YEARBOOK REPORTS UPDATE! 

If your church plans to have their reports appear in the upcoming 2013 UCC yearbook, your church's information must be entered online through the National database. The deadline is March 1.  

Please click here for the directions to complete that process.  

If you need the yearbook reports resent, please call me at 314-918-2602 or email renee@mmsucc.org.  

Renee

Called To Serve?

MISSION 4/1 EARTH ALERT...

Please join us March 7, 2013 for our official launch at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood, MO.   

We will be learning how two local congregations "greened" their buildings while celebrating our commitment to being stewards of the Earth.  

Please RSVP to missouriipl@gmail.com
http://www.moipl.org/index.html

Can Simple Faith Save the Earth?

Dr. Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister

"Because we lack a divine Center our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things. We really must understand that the lust for affluence in contemporary society is psychotic. It is psychotic because it has completely lost touch with reality. We crave things we neither need nor enjoy. 'We buy things we do not want to impress people we do not like'. Where planned obsolescence leaves off, psychological obsolescence takes over. We are made to feel ashamed to wear clothes or drive cars until they are worn out. The mass media have convinced us that to be out of step with fashion is to be out of step with reality. It is time we awaken to the fact that conformity to a sick society is to be sick. Until we see how unbalanced our culture has become at this point, we will not be able to deal with the mammon spirit within ourselves nor will we desire Christian simplicity."

  --- Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

  On a recent visit to the historic Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill outside of Harrodsburg, Kentucky the thought crossed my mind that the Shaker way of life must appear to many people today to have been an insane utopian community effort. The Shakers were motivated by their sense of a call to a divine Center - a just right place - and their lifestyles were not focused on worldly affluence and the acquisition of things. Standing on a quiet lane at the center of the village, I reflected on our conference's commitment to environmental ethics, spirituality and social justice as expressed in our planning to participate in our denomination's Mission 4/1 Earth goals. M4/1E is going to run from April 1 - May 19 and will demonstrate that the United Church of Christ recognizes the importance of creation stewardship. The major focus of the effort will be to have UCC members across the globe be engaged in 1 MILLION HOURS of engaged care of the earth; plant 100,000 trees; and deliver 100,000 letters advocating protection and stewardship of the earth and its natural resources.

Today we take for granted the reality of the earth being a closed ecosystem in which we live our lives. We understand that we are on Spaceship Earth and share common needs to survive not only with fellow human beings but also with all other creatures. An awareness of our proper perspective of this communal relationship and the need for us to acknowledge our interdependence came to me as I recalled the tune and the lyrics of the Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts".

Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free 

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right

The tune of "Simple Gifts" was written in 1848 and was used by the American composer Aaron Copland for the score of Martha Graham's ballet Appalachian Spring first performed in 1944. I first heard this piece when I was a child when I was introduced to the work of Copland. Since that time I have thought of this piece of music as being so pure, sweet and enduring that my wife, Elizabeth and I incorporated it in our service of worship for our wedding when it was played by classical musicians. Whenever I think of this piece, I am reminded of the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyles and their connection to the land through the work of their hands and craftsmanship demonstrated in their architecture, furniture and farming.

On a visit to Pleasant Hill it is easy to appreciate the simple communal lifestyle of the Shakers. Their rigorous spiritual discipline began as a divergent off-shoot of Protestantism in England in the mid-1700s. In 1774 the Shakers escaped persecution when their founder, Mother Ann Lee immigrated with a handful of followers to the United States. The hallmarks of the Shaker movement focused on the importance of self-sufficiency, the practice of prayer and work, and an exuberant worship experience filled with ecstatic shaking, singing and dance.

The Shakers recognized the importance of simplicity in lifestyle. Looking at their restored and recreated buildings at Pleasant Hill, taking in the beauty of the setting of rolling hills, crops in the field, and the impressive grey dry stone wall rock fences sets the heart at peace and reinforces a grounded connection to the earth and the rhythms of life. The Shaker theology and practices in their everyday lives was counter-cultural in their day. The call to live the simple life which the Shakers espoused was not new to Christianity, but it was based upon ancient Judeo-Christian wisdom which also is found in many of the world's religious traditions and philosophies. For instance, the sixth century B.C. philosopher Lao Tzu encouraged his students, "Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires."

Our proper relationship with the natural world is two-fold according to our biblical heritage. Mission 4/1 Earth reminds us that we are called to be responsible stewards living with other creatures in the order God created. Mission 4/1 Earth declares that we are also given special responsibility of becoming co-creators with God as we recognize the intrinsic value of creation and our role to use but not abuse the elements of creation. Such awareness brings us to an appreciation for the Earth - indeed for the whole of the universe. Our commitment to obtaining more scientific knowledge about our connection to the whole is a declaration of faith in God and our place in the systems of life. With knowledge and faith we declare in a verse of that Shaker hymn:

The Earth is our mother and the fullness thereof,

Her streets, her slums, as well as stars above.

Salvation is here where we laugh, where we cry,

Where we seek and love, where we live and die.

When true liberty is found,

By fear and by hate we will no more be bound.

In love and in light we will find our new birth

And in peace and freedom, redeem the Earth

Now that Lent is underway, take some time to ponder what Jesus means to you.  

 The Jesus Diaries:  Who Jesus Is to Me from The Stillspeaking Writers' Group is a collection of 9 personal essays to guide you on your Lent journey. With relatable themes like "Inconsistent on Jesus," "Not Ashamed of Jesus," "Saved Early by Jesus," "The Giver of Second Chances," "There's Something about Jesus" and more, this 48-page book is also suitable for small-group discussion during Lent.

Purchase The Jesus Diaries for just $9.95!

Have you been wishing for a 'postcard' to put on the fridge?   

St. Louis Association Mission Funds Outreach Application and Criteria

Dear Mission Partners, Congregational Leaders, and Pastors,

It is pleasure to serve you in supporting your work in caring for those in our community. The Outreach Committee in dialogue with the St. Louis Association Council has new criteria it is using to approve agencies and congregational outreach programs for funding support. Not only will we fund existing mission agencies through our ongoing supporting grants but support new projects for funding through one time grants for initiation of new multi-congregational mission projects.

Think creatively what your congregation can do with other congregations in the St. Louis area to care for others in meaningful ways. The application must be received by April 1st.

Western Association Annual Business Meeting

The Western Association Annual Business Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 20th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Ivanhoe United Church of Christ, 6512 Woodson Road, in Raytown, Missouri.  The featured speaker for the day will be the Rev. Dr. John H. Thomas, former General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.  Dr. Thomas will speak and preach on building covenant relationships, and we will receive a new church, Peace Christian Church UCC/DOC into membership in the Western Association.  More information will be forthcoming, but please place that Saturday date on your calendars and we look forward to seeing you in Raytown.

Youth Safe after Fire at Steppingstone, KC - Every Child's Hope

The United Church of Christ is fortunate to share a 150 year partnership with Every Child's Hope so we thought you might all be interested in this recent story. Learn more about Every Child's Hope at www.everychildshope.org.
 

On Sunday, February 10, 2013, Every Child's Hope Steppingstone program in Kansas City, experienced a terrifying fire, but LUCKILY NO ONE was hurt.  

The fire began in the top apartment of the three story building and destroyed the third floor apartment and damaged the two apartments below.  

The youth evacuated immediately and firefighters valiantly fought high winds to contain and put out the fire.  

Staff worked to establish a normal routine yesterday, and praised the teens for following the safety procedures that saved them from injury.

Insurance adjusters are currently at the apartments determining the extent of the damage.  In the meantime, the three youth displaced from their apartments have been re-located and settled in alternative housing. Their first step will be to winterize the affected apartments to prevent any further damage. They will then begin the process of planning for reconstruction.

Duane Lewis was interviewed by Fox 4 News in Kansas City and did an outstanding job!  Here is a link to that interview:

Gospel of Healthy Living Presentation

Dr. Michael O. Minor, pastor and community organizer from Hernando, Mississippi, will speak on the Gospel of Healthy Living, Tuesday, March 5 at Second Baptist Church in Columbia.  He is a local, regional and national champion of faith-based health and wellness.  Minor, active in the National Baptist Convention, is best known as "the pastor who banned fried chicken."  Dr. Minor has been invited by Michele Obama to speak at a conference in Washington, D.C. later the same week. 

Participants will gain an understanding of the linkage between faith and health, learn the basic steps for starting a congregational health ministry and how to care for their temple of God.

Registration is $25 and includes lunch. 

Dr. Minor's presentation is sponsored by the Mid-Missouri Partners in Continuing Education, a group of chaplains, pastors, and churches, and organizations concerned with spirituality and health.  For more information, call (573) 635-1187 or go to http://missourischoolofreligion.org/coursesevents/continuing-ed/gospel-of-healthy-living or email krystalmsr@earthlink.net.

Summary:

The Gospel of Healthy Living

By Dr. Michael O. Minor,  EdD.

Tuesday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Second Baptist Church, 407 E. Broadway, Columbia

Registration cost:  $25, scholarships available

Contact Missouri School of Religion, (573) 635-1187 or www.missourischoolofreligion.org.

Contact Krystal Jacobs at Missouri School of Religion

PO Box 104685, Jefferson City, MO   65110

Contact Krystal Jacobs, 573 635-1187 or krystalmsr@earthlink.net

Or Fran Schnarre 573 819-2954 or franmsr@earthlink.net

Send Us Your Photos!  

Currently, less than 20 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0oMt9NthQs 

Camp MoVal Lenten Work Day

Come join us for our annual Lenten Work Day at Camp MoVal on March 23 from 9am to 3pm. Work projects will include general site cleanup, pool cleaning, cutting and splitting firewood, screen repair, maintenance building cleanup and organization, trail maintenance and much more. All are welcome to come and participate, please make sure that anyone under 18 comes with an adult chaperone.  We also ask that you please let the MoVal office know in advance of your attendance to make sure we have enough food for all of our volunteers and so we can plan an effective and efficient work day.

I thank you in advance for your support of Camp MoVal and our Outdoor Ministry programs. It is your support that makes our ministry possible. To confirm your presence at the Lenten work day, please email Jeremy Force or call the Camp Office at 636-583-2730.