Diakonal Ministers

The Gathering to Feature Consecration of CHHSM’s Nollau Institute Class as Diakonal Ministers

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

One of the highlights of The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit—which takes place March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis—will be the recognition and consecration of this year’s graduating class of CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute. The culminating event of the year-long Nollau program takes place Wednesday evening, March 25, at 5 p.m. at…

Enrollment Opens for Nollau Leadership Institute Class of 2027

By Barb Powell | February 12, 2026

Enrollment is currently open for the 2026-2027 class of CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute. The signature health and human service leadership program has graduated some 300-plus participants as Diakonal Ministers in the past 20 years. The year-long Nollau program helps class members discern their call as Diakonal Ministers. A vocation for health and human service leaders from…

Boundary Training Retreat Brings Grounding, Restorative Space to UCC Missouri Mid-South Clergy

By Barb Powell | December 11, 2025

Partnership is the recurring theme in most CHHSM-related activities. Recently, the UCC’s Missouri Mid-South Conference asked CHHSM’s the Rev. Elyse Berry to collaborate on its annual clergy retreat. The successful retreat was held Nov. 13-15 at the Kabekona Hills Retreat Center in Rolla, Mo. Berry, CHHSM’s associate for advocacy and leadership development, facilitated the ritual/spiritual…

Digging Deeper, Stepping Up: Annual Gathering Filled with Inspiration and Joy

By Barb Powell | March 19, 2025

The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries’ (CHHSM) 87th Annual Gathering, held March 11-13, 2025, in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., filled the hearts, minds, and senses of attendees with meaningful worship, inspiring workshops and keynotes, joyful conversations, and poignant moments.  Centered around the theme, “Into the Deep: Casting Nets of Justice,” the focus was…

Annual Gathering Wednesday Worship Becomes ‘Harambe’ Moment for all

By Barb Powell | March 19, 2025

The Rev. Darrell Goodwin, executive conference minister of the UCC’s Southern New England Conference, preached about the power of a unified CHHSM during the Wednesday evening worship service of the 87th Annual Gathering. Held March 12, 2025, at Old South Church UCC in Boston, the special service included the consecration of the current graduating class…

Applications are Open for 2025-2026 Nollau Leadership Institute

By Barb Powell | December 12, 2024

The UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries has opened applications for enrollment for the 2025-2026 class of its Nollau Leadership Institute, CHHSM’s signature leadership formation program.  The Institute’s year-long program helps class members discern their call as Diakonal Ministers. A vocation for health and human service leaders within CHHSM members and the wider United Church of Christ,…

Keynote Speakers Set for CHHSM 87th Annual Gathering in Boston/Cambridge

By Barb Powell | October 10, 2024

Jonathan A King, Ph.D., of Massachusetts Peace Action and the Rev. Dr. Calvon T. Jones of Harvard Memorial Church will deliver the opening and closing keynote addresses, respectively, during the 2025 Annual Gathering of the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM), to be held March 11-13, 2025, in Boston and Cambridge, Mass.…

The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson to Preach at 2025 Annual Gathering Opening Worship

By Barb Powell | September 11, 2024

The UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) has announced that the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, the UCC’s general minister and president and CEO, will preach at the opening worship service of its 87th Annual Gathering, to be held March 11-13, 2025, in Boston and Cambridge, Mass. “We are thrilled to…

Nollau Leadership Institute a Life-Changing Experience for Participants

By Barb Powell | April 11, 2024

Following the application deadline of April 30, a new class in CHHSM’s Nollau Leadership Institute will begin its year-long exploration of personal and professional leadership growth. For recent graduates of the program, one word sums up the experience: transformational. “‘With head and heart’ are words that penetrated my thoughts after joining the Nollau Leadership Institute,”…

Early Bird Registration for CHHSM’s 86th Annual Gathering is Open!

By Barb Powell | December 14, 2023

Registration for CHHSM’s 86th Annual Gathering — to be held March 12-14, 2024, at the Live by Loews Hotel in St. Louis — opened Monday, Dec. 18. The hotel is located in downtown St. Louis’ Ballpark Village, adjacent to Busch Stadium and within walking distance of the new Arch riverfront, museums, and eateries. The theme…

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