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Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
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The next eHappenings will be sent on Monday, June 30th. Be sure to email your church and organization events to Renee at renee@mmsucc.org.
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Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. Ephesians 4:28 RSV Dear Companions on the Way, It is striking to me how contextual the epistle messages of the New Testament can be. No abstract regulations here, no arbitrary and universal commandments, but instead a holy urging to ordinary people. I read the first phrase of this verse, and I immediately say, "Wow! They welcomed thieves in the congregations of the early church." That fact in itself is a revelatory surprise. And then it hits me that the passage doesn't just tell the thief not to steal anymore, but actually gives him a reason: he needs to redirect his energy from stealing into honest labor so that he'll have something of his own to offer when someone needs his help. Stealing, at its core meaning, is taking something for oneself that belongs to someone else, and as long as societal discrimination and inequity continue to be tolerated, there will probably be thieves in church. We don't name that for ourselves, of course; which is why it's so important to have the Scriptures to remind us. The essence of the scriptural point is that thieves have nothing of consequence to give; they have to give up their stealing; or, as we might put it in the language of the church, charity has no benefit without addressing the sin that makes it necessary. For the many Missouri Mid-South Conference churches and individuals who work faithfully to lift up those  needs that can only be solved through addressing issues of broad social justice, we can all be deeply thankful. If you want your own congregation to become aware of such needs, there are many different actions you can take: study what it means for your congregation to become a "Just Peace Church," join the Justice and Peace Action Network on the UCC website to receive bulletins about actions you can take, apply for a grant to do advocacy work in your own neighborhood, create an adult study focused on how your church can be involved in justice work in your community, or look into forming a group to lift up public concerns through an interfaith agency like Bread for the World. If you are already engaged, think about telling your story for a brief article in the eCourier, so that we can all share in the good work you are doing. Thank you for all that you do. Allen Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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It has been a Joy
How quickly this year has gone! My role as Minister of Strategic Innovation was so richly blessed by you. I am  grateful to have had the opportunity to listen, share, create and implement alongside of so many. I have been honored to be invited to share what I have learned, believe and know. It has been a gift to me to be a part of the Missouri Mid-South Conference staff.
Cliff and I are settled in our home in St Louis, and plan to continue to be a part of the Conference. As innovations in the Conference continue to occur and changes transpire, I pray that we will walk together in unity, inspired by ever-deepening experiences of Spirit.
Abundant blessings to you!
Jan Aerie
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Like a Bee to a Flower OR Why My Church Gives to the Conference and National Offices of the UCC
(This is the last in the series of "Why My Church..." articles. If you have collected all six, beginning with the May 7 E-courier, you might want to copy them to share as a set with your congregation or various committees.)
At some point in my adulthood, I took note how abundantly nature produces. There is not just one dandelion flower per plant, there are five blossoms or more! The apple tree produces a tree full of blossoms, then many apples on every branch, not just one per branch.
How much is enough? Should there be enough for me to harvest and make applesauce for the entire winter? Should there be enough for me, and some left over for the birds and deer? It seems the tree do esn't hold back - it gives its all to the passing seasons every year. How easy it is to forget just how much I have that I have not had to ask for, purchase or make.
So what should I give? What is my "no holds barred" level of giving?
My church gives to the larger organization, the Association, Conference and National denomination. Why should I give? Because when my church members and I give, we serve as the pollen. The breath of the Spirit picks up our gifts and spreads them widely just where they need to go. Our gifts are the pollen that worker (bees) can gather to implement building projects, or produce food for those in need. Our gifts combine with other gifts to allow the blossoms to be formed, the fruit to grow and the produce to ripen, for many, many uses. Do we question why the tree produces apples? The tree does what it is on earth to do - simply and in abundance. It gives what it has.
What new ways can you think of to give?
Jan Aerie, 314-918-2601
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Engaging in Spiritual Practices - to refresh and ground you
Take a peek at a myriad of ways to practice spirituality. Try them out. Watch for a monthly tip starting today.
Spiritual practice can take many directions including a practice that one engages in every day at the same time, perhaps throughout the day, while walking or doing daily tasks, in silence, or meditation. There is not a 'one size fits all' for the what, when or how of spiritual practice in one's life. 
A friend recently shared fascinating facts about one of God's creatures... the Gopher Tortoise. This amazing creature digs a burrow with shovel-like forefeet and welcomes in many other species. The burrow is dug to be a hole, as well as a refuge, safe house, shelter to many others.
Reflect on what for you, engages that sense, the experience of being sheltered; and as well guides you in reaching out to shelter another.
Pause, ponder and prayerfully listen. Be open to receive.
Sue Ulmer
Spiritual Director
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Summertime Miracles
It is summertime and the living is easy, as they say. This season may be a good reminder that miracles occur without a lot of effort from us! We put our offering in the plate on Sunday and often forget about what happens to it, until the next Sunday when we give again. There are miraculous developments in between Sundays like these:
Tuesday's miracle last week was the semi-annual gathering of Eastern Association retired clergy and spouses for  a potluck luncheon and program. The reunion was a joyful time for singing camp songs, sharing stories and learning about each others' families.
Thursday's miracle is the donated funding and buses rented to carry dozens of youth from our conference and several others, to the Regional Youth Event beginning on July 10 in Wisconsin.
Friday's miracle was Beatitudes Wall, by Sister Mary Corita, is a paint-on-canvas banner, created 50 years ago for an exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, is exhibited this summer at Cleveland Ohio's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The piece is on loan to the museum from the UCC national offices.
Our Church Works Miracles!
OCWM: creating miracles every day.
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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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A Backpack Shepherd Ministry
Bethel UCC in Kansas City, MO, started participating in a Backpack Shepherd program in the 2008-2009 school year. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church nearby, asked if they would like to help feed hungry children in the neighborhood's middle school. Anne Eversmeyer took the request to Bethel's Evangelism Team. There was a positive response from the E-Team and so Bethel began donating non-perishable food items and money. 
School counselors identify children and families who may not have food enough to eat over the weekends. It was decided to provide simple but nourishing food for three meals on Saturday and Sunday. The children, selected by their counselor, were already known to be receiving free or reduced cost breakfasts and lunches at school. Bethel members provide food and money, but also quickly became involved volunteering to clean backpacks and to refill them to be sent home with the students on Friday afternoons. The students are asked to return the empty backpacks on Monday so they can again be prepared for the following Friday. There is a "packing team" for each week of the month which needs several people on each team to cover all of the tasks.
Through the years the commitment to this outreach ministry has grown and become more important to both churches. The project began with 40 children and their families. In the 2009-2010 school year 50 students and their families from an Elementary School were added, and since then the churches have been filling 90 backpacks each week throughout the school year. Some grant money has been received and the churches have had several fundraisers, cooperatively publishing a cookbook by both churches, "Fulfilling the Mission, Feeding the Sheep" and then selling LOTS of them. Numbers of those who have been served has gradually risen and this past school year a total of 2320 backpacks helped to feed 4928 youth and 3456 adults.
Anne Eversmeyer reports: "Good rapport between the churches and many new friendships have formed as we work together to help with local hunger issues. We're proud of what we can accomplish but know that it takes many hands and hearts AND prayers to attain our goal."
If you would like to learn more contact bethelucckc@gmail.com
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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 29 - July 5, 2014
Churches
Holy Trinity, Memphis, TN
Second Congregational, Memphis, TN
First Congregational, Memphis, TN
Retired Clergy
Rev. Darryl Bockting
Rev. Joan Dippel
Rev. Leroy James
Rev. Sally Ketterer
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Quotes For Your Week - Doing God's Work
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
- St. Francis of Assisi  It is a kingly act to assist the fallen.
- Mother Teresa
It is the quality of our work which will please God and not the quantity.
- Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
There are many answers you have received but have not yet heard.
- A Course In Miracles
Stop asking God to bless what you're doing. Get involved in what God is doing - because it's already blessed.
- Bono
my weekly affirmation - I will do God's work and share with others
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Communications Coordinator at St. John's, 6/19/14
Part time person needed at St. John's, see full job description here. Resumes may be mailed to St. John's UCC, Attn: Vision Team, 945 Wolfrum Rd., Weldon Spring, MO 63304
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 résumé, 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: dstauffer@eden.edu
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 employment@parkwayucc.org
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 advancement@eden.edu
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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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