Wednesday, November 5, 2014
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OCWM - Our Church's Wider Mission.  Individual or group donations are welcomed!
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The next eHappenings will be sent on Friday, November 14th.  Be sure to email your church and organization events to Renee no later than 8:00 am on 11/12 for the next eHappenings.
Around Your Conference

Allen's Message to You... 

Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.

                                                            Amos 5:18-24

 

Dear friends and colleagues on the sacred path,

 

            There is a notion of worship that it is a gift we give to God, but I've always thought it arrogant of us to think God is delighted by our prayers and songs. Prayers, except for personal petitions, are often dutiful, of course; but songs, as anyone who has ever tried to change a church's hymnal can attest, are most often sung to the end of making us feel good while we sing them.

 

            The prophet Amos has a gift with words, but it is not a gift that warms our hearts. He says, if justice does not flow from us, God is going to stop listening to our songs. It's as though God won't let us sing unless justice is first satisfied. That image of God's discernment makes good theological sense to me, but then I wonder, "Does God really care about the singing at all?" What does singing have to do with it? How does worship complement the works of justice?

 

            Some people think of worship as the inspiration that sends us out to do the works of justice in the coming week. Others think of worship as the time when we come home to celebrate what God has done to uplift the efforts we have made and to tell us it's alright when our work falls short of all we hoped and dreamed. I confess that this latter is what worship most often has come to be for me.

 

            When I was quite young and filled with Truth, I think I considered it differently, and even now I don't think those who come to worship ready to be charged-up for action are wrong. But over the years I've become more appreciative of what God does mysteriously to transform the works we do into something that is healing and redemptive and fruit-bearing, even sometimes in spite of ourselves. I think perhaps that means that I'm more religious than I used to be, less prone to self-confidence, more open to the revelations of each day. But now the words of Amos give purpose to my soul in a different way, and I sing, "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream."

 

            God be with you on the path.

 

Allen

Rev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister 

Gateway ONA Resource Phone Line, 314-690-1435

The mission of Gateway Open and Affirming (ONA) Resource Line is to serve as a resource for all people who seek a spiritual support for LGBTQIA (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Trangender/Queer or Questioning/Intersexual/Ally) individuals and their families and friends.  
 
What led us to this? - It was brought to our attention that there have been several instances when some individuals were struggling with LGBTQIA situations and had been turned away when seeking guidance and support from their religious institutions. We felt a calling from God to provide a personal and/or anonymous telephone line to support these individuals with resources which would include the extravagant welcome of the United Church of Christ.

The hope is that your congregation will embrace their outreach and include the RESOURCE TELEPHONE NUMBER in your Sunday Bulletins, your website, Facebook page and any other type of publication.  Please click here for an informational flyer.   

Camp MoVal Fall Work Day - 12/6

Come and join us for our Fall Work Day at Camp MoVal on December 6 from 8am to 1pm. Work projects will include general site clean up, raking and burning leaves, trail maintenance and much more. All are welcome to participate, and please make sure that anyone under 18 attends with an adult chaperone. We also ask that you please let the MoVal office know in advance of your attendance to make sure we have enough food for all of our volunteers and so we can plan an effective and efficient work day.

 

I thank you in advance for your support of Camp MoVal and our Outdoor Ministry programs. It is your support that makes our ministry possible. To confirm your presence at the Fall Work Day, please email Jeremy Force or call the Camp Office at 636-583-2730.

 

-Jeremy Force 

"When Pigs Fly" Buy-a-Bird Fundraiser

Be a part of this ministry tradition!  Your generous donation of $20 will buy a turkey or ham for someone in need, and a donation of $30 will cover the cost of an entire meal.  Isaiah 58 Ministries is depending upon people like you to help make the holidays meaningful for families who are less fortunate.  You can help them celebrate the joy of the season as you actively participate in making their holiday season abundant and joy-filled.  Isaiah 58 Ministries anticipate serving 300 families both at Thanksgiving and at Christmas, which means they need to raise $18,000 to cover the total cost of the baskets.  Will YOU help?

This fundraiser will continue through December 31st.  Click here for a printable flyer to share with your congregation or office. 

Checks should be made payable to:  Isaiah 58 Ministries, 2149 S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104.  Please write "Buy a Bird" in the memo line. Or you can make your donation online by visiting their website
Monthly Health & Wellness Tip Sheet - November

Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Another 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that each year that the total health care costs for those with diabetes is $245 billion dollars. The American Diabetes Association has designated November as Diabetes Awareness Month. Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries joins in the campaign to communicate the importance of treating and preventing diabetes.

 

Diabetes is a disease that has affected my family. My father, who had Type 2 diabetes for many years, died at age 70 with complications from the disease. A few years ago, I was told I was pre diabetic and needed to lose weight. I learned that simple changes can change the course of diabetes. I made the changes, lost 100 pounds and reduced my risk of developing diabetes. The changes were simple - choose healthy foods, make better meals, and be active every day with exercise. But where to start?

 

Click here to finish article. 

From the Heritage File
 

Every church should have a church historian (section 2). What are the responsibilities of a church historian? Here is an excerpt from the UCC Leader's Box providing guidance to church historians about their roles.

 

Your duties will vary depending upon whether you are establishing a record of your church's history, updating it heritage regularly or publishing a view of that history. If you are publishing the history, plan to print as accurate and attractive a publication as financially feasible. Get advice from printers, editors or anyone in the publication field. Use illustrations or photographs, if possible.

At all times you will be responsible for:

  • Conveying an accurate and understandable picture to future generations.
  • Acknowledging more than buildings.
  • Acknowledging that pastors aren't the only important leaders about whom to report.
  • Recording the negative -- splits, divisions and problems - as well as the positive.
  • Acknowledging that the church is part of the world. That may mean recording stands about local and national issues. It might mean telling what is was like to be an ethnic community in a time of war, or to be settlers in a native culture, or telling when women were first allowed to be on certain committees.
  • Providing correct information, including correctly spelled names.
  • Using primary information when possible. When ledgers, minutes and rolls are kept, go to those sources rather than annual reports. But go to annual reports before newspaper reports or people's memory of past events. Memories are great for flavor, but they are not always accurate.
  • Providing a copy of the history to archives, libraries or historical societies.
  • Using inclusive language.
Watch in future eCourier articles for more information on the role of the church historian.

 

-Submitted by Joy Dressel 

Ordination Invitation for Joylynn Graham       
           

The Members and Friends of St. John's Mantels United Church of Christ

and the  

Eastern Association of the  

Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ

 

 Invite you to celebrate with us the ordination of

Joylynn Graham

Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 3:00 PM

 

St. John's Mantels United Church of Christ, 

442 Mantels Church Rd, Washington, MO 63090

 

In honor of the occasion clergy are invited to wear vestments and red stoles and to gather

at 2:30 pm in order to assemble for the processional.

 

A small reception downstairs will follow the service

November LIFE Program at Eden Seminary
 
LIFE (Lifelong Learner Institute of Faith Exploration) is a program of retreats that invites lay men and women to study scripture and explore Christian faith and life. It challenges participants to become life long learners and Eden logo disciples, faithful witnesses to the gospel and faithful members and leaders of the church. LIFE is sponsored jointly by the Missouri Mid-South Conference, the Illinois South Conference and Eden Theological Seminary (all United Church of Christ) with participants coming from many different denominations and faith traditions.

November 14-15, 2014 
Certificate Course: Confronting Reality: Life, Faith, Justice, Witness 
Instructor: Rev. Dr. J. Clinton McCann, Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation

Elective Course: The Gospel of Mark
Instructor:  Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause, Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament

Visit Eden's website for further information and to register online. Click here for a printable brochure, and a paper registration form.  Please contact Jill Schantz at Eden with any questions.    
Installation Invitation for Rev. Dr. Keith Herron

The members and friends of Saint Lucas United Church of Christ and the

St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ  

cordially invite you to celebrate with us the installation and commissioning of  

 

Rev. Dr. Keith D. Herron

Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Saint Lucas United Church of Christ

11735 Denny Road, Saint Louis, MO 63126

 

In honor of the occasion, clergy are invited to wear vestments and red stoles and to

arrive at St. Lucas UCC at 2:30 p.m. in order to assemble for the processional.

   

A reception will follow the service in the St. Lucas UCC Social Hall.

Seeking a Portable Labyrinth
 

Comtrea Comprehensive Health Center is interested in purchasing a portable canvas labyrinth to use with their clients, their families, and the community.  They are willing to pick it up or pay for shipping, and hope to pay around $500.   

 

If you can assist with this search, please contact Rev. Kathy Porter at 636-296-6206, ext. 4337 (office) or 314-630-6332 (cell).  Thank you.

What Child is this: a Jazz Nativity

What Child is this?: a Jazz Nativity returns this December for its 4th season with an all-new  production! Re-imagining the Christmas story through the artistry of jazz and the magic of storytelling, this year's program will feature new jazz arrangements of Christmas music and dramatic twists that will creatively bring an ancient story to life for today's audience.  

 

Visit our Conference website for further information.  

Weekly Prayer Time
 

Please keep the following churches and clergy in your prayers during this upcoming week:  

 

Prayers for November 9-15, 2014

Churches

St Pauls UCC �- Cooper Hill, MO

St Johns UCC �- High Hill, MO

St Martin UCC �- High Ridge, MO

St John UCC (Stolpe) �- Hermann, MO

United Church of Christ of Fulton �- Fulton, MO

Ebenezer (Stone) Church UCC  �- Gerald, MO

St Johns UCC - St Louis, MO

St Pauls UCC - Defiance, MO

 

Retired Clergy

Rev. Cynthia Danley

Rev. Arpad de Kallos

Rev. Randall Mullins

Rev. Gilbert Bumb

2015 Clergy Compensation!  

Please find the 2015 Clergy Compensation document here, as approved by the Committee on Ministry Covenanted Ministry, October 25, 2014.  The information is also posted on our Conference website.

Please share the 2015 revised version with your pastor, church council president and/or church treasurer.  Thank you.
Employment Opportunities
 
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.

Facility & Technology Administrator, St. John UCC-St. Charles, 10/15/2014 

St. John UCC, 405 S Fifth Street, St. Charles, is seeking to hire a part-time (25-30 hours) Facility & Technology Administrator  who is passionate about working in a church environment.  This individual would work 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.  Primary responsibilities will include facility and technology management, along with overall computer and office skills.

Skills required

  • Good computer skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Publisher, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Photoshop Elements, and web page management.  Shelby (church data base software experience desirable).
  • Facilities management experience
    • Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task
    • Excellent communication skills
    • Ability to listen and respond to requests with discretion, tact, patience, and confidentiality
    • Comfortable working on a team
    • Knowledge of office equipment

 To apply, send cover letter and resume to [email protected].  Resumes only, no calls please.

    

Director of Advocacy and Communications, The Deaconess Foundation, 10/8/2014 

The Director of Advocacy and Communications stewards strategic communications for the foundation. The position's primary responsibility is for the promotion of the foundation's public policy agenda for child well-being. The Director will establish and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers and media through personal contact and media platforms. S/he will support the CEO in development and implementation of the organization's annual communications plans.   To apply for this position, visit the Deaconess Foundation website - http://www.deaconess.org/advocacy-directorNo phone calls please

 
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Contact Us

Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ  314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884  
 
Email [email protected] to submit information for a future issue.  Not all submissions may be used in future eCouriers.