2013 Remittance Form & Lorraine Brooks' Email/Phone
Please click here for the new 2013 MMSUCC remittance form. All checks sent to the conference office should include the 2013 form indicating how the amount of your check should be distributed. Please print and make copies for your office, or you may also find the form on our website. And if you wish to reach Lorraine Brooks, who is handling our bookkeeping, please email her at accounting@mmsucc.org. Her direct phone number is 314-918-2606. Thank you.
|
Conference Annual Gathering - Policy for Submitting New Business The conference council of the Missouri Mid-South Conference has adopted the following policy for submitting new business for consideration at the Conference Annual Gathering: The Executive Committee of the Conference Council is charged with the responsibility of setting the agenda for the Conference Annual Gathering (CAG). In doing so, they must set an agenda that is sensitive to time constraints, maximizes the productivity of our gatherings, and is faithful to both the guidance of God's call in our Conference and the mandates outlined in Articles II and III of our Conference By-Laws. To facilitate this charge, the Conference Council has adopted the following policy regarding how items of New Business shall be brought up for consideration at the CAG. This policy is designed to ensure the integrity of the CAG, and lift up the importance of issues discussed. It is not intended to prohibit anyone from voicing concerns within the Conference; instead, it is intended to ensure that all concerns receive adequate time and the attention they deserve at the CAG. - New Business items will be considered for placement on the CAG agenda if they are supported by at least three church congregations from two of the three Associations. (Three churches total).
- Items of New Business to be brought up at the CAG must be submitted in writing to the Conference Office before April 1st.
- The Conference Council, in setting the agenda, will consider all items submitted in writing when formulating the agenda for the meeting.
- Any requested item of New Business submitted in writing that is not put on the agenda at the CAG will still receive the attention of the Conference Council. An officer of the Conference Council will contact the petitioners prior to the CAG and discuss why their requested item was not included on the agenda.
- Any requested item of New Business submitted in writing that is not put on the agenda at the requested CAG will be discussed at the next Conference Council Meeting.
- Emergency issues may be added to the agenda by the Executive Committee of the Conference Council. Anyone with an emergency issue must submit it in writing to the Executive Committee of the Conference Council before or during the CAG. The Executive Committee of the Conference Council will make the final decision on adding an emergency issue to the agenda.
The Conference Annual Gathering for 2013 will be held at Drury University in Springfield, MO on June 7-9.
|
MMS Conference Council Highlights
The Conference Council of the Missouri Mid-South Conference met on January 12, 2013 at Columbia UCC. Opening worship was led by Associate Conference Minister Dale Parson.
The highlights of our meeting include:
- Approval of the housing allocation requests from the ordained members of the conference staff.
- Approval of Rev. Jeffrey Whitman's sabbatical request for September - December 2013. The Rev. Dr. Jack Seville will be hired on a part time basis as the Conference Minister Sabbatical replacement from September 15 - December 15, 2013.
- The Conference Council received a progress report from Conference Attorney Mike McKee on the Carbon Credit program for the Shannondale Tree Farm.
- The Conference Council adopted the policy for Introducing New Business at the Conference Annual Gathering presented by the Finance and Administration Committee.
- The Wider Church Ministries Committee has appointed a Shannondale Covenanted Ministry.
- The Leadership Development Committee is beginning work on the slate of nominees for the Conference Council class of 2016.
- The Leadership Development Committee is recruiting additional conference deacons for our deacons program.
- The executive committee is working on appointing a task force to review the conference by-laws. Laura Dierberg-Ayers from the conference council will serve as the chair of the task group.
- The Conference Council will hold a special meeting on January 26 with the Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm to consider a proposal for Dr. Hamm to serve as the consultant for a conference visioning process.
- The Conference Council voted to hold our next meeting on April 12-13 at Shannondale so we can participate in the Conference Mission 4/1Earth kickoff event at Shannondale on April 13th.
These are highlights of the January 12 meeting. The official minutes of the meeting will be posted on the conference website after they are approved by the Conference Council at the next meeting on April 12-13 at Shannondale.
Rev. Jeffrey Whitman
Conference Minister
|
Wanted - Conference Deacons
 The Conference Deacon program has been in place since September 2011.
The purpose of the Conference Deacon Program is to recruit and commission more than 60 individuals-both lay people and clergy (retired and clergy who are not currently serving in parish positions)-to visit the congregations of the Conference on behalf of the Missouri Mid-South Conference. Our goal is to have the deacons' visit each church assigned in our Conference 2 times a year in order to:
- bring greetings on behalf of the Conference
- offer a word of thanks for OCWM participation
- encourage giving to OCWM and the special offerings of the UCC
- most importantly, build relationships and strengthen the connection between the local and wider church.
This was an ambitious undertaking. Currently we have recruited approximately 35 deacons. Based on the success of this program and the requests from churches not currently assigned a deacon, we hope you will prayerfully consider the importance of this connection between the local and wider church and consider volunteering. If interested, please contact Joyce Bathke by phone at 314-409-2929 or email joyce.bathke@redcross.org .
Click here to visit the Conference website and read the full Conference Deacon program description.
|
Yearbook Info Has Been Sent!
The yearbook reports and directions were emailed to each individual church last week, and churches who need to receive the info via snail mail should be receiving envelopes early this week. If you feel you should've received the yearbook information via email and did not, please email or call me as soon as possible and I'll be happy to resend. Many times church email addresses change and the conference office may not have your current email. As stated in the email yearbook directions, the National office in Cleveland is offering a brief tutorial on how to use their online database to enter your information. Please click here for the days, times, and instructions on how to join the training session. I encourage you take 15 to 20 minutes and learn the many tools available to you as an individual church within their database. Again, if you have questions regarding your yearbook reports please call me directly at 314-918-2602 or email renee@mmsucc.org .
Thank you again,
Renee
|
Congratulations!
Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski, husband, Jamie, and grandparents, Rev. Bob Atkinson and Shirley were pleased to welcome Naomi Louisa Bilinski into the family this past weekend. Naomi was 9 lbs, 9 oz and 21 inches long. She's spending the week in special care due to a bit of pneumonia, but doing well. Congratulations! 
|
Women's Retreat, May 3-5, 2013
Meet Me at the Well and Water Our Souls 
|
Installation Service - Rev. Dr. Mark Lee Robinson
Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC celebrated the Service of Installation of Rev. Dr. Mark Lee Robinson on Sunday January 13, 2013. Participants included the Rev. Dr. Allen Gothe, Pastor of Pilgrim, Rev. Betsy Happel, Pastor, Kirkwood UCC , who preached on the occasion, Co-Chairs of the St. Louis Association Committee.on Ministry, Ms. Karen Miller and Ms. Jane Porchey and the Rev. Dr. Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister.
|
New Open and Affirming Church
Please celebrate with us the official listing of this new Open and Affirming church, as of January 14, 2013. The ONA Church number indicates the position of this church in the chronology of all ONA churches listed since 1985.
ONA Church #1066
St Peter's United Church of Christ
1425 Stein Road, Ferguson, MO 63135
314-521-5694
http://stpeterschurch.org
|
Seeing the Forest Through the Trees
Every animal in the forest belongs to me, and so do the cattle
on a thousand hills. I know all the birds in the mountains, and
every wild creature is in my care. Psalm 50.10-11
Mission4/1 Earth MMSC Kick-Off Event to be Held April 13 at Shannondale Community
Mark your calendars and plan to come and participate in the official kick-off celebration of Mission 4/1 Earth 50 Great Days of Engaged Environmental Stewardship on Saturday April 13, 2013.
The event will take place at our beloved outdoor ministry site - Shannondale, where we have been stewards of a tree forest and a place of worship and community outreach for generations. More details are to follow.
Plans for the event include worship, environmental education and advocacy. A special dinner and live music will be part of the day.
We are delighted to announce that the MMSC Conference Council indicated its support of the national and conference-wide Mission 4/1 Earth Campaign of our denomination by planning to hold its next regularly scheduled meeting at Shannondale Community Center and Camp on April 12-13. They are planning to participate in this signature kick-off event.
Plan on joining your conference leadership at a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Contact: Dr Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister, for more information email marc@mmsucc.org
|
|
Hurry! Early Registration Deadline is January 22!
 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.
|
Attention Young Adults!
We are happy to inform you of an upcoming opportunity in which young people can be involved in ecumenical leadership training through the World Council of Churches. Those aged 18 to 30 years old can now apply to participate in the unique and dynamic experience presented at the WCC 10th Assembly stewards program in 2013. It consists of three main elements:
- Ecumenical Leadership Training Seminar
- Assisting with an international ecumenical event
- Ecumenical Project Planning
The stewards program will be held over a period of three weeks from 23 October - 10 November, 2013 (travel dates inclusive) in Busan, Republic of Korea. One hundred and fifty young people will be selected from various countries and Christian confessions for this stewards program. They will come together to deepen their knowledge of the ecumenical movement and commit themselves to work for Christian unity in their own context. Stewards will help with the functioning of the assembly which gathers about 3000 church representatives and is held every seven years.
The stewards program will provide a space for ecumenical encounter, learning and discussion. Selected participants will be expected to engage in online discussions on various issues facilitated by the youth program, before arriving in Korea. This will be done via email, Facebook and other online forums. We encourage all churches and ecumenical organizations to encourage young people to apply for this stewards program as it is an excellent opportunity for ecumenical formation.
The deadlines for submission of applications to the program can be found on the application form. For more information about the WCC Stewards Program, please refer to the WCC youth webpage at: www.ecumenicalyouth.org.
We thank you for supporting young people in the churches and ecumenical movement by sharing this information with all those among your youth constituency.
|
 Kids Clubhouse - Grief Support Groups
Kids Clubhouse
Grief Support Groups
For Children, Teens
and families, now forming!
The Kid's Clubhouse is a non-profit organization serving children and teens, 4-18 years old, and families who are coping with the death of a loved one. Whether it is talking with our participants about the death of their loved one or using other modes of expression, such as art, music or play, we encourage children and teens to discover what works best for them.
Please call Lisa Mottola Ernst, Program Director, 314-721-1144 for more information.
All families must go through a brief interview prior to the start of the session. Dates are:
Feb. 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18,
Apr. 1, 8, 15 & 22
6:30 - 8:00 pm
At Samuel UCC
320 North Forsyth Blvd
Clayton MO 63105
|
Salam Clinic at St. Peter's UCC Grand Opening
St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Ferguson is partnering with the Salam Clinic physician group to provide free basic healthcare to adult residents of North St. Louis County. The clinic is offered at the church at no charge each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a walk-in basis. Services include medical checkups, physicals, high blood pressure screening, treatment, and prevention, diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight management, among other medical interventions. Referrals may be made to local hospitals and community services as needed for more intensive treatment by our physicians and parish nurse.
The Salam Clinic at Lane Tabernacle in north St. Louis City has been successfully providing free healthcare for the past 4 years, and now the Salam Clinic is dedicated to expanding their services to uninsured and underinsured people in our area. Please join us for our grand opening on January 19th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1425 Stein Road, Ferguson, MO 63135 or call St. Peter's UCC @ 314-521-5694 for more information.
|
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 - updated speaker information
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, Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine
and Imam for the Fridat Prayers at Saint Louis Hospital
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
|
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Conference Minister Preaching
|
|
Emmaus Homes Summer Mission Camps 2013 