By Rev Roberto Ochoa
“The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair”* [*gray hair = wisdom – my interpretation] Proverbs 20:29 (NRSVue)
My dear friends of the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ and beyond, continued Eastertide greetings.
One of the things that makes me proud of being part of the United Church of Christ is our commitment to mission for our local communities and the world. Every local church I have visited usually has several active missions that are important to them. Food pantries, clothing donations, backpacks for children, volunteer opportunities for local shelters, preventative domestic abuse centers, safe spaces for LGBTQ+ communities; or hosting AA/NA gathering groups are some of the examples of mission works I have witnessed in action. Global contributions to provide relief for natural disasters, world hunger, shelter, and medical care are all part of the UCC DNA.
Two missions of the United Church of Christ I’d like to highlight this week are the church camps and retreat centers and retirement living communities.
THE CAMPING MISSION:
Most who know me are aware of my commitment to faith formation camps and retreat centers. These camps have been essential for spiritual growth and well-being not only for our young, but for all generations. UCC affiliated church camps offers opportunities for sabbath and respite for all ages. This summer, I encourage all to explore the three UCC affiliated camps of Placerville Camp in Rapid City, SD; Kamp Kaleo in Burwell, NE; and Pilgrim Heights in Montour, Iowa. Supporting our camp programs is a mission that strengthens the future of the church. It provides a way for us to experience the beauty and wonder of God’s creation that are inspirational and life renewing. Below are links to find out what programs each camp is offering:
Placerville UCC Camp and Retreat: https://www.placervillecamp.net/
Kaleo on the River: https://kampkaleo.com/
Pilgrim Heights: https://www.pilgrimheights.org/
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY MISSION:
Last week, I had the privilege of attending a conference gathering of employees and supporters of the Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) in Long Beach, California. I was able to meet all the personnel dedicated to offering the best low-cost retirement housing communities for retired and people with disabilities. The RHF was founded in 1961 by two UCC clergy and one lay person, in an effort to make housing affordable for a growing aging population.
RHF serves 19,000 residents in 29 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including seven retirement housing communities in Iowa (two more opening in Clear Lake and Ottumwa in 2026) and four in Nebraska.
Iowa also has a UCC affiliated retirement community in Grinnell which originally began as a home for congregational retired clergy and missionaries called Mayflower Community. The Mayflower Community has since grown to offer independent, assisted living and nursing care units for those of an abundant age, including many retired UCC clergy. The Mayflower Community is a mission of the Iowa Conference of the UCC. I also have had the privileged of hosting a breakfast with our retired clergy and have enjoyed listening to their stories of ministries in the UCC. What an honor!
In Sioux City, South Dakota, the Dow Rummell Village, is a retirement residential community that was created with the assistance of the South Dakota Conference in 1964. This expansive community also provides independent, assisted and nursing care units for their residents. Several retired UCC clergy and church members reside there. Dow Rummell is a planned site to host several workshops on aging and wellbeing for the Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) of the South Dakota Nebraska Iowa Conferences, September 17-20, 2026.
For more information on these UCC affiliated retirement communities and on how you can offer support to ensure affordable housing for our aging population, below are the links:
Retirement Housing Foundation: https://rhf.org/
Mayflower Community: https://mayflowerhomes.com/
Dow Rummell Village: https://www.dowrummel.com/
These are just a few ways that the United Church of Christ honors the teachings of Jesus Christ to care and love our neighbor, for a just world for all.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto