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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, January 15th. Please email your church, organization or agency event to Renee. The deadline for submissions is 1/13/15 at 8am.
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Allen's Message to You... You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased. Mark 1:11 Dear Companions on the Journey, Surely everybody knew that John the Baptist was crazy, didn't they? "Clothing with camel's hair...ate locusts and wild honey." Even those of us who tend to give a little slack to people mentioned in the Bible should be able to notice it. And don't you wonder, thinking back to that age of vicious oppression and the anger people were feeling, how many would-be prophets and religious revolutionaries he baptized in the powerfully political water of the Jordan. "Why political?" you may ask. I use the word carefully and accurately, I think, even as I acknowledge the edginess we feel about using the word in a religious context. In truth, anything done in the Jordan River had a  huge political meaning in the days of John the Baptist. This was the water once long ago parted by God to allow those who once were slaves to cross over into freedom. To be saturated in the Jordan's water was to receive the mantle of freedom once again, in a land that was no longer free, and it appears that this symbol was seized upon by many who sought triumph over the Roman oppressors. Their cause was just. Their act bore the symbolic truth of protest. Then came Jesus, in the midst of this tempestuous and holy throng. I like the way Mark tells the story - like it was the beginning, with nothing else before it. I imagine the noise of the crowd, then the sudden silence Jesus felt as he sank into the water, and then the joy and liberation as he rose up into the air. And he learned who he was at that moment of perfect clarity that we call the voice of God, in the midst of oppression, in the heat of revolution, among people impatient for justice, as he heard a new blessing in the words first spoken by God to his ancestor David a very long time before: "You are my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased." For a moment, it is as though the story stops and takes a breath to allow us to reconsider what has happened here. Jesus himself disappears from human sight into the wilderness. When the story starts up again, we begin to read the episodes of a wonder tale about the One whose life and miracles and teachings offer a living strategy for all who seek a better world while they continue to live in this one, a startling strategy that values redemption for the life of the enemy as well (or those we think are our enemies) without ever letting go of the goal of justice. As we read the stories again this year, may we see in them patterns for creating our own life strategies and those of our churches to serve the Way of love-blessed justice, arise from the water, and discover our common freedom. Blessings! Allen Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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It's Church Yearbook Time!
Next week church's will begin receiving yearbook documents via email or snail mail. The National office in Cleveland is encouraging all churches to enter their information online into the data hub as opposed to completing paper documents. Our Conference also encourages this, but we will continue to assist you with your yearbook reporting however you choose. Churches have until March 9th to enter yearbook info into the data hub.
Further instructions will be shared next week, so please be on the lookout for your church's email or envelope. We hope to see all of our churches participate in this annual reporting process. The National office uses this data to create a variety of statistical documents which are shared across the entire UCC. Thank you in advance for your cooperation - Renee
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2014 Contributions Deadline
All contributions for 2014 must arrive at the Conference office by next week - Thursday, January 15, 2015. Any remittances received after this date will be considered 2015 donations. Please share this information with your church treasurer or anyone at your church who handles contributions. Thank you.
If you have questions please contact Lorraine Brooks, Conference Bookkeeper at 314-918-2606 or email accounting@mmsucc.org.
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A Seminar on White Privilege
On January 27th at St. Mark Union Church in Kansas City, the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Conference Minister of  Southwest Conference UCC, will offer two presentations - Whiteness as the Norm and Whiteness as a Cash Value. This seminar is especially for UCC authorized ministers. Framing the conversation of race around the concept of privilege will provide all participants with new language, new frameworks, new insights and new vocabulary with which we can engage ongoing dialogue and justice witness ministries.
The event will begin at 9:30 am and end at 3:00 pm. There is a $10 registration fee for this seminar to cover the cost of lunch and morning refreshments. Participants are asked to e-mail the Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard, Pastor of St. Mark at drhowardjr@yahoo.com with the following information: name, phone number(s), ministry setting, and any particular dietary needs. For more information please contact Dr. Howard at (816) 547-0719 or Dale Parson at (816) 257-9826. Sponsored by the following UCC Conferences: Illinois South, Kansas-Oklahoma and Missouri Mid-South. Event flyer.
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Clergy Care Summit
Ministry changes in times of crisis. The needs of congregations, hospital and community settings are different.  Faith leaders are pulled in different directions as we try to balance our call to work outside their traditional ministry setting with the demands of our "regular" jobs. In longer-term crises, like the one we face here in the St. Louis metro area, our time, talent, treasure and patience can begin to wear thin. You are invited to attend this Clergy Care Summit on January 21st at 9am-2pm, which is for all clergy, parish nurses and faith leaders in the great St. Louis metro area who are interested in information and skills in managing ministry in times of crisis. The featured speaker is Rev. Dr. Willard W.C. Ashley, DMin., with presenter Rev. Donna SmithPupillo, RN. Morning coffee and lunch will be provided. There is no fee for attending this event thanks to the generosity of Eden Theological Seminary and Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries. Registration is required: please contact Rev. Julie Taylor at jtaylor@uuma.org. Event flyer.
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Boundary Training at Eden Seminary
Eden Theological Seminary will host a boundary training session on Friday, February 6, 9am-3pm. The cost is  $50 and Ms. Jane Porchey will be the facilitator. If you wish to participate, please register with Chris Davis at Eden: cdavis@eden.edu or call her directly at 314-918-2547. Please remember that if you attend a boundary training session outside of our Conference, it is your responsibility to send a copy of your certificate to our office so it can be recorded. Boundary training dates have yet to be determined for our Conference. Once the dates, locations and facilitators have been decided, the information will be posted in the eCourier and on our website. We anticipate an announcement by early February.
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Emmaus Homes Mission Camp Opportunity
Join us in the Missouri River valley on the beautiful Emmaus campus for a week of service, growth and fun! 
Emmaus, a faith-based non-profit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities, offers your group the opportunity to serve and develop friendships with our residents! Your mission campers will spend each morning building relationships with our residents through fun programs such as singing, games, dancing, crafts, kickball and more! The afternoons will be used for completing projects around campus tailored to the ages and abilities of your group and could include things such as painting, landscaping, cleaning, etc. Our campus offers dorms for your campers to stay in, we simply ask you to bring your own bedding. We also have a large kitchen stocked with cookware and table service, we ask that you bring your own food. While with us, your campers whether they be children, adolescents or adults will have the opportunity to grow spiritually and personally. They will have the opportunity to develop true friendships with our residents. Many campers come back from year to year to visit their new friends and many correspond throughout the year through email and letters.
A $10/camper donation is suggested to offset expenses. For more information on how to connect more deeply with the Emmaus mission contact: Brenda Cameron, 314-740-2049, cameronb@emmaushomes.org or Dennis Kramme, 636-299-1983, krammed@emmaushomes.org
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Conference Youth Event (CYE) 2015
The CYE will be held February 14-16, 2015 at Camp Moval, and we hope to see many of our youth attend and participate in this great event. The theme is "Telling the Tale!". All youth  will have the opportunity to listen to master storyteller, Rev. Ric Zuch, share timeless Biblical stories and lessons as they apply in today's world. High school youth will become "ear-witnesses" - as they will determine the outcome and how the stories can continue through them! It will be an exciting time for all attending.
Cost is $120 per person for each youth and adult participant. Registrations must be postmarked by Monday, January 26, 2015, to ensure space availability and a t-shirt. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact Cindy Birkner at 636-946-0961. You may also contact the Camp MoVal office at 636-583-2730.
Please click here to visit our Conference website for registration materials and further information. We hope to see many youth attend this fantastic event!
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Churches Displaying "Black Lives Matter" Banners
The following churches have chosen to display a banner: Holy Trinity Community Church UCC, Memphis  Trinity UCC, St. Louis Pilgrim UCC, St. Louis Christ the King UCC, Florissant Immanuel (Ferguson) UCC, St. Louis St. Johns UCC, Chesterfield Southwood UCC, Raytown Country Club Congregational UCC, Kansas City St. John (N. Grand) UCC, St. Louis St. Johns Chapel UCC, Springfield Peace Christian Church UCC, Kansas City Epiphany UCC, St. Louis St. Peters UCC, New Haven Ivy Chapel UCC, Chesterfield If you would like to obtain a banner to display at your church, please email Renee at the Conference office or call her directly at 314-918-2602. The banners are being shared on a first come, first served basis - one per church, please.
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Quote for your week...Enjoying Life
Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.
- Sai Baba
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Church Music Director, Friedens UCC, 1/5/2015
Friedens United Church of Christ in St. Charles, MO, is seeking a part-time choir director/organist, and/or contemporary worship leader. Candidate should have a varied music background and experience in both traditional/contemporary worship, but job may be split into two positions. Preferable skills include pipe organ, piano, keyboard. Approximately 10-12 hours per week; salary commensurate with experience. If interested, please e-mail resume to churchadministrator@friedens-ucc.org, or mail to 1703 Old Highway 94 South, St. Charles, MO 63303.
Nursery Caregiver, St. John UCC, 12/17/2014
In order to provide a dependable, consistent, safe, secure and nurturing environment for our children ages 0-2 years old, we are currently seeking a paid child care giver for our Nursery. The hours are 8:45 to 11:45 am each Sunday with a salary of $10 per hour.
Qualifications:
1) Must be at least 18 years of age.
2) Must be patient and good with children.
3) Must be currently certified in CPR or willing to be trained.
4) Must be willing to submit to background checks.
5) Experience in early childhood education and child care are preferred but not required.
Basic Responsibilities
1) Greet and receive directions from parents and guardians as children are dropped off.
2) Provide a welcoming, safe and friendly environment for all children during the worship service.
Full job description available upon request.
Send a letter of interest to the church office marked ATTENTION: LINDA REYNOLDS (St. John UCC,
405 S. Fifth Street, St. Charles, MO 63301) or email to lreynolds@stjohnucc.org. Please include three references and prior positions/experience.
Program Director, Camp MoVal, 12/17/2014 Camp MoVal, a ministry of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ is seeking a full-time program director for its outdoor ministry program. Camp MoVal is a summer camp and outdoor ministry site in Eastern Missouri serving 140 Churches and the wider community. We are a seeking a dynamic and inspirational person that will assist in the management of our outdoor ministry (camp) programs, guest services and rental groups. This person will also be responsible to assist in the development of new programs and outreach opportunities for our organization. A bachelor's degree or experience in camp or recreation management is required. Salary is based upon experience and the job includes medical, dental and retirement. Deadline for Resumes is January 31, 2015. Please direct all resume and questions to Mr. Jeremy Force, Director Outdoor Ministries at Camp MoVal to jeremy.moval@mmsucc.org. Job description available upon request. Registered Nurses, Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries, 12/17/2014 Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries has openings for RNs to work as faith community nurses. Please email dpupillo@faithnurses.org for more information.
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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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