Yearbook Reports Are Here!
 Hello MMSUCC Churches! Your individual church's yearbook forms are on their way, which some of you may have already received. The forms will arrive either via email or snail mail this week or early next. Please be on the lookout for an email with the subject line of "Yearbook Reports." Instructions on how to complete the forms in addition to this year's deadline will also be provided. Once again you may enter your church's data online, which is a great time saver for me at the conference office and also for Cleveland. If you have questions on any of the information you receive, please contact me at the conference office first - do not call Cleveland (they are swamped!). I can be reached at 314-918-2602 or renee@mmsucc.org. Thank you in advance for your assistance,
Renee |
You Are Invited
The St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ and Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ
invite you to a worship service to install as Minister of Reconciliation and Evangelism
Rev. Dr. Mark Lee Robinson
Sunday January 13th, 2013 at 3pm at
Pilgrim Congregational Church United Church of Christ
826 Union Blvd, St. Louis, 63108
Rev. Betsy Happel will preach.
A reception will follow in the parlor.
Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and join in the procession.
For further information contact the church office
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You Are Invited
On Sunday, January 27, at 3:00 p.m. the Rev. Paul Eknes-Tucker will be installed as Pastor and Teacher at Holy Trinity Community Church United Church of Christ, 685 South Highland Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38111. Clergy are invited to process. The color of the day is red. A reception will follow the service. |
Extended IRA Charitable Giving Option
January 31, 2013 Deadline
Besides sidestepping the fiscal cliff, Congress extended the provision allowing those over 70½ to make a tax-free distribution of up to $100,000 from an IRA to the church or other charity in 2012 and 2013. Since 2012 was already over when the legislation was enacted, a special rule permits those who took a distribution in December of 2012 to contribute the amount of their distribution to charity by January 31, 2013, and for it to qualify as an eligible charitable rollover. In addition, taxpayers may elect to treat qualifying distributions made in January 2013 to a charity as deemed made on December 31, 2012.
Under the provision that was extended, a distribution to a charity is not included on the individual's tax return as income or as a charitable (itemized) deduction. As with any tax related decision, members should consult their tax advisor. |
Clergy Luncheon of the Eastern Association
of the United Church of Christ
You and a guest are invited
January 24th Noon - 2:00
Hosted at: Ebenezer Stone Church
6162 Stone Church Rd, Gerald, MO 63037
Speaker: Bahar Bastani MD
Topic: Building Bridges of Understanding
Father Finbarr Dowling from St Ignatius Parish in Marthasville, MO and a participant in an international dialogue of Roman Catholic Religious and Muslims will also be present.
Music by :Donna Curdt
Member of Friedens Peace UCC
Local Wines provided
Please R.S.V.P. Donna Curdt
Semopest@centurytel.net
Or call 636-634-1150
(Vegetarian option by request)
Deadline for RSVP - January 18th
Sponsored by the Program Committee of the Eastern Association
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United Church of Bevier Closes
 Click here for additional photos, a brief video from the closing worship and a history of the church.
December 30, 2012 was a momentous day in the life of the United Church of Bevier, one of three churches of the Macon Country Larger Parish. The weather outside was cold and snowy-and even the temperature inside the church was cool--but the warmth of the occasion was palpable. Members, friends, extended family and the community gathered to celebrate 147 years of mission, fellowship and service as the congregation worshipped for a final time. The service was one of thanksgiving and remembrance, recognizing as the Rev. Mary Ellen Waychoff, pastor of the Parish, observed, "The Light Continues."
 Long-time member, Dan Rowland, provided the history of the church from which the following is excerpted, "The First Congregational Church of Bevier was organized on October 22, 1865. The meeting was held in the Miner's Hall which was the only community building in Bevier at that time. The organization was under the supervision of the Rev. E.B. Turner of Hannibal, who was the State Superintendent of the Congregational Churches in Missouri. He was assisted by the Rev. A.D. Laughlin, who became the pastor of the church. Although Welsh in background, the church was never a Welsh-speaking congregation, but four of its initial twelve members were Welsh."
At the time the decision was made to close the church, there was only a handful of members. Many of them will continue to be part of the Macon County Larger Parish as new members of the New Cambria Church. The United Church of Bevier was affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (DOC). Representing the wider UCC fellowship at the closing were Linda Stenger, Association President and Conference Council member; Elaine Hudson, member of the Committee on Ministry; Ron Wendle, Conference Council member and Conference Deacon; and Dale Parson, Associate Conference Minister. |
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Your Input is Requested
Herb Niemeyer, moderator of First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, Missouri recently shared the following information with the Conference office.
If you would like to share what your church is doing in a similar situation or have a recommendation to share, please contact Herb Niemeyer at
hniemeye@swbell.net
"Our Church has been a part of the Scouting movement for over one hundred years. When the Boy Scouts of America decided to reinstate their policy of not allowing "open and avowed homosexuals" to be members or leaders of the organization, several members of our congregation were concerned and supported a resolution that was put before the congregation and was adopted. The sense of the resolution was to approve a Charter but to study the issue and make recommendation as to whether or not FCCWG should continue to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 301." |
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Month of Guided Prayer - A Retreat in Everyday Life
 Go on retreat while staying at home. Explore different ways of praying, speak privately with an experienced prayer guide and become more aware of God's presence in your life. A Month of Guided Prayer - Retreat in Everyday Life will be co-hosted by Epiphany United Church of Christ and St. Cronan Catholic Church. It will begin with a 90 minute group gathering of all participants on Sunday, January 27 at 2:00 pm. Throughout the month each participant will be invited to pray privately each day and then meet confidentially with an experienced prayer guide for one hour each week. Meetings with prayer guides take place on Tuesday afternoons, Tuesday evenings, Thursday mornings or Thursday afternoons, at the convenience of each participant. All participants will gather again in celebration on Sunday, February 24 at 2:00 pm. One may still participate in the retreat if not able to attend the opening or closing gatherings. This is an individually directed retreat tailored to your own deep desires. Committed couples also have the option to participate as a couple. Prayer guides may not companion anyone they know. Brochures and registration forms are available in church, and for even more information, visit www.weekofguidedprayer.org or contact Pastor Mary Albert at 314-772-0263 or epiphanyucc.1@juno.com. There is no registration fee, but retreatants are invited to share the costs of the retreat as they are able. |
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Webinar: Long Term Recovery Basics, January 29-30
On January 29 and 30, at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the Emergency Response Specialists of Church World Service will present Long Term Recovery Basics.
Start the New Year with the CWS ERS team as they share best practices, and important steps to take in forming a Long Term Recovery group. This is a special presentation time to accommodate relief and recovery workers that are in the field during the early hours of the day.Each webinar session will be approximately 75 minutes long, with a 15-minute break between sessions. Register for the series at www.cwserp.org or by clicking the following link:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/110460850 *Note: This registration link will automatically sign you up for both days.The sessions are:Tuesday, January 29, 20126:00-7:45 pm Part 18:00-9:30 pm Part 2Wednesday, January 30, 20126:00-7:45 pm Part 38:00-9:30 pm Part 4Among those who will find this series of interest are:- Clergy and lay leaders from houses of worship in disaster affectedcommunities.- Persons serving on local Long Term Recovery Groups.- Disaster Case Managers and the staff of organizations who may providedisaster case management.- Local, state, and federal Voluntary Agency Liaisons.- Emergency Managers.- Anyone concerned for those affected by recent disasters.- Anyone planning to mitigate the hazards in their community before adisaster strikes. |
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Gateway Open and Affirming Convocation
Open and Affirming: The Journey Continues
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Registration starts at 9:30am, program begins at 10am.
First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, United Church of Christ
10 West Lockwood Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63119
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, Executive and Minister for GLBT Concerns and HIV/AIDS Ministries, United Church of Christ
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LIFE retreat at Eden Theological Seminary
Begin 2013 with a LIFE retreat on Discipleship-Spiritual Formation at Eden Theological Seminary on January 11-12.
Designed for working individuals the retreats begin at 6:00 on Friday evening with dinner, worship and the first instructional time. The retreats conclude Saturday at 3:30 with a closing worship experience. Choose one of two course options. The Certificate course led by Rev. Dr. Warren Crews will focus on developing spiritual disciplines as a life-long pilgrimage. The second course choice, led by Rev. Dr. Lydia Speller, is "Hallowing Time." The cost is $130.00 (140.00 with lodging) for two days, 6 hours of instruction, 3 meals, fellowship, worship, stimulating conversation, challenge and faith transformation-PRICELESS. This IS the BEST deal in town!!!
Join us for the January 11-12 retreat and mark your calendar for: March 15-16- Exploring the Presence of God; April 26-27- Reading and Understanding Scripture; Old Testament.
Why don't you come see how LIFE can transform YOUR life!
More Information or to register:
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 Conference Youth Event brings together the youth of the Missouri Mid-South Conference for a weekend of fun, fellowship and personal spiritual renewal. Located at Camp Mo-Val, just outside Union, MO, the weekend offers youth the opportunity to commune with nature and to escape the business of their lives. Youth will have the opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones, along with attending meaningful worship services and enjoying multiple opportunities to connect with each other. Keynote speaker for this event is Andra Moran, a musician who will share modern day and historic stories that will explore ways how "ordinary people" can help change the world through God's love and peace.
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All Things New, Look What God Is Doing
 All Things New, Look What God Is Doing is the theme for Outdoor Ministries in 2013. Throughout the course of the 2013 program year, everyone is invited to come and participate in the many different outdoor ministry opportunities provide to for you at Camp MoVal and beyond. New camping programs along with many traditional programs are part of the 2013 schedule to insure that everyone has the opportunity to experience God and Creation in whole new way.
Some of the new programs in 2013 are a Grandparent and Grandchild Camp, three Day Camps in three locations to better serve our whole conference, a social justice camp based on the Hunger Games Series and many other opportunities. Camp and Outdoor Ministry is the a special time and place where all people, young and old from many different places can come together and be part of one community, one family and feel safe in a space where everyone is cared for and loved in Christian Hospitality.
The camp schedule is available on the Conference website, which gives everyone plenty of opportunity in advance to plan for their chance to get away and participate at Camp MoVal or one of our other Outdoor Ministry programs next year. If attending a program is not for you, maybe you would like to volunteer as a counselor, or director or just come and assist for a day, we can always use the extra help. We would not be able to provide the great programs without all of the volunteers that give of their selves and time to make Outdoor Ministry successful.
The camp brochures will be sent out in late January of 2013, be watching for them to arrive. Also, be watching for the launch of our new Camp MoVal website at www.campmoval.org , this will give everyone more up to date information about Camp MoVal and the Outdoor Ministry programs. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Camp MoVal office at 636-583-2730 or email the Director of Outdoor Ministries at jeremy.moval@mmsucc.org. We look forward to serving you at Camp MoVal and the Outdoor Ministries programs. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
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We Need Your Photos for the Music Photo Album
 The creation of a Missouri Mid-South Conference "Music Photo Album" is underway. We are asking each MMS congregation to share 5 random pictures of their church and congregation. To be easily recognized, send 1 picture of your church sign which includes your church name, and 1 picture of your church building. The other 3 pictures are totally up to you, so your congregation can showcase your church's unique qualities and spirit. The pictures will be arranged randomly in a computer photo album and then put to music. The hope is that this project will be completed by the 2013 Conference Annual Gathering. Currently, only 3 congregations have provided pictures which have been used to create an example video of this project. Anyone can see the short video by following the internet link provided at the bottom of this article. We cannot stress enough that to make this project a success EVERY congregation MUST be represented. Pictures can either be mailed to the Missouri Mid-South Conference office or emailed directly to Rev. Dr. Doug Kaufman. Both the snail mail and email addresses are provided at the end of the video. Please spread the word about this project because we want each MMS church represented.
Thanks so much! Keep The Faith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWK71qdQoSk
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Upcoming Conference Minister Preaching
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Emmaus Homes Summer Mission Camps 2013 