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Contact Info
Jo Ordway
515-277-6369
Please call me or email me at jo@ucciaconf.org |
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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 |
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Our Common Life...Words from the Conference Staff
Do you make New Year's resolutions?
I never have, but it's easy to see why the idea is attractive. Even though the construction of a calendar is completely artificial (the "new" year could just as well have been August 14 as what we've come to label January 1), there's something cleansing about the act of taking down the one labeled "2010" and putting in its place one headed "2011." The implication of new possibilities is inherent in that simple act.
Not only is the prospect understandable, I think it comports neatly with our faith. We are a people who believe fiercely in the new. Though our eyes are wide open to the realities and power of sin and death, we worship a God who comes to us in the person of Jesus -God with us. He teaches us the power of repentance - the possibility of grace and renewal and hope. In his ministry, healing and eventually even resurrection were brought to life. We do not deny sin and death, but neither do we acquiesce to them.
So, consider a New Year's prayer (a sort of resolution, if you will) for all of us. It's not a resolution to lose weight, or save more money, or pay more attention to family and friends (though each of those might be important!) -nor is it even a resolution to be a better church leader (though that's important too). No, my resolution is a prayer that we will faithfully embrace the prospect of new life that God wants us to have:
· That together we will walk into light - even when much seems dark.
· That we will embrace hope - even when despair seems more realistic.
· That we will advance the common good - even when it is tempting to go our own way.
· That we will love God and all of humankind - even when God seems distant and humankind beyond all hope.
· And that we will open ourselves to something new - maybe even the prospect of being made new ourselves - even when it seems we've already seen it all or that the change necessary is in the other man or woman.
This prayer is for me as much as it is for you - though I do pray it for you. I hope you'll also pray it for me.
God bless you!
Rich Pleva
Conference Minister
Iowa Conference, United Church of Christ |
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CORRECTION....Phyllis R. Bellis celebrated her 101 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 resident of The Mayflower Community which is a non-church ministry of the Iowa Conference. |
Prayer week...
Week of January 18-25 = Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which invites the world-wide Christian community to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus "that they all may be one." 2011 theme = One in the Apostles' Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer (Acts 2:42).
Resources = available through Iowa Religious Media Services. For additional resources specific to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, please visit http://www.geii.org/wpcu_index.htm |
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. |
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Explore the christologies...
From One Jesus to Many Christianities
Plymouth, Plymouth Presbyterian Church
Tuesdays-7:00-9:00 PM, February 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8
This class will explore the many theological understandings of Jesus (or "christologies") found in the New Testament and other early Christian literature. Led by Paul E. Capetz, professor of historical theology at United and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Cost: $175.00 ($225.00 after January 25)
Register required: Download a printable registration form or see our website at
http://www.unitedseminary.edu/CommunityPrograms/academy.asp#from
You may also check back for online registration or contact Renee Flesner at rflesner@unitedseminary.edu or 651.255.6138.
Academy for Vital Christianity
United Theological Seminary
3000 5th Street Northwest
New Brighton MN 55112-2598
www.unitedseminary.edu |
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"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. |
What will make your heart sing? Lilly Endowment seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to renew and reflect. A 2011 National Clergy Renewal Program is offered to the pastors, along with many grants to congregations for the support of a renewal for their pastor. Deadline for submission of proposals = May 12, 2011. Read more.
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2011 Accounting... The Iowa Conference accounting for year 2011 started on January 6, 2011 and will end on the first Wednesday of 2012 which is January 4, 2012. We have enhanced some accounting codes which in turn shows on the forms that you use to send your monies to the Iowa Conference office. We thank you for replacing any old forms that you might have with these new ones. |
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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 posted the first review this past week. And Chapter 2 review will be coming soon from Associate Conference Minister Jonna Jensen!
We look forward to your comments as we read together!! |
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January 7, 2011