REMINDER: Please submit your news, events and photos by noon each Tuesday to be included in the Wednesday eCourier. Items received after the deadline will be in the next issue. Thank you! 

MMSUCC Conference Office Phones   

On Friday, September 21, approximately noon - 2pm, Eden's phone system will be shut-down to complete a phone upgrade. This will include the MMSUCC Conference Office phones. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience. 

Dr. Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister   

Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in
exchange for the hard work of staying alive. 

Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up,
grab it and do it. And heartily!

- Ecclesiastes 9.8-10 (The Message)

It's faith in something and enthusiasm
for something that makes life worth living.

                                                                       - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr

Let's be clear, I do not enjoy the fine art of vacuum cleaning. Dragging a behemoth ancient metal canister which is bellowing and humming is not my idea of fun. Nor has tripping over cords and hoses or pushing a stand-up model which continues to fall over and grind away ever give me any sense of satisfaction. Certainly I know that a regular vacuuming of the house is a necessity. The old adage repeated from one generation to another that, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" echoes in my ears from the time of my youth. Still, I resist as long as I can before pulling out the instruments of Godliness and tackling the challenge of dust busting.

So, who wouldn't be surprised to learn that I actually took the time recently to stop and visit, of all things, the Vacuum Cleaner Museum and Factory Outlet located off of historic Route 66 in St James, Missouri - another tourist trap in the tradition of a giant Rocking Chair, Wigwam Village, half-buried Cadillac cars, muffler men and totem poles. Being a lover of Roadside Americana and museums of all sorts, I had suppressed the urge when driving westwards previously. After all, the signs and literature had clearly stated "and Factory Outlet" - a death knell to me, as I despise the bogus Factory Outlet concept which promises so much and delivers so little in reality of quality and/or savings. I'm just saying...

To continue reading Rev. Wessels' message, please click here to visit the Conference website. 

Walking a Sacred Path in the Western Association

St John's Chapel UCC in Springfield, Missouri hosted a labyrinth retreat Friday September 14 - Saturday September 15 . Dr Marc A. Wessels, MMSC Associate Conference Minister, a certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator led the retreat, The Labyrinth: A Spiritual Tool for Such a Time as This. The group studied the history of the labyrinth and considered how it can be used as a transformation took for spiritual growth and practice by individuals, congregations and the community at large. Due to rain the group utilized a portable canvas labyrinth. St John's Chapel's has a beautiful outdoor permanent labyrinth, one of only two labyrinths in Springfield open to the public. Visitors are welcome to walk it when in the area.    

Ordination Service of Dennis L. Ureche  

A Service of Ordination will be held for Dennis L. Ureche

Sunday, September 30, 2012, 2pm 

at McFarland United Church of Christ

5710 Anthony St.

McFarland, Wisconsin 53558

A reception will follow the service.

Clergy are invited to robe and process wearing red stoles.

Ordination Service of Robert E. Van Ess   

The St. Louis Association of the United Church of Christ and Holy Trinity Community Church United Church of Christ, Memphis, TN cordially invite you to the ordination service of Robert E. Van Ess into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. 

Sunday, September 30, 3pm  

Holy Trinity Community Church United Church of Christ

685 S. Highland Street

Memphis, Tennessee 38111   

Clergy are invited to robe and process (red stoles please).

A reception will follow the service.   

Note: If you are planning to travel from the St. Louis Area to Memphis for Rob's ordination, please email stlaucc@hotmail.com so we might coordinate travel and hospitality.

Ordination Service of Nancy Mack   

The St. Louis Association of the United Church of Christ and Peace United Church of Christ in Webster Groves cordially invite you to the ordination service of Nancy Mack into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. 

Sunday, October 7, 3pm

Peace United Church of Christ
204 E. Lockwood Ave.
Webster Groves, MO 63119   

Clergy are invited to robe and process (red stoles please).

A reception will follow the service.  

St. Johns EUCC Welcomes Rev. Stephen T. Westbrook

The members of St. Johns Evangelical United Church of Christ, Mehlville will begin a faith journey with Reverend Steve Westbrook, his wife, and children on Sunday, September 23. Steve brings excitement, energy, and a renewed vision for the congregation. In 1985, he graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and received his Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in 1991. With 21 years of experience serving local missions, growing and building a new church, and working with youth, Steve brings many gifts to St. Johns.  

Steve's passion for the ministry and people is evident in his words and actions. He is caring, compassionate, humble, committed, creative, resourceful, and faithful.

St. Johns EUCC invites everyone to join us as we grow together as a faith community, serving others and proclaiming the good news of God's love.

Worship Services 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

11333 St. Johns Church Road (Highway 55 & S. Lindbergh)

314-892-0848

Web site: stjucc.org

Click here for a full version of this flyer. 

Let's Move! Webinar and Conference Call

PALA+ and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition  

Learn how to engage your community in the PALA+program, part of the President's Challenge to pursue a healthier lifestyle, and receive an update on the great work of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN). Hear from communities that are using PALA+ to encourage healthy eating and physical activity!

Megan Nechanicky, staff member at PCFSN will present on PALA+ and PCFSN. Participants will also hear from Glaci Lacerda Hines, Assistant Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 914 in Columbia, Maryland, who will share how she has successfully implemented PALA+ in her community. Time will be reserved for discussion at the end of the call.

Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern, 1:00 PM Central, 12:00 PM Mountain, 11:00 AM Pacific Click here to register! 

Don't Miss Out! 3rd Annual Women of the Cloth Clergy Retreat  

Clergy women! Don't forget to register for the 3rd Annual Women of the Cloth Clergy Retreat, Thursday - Saturday, October 11 - 13! The retreat will be held at the Wingate by Wyndham in Maryland Heights, MO. The Rev. Barbara Essex, Minister for Higher and Theological Education at the national setting of the UCC, will be returning as the facilitator of this year's retreat. She is a Pilgrim Press best-selling author of the Bad Girls and Bad Boys of the Bible books and many other titles. Join together with clergy women from other denominations for a time of rest, reflection, and re-creation. To register or for more information, please visit www.womenoftheclothministries.com or send an email to Rev. Phiwa Langeni at plangeni@immanuelucc.org. The registration deadline has been extended to September 30! Don't miss out!

What Story Will You Share?  

What narration of events or impressions of the Missouri Mid-South Conference would you like to have recorded for posterity? Some of the factual highlights are recorded in the various old publications, but you have something additional to add from your experiences and your point of view. Help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the conference by participating in the Oral History Project!  

Our Oral History Team is small, just one or two people from each association, but you may see us at your next association meeting. Won't be at an association meeting? We invite you to either notify us of your desire to be recorded or 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.

Beans and Rice at Festival of Sharing

Festival of Sharing is approaching and we are purchasing the beans and Rice for distribution in Missouri on October 20. Every $1.25 donated will provide two pounds of rice or beans to a family in Missouri. Donations to the Missouri Rice and Bean fund or Where Needed Most at this time will help us better serve the hungry in Missouri. You can donate online at http://www.umocm.com/festival/donate.html  For information about volunteering at the Festival of Sharing contact Terri at festival@socket.net 

Free Books Looking For a Home

Responsive readings from The Living Bible Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois

1971

Sections include:

1. The Life of Our Lord
2. Jesus Teachings
3. The Christian Life
4. Significant Church Days
5. National Days
6. Unison Readings
7. Important Bible Subjects

Please call Diane at St. Johns Evangelical UCC at 892-0848 for more information.

Come one and all to the Eastern Association Fall Gathering at St. John 's, Bem this Sunday!  This is our annual fall business gathering of the Association.  Hospitality and Registration begins at 1:00pm; the gathering begins at 2:00pm and dinner is served at 5:00pm.  We will hear reports from Jeff Fulk, Pastor/Director at Shannondale Community Center;  Jeremy Force OMD at Camp Mo-Val; Rev. Stephen Redman, MMS Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator, and Rev. Jeff Whitman, our Conference Minister.  We will also hear a presentation from Margie Lange, operator of a clinic in Belle, MO that provides free medical services to the uninsured and underinsured.  Offering received at our meeting will help benefit the Agape Clinic, Margie's ministry in our midst. 

There will also be valuable information presented by the Eastern Association Committee on Ministry, and a teaser about this year's guest keynoter for the Conference Youth Event- Nashville (TN) recording artist Andra Moran!  If you have not registered yet, you can do so by downloading the form from the Conference website and mailing it today; or send an email to rick@bemchurch.com.  The chefs at Bem are preparing a spectacular meal; so come hungry for spiritual renewal and good home cooking.

The Festival of Sharing will also have a truck present from 1:00-3:00pm; so if your congregation has been assembling kits for the festival, you can bring them to the gathering and drop them off at Bem.

St. John's, Bem United Church of Christ is located just off Highway 19 at 1944 Bem Church Road; Owensville, MO  65066.  We are 12 miles north of Cuba, MO at exit #208 off Highway 44; 6 miles south of Owensville.

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

Mark Your Calendars - September 30, 2012 

The Mission & Social Concerns Committee invites you to:

Deepening the Conversation: A Moderated Panel on Bullying, September 30 at 3pm, in the sanctuary of St. Peters UCC, 20 East Fifth Street, Washington (refreshments to follow)

The American Association of Suicidality lists suicide as one of the top three causes of death among 15-24 year olds in our country. For every completed suicide by youth, it is estimated that 100-200 attempts are made (2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey).  

Bullying is a prime cause of youth despair and is epidemic in our country. 33% of youth report being bullied 1-3 times per week, and bullying among adults in the workplace, political arena, and in families and friendships is becoming a troubling American cultural norm.

Join our panel in learning about the implications of bullying in youth and adults and reflecting together on spiritual and social responses we may engage as members of the United Church of Christ.