Continuing a 10-stop listening tour of United Church of Christ conferences throughout the United States, the Rev. Geoffrey Black, UCC general minister and president, is preparing to make several stops Feb. 5-7 at Southeast Conference churches.

The tour – featuring visits in Pleasant Hill, Tenn.; Stone Mountain, Ga.; and Atlanta – is geared toward giving Black the opportunity to hear firsthand from diverse groups across the UCC. On recent stops, Black has emphasized the need for clear communication by asking, "How is God calling us to better shape the United Church of Christ with an expectation that God's spirit is moving among us?"

The Southeast Conference transforms and strengthens lay leaders through an innovative judicatory-based program, Theology Among the People (TAP). It strives to provide theological training to leadership throughout the conference. TAP also is a key partner in establishing and developing the Center for Progressive Renewal (CPR), for which Black will serve on the advisory board.

Black was elected UCC general minister and president in June 2009. He has served as Conference Minister of the New York Conference; local-church pastor; university chaplain; and staff member of the UCC Office for Church Life and Leadership. He is a graduate of Lincoln University and Yale Divinity School.