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January 21, 2010
E-Communique
Iowa Conference UCC weekly e-mail
Dear Everyone,

Here's what we have this week.

I don't know about you, but I learn far more by watching people do what they do than listening to what they say. For example, I model my approach to building relationship with young people based on one high school teacher I had. What magical thing did he do? He asked me how I was doing. Not revolutionary, but it had quite an impact on me. As a teenager who often felt alienated and insecure, it meant a lot that someone cared about how I was doing from day to day. I always think of him now when I make those simple relationship-building things a priority in my own ministry.

 

The reality is that we learn more from what people DO than what people SAY. That is why I try to model another important aspect of youth ministry in all that I do: include young people as leaders. To do that, I design ALL of my workshops in a way that can reach both youth and adults.

 

So, I encourage you all to think about where young people can be included in the ministries of your church - particularly in leadership positions. When you sign up for one of my workshops, please know that young people can and SHOULD always be included in them. After all, Jesus didn't just call disciples who were already formed to be leaders. He called all kinds of people and formed them into leaders himself.

 

Rev. Nicole M. Havelka

Associate Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

 

Read more of Nicole's thoughts on this and other youth ministry related topics at my blog: www.youthministrycommotion.blogspot.com. You can also follow me on

Twitter and Facebook.
Lecture this Sunday in Omaha


Haiti link


Lobby day at the Capitol--grassroots democracy Jan. 26







Conference call for transgendered people Jan. 30


Pilgrimage 1 Feb. 12-13



Pastor-Congregation Relationships workshop Feb. 12-13

Academy for Vital Christianity



UCC Web University Feb. 26-27






Women's Retreat March 7









Labyrinth for sale




Lightbulb scam







Youth in Ministry at Annual Meeting














Regional Youth Event next summer








Parish Paper available


Emotional Intelligence workshops offered many times, many places
A reminder that the lecture on "The Myth of Post-Racialism" will be this Sunday evening at Countryside UCC in Omaha.

 We have added a "Haiti" page to our website, which you can reach by clicking the green box on our home page.  There is general information there on what we can do to help.

On January 26 there is a lobby day at the Capitol, sponsored by Citizens for Community Improvement.  If you are concerned about payday lenders entrapping people in a cycle of debt, if you are concerned about factory farms polluting Iowa's air and water, if you are concerned about corporate loopholes and the influence of money on our elections, this event is for you.   Participants will meet at the Wallace Building (502 E. 9th Street, across Grand Ave. and a little bit west of the Capitol) at 10, and then process to the Capitol building.  Politicians will respond to money unless voters show them that they care.  Visit Citizens for Community Improvement for more information, buses from across the state and to register today! (But you can come without registering, too.)

On January 30 there will be a conference call, convened by the national setting of the church, for transgendered people.  If you are transgendered and would like to participate, let me know and I'll get you the contact information.

Pilgrimage 1 will be held Friday and Saturday, February 12 & 13.  Sign up NOW if you want to be part of this wonderful experience! Call Beverly Morgan at the Conference Office for details or email Dianne Prichard.

"Reconciling for the Future: Building Healthy Pastor-Congregation Relationships" will be offered at the Urbandale UCC Feb. 12 & 13.  This workshop is presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.  Go to our continuing education page to download the pdf that tells all about it.

Also at the top of the continuing education page is a link to the newest course offerings in United Theological Seminary's Academy for Vital Christianity, which they offer at sites around Minnesota (not just the Twin Cities).

The UCC's Web University is being offered February 26-27 in Phoenix.  This is a valuable opportunity for congregations that need help to improve their websites, use social media effectively for evangelism and youth ministry, raise money through the latest online fundraising tools, and reduce printing costs by developing effective email communications.  You can read about it on our continuing education page, and you can read more and register here.

First Congregational UCC, Sioux City, is hosting a  women's spiritual retreat on Saturday, March 7, from 9am - 2pm.  Sr Carole Ann from the Immaculata Monastary in Norfolk will be our leader.  She'll be using the story of the prodigal as the base, with both individual and group activities.  Cost is $10, which includes lunch. 

Registrations are needed by Sun, Feb 21 (Minimum 10-12 participants). Contact Alaire Willits, 239-3385.  This promises to be a small, intimate experience to help each of us on our spiritual journey.  

Chartres-style painted canvas labyrinth for sale.  36 feet in diameter.   Price is  $1,200.   Like new.    Includes traveling case.  Made by Paxworks.   Contact DeWitt First Congregational UCC, 563-659-3166.

Watch out for a scam that involves many of the following words (you can google them): "Interstate Supply Upperco Md 866-517-6021".  A truck driver asks you to sign for a package that you assume someone else at church ordered.  Then it turns out nobody ordered it, and your church is liable for the bill.  If this has happened to you, contact the Iowa attorney general's office.

The Youth in Ministry Gathering, part of Iowa Conference Annual Meeting, will take place June 10, 11 & 12, 2010 at Grinnell College. Young people should get ready to do God's work in their church and throughout the Iowa Conference by developing your OWN gifts for ministry. (Not just the ministry you see your pastors do!)


Thom Chu, a faith-based organizational developer, will help us recognize our gifts and put them into action in the local and regional settings of the church. Then, use those gifts as the whole Iowa Conference gathers for its annual meeting. Participate in spirit-filled worship, have the opportunity to shadow church leaders and have FUN with other young people from throughout the Iowa Conference UCC! Registration begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 10 and continues until 3 p.m. Saturday, June 12.


RYE:  25 weeks and counting! The Iowa planning committee wants to share personal messages from past participants in regional and national youth events to encourage others to attend the Regional Youth Event this summer. This week we hear from Emily Priske, sophomore, of Eldora , 1st Congregational UCC.  "The best part was meeting new people and making new friends from all over the country.  Synod opened the door to new experiences and new people.  No one judges.  Everyone is welcoming. It's a time to discover new things about yourself".  Share this message with the youth of your church.  Encourage them to attend RYE in July 14-18 in Parkville, Mo.

For fans of "The Parish Paper," you'll be glad to know that the January and February editions are now accessible from the "Publications" page of our website.

Remember to look at the Continuing Education page for the many places and dates where the Emotional Intelligence workshops are being offered by Roy Oswald.

Julia