By Rev. Roberto Ochoa
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 – NRSVue
Eastertide Greetings my friends of the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ.
Springtime always reminds me of new beginnings as trees and flowers begin to bud and the land being prepared for planting. For me, it is that continuous cycle of creative life granted to us by the Divine One. It allows me to reflect on God’s love for all creation.
Almost ten years ago, Iowa Nebraska South Dakota conferences embarked on a model to share one staff and collaborate with each other in common ministries to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Clearly indicating that this covenant called the Tri Conference Ministries was not a merger but a relationship of cooperation with one another for mutual benefit.
The journey has had its peaks and valleys which had significant impact on Iowa Nebraska South Dakota’s congregations, congregational leaders, clergies, Associations and the conferences. When I arrived as the Executive Conference Minister for TCM, I committed to be present, listen and learn from local congregational leaders and clergy their assessment of the successes and challenges of being part of the TCM.
What came out of these conversations is the creation of the Conference Minister’s Task Force to Reflect Discern Re-Imagine the Tri Conference Ministries. In late 2025, the Board of Directors of all three conferences voted to create the Task Force that will prayerfully consider the future of TCM and make recommendations by the summer of 2028.
I am pleased to announce the 21 Task Force members and alternates that I will have the honor and privilege of working with over the next two years:
Iowa: Mr. Jim Coppoc (alternate), Ripley UCC, Traer, Rev, Cathy Jurgens – Zion, Waukon, Rev Daniel Moore, St Paul UCC, Kahoka, MO, Rev David Boogerd, Immanuel Reformed UCC, Klemme and Belmond UCC, Belmond, Rev Craig Henderson, Congregational UCC, Iowa City, Rev Heidi Hulme (alternate), Faith United UCC, Davenport, and Rev Carolyn C Blair, Zion UCC, Burlington.
Nebraska: Mr. Bruce Baker, Vine Congregational UCC, Lincoln, Ms. Ashley Iliff, Friedens UCC, Goehner, Rev Lisa Hadler, First Congregational UCC Ogallala and Brule UCC, Brule, Rev Brad Hindsley (alternate), Kamp Kaleo, Burwell, Pastor Helen “Bea” Ingram, First Congregational, Burwell, Rev. Kathy Rahorst, Congregational UCC, Hallam, and Rev Grant Speece, Countryside Community UCC, Omaha.
South Dakota: Ms. Mary Edelen, UCC Congregational, Vermillion, Mr. Chuck Frieberg, First Congregational, Pierre, Rev. Cindy Hoy (alternate), Spirit of Peace, Sioux Falls, Pastor Mike Kampa, Congregational UCC, Brentford, Rev Russell Seger, Chadron, First Congregational, Chadron, NE, Ms. Adriane Two Hearts, Messiah UCC, Little Eagle, and Ms. Kylie Steever-Laki (alternate), South Park UCC, Rapid City.
There will be a special worship service for commissioning the members of the Task Force at the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences joint annual meeting (JAM) on Saturday, September 19th.
Please join me in thanking them for their willingness to reflect, discern, and re-imagine the Tri Conference Ministries. I ask that you keep all of us in the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the UCC in your prayers as we seek the wisdom through the Holy Spirit and the Love of Jesus Christ during this season.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto