NEBRASKA CONFERENCE FAST FIVE ENEWS
Welcome to the Nebraska Conference Fast Five Enews page. Here is where you can find all the information to connect you with what is happening, events, news, and church updates that are taking place in the Nebraska Conference.
If you have information to share in regards to the Nebraska Conference, please email Tami Spindler or newsandevents@ucctcm.org. Be sure to include all the details…..who, what, when, where, and why. We ask that you have your items submitted by 1:00 pm on Thursdays.
For information in regards to what is taking place in the Tri-Conference Ministries please subscribe to the Fast Five Enews, if you have not done so already. This Enews is sent via email every Monday.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Nebraska Conference Office Address:
C/O First Congregational UCC
657 H St
Burwell, NE 68823-4127
Nebraska Conference Mailing Address:
C/O Kamp Kaleo
46872 Willow Springs Rd
Burwell, NE 68823
Nebraska Conference Phone: 515.277.6369
The TCM Offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026 in observance of President’s Day.
Contact and Share with Us
If you have issues with links, questions about events, or would like to share a comment/feedback about the Fast Five we would be happy to help or hear from you. Please email Tami at newsandevents@ucctcm.org or tami@ucctcm.org.
Please send in your events, stories and church updates to newsandevents@ucctcm.org or tami@ucctcm.org by Thursdays at 1:00 PM. Be sure and to include the Who, What, When, Where and Why.
Share a Reflection with Us
If you have a Reflection you would like to share in the weekly Fast Five Enews,
please email Tami to sign-up.
Ways to Support the Nebraska Conference
Join us in the vibrant and transformative ministry of the Nebraska Conference. Your generosity helps us BE Church together as we live into God’s extravagant welcome and advocate for justice so that all may know love, safety, belonging and dignity.
To learn more about ways you can Support the Nebraska Conference follow the link: Ways to Support the Nebraska Conference
If you plan to support through check or mail, please use the remittance form for churches or the remittance form for individuals. Please print and mail to the address on the left. All checks need to be made payable to the Nebraska UCC.
As we celebrate Black History Month this February we will be sharing in the next several Fast Fives notable
African Americans from Nebraska.
One of the most notable African Americans from the state of Nebraska is Malcom X – Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, he became a pivotal Civil Rights leader. He was voted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 2022.
To read more about Malcom X and his notable achievements, please follow the link below: https://www.malcolmx.com/biography/
NEBRASKA CONFERENCE
UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION
You are in the right spot if you are looking for an upcoming event taking place or information in regards to other happenings in the Nebraska Conference.
2026 YEARBOOK PROCESS IS OPEN FOR CHURCHES
IT’S TIME TO SUBMIT YOUR CHURCH YEARKBOOK INFORMATION!
(Please Note the important dates for opening and closing of the the Database (DAD), etc.)
Submitting your church’s yearbook information is extremely important! This information helps ensure the conferences have current information for our churches. It also helps to keep information on the national and local websites current as well.
Please find below links that will take you to files with instructions and information about the Yearbook process.
Thank you for all your hard work
in collecting and reporting!
Calendar of Upcoming Events
To see all the Upcoming Events in the Tri-Conference please follow the link below to the Tri-Conference Calendar.
Tri-Conference Calendar and Events
Liturgical Calendar
To see the 2026 Liturgical Calendar please follow the link below.
FEED OUR COMMUNITIES
Below you will find a link to the Nebraska Conference churches and community food bank information that has been provided so far. We will continue to update this list of information as it is provided.
Nebraska Conference Food Bank Information
If you have information to share about your churches or communities food bank, please email Tami Spindler with name of church/organization, address, primary contact name and where to send contributions.
Pastoral Openings in Nebraska Conference
We are seeking to fill pastoral openings in our Nebraska Conference area churches. If you are a pastor seeking a call, please follow the link for more information. Nebraska Conference Pastoral Openings
Questions in regards to these church profiles or the Search and Call process, may be sent via email to searchandcall@ucctcm.org to get set up with Conference staff support
Join Us for the February Dining Experience
This one is a little different…
Guest Chef Ethan Zuk will be joining us for a special evening!
Each chef will create two unique courses featuring a surprise mystery ingredient. It’s a fun, creative twist you won’t want to miss.
Reservations: 308-730-0333
Limited spots available—save yours today!
Kamp Kaleo Discovery Center
46872 Willow Springs Rd., Burwell, NE
Summer starts at Kamp Kaleo!
Looking for an unforgettable summer experience? Kaleo is the place to be. From meaningful connections to nonstop fun, camp is where memories are made and faith grows.
Why come to Kamp Kaleo?
- Engaging camps for different ages
- Incredible staff who care about YOU
- Fun activities, new friendships, and lasting memories
- A place to grow, laugh, and try something new
- Check out the camp dates and options we offer—there’s something for everyone!
Register now: https://kampkaleo.com/camp-information/#register
Explore our camp options
Save $100 when you sign up by Feb 1st
We can’t wait to see you at
Kamp Kaleo this summer!
TCM UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Looking for information regarding TCM (conference wide) upcoming events and information? You are in the in the right spot!
We Invite all in the Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska Conferences to join us in Walking Together this Lent.
Beloved siblings,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ .
We write to you together as Conference Minister of the Nebraska Conference of the United Church of Christ and Transitional Regional Minister of the Nebraska Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We do so not only out of shared responsibility, but out of shared relationship—and shared hope for the Church in this season.
For many years, our Conference and our Region have found ways to collaborate, to learn from one another, and to stand alongside each other in ministry. We are sibling denominations, shaped by different traditions and histories but bound by a common call: to follow Jesus Christ and to love our neighbors as ourselves. That relationship matters—especially now.
We are living in a time of deep anxiety and polarization. Communities are hurting, trust is fragile, and too often distance becomes division. In such a moment the church has a choice. We can retreat into what is familiar and comfortable, or we can bear witness to the way of Christ, who draws people together.
So, in that spirit, this Lent, we are choosing to walk together in a commitment to caring for our neighbors.
In Luke 10, after telling the story of the one who showed mercy along the road, Jesus asks, “Which of these was a neighbor?” and then sends his listeners with a simple charge: “Go and do likewise.” This shared journey is our invitation to take that command seriously—not as an abstract ideal, but as a lived practice of mercy, compassion, and care.
We are inviting our Region and Conference into a shared Lenten journey called Neighbors on the Way. This journey is not about uniformity or agreement on every issue. It is about practicing what we already confess: that we belong to Christ, and therefore we belong to one another. It is about learning again how to see our neighbors clearly, listen deeply, and remain faithful to love—even when the road is hard.
Throughout Lent, we will offer simple weekly resources—prayers, reflections, and practices—for individuals and congregations who choose to participate. We will also host optional weekly Zoom conversations, creating space for connection, reflection, and shared witness across our communities.
You can sign up here to join us as Neighbors on the Way.
Our collaboration this season is a testimony, a sign that relationship matters and the church can model what it means to walk together. Please know that our collective prayers are with the people and congregations of our Region and Conference. We journey with you in hope, faith, and love as we make our way through Lent and to the empty tomb.
May the God who created us, the Christ who shows us the way to Divine Love, and the Holy Spirit who sustains us with courage and comfort be upon you, your loved ones, and our world always.
In shared hope,
Rev. Roberto Ochoa
Conference Minister
Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences
United Church of Christ
Rev. Robin Blakemore
Transitional Regional Minister
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nebraska
FROM OUR RESOURCE DEACON
In need of resources that will assist you as clergy and lay leaders or have resources that might be helpful to other clergy and lay leaders? Contact our Tri-Conference Resource Deacon, Rev. Shonda Deranleau via email or give her a call at 641-344-8948.
To Register for one of these upcoming trainings, please follow the link below: https://thedamascusproject.org/product/boundary-awareness-training-spring-2026/
ONGOING EVENTS
Contemplative Prayer Group
We meet in 6 seek sessions on Monday mornings at 9:00 am CDT. Rev. Kendy Miller, Associate Conference Minister, leads this group.
Upcoming Sessions: Our current session has concluded now and will begin again on March 2 going through March 30.
Please join us via zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89513989962
For questions or more information, please contact Kendy.
Small Town and Rural (STAR) Coalition
Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 3:00 PM CST on ZOOM. Please contact Pastor Bryce Duling (brycemduling@gmail.com or 515-451-5474) for more information.