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Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
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2013 Conference Annual Gathering
Registration is Now Online
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Shannondale Needs Your Help
On April 14, Conference members and friends gathered at Shannondale to celebrate the kickoff of Mission 4/1 Earth. Many enjoyed meals and accommodations within Timber Lodge, the main building at Shannondale. Years of weather and wear have ruined the roof of the lodge and a recent assessment has projected that necessary repairs will cost $10,000. If any individuals, groups or congregations are willing to contribute to this need, please direct gifts to the Conference office, designated "Timber Lodge roof replacement". 
Thank you for your prayers and support as we work together to maintain the historic ministry of Shannondale.
* Due to this recent need, Shannondale Sunday will be delayed until July 14. Promotional materials will be sent at a later date.
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2013 MMSUCC Directory
 The 2013 Missouri Mid-South Conference directory will soon be arriving in your mailbox! A directory will be mailed to each church, authorized minister, conference council member and each person serving on an association committee. I will once again ask for extra directories which can be purchased at $2.00 per book to cover our envelope/mailing cost. If you live in the area and wish to stop by the conference office to pick up a directory, there is no charge. But we will only have a certain amount available, so please email your request to Renee at renee@mmsucc.org within the next few weeks. Thank you.
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Photos of the Week
 
Dane Sommer recently celebrated 25 years as the pastor at Valley Center UCC in Deep Water, Mo. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication and service!
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Shannondale's Carbon Credit Program
 For the past three years the MMS Conference Council has been in conversation about entering the Shannondale Tree Farm in the Carbon Credit program. What is a Carbon Credit? How are they allotted? What impact will this have on our ministry at Shannondale? Sean Carny, president of Finite Carbon, has been invited to be with us at this year's Conference Annual Gathering to provide a presentation and answer questions about the proposed Carbon Credit program at Shannondale Tree Farm. There will be a one hour Carbon Credit workshop on Friday beginning at 3:30pm prior to the start of the Annual Gathering, a Saturday morning workshop lead by Mr. Carney, and a presentation on Saturday afternoon. In preparation for our conversations about the Carbon Credit Program we will be sharing a series of Frequently Asked Questions in the next several issues of the e-courier leading up to the Conference Annual Gathering. The entire list of FAQ is posted here on the conference website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carbon Credit Programs
Missouri Mid-South Conference of the UCC
Revision Date 4/24/2013
7. What is a "cap-and-trade" system?
A cap-and-trade system is a market-based solution designed to mitigate global climate change. CO2 emissions are capped and a target is set to reduce CO2 to specified levels by a future date. Excess CO2 pollution allowances are permitted by the government as long as they are offset by CRTs purchased by the polluting entity.
8. What is the Climate Action Reserve (CAR)?
CAR is the agency created by the State of California to administer a "cap and trade" program. California is the first state to legislatively mandate "cap and trade". It is anticipated that other states and the Federal government will initiate similar programs in the future thereby expanding the market for CRTs.
9. What is the goal of Cap and Trade?
To encourage the development of sustainable "green" energy and steadily reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by attaching a cost to emissions which exceed acceptable levels. The scientific goal is to limit the rise in global temperature to approximately 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by 2050 by reducing carbon dioxide and other emissions as part of a larger plan for curbing global warming.
10. What does "Cap" mean?
Each large-scale emitter, or company, will have a limit on the amount of greenhouse gas that it can emit. The entity must have an "emissions permit" for every ton of carbon dioxide it releases into the atmosphere. These permits set an enforceable limit, or "cap", on the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution.
11. What does "Trade" mean?
"CRTs" are generated by the long term commitment of forest owners to the sequestration of carbon. By creating the need and a market for CRTs, entities which contribute to global warming will have a financial incentive to reduce their emissions.
12. What does CRT (Climate Reserve Tonne) mean?
One CRT is equal to one metric ton (tonne) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emission reductions.
13. What or who is "Finite Carbon"?
Finite Carbon, a Pennsylvania Company, is an "aggregator" of carbon sequestration projects. The Conference has a contractual partnership with Finite Carbon to develop the cap and trade project at Shannondale. The Finite Carbon web site describes their business as follows:
"Finite Carbon's unique end-to-end solution for landowners provides quick access to carbon markets. With an in-house team of forest carbon experts who are industry leaders with demonstrated experience in each step of the forest carbon project cycle, we offer the expertise and resources for successful implementation of forest carbon inventories, protocol selection, project design, verification management, and monetization of carbon offsets."
Next week we'll share a few more of the FAQ regarding the Carbon Credit program. To read ahead and see all of the FAQ, click here.
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Cemetery Contemplation
Dr. Marc A. Wessels
"The beginning and the end reach out their hands to each other"
- Chinese proverb
"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess"
- Martin Luther
 I was visiting one of our congregations recently for the first time. One of the pleasures of my ministry as an Associate Conference Minister with the Missouri Mid-South Conference has been to travel many miles through the geography which makes up this varied setting for our communities of faith. As a sort of modern-day Circuit Rider of the past, I journey in order to participate and lead in worship, preach the Word, share in the sacraments and be a present covenantal partner at times of celebration such as ordination and installations and in times of sorrow, conflict and struggle. My travels have me on the road early in the morning and late at night. I get to see some of the most wonderful sites, learn of local and congregational histories, meet interesting people and reflect upon the nature, meaning and value of the church in its various settings.
I oftentimes will try to arrive early at churches where I am visiting, especially for the first time. I like to see the church building it its setting within the context of the community where it has been established. I enjoy taking time to walk amongst the headstones in the church graveyards reading the inscriptions and appreciating the craftsmanship of the artists' work in stone. It is interesting to note how societal preferences for marking the dead have changed from one generation to the next and to see how communities have changed or remained steady in their ethnic makeup over the years.
 As I walked through the graveyard at St Martin's, a historic congregation which was established in 1853 in a log barn by devout Evangelical Germans, I noted the fading images on some of the earliest headstones marking the lives of the ancestors. One particular image which remains present on a number of the gravestones is that of human hands. While time has softened the sculpture's work, the images remain strong and powerful. In this particular cemetery I was struck by the number of images which portray hands in embrace and others have a hand with a single finger pointing skyward to heaven, and one, presumes to the One Eternal God of Creation, the Source of Life and the Conqueror of Death.
 Like a Hula dancer, the hands on those graves tell the story of the Christian faith and its two major tenets. One is the importance of having our focus on God. Another is the importance of Christian fellowship and community, relationship and unity. These themes portrayed in the stone are reminders that both are critical in balance if we are to have a healthy understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a member of the Body of Christ, and a destiny which has meaning and purpose.
The Canadian songwriter and poet, Joni Mitchell's haunting lyrics from her song, Hejira from the album of the same name produced in 1976, echoes the dimensions of human reality with mortality, the reality of individuation and the hunger for purpose and meaning. Her words are powerful, poetic and perceptive.
We all come and go unknown
Each so deep and superficial
Between the forceps and the stone
 Well I looked at the granite markers
Those tribute to finality - to eternity
And then I looked at myself here
Chicken scratching for my immortality
In the church they light the candles
And the wax rolls down like tears
There's the hope and the hopelessness
I've witnessed thirty years
We're only particles of change I know, I know
Orbiting around the sun
While walking in a cemetery may not be an activity we do with any regularity, or even at all, I believe that such an activity is a healthy reminder of our mortality and can bring us to a place of contemplation and understanding, providing us with an opportunity for reflection and grace, comfort and challenge as we consider our own lives. And what we are doing with the time allotted to us "between the forceps and the stone".
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Western Association Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Western Association provided the backdrop for a day that included the reception of a new church, Peace Christian Church UCC; a keynote address by former UCC General Minister and President, Dr. John Thomas; a celebration of "Mission 4/1 Earth" and distribution of trees to plant; fellowship and a wonderful meal served by the host church, Ivanhoe United Church of Christ.
The "Extravagant Welcome" mat was presented to the new church as both an expression of the Association's welcome. and a symbol of Peace Christian Church UCC's practice of extravagant welcome and hospitality.
Click here to read John Thomas' sermon and keynote address and view additional event photos.
Rev. Dr. Holly McKissick is pastor of Peace Christian Church; Darryl Burton is student pastor.
Click here to read John Thomas' sermon and keynote address and view additional event photos.
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Ground For Hope St. Louis
Christ Church Cathedral, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Green and the Gateway Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council are offering a free training afternoon for congregational teams and individuals interested in learning how to make their buildings and members lives more environmentally sustainable.
Ground for Hope St. Louis: Mobilizing Interfaith Action for the Earth will be held from 12:30 - 4:30 pm on Saturday, May 4 at Christ Church Cathedral. The Cathedral is located on 13th Street between Olive and Locust downtown, next to Central Library.
Leading the event will be Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith, whose mission is to "inspire, educate and mobilize people of diverse religious backgrounds for environmental leadership." Two St. Louis congregations -- Central Reform Congregation and United Hebrew Congregation -- are already working with GreenFaith in their certification program.
This event is being offered free to all who want to attend. The event will be most effective if congregations send a team of people to attend together. There is time built into the schedule for teams to meet and plan next action steps. However, individuals are welcome and encouraged to attend as well.
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Camp MoVal News
Camp MoVal Open House
Come join us on Sunday, May 5 from 12-4pm at Camp MoVal. Whether you are a seasoned camper, a first timer, or just want to see what MoVal and Outdoor Ministry is about, here is your opportunity. There will be camp tours, hikes, opportunities to visit with the Director of Outdoor Ministries, refreshments and much more. We would like everyone to have the opportunity to visit Camp MoVal, please join us on May 5th. If you have any questions, please call the camp office at 636-583-2730.
Camp MoVal Early Bird Registration Deadline
Just in case time has gotten away from you, here is a gentle reminder that MoVal's early discount rate is about to expire. As of May 1st, you will no longer be able to get the great deal we are currently offering on our summer camp programs for the 2013 camp season. Please make sure you get your registration in the mail and post marked by May 1st to receive this special rate. If you miss the deadline, you have one more chance to get the discount, simply attend our open house on May 5th and I will honor the discounted rate. We cannot wait for camp to start! It is just a little over a month away! If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Force, Outdoor Ministries Director at Jeremy.moval@mmsucc.org or call 636-583-2730.
Camp MoVal Job Opportunities
Camp MoVal is still in need of two female program staff for this year's summer camp season. To qualify you must have graduated high school, have a passion for the outdoors, working with children and serving in a ministry of hospitality. Camp staff will have one day off per week, be provided room and board and a salary for the eleven weeks of our summer camp program. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Jeremy Force, Outdoor Ministries Director at Jeremy.moval@mmsucc.org or call 636-583-2730.
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Synod Guests and Visitors Invited to MMSC Synod Dinner July 2, 2013
 If you will be attending the General Synod as guest or visitor, or know someone who has a relationship with the MMSC and wants to catch up with old and new friends, make plans now to share in the MMSC Synod dinner on Tuesday July 2nd at the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery Long Beach, California.
The meal will consist of an appetizer, salad, and choice of entrée selections including Steak and Fries, their famous Brew House Chicken, and delicious Blackened Shrimp Mac 'n Cheese and dessert. Unlimited coffee, tea and fountain sodas are included. The cost is $35.00 and includes tax & gratuity. Reservations must be confirmed and paid for by June 1, 2013. Please make checks payable to Missouri Mid-South UCC and send to the attention of Dr Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister at the Conference office.
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Youth at General Synod
We excitedly look forward to Youth at General Synod 29 in Long Beach this summer. We have some inspiring youth programming outlined in partnership with our national, conference and local settings.
You can learn all about the programming and outreach via www.ucc.org/youth . Just click on Youth at General Synod on the left hand column. Hope to see you there!
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The Friends of Emmaus Mission and Message
 Over 40 years ago a few dedicated UCC women fellowship members volunteered at the Emmaus Home and formed a group to become "The Friends Of Emmaus". Over the years the group expanded and includes members from other denominations, parents of Emmaus residents and individual volunteers.
The Fall Bazaar and Quilt Auction have been a tremendous success, raising many thousands of dollars for Emmaus Home. The money has been used to purchase new vans; appliances; furniture; sent residents to the Special Olympics; Exceptional Equestrians; Hefer project; pottery program; special events; employee appreciation and much more.
Two years ago we changed our Fall Bazaar to a Spring Festival on the 3rd Sunday in May. This year the event will be on May, 19, 2013. The quilt auction will continue to be the highlight of the event, along with our famous dinners and many booths and activities.
Many of our devoted quilters can no longer do the quilting. We are in need of new groups that will be interested in quilting for the auction.The proceeds of our efforts go to enhance the quality of life of the residents who call Emmaus home.
For additional information to join our efforts please contact one of the members. Thank you.
Mary Fischer
President-Friends of Emmaus
hankmaryfischer@charter.net
636-561-7747
Betty Shrum
Quilt Auction Chairperson
bkb6699@aol.com
636-566-6236
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 Metal Folding Chairs For Sale
Mount Tabor UCC has 250 Samsonite metal folding chairs for sale for $2.00 each.
Please contact Susan, Monday thru Friday, 9am-3pm at 314-645-9025.
The chairs are at the church at 6520 Arsenal St. St. Louis, MO
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Blessing of the Scarves Celebration to be Held
June 2 at Trinity UCC, St Louis
 So, have you found your knitting needles? Located your crochet hook or looked up instructions on how to "finger knit" on your computer? Folks at Trinity UCC in Affton have been busy making scarves to send to General Synod this summer. So far this small congregation has well over 50 scarves collected and more are coming in. They are all colors and types. A few are STL Cardinal fleece scarves! We can't help it; we are Cardinal fans here at Trinity.
These scarves will be shared with those attending Synod who are willing to take a stand against bullying and violence. It works like this: Take a stand; get a scarf. Ask someone to take a stand; give them a scarf and go get a new one. The goal is to have 3,000 scarves to begin with and give them all away by the end of the gathering.
June 2 at 3:00pm you are invited to join with others from the Conference at Trinty UCC( 5200 Hilda Avenue St Louis, MO 63123) for a Blessing of the Scarves and Delegates! Pastor Jan Barnes and Associate Conference Minister Dr. Marc A. Wessels will be leading the event. Please bring your scarves and those who have worked to make them for a time of blessing and celebration. Following worship there will be a simple reception in honor of Trinity's 120th Anniversary. All are welcome to stay for a time of fellowship.
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself."
---Firestone
For further information: 314.352.6645
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You Are Invited - Installation of Pastor Nicole Torbitzky
Hope United Church of Christ of De Soto, Missouri and the St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ invite you to a worship service for the installation of Nicole Torbitzky as Pastor.
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 3PM
Hope United Church of Christ
100 South 3rd Street
DeSoto, MO 63020
636-586-2394
All clergy are asked to arrive by 2:30 to assemble for the processional and are invited to robe and/or wear red. A reception will follow the service.
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Follow Us on Facebook!!!
Get the latest news and information from around the Conference and connect with friends on our Facebook page - just click the link below!
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St. Louis Association Annual Spring Gathering, May 2
The St. Louis Association Spring Gathering will be held on Thursday, May 2 from 5:15-9pm at St. Lucas United Church of Chris. Please click here for registration and additional meeting information.
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Upcoming Events
(Please see the latest issue of eHappenings for church events)
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Upcoming Events At a Glance...
(scroll down for detailed event info)
May 3-5 Women's Retreat at Camp MoVal
May 3-5 Men's Retreat at Shannondale
May 5 Shannondale Sunday
May 6-10 Mediation Skills Training Institute
May 21 Appreciation Breakfast
September 16-18 Persons In Ministry Retreat
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May 3-5
Men's Retreat at Shannondale
Join other men from the Conference for a weekend filled with:
1) Spiritual growth
2) Fellowship
3) Recreation & Fun
4) Great eating
5) Service to the Shannondale community
6) Opportunity to recharge
Click here for the event flyer with additional details.
COST: $60 per person - Includes Lodging & Food
LODGING:
Dormitory-style air-conditioned bedrooms. Please bring your own bedding & pillow. Camp sites & camp sites with electrical hook ups are available.
MEALS:
Meals will be family style at Timber Lodge.
WORK PROJECTS:
Work projects will depend on the number of men & the skills of the men attending. Please let Jonathan know what specific skills you can provide.
Contact Jonathan Jones at (314) 608-0783 or jonathan@jonathanjonesconsulting.com.
$20 deposit is requested by April 21st.
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May 3-5
Women's Retreat
Meet Me at the Well and Water Our Souls 
The full weekend fee is $100. Space is limited to 120 (no pets please). You must be 18 years of age to attend. Registration opens 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3 No early arrivals, please. Retreat ends Sunday, May 5 at 11:30 a.m.
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May 6-10
Mediation Skills Training Institute
First English Lutheran Church
1015 East Main Street
Columbus, Ohio
This event provides 32 hours of training, which is useful for clergy looking for continuing education opportunities along with honing your mediation skills.
The pre-registration deadline for the Mediation Skills Training Institute, scheduled for May 6-10, 2013, has been extended to Friday, April 19, 2013. Register before April 19 and save $100.
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May 21
Pastor or Faith Based Leader
Parish Nurse Appreciation Breakfast
Free Breakfast 8:00 am to 9:30 am
Resource Fair 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Schroer Commons-Breakfast
Chapel-SD Press Building Resource Fair
Come for free Breakfast from 8 am to 9:30am. Visit a variety of community resources from 9 am to noon.
RSVP by May 14th, 2013 to Rev. Donna Pupillo at 918-2596 or dsmith-pupillo@eden.edu
Sponsored by Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries
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September 16-18
2013 Persons In Ministry Retreat
 Please mark your calendars for the 2013 Persons In Ministry Retreat, September 16-18 at
The Resort at Port Arrowhead, 3080 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark, MO 65049. The theme of the retreat will be "Honest to God Prayer: Being Still while in Motion" and will be led by Kent Ira Groff.
Kent Ira Groff is a spiritual companion for journeyers and leaders, a retreat director and a writer poet living in Denver, Colorado. Honest to God Prayer is his tenth and newest book. Others include Facing East, Praying West, prayer poems from his time in India, What Would I Believe If I Didn't Believe Anything?: A Handbook for Spiritual Orphans, and Writing Tides, which he uses with classes in Denver prisons.Dr. Groff is founding mentor of Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development, Camp Hill, Pa. With experience as a pastor of congregations, a chaplain, and a seminary teacher, he describes his work as one beggar showing other beggars where to find bread.
Stay tuned for more event details!
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Upcoming Conference Minister Preaching
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Nursery Caregiver - St. Johns Evangelical United Church of Christ, St. Louis, MO
(posted 4/10/13)
Applications are being accepted for a Nursery Caregiver. This is a paid position. This person will be responsible for the care of children in the Nursery during both services on Sundays (9am and 10:30am), with help from volunteers and other paid staff. If you are interested in applying for the position, please send a letter of application, including references, via email to contact@stjucc.org, or call the church office at 892-0848 by April 22.
St. Johns is located in South County at I-55 and Lindbergh.
Our address is 11333 St. Johns Church Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63123
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Camp MoVal Opportunities (posted 3/27/13)
Camp Moval is still in need of three or four program staff for this year's summer camp season. To qualify you must have graduated high school, have a passion for the outdoors, working with children and serving in a ministry of hospitality. Camp staff will have one day off per week, be provided room and board and a salary for the eleven weeks of our summer camp program. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Jeremy Force, Outdoor Ministries Director at Jeremy.moval@mmsucc.org or call 636-583-2730.
Camp MoVal is also seeking a part-time assistant to work with myself, the Outdoor Ministries Director at the Camp MoVal site. This individual will work directly with the Outdoor Ministries Director and will have responsibilities for camp and retreat registrations, handling of guest services, working in the office at MoVal and being an integral part of our ministry team. If interested, please email a resume and cover letter to Jeremy.moval@mmsucc.org. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to be in contact with the Outdoor Ministries Director.
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Nurses Needed (posted 1/23/13)
Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries is seeking two professional registered nurses to serve in two UCC congregations in St. Louis. One 10-hour unbenefitted position in UCC church in Maplewood and one
4-hour every Saturday to work in a newly formed clinic at UCC church in North County.
If interested Rev. Donna Pupillo at Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries 314-918-2596.
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Conference Deacons
(posted 1/16/13)
 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.
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Contact Us |
Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ 314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884 |
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