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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 You have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.
Genesis 32:28b
Dear friends and colleagues in the Gospel,
The words come from the One with whom Jacob wrestled in the night when he was returning from his journeys to meet his brother Esau, whom he had deceived and cheated many years before. The story reveals how Jacob, in the throes of anxiety, uncertain about his safety and filled with questioning rooted in shame, finds himself  struggling through the night, never sure whether his opponent is a spiritual force demonic or divine. It is a wrestling that is common among us: we are acquainted with this uncertainty and fear. Who are we and who is God, and do the deeds and misdeeds of our lives thus far define our future and limit our hopes and dreams? Or in this struggle, shall we come to terms with these mysteries and prevail?
The spiritual wrestler gives Jacob a limp, but also an identity. "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel," he says, "for you have striven with God and with humans and prevailed." Perhaps in the language of the Christian Gospel, we would call this assurance grace. What makes it divine is that we can't deserve it, but the future can now be seen as a new beginning. "Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here," we say; and we know this word of welcome is good news, because everybody wants it, and everybody knows it wasn't for sure that we'd receive it, until we wrestled with God and found out who we are.
May God always keep us and our churches in the struggle, aware of our needs, our mistakes and our sense of belonging; and may God not let us go until we have learned to share the blessing.
Allen Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Conference Server Upgrade! 
Our entire Conference office will be experiencing some computer upgrades this Friday afternoon (8/1) and again on Monday morning (8/4). We ask for your patience during this time regarding any email and phone requests as our server connection may be offline and we'll be occupied assisting the IT techs during this process. Thank you in advance for understanding.
-Renee
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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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Engaging in Spiritual Practices - to refresh and ground you
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.
Nourishing Your SoulOnce I was asked to write a list of the things that make my soul sing, nourish my soul, bring me joy! At first I  couldn't even imagine how to begin to write that list. After several weeks I couldn't stop adding things to the list.
What have you done lately that has nourished your soul? Perhaps noticing a leaf, talking with a good friend, looking at the stars, holding a child's hand, taking a walk... Try keeping a pad of paper and a pen with you at all times, or somewhere easily accessible. Maybe even start creating a list on your smart phone. When you feel nourished or joy - jot it down. Read your list occasionally and set the intention, the opportunity, the space in your life to engage often in one or more of the ways you've listed to nourish your soul.
Susan Ulmer, Spiritual Director
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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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Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry Offered in St. Louis
This three-day, self-contained Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry: The Work of the Leader course introduces theories that are foundational to interim ministry. The class hours are devoted to providing opportunities for experiential learning through the use of case studies and sacred story. The work of the interim leader is presented and discussed along with tools and resources that facilitate the work of the transitional leader.
While this course emphasizes the work of the transition pastor, it is helpful to judicatory and lay leaders to make informed and healthy choices about clergy leadership during times of transition. An opportunity in the St. Louis, MO area is available on August 18-20 at the Sheraton Hotel in Westport.
Please visit the Interim Ministry Network website for further information and to register.
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PET Carts to Mungeli
At the beginning of the year, Columbia UCC invited our Conference churches and Disciples partners to help fund a shipment of PET devices (hand-cranked Personal Energy Transportation carts, built by volunteers in the US) to  Drs. Anil & Teresa Henry in Mungeli, India.
PET International, http://petinternational.org, is prepared to fill an ocean-going shipping container (around 180 carts), which will cost $4,612.00 to arrive in India.
Thanks to your generosity, we've already raised $4,252.51 - leaving us only $359.49 from our goal. Anil and Teresa have returned to India and await news of this shipment. Can you help us raise these last dollars?
Please make your check out to Columbia UCC (memo: PET shipping) and send it to Columbia UCC, 3201 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia MO 65202. Gifts are held in a designated account.
Thank you for your partnership in this great work!
Rev. Steven E. Swope, Pastor
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Thanks For the Donations, MMSUCC!
A big thank you to those who donated cans of Ensure/Boost, or generously gave a monetary donation for us to purchase the supplements for our extremely ill patients. Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries continues to have an ongoing need for our limited income elderly who are working with a nurse to have premixed nutritional supplements - Ensure, Boost, and Glucerna. Our clients can not use powders as they do not have access to milk on a regular basis.
We appreciate any future donations of these products and will gladly make arrangements to pick up the supplements from any location. Please call Rev. Libby Feagans-King or Rev. Donna Pupillo at 314-918-2596 or 314-918-2654.
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Weekly Prayer Time
Please keep the following churches and clergy in your prayers during this upcoming week:
Prayers for August 3 - August 9, 2014
Churches
St Peter's UCC - Washington, MO
Bethel UCC - Concordia, MO
Peace UCC - Hartsburg, MO
Retired Clergy
Rev. Robert Jais
Rev. Willam Kitchen
Rev. Ruth Rinne
Rev. James Pohl
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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Ordination & Installation 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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2015 Support Staff Network Gathering - Ft. Wayne, IN
 Support staff members (administrative assistants, secretaries, office managers, bookkeepers, etc.) from all settings ofthe United Church of Christ are strongly encouraged to join the United Church of Christ Office Support Staff Network (UCCOSSN) at their 2015 Annual Conference to be held in Ft. Wayne, Ind. April 9-11, 2015. Put this date on your calendar today!
"Rediscovering the Joy of Play" will be the theme for this time of networking, fellowship, professional growth and retreat for those who keep our offices running. Acclaimed storyteller Valerie Tutson will be the keynote speaker. For more information, contact Lettie Eagar at lme@plymouthfw.org or Nikki Richards at n.richards@ikcucc.org.
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Heifer Happenings Newsletter
Click here to see the July edition of "Heifer Happenings," a newsletter about current and upcoming events with Heifer  International as a whole, and also about local events here in Mid-Missouri.
This month's newsletter is fully of great information! Please feel free to share it with others.
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Quotes For Your Week - Struggle
The struggle ends when the gratitude begins.  - Neale Donald Walsch
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try.
The world is beyond the winning.
- Lao Tzu
Don't fight forces, use them.
- R. Buckminster Fuller
Honor your being, Release each and every struggle, Gather strength from life's storms, Relax into the arms of spirit.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
my weekly affirmation - struggle less, plan more and have patience
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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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