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Feb. 11, 2010
E-Communique
Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ
Dear Everyone,

While I was doing a workshop in Larchwood UCC this past weekend, one Sunday School teacher bubbled with excitement as she talked about how children from her class would come up to her and give her a hug when they saw her in worship. She yearned for others in the congregation to know the joy of these relationships.


This anecdote demonstrates that program is not the heart of ministry with young people, but rather ... relationship. Most people who do youth ministry will tell you this; however, that isn't always clear when you think about where we've often located youth ministry in the past several decades. Most often youth are sent "over there" - to a youth room, a youth program, a youth retreat. This practice certainly gives young people a place in the church; however, it is often not within the whole of the congregation.


Not only are relationships the glue that holds us together as humans, but they are the primary way in which we demonstrate God's love here on earth. Remember that Jesus said, "'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.'" (Mark 10: 14) He showed us something about being in relationship with young people.


I'm sure you've heard the old adage about real estate: "Location. Location. Location." I think we should make OUR pithy phrase: Relationship. Relationship. Relationship.


That sounds like a good location for youth ministry to me.


Rev. Nicole Havelka
Associate Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adult Ministries


Read more about this and other topics on my blog: www.youthministrycommotion.blogspot.com
Geoffrey Black this Sunday,
Feb 14





New Stillspeaking ad coming










Register kids for RYE!















Anti-smoking activities for youth



CWS disaster kits




"Evolution Sunday" speaker in Omaha Feb. 14











Carrie Newcomer to sing in DM
Feb. 18








3 webinars in Feb. offered by Center for Progressive Renewal









































Alban webinars on High Impact Community Ministry









Webinar on domestic violence Feb. 25








Rural Ministry Conference March 7-9

Tirabassi workshop deadline is
March 1








Spiritual Growth retreats at Pilgrim Heights





Church Leadership Seminar March 15








Tourette Support Group in Ankeny






New UTS president to be installed April 11

2030 Clergy gathering
June 1-3


Technology workshop April 16-18












ShareIowa offers savings on groceries
Pastors and lay leaders, remember the conversation with Geoffrey Black scheduled for this Sunday afternoon at the Ankeny church from 3-5 pm.  Geoffrey wants to hear from you about the state of the church and the directions of your visions.  IF THE WEATHER IS BAD check our website.  I will put up a cancellation notice asap.  But let's hope the weather isn't bad.

A new Stillspeaking commercial will be launching on Friday, April 16. The ad, now in production, promises to be an exciting new message of welcome and invitation. Called the "Language of God" it will invite people to think more deeply and broadly about the phrase "God is still speaking,"  While the church will be purchasing online space for the ads, it is also planning for "viral"spread via YOUR e-mails, blog posts, Facebook pages, and what have you.  Get ready to spread the good news about our church, and stay tuned for more information!
RYE:  Regional Youth Event News.  Week 22 and counting! Mark your calendars for July 14-18 in Parkville, Mo. for the big event. We will explore God's Love For Us All.  Registration materials are posted on our website, on the Youth page! (Left side, scroll down) Remember, all registration materials must be sent to the Missouri-Mid-South Conference! Early registration assures you a spot; however registrations will continue to be taken until the event is at capacity.  The message this week is from Sarah Lauterback, First Congregational UCC, Waterloo, IA:  "The experience of worshiping with thousands of other youth from around the nation in Hilton Coliseum is something that is hard to forget. The friends I made and the experiences we had will stick with me for the rest of my life." Encourage your youth to go to RYE!

Your youth may also want to participate in Kick Butts Day, March 24, a national day of activism that empowers youth in every state and around the world to STAND OUT...SPEAKS UP... AND SEIZE CONTROL AGAINST BIG TOBACCO!  UCC Justice and Witness Ministries is our liaison to this event.  Two websites to consult: Faith United Against Tobacco and Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

Periodically people ask us about preparing Church World Service kits, which are used for refugees and displaced persons.  Here's a link to their information.

Countryside Community Church (UCC) in Omaha has a special speaker this Sunday, Feb. 14:  "Ashes to Ashes: A 12 million year-old story revealed on the Nebraska Prairie"
Dr. Mike Voorhies is a vertebrate paleontologist who studies the evolution of ancient mammals and the rocks in which they are found.  Now an emeritrus professor at UNL, for many years he taught geology and paleontology and was Curator at the State Museum. Dr. Voorhies will join us on Sunday, February 14 at 7:00 PM at Countryside Community Church to share his slides, adventures and the 12 million-year old story told at Ashfall Park.  Contact Cyndi Kugler at 391.0350 ext 121 or cyndik@countrysideucc.org for more information. There is no cost to attend this lecture. 

SINGER-SONGWRITER CARRIE NEWCOMER to sing in Des Moines Feb. 18.  "Newcomer is a rare breed of singer/songwriter; the kind who illuminates life with startling depth, humor and clarity, blending her rich alto voice with a poetic lyricism to music with folk roots and Appalachian and even classical influences." She will present a musical program at First Christian Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available in advance from the church office or through iowatix.com or at the door. The cost is $20.00 or $15.00 in advance.

The Center for Progressive Renewal is offering three webinars in February:
Pastoring LGBT Folks: Tuesday, February 16, 2 p.m. EST

As the senior pastor of the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender congregation, Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson has unique insights to offer. The homophobia of many churches has created deep wounds, and Rev. Hudson's pastoral skill and compassion have brought help and healing to thousands. She preaches to more than one million people a year and has sage advice for how we might all do pastoral ministry more effectively.

21st-Century Stewardship: Thursday, February 18, 7 p.m. EST

Back by popular demand! As the Director of Stewardship for the Cathedral of Hope UCC, Coy James has been responsible for raising more than $3 million a year.  Almost 100 percent of the church's budget is funded by weekly offerings. The secret of their success? The creative use of technology to build relationships with contributors. As a longtime lay leader, Coy understands stewardship from both sides of the offering plate and will offer concrete advice for creating an effective stewardship system to sustain your congregation.

Raising Your Holy "EQ": Wednesday, February 24, 2 p.m. EST

Being smart and savvy goes a long way in achieving success in business, attaining degrees and being competent in many areas of life. However, what you know is not always as important as who you are. This is especially true when trying to be Christ-like. Emotional Intelligence, aka "EQ" is the ability to manage emotions and respond effectively to the emotional responses of others. International trainer, consultant and motivational speaker Gwen Thomas, a member of Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia, will use her trademark wit and wisdom to teach, train and motivate.

To learn more or register, go to www.progressiverenewal.org and click on "Events."

The Alban Institute is offering a series of four webinars on high impact community ministry, on Feb. 23, March 2, 9, and 16.  These hour-long webinars will help you:
Understand how 'outreach' can be an engine that drives your church forward.
Start to meet your neighbors and learn about the places and events that define them.
Explore seven creative models for designing a custom community ministry program.
Actually get people out of the pew and into engagement with community ministry. 
Click the link above to register.

A live webinar is offered on "Holding Batterers Accountable: What Is Required of Us?" on Feb. 25 at noon (1 pm EST).  This webinar will explore our responsibility to the perpetrator within the context of survivor safety, including the following: What are proven strategies for holding perpetrators accountable while insuring survivor safety? Can faith leaders work for perpetrator accountability without choosing sides?
What are the implications of involving law enforcement?
This webinar is for for advocates, clergy, lay leaders, social service providers, and practitioners.

Wartburg Seminary's 29th Annual Rural Ministry Conference will be March 7-9.  This year's theme is nurturing generosity: releasing God's abundance in a time of perceived scarcity.  If you register by Feb. 15, you get the early bird discount!

The deadline for registering for Maren Tirabassi's March 12 workshops here in Des Moines is March 1. Here's the schedule:
9:30 Registration
10:00-12:30 Same-Gender Weddings (cost: $25.00);
12:30 lunch --ordered in or on your own;
1:30-3:00 Worship Team Workshop (cost: $20.00). 
Checks payable to Iowa Conference UCC; mail to UCC IA Conf. 5609 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50310 by
March 1. 

Our Sacred Space has rescheduled the start time for the Spiritual Growth 2 Retreat.  This retreat now starts at 10 am on Saturday, March 6th.

Our Sacred Space has also rescheduled the Spiritual Growth 1 Retreat to MondaThey are still taking registrations!  They would love to have anyone who is interested.

The Center for Renewal and Grand View University will host a School of Ministry on Monday, March 15, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., in room 103 of the Rasmussen Center for Community Advancement Professions on the Grand View campus. Dr. Duane Larson, president of Wartburg Theological Seminary, will provide updates about emerging models for church leadership formation in our seminaries and the role of the seminary in our changing world. Cost for the event is $10.
Reserve your seat by emailing jwhite@grandview.edu.

A new support group for persons with Tourette Syndrome and their families will be starting in the metro area in March. Their vision is to support and inform families and individuals living with this syndrome in their journey and to improve their quality of life.
The group will meet in Ankeny in March, July and November at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 701 E. 1st St. at 1:00 p.m.
For info on the national organization, email support@gptourettesupport.org.


Mary E. McNamara will be installed as the 7th president of United Theological Seminary on April 11.  3 pm at Plymouth Congregational UCC in Minneapolis.

The 2030 Clergy Network is planning a gathering called "Shepherding the Shepherd" in Chicago June 1-3 for clergy under 40.  If you're under 40, mark the date and sign up!

"Plugging In without Shorting Out" is a conference to be held in Des Moines April 16-18.  It will highlight topics of transformation, growing your church using technology and the emerging church.  Sponsored by the Des Moines Presbytery's Transformation Team.  Churches using new technology and social networking are getting the upper hand on attracting members.  Workshop speakers will help congregations embrace technology without blowing up the church!  Small and rural church members are encouraged to attend.

Early bird registration (by March 1) is $150.  All registrations must be in by March 26.  Watch the Presbytery's website for schedule and registration forms.

Would you like to save money on groceries? Do you know someone who could benefit from stretching his or her food dollars? SHARE can offer you up to a 50% savings on nutritious food packages for just 2 hours of *volunteer service each month. To find out more about SHARE: check out our web site, www.shareiowa.org, or call 1-800-344-1107.