Dear Fellow Conference Members,

As we have been talking together recently, many of you have heard me refer to "relationship-based structures" as the kind of organization I think a conference should be built on.  What I mean by that is that we should never get into the habit of regarding the Conference as a building or a staff or even a council and a set of committees.  I think it is literally true that we are the Conference together.  In a practical sense, what this means is that the work we do together ought to be based upon the relationships that rise up naturally among us.  Some of us are deeply engaged in the work of our camps; some love to go on work camps to places of human need; others serve on the committees of the Conference; others are drawn to one another because of common spiritual interests or mutual care.  For some the fall season is a time to gather with friends at church to hold rummage sales or sausage suppers or have a sale of fair trade products.  Underlying all of it is what our fore-parents on the German Evangelical side of the church called "gemutlichkeit," a time of warm and caring fellowship.

That isn't to say that the church doesn't do anything "serious", but when we do ministry we do it in fellowship.  This is more truly spiritual than it may seem to be on the surface.  There is something about our gatherings that reminds us of the presence of God.

So when we begin to think about the work and mission of the Missouri Mid South Conference, it is good that we consider it in gatherings.  We're planning to have some soon.  I hope you'll all try to be there.  On November 19 in the Eastern Association, November 20 in the St Louis Association, and November 21 in the Western Association, we plan to have some 10 AM and 7 PM conversations about who we are, what we've experienced together and how we plan to care for one another and discover God together in the fellowship of  our Conference.  This will also be a time for me to become acquainted with some of you I have not yet had the opportunity to meet.  I am eager to hear your thoughts and feelings about our present direction and our hopes for the future.  I'm planning that we will be guided by what you say.  Each session will be about 90 minutes long, and will begin with a time of devotional sharing.  There will be more information to come.  For now, just put it on your calendar and join me in prayer for our common discernment.

Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister 

Camp MoVal Sunday is being celebrated this October all across the Missouri Mid-South Conference, focusing on October 20th, and on that day we celebrate the programming and adventures that were shared during this summer camping season, and all year long.  In the summer program alone, 500+ campers were taught to experience God in a new way; and many adult leaders were able to develop their faith as well.  The camp season this past year focused on the theme, "All Things New;" leading our campers through Bible stories illustrating how God is continually doing new things in Creation.  It was a great summer!

Worship and liturgical materials for Camp MoVal Sunday were mailed to each congregation in late August; they are also available on the Camp MoVal website or by calling Jeremy Force, OMD at Camp MoVal, 636.583.2730.

Camp MoVal continues to grow and become even more focused on its mission in God's world.  We are beginning a strategic planning process that will focus and refine the work of Camp MoVal, and lead it into the future on sound and defined footing. 

This is a great time for Camp MoVal!  Your prayers and encouragement are always welcome; as well as financial support.  While Camp MoVal receives support from Our Church's Wider Mission, additional support is a necessary part of our program.  Donations designated to Camp MoVal are always welcome; as is your faithful support of Our Church's Wider Mission.  Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!  

To assist your church in preparing for MoVal Sunday, please click on the following items:

• MoVal Sunday Letter 
• Worship Aides  
• Bulletin Insert, side one  
• Bulletin Insert, side two  

MoVal Sunday was celebrated on 10/13 at St. Johns-Bem, Owensville.  Nice campfire, kids!

Remember to turn off your cell phones today in recognition of the problems mining coltan has caused in the DRC! 

The international "Don't Be a Cell Out" event calls for us to turn off our cell phones at noon for two hours, leaving a message in our voice mail stating why.  This is an easy way for you to show your support.  

Congo Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. Plan your event-or an event every day of Congo Week-to learn about, reflect in worship, and together make a real difference for people of the Congo. Find facts, talking points, worship resources and reading lists here: http://globalministries.org/africa/congo-week.html  

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the most mineral-rich country in the world; yet, 80% of the population survives on $.30 a day and 75% of the population is undernourished according to the UN. Further, there are an estimated 1.3 million displaced Congolese, and estimated 1.1 million are living with HIV/AIDS, and close to two-thirds of the population cannot afford conventional health care.  The Congolese live in these dire conditions because DRC is entangled in war over a natural resource, coltan, which has resulted in the death of over 5.4 million to date.  It is a battle for coltan, diamonds, cassiterite and gold, destined for sale in London, New York and Paris - the metals that make our technological society vibrate and ring and bling. In addition to high death rates, the war has led to the use of child soldiers, child slavery in mines, a rise in HIV/AIDS, the mass displacement of peoples, and the widespread use of rape as a weapon of war. To read more about Congo Week on a national scale, check out their website.   

It is usually my husband who loses things and I am the one to find them. This week we were both searching for something amidst a stack of little slips of paper. We were looking for the receipt which also contained warranty documentation for our not-so-old dishwasher that was once again making strange noises. It took three passes through the paper pile to spot the needed receipt.

This experience reminds me of the work of listening to the voices of our conference. As I hear the ideas and thoughts of so many, I sometimes have the sense we are searching for something and can't quite place our hands on it. But, after the first three or four interviews I conducted, and those since, I noticed some topics were mentioned consistently. One of those is the Search and Call process: where churches who are seeking a pastor want to find ways to connect with clergy seeking a church. In fact so many interviewed have said something like, "Where would we be, where would our churches be, if the Conference was not assisting in the Search and Call process?"

As we move ever closer to a smaller conference staff (July 1, 2014), finding the answers to how to manage necessary tasks seems daunting. Yet, through searching and connecting with other UCC conferences, we have found several new models for supporting the staff in the Search and Call process. Since Search and Call is so essential, we will test some of these models this coming year in our three Associations. These models involve training key laity and clergy who have demonstrated outstanding leadership of a search process in a local church. These people will then be commissioned to serve as consultants to churches in transition.

Focusing on what is most important to us as a conference, we recognize that this time is for testing new models, assessing progress, making adjustments and moving forward on the way to the best solutions. As we keep searching, listening and sharing as a conference, we will find what we are seeking: a strong and vibrant way into the future as the Missouri Mid-South Conference.

Jan Aerie, Minister of Strategic Innovation

Neighborhood Houses - 100 Years of New Beginnings  

Neighborhood Houses is celebrating 100 years of strengthening children and families! 100 years of faces, stories, families, and dreams -

100 years of new beginnings

The weekend of November 1st-3rd is the culmination of a year-long celebration, so please join us!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Centennial Forum:  Raising Up:  New Answers for Preparing Our Future WorkforceModerator:  Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw (Eden Seminary).  Panelists:  Dr. Susan Stepleton (Brown School of Social Work at Washington University), Mr. Rich Patton (Vision for Children at Risk), and Teresa Katubig, CEO, Extra Help Inc.

Time:  7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Location:  Wehrli Chapel in the Samuel D. Press Education Center at Eden Seminary

Free and open to the public

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Centennial Celebration Gala

Time:  6:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Location:  The Four Seasons Hotel 

Tickets start at $175 per person.  Click here to buy tickets now!  

Honorary Chairs and Presenting Sponsor:  Ward and Carol Klein (members at First Congregational in Clayton)

Gala Chairs:  Jim and Sheila Schnurbusch (Jim and Sheila are both long-time volunteers)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Centennial Closing Worship Service

Time:  3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Location:  Wehrli Chapel in the Samuel D. Press Education Center at Eden Seminary

Open to everyone!

Registration is now open for That They May All Be One: UCC Polity, taught by Rev. Carol Barriger, on October 21-28. Rev. Barriger teaches UCC polity and history at PSR and also taught at this summer's General Synod gathering. 

Please spread the word among your congregation members and do not hesitate to contact PSR for more information - www.psr.edu.   

Hungry for God?

Be part of YouthFest October 18-19 as we become more informed of the hunger issues faced by communities around the world and serve in ministry together to end poverty and hunger.  Get details online at http://tinyurl.com/YOUFest.