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Wednesday, January 8, 2014
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Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
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Allen's Message to You
Dear Friends and partners in the Gospel,
A few thoughts for Epiphany Season: The shepherds have returned to their flocks, and the Magi have gone home. There is still in the church a scent of pine, a fragrant memory of a charism of grace that we hesitate to let go. The sense that the world has come to stillness is something we feel even more this year than usual, because of the snow, made powdery by cold temperatures, forbidding to travelers but welcome to those who need a few days for rest.
It is only a slightly guilty pleasure to be glad to be snowed in for a day or two.
And now we approach the Sunday that resumes the story of Jesus, and we hear with him these words that came from God:
"You are my child. I love you, and I am pleased with you." (Mark 1:11)
It feels like a time for a new beginning.
There is much that is happening in the Missouri Mid-South Conference. Our vision team will meet again in  a few weeks to continue their work. Soon they will be gathering us and inviting us to share our dreams. The search committee for a conference minister has been appointed. A profile of the Conference is being drafted. An annual gathering is being planned for June in a new hotel venue in Jefferson City. The Conference Council will meet this month, then two times more, to create an agenda for the gathering where we will elect our Conference leadership, pass the budget for our work together, and commit ourselves to a practice of common ownership of our works of ministry. People who love this Conference and its faithfulness to Jesus' Way will come together, as they always do, to ask, "What can I do? How can I help?" And once again we will feel the excitement of responding to the challenges that the new year brings and adapting ourselves to the message of the ever-speaking God.
Epiphany and New Year's blessings!
Allen
Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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76th Annual Meeting Registration Is Now Open Colleagues and Friends, Excitement is building for the 76th Annual Meeting of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries that will be held at the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort and Suites in Scottsdale, AZ, Thursday, February 27 - Sunday, March 2, 2013. An exceptional program has been planned around our theme, "Behold! I am Doing a New Thing: Embracing the Future." As always, there will be lots of time for networking and socializing with colleagues. You won't want to miss our 76th CHHSM Annual Meeting! The group rate at the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort and Suite is guaranteed for 3 days prior and post meeting. We invite you to take advantage of this beautiful destination meeting. A golf outing will be planned for Wednesday, February 26th and Spring Training baseball tickets are available for purchase for after the Annual Meeting. Please inquire with Eileen Nagy at nagye@chhsm.org for a schedule and ticketing information. Registration is now open! Read all the meeting details on the CHHSM website - www.chhsm.org - using the special Annual Meeting button on the right hand side. Then click on "Register" to access our electronic registration form. The registration deadline is Monday, January 27th. Register today!
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Reminder - Name Change for Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE DEACONESS PARISH NURSE MINISTRIES IS NOW:
Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries
Please make certain that any listing or reference to our organization January 1, 2014, or after appropriately and accurately reflects the new name of the organization.
Additional communications regarding our new name and organization will be provided beginning January, 2014 and throughout the year. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact either
Rev. Donna Smith-Pupillo, RN, Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries' Executive Director, 314.918.2596 or via email at dsmith-pupillo@eden.edu. Or Jim Schnurbusch at 314.413.8673 or via email at jim@orgstory.org.
Please note that our office address remains the same:
Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries
483 East Lockwood Avenue, Room 106 (Schultz Hall)
St. Louis, MO 63119
Thank you!
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Christmas Past?
The gifts have been put away, the decorations packed in their boxes, the tree taken down. So soon, it is all over and  the New Year begun! Epiphany is the marker in our home for completing the holiday cycle. Yet this year, the wonderment of Christmas continued for me in St Louis, with the historic snow storm. Perhaps you have noted as I did, that when the sky is filled with snow, and the ground all white, light shines brighter. Even in the midst of the storm, the ground and air reflected a brilliance. At night, the area shone with reflected light even when there was no moon or stars visible.
The beginning of the Epiphany Season reminds us this is the time of increasing light. Mark Ralls in his weekly blog describes his view of this season, "Ancient astrologers derived their counsel from the movement of the stars. Contemporary leadership theorists assemble their advice from the premise that culture is always on the move -- always in flux. Assuming the inevitability of change, both groups prize becoming over being, that which could be over that which is." (Italics are mine)
As promised, this season of light for the conference is one of illuminating gifts of expertise and knowledge. You are invited to shed light on your gifts and that of others you know, by areas of ability and interest. We will then create connections for implementation, of those with particular interests and abilities. For instance, there is interest in collective prayer cycles around the conference - prayer for the work of each of our churches, and the work of the conference. Would you like to be part of this? There is a call for sharing ways to attend to personal health while attending to the health of our congregations. There is a wish for ways to more widely share the Good News of mission work by churches and individuals. Does one of these or other thoughts capture your Spirit? Please communicate with me as we work to further light up God's work in Missouri Mid South. Bright light to you.
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Labyrinth Wanted
Rev. Kathy Porter, who works with Comtrea, is interested in purchasing a portable, canvas labyrinth to use with their clients. They are looking for a 24 ft. circuit renewal  labyrinth. The one they looked at purchasing from a labyrinth company is $2700.00. If they could purchase one for about
$1500.00 that would be most helpful. Please contact Kathy with any information on labyrinth's.
Kathy can be reached at 636-296-6206, ext. 4337(office) or 314-630-6332(cell), and her email addresses are: kporter@comtrea.org or kleeporter@charter.net.
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Calvin Symposium on WorshipThe Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is hosting an event on January 30-February 1, 2014 in Grand Rapids, MI.  This is a conference for pastors, worship leaders and planner, artists, musicians, scholars students and other interested worshipers. 1,500 attendees will gather from over 20 countries and many denominational backgrounds. 100 presenters, including Alison Adam, Jeremy Begbie, Sandra Bowden, Constance Cherry, Richard Foster, Pablo Jimenez, Michael Nabors, and many more. The worship theme is The Book of Exodus, with Emphasis on Prayers of the People. Register now at worship.calvin.edu.
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"Follow That Star: A Jazz Nativity" Feedback
As another successful year for A Jazz Nativity has closed, please click here to see a personal thank you to those  who supported this fabulous gathering of music and storytelling. The Oikos Production team is also asking for your feedback. So if you attended any of the performances and would like to share your thoughts, please send them to oikos.productions@gmail.com.
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Donations Request for PET International and Dr. Anil Henry
Sisters & Brothers in Christ, Greetings!
In the summer of 2012, Columbia UCC had the joyful and inspiring privilege of meeting and hearing from Dr. Anil Henry of Mungeli Hospital in India.
One of our members was so engaged by the story of Dr. Henry's work that she spoke to the local branch of PET International (www.petinternational.org), which makes and distributes Personal Energy Transportation devices (hand-cranked carts) for those with mobility limitations living in impoverished areas.
Excited by the opportunity to expand their outreach, PET International agreed to donate 180 PET devices to Mungeli Hospital; Dr. Henry is ready to receive and distribute them. This fills a shipping container going by sea to the port of Chennai, India, then transported overland to Mungeli.
Dr. Henry is able to fund, through donations, the overland transportation in India. We need to raise about $4,407.00 to cover shipping by sea, so Dr. Henry can receive the PET devices and distribute them to those in need.
Working with Rev. Dale Parson, Associate Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC, we decided to contact Dr. Henry's supporters and friends, particularly those he met during his 2012 visit.
We invite members of the Missouri Mid-South Conference to make a contribution toward the ocean-shipping cost of $4,407.00. We hope to receive all donations by the beginning of March.
Columbia UCC will receive and hold all contributions in a designated account, and write one check for the cost of shipping. We will also record and share with Dr. Henry the names of individual and congregational contributors, and publicly acknowledge this partnership effort.
I would be happy to answer questions via email, and I look forward to the successful completion of this great cooperative work. I hope that you and your congregation will be part of it!
With peace and joy,
Rev. Steven E. Swope
Pastor, Columbia UCC
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2014 Conference Youth Event
The 2014 Conference Youth Event will be held on February 15-17 at Camp MoVal. The theme is "Pray, Play and Stay Together: In God's Embrace." The youth will connect with God in nature and fellowship, hang out with friends, experience cool workshops, enjoy awesome games and share their gifts with others. The cost of registration is $120 and is open to grades 9-12. Click here for further information and keep watching the eCourier for new updates! Be sure your church is represented at the 2014 event, show your youth spirit!!!
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Interfaith Breakfast Dialogue Group
The next meeting of the Interfaith Breakfast Dialogue Group will take place on Tuesday, January 21,at 7:30 am.  Discussion will focus on the subject: "World Peace and the Responsibility of the World Religions"
Dialogue Group member David Oughton, Ph.D, will make the presentation and facilitate discussion. David, an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University, is the founder and organizer of St. Louis' Dialogue Group of the World's Religions and Philosophies which has brought together people from many different religions for the last twenty-five years for community programs and for discussions about their common questions, hopes, and concerns
Please reply to Batya Abramson-Goldstein at babramson-goldstein@jcrcstl.org to let us know if you are able to attend. The meeting will be held at 120 S. Central, Clayton 63105. This office building is situated between the east side of Central and the west side of Bemiston. Metered Street parking is available on Bemiston, Bonhomme or Carondolet. Enter from Bemiston, the lobby conference room will be on your left. Our ongoing thanks to Harvey Schneider for making this space available to us.
7:30 am.. Coffee and conversation 7:45-9:00 am.. Dialogue session
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Get Real, Finding Your True Self in Jesus at Camp Moval
The 2014 Outdoor Ministry theme is "Get Real, Finding Your True Self in Jesus." Campers and participants will  explore the teachings of Jesus and how Jesus himself is a role model and what it means to be a true friend. Please see the Outdoor Ministry Program Schedule - use it to plan your summer and how you would like to spend this upcoming summer at Camp MoVal.
The camp brochure will be mailed to campers and churches in mid-January and registration will start February 1. Please do not forget about our new age group bracketing and age relevance for attending programs. Starting in 2014, grade level requirement will be the grade campers are going into. We know that for many years this has been a confusing issue and we want to use standard approach to grade levels. There will also be a transition in the summer of 2014 for high school seniors as we create new programs for college students and young adults.
Also, do not forget that Camp MoVal will be going through the accreditation process with the American Camp Association during the summer of 2014. Camp MoVal is also looking for a variety of qualified staff to fill its summer camp staff positions. If interested or need more information, please contact Jeremy Force, Outdoor Ministry Director.
There are still some available dates if you would like to have someone from Camp MoVal come and share with your church, cluster or association. If you would like to schedule a visit or have any questions, please call the camp office 636-583-2730. You can also find us on the web at www.campmoval.org or follow us on Facebook.
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Every star in the sky represents a miracle and is in itself miraculous. The Epiphany story is about stars and light,  and discovering the miraculous birth. With Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) giving, many miracles have come to light:
Area churches share with other congregations their resources of purchased curricula and teaching tools for children in Church School.
Young adult members anywhere in the UCC can volunteer for a significant in-depth experience of year-long service while living in intentional community in many sites across the US. Kirkwood UCC is one of the host churches.
A mid-winter experience of spiritual growth and faith exploration for teens is held each year over Presidents' weekend at Camp MoVal.
Your giving lights another star of miraculous beauty.
Our Church Works Miracles!
OCWM: creating miracles every day.
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Rev. Polly McWilliams Installation
The Eastern Association
of the Missouri Mid-South Conference
of the United Church of Christ
and Grace United Church of Christ
invite you to a service of worship and installation
Rev. Polly McWilliams as our pastor and teacher
Sunday, 2 February 2014 at 3 p.m.
Grace UCC is located at 8326 Mexico Road
St. Peter's Missouri 63376
Rev. Heather Arcovich, preaching
Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and
join the procession.
Reception to follow...
For further information, contact Grace UCC
Phone: 636-240-5856
Website: wearegraceucc.org
FaceBook: Grace UCC O'Fallon
Twitter: O'Fallon@WeAreGraceUCC
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Congregational Disaster Readiness Coordinator Training - March 28-29, 2014
The Faith-Based Organization Disaster Initiative Committee of the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Service  Partnership for Disaster Recovery, in conjunction with the Northwest Area Office of the Christian Church of Mid-America, would like to invite you and two members of your congregation to take part in a pilot training program for Congregational Disaster Readiness Coordinators (DRC's). The pilot training will be held at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia, MO on March 28-29, 2014. Adults and youth willing to help their congregations to take steps to begin or to improve plans for their congregations to survive and serve through a community-wide disaster are encouraged to attend.
Training expenses are being underwritten by grants from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Your only expenses are your travel and lodging (if needed). The training will include information on Community Organizations Active in Disaster, Continuity of Operations Planning, and a tabletop exercise! Here is a link to a short YouTube video with more information on this exciting new opportunity for faith-based organizations across Missouri:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEWGIVYk1RE&feature=share
To register for this training opportunity, please go to:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e8axtxel0d3d2744&llr=nouvvzcab
To download the brochure visit:
http://www.nwareacc.org/fileadmin/Documents/CFBO_Training_2014_Brochure__3__01.pdf
For more information please contact the NW Area Office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Mid-America at 816.632.2237 or nwareacc@nwareacc.org.
Aren S. Koenig
Emergency Human Services Planner
Missouri State Emergency Management Agency
2302 Militia Drive
P.O. Box 116
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Office: (573)526-9247
Cell: (573)301-5912
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SLA Ministerium Schedule for 2014
The SLA Ministerium will meet on the following days in 2014 - Wednesdays from 10-11:30am, however May is an evening meeting.
January 8 - Faith Aloud, Christ Church UCC (host: Becky Turner)
February 12 - 'Love's Moral Framework', Prince of Peace UCC (host: Lois Yatzeck)
March 12 - Every Child's Hope (host: Julie Jennings)
April 9 - Joint Neighborhood Ministries, Epiphany UCC(host:Mary Albert)
May 14 (evening) - Neighborhood Houses at Caroline Mission (host: Darlene Sowell)
June 11 - St John's Community Services (host: Johnniest Henry)
July 9 - Isaiah 58 (host: Brenda Booth)
August 13 - Doorways (host: Justine Craig-Meyer)
For further information about the St. Louis Association Ministerium, please contact Rev. Kevin Cameron at Parkway UCC. 314-872-9330 or kevin@parkwayucc.org.
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Great Lakes Regional Youth Event 
We're already gearing up for the Regional Youth Event (RYE), which will be held on July 10-13, 2014 at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI. The following conferences are participating: Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana/Kentucky, Illinois, Illinois South and the Missouri Mid-South. The RYE is open to all youth grades 6-12. Cost and registration materials will be available soon, but mark this date on your 2014 calendars now! Flyer.
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Quotes for Your Week - Endings and Beginnings
Celebrate endings - for they precede new beginnings.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie 
When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
- Helen Keller
Before moving on, you have to clear away your cherished beliefs.
- Dick Raymond
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
- Lao Tzu
From small beginnings come great things.
- Anonymous proverb
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Music Director, part-time, Parkway UCC
Parkway United Church of Christ, a faithful and progressive, warm and inclusive congregation at Ballas & I-64 seeks a part-time (approx 8 hours/week) Music Director for our Informal Worship Service. If you feel that we could be a good fit for you and your gifts, please send a cover letter and resume to employment@parkwayucc.org by Friday, January 24th and we will send you a job summary. This is a great opportunity!
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Contact Us
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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. |
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