Dear Friends,
Well, what a joy it was to be together at our recent national conference in Reading, and I'm very much looking forward to being with some of you in Sale soon! If you were with us in Reading, you'll know that the venue was buzzing - not just from the copious amounts of coffee and cake consumed - but from the joy, connection, and shared understanding that only fellow church administrators truly get. If you weren't able to join us this time, we missed you, but fear not, the spirit of ‘Stronger Together’ lives on in our network every day.
One of the greatest takeaways from the conference was just how powerful it is when we gather - not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally - as people who really understand the spreadsheets and the spiritual battles; the booking forms and the baptism services. Church administration isn't just paperwork, it's people-work. And when we do it together, we become that much stronger.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." What a picture of what God is doing through UCAN. We are those cords - each of us stretched, pulled, occasionally fraying at the ends - but bound together, we're resilient. That third strand? Well, we know that's where the true strength comes in: God himself, weaving us together through this calling, this ministry, this sacred chaos we call church administration.
Let's be honest: not everyone understands the unique joys and challenges of this role. We juggle rotas, fix the photocopier (again), decipher minutes from meetings where no one actually took any, and somehow manage to do it all with grace (or at least a brave smile and a well-timed biscuit break). But within this network, we don't need to explain ourselves…we are seen, understood, and supported. What a gift!
The UCAN conference reminded me again just how much we need each other. It's not just about sharing templates or moaning about malfunctioning printers (though we occasionally need a good tech moan!) It's about being community. About reminding one another that this work matters. That we matter. That our daily faithfulness behind the scenes is seen by our Father in heaven and is part of His kingdom plan.
So, as we look ahead, let's carry that ‘Stronger Together’ spirit into every inbox we open and every rota we adjust. Let's be quick to encourage, to pray, to share resources, and to remind each other that we're never doing this alone.
Because ultimately, our strength doesn't come from great diary management (though that helps) or efficient systems (also helpful!), but from the empowering presence of the Triune God. The Father who called us, the Son who walks with us, and the Spirit who equips us with wisdom, resilience, and sometimes supernatural patience during staff meetings.
So, let's keep leaning into the power of that three-stranded cord. Together - with each other and with God - we're not just stronger. We're unbreakable.
With gratitude and joy,
Jules Morgan
Managing Director, UK Church Administrators Network