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Contact Info
Jo Ordway
515-277-6369
Please call me or email me at jo@ucciaconf.com
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| Our Common Life...Words from the Conference Staff
Few human activities evoke a more confusing set of emotions than that of "work."
If you've got work, odds are you look forward to quitting time, and to the weekend, and to vacation. If you don't have work, your anxiety level is likely to be high until you finally find a job.
Work seems to be the classic example of "can't live with it - can't live without it."
I recently read an interesting piece relating worship to work. The writer's contention was that many folk shun worship because it feels too much like work - and clearly the work referenced is the kind that makes folk long for the weekend - work that is mindless and dreary and achingly repetitive.
Ouch!
As I read those words, I thought about the etymological derivation of the word "liturgy." It's derived from Greek words which roughly translate as "work of the people."
So.... if worship is work.....is it alright for it to be mind-numbingly dull? I'm sure it isn't.
Work can at times be the polar opposite of the caricature above. Just like me, you've experienced times when the work at your hand was so interesting and engaging and challenging that the time just flew by. When I approach the "work of worship," it's precisely that experience that I'm hoping for - a time that challenges my heart and mind - an experience that lifts my soul to the divine - a activity that engages my body and my spirit and lifts me from the mundane to the exquisite and reminds me that while I am assuredly not God, God is accessible and loves me and challenges me to be more than I might otherwise have thought possible.
It's hard work (there's that word again!) to plan and execute that kind of worship. Nonetheless, I'm convinced that church leaders have a non-negotiable responsibility to give their best in designing worship that's engaging and inspiring. It must lift the worshipper's spirit, create space for reflection, challenge existing presumptions, and motivate righteous living. I pray that it does so in a way that is so engaging that the time flies by.
Here's to your work - worship leaders! May your work empower the work of all the saints!
Blessings to you!
Rich Pleva
Iowa Conference Minister |
Memorial service and scholarship...
A memorial service has been scheduled at the United Church Westside in honor of Virginia L. Stiles who served as pastor of the congregation from 1997 until 2006.
Funeral services were held in Eldora on September 15, with burial at Scranton Township Cemetary near her hometown of Scranton.
This memorial service will be held at 5pm on Sunday, October 10, with Rev. Kenneth Briggs officiating. All friends and acquaintances of Stiles are invited to join the United Church congregation in honoring her memory.
Because of her love and support of education, a memorial scholarship fund has been set up through the Ar-We-Va Education Foundation, of which Stiles was the secretary for several years. Contributions to the fund can be sent to Virginia Stiles Scholarship Fund, Ar-We-Va Education Foundation, P.O. Box 125, Westside, IA 51467. |
Reminder...Central Gathering
It's time to register (DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 2ND) for the Central Association Fall Women's Gathering to be held on Saturday October 9 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Grinnell. Our most timely topic, "I Know We're All Welcome at the Table, But Do I Have to Sit Next to You?" is designed to help us stay in community with those who are different. This event is co-sponsored by the Grinnell church and St. Paul Congregational UCC in Oskaloosa.
Although this event is traditionally attended by women, we have had requests from men to be included. Given the nature of the topic, how can we say NO! Men and women from all associations are welcome.
Secure your spot by calling the Grinnell church at 641-236-3111 or email grinucc@iowatelecom.net by October 2nd. |
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World Communion Sunday...
Are You Ready For World Communion Sunday - October 3rd? |
Invitation to Eastern Iowa Association installation...
Installation: REV. BRIAN BRANDSMEIER as Pastor of Faith United Church of Christ
Location: 1609 DeForest Avenue, Iowa City
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 4:00pm
All authorized ministers are invited to process. The liturgical color for the day is red.
Program: Rev. Jonna Jensen will be preaching, Sara Kay will be providing music, and members of Faith UCC will be hosting. A light meal will follow. |
Southwestern Iowa Association meeting...
Reminder that this gathering starts at 3pm on October 3rd in Farrgut. There is worship, a meeting, and a meal. Farragut is celebrating a special anniversary and they are celebrating that they are renewing and rethinking church in ways that have energized them and appear to be leading to some growth. |
| Who's My Neighbor?
Date: October 9 at 9:30am -4:30pm. Registrations are due by October 4!
Workshop: Creating Community across Ethnic-Racial Boundaries will be offered.
Location: First Congregational UCC, Mason City. This workshop is a companion piece to the October 10 NE Association meeting in Decorah.
Program: Focuses on becoming a multi-cultural and antiracist church. Both events are an extension on the UCC's call for Sacred Conversations on Race.
Cost: $10 includes lunch and materials. More information: Visit www.FirstChurchinMC.com. |
Networking luncheon for Iowa hunger advocates...
Please mark your calendar for October 14.
*Networking luncheon for advocates for the hungry (and
those who want to be an advocate) immediately following
Grand View University's World Food Prize Convocation.
*Thursday, October 14, Convocation 11:00-noon.
*Luncheon follows. Registration required for the meal.
*Location: Grand View Lutheran Church, 13th & Hull, Des
Moines.
*Registration deadline: October 4 |
"Writing the Sacred" Workshop...
Ray McGinnis is a poet and psalm enthusiast who wrote "Writing the Sacred." He is offering a new, deeper, and
meaningful way to explore and understand the Psalms in this book and brings it to life at the following workshop:
Date: Monday, October 4, 2010
Potluck Supper: 5:45 p.m. Workshop: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Open Door United Church of Christ, 511 S. Lewis Blvd, Sioux City, Iowa
Info/registration: $15 "suggested donation. |
Exploring our Call to Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Bring mature dreamers and young visionaries to the Fall gathering of the Central Association to engage in a reflective process facilitated by Rev Nicole Havelka, associate conference minister for youth and young adult ministries of the Iowa Conference UCC.
You'll get to worship, pray and share stories on October 10th with friends in United Church of Christ from the association! Don't miss it! Registration is due by October 6th; send email to Deanna Shorb at shorb@grinnell.edu. |
Northeast Iowa Association meeting...
Date: Sunday, October 10, 2010
Location: Congregational United Church of Christ, 209 West Broadway, Decorah
Schedule: 2:30 P.M. Registration
3:00-5:00 Program
5:00-5:30 Worship
5:30 Dinner
Please note that all four readings for the meeting are posted at the website http:// ucciaconfna.homestead.com/ on the announcements page. |
Evangelism in the Community E.vent...
This E.vent in Detroit, MI on November 3-7 is specifically designed for the urban/suburban churches of all sizes with an emphasis on letting the smaller membership churches know that there will be workshops that will address their issues, concerns and afford tools for strengthening current and developing new ministries.
Workshops will highlight best practices of urban/suburban churches, provide usable tools that can be implemented immediately and provide engaging learning and networking opportunities for the members of the churches. Facilitators are local church pastors whose congregations are engaged in successful ministries.
This conference will be empowering churches from all across the U.S., so that our churches, our conference and the UCC can grow, Grow, GROW and be the Vital church God is calling it to be today and in the future.
Go to http://www.ucc.org/evangelism/E.vents/ for more information and for registration by October 13. |
CANCELLATION - October Pilgrimages
October Pilgrimages 1, 2, & 3 that were scheduled for
October 15-17 are postponed until March 18, 2011. |
Stillspeaking Friend-Raising Weekend - Nov 5-7
Are you ready? On Friday, November 5, just 35 days from today, is the launching of the Uniquely UCC, the new internet ad of the Stillspeaking Campaign! Goal is for YOU once again to share the message of extravagant welcome with your internet friends - help reach millions with just a click of the mighty mouse. It's that easy - plus it's a whole lot of fun!
There's one more task that YOU can help accomplish that weekend.
On Sunday, November 7, is the celebration of the very first Stillspeaking National Friend-Raising Sunday. Gather up family and friends and invite them to worship with YOU on Sunday. Hospitality starts with YOU - join us to bring the festivities to your church home.
So, make a call, send a note, an e-mail or a tweet, or share this with your facebook friends. There is no better time than this moment to be Uniquely UCC!
Read about the exciting preparations at www.ucc.org/news/ucc-will-launch-new.html. |
Southeast Iowa Association meeting...
Date: November 7, 2010
Location: Denmark Congregational UCC on Hwy 16, Denmark
Time: Registration 2:30, Meeting 3-5:00 pm. A light meal will follow.
Program: Rev. Ron Eslinger will present a workshop on "Appreciative Inquiry". IA Conference Minister Rich Pleva and Associate Conference Minister/East Jonna Jensen will also be present to meet and greet. |
Senior High Convo...
On November 12-14, there is a Senior High Convo - A Huge Gathering for High School Students of All Denominations at Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells.
Features: praise and worship with the Sidewalk Prophets and speaker Greg Speck.
Register at http://guest.cvent.com/d/fdqffh or call the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church at 888-240-7328. |
"Hospitality in Changing Times"
30th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
DUBUQUE, IOWA March 6-8, 2011 An ecumenical event for pastors of small town & rural congregations to network with others in similar circumstances as well as discover creative and practical ideas. Save the dates on your calendars! |
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