The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black was elected General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ in June 2009. Prior to that, he served as Conference Minister of the UCC's New York Conference for nine years beginning in 2000.

Geoffrey Black previously served as a Minister for Church Life and Leadership with the then-Office for Church Life and Leadership (currently Parish Life and Leadership), a national agency of the United Church of Christ housed at the UCC's national offices in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ecumenical commitment, concern for equal justice, African-American empowerment, and community improvement have shaped Black's ministry in the church and in the communities in which he has lived. This has resulted in his work with organizations such as the Nassau Coalition for Safety and Justice, The Long Island Interracial Alliance for a Common Future, and the Amistad Cultural Center of Long Island, which he co-founded.  While living in Ohio, he has been an active member of Caring Communities of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Partnership 2000 of the Shaker Public schools.

For more information visit www.ucc.org

Growing up in Malawi, in Central Africa, Masankho learned about peace, diversity and community building from his elders in the village. He realized as a child that stories, drums and dance had the power to bring communities together and heal most divisions. His father, Dr. Aleke K Banda spent twelve years (1980 to 1992) as a political prisoner under the brutal and harsh dictatorship of the founding president of Malawi, and Masankho was inspired to work for peace and justice. Masankho moved to the United States in 1987 as a political refugee. He earned his BA in Theater with a minor in Dance from the College of Wooster in Ohio and then his MA in Culture and Spirituality from Holy Names University in Oakland. Since 1991, Masankho has worked in 48 states and all over the world  to bring about peace and justice, using his talents as a performing artist before intergenerational audiences of all cultures, sharing his message of peace, diversity and justice. Masankho has worked alongside Nobel Peace Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, world leaders, healers and entertainers for which he was awarded the title Unsung Hero of Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2001. Masankho is the founder of UCanDanc’ African Healing Arts, a Certified International InterPlay leader,  a member of Wing It! Performance Ensemble and a Professional Storyteller. He also is an adjunct professor at Pacific School of Religion and Holy Names University in the Bay Area.

For more information visit www.ucandanc.org

Twenty Years…can you believe it?  TWENTY YEARS ago I started in youth ministry.  And yes, I still have people ask “When are you going to be a real minister?”  I was working for an ad agency in Youngstown, Ohio.  You know those screaming used car salesman commercials?   I made those (forgive me Father; I know not what I did) along with a few home improvement stores and a pizza shop.  Then my daughter was born and I became a stay-at-home dad.  I began to look for a job that would allow me put a crib next to my desk.  Honestly, the youth-ministry gig was going to be temporary when I took the job at a little Methodist church near Austintown, Ohio.  Twenty years later, I’m teaching others that youth ministry truly is a calling.  It is not for the faint of heart.  In fact, it is probably one of the highest callings in ministry.   I even did five years in the Episcopal church were I wrote The Book of Uncommon Prayer Volume 1.  (Volume 2 came later.)

People like to work in the nursery.  You get hugs and little kids actually are glad to see you.  Working with adults is easy because you can have adult conversations.  No one likes to work with youth.  Youth are scary.  This makes youth ministers some of God’s favorite people.  Name any other kind of ministry that would accept Mountain Dew and Nerf Guns and worship tools?  Name any other area of the church were a belching contest could be considered part of the liturgy.  Name any other area of ministry where you can spend hours looking up every scripture verses that uses the word vomit and call it the best meeting you have had in months.  This is a calling.  This IS real ministry.

For more information visit www.stevecasespeaks.com

Travis McAdam is the executive director for the Montana Human Rights Network, a non-profit organization based in Helena.  He has worked for the Network for 10 years, previously serving as its Director of Research and Publications.  His research about Montana’s anti-democratic movements has taken him all over—from the halls of the Montana Legislature, to militia meetings around Montana, and even to northern Idaho to cover white supremacist events.  His analysis of anti-democratic movements has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, The Economist, New York Post, Salon, and on Court TV, in addition to Montana’s daily and weekly newspapers.   

Rev Darryl Kistler serves as pastor the Community Congregational Church in Kalispell, MT.  He is happily married to his beloved Sasha, and they are the proud parents of three HUGE dogs (Ichabod Crane, Aspen, and Baloo Bear), and one of the most fearless kittys (Ms. Houdini) God ever created.  Besides pastoring the church, he leads a joint youth group venture of Christians, Unitarians, and Jews in Kalispell, coaches debate at Flathead High School, volunteers for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, runs marathons, and tries to beat "the man" who tells him he shouldn't be downloading music for free.  He is so estactic that he was asked to offer a good word to the participants of the 2010 Western Regional Youth Event, and has promised that he will not break out spontaneously into song during his time on stage (but did he have his fingers crossed when he offered up that promise?).  He would like to thank the people at www.thebricktestament.com and www.killingthebuddha.org and www.matthewshepherd.org for their assistance in helping him craft his message, and would offer these websites as excellent sites that people should visit more often.

For more information visit www.communitycongregationalchurch.org

LOST AND FOUND, Michael Bridges and George Baum, have been traveling around the world performing concerts of their original music and making friends in the process, since they were in high school.  Their music is the kind of thing that often prompts reactions like, "Well, I have never heard anything like that before."  Michael and George are willing to admit, "Yes, it is a unique sound."  Yet, just as they started their musical tours by riding bicycles coast to coast and performing on borrowed instruments wherever they were welcomed, they continue to proclaim that, "God calls us to do what we can have with what we have," as they make their unique sound with just two instruments, the occasional toy, and their voices.  Some have said their music is like the intersection of The Ramones and John Denver.  Others have called it "acoustic thrash."  Some have called it "heavy mental" owing to all the lyrical content in each three-minute song.  And some have simply said, "Well, at least it's organic."  However you choose to characterize the sound, if you see these guys play,  you'll find that all are welcome, that strangers become friends at the concerts,  and that the music of faith is fun.

For more information visit www.speedwood.com

Amy has spent her life overcoming personal and public challenges and obstacles in being a person with dwarfism. She is an example of personal strength, discipline, and confidence embodied in a little woman with purpose.  Sharing her perspective and life experiences is how she is able to relate and inspire her audience and continues to confirm her reputation as an inspiring speaker.  You will forget she is a little person for she is living life large.

Amy will inspire you to be the best that you can be regardless of the environment you find yourself in and the perception others have of you.  As Amy has done for herself through time, she will have you looking at the challenges and obstacles that come our way as opportunities to learn, grow, and be the best you can be regardless what outside package you were given. She is real, grounded, lives a life of faith, with a sense of adventure and humor.  She keeps it real.

       She is a working mom- both inside and outside the home.    She graduated in 1985 with a BSBA from Central Michigan University.  Amy has a range of personal stories and insights from working at a small mfg and global computer company early in her career, a Mom, teaching preschool and elementary students, managing a soccer club, and coaching that allows her to talk on a variety of topics.  She has been married for 22 years to Matt, moved to Oregon in 1990 and is the mother of 4 wonderful children of which her oldest are twin boys.    Through it all she continues to balance her hectic life and schedule along with the busy lives and activities of her 4 children, a very project orientated husband, help out on the family farm, life on TV, speaking engagements and volunteer service for several national and other organizations including DAAA (Dwarf Athletic Association of America).   With opportunities that have come her way she has also formed the Amy Roloff Charity Foundation to help and benefit others.   She currently lives in the Portland Oregon area with her husband and four children and a home open to many. 

     Amy and her family are in the fifth season of their reality TV show “Little People Big World” on the Discovery channel, TLC.  A number of her speeches have appeared on the show.   Amy and her family have appeared in numerous media outlets over the years: TV, newspapers, magazines, and wrote a family book ‘Little People Big Values’.

For more information visit www.amyjroloff.com

Ann L. Hanson was born, raised and partially educated in Montana. She received a B.A. in Education from Montana State University, raised three children and is the proud grandmother of seven. She has attended continuing education events in the area of drug and alcohol education and intervention, stewardship, Christian education, women’s issues, evangelism, planned giving, spirituality and mentoring. In September, 2000, Ann was called by the UCC in the national setting (Cleveland, OH) to be the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice.

Ann is a sexuality educator and trainer of teachers for the United Church of Christ’s sexuality resources: Affirming Persons, Saving Lives; Created in God’s Image and Our Whole Lives – Sexuality and Our Faith. She believes that children youth, young adults – and, yes, adults of any age, need to be respected and loved enough to receive sexuality education that will help them make life-affirming and life-saving choices.

       Ann has written numerous articles for United Church of Christ publications and secular websites and publications. In addition to her ministry in the UCC, Ann is a member of the Council of Governors of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, is a member of the advisory board of the Faith Institute and the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing, serves on the Children and Families Committee of the National Council of Churches and the National Council to Support Sexuality Education. 

For more information visit www.ucc.org/justice/sexuality-education