide{display:none}.row-content{width:100%!important}.stack .column{width:100%;display:block}.mobile_hide{min-height:0;max-height:0;max-width:0;overflow:hidden;font-size:0}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{display:table!important;max-height:none!important}}<br \/><\/style>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso &#093;>\n\n\n\n\n\n<style>sup, sub { font-size: 100% !important; } sup { mso-text-raise:10% } sub { mso-text-raise:-10% }<\/style>\n\n\n\n <!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<table class=\"nl-container\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row row-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 600px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"Hero Graphic\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/clapton_cysx6cjdvalm_us_west_2_rds_amazonaws_com_nationalassociationofcongregationalchristianchurches\/editor_images\/a662047c-8952-4c68-bd19-b6df1d149ece.png\" alt=\"Hero Graphic\" width=\"600\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-3\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: center; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><span class=\"tinyMce-placeholder\" style=\"word-break: break-word;\">October 15, 2024<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-4\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-5\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #c7dbe2; border-radius: 20px 20px 0 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 10px;\" width=\"33.333333333333336%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/2024-calls-ordinations-installations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/2024-calls-ordinations-installations\/\" style=\"height:52px;width:153px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"8%\" fillcolor=\"#33576e\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#33576e\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#fcf6ef;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 4px; color: #fcf6ef; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 90%; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 14px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\">Recent Calls &amp; Ordinations<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"33.333333333333336%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/mission-partner-updates-amc-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/mission-partner-updates-amc-2024\/\" style=\"height:52px;width:162px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"8%\" fillcolor=\"#33576e\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#33576e\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#fcf6ef;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 4px; color: #fcf6ef; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 90%; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 14px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\">Mission Partner Updates<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-3\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"33.333333333333336%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-congregationalist-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-congregationalist-2024\/\" style=\"height:52px;width:162px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"8%\" fillcolor=\"#33576e\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#33576e\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#fcf6ef;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 4px; color: #fcf6ef; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 90%; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 14px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\">The<\/span><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\"><br \/>\nCongregationalist<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-6\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #c7dbe2; border-radius: 0 0 20px 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 10px;\" width=\"33.333333333333336%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/order-advent-and-lent-devotionals-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/order-advent-and-lent-devotionals-now\/\" style=\"height:52px;width:153px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"8%\" fillcolor=\"#33576e\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#33576e\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#fcf6ef;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 4px; color: #fcf6ef; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 90%; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 14px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\">Order Advent Devotionals<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"33.333333333333336%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/director-search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/director-search\/\" style=\"height:52px;width:162px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"8%\" fillcolor=\"#33576e\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#33576e\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#fcf6ef;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 4px; color: #fcf6ef; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 90%; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 14px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\">We&#8217;re Hiring! Executive Director<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-3\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"33.333333333333336%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/sharing-vitality-grants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/sharing-vitality-grants\/\" style=\"height:52px;width:162px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"8%\" fillcolor=\"#33576e\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#33576e\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#fcf6ef;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 4px; color: #fcf6ef; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 90%; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 14px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\">Sharing Vitality<\/span><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 21px;\"><br \/>\nGrants<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-7\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-8\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 38.25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A small calendar.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/sharedImages\/calendar.png\" alt=\"A small calendar.\" width=\"38.25\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><span class=\"tinyMce-placeholder\" style=\"word-break: break-word;\">Save the Dates!<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 21px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\">The <strong><a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/ministers-convocation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2025 Ministers&#8217; Convocation<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> will take place from April 27 &#8211; May 1, 2025, at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\">The <strong><a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/events\/freedom-journey-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Freedom Journey Trip<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> to Greenville, South Carolina, will take place March 13 &#8211; 17, 2025.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">The <strong><a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/ministers-convocation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2026 Ministers&#8217; Convocation<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> will take place from April 13 &#8211; 16, 2026, at University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-9\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-10\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #bbcf98; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-left: 15px; width: 100%; padding-right: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 45px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A magnifying glass with an eye in the middle.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/sharedImages\/magnifying_glass_icon.png\" alt=\"A magnifying glass with an eye in the middle.\" width=\"45\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><span class=\"tinyMce-placeholder\" style=\"word-break: break-word;\"><strong>Thoughts:<\/strong> A New and Great Adventure<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 15px; padding-top: 5px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 14.399999999999999px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">Rev. Dr. Barry W. Szymanski, Interim Executive Director<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"image_block block-3\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 425px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/clapton_cysx6cjdvalm_us_west_2_rds_amazonaws_com_nationalassociationofcongregationalchristianchurches\/editor_images\/f651275f-5858-4aea-87ff-43068cf7867b.jpg\" width=\"425\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-4\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 21px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\">Has the Holy Spirit prompted your congregation to start something new? New creates anxieties. New is frightening. It is daunting. To begin something new means going where we have never been before. Any innovative undertaking is a risk. Congregations don\u2019t like risk. It takes courage to move into something unfamiliar. People will twist and turn to avoid risk-taking. But change is inevitable if a congregation is to flourish. Yes, a congregation may continue unchanging for a decade or two, but will it fulfill the purposes Jesus expects of a mission-driven congregation? So, what do we do? We research. We prepare. We plan. What if there is failure? You tried! Trying is better than not. Working to continue to foster God\u2019s Kingdom is our work. Jesus promised he will send the Holy Spirit to guide us. Prayer and inspiration and creativity coupled with good investigation and study will help lead to good results. St. Paul told Timothy that God does not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love. With God\u2019s Love and Spirit may your congregation set out with enthusiasm to new and great adventures!<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\">Note: &#8220;Thoughts&#8221; are Barry\u2019s musings based upon scripture and remain his own opinions and not those of the National Association, though he prays that they are meaningful to all.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">Scripture: John 14:16, 26; 2 Timothy 1:7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-11\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-12\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #498b6d; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 38.25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A small outline of a heart.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/sharedImages\/heart.png\" alt=\"A small outline of a heart.\" width=\"38.25\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><strong>Thanksgiving Proclamation<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 21px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 0;\">We Congregationalists are a people of thanksgiving! With gratitude for your fellowship in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, we offer our annual <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/thanksgiving-proclamation-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thanksgiving Proclamation<\/a>. We invite you to read it from the pulpit, insert a copy in your Sunday\u2019s Order of Worship, publish it as part of your weekly news bulletin, project it onto your screens, or otherwise share it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">We pray that you will experience abundant joy and countless blessings during this season of remembering God\u2019s goodness and provision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-13\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-14\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #c7dbe2; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 38.25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A small black and white globe.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/sharedImages\/globe_icon.png\" alt=\"A small black and white globe.\" width=\"38.25\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><strong>Hurting Churches Fund Appreciation<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 14.399999999999999px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">Rev. Don Bliss, East Freetown Congregational-Christian Church<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-3\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 21px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">On behalf of the East Freetown Congregational-Christian Church, I would like to acknowledge and thank the NACCC for our grant from the Hurting Churches Fund and commend the resource to our sister churches.<\/p>\n<p>In the course of crawling around under the church to install live-streaming equipment, we discovered that our 1888 building still had what is known as &#8220;knob and tube&#8221; wiring from its original electrification 102 years ago! Needless to say, re-wiring was both imperative and not in our budget. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we, like so many other churches, have struggled to keep up with our finances. It seems that our expenses have not decreased commensurately with the decline in our income.<\/p>\n<p>The Hurting Churches Fund provided us an invaluable resource to meet unexpected costs not covered in our operating budget. We are blessed to be recipients, and we urge other churches with significant financial challenges to consider applying as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"button_block block-4\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"left\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-hurting-churches-endowment-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-hurting-churches-endowment-fund\/\" style=\"height:24px;width:95px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"250%\" fillcolor=\"#ffffff\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#ffffff\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#000000;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #fff; border-radius: 60px; color: #000; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 0; padding-top: 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: auto; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"color: #3d4145;\"><a style=\"color: #3d4145;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-hurting-churches-endowment-fund\/?blm_aid=0\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; font-size: 12px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 24px;\">Learn More<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-15\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-16\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #33576e; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 38.25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A small megaphone blaring.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/clapton_cysx6cjdvalm_us_west_2_rds_amazonaws_com_nationalassociationofcongregationalchristianchurches\/editor_images\/a8476a8a-06d7-49ee-8f20-ca8a9e29fb70.png\" alt=\"A small megaphone blaring.\" width=\"38.25\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><strong>Stakeholder Letter<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 21px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">We invite you to read the <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/StakeholderLetterSep2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 2024 Stakeholder Letter<\/a>, written by Interim Executive Director Rev. Dr. Barry W. Szymanski. In this insightful letter, Barry shares how his experience as Interim Executive Director has opened his eyes to the many facets of the NACCC\u2019s work, the important responsibilities NACCC staff, leadership, and members provide for, and the impact that work has on the greater Congregational community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-17\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-18\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #bbcf98; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 38.25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A small calendar.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/sharedImages\/calendar.png\" alt=\"A small calendar.\" width=\"38.25\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><strong>Event Calendar<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\"><em>October 16, 1:00 pm &#8211; 2:00 pm CT <\/em><em>(11 am PT; 2 pm ET)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\"><strong>Webinar: The Leader Table Information Session<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\">Learn more about The Leader Table \u2013 an upcoming webinar training series focused on improving faith-based leadership in times of uncertainty. <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/events\/the-leader-table-information-session\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> for more information or to register to attend.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\"><em>October 17, 2:00 pm &#8211; 3:00 pm CT (12 pm PT; 3 pm ET)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\"><strong>Webinar: Cultivating Generosity<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\">An interactive seminar offered by Lake Institute on Faith &amp; Giving. <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/events\/cultivating-generous-congregations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> for more information. To sign up, please contact <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" title=\"kward@naccc.org\" href=\"mailto:kward@naccc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kristin Ward<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\"><em>November 7, 3:00 pm &#8211; 4:00 pm CT (1:00 pm PT; 4:00 pm ET)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\"><strong>Webinar: Christian Formation and VBS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">Looking for quality Christian education and vacation bible school material? Join us to discuss what&#8217;s being used and how we can share material with each other. <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #d75a17;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/events\/christian-formation-and-vbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> for more information or to register to attend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-19\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-20\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #c7dbe2; border-radius: 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 35px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"16.666666666666668%\">\n<table class=\"image_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" style=\"line-height: 10px;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 38.25px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0; width: 100%;\" title=\"A small megaphone blaring.\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomerang-bee.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/clapton_cysx6cjdvalm_us_west_2_rds_amazonaws_com_nationalassociationofcongregationalchristianchurches\/editor_images\/a8476a8a-06d7-49ee-8f20-ca8a9e29fb70.png\" alt=\"A small megaphone blaring.\" width=\"38.25\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 14px 15px;\" width=\"83.33333333333333%\">\n<table class=\"heading_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0; color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; mso-line-height-alt: 27.599999999999998px;\"><strong>Your NACCC Staff<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 5px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 14.399999999999999px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">Have questions? Seeking resources? Contact us at (414) 856-1620.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"divider_block block-3\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"left\">\n<table style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"divider_inner\" style=\"font-size: 1px; line-height: 1px; border-top: 1px solid #000;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word;\">\u200a<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-4\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding-bottom: 15px; padding-top: 5px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 21px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Kristin Ward<\/strong>: Development<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Maggie Helmick<\/strong>: Communications<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Laura Wright<\/strong>: Church Services<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Rev. Dr. Gerry Krupp<\/strong>: Programming<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Julie Robie<\/strong>: Mission and Outreach<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Sarah Sobecke<\/strong>: Interim Executive Assistant<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\"><strong>Rev. Dr. Barry W. Szymanski<\/strong>: Interim Executive Director<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-21\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-22\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #498b6d; border-radius: 20px 20px 0 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 35px 60px 25px 60px;\" width=\"100%\">\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div style=\"color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 22.5px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 8px;\"><em>Thank you for being a vital part of our community. Your engagement, support, and commitment to the Congregational Way is valued and appreciated.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\"><em>We encourage you to share this newsletter with friends, family, fellow congregants, and anyone else you think could benefit from it.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-23\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #498b6d; border-radius: 0 0 20px 20px; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 35px; padding-left: 60px; padding-right: 60px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"50%\">\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div style=\"color: #fcf6ef; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; mso-line-height-alt: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 8px;\"><strong>Our Contact Information <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>National Association of Congregational Christian Churches<\/p>\n<p>8473 S. Howell Ave<br \/>\nPO Box 288<br \/>\nOak Creek, WI 53154<\/p>\n<p>(414) 856-1610<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"column column-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0; padding: 5px 60px 5px 60px;\" width=\"50%\">\n<table class=\"button_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;>\n<v:roundrect xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" style=\"height:34px;width:157px;v-text-anchor:middle;\" arcsize=\"12%\" fillcolor=\"#fcf6ef\">\n<v:stroke dashstyle=\"Solid\" weight=\"0px\" color=\"#fcf6ef\"\/>\n<w:anchorlock\/>\n<v:textbox inset=\"0px,0px,0px,0px\">\n<center dir=\"false\" style=\"color:#000000;font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12px\">\n<!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #fcf6ef; border-radius: 4px; color: #000; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: auto; word-break: keep-all; border: 0 solid transparent;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; font-size: 12px; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: normal;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word; line-height: 24px;\">Print This Newsletter<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><!-- &#091;if mso&#093;><\/center><\/v:textbox><\/v:roundrect><!&#091;endif&#093;--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"social_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"social-table\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; display: inline-block;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"72px\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0 2px 0 2px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thenaccc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0;\" title=\"Facebook\" src=\"https:\/\/app-rsrc.getbee.io\/public\/resources\/social-networks-icon-sets\/circle-blue\/facebook@2x.png\" alt=\"Facebook\" width=\"32\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0 2px 0 2px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/national-association-of-congregational-christian-churches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; height: auto; border: 0;\" title=\"LinkedIn\" src=\"https:\/\/app-rsrc.getbee.io\/public\/resources\/social-networks-icon-sets\/circle-blue\/linkedin@2x.png\" alt=\"LinkedIn\" width=\"32\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-24\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"spacer_block block-1\" style=\"height: 16px; line-height: 16px; font-size: 1px;\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"row row-25\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"row-content stack\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 0; color: #000; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"600\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column column-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top; border: 0;\" width=\"100%\">\n<table class=\"divider_block block-1\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\">\n<div class=\"alignment\" align=\"center\">\n<table style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"divider_inner\" style=\"font-size: 1px; line-height: 1px; border-top: 1px solid #bbb;\"><span style=\"word-break: break-word;\">\u200a<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"paragraph_block block-2\" style=\"mso-table-lspace: 0; mso-table-rspace: 0; word-break: break-word;\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"pad\" style=\"padding: 20px 60px 30px 60px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #000; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 120%; text-align: center; mso-line-height-alt: 12px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;\">You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">If you wish to update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe, click *{{Unsubscribe}}*<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><!-- End --><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":725,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[87,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-naccc-news","category-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/725"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16177"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16179,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16177\/revisions\/16179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}