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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 Tuesday, July 15th. Be sure to email your church and organization events to Renee at renee@mmsucc.org.
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Listen, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly.... But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and, since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain....
Matthew 13:3b-8a
Dear Partners in the Gospel,
I wonder if Jesus told the parable of the sower and the seeds on a day when he became anxious, as so  many preachers are, about whether anybody heard what he was trying to say to them. The sower spreads the seed, and every grain is filled with life, but some of it falls on a heavily traveled path where it can't sink in; some into thin soil, where it can't take root; and some into brambles that choke it out. We say that God is still speaking, but the voice is muted by our preoccupations, our desire to limit the message, and our distractions along the way. Building faith communities where the message of God's passion for justice, peace and love can sink in, take root, and breathe is the central mission of the church.
Those of us who are preachers are consciously intentional about trying to say what we want to say and being clear enough to be understood; but every one of us could tell about a time when someone told us at the door how much they had enjoyed our sermon, and then went on to describe a message that we would swear we had never spoken. Sometimes that frustrates us; but when we consider it more reflectively, we realize that hearing an unintended message of hope and life is a sign of the power of the Word implanted in fertile soil.
The Gospel is not the preacher's word, though a good sermon can open up some people's ears to hearing. The message is already there, in the faith and fellowship of those who are gathered in a community of spiritual discernment and mutual care. The church's mission is not managed or controlled; it is nurtured in relationships of openness and mutuality that build up the fertile soil that allows for growth.
May we in the Missouri Mid-South Conference be conscious of the work God is doing to energize the missional fellowship in each of our congregations. God bless the work you do.
Allen Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Persons In Ministry (PIM) Retreat 2014
"Who Do You Say That I Am? Really?" is the theme for this year's Persons in Ministry Retreat on September 15-17, 2014, at the Resort at Port Arrowhead in Lake of the Ozarks, MO. The presenters are the Rev. Dani Loving Cartwright, former DOC Regional Minister; and the Rev. Holly MillerShank, Team Leader of Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization (MESA) with the UCC. Our time together will explore themes of authenticity and vulnerability in ministry. There are many excellent reasons to attend the Persons in Ministry retreat. Each of the sessions will include  panelists with DOC and UCC authorized ministers, along with ample time for personal reflection and renewal. We will join with colleagues from the Mid America Region of the Christian Church (DOC). Here is what one of our colleagues, Rev. Mark Lee Robinson, says about the annual retreat: "Most of us in authorized ministry serve in settings where we have few if any peers. At times we may like going it alone. We may forget about the richness of having a community of colleagues. The Persons in Ministry Retreat is an opportunity to hang out with people like us but without a task to complete. To be sure, the content of the program is challenging, inspiring, and brings clarity to our ministries. But the best of PIM is being with our fellows. If you have haven't been in a while I strongly urge you to come this year." There is another great reason to attend this year's gathering: participants will be able to use this as fulfillment of the required boundary training! If you have completed the "basic course," then this retreat will count toward the every three-year required course. To read more about PIM, register, and to see the brochure/schedule, please visit our Conference website or our MMS Facebook page (and remember to Like Us!). All room reservations are to be made directly with the Resort by calling 800-532-3575. Please make your room reservation by September 1 to guarantee the reduced rate. We hope to see all of our MMSUCC clergy at the retreat!
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Ummm, What Exactly Is OCWM?
I was recently asked this question by a person within our Conference and I realized there are probably more folks who would also like to learn the basics about OCWM. Everyone seems to know the donations are always welcomed and used for various support, but where does the money really go? Who or what does it specifically help?
OCWM stands for Our Church's Wider Mission, and in the national setting of the  United Church of Christ there are four Covenanted Ministry partners which are supported by gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission. When you or your church donate to OCWM, a percentage is sent to our National office (currently 20%) and the remaining portion stays within our Conference. The below resource materials may be shared at your church to more fully explain/understand OCWM and how important the funds are to our National office and to our Conference.
- Click here to read how OCWM donations are used at the National level.
- Click here to see our MMS Conference OCWM brochure (please contact me if you would like brochures for your own congregation).
- Click here to see the National OCWM brochure.
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- OCWM Bulletin Inserts - #1, #2, #3.
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Click here to visit the UCC website containing many, many OCWM resources.
- Click here to visit the UCC website for Financial Transformation resources.
I hope you find at least one of the above items useful in the continuing (or beginning) education of OCWM for yourself or your congregation. And a big thanks to the churches and individuals who contribute to OCWM, we appreciate all of you!
"Continuing Testament - Extravagant Welcome - Changing Lives - That's Our Church's Wider Mission"
-Renee
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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. Each week three (in random order) congregations 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 July 13 - July 19, 2014 
Churches
St Luke's UCC - Imperial, MO
Friedens UCC (Brazito) - Jefferson City, MO
Zion UCC - Florissant, MO
Retired Clergy
Rev. Frank Proctor
Rev. Alvyne Rethemeyer
Rev. Richard Brandon
Rev. Peggy Way
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Memorial Service for Rev. Solomon (Sol) Codillo, Jr. 
A memorial service for the Rev. Sol Codillo will be held on August 2nd, 10:30 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1110 North Main, Springfield, MO 65802.
Sol passed away last month on June 15th.
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Sorry We Missed You... 
We are in the throes of summer here at our Conference and for some of us that means taking a few days or more away from work. While we try to ensure someone is always at our Conference office to greet and assist you, we may occasionally miss a visitor due to meetings, illness, unexpected emergencies, etc. As a reminder, our current St. Louis office staff consists of Allen and Renee (full-time) and Lorraine and Colleen (part-time). Of course Dale, Jeremy and Jeff Fulk are full-time at their respective locations; Independence, MO, Camp Mo-Val and Shannondale.
So if you should stop by our Conference office and discover no one is here, you will soon find a dry-erase board and markers right inside our front door for messages. Please write a note to the person you came to visit and we will get back in touch with you as quickly as possible. Of course you can always leave a phone message or email any of us as well, but we're going low-tech so we can accommodate everyone!
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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 Renee at our Conference office.
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First Step Back Home 
First Step Back Home (FSBH) is a non-profit group which a couple in Lake Saint Louis began a few years ago to help homeless men, and now women and some children, get back on their feet. With the help of businesses and churches from a three county area, St. Charles, Warren and Lincoln, the effort has already helped many restart their lives in positive ways. Churches, businesses and organizations in the three counties rotate efforts to provide a hot meal each day while these adults also receive information for possible employment, guidance, sometimes even a refurbished used car, to help get them truly moving on with their lives. 
Grace UCC in O'Fallon, MO and St John's UCC in Weldon Spring, MO have been instrumental in their involvement. FSBH is a wonderful ministry that reaches out with helping hands, advice, transportation, food, direction to known job openings, a temporary place to live in relative safety, and getting peoples' lives turned around, dignity and faith being restored - in all the right ways!
If you would like to learn more, please call Grace UCC at (636) 240-7621.
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Marilyn Stavenger's Caring Bridge Site
In case you missed this message last week... The following information is from Marilyn Stavenger, who is inviting you to visit her Caring Bridge site and keep updated on her health status.
Dear Family and Friends,
To keep you updated on my health journey, I created a CaringBridge Site. Please visit my site often to stay connected and follow my progress.
Site Name: marilynstavenger
CaringBridge is a nonprofit offering trusted spaces where family and friends can connect and share during any type of health event.
Sincerely,
Marilyn
CaringBridge - the Heart of the Matter
Down deep, more than anything else, people want to stay connected. Especially during a health event.
CaringBridge Sites are personal, protected spaces that help family and friends share encouragement, compassion and love.
We all wish Marilyn well in her journey...
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From the Heritage Committee
Do you know about the National Youth Caravans that some of our older members participated in during the postwar era? Herman C. Ahrens, a former staff person involved with the caravans, wrote,
During the 20 years of the National Youth Caravans (1948 - 1968), more than 700 high school and college  volunteers were trained and then traveled nationwide in four-person teams during the summer months doing youth work and service projects in local churches, in summer camps and in community centers. ... Each team of four volunteers, was co-ed, interracial, ecumenical and, when possible, international. ... They were trained to lead, to teach and to serve wherever they went. Their early interracial experiences at public swimming pools and at restaurants preceded later sit-ins and racial demonstrations. Caravanning became a training ground for future adult leaders in the church.
The volunteers started with two weeks of training and were then sent out for a number of week-long experiences in the field. The first four person team was trained at Eden Seminary and then spent ten weeks in the field serving in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
The Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society, located in Lancaster, PA, has an archive where it is collecting memorabilia and documents related to the Youth Caravans. At their annual meeting on September 27 this year, the society will highlight this program that had a lasting impact on the youth that participated. A significant number of participants were from the area of the current Missouri Mid-South Conference.
A description of the upcoming Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society meeting can be found at www.erhs.info/page7/index.html. For more information about The E&R Historical Society or about the Youth Caravans, contact Joy Dressel at 636-256-1736 or jdressel@charter.net.
-submitted by Joy Dressel
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Quotes For Your Week - Harmony and Balance
The ground we walk on, the plants and creatures, the clouds above constantly dissolving into new formations -  each gift of nature possessing its own radiant energy, bound together by cosmic harmony. - Ruth Bernhard
The life ahead can only be glorious if you learn to live in total harmony with the Lord.
- Sai Baba
We have an obligation to live in harmony with God's creation.
- Bruce Babbitt
my weekly affirmation - I will try and achieve balance in my life and remember what is most important
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Office Coordinator at Friedens Peace UCC-New Melle, 7/2/14
This part-time position (15-20 hours per week) requires skills in MicroSoft office products, including Power Point, and the ability to work independently. Position responsibilities includes general office duties to assist Pastor and church committees. Send resume and inquires to Search Team, PO Box 28, New Melle MO 63365 or email to
friedenspastor@centurytel.net
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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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