Thursday, January 22, 2015
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The next eHappenings will be sent on Friday, January 30th.  Please email your church, organization or agency event to Renee.  The deadline for submissions is 1/28/15 at 8am.
Around Your Conference

Allen's Message to You... 

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short....

                                                            1 Corinthians 7:29

Forty days more, and Ninevah shall be overthrown.

                                                            Jonah 3:4b

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.

                                                            Mark 1:15

(Our lectionary readings for this Sunday)

 

Dear Colleagues and Partners in the Gospel,

 

               The publicity around the release of the motion picture Selma has reminded me of the crisp spring day in 1965 when a group of students and faculty at Eden Seminary boarded a plane to join the marchers in Montgomery, Alabama, at the end of the Selma to Montgomery march. Some of my fellow students had been much more involved than I in the civil rights struggles of the 60s, participating in "sit-ins" and voter registration drives and protest movements of various kinds leading up to that critical day; but the events in Selma, the barbarity and violence that met the first small band of marchers and their holy persistence in the face of it, had brought a new immediacy to our sense that we needed to respond, and a new recognition of that moment as a turning point in the movement to expand the American democratic dream to include those who had earned their place in it through many years of unacknowledged struggle.

 

               Immediacy is a theme of the Gospel of Mark. Throughout the story, there is a sense of it. Jesus is immediately sent into the wilderness. The disciples immediately follow him. Wonders and healings are immediate in their effects. It is as though no one needs any time to ponder the needs and urgency of the times. It is a time for action, because the time is now fulfilled: God's realm is preparing to expand. It is happening again. The first action that calls us is repentance, which is to say we are called to recognize our own part in the systems of injustice and to give our lives over to another way. As Christians everywhere acknowledge, this is the hard part, since everything after our recognition of our own complicity opens our lives to the opportunities of grace.

 

               In the context of our present reality, the wrongs that continue to be done as a result of our painful history of race in America have once again emerged in our line of vision, because of a strong public response to incidents where young men of color have lost their lives in confrontation with police. But prophetic ministry is not the art of blaming others for these terrible things that happened. The police are not responsible for racism in America. We bear that burden together; we all have invested deeply in the world as it is. Remembering that and repenting is where the Gospel urges us to start, because that's where the immediacy of the Gospel becomes clear.

 

               May we all discover peace and fulfillment in the days of God to come, as we discover our place and role in the world as it is and the world God would have us become.  
 

Allen

Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister  

Church Yearbook Update - New Information!

Last week all churches received their yearbook documents via email or snail mail.  If your church has NOT received yearbook information, please see the below documents: 

IMPORTANT:  Several of you have questioned the second page on Form G - Local Church Report regarding the Expenditures section.  After sending your inquiries to Cleveland, I was informed yesterday that the Local Church Report should not have had the "Total OCWM (A+B+C)" field listed, therefore, please ignore this one particular entry.  All of your church's contributions will be provided to National by our office, which we do each year.  So any monies your church has sent to our Conference, whether it be for OCWM, NiN, Strengthen the Church, Christmas Fund, etc., have all been recorded by Lorraine and will be uploaded into the National data hub for you.  I hope this helps to clarify your questions, and thank you to those who have been proactive in the yearbook process thus far!       

 

The other question I am being asked is "How do I log into the data hub?"  Your User Name is our Conference number, which is 38, followed by your church or pin number.  You can find your church/pin number in the MMS Conference directory or UCC Yearbook.  The Password is password if you are logging in for the first time, and you will be asked to change it for future log in's.  Please refer to the above Church Instructions link to further assist you. And remember there are many great video tutorials available from Cleveland to help you with every step of the yearbook process.  

   

Churches have until March 9th to enter yearbook info into the data hub.  If you need our Conference to enter your yearbook information online, your reports must arrive at our office no later than February 27th, which will give me time to enter all of the information. 

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 

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 [email protected] 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.

Additional Seminar Opportunity:  If you aren't available on January 27, the Illinois South Conference will be hosting the seminar on Wednesday, January 28, at St. Peter UCC, Okawville and again on Thursday, January 29, at Trinity UCC, Belleville.  Both seminars are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Please see the event flyer for more information and to register.   
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 (which is only 4 days away!) 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!
Ordination of Matthew D. Frierdich

The St. Louis Association

of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ

and

St. Lucas United Church of Christ

 cordially invite your presence for the ordination of

 Matthew D. Frierdich

 to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament

on

Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 2:00 PM

St. Lucas United Church of Christ

 11735 Denny Road

Saint Louis, Missouri, 63126

 

Matthew will serve as chaplain at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Rev. Shelly Tilton from Saguaro Christian Church of Tucson, AZ will offer the sermon.

 

A reception in the Fellowship Hall will follow.

For clergy: robes and stoles are optional, please plan to gather by 1:30 PM for procession.

A Peacemaking Practice 

While the first claim of the Peacemaker Fellowship is that conflict in community can be a source of energy for positive transformation, the follow up claim is that there are ways we can respond to the conflict which can reliably nurture that transformation. At the meeting of the St. Louis Association Ministerium in January, 2015 we used a form of structured conversation to nurture positive change. These are the guidelines for that conversation.

 

Conversations can be "just talk" but when they are well constructed they can be a force for personal, social, and spiritual transformation. There are many ways that practitioners have found to structure transformative conversations and each has advantages in particular circumstances. These include Circles, Open Space Technology, World Caf�, and Appreciative Inquiry.

 

While each is somewhat different and has benefits in different contexts, they each have certain qualities in common that, when present, ensure very positive outcomes. When these three qualities are held in tension, something new arises in a fourth dimension.

 

Passion:

All the persons in the room are clear about the issue being addressed and are passionate about it. A conversation has passion when it is about something that everyone in it believes is important, that is;
  • Focused: it is about something very specific.
  • Urgent: it is about something that must be dealt with now.
  • Blocked: it is about a problem that can't be solved because of barriers that don't seem to budge.
Please click here to read the entire article. 
2015 Conference Annual Gathering (CAG)

  

Dear Conference Friends,

 

Winter is upon us and June seems far away, but the planning for our Conference Annual Gathering in June is well underway.

 

We feel we have a very exciting CAG planned and hope you plan to attend from beginning to end.  The dates are June 4-6, 2015, and we'll be gathering at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, 2200 I-70 Drive S.W., Columbia, MO 65203

 

Our theme for 2015 is "Rebuild, Restore, Renew".

 

Thursday's emphasis (Rebuild) will have a focus on Church Vitality and Evangelism.  Based on feedback from last years CAG, David Schoen will be presenting the "New Beginnings" program offered by our National UCC Church and a representative from Center for Progressive Renewal will also be presenting a new Church Vitality program we will be engaged in.  Opening worship will be hosted by Columbia United Church of Christ after dinner.

 

Friday's emphasis (Restore) will focus on restoration of our broken world through Sacred Conversations on Race. Yvette Flunder will be our keynoter, and breakout sessions will be lead by many of our conference pastors and lay members who have been the "boots on the ground" during our recent events throughout the community.

 

"Renew" will be our highlight on Saturday and we'll focus on the future direction of our conference.

 

The business meetings will be intertwined throughout the weekend.  Once we have defined a few other details, a schedule of the entire CAG event will be posted in the weekly eCourier and on our conference website.   

 

January is when many congregations hold their annual meetings and I hope that churches will budget for their pastor, delegates and youth to attend.  The room rate at the Holiday Inn is $100 per night and instructions on how to make your reservation directly with the hotel will be available soon.  The registration fee has not yet been determined.

 

Are you ready to Rebuild, Restore, Renew and REJOICE?!  We are!  I personally am very excited to be a part of the planning team and know we are offering an event you will not want to miss.  Of course, we are still very much in the planning stages, but we have a great team and are hopefully you will be inspired to attend.   

 

Yours in Christ,  

 

Joyce Bathke

Conference Moderator

Center for Progressive Renewal HR Seminar

  

HR 101 for Pastors: Hiring, Firing and Everything In Between 

WEBINAR SERIES: January 29th- March 12th (also available as recordings)

 

One of the hardest parts of church leadership we never learned in seminary - administration. During this four session crash course,  Felicia Scott (a pastor within our own Conference!) will teach you the tools she learned in the world of business HR adapted for church - from effective hiring practices, to clear job description and review systems, to the critical skill set of firing with love. Sign up for all sessions ($35) or just those you know you need ($9.99 each). REGISTER HERE FOR THE SERIES  
Clergy Health and Wellness

 

The following article is being shared from Vital Signs and Statistics, and was written by Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, CARD Director, Cleveland, OH  

  

How healthy is your pastor? According to the latest Annual Clergy Health Survey from the United Methodist Church's General Board Pension and Health Benefits, UMC clergy have higher rates of several physical conditions when compared with the general U.S. population.  

 

While clergy's overall health improved slightly in the last few years, the incidence of high cholesterol (51%), borderline hypertension (11%), asthma (17%), borderline diabetes (9%), and obesity (40%) were

significantly higher than other U.S. adults, including demographically comparable adults. In addition, 5% of clergy suffered from depression (significantly higher percentage than demographically comparable U.S. adults); and 26% of all clergy had at least some functional difficulty resulting from depressive symptoms.   

  

On the positive side, more clergy are beginning to pay increased attention to their overall health and well-being, as most percentages decreased from the previous year's survey. UMC clergy responded that they are "doing well" when it came to healthy behaviors such as increased levels of physical activity when compared to demographically similar adults. However, with these percentages still well above the average population, it is clear that both clergy themselves and the people they serve must begin to take a more serious look at how health and wellness can be intentionally nurtured and concretely supported.

 

Along with this research, the Church Systems Task Force of the United Methodist Church identified 13 Factors that Influence Clergy Health in order to assist clergy and congregations in working toward increased health and wholeness for the leadership of their church. These 13 factors are:

 

1. Job satisfaction-appointments may not be good match for gifts and graces; isolation from congregation, disappointment with ministry; desire for option to exit ordained ministry with positive impact on self and church

Please click here to continue the article, and also for additional resources.   
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 Rev. Bruce Moeller will be facilitating.  If you wish to participate, please register with Chris Davis at Eden:  [email protected] 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.   
"Black Lives Matter" Banners

We still have 9 banners available to share.  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 free and being shared on a first come, first served basis - one per church, please. 

eHappenings Date Correction

February 15, 2015 - Fried Chicken Dinner, Noon to 6:00

Friedens Peace at 3560 Mill Street in New Melle, MO 63365 will be having their annual Special Recipe Fried Chicken Dinner from 12:00 to 6:00.  The meal will include: mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, slaw, cornbread and desserts.  Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 for those 6 to 11 and under 5 are free.  All Pastors eat free also.

Quote for your week...Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every man must decide whether he will 
walk in the light of creative altruism 
or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. 
- Martin Luther King, Jr.


 
Employment Opportunities
 
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.

  

Chaplain, Cape Albeon, 1/15/2015 For more information, please contact Carol DiSanza, Executive Director at [email protected] or 636-431-2010.

Administrative Assistant, St. John's UCC, Chesterfield, 1/15/2015
This is a part-time 25-30 hour a week position. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and go-getter who works effectively on their own as well as part of a team.  Great typing, filing, written and verbal communication skills,

along with attention to detail and the ability to multi-task, while remaining calm in varied situations.  Experience with Microsoft Office, Planning Center Online and Pro Presenter computer experience highly preferred. Past experience in a church environment preferred. Other duties: Prepare weekly church bulletin.  Prepare reports, correspondence, fliers, announcements, and other materials. Maintain membership directory and various email lists.  Manage office and order office supplies.  Coordinate and schedule volunteers for office and Sunday service.  Facilitate Vendor and maintenance personnel for property, equipment repairs, installations, and special events (i.e. wedding parties, picnic and course workshops, retreats and special events.) Other duties as needed.

Resumes only, no calls please.  Please submit a job specific cover letter and application to:

[email protected]   For more information on St. John's U.C.C. visit us at www.stjohnsuccchesterfield.org 

 

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 [email protected], or mail to 1703 Old Highway 94 South, St. Charles, MO  63303.

  
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 [email protected]. Job description available upon request.

Conference Quick Links
 
Conference Website          National UCC Website        Conference Calendar              
      
           2015 Remittance Form        Email Your Conference Office

                        2015 Clergy Compensation Materials

               2014 Commitment to Basic Support/OCWM Form 
           
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.