|
Contact Info
Jo Ordway
515-277-6369
Please call me or email me at jo@ucciaconf.org |
|
ADD TO YOUR NEWSLETTER MAIL LISTS - Both Printed and Electronic Formats!!
Any churches in East, Northeast, Southeast Associations, please add Jonna Jensen to your NEWSLETTER mail lists at 3675 67th St, Baldwin, IA 52207 or email jonna@ucciaconf.org.
Any churches in Northwest, Southwest Associations, please add Tony Stoik to your NEWSLETTER mail lists at 4557 Hamilton Blvd, POB 2142, Sioux City, IA 51104-2142
or email tony@ucciaconf.org.
Invitation to
General Synod 28
General Synod 28 is now open to guest registration. The call is for you, your family, and your friends.
The GS Programming and Planning Committee is offering a unique opportunity to take part in "Your Church, Better" 20 minute mini-workshops. Read more and see if you wish to be a part of the new approach.
YOUTH
General Synod 28
There's a need in this ever-changing, challenging world for young voices to come together, grow spiritually, and join hands with others to create a better world for all. GS provides these opportunities and much more. It gives youth and young adults the chance to immerse themselves in fellowship and imagine what's possible as they obtain leadership experience and gain insight into how the church operates.
As part of the Synod experience, youth will participate in a variety of service/mission work, establish strong connections with other Iowa youth and youth nationwide, and create a new wave of excitement in the United Church of Christ.
In the words of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
See you in Tampa, Florida....June 29-July 5, 2011
Janet Jones, Youth GS Co-coordinator
|
|
|
|
|
Our Common Life...Words from the Conference Staff
Three guys walk into a stable.
The punch line? A helpless baby.
I'm rather pumped about babies right now. We're expecting our first grandchild, Beowulf, in May. Sadly enough, an angel has not come in a dream to tell our son what to name his son. So, for now, it's Beowulf. That helpless baby will turn Michael and Greta's world upside down. Babies do that.
 The three guys who walked into the stable met a Baby who would turn the world, the whole world, upside down. Forever. I'm so grateful, so ecstatic about that interruption in the course of human history. It gives multiple dimensions to my life and how I perceive each person I meet.
Did the three wise guys (had to say it) have an Epiphany when they saw Jesus, or did they just follow their dreams?
Epiphanies come at the most unexpected times, in the most unexpected places. Ironically, they do not come when I am seeking something consciously, studying something, puzzling over something. They surprise me.
Jesus keeps surprising me. It's one weird reason that my faith remains, even when I am the doubtingest of Thomases.
So, I pray for you that you heart and mind and soul be open to the world-changing miracle of this Baby. And may all your epiphanies be bright.
Dianne Prichard
Director of
*Lay Education for Ministry and Leadership
*Certification School in Progressive Christian Youth Ministry
*The Pilgrimage
Iowa Conference, United Church of Christ
Phone: 563.271.6112 |
|
Phyllis R. Bellis is celebrating her 100 years of wisdom on January 3, 2011! Cards may be sent to her at 624 Broad Street, M3, Grinnell, IA 50112. Congratulations to this member of the Grinnell UCC Congregational and blessings for a good year. |
|
New Church Planter Discernment Workshop...
Across the United Church of Christ, there is increasing
interest in starting new churches. To accommodate those considering a call to do so, these discernment retreats are offered with the goal of developing a pool of clergy and lay persons who are ready to respond to a call for new church start ministry.
Sponsored by Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa Conferences of the United Church of Christ, this conference is on February 25, 2011 in DeForest, WI. Reduced registration fees if register prior to January 21, 2011. |
|
Polity online course...
The Wisconsin Conference United Church has opened registration for an eight week United Church of Christ Polity online course, taught by Rev. Dr. Marti Baumer.
Dates: Weekly, Tues - beginning Jan 25 - March 15
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm CST
Cost: $50
Materials: The book "The Evolution of a UCC Style", by Randi Jones Walker
Registration Limit: 15 (class fills quickly)
Register
Participants need an internet connection to participate. |
Certification School in Progressive Christian Youth Ministry...
Save the dates: May 22-27, 2011 and November 4-6, 2011! This opportunity will take place in Alexandria, Minnesota and there are early registration incentives; the price will be only $2,000 if registered by February 1. The registration will be up and running soon, but NOW is the time to get this into your budget for 2011. A scholarship form is attached if you wish to apply. |
|
"Hospitality in Changing Times "
30th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
Host: Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa
Dates: March 6-8, 2011
Featured keynote: Tex Sample
An ecumenical event for pastors and lay leaders of small town and rural congregations to network with others in similar circumstances as well as discover creative and practical ideas. Register prior to February 7 for early bird opportunities.
More information available at http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/template_Centers.asp?id=368. |
|
Turnaround Church Weekend...
When: February 26 and 27, 2011
Where: The Wisconsin Conference Center, 4459 Gray Road, DeForest, Wisconsin
Deadline for registration: February 16, 2011
This weekend offers a tested model for outreach and growth that you can (and must!) customize for your church. It gives congregations a practical way forward. The model can be adapted for any church, no matter what size or setting.
You will learn:
- Why the solutions that worked so well 40 years ago don't work now
- How to identify the people your church can reach
- Ways to build momentum
- What the pastor and lay leaders both need to do to help the church grow.
Ready to register? Just read more here. |
Online book drive for the kids!
ELCJHL Libraries Project: Opening a World of Possibilities!
You're invited to take part in an exciting project to benefit one of our Global Ministries partners in the Middle East: The schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, where Rev. Emily Goldthwaite Fries is serving as a volunteer in mission. The ELCJHL schools have been providing excellent education for students in Palestinian communities since 1851 -- regardless of gender, race, religion, or ability to pay. The schools teach English from Kindergarten through the 12th grade, equipping students for dialogue with international partners and expanding their opportunities for college and careers.
How does t his project work? It's an online book drive where you can donate from anywhere in the world through our Amazon.com Associates store, by simply going to the link below and following the instructions. Shipping costs are only within the United States, thanks to volunteers at Wartburg Theological Seminary who are re-packing donated books for visitors to bring directly to the Holy Land - so there are no international shipping costs, for you or for the ELCJHL! We invite you to accompany teachers in the Holy Land as they build libraries that foster a love of language and learning right from the start. A great book has the power to open a world of possibilities! And if your congregation is interested in further study or relationship with our kids and teachers in the Holy Land, contact Rev. Emily at egoldthwaite.fries@elcjhl.org for more info about pen pal programs, book buddies, video clips, and curriculum resources!
Donate your favorite book to the ELCJHL Libraries today at http://astore.amazon.com/e0a08-20/about. |
Prayer calendar - 1st quarter 2011
In this calendar of prayer we endeavor to mention every congregation, pastor, and student in care in the Iowa Conference once during the year so that we may pray for one another by name with regularity. We know that the One who started the good work in you is bringing it to completion. Thanks be to God! |
REMINDER...Year end accounting The Iowa Conference accounting for year 2010 will end on the first Wednesday of 2011 which is January 5, 2011. Please be aware that anything received after January 5, 2011 will appear on the 2011 records and not the 2010 records. |
|
Conference-wide Book Reading
Realities, chuckles, ponderous thoughts, relaxation...join the Conference-wide Book Readers who will take on their first book starting in January 2011!
What book???
Who is the author???
How do I join???
Where is the book???
How do I obtain the book???
The answers...open
Conference-wide Book Reading and join the fun.
Schedule of the chapters - click here.
Conference Minister Rich Pleva will be posting the first review (according to the chapter schedule) very soon. Our basic information and schedule have already been posted for your reference. If this is your first "blog" experience, go to http://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g to learn more about becoming a blogger!
We look forward to your comments as we read together!! |
|
|
|
|
December 30, 2010
