Dr. Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister

"The love of knowledge is a kind of madness."
- C.S. Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet

Some may think it is mad to go to Mars, but the love of knowledge has led us, again back to the Red Planet with a new rover named Curiosity. Yes, Virginia, there is life on Mars, it is robotic and it came from America. Our nation's latest chapter in the exploration of the Red Planet occurred this past Sunday when NASA's Curiosity landed safely on the Martian surface after a voyage of eight-months, traveling over 352 million miles. The rover landed with precision in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle in the Gale Crater, while is a little less than 100 miles in diameter and believed to have been created by impact about 3.5 billion years ago. The Gale Crater was discovered in 1892 by Australian amateur astronomer, Walter Frederick Gale, from Sydney, New South Wales. Gale, who built his own telescope, observed Mars incorrectly and described what he perceived to be the presence of canals.

While this ancient impact scar has no watery canals it does have an unusual feature known as the Aeolis Mons, a mountain in the center of Gale Crater which rises 18,000 feet high. NASA selected the Gale Crater as the landing site for the Curiosity rover mission with plans for vigorous examination. Since landing, photos have been transmitted back to Earth showing a mountain which is spectacular - taller than any mountain in the lower 48 states in America. Curiosity's early images have validated the significance of this landing site and there is great hope that the rover's future mission objectives will provide NASA scientists helpful data that will determine the habitability of the Red Planet. Curiosity will provide knowledge which will define our understanding of Mars' geological history and climate, determining possible future manned landings and the establishment of a human settlement. The nuclear-powered rover will investigate the Martian surface, digging and analyzing the soil searching for the base molecular building blocks of life.

Curiosity led us into space back in 1957 with the launch of an artificial satellite called Sputnik. Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space when he orbited the Earth in April 1961. Fifty years later we are continuing the first steps as spacefarers. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the Soviet Russian rocket theorist was a pioneer of cosmonautics. Born in the 19th Century, he observed that, "Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in a cradle forever." In his own words, his epitaph, proclaims that, "Man will not always stay on Earth; the pursuit of light and space will lead him to penetrate the bounds of the atmosphere, timidly at first, but in the end to conquer the whole of solar space."

God created humans as co-creators in nature. He made us with the purpose of glorifying and enjoying him forever. In our hearts, in our very spirits, we have the wonder of being curious creatures. We are called by our very cosmic make-up to seek new horizons. As the American psychologist and social philosopher, B.F. Skinner postulated, "A baby naturally explores everything it can get at..." And so we continue to explore all that we "can get at". We are continuing through our intellect, our technology and spirit to explore the marvels of space. This week we have Mars on our minds.

The psalmists remind us that behind these marvelous wondrous works such as a majestic mountain on Mars there is the Creator of the universe, the God we worship. Psalm 19 notes, "The heavens declare the glory of God" and Psalm 8 declares, "Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens... When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them,   human beings that you care for them?"

The heavens remind us of the majesty of our Cosmic Creator. Thank God that he cares for us by granting us the love of knowledge, intellect and skill necessary to reach out and touch "the moon and the stars" formed by the work of His hand. Thank God for the work of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and all those involved in the exploration of space for the benefit of all on our Pale Blue Dot.

As we marvel at the wonder of Mars, we can declare with the modern psalmist, Chris Tomlin,

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth

Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth    

("God of Wonders")

Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM)

It Is Who We Are. . .It Is What We Do!"

The Conference Covenanted Ministry for Our Church Wider Mission, Missouri Mid-South Conference

Invites you to participate in a day with Tracy Carnes

Minister for Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), Cleveland, Ohio   

Wednesday, August 22nd, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

At Columbia United Church of Christ,
3201 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, MO 65202 

Our time together will include worship, a presentation on strengthening

Our Church' Wider Mission giving in local churches and the Conference, best practices for churches and conferences, resources for promoting and interpreting Our Church's Wider Mission.

All are welcome to attend - a special invitation is extended to those who were members of the former "Giving Ministry" teams!

Please contact Dale Parson at (816) 257-9826 fdparson@sbcglobal.net 

or Don Frandsen at (314) 849-8806 donald.frandsen@sbcglobal.net for more information and to let us know of your plans to attend.

Be a Part of the Oral History Project      

The Heritage Committee would like people from all areas of the conference to participate in the Missouri Mid-South Conference Oral History Project that will help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the conference. We invite you to video record interviews with people from your area to make sure your corner of the conference is represented. Whether you have been active with the Missouri Mid-South Conference for 5 days or the entire 50 years, you ARE a part of this Conference and we want to hear from you!  Click here for more information.

Global Ministries Child Sponsorship brings many SMILES!   

There is one aspect of Global Ministries that never fails to put a SMILE on our own faces in Global Ministries and on many faces around the world - the Child Sponsorship Program! Disciple and UCC individuals, families, and church groups connect each month with more than 1,000 very special children, providing them with critical elements such as meals, shelter, education, love, and accompaniment through the excellent ministry of 14 child sponsorship sites around the world.     

In fact, all of us in Global Ministries harbor a special affection for the Child Sponsorship Program. The home-based staffs in Cleveland and in Indianapolis have done group sponsorships of children over the years. The Indianapolis staff recently got news of their third sponsored child, at the Family Village Farm in India: a little boy named Roghan who turned five on June 20.  His mother abandoned the family; his father, who works odd jobs as a painter, could not care for Roghan; neither could Roghan's grandmother care for him. We in Global Ministries are happy to support Roghan with our gifts, our concern, our prayers, and our love.    

The Child Sponsorship program has been providing assistance for more than 40 years-one child at a time. If you, your Sunday School Class, youth group or Mission Committee wish to sponsor a child, please download an application.   

Or, you are welcome to give a gift for Child Sponsorship general program in order to allow Global Ministries to continue allocating 100% of monthly sponsorships continue to the individual children.   

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African American Women in Ministry Conference 2012

October 11-13, 2012 

Stages, Phases & Places
Connecting Our Call to God's Plan for Our Lives

Dear Colleagues,

Please share within your conferences this invitation to all African American women who are in authorized ministry, in seminary, in discernment for ministry, who have received privilege of call within the UCC, or are licensed.  Some scholarship assistance will be available to help with registration and travel costs, especially for seminarians, those in-care, and younger women.

Some of you have done this already, and some of you may be contacted by a member of the planning team for this conference.  The direct link to the info and to register is:  http://www.ucc.org/franklinton-center/aawim.html    

Many thanks!  The planning team is making a special effort to extend this invitation throughout the UCC.

Opening Gates, Opening Hearts:

Christian responses to offender reentry 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Hoyleton's Homecoming 

This fall Hoyleton Chldren's Home is planning a homecoming.  All former residents and staff will be invited back to campus to visit, reminisce, and reconnect with old friends. Genealogists take note! Photographs and memorabilia from our archives will also be displayed during Homecoming. If you have a piece of Hoyleton history, please let us know if we can borrow it for the Homecoming display.  

There are literally hundreds of folks who've passed through here in our long history, and we need your help in reaching them. If you lived or worked at Hoyleton, connected through your job or church, or you know someone who did, please contact our office at 618-493-7575 ext. 1343 or email Jamie at: jbullock@hoyleton.org to be added to the mailing list for Hoyleton's Homecoming.  

Mark your calendars for the 2012 Conference Middle School Event!

This year's awesome retreat will be September 28th - 29th. CMSE is a tool for enhancing Middle School youth ministry in local congregations by helping youth connect with their peers from around the Conference. Music, worship, theme presentations, play times, discussion groups, and "hang time" are all part of the weekend. Check in will start at 7 pm on Friday, September 28th and the event will end at approximately 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 29th. And we won't be alone...our event will end by combining with the Eastern Association's Revival held over at TAMBO. It's like getting two great events for the price of one!

Youth currently in grades 6th, 7th, & 8th and their adult advisors are all invited to this life changing event. The cost is $50 per youth or adult with a special deal designed for groups coming from the Western Association.
Go to the MMS website for more details and registration information. 
You do not want to miss out!

A Call to Meeting for all Covenant Partners in the Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference

You are invited and called to participate in the Annual Fall Gathering of the Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid South Conference of the United Church of Christ!

The Eastern Association Fall Gathering will begin on Sunday, September 23; 2:00pm at St. John's, Bem United Church of Christ, Owensville.  Registration and display set up will begin at 1:00pm.  Supper will be served at 5:00pm.

As a member of one of the 55 congregations that make up the United Church of Christ in Eastern Missouri, it is your privilege and pleasure to gather together with your partners in ministry for this annual event.  We hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity for education, worship, fellowship and food!

To register: fill out the registration form on the Conference website. Send your registration form, along with a check for $8.00/person to St. John's, Bem United Church of Christ at the address on the registration form.  (Make checks payable to St. John's, Bem UCC)

Click here for registration and meeting materials available on the Conference website. 

Questions may be directed to Rev. Rick Oberle, Eastern Association Council President at 573.437.3698 or rick@bemchurch.com.  We hope to see you on September 23!

Additional materials will be mailed to churches in early August.  Churches should start receiving them around August 15.

Yours in Christ's Ministry,

The Eastern Association Council

Rev. Rick Oberle; Wendy Jaine Summers; Judy Kemp; Charlene Klein;

Pastor Darryl Deeker; Rev. Genie Althen; Gloria Ridder; Carole Dotson;

Rev. Devin Jones; Rev. Wayne Hoffman; Eric Moeller; Karen Watson;

Alvyne Rethemeyer; Nylin Bathke; Pastor Heather Arcovitch;

Rev. Michael Kasevitch

Jammin' for Joplin - Free Benefit Concert for Joplin Recovery

Please join us on August 26 at 7pm for a free benefit concert at Faith United Church of Christ in Wentzville. You are invited to come enjoy an evening of music featuring Larry Darnell, Folk/Acoustic Musician, and the Sunday Picnic Sweet Adelines Quartet. The evening will begin with an audience sing-a-long and music by the Faith Praise Band. There will be something for everyone. Not only will you hear a wide variety of musical
styles but there will be a few laughs throughout the evening as well.

Larry Darnell is a local musician specializing in acoustic instruments. He plays dulcimer and guitar as he brings to life some of the great folk music from our past.

Sunday Picnic features four talented members from the Region 5 Championship Barbershop Chorus -- City Voices. The quartet includes Peggy Leon - Tenor, Peggy Bess - Lead, Chris Roth - Baritone & Susan Singer - Bass. Their excellent harmony and mad cap comedy will round out the evening's concert.

Donations will be collected for the United Church of Christ Disaster Recovery in Joplin, Missouri. All donations will go to support the long-term recovery in Joplin through work crews, supplies and other services.

Faith United Church of Christ is located at 106 Kent Drive in Wentzville. For more information contact the church office at 636-327-4795 or visit www.faithucc.net. This benefit concert is presented by the Heritage Cluster of UCC Churches. Members of the cluster include Bethany, Schluersburg; Ebenezer, Augusta; Faith, Wentzville; Femme Osage, Femme Osage; Friedens Peace, New Melle; St. John's, Cappeln and St. Paul's, Defiance.