|
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Natalie Sleeth, 1985
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Spring is the season of hidden blessings, coming up like crocuses from the softening icy ground. Buds on  trees begin to swell, first gently, then more urgently, preparing for the sudden burst of delicate pale green leaves on a day just barely warm enough to welcome them. New life emerges through the bursting shell and crust of wintry dormant days.
The meaning of the word "Lent" is spring. It is a time for hidden promise, for hope and for anticipated joy. If in the church we talk about repentance in the spring, it is not because it is a season of sorrow but because it is the time of growing light - a season for thawing out from our icy reluctance to consider God's calling to renewal and growth. We prepare ourselves in spring for new life in the Spirit of Jesus, who went ahead of us, shaking off the changeless cloak of death.
As we move this spring toward the planning of new relationships and structures and ways of being together in our wider church fellowship, please pray for our vision team, our visioning process, the work of our search committee, and the growing sense among us of the dreams that God is placing in our hearts. Be looking for the signs.
God's grace and blessing be with you this spring.
Allen
Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
|
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?
|
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.
|
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
------------------------------------------------------------------
Building Plans
Around noon on February 21, 2014, the Western Association office received a phone call from several members of the Marshallese JRD/UCC Church in Springdale, Arkansas. There was excitement in the air as they reported they had just received word from Local Church Building and Loan Fund that their application for $400,000 to build a much-needed church facility had been approved!
A ground-breaking service was held this past Sunday, March 17th, in Springdale. All of the churches of the Conference share in the good news and some attended the ground-breaking. Of course, the larger celebration will be when the new building is dedicated later in the year.
This accomplishment has been a long time in the making and reflects the careful work of leaders in the Marshallese church, as well as the local realtor, the national church, Association and Conference leaders.
|
St. Louis Association Ministerium Update
Epiphany United Church of Christ is embarking on another upgrade project this spring - replacing restrooms and  therefore they and Joint Neighborhood Ministry are unable to host Ministerium on April 9. However, as the Spirit would have it, we were trying to figure out how to provide a space and time for all of us to hear from our partner in ministry - Dr. Teresa Henry from Global Ministries - while she is here on April 9!
And so as a result, we cordially invite you to join us at the SEGA (Disciples of Christ) Metro Brown Bag Clergy meeting on Wednesday, April 9, at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd., St. Louis 63108 (located next to Pilgrim UCC). As the name of the group implies, everyone brings their lunch and gathers in the fellowship hall at noon. At about 12:15, introductions and announcements are made. Then, from 12:30 to 1:30 is the program.
No reservation is needed. Please come and join us for this interesting and inspiring program. We look forward to seeing you there! Consider reaching out to bring a colleague with you!
Upcoming SLA Ministerium gatherings:
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)
Kevin Cameron
kevin@parkwayucc.org ; 314-872-9330
|
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.
|
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.
|
Women of the Cloth - "Ministering to Women Called to Minister"
Women of the Cloth was founded by Reverend Dr. Cassandra Gould and Reverend Rebecca Ragland in 2009 as a ministry dedicated to women called by GOD. It's an ecumenical ministry that provides dedicated space for all women called by GOD including ordained and unordainded women, campus ministers, seminarians, chaplains, associates and senior pastors as well as those discerning calls.
We are pleased to announce this year's event as we celebrate five years, WOC5 Conference:
"When Sistahs Help Sistahs: Creating a Covenant of Care"
Our guest Conference Preacher and Teacher is the world renown Reverend Teresa Fry Brown, Ph.D,  Historiographer and Executive Director of Research and Scholarship for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She also serves as Professor of Homiletics at the Candler School of Theology and Director of Black Church Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, author and prolific preacher. This year's conference theme is based on Dr. Fry Brown's book "Can A Sistah Get A Little Help?"
This year's event will be held on Thursday, April 24-25, 2014 at Eden Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119.
This conference promises to equip women called by GOD with tools and best practices that enhance the formation of relationships and the development of accountability partners that lead to reciprocal covenants of care, all while providing "safe space" to laugh, cry, learn, acknowledge the need for, seek, accept and offer help.
For more information,please click here for a brochure. You may also contact Rev. Phiwa Langeni at pastor@zionucc1.org.
|
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.
|
Unexpected Color
The Christmas Cactus in our south-facing front window at home is in glorious full bloom. The odd thing is it has never bloomed at this time of year before. In fact, Thanksgiving is its annual blooming time - like clockwork. I am a very amateur plant grower, so I had to do a little research to learn that the Christmas Cactus blooms when the  exact light and temperature conditions exist. When those conditions are right, and the indoor plant has a (very lucky) caregiver, it may bloom in early spring as well. What a feast for the eyes its bright color is these late winter/early spring days.
Sometimes we become accustomed to our surroundings until something changes or is different. This is true for our work as a Conference also. Our mission involvement, both local and global has always been ongoing and prominent. There have been numbers of people in our Conference relating as partners in their own communities and surrounding neighborhoods, and in Joplin, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Jamaica, Congo, China, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and more. But we may not even be aware of these efforts any longer. The nuances of vibrancy and activity may have become muted.
Today we are challenging the Conference to "see" its mission with new eyes and new perspectives. Indeed, our mission arms are spread all around the world!
What area of the world are you drawn to learn more about? What new colors of mission ministry might we create and celebrate?
|
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.
|
A Peacemaking Practice
There are times in each day when we are in need of an expression, word, prayer or touch of peace. In those moments it is sometimes the hardest thing to do. This monthly article is a new offering of information, tips, contacts and tools for making peace in our lives. Conflict is something we all want to avoid. We much prefer to be at peace... in harmony with everyone. Especially as people of faith we desire the "peace that passes all understanding." So how can we find and deepen that  peace? Ironically the peace we seek is a product of conflict fully resolved. But what we tend to do instead is to seek peace by denying the presence of conflict. Conflict is simply when things aren't as we want them to be when we don't know what to do to fix things.
Most conflicts are small. But some arise again and again in relationships that are important to us about things that matter. These are the ones that are most important to address. These are the ones that will make the biggest difference when they are resolved. These are the ones that generate the deepest peace.
Sometimes these conflicts arise even in our local congregations. As hard as it is for us as individuals to address conflict, it is much harder to do this as a group. We have to be very committed to our common well-being to even name the issue, much less to fully address it such that we can create a durable resolution. It helps to have someone who is outside the conflict to help to create a container for the conversation. But that means we have to ask for help when conflict arises in community. So that it becomes easier to ask for help in the presence of conflict within us or our congregations, we are developing a community of trained support persons in what we are calling the Peacemaker Fellowship. If you are interested in this project, watch this space for announcements of coming events to recruit, train, and support members of the Fellowship. Rev. Mark Robinson markleerobinson@att.net www.CreativeConflictResolution.org.
|
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 Formfor 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
|
Climate Change Panel
A public forum Climate Change Panel will be held at East Central College in Union, MO on Thursday, April 17 , 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
There will be a four person panel presentation and then open to discussion afterward. (It happens to be Maundy  Thursday evening - but those who do not have services that evening, are invited to come). The four panelists: Mr. Larry Lazur - a Climate Reality organizer and active environmental science worker, a local St. Louis businessman.
Dr. Johann Bruhn - Professor Emeritus at Missouri's Center for Agroforestry, and a Climate Reality presenter.
Mr. Chris Laughman - Corporate Facility Manager on Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Water Conservation and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Mr. Brian Ettling - St. Louis based, but is a seasonal Park Ranger at Crater Lake Nat'l Park, Oregon for 20 years. Is a Climate Reality Leader.
Submitted by Norma Klemme
|
Conference Annual Gathering (CAG) Update
"dream God's Dream" is the theme for our Conference Annual Gathering, and the dates are June 12-14, 2014. As the Missouri Mid-South Conference begins a new chapter of our life together, this Gathering will bring together the work of the Visioning Team, the year of Strategic Innovation ministry, and the anticipation of changes in Conference leadership.
Do you have questions about this year's CAG? Email Renee and she'll respond or get the question to the proper person.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our topic this week: Chat's during "dream God's Dream"
Where are we going? How did we get here? Why do we do that? When did that start? What are we doing
 | |
We are proud to share the official logo of our 2014 CAG, artfully created by Michael Wheelehan.
|
about . . .? Questions, we all have questions. A time for informal conversation on Friday morning, June 13, is your opportunity to ask questions, engage in conversation, or share your thoughts with Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Dick Hamm, Consultant of Visioning the Conference's Future and Jan Aerie, Minister of Strategic Innovation.
There will be two opportunities to participate in a relaxed conversation with them. Rev. Black will offer a conversation about who we are as the United Church of Christ. Dick Hamm and Jan Aerie will co-facilitate a conversation around the work of creating a Conference dream together as we learn from the past to move forward. They invite us to share your thoughts about applications for the model of strategies and innovations of programming of our Missouri Mid-South Conference.
Bring your burning questions, share God's Dream for you, or simply spend time together. This opportunity will be at 9:30 am and again at 10:45 am on Friday as we "dream God's Dream" together.
-Rayla Hogue,
CAG Planning Team member
|
Emerging Miracles
 Have you ever observed a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis to dry its wings in the sun? What a miracle it is unfolding. When we are fortunate to be in the right place at just the right time to observe an emerging miracle, we cannot help but be touched. These miracles may have eluded your observation: Church school children, hearing the needs of other children, at school or in far away Africa, have asked their church to collect funds for school supplies over and above the regular Sunday giving. Conference committees meet each month doing the work they are responsible to do. Many times there is a great deal of research, preparation, reporting and follow-up that takes an even greater amount of time - all for Christ's mission and ministry. Students in our congregations have learned about mission from an early age. Some have chosen seminary as their next step in education and have then served some of our congregations. Some have committed to mission in faraway lands for a short time or long-term. Our Church Works Miracles! OCWM: creating miracles Every Day.
|
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.
|
Free Canon Copier
Free Canon NP6221 Black/White Copying Machine. Includes stand and some supplies. If interested please contact St. Peter's UCC, New Haven, MO (573) 237-2182 or (636) 667-2541.
|
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
|
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
|
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.
|
Quotes for Your Week - Celebrate Spring!
Sit quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.
-Zen saying
It's spring fever....You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! -Mark Twain  Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'
-Robin Williams
"Spring is the time of plans and projects."
-Leo Tolstoy
The year's at the spring and day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven; The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing; The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven - All's right with the world!
-Robert Browning
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!
|
|
|
|
|
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Pilgrim UCC, Coordinator of Christian Education & Outreach, 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.
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
