|
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes From Davida...
 | |
Dale Parson, our multi-faceted ACM
|
It struck me as I took this photo, that there are probably people all across this Conference who don't know what your Conference staff do! I caught Dale hammering the little nails into place on a plaque celebrating Pastor Betty Thaller's retirement from Salem UCC in Higginsville on Sunday...and thought about all the little things we do, as well as the big things.
I've been doing this work for about 20 years now, and I love it (most of the time). It can be difficult, especially when we are trying to help people understand why we do things the way we do in the UCC and in that moment they are recalcitrant. But overall, our responsibility as Conference staff is to accompany churches and authorized ministers through good times and bad, to serve as pastors and shepherds, as leaders and truth-tellers, as ones who hold up a mirror and ask whether this is who you want to be. We:
- Work with churches in times of transition of all kinds (change in pastor, shifting generations, changing neighborhoods, times of closing or starting...), seeking to create healthy transformation for faithful mission
- Work with authorized ministers (pastors, chaplains, other specialized ministries) to help them think about their calls, their ministries, their self-care, and their boundaries
- Encourage related and affiliated mission agencies as they try to navigate uncharted waters
- Offer you life-changing experiences at Mo-Val and Shannondale
- Are a pastoral presence on your behalf, especially with authorized ministers in difficult times, but also with churches during your difficult days
- Lead by teaching about UCC identity, mission, heritage, theology and practice of the faith
- Serve as a presence on your behalf in ecumenical and interreligious settings
- Link you to the national and global mission of the United Church of Christ, tapping those resources to assist you, and encouraging those settings to be as vital as they can be
- Develop program and resources to help you be as vital as you can be as churches and as faith-filled Christians
- Make sure your important gifts through Our Church's Wider Mission are carefully and wisely stewarded and that your Conference office is well administered
- Represent you at important moments like anniversaries, ordinations, installations, farewells
- Preach almost every Sunday throughout the year in church after church, to carry the good news of Jesus Christ and to help you understand and celebrate your covenant with the wider UCC
I commented at Betty Thaller's retirement that I am here to accompany you and to try to love you into a new way of being the Conference, to help you turn the current page and begin a new chapter in your life together. As I do that, I celebrate you, whom I have found to be warm and welcoming UCC'ers. Many of you are very invested in your Conference. Yet more of you need to be willing to be the Conference actively. I look forward to helping that happen!
Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree
Acting Conference Minister
|
 | |
Welcome to Jan Aerie
|
Strategic Innovation Work Begins
This week, Jan Aerie began her work as Minister of Strategic Innovation with our Conference. Jan's experience and expertise rose right to the top as we conducted our search for the person to fill this short term position. In virtually every job she has had, she has been called upon to innovate, to mentor, to train and develop, to help people think and act in new ways. Her references commended her to us as one who listens deeply, sees clearly, assesses and develops initiatives carefully, and works to empower and support others. We are excited to welcome her to the staff for these next 11 months. To recap: this new, temporary position was created to help you (laity, authorized ministers, churches, associations and Conference) to move toward next June 30 in a way that will prepare you to make the transition to yet another decrease in staffing. According to the budget adopted at the Annual Gathering in Springfield, you will have to move to a single Conference Minister and a single Associate Conference Minister (Dale Parson) on that date. Although it would have been easier to simply call a second ACM for this time period, the Conference Council and I believe it wiser to arrive at that date with a plan in place for how some Conference functions will be filled in ways other than with staff (and probably how some functions will have to be set aside, although for the life of me, as your Acting Conference Minister, I can't see those clearly.) Here is a link to the job description. We had thirteen excellent candidates, many from within our Conference, and some from outside. It is such good news that so many people expressed a willingness to step forward to meet this need. A big thanks to Revs. David Mehl and Starsky Wilson for helping Davida with interviewing finalists! Jan Aerie was Executive for Global Mission Education and Interpretation our national Wider Church Ministries for 12 years until earlier this year. In that capacity she motivated, organized, trained and nurtured volunteers to work nationwide in mission education within the UCC as well as leading a complex department. Her creation of the Ministry and Mission Interpreters' program is widely acclaimed. Previously she was the Executive Director and Program Director of a very large Council of Churches in upstate New York. In the mid-90's she served with her husband, Rev. Cliff Aerie, whom many of you know from his work on the Creative Faith and Jazz Nativity programs, as co-Interim Pastor for a church in New York. Although Jan is not ordained, she brings knowledge of the life of a local pastor as well as the daily life experience and perspective of a layperson to this new position. Both will be very important! Incidentally, some of you already know Jan as she was here as keynoter for the 2010 Annual Gathering and was the retreat leader for the annual women's retreat in 2009. We invite you to welcome Jan as she begins to meet with individuals and groups across the Conference, listening to your ideas, concerns and hopes. Jan's email address is jan@mmsucc.org and her direct office phone number is 314-918-2601.
|
We Need YOUR Vision To Move Us Forward
Are you the type of person who can look ahead and see the future clearly? Do you think outside of the box? Do you color outside of the lines (which is highly encouraged, by the way!)? Maybe you're not an idea person but you can execute and implement plans with ease, or you are yearning to work in a diverse group environment for the betterment of our Conference. If yes, then YOU need to apply for our Visioning Team! Click here to apply online via our website, or email us the name of someone you feel would be perfect for this team and we'll contact that person. We need varying viewpoints, we need excitement, we need to listen to each other, we need to move forward and enlighten our minds. Help us help you and our Conference. Let us know how great you are and apply for the Visioning Team today!
|
Starsky Wilson Takes a Stand Against High-Cost Lenders 
Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of The Deaconess Foundation and Pastor of St. John's, would not be swayed by lobbyists from Stand Up Missouri. Click here to read an article from Monday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper and the counter-lobbying efforts.
|
New Conference Position Available - Application Deadline Extended! 
Your Conference office is seeking an Office Services Clerk to work 18 hours per week. Visit The Rome Group's website to read the full job description and how to apply.
We have several great candidates but we want to see more! Share this link with friends or family who might be interested.
|
Register NOW for the Persons in Ministry Retreat, September 16-18
Click here for all registration materials for the PIM Retreat on September 16-18 at The Resort at Port Arrowhead,3080 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark, MO 65049.
All MMSUCC and Mid-America Region clergy are welcome. If you are a lay person, please encourage your church to send your pastor to this worthwhile annual event. It not only promotes spirituality, but also contributes to our continued partnership with the Disciples of Christ.
The theme of the retreat is "Honest to God Prayer: Being Still while in Motion" and will be led by Kent Ira Groff. Kent 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. 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.
The annual PIM retreat is a fabulous place to relax, renew and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.
|
Enter the UCC's "My Faith, My World, My Voice" Video Contest 
The "My Faith, My World, My Voice" video contest, introduced at General Synod 2013 in Long Beach, Calif., challenges young adults to be visionaries for the future by creating a video representation of what faith means to them and how it impacts their world. The contest is open to individuals ages 18-35 and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 31, 2013. All entries must be original content and cannot be longer than 60 seconds. The contest seeks creative, high-quality videos that send a dynamic message. Videos must answer the question, "How does your faith transform, connect or touch the world?" in an honest, inspiring way. Click here for further guideline info and to see video examples. What a fabulously engaging project for ALL of the young adults in the MMSUCC. Please be sure to share all of your entries with our conference office so we can post them in the eCourier. Let's see what you've got!
|
MoVal Golf Fundraiser - Play Golf for a Great Cause! (Or Just Come Enjoy a Great Dinner!)
Camp MoVal Golf Tournament -Saturday, August 31, 1:30 Shotgun Start
The Landings at Spirit Golf Course, 180 North Eatherton, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Don't play golf? That's okay! Come for dinner and other fun activities! Golf and dinner - $100. Dinner - $20. Golf Ball Drop & Raffle. Please help publicize this special event! Donated items are also needed for raffle baskets!
|
Quotes For Your Week
Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.
-Bruce Barton Show me a person who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a person who cannot be trusted to do big things. -Lawrence D. BellDon't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves. -Dale Carnegie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facility and Technology Administrator - part time - St. John UCC, St. Charles (7/24/13)
St. John United Church of Christ, St. Charles, MO is seeking to hire a part-time (30 hours) Facility and Technology Administrator who is passionate about working in a church environment. This individual would work 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Primary responsibilities will include facility and technology management, along with overall computer and office skills. To view full job description go to http://www.stjohnucc.org/ and follow the menu links for Extra>Downloads>Facility and Technology Administrator. To apply send cover letter and resume to officejob@stjohnucc.org. Resumes only, no calls please.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congregational Life & Mission Associate Pastor - part time - Webster Groves Christian Church (7/9/13)
Interested candidates may contact Dr. Penny Ross-Corona, Southeast Gateway Area of the Christian Church of Mid-America, at 314-918-2515 for further information or click here for the full job description.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Director of Youth Ministries - full time - St. John UCC, St. Charles (7/9/13)
Summary of Position: This position offers the opportunity to work with an active and vibrant youth ministry with the intention of continuing to build a spirit of discipleship among youth by developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to youth ministry and intentional faith development (in areas of small groups, worship, discipleship, mission, fellowship and church connection) while serving as a spiritual leader and role model. This is a full time position with benefits.
A successful candidate will recognize all programming will be based on an understanding of the primary task of youth ministry:
-love and value youth where they are
-encourage youth in developing a personal relationship to God
-provide them with opportunities for spiritual nurture and growth
-challenge them to respond to God's call to serve in their communities andworld.
Resumes only, no calls please. Please submit a job specific cover letter and application to: jobs@stjohnucc.org. by August 25, 2013 - deadline extended. For complete job description go to www.stjohnucc.org and follow the menu links for Extra > Downloads > Youth Director Job Description.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Director of Music Ministry - part time - Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC (7/2/13)
826 Union Blvd., St. Louis, is seeking a talented and passionate director to lead its choir and music program. The director works with a volunteer choir and the pastor to provide an inspiring worship experience. Pilgrim has a diverse, multicultural congregation that appreciates a wide range of musical styles, as well as an 81-rank Aeolian Skinner organ. Duties will include performing/playing the organ and/or piano on Sunday mornings,arranging for substitute musicians, and administering the music budget. Degree in music required; 3-5 years in a comparable position. Salary commensurate with experience. For a full job description, please inquire by calling 314.367.8173 or by email to pilgrim826@sbcglobal.net. For full consideration, applications should be received by August 7.
|
|
Contact Us
|
Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ 314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884 Email renee@mmsucc.org to submit information for a future issue. Not all submissions may be used in future eCouriers. |
|
|
|
|
