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Wednesday, March 12, 2014
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Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
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I lift up my eyes to the hills -
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
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The Lord will keep you from all evil;
He will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forever more.
Psalm 121:1, 2, 7, 8
Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel,
Faith, as it is expressed in Scripture, is a peculiar form of assurance that is realized in personal commitment rather than in evidence and discovery. Faith implies decision, and is capable of sustaining us even in those moments when we feel like we have lost our capacity to believe, as most of us have done at one time or  another; because faith and belief are not the same. Belief can be arrogant, and often is, when we think we have accomplished it by reason stressed and pulled; but faith comes through following the hopeful passion that has been given us - the vision and the song of God.
On this second Sunday of the Lenten Season, the Scriptures testify to the gift of faith - the faith of Abraham's obedience, Paul's contrast between faith and works, the Psalmist's words of confident assurance, and the wonderful story of Nicodemus newly born, and free to live in the Spirit of God's love.
May our days of visioning and planning, examining structures and asking practical questions about staffing and finance, stewardship and mission - all throughout this Holy Season - be filled as well with the underlying sense of God's constancy and love, so that all that we do may be grounded and nurtured in the assurances of faith.
May God bless all the ministries we share.
Allen
Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Conference Daily Prayers in Lent - A Journey of Faith 
Join us in prayer each day during Lent as close to 12 noon as possible, or at your most favorable time. Click here for the newest meditations and prayers in printable format, or visit our Conference website to view the prayers by week. Please invite others to share in prayer. What better way is there to BE the Missouri Mid-South Conference than to pray together?
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Rev. Heather Arcovitch Installation Invitation
The St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ and
First Congregational Church of Saint Louis, United Church of Christ,
warmly invite your presence for the installation of
the Rev. Heather M. Arcovitch as Senior Minister
of First Congregational Church of Saint Louis, United Church of Christ
Sunday, March 23, 2014 - 3:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Saint Louis, United Church of Christ
6501 Wydown Boulevard, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63105
Clergy are invited to vest with red stoles and gather at 2:30 for the processional. A spirited reception will follow the service. Parking is in the lot on Wydown adjacent to the church. (Disregard the WashU sign and drive right in!)
Enter through the red doors by the parking lot or the Narthex doors on University Lane.
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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!
To register for this training opportunity, please click here. To download the brochure, please click here. 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.
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Monthly Health and Wellness Tip Sheet - March
This month Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries joins with National Kidney Foundation in National  Kidney Month. We urge Americans to get to know 2 humble hardworking organs: the kidneys. The kidneys serve a vital function in filtering waste from the bloodstream. They serve to help control blood pressure. Proper hydration of at least 6 to 8 ounce glasses of water a day and maintaining a healthy lifestyle keeps your kidneys functioning well.
Sadly, 26 million American adults suffer from chronic kidney disease. The primary risk factors for chronic kidney disease include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure and being over the age of 60. However, there is good news in you can prevent chronic kidney disease and promote good kidney health by three simple steps. Click here to finish reading the article and for a printable copy.
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Crazy Bowl FunRaiser - Neighborhood Houses
On Sunday, March 30, you are invited to participate in a family-friendly "crazy bowl" celebration of the mission and  ministry of Neighborhood Houses. We will gather with teams from St. Lucas UCC, St. John's UCC (Mehlville), and St. Phillips UCC for an afternoon of crazy bowling and traditional bowling at Shrewsbury Lanes.
This event is offered at-cost to celebrate and learn more about Neighborhood Houses, not as a fundraiser. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Ken Bentlage at kbentlage@att.net or call 314-457-9684.
Tickets may also be purchased at the St. Lucas UCC office located at 11735 Denny Road, St. Louis, MO 63126. Click here for the event flyer which contains the bowling schedule/prices.
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Heritage Committee Request
The Heritage Committee is looking for minutes of the Missouri Mid-South Conference governing body (called at  various times the Board of Directors or Conference Council) and we're asking for help from those who have been involved in the Conference over the years.
The Heritage Committee is attempting to produce a written history of the Missouri Conference from its founding in 1963 into the present era. However, to do this documents essential to the Conference's history are vital.
We are missing minutes from the Conference's governing body for over 30 years, namely from 1963-1974 and from 1995 to the present. If you have copies of any of these minutes or if they are in files at your church, we would ask you to share them or copy them for us. Your assistance will allow us in the Missouri Mid-South Conference to remember our rich history.
If you have any of these minutes, would you please contact John Bracke at jmbracke@yahoo.com; or 573-445-5515. On behalf of the Heritage Committee, we thank you in advance for your help.
John Bracke
Bill Schwab, Chair of the Heritage Committee
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Sweet Gratitude
Our neighbors in Massachusetts made maple syrup every year. We learned a great deal from them about the  extensive time and work this process takes. First, there must be consistently warming temps above freezing during the day, and cold, below freezing temps at night - which causes the tree's stored starch to turn to sugar that flows into the sap and rises up the tree once again. Then there are the myriad tubes running through the forest from taps in maple tree to maple tree and eventually into a large covered trough. It is the sugaring shack that held the most intrigue for our children. The wood fire is kept burning 24/7 which heats the sap for hours until it boils down into syrup. Then at just the right moment and temperature the syrup is removed, tested and cooled for bottling. The first taste, mixed into hot tea, or poured into a cup of snow is unforgettable.
To me the miracle of the gift of maple syrup is what I learned from that neighbor, Bonner, who is also a knowledgeable biologist. She shared her stethoscope with us and invited us to take a listen by placing the stethoscope's chest-piece on the trunk of a tree. The tree has its own "heartbeat"! It is pulsing with new life in spring, the sap pumping up the trunk into each of the branches all the way out to the tips of each twig.
There are so many ways that we give each day - like the tubes collecting sap from maple trees, we connect with many people in our home, work, community and church. We give to what is for us a passion, perhaps a food pantry, a well digging project in China, a local school project, or persons in the hospital. We give each Sunday in worship - our time and presence, sometimes flowers or a coffee hour treat, and our offering. There is much giving in our Conference, too. There are myriad volunteers who unselfishly travel and spend the day in a meeting; the ones who collect prayer lists and share them with the Conference; those who monitor and budget our spending for essentials and programs.
What does it mean to give? Trust is needed in order to give. Trust that affirms we may not know everything about the church's finances or budget, or all that it does, but we trust the many people who are responsible for its various parts. We give because we are only one, but a part of many. We know that giving creates a flow of possibilities that multiply and allows for a far-reaching impact. We give because of what we believe, and because giving leads to the action aspect of our faith growing out of our spiritual discipline and prayer. We give because we have many
choices of how to spend our money. We give because we have faith in an all-giving God. We give because it keeps us in tune with the Spirit. Finally, we give because it affords us the sweet taste of a life of gratitude.
In what ways does giving have meaning for you?
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Ordination of Libby Feagans-King
The Illinois South Conference in covenant with Bethel UCC
Invites you to Celebrate a Service of Ordination for
Libby Feagans-King, Pastor and Teacher
Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 3:00 pm
St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 West B. St, Belleville, IL
A reception to welcome our new pastor will follow the service. Pastors are asked to robe with
red stoles and arrive 30 minutes early in order to join in the procession.
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Our Amazing Congregations
Telling the Good News is what we are about as Christians. We also know that everyone loves a story. This new and regular feature of the e-courier will tell Good News stories of our MMS congregations. These remarkable and not-so-remarkable acts of faith will inspire you. We also want to hear and share your stories. Send your amazing congregation's story to Colleen Bender at our Conference office: colleen@mmsucc.org
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Zion-St Peter, Morrison, MO
Zion St Peter has a kinship with Global Ministries, our UCC mission partnership. In 2011 our congregation took on the Borehole Water Project for Mt Selinda Hospital in Zimbabwe. The hospital lacked good and consistent water. The cost for a borehole was $4350 plus $1500 for the pump with pipe and $500 for the electrical hook up, a total of $5300. By using our free will offerings from the Lenten Family Breakfast as seed money, and additional funding from the general revenue church fund, we added $1500 to meet our goal, and the well was drilled!
Now we are looking at the Congo Initiative Water Project. There is scarcely accessible clean water there. This project aids in digging new wells, and capping natural springs that already exist. Education for girls is another emphasis of Global Ministries in the Congo. Our church Council is considering which mission project we will focus on this year. Everyone may share what they would like to choose to support.
(Thanks to Eldore Schwinke, Council President)
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Dear Colleague,
Grace to you and peace in this New Year. The United Church of Christ Office Support Staff Network (UCCOSSN) is a national organization whose mission is to strengthen the ministries of those who work "behind the scenes" supporting the ministries of Conferences and the national setting of the Church.
Each year, the UCCOSSN members gather together for professional development and networking. This year's annual meeting will be held April 24-26 in Charlotte, North Carolina with the theme, "The Power To Be You." We encourage you to attend or send a representative from your support or administrative staff to the annual meeting. The knowledge shared in these three days will strengthen you and your staff's skills, in order to better support the ministries. Any UCC staffer working for a church, association or Conference office is invited to attend!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Linda Carter at 336-222-8771 or at lindacarter@soc-ucc.org. We wish you good health and abundant blessings in this New Year.
UCCOSSN Cover Sheet, Invitation Letter, Workshop Information. Have other questions about the meeting? Send an email to Renee and she'll fill you in.
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Bread for the World Offering of Letters Workshop
The workshop will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 to 11:00 a. m. (doors open at 8:30) at Eden Theological  Seminary in Webster Groves, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., 63119, Room 201 in the Press Building under the Gothic tower.
Come and learn about Bread for the World's mission to end hunger, its 2014 goal of reforming U. S. food aid, and how to conduct an Offering of Letters in your congregation/organization. The workshop is free and open to all. For more information and/or to register, please contact Peggy Beljan Schaefer at pbschaefer@sbcglobal.net or 636-227-4639. Please register by April 1.
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Happy Birthday to Us!
Our conference has just turned 51 this month! Have you ever wondered why we celebrated 50 years of the  Missouri Mid-South Conference just last year, when the UCC reached the 50-year mark way back in 2007? Rev. Dr. John Bracke provides some of the details of the challenges that were faced in the creation of our conference.
The union of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church to create the United Church of Christ occurred in June 1957. However, the formation of the regional judicatories of the new denomination, "conferences" as they were to be called, took several more years since the Conferences of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Synods of the Evangelical and Reformed Church did not align. By 1961, it was decided that the new UCC conferences would follow the pattern of the Congregational Christian Churches and align with state boundaries wherever possible. Please click here to finish reading the article.
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Leadership Opportunities Available in Our Conference!
The Leadership Development Committee of the MMSUCC wants you to know we have several leadership opportunities. We ask you, as Conference and Association members and leaders, to help us identify prospects for the following:
1.) Conference Council seats (three year terms) for election at the June 2014 CAG:
A. Eastern Association: Two seats - male layperson / female layperson
B. St. Louis Association: Three seats -male layperson /female layperson / clergy
C. Western Association: Three seats - male layperson / female layperson / clergy
Our Conference is seeking a highly qualified, diverse pool of candidates for the limited number of Conference Council positions. Members shall be selected so that our Council represents diverse population groups and can bring to its deliberations a variety of points of view and life experiences, as well as access to cultural, religious, educational, civic, business and economic resources.
2.) Deacon positions (openings available immediately).
Deacons play a very important role in the life of our Conference and we are actively recruiting more members. Deacons visit each assigned church two (2) times a year. We have divided each association into multiple groupings. It is our goal to have two (2) deacons for each of the groupings in each association. Please contact Joyce Bathke, Joyce.Bathke@RedCross.org with deacon suggestions and for additional information.
3.) 2015 General Synod delegates.
Please click here for the Identification Form for prospective candidates for our Conference Council and/or 2015 General Synod Delegates. You may also find the form on our website's Your Conference Council page. This form should be completed by you (or others), or the candidate, and returned to the Conference no later than Friday, March 21, 2014.
Please prayerfully consider who might be prospects to serve in these very important roles in the life of our church. We appreciate your assistance and guidance at this time.
Laura Dierberg Ayers
Chair, Leadership Development
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Awakening Miracles
When we carefully take note this time of year, we notice new awakenings all around. Nature's awakenings are very subtle at first, then grow to become more obvious. Miracles can take some time to awaken in our consciousness too. Had you noticed these? 
For many, many years, the Men's and the Women's Retreats have been held each May. Innumerable lives have been touched by a weekend of study, sharing and projects. In fact a new generation of adults attend now, the adult children and grandchildren of former attendees.
Our Conference-wide church-related institutions have for over 100 years been a vital voice for health and human service ministries of the church - both within the UCC and ecumenically. They embody compassion every day of every year.
Our church's mission school in Durban South Africa, Inanda, a boarding High School for indigent girls, has served consistently and diligently over 145 years. Eight thousand graduates have gone out into the world to hold responsible positions, many of whom have made significant impacts on improving life in South Africa.
Our Church Works Miracles!
OCWM: creating miracles Every Day.
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Christian Native Craft Workshop at Shannondale
Now in its 40th year, this exciting event offer hands-on folk art, craft experiences, and demonstrations in a family-  oriented setting. The workshop has given hundreds of persons, young and old, a chance to learn talents in an Ozark forest setting and take home beautifully handcrafted items. Classes are held at Shannondale Community Center's Timber Lodge, our very own UCC haven. The workshop will be held on July 27 - August 1, 2014 - be sure to register soon.
For more information, contact Phil and Judy Jones at 618-493-6371 or email cncwdirector@gmail.com. Visit the craft website for even more info! Brochure 1, Brochure 2, Registration form.
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Inner Jazz
Next concert on March 16 at 5 pm at Kirkwood UCC. A blending of jazz improvisation, storytelling, the arts, and meditation. An imaginative space to explore the inner landscape of the soul. An invitation to celebrate the unity of our global village. An hour's respite from the fast pace of life. Inner Jazz is a monthly soulful inner journey led by Rev. Cliff Aerie,director of MICA (Ministry of Imagination, Creativity and the Arts)and Rev. Betsy Happel, pastor of Kirkwood United Church of Christ. Free and open to all. Flyer.
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Eden Theological Seminary's Spring Convocation April 22-23, 2014
80th Annual Brueggemann and Kulenkamp Lectures
Eden's annual Spring Convocation is an opportunity for pastors and laypeople to listen to and interact with  outstanding biblical and theological scholars. We encourage you to attend and reconnect with friends and colleagues while sharing in the community life of Eden Theological Seminary and reflecting on the theme: Power: Its Use and Abuse.
For more information: www.eden.edu/convocation.aspx or call 314.918.2565. To go directly to registration: registration.eden.edu
And during Eden's Convocation our Conference office will host an Open House for everyone visiting the seminary campus! More details to follow.
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Neighborhood Houses - 4th Annual Trivia Night
Round up your smartest friends and join us for a night of fun to support Neighborhood Houses! Raffles, door prizes, games, prizes for the top 3 teams, and more! 
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m. | Trivia starts at 7 p.m.
Location: Sunset Hills Community Center | 3915 S. Lindbergh Boulevard | St. Louis, MO 63127
VIP Table of 10 - $300; Table of 10 - $250; Sponsor a Round - $150
To Register:
· Online: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e8xof6oz68894883&oseq=&c=&ch=
· By Mail: Fill out this flyer and send credit card information or check made payable to Neighborhood Houses to 5621 Delmar Blvd., Suite 104 | St. Louis, MO 63112.
· By phone: Call Kathy McCadden at 314.383.1733 ext. 17
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Men's Retreat at Shannondale, May 2-4, 2014
Click here for a printable brochure highlighting the weekend events and schedule for the Men's Retreat.  For further information or questions, and to register please contact Jonathan Jones at 314-608-0783 or via email jonathan@jonathanjonesconsulting.com
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Cost: $60 per person, which includes your lodging and food
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Lodging: Dormitory-style air-conditioned bedrooms. Please bring your own bedding & pillow.Camp sites & camp sites with electrical hook ups are available.
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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.
We hope to see you at Shannondale in May for the Annual Men's Retreat. Gather a group of guys from your church, work or office, or just a bunch of friends who want to (or maybe need to!) get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and spend a few days getting back to the basics. Back to the basics of God, fellowship and nature. See you in May!
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Women's Retreat at Camp MoVal, May 2-4, 2014
Click here for a printable brochure highlighting the weekend events and schedule for the Women's Retreat.  For further information or questions, please contact Donna Duffee at 816--305-8913 or via email dkduffee@hotmail.com
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$100 registration includes: two nights' lodging, four meals, all activities and program materials, and a special souvenir tote bag.
- Space is limited-respond early to ensure your registration.
- No pets. (Service animals are permitted.)
- You must be at least 18 years old to attend.
- Doors open at 5 p.m., Friday, May 2. No early arrivals, please.
- Retreat concludes at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, May 4.
We hope to see you at Camp MoVal in May for the Annual Women's Retreat. Additional small group activities will allow for exploring beautiful Camp MoVal, communal crafting, Rev. Day's special step class (based on sorority-style step dancing), "Create-a-Song" with Susan and Julie, massage, rest and quiet reflection. Join us for enlightenment, exploration, thought-provoking discussion, worship, music and fun.
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Quotes for Your Week - Hope and Faith
When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." 
Can you imagine a life with no fear? What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats?
- Max Lucado
There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them.
- Clare Boothe Luce
You can create miracles in your own life, and in the lives of those around you - because you are a miracle, and you are connected to the source of all miracles.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Samuel UCC, Director of Youth & Family Ministries, 2/12/14
Samuel United Church of Christ in Clayton, a progressive, Open & Affirming church, is seeking a Director of Youth & Family Ministries to develop and coordinate children and youth ministries for the congregation's youth and their families. Specifically, we would ask this person to:
* Support Christian Education Committee in the recruitment of Sunday school teachers
* Order and coordinate Sunday school curriculum
* Teach Sunday school twice a month
* Plan and execute fellowship, service, and faith-building activities for our elementary-age children and their families (approx. 6 times/year), and older youth (approx. 4 times/year).
* Work with the Pastor to plan intergenerational church services 3-4 times/year
* Plan and execute the annual Christmas program
* Build relationships with older youth, and assist them in becoming involved in the life of the church
* Assist the Pastor with confirmation planning and meetings every 2-3 years
* Participate in the life of the congregation
This is a 10 hour/week, year-round position with paid vacation. The DYFM will create, coordinate, and provide a variety of spiritual, fellowship, and mission experiences, and will share some teaching responsibilities. The DYFM will provide support to families; recruit, train and support adult leaders; and will participate in the life of the congregation and worship with us.
If you are interested in applying for this position, download the application from our website-samuelucc.org- in the Children and Youth section and send the information requested along with your resume to info@samuelucc.org
or via mail to Youth and Family Minister Search Committee, Samuel UCC, 320 North Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, MO 63105. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For more information, visit our website at samuelucc.org.
Pilgrim UCC, Coordinator of Christian Education, Part-Time, 3/12/2014
Pilgrim Congregational UCC, a multicultural, multiracial, and O & A church in the city of St. Louis is seeking a Coordinator of Christian Education and Wednesday Outreach Ministries.
Christian Education responsibilities include planning, coordinating, and teaching faith-based educational opportunities with children, youth, and adults on Sunday mornings; supervising the paid Nursery Staff Person; and planning and coordinating church events with the appropriate church staff and ministries as needed.
The Wednesday Outreach Ministries responsibilities include supporting and coordinating the volunteer Community Lunch staff and the Food Pantry staff in providing these outreach ministries.
This is a 20 hour/week, year-round position with paid vacation. The Coordinator of CE and Wednesday Outreach Ministries will provide support to families and will create, coordinate, and provide a variety of spiritual, relational, and mission experiences. For further information, please contact the Rev. Dr. Allen Grothe (allengrothe@yahoo.com or 440-371-1885).
St. Lucas UCC, Preschool Director, 3/12/2014
We are seeking a preschool director who is an enthusiastic leader with a love of children and a passion for early childhood education. The director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school, ensuring the safety of all the children and promoting Christian principles through curriculum and classroom experiences. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to developing curriculum and assessment practices; observing, mentoring, and evaluating the faculty; planning staff development; marketing; enrollment and student placement; communications with parents, school board, and church staff; budget planning; and overseeing the maintenance of the overall classroom and school environments. Click here for the full job description and how to apply.
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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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