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Journey to Joplin Mission Work Trip, September 16-22, 2012
"Journey to Joplin" Mission Work Trip Responding with the Care of Christ
to the Devastating Tornado of May 2011
Dates:Sunday, September 16 (leave in afternoon) through Saturday, September 22 (leave in morning)
Workday Duration: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Group Size: Maximum of 15-18 UCC (or related) volunteers.
Accommodations: provided by South Joplin Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in a newly refurbished "Quonset hut" fitted for group housing at 1901 South Pearl Avenue, Joplin, Missouri. Bathrooms, showers and access to kitchen facilities and utensils are available.
Cost: $75 per person (to offset the cost of utilities and other hosting expenses) plus an amount yet to be determined for food. A NONREFUNDABLE contribution/deposit of $25/person is due with your registration materials by June 30; the remainder is due at least 3 weeks prior to arrival. People with "trade" skills are especially needed!
Please send your completed forms (second email attachment) and initial contribution/deposit check made payable to: "Faith United Church of Christ," 106 Kent Drive, Wentzville, Missouri 63385. Memo your check "Journey to Joplin."
Homebound volunteers are also needed to prepare foodstuffs and other materials for those who do make the journey. To express your willingness contact coordinator Rev. Tom Nordberg at 573-355-0388.
Absolute registration deadline is June 30th! -- Limited to 15-18 persons!
This mission event is sponsored by the Heritage Cluster of the Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ. Volunteers need not be a member of this organization.
Click here for more information.
Contact: Howard Self, Disciples/UCC Disaster Ministries' Registrar & Volunteer Coordinator
E-mail: hjself@live.com
Phone: 618-318-2445 (Cell)
Online Registration: http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/disaster-recovery-volunteers/joplin-mo.html or https://discipleshomemissions.org/pages/VOL-form-Joplin |
Video of the Week!
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Click the video to enjoy a short clip of fabulous jazz music from the 2012 Conference Annual Gathering!
(This video will open in a new window on YouTube)
The talented musicians include Paul Westcott - keyboard; Kyth Trantham - bass; Dick Turner - clarinet; Tom Rastorfer - trombone; Drew Davis - trumpet; Joe Rowley - drums. |
Do you have a fun photo or story to share? Please send it to me at
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 Follow That Star!
How many stars can you count?
I don't know the "correct" amount!
171 days to the next Jazz Nativity!
Dec 8 & 9 Saint Louis;
Dec 15 & 16 Kansas City
FOLLOW THAT STAR!
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 Conference Confirmation Celebrations
The Conference is pleased to congratulate Columbia UCC which recently celebrated their confirmands on May 20. Those confirmed were Connor Kespohl, Robby Schmidt, Alex Tennill, and Josh Wedemeyer.
Please send in the names of your congregation's confirmands so we may share them with the Conference.
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News from CUE Seminaries
In May, 107 students graduated from Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries. Please pray for the newest alumni as they transition into new phases of their ministries. Our gifted alumni will serve in congregations, hospitals, and in many community settings across the globe. |
New Resource Guide: Congregational Care and Cancer
 UCC Faith Community Nurse Leadership Team in partnership with authors James DeBoer and Laura Fitzpatrick from Yale Divinity School have launched a new resource titled: Congregational Care and Cancer.
The purpose of this resource is to orient you to some of the central questions and considerations that may emerge as you journey with those in your faith community affected by cancer. The PowerPoint slides and Handbook will guide you in leading group discussions on this subject.
The resource is geared to facilitators of faith community health ministries (both lay and nurse led, Deacons, Clergy/Pastors, Called to Care Ministries, grief ministries or any group within your congregation that practices spiritual and/or physical care and healing.
Please click here to view the resource and to download the tools.
http://www.ucc.org/justice/health/congregational-care-and-cancer/
We are asking that you please put this link on your websites and please circulate this new resource to members/churches in your conferences, associations, networks.
For more information, please contact Barbara Baylor, baylorb@ucc.org or Rebecca Anton, Co-Chair UCC Faith Community Nurses Leadership Team, ranton39@sbcglobal.net |
Please Participate in the National Health Ministry Survey
UCC Justice and Witness Ministries, Health Care Justice Program and Local Church Ministries, Youth Advocacy Program, are collaborating with Gramercy Research to assess how UCC churches view health ministry and how they engage their members in health and wellness activities.
We invite you to participate in a Church Health Survey, developed by Gramercy Research that will help identify what strategies will inspire congregations to better health. Your participation in this survey will allow us to evaluate how individual churches view health-related activities in a church setting, and help us to develop materials that fit churches' needs.
If you choose to respond, you may be eligible to win a Visa gift card worth $15. The survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete; we ask that you submit just one survey per congregation. All surveys are due Saturday, June 30. Thank you so much for your participation and support of church health!
During General Synod in 2011, UCC partnered with Gramercy Research Team and "Instant Recess" to bring awareness at Synod on physical activity and the role that churches can play in developing short 10 minute movement breaks (known as "Instant Recess") that could be done during worship times.
Please click here to take this short survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UCC_InstantRecess
If you have questions, please contact Barbara Baylor, baylorb@ucc.org |
Annie's Hope Needs Your Help 
Annie's Hope holds our 14th year of camps for grieving kids this summer serving over 175 campers.
WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEER CABIN COUNSELORS - ESPECIALLY MALES!!
Applicants need to be 18 and out of high school.
Please share our need with anyone you know who enjoys a good time yet knows safety limits, has amazing energy & stamina, exudes patience & focus and most of all loves kids.
The dates are:
Camp Courage: July 28- August 3
(6-12 1/2 year old campers arrive July 30)
Camp Erin - St. Louis: August 3 - 9
(12 1/2 - 18 year old campers arrive August 5)
Visit www.annieshope.org for more details and for an application.
Questions call Becky Byrne 314-368-1818 (cell) or
Annie's Hope (office) 314-965-5015 |
 Full Tuition Exploratory Year Scholarship for UCC students
Meeting in St. Louis on May 2nd and 3 the Eden Seminary Board of Trustees initiated scholarship covering full tuition for an "exploratory year" for entering United Church of Christ Master of Divinity students. The scholarship affirms Eden's historic engagement with the United Church of Christ. The board chair, Virginia Toliver, said "Eden trustees are opening a way for women and men eager to explore God's call to ministry but restricted because of finances. Although the trustees want very much to open such a scholarship to the broad ecumenical community, we haved acted today to begin with Eden's core church relationship-the UCC."
To qualify for the 2012-2013 full tuition scholarship, students must apply and be admitted to the Master of Divinity program at Eden. In addition, they must be a member of a United Church of Christ congregation and become a member in discernment with an association of the United Church of Christ during the first year of study. Students receiving the scholarship must be involved in a contextual education placement. The exploratory year scholarship is for first year students only. Scholarship monies will be available in the second and third years in accordance with the seminary financial aid policy.
For more information about this scholarship and making application for the Master of Divinity contact Rev. Shanks at 314-918-2501 or at cshanks@eden.edu. |
Join the Fun!
If you would be interested in serving on the planning team for the 2013 Conference Annual Gathering please contact our conference minister Rev. Jeffrey Whitman, jeff@mmsucc.org or Renee Cordes, renee@mmsucc.org We will begin planning for our next annual gathering in early fall. |
Keep Voting!
Our Friends in Bridger, SD are currently in first place!
Keep voting until July 2, 2012!!
Visit www.communitiestakeroot.com
and register to vote in the Edy's Ice Cream Grant contest which will supply fruit orchards to the 5 top winners in the contest.
 (This is based at a UCC congregation.) "The Bridger Community Garden is located in the rural community of Bridger, SD. We are located in Ziebach County on the Cheyenne River Lakota reservation. Ziebach County is presently listed as the poorest county in the United States, we will not let that define us, and we will continue to seek ways to enrich our lives through sustainable gardens.
Please vote - this could make a big difference in the lives of our friends!
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2012  Persons In Ministry Retreat
The 2012 Persons In Ministry Retreat will be held on September 17-19 at Port Arrowhead resort at Lake of the Ozarks. Our retreat leader this year will be the Rev. Charles McCollough and artist, author, sculptor, and retired UCC pastor. The theme of the retreat will be Preaching, Seeing, and Living the Wisdom of Jesus. You can read more about Charles and the retreat in our PIM brochure which is on the website.Registration material will be available in early July. Put the date on your calendar today and play join us at Port Arrowhead in September.
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St. John UCC Second Annual Performing Arts Camp
St. John UCC in St. Charles will offer a two week performing arts camp for area high school students July 16-29. The students will rehearse and perform a fully staged and costumed musical, "Once on This Island" by Stephen Flaherty. Auditions are being held for casting purposes only. The cost of the camp is $85, which includes a t-shirt, costume/makeup, all rehearsal materials, and a party for the cast and their families after the final performance. Interested individuals should contact Sarah Price, Director of Music and Worship Arts, at sprice@stjohnucc.org or 636.724.1015 ASAP. |
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You Are Invited!
Sunday, June 24 - Felicia Scott, licensed pastor at St. Jordan's UCC, Beaufort, 3pm |
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You Are Invited to the Installation of
Reverend James Semmelroth Darnell
The Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ and St. John United Church of Christ of St. Clair, MO invite you to a worship service to install Rev. James Semmelroth Darnell as our pastor on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 3pm.
Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and join in the procession. A reception will follow the service.
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St. Louis Association News | |
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 TONIGHT! Wednesday, June 20! Celebrate the Summer Solstice!
Zion United Church of Christ, 5710 N. Hwy 67 (North Lindbergh), Florissant, invites you to an informal celebration of the Summer Solstice, on Wednesday evening, June 20, beginning at 7:00.
The celebration will begin with the traditional lighting of the solstice fire in the fire pit located in our prayer garden, at the rear of the church's campus, and will continue with songs and prayers, and a communal sharing of bread and fruit around the fire. Following the worship celebration, there will be time to converse or to walk Zion's traditional stone labyrinth in the garden. At 8:09, the exact moment when the sun has reached its northernmost point, we will celebrate summer's arrival with sparklers.
Bring a lawn chair and plan to be with us for the celebration. If you feel like coming early to picnic with your family, our grounds will be open and you are welcome to put a blanket on the grass.
Questions? Allen M. Fluent, Pastor, Zion United Church of Christ, Florissant
314-971-9041, afluent@att.net |
Save the Date
The Fall Meeting of the St. Louis Association will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 126 Church Street, Ferguson, Missouri 63135
The Annual Meeting will include elections, action on the 2013 budget, mission partner displays as well as food, fellowship, and fun. Registration information and an agenda will be sent later this summer. All authorized ministers, local church delegates and members of the Association Council should make plans now to attend. Vistors are always welcome as well. |
VBS at Ivy Chapel UCC
Ivy Chapel UCC, 620 N. Woodsmill Road in Chesterfield is having our annual Vacation Bible School, July 23 - 27 from 9am to noon.
All children ages 3 through 5th grade are welcome!
Our theme this year is Operation: Overboard. Dare to Go Deep with God!
Join us as we learn to Depend on God, Dare to Care, Claim Jesus, Choose to Follow and Change the World!!
For more information visit our website at www.ivychapel.org or contact Linda Lowry at linda@ivychapel.org |
VBS at Immanuel UCC
Immanuel UCC's (Ferguson) VBS is scheduled for July 9-13. This year's theme is "Sky, Everything is Possible with God." We welcome ages 3 yrs (by July 1st) to 6th grade and teen helpers 7th grade and older. Contact Lynn Winterberg at lwinterberg@lifeskills-stl.org or Dwain Bollinger at dwainbogart40@aol.com if you have any questions. |
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 Dive into VBS at First Congregational Church of Webster Groves
June 24-28
6 PM (for dinner)
6:30 PM Programs
There will be an adult component with
Rev. Denoon leading a discussion of
The Greatest Prayer by John Dominic Crossan.
Click here for more information http://overboard.cokesburyvbs.com/firstchurchwg |
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VBS at Parkway UCC
Parkway UCC's (next to Missouri Baptist Hospital/2841 N. Ballas Rd) VBS is scheduled for July 22-26 (6-8pm) and our theme will be "Sky... Where Everything is Possible with God." All children (4 years- 5th grade) are invited to attend. Please check out www.parkwayucc.org for more information or contact todd@parkwayucc.org if you have any questions.
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Save the Date
Bentley de Bardelaben will be in Kansas City the weekend of September 22 & 23. Bentley is on the staff of the National Church and is the executive for administration and communications for Justice and Witness Ministries. Please make plans to attend:
- Saturday, September 22 from 5 - 8:30 pm there will be a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception for all the United Church of Christ clergy and their guest. It will be at 418 W. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City MO. The purpose is just for us to get together, meet Bentley and have some fun.
- Sunday, September 23 at 10:30am, Bentley will be preaching at Country Club Congregational UCC. Later that day at 3pm there will be a gathering of UCC people interested in working for missions and justice at Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ. This will be a great time to find out what justice work is going on at the National Church. It is also important for the National Church to know what justice work is going on in our local churches.
Questions? Please contact Paul Osgood 913-205-7997 or OsgoodPaul@aol.com
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Blood Drive at Mount Tabor UCC, 6520 Arsenal St., St. Louis, Thursday, June 28, 3-7 pm
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St. Paul UCC, 136 W First St., Hermann MO
All-You-Can-Eat Annual Church Picnic on Saturday, June 30 from 4-7pm
Menu: Roast Beef & Fried Chicken, German Potato Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Corn, Slaw, Tomatoes, Beverage, Dessert. Adults: $9.00; Children 6-12: $4.00: Under Age 6: Free.
Homemade Ice Cream Available. Games for Children. Musical entertainment.
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St Martin's UCC, Dittmer Celebrates God & Country with their 3rd Annual Patriotic Worship Service held, Sunday, July 1 at 9:45 am.
This year's special guest speaker will be Karri Weiss, Co-Found Warriors Heart Foundation. We will have a special tribute the Marine 3/5 Dark Horse Unit and once again welcome the Patriot Guard, Gold Star Mothers, VFW, American Legion, Boy Scouts, and our most honored guests, our area veteran's. A special Fellowship Hour will follow the service on our church yard. We invite all to attend! Event sponsored by St Martin's UCC - 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023 with special help from Chapel Hill Mortuary. Contact the church office with any questions at 636-285-4797 or 636-274-7078 or geristmc@hughes.net
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UCC Habitat For Humanity Fundraising Dinner, Saturday, July 14
Zion United Church of Christ (5710 North Highway 67, 1/4 mile west of Jamestown Mall) Outreach Ministry will host a Fundraising Dinner to benefit Habitat For Humanity from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012. The menu includes: pulled pork, salads, veggies, drinks, and dessert. Tickets are: $8.00 (adults), $4.00 (children under 10). Call (314) 741-1590 for tickets or reservations. www.zionucc1.org |
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Youth Community Organizer
We are seeking a Youth Community Organizer to enhance our community experience with and for youth by fostering relationship, developing leadership, and supporting program that is reflective of the mission, vision and values of Peace United Church of Christ. For more information and position description please visit our website: www.peaceuccstl.org a direct link to position information: www.evangelicalucc.org/JobOpening. This is a part-time salaried position (1/3 FTE). Interested applicants are invited to share a letter of interest and resume: Katherine HawkerSelf, Pastor (or snail mail: 204 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves MO 63119).
Parish Nurse Coordinator
Stone Mountain Park is looking for a 24 hour per week, no benefitted parish nurse coordinator to work with the churches and agencies in Branson, Missouri area. If you are interested, please contact Vicki Parker at vparker@stonemountainpark.com
Parish Nurses
Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries is seeking two parish nurse to fill positions. One for an 8-hour position in Belleville, Illinois and one for an 8-hour position in Maplewood, Missouri. A current registered nurse license in the state of practice is required. Please send resumes to
dsmith-pupillo@eden.edu or call 314-918-2596.
Music Opening, St. Paul UCC, Columbia, IL
Open for this fall: St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, IL: Director of Chancel Choir and Children's Vocal Choir. Strong potential for the development of a youth choir, as well. Also, Director of Adult Bell Choirs (morning and evening). Full position descriptions will be available by May 15. Contact: Lori Morton lorim@stpaulucc4u.org
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Contact Us |
Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ 314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884 |
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