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Wednesday, June 11, 2014
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Our Conference office will be closed from Thursday, June 12 and we will
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Around Your Conference

Allen's Message To You   

 

Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel,

 

            This second week in June has a particular feel about it in the Conference office.  Stacks of important looking papers and complicated equipment items are filling up the office of Renee Cordes, our office administrator and director of communications - all to be loaded into a van headed for Jefferson City on Thursday, to be used at the Conference Annual Gathering at the Truman Hotel.  Renee, who has carefully structured this fortress of preparedness that now surrounds her, is still hard at work on the final details that need to be completed by the opening day of CAG on Thursday.

 

            My office too is filled with notes and books and documents, not so neatly stacked - phone numbers and memos to myself about what needs doing before this great annual gathering of the faithful in which we will summarize the past year and visualize the coming year, and pray, and hope, and dream, and calculate, and vote, and ask God's grace in case we do it wrong, and celebrate the gracious gifts that define our fellowship as we struggle together to know what God wants to do with us in all the corners of our Conference and beyond.

 

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the  Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

 

            Honestly, the task seems a little beyond the capacities of ordinary folk.   Indeed, some have already decided it's way too much and given up on the enterprise.  It may seem ludicrous, even pretentious, to imagine that our little branch of Christianity's fragile institution has something important to contribute to the world's redemption.  It's all right if we take a moment to laugh at that.  The humor of it helps us with humility, and humility is the first building block of trust.

 

            Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

 

            No boastfulness, no pretentions, our churches move toward a future that we do not know and cannot predict or control, but as we gather there is the feeling of a Spirit that is life-giving and hopeful and empowering, and a sense that we are called to discern what gifts we are given for our part in the sharing of the Gospel.  This week, lift up our fellowship in prayer, commit yourself to it, know that we belong to one another and to God, and that each of our many settings is essential to the common mission that we share.  

 

God's blessings on all that you do.

 

Allen

Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister 

2014 CONFERENCE ANNUAL GATHERING

Tomorrow is the start of our 2014 Conference Annual Gathering!!!  Are you ready?  We sure are and we look forward to seeing you in Jefferson City at the Truman Hotel and Conference Center.   

 

 
Please visit our  website for all of the reports and documents you will need for this year's CAG.  A few reports were updated on Sunday, so revisit our site for any documents which were revised on 6/8/14. 

 

Remember that check in time at the hotel is 3:00 pm.  If you arrive earlier your room may not be available.  Check out is 11:00 am.

We'll see you soon!

Every Day AND Sunday Or Why Practicing Spirituality is Necessary for Me and My Church

 

Much has been said about our sedentary lives and the effect it wreaks on health and fitness. It is astounding to learn that scientists have proven if we sit most of the day, no amount of exercise at the end of the day can overcome prolonged sitting. More depressing, it only takes three days of non-exercise to lose muscle tone. We may wonder how it is even possible to be fit and trim!

 

We could say that attending worship and church school on Sunday morning is enough for our spiritual lives. However, if we apply the same principle as physical exercise, we may wonder. Scientists have studied alongside theologians, what it takes to be spiritually healthy. Not surprisingly, they have found that an hour or two of church each week is not enough. A daily regimen is recommended right along with our physical exercises. Exercising our spirituality most fundamentally, is making time to listen - to listen to God's voice. Even in the stillness. Even in the silence. Can you imagine the vast spiritual dimension our churches tap into when we all faithfully practice this discipline every day AND Sunday?

 

What daily discipline do you practice for spiritual health and growth?  

 

Jan Aerie,  

[email protected] 314-918-2601 

Illinois South Conference Clergy Day   

All Missouri Mid-South clergy are encouraged to attend the Illinois South Conference Clergy Day - A Gathering of Authorized Ministers.  Open to all Ordained, Licensed, Retired, Active clergy.  The event will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Zion UCC, New Baden, IL.

Topics will include:  Constructing a 21st Century Theology with Professor Damayanthi Niles, Professor of Constructive Theology from Eden Theological Seminary; and Ministry Matters, Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team (MESA) Information about The Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers and the New Ministerial Profile.

Please see the event flyer to register and other details.

Ordination Service for Dana Schindler

 

The St. Louis Association

of the Missouri Mid-South Conference

of the United Church of Christ

and Eden United Church of Christ

cordially invite your presence to the ordination of

Dana L. Schindler

to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament

on

Sunday, June 22, 2014, at 3:00 p.m.

 

Eden United Church of Christ

8920 Eden Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63123

 

All clergy are asked to arrive by 2:30to assemble for the processional

and are invited to robe and or wear red.

 

A reception will follow the service

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: [email protected]   

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Community Vacation Bible School

 

Pilgrim UCC and the United Methodist Church in Labadie, MO have been collaborating to offer Vacation Bible School every summer for more than 40 years. Each year hosting the VBS alternates between the two churches. Labadie is a small community southwest of St. Louis, and both congregations are small, so expenses are shared by the two congregations.

 

Vacation Bible School is free to all children ages 3 - 12 yrs, and often also attracts children from the nearby Catholic Church. This year Pilgrim is hosting the "Wilderness Escape" with Moses telling stories about his adventures in the desert. It runs June 16-20, 6-8pm every evening.

 

Each year a mission is chosen for VBS donations received.  In the past missions included clean-up buckets for citizens of Joplin, MO, and canned goods for the local food pantry.  This year donations will go to Operation Kid-to-Kid, an international mission providing clean water for people in India.  For $2.50, a child in India can have clean water for a year at school- plus a clean bathroom and a place to wash their hands every day.

 

If you would like to learn more about Pilgrim's VBS collaboration and mission outreach, contact 636-742-4559

Prayer Time
 

We, as a Conference, are finding new ways to be prayerfully mindful of each other. We are also building and deepening our relationships. This new feature which will appear in the eCourier weekly, is one way of attaining this goal.  Each week three (in random order) congregations, their pastors and other clergy, will be named, inviting your prayers during the week. We will rotate through the entire list of churches and clergy in one year. Please join us and share with others in the power of collective prayer.

 

Prayers for June 15 - 21, 2014 

Churches

Evangelical UCC, Boonville, MO

Faith UCC, Little Rock, AR

Femme Osage UCC, Augusta, MO

 

Retired Clergy

Rev. Ray Bizer

Rev. Fred Kruse

Rev. Pat Vollertsen

Christianson 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 [email protected].  Visit the craft website for even more info!  Brochure 1, Brochure 2Registration form.    

Employment Opportunities
 
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
 

Director of Admissions at Eden Seminary, 6/4/14

The Director will oversee the student recruitment and admissions process for all degree programs. The Director of Admissions will be responsible for developing a pool of prospective students, assisting prospective students through the discernment process leading to an application and helping admitted students make the transition to enrollment. Preference will be given to candidates who have a theological education and experience in admissions. The search will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

A r�sum�, a cover letter expressing interest in the position and detailing relevant professional experience should be sent to: Office of the President, Eden Theological Seminary, 475 East Lockwood Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63119. Electronic submissions will be accepted. Email to: [email protected]  

 

Part-time Child Care Provider at Parkway UCC, 6/4/14  

Parkway United Church of Christ seeks part-time childcare provider for infants to two years of age during Sunday services 8:45am to 12:15pm and Wednesday evenings for choir practice. Other special holiday events and meetings may be included in job description. Applicant should be a mature, responsible, and caring individual and certified in Infant CPR training, or agree to take the training for certification at the expense of Parkway UCC within two months of employment. Applicant must agree to submit to a background check and complete Personal Disclosure Form. If interested, please submit resume to Carol Cobb, CE Convener @ Parkway UCC 2841 N. Ballas, Town and Country, Missouri 63131 or [email protected]

 

Administrative Assistant at Eden Seminary, 6/4/14 

Eden Theological Seminary is seeking an Administrative Assistant for its Advancement Office. This position reports to the Vice President for Advancement and serves the Advancement Office as a whole.  Duties include processing donations, preparing correspondence, maintaining files, updating database records, coordinating production of mailings, managing office activities, processing travel and purchasing paperwork, and serving as a receptionist for the office. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in an administrative position, preferably in a not-for-profit fundraising office, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and database software.   Please send resume and cover letter to: Advancement Office, Eden Theological Seminary, 475 East Lockwood Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119. Electronic submissions will be accepted. Email to [email protected] 

     

Chaplain at Cape Albeon, 5/21/14

Cape Albeon is seeking a part time chaplain, 20 hours per week.  For further information and to apply, please contact Carol DiSanza at [email protected].
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