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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 Thursday, July 31st. Be sure to email your church and organization events to Renee at renee@mmsucc.org.
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Allen's Message To You The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it is grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. Matthew 13:31-32 Dear fellow servants of the Realm, Sometimes Jesus just exaggerates! No, the lowly mustard plant in the Holy Land does not really grow into a gigantic woody condo for birds. But we need help, sometimes, to see things clearly. So Jesus gives us an image, and sometimes he  exaggerates a little, to help the imagination. The Realm of God will come with the passionate commitment of a weed that overtakes the garden patch, even though it is born of a tiny seed. It will come with power to disrupt the cultured ways of domesticated privilege and indifference, and make room for the growth of God's own Way of just and compassionate mission. We begin to believe in it a little, so Jesus invites us into wonder: "Could the Realm of God really be like that? And does it start with only a tiny seed? It is the commonest of heresies to believe we need wealth and power to get things done. It is truer to say that wealth and power are the matrix through which the works of ministry are forced to pass. It may be a sign for us to notice that, as the world we live in seems to become more massive and conflicted, the church itself is becoming smaller, less affluent, less dogmatic... possibly simpler; and we find ourselves kicking and screaming at the change. But if the forms of the church are shifting in ways that we haven't anticipated or planned, perhaps it is time for the people of faith to place our trust in the power of small seeds. May the birds of the air make nests in your branches! Allen Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Ordination Invitation - Larissa D. Forsythe
The St. Louis Association
of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and
St. John United Church of Christ
cordially invite your presence to the ordination of
Larissa D. Forsythe
to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament
on
Sunday, August 3, 2014, at 3:00 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ
322 Old Sulphur Springs Road
Manchester, Missouri, 63021
All clergy are asked to arrive by 2:30 to assemble for the processional
and are invited to robe and or wear red.
A reception will follow the service
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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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Our Amazing Congregations
Has your church done something that you think will inspire others? Do you have a story to share? Or maybe you just want to brag a bit about your church! Send your amazing congregation's story to Renee at our Conference office.
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Ordination Invitation - Joshua Douglass Privitt
The Pastor, Leaders, and People
of Columbia United Church of Christ
in partnership with the Western Association
of the Missouri Mid-South Conference
invite you to celebrate with us on the occasion of
the Ordination to Ministry of Joshua Douglass Privitt
A Service of Word and Sacrament
will be held at 3:30 pm on Sunday, August 17, 2014
in the sanctuary of Columbia United Church of Christ
3201 I-70 Drive Northwest, Columbia, Missouri.
A reception in the Fellowship Hall will follow.
Clergy are invited to join in the processional.
Robes and stoles are optional, at each clergy person's discretion.
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Weekly Prayer Time
Please keep the following churches and clergy in your prayers during this upcoming week:
Prayers for July 27 - August 2, 2014 
Churches
St Johns UCC - Boonville, MO
Zion UCC - Pacific, MO
Trinity UCC - St Louis, MO
Retired Clergy
Rev. Carol Keller
Rev. Dale Krampe
Rev. John Masters
Rev. Hale Schroer
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 random 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.
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Deaconess Foundation Needs VolunteersThe Deaconess Foundation is hosting "Children at the Center" event on Saturday, July 26, O'Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 W. Florissant, MO. They are looking for volunteers to work one, two, or all shifts. Below is the information sent to the volunteers that had signed up at the conference gathering in June: We are looking forward to making this a special and exciting day for the children and families of St. Louis. We are breaking down the day into 3 shifts. Shifts: 7:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Set-up/Registration/Nametags/Greeters/Bag Stuffers 10:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Lunch Service/Greeters/Registration/Nametags/Games/Give-Aways 1:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Lunch Service & Lunch Clean-up/Registration/Greeters/Event Clean-up Training: First 15 minutes of each shift Volunteers are needed for all shifts Parking is available in the park, but limited, so carpooling is suggested. All volunteers will be provided lunch and a t-shirt identifying you as a volunteer. Volunteers for the event will be coordinated by St. John's UCC Church in St. Louis.
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Ordination Invitation - Rayla Stewart Hogue
St. Louis Association and Eastern Association
Of Missouri Mid-South Conference
Of The United Church Of Christ,
Along with First Congregational United Church Of Christ of Memphis, Tennessee,
And St. John's United Church Of Christ of Chamois, Missouri
Invite You To
The Ordination and Installation of Rayla Stewart Hogue
Sunday, September 7, 2014, at 3:30 p.m.
407 South Vine Street, Chamois, Missouri
Robes And Stoles at Each Clergy Person's Discretion
A Reception Will Follow
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Quotes For Your Week - Accepting Change
If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.
- Gail Sheehy
Change of any sort requires courage.  - Mary Anne Radmacher
He who rejects change is the architect of decay.
- Harold Wilson
To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.
- Kofi Annan
Change always comes bearing gifts.
- Price Pritchett
my weekly affirmation - I will be more open to change and have faith
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Part Time Director of Music Ministries at Saint Paul's UCC, 7/23/14
Saint Paul's United Church of Christ in Oakville is seeking a part-time Director of Music Ministries to provide inspiring and professional leadership in the ministry of music, both traditional and contemporary. Responsibilities include: leading and directing the Sanctuary Choir, providing for a Bell choir, the development of a children's choir and of ensembles to lead in blended or contemporary worship. A bachelor's degree (or higher) in music and proficiency in pipe organ and piano are desired. Submit resumes and inquiries to spjsc@stpauloakville.org Kirkwood United Church of Christ Director of Music Ministry, 7/23/14 Under the direction of the Pastor and in collaboration with the Worship and Music team,the Director of Music Ministry is responsible for organizing, directing and implementing a worship and music program/ministry and for planning music for all church services. This individual will be responsible for directing all choral ensembles; directing youth and children's music ministries, including providing assistance with LOGOS; and leading musical participation in worship by the congregation.
The primary focus is glorifying God in the worship life of our diverse congregants. Expressions of worship should support our goal of being a welcoming, relevant and progressive congregation. This role will require an average of 12 hours per week.
Qualifications:
Experience as a vocal coach /choral director; Music degree desired Proficient in vocal training and developing musical talent within individuals and ensembles Experience directing church choral music and developing a robust music ministry Ability to organize and communicate effectively with leadership and staff Ability to work effectively on a team Background in vocal development a plus Background in other arts programs a plus Ability to play the piano /organ a plus Ability to play guitar a plus Please send all inquires to David Hults (314) 966-3888 or email at david@activ8careers.com
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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