Thursday, February 19, 2015
Header
Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
OCWM - Our Church's Wider Mission.  Individual or group donations are welcomed!
Click here to donate today.
The next eHappenings will be sent on Friday, February 27th. 
The deadline for submissions is 2/25/15 at 8am.
Around Your Conference

Allen's Message to You... 
 

You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.

                                                                           Isaiah 58:11

 

Dear Colleagues on the Way,

 

               The Lenten Season heralds the lengthening days of springtime. It is a hopeful time, marked by increasing light, as our earth in the northern hemisphere tips gradually toward the sun. In fact, that's the original meaning of the word "lent," not, as we often think, a period of solemnity, but a time of renewal.

 

               Christians sometimes mistakenly treat the confessional aspect of Lent as a way to define ourselves by our lesser nature. We are not called to reclaim what is poor within us, but to recognize the impoverishment of our lives that comes from a failure to live within the blessedness of a fellowship of grace.   

 

               On Ash Wednesday, we gather in a mood of humility before God. We look in wonder at the world we are born to inhabit, and we are moved to celebrate with joy the unmerited grace that has placed us here. As companions on a journey, we remember our times of loneliness on the way, and we give thanks for the fellowship of Christ that gives encouragement to our faith. The ashes remind us of our common need and our responsibility to share the gifts of Christ in a mood of welcoming acceptance and generosity. Like a watered garden, we know the gift that enables us to live abundantly, producing the fruit that the Spirit of Christ alone can provide.

 

               In this Season of Lent, may you grow like a garden, and may the springs of the Spirit overflow among us.

   

Allen
Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister

 

          

DORHAUER NOMINATED AS THE NEXT GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT OF THE UCC

The news is out, and it is our great joy to celebrate the nomination of The Rev. John C. Dorhauer as the new General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ! John, who served in Missouri Mid-South as Associate Conference Minister prior to becoming Conference Minister for the Southwest Conference, will be presented by the search committee to the UCC General Synod, meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, June 25-27, where he will be elected to this office.  Click here to see the full press release

 

THANKS, EVERYBODY. WE'RE IN THE BLACK!

The end of the year financial report for the Missouri Mid-South Conference, including the report of Conference operations as well as the operations of our two outdoor ministries for the year, is now completed, and the news is as good as we could have hoped for.   All of our endeavors have ended the year with a positive balance.  This good news is, of course, partly due to budgetary economies, but could not have been accomplished without faithful stewardship among our congregations. We thank every church that increased OCWM giving in 2014 and every church that made sacrificial decisions to support the work we do together. We are hopeful that this faithful trend in our united ministry will continue with growing commitment in the months to come.

Important Update Regarding Anthem Data Breach


The below email was shared from the UCC Pension Boards:

You are receiving this e-mail because you are a participant in the UCC Non-Medicare or Medicare Supplement Health Plans.

Please Note: 
  • As widely reported, Anthem, Inc., the country's second-biggest health insurer, announced on February 5, 2015 it was the target of a very sophisticated external cyber attack.
     
  • Anthem reported that "These attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem's IT system and have obtained personal information from our current and former members such as their names, birthdays, medical IDs/Social Security numbers, street addresses, e-mail addresses and employment information, including income data. Based on what we know now, there is no evidence that credit card or medical information, such as claims, test results or diagnostic codes were targeted or compromised."
     
  • Although UCC Health Plan members are not Anthem members, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, our medical benefits administrator, partners with Anthem to serve UCC members by accessing care and processing claims.
     
  • The Pension Boards has been working closely with Highmark to understand any potential impact for UCC Health Plan members.
     
  • There have been reports of scam e-mail campaigns. Both Anthem and Highmark have confirmed they have not begun contacting members regarding this cyber attack. Do not provide, via phone or e-mail, any personal information regarding this cyber attack to anyone claiming to be from Anthem, Highmark, or the Pension Boards.
     
  • Anthem has established a website with all of the current information (http://www.anthemfacts.com/). On this site is a letter to its members along with a Q&A sheet (http://www.anthemfacts.com/faq).
     
  • Visit our website, www.pbucc.org, as updates will be posted as information becomes available.
As always, please contact us at
1.800.642.6543, Option 6 if you have any questions or need assistance.
 

Pension Boards-UCC | 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1020 | New York | NY | 10115 | 800-642-6543

The Top 10 Reasons to Attend CAG!
  

The 2015 Missouri Mid-South Conference Annual Gathering is going to be a very exciting event, with the culmination of several matters of business and the continuation of others as we "rebuild, restore and renew" our Conference. Your participation in the event is very important! To that end, there are at least 10 things you should know about the 2015 Conference Annual Gathering....

 

10.This year, the Conference Annual Gathering will begin on Thursday. The dates for our event are June 4-6, 2015. This is a bit of a change from past years, so mark your calendars now!  

9. You can arrive Wednesday evening if you wish! Conference staff and the Conference Annual Gathering Planning Team will be arriving Wednesday evening. If you chose this option to get a jump on the Thursday festivities, Wednesday evening could be a great time of Sabbath, joining your Conference friend's poolside or in the hotel lounge.

8. The venue for this event will be the Holiday Inn in Columbia, MO. While there is no perfect location in our geographically challenged Conference, this hotel is easily accessible from Highway 70 and provides amenities that could make a journey from Memphis, Cape Girardeau or Arkansas a bit more feasible.

7.   Please stay overnight at the Holiday Inn! (CAG rate: $99/night, for a room with two queen beds!) While this venue could lend participants to stay at other hotels or drive to and from the Gathering each day, such endeavors detract from the community atmosphere and family feel we are trying to build around our Conference during this event. As we stay together, play together and work together, this gathering will help us grow together in unity; an important component to that unity is that we all stay together at the Holiday Inn! Watch for reservation information soon.

6.   There will be youth activities and involvement! Rev. Rick Oberle, Tracey Harris, Felicia Scott and other members of the Planning Team will be working to directly involve youth (focusing on 6-12 grades) in the activities of the Conference, while providing a few separate opportunities for them as well. Each church is allowed Youth Delegates, and all churches are invited to send some!

 

Click here to read entire article  

Why Should My Church Participate in the Yearbook Process?

The deadline is February 27 (only 8 days away!) to submit your yearbook forms to our Conference so your church's info can be entered.  If your church plans to enter their statistics directly into the data hub, the deadline in March 9.  And a big thank you to the churches who have entered their own information online!  Nice job!!! 

If you are wondering why your church should participate in the yearbook process, please read the following article "Eleven Reasons Why Reporting Your Church's Annual Data Is Important." 

 

Below are the yearbook instructions/forms sent on January 14:  

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.   


We hope to see many more of our churches participate in this annual statistical gathering.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation - Renee 

Ordination of Janice Barnes

The St. Louis Association

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

and

the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, UCC

 cordially invite your presence for the ordination of

 Janice Barnes

 to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament

on

Sunday, March 1, 2015, at 3:00 PM

First Congregational Church of Webster Groves

United Church of Christ

 10 West Lockwood Avenue

Saint Louis, Missouri, 63119

 

Jan has been called to the pastorate of Trinity United Church of Christ, Saint Louis.

The Rev. Carol Shanks, of Bethany United Church of Christ, Cahokia, Illinois, will offer the sermon.
Music by the First Church Music Ministry and the Rainbow Bluegrass Pickup Band.

 

A reception in Memorial Hall will follow.

For clergy: Robes and red stoles are encouraged, please plan to gather by 2:30 PM for procession.

Installation of Rev. Lansford Lawrence

 

First Congregational United Church of Christ

Bonne Terre, Missouri

And

The St. Louis Association of the

Missouri Mid-South Conference

Invite you to celebrate with us

The Installation of our New Pastor

 

Reverend Lansford C. Lawrence

First Congregational Church UCC

20 Church St., Bonne Terre, MO 63628 

 

Sunday March 8, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Clergy are invited to wear vestments and red stoles.

Refreshment will be served after service in the Fellowship Hall

                

Annual MMSUCC Men's Retreat

The Annual Men's Retreat will be held on May 1-3 at our own Shannondale Community Center.  Please click here to view the brochure and registration form. 

The Men's Retreat is the perfect opportunity to renew, reflect, and regain your spiritual growth.  Here's a quote from a first-time retreat attendee, Glenn Haake, "I attended the retreat for the first time just thinking it would be an opportunity for a weekend escape from the busyness of life. I enjoyed getting to know several of the men during the work session and the afternoon free time touring the area. The weekend became special for me as I sat on a bench in the middle of the woods in prayer and for the first time in 47 years I heard an audible response from God, it is an experience I will reflect on for many years to come...I encourage you and your breakout groups to attend the retreat and not only grow closer to each other, but spend time reconnecting with God."
Annual MMSUCC Women's Retreat

Save the date! The Annual Women's Retreat will be held on May 1-3, 2015, at our own Camp MoVal. This year's theme is "Under the Shelter of God's Wings", with the leaders of Sue Ulmer and Devoree Crist.  

 

Devoree Crist and Susan Ulmer are spiritual directors in the St. Louis area. They are grateful to share space with five other spiritual directors on the campus of Eden Theological Seminary for the ministry of companioning others in their walk of faith. Their Opening to the Sacred Retreat Ministry has been active for 5 years and includes Rest for Your Soul, Opening to the Sacred Series, Days of Reflection. Calm within Chaos and more. Those who have attended are individual groups, clergy, churches, retirement communities, women's groups and recently Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries. They offer safe space with the Holy and learn ways to be open to the grace of God abundantly and freely given. Both are active members of their congregations, Peace UCC and Webster Groves.

 

Please click here to view the brochure, which contains a registration form and further information.   

2015 NGLI Application Process

Hopefully you have heard by now about the investment in young transformational leaders and the church of the future through the Next Generation Leadership Initiative. The Pension Boards is seeking to contribute to the greater good by encouraging, equipping and sustaining young clergy for service in local congregations of the United Church of Christ.

 

Here's a video that tells the NGLI story:  NGLI Target 2030 Initiative Program Video and Article Those selected for participating in NGLI will receive... 

  • Ten years of advanced training and education to hone their pastoral leadership skills and gifts for service to the Church,
  • Participation in a cohort of colleagues that encourages, challenges, and reflects together on the life of a local church pastor in the twenty-first century,
  • Financial incentive-a $10,000 seed contribution is made to the participant's Annuity Plan account, which should have a value of approximately $75,000 at the end of a 35-year career. (Figures based on an assumed growth rate of 6% per year over a 35-year period.  It will be 50% vested at the end of the fourth year and fully vested at the end of the tenth year.)

I am writing today because we need your assistance in helping reach the pool of all eligible pastors.  We have identified the ideal candidate as:

  • 35 years of age or under at the point of admission to NGLI,
  • Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference,
  • Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish,
  • Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting,
  • Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ.

Attached to this email are detailed documents about the training provided and the application process.  Please help the Church by getting these materials in the hands of any eligible clergy you may know-- notice of intention to apply is due March 27-so don't delay!  Spread the word and be a part of the transformation in this way!

 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 800-642-6543 x2716.  The website ngli2030.pbucc.org is also a good source of information.  Additional helpful documents:  Application Process   FAQ's   NGLI Flyer 

  

Rev. Krista L. Betz

Director, Ministerial Assistance

The Pension Boards United Church of Christ

Quote for your week... Lent

"Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds,
there is always a space in which the good seed can grow.
You have to trust God."
- Pope Francis
Employment Opportunities
 
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified. 

 

Choir/Music Director, Good Shepherd UCC, 2/19/2015

Good Shepherd, located at 3115 Elm Street, St. Charles, MO 63301, is seeking a Choir Director.  We are looking for someone comfortable with a small, but dedicated choir.  Our Choir currently practices on Sunday mornings prior to worship.  Salary to be discussed.  Please email interest/questions to Claudia Pohrer: [email protected] 

 

Office Administrator/Bookkeeper, Webster Groves Christian Church (DOC), 2/4/2015

This is a part time position (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Tuesday through Friday - 20 hrs per week), at Webster Groves Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1320 W. Lockwood Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122,    

and requires knowledge and facility with bookkeeping procedures and software, website management, Microsoft Office (including Publisher), as well as strong interpersonal and organizational skills, the ability to work with a team, and to keep confidences.  Successful candidate will have minimum of Associate degree or comparable experience in accounting/bookkeeping and general office skills.  $18-$20 per hour, as per experience.  Please send inquiries, resumes and references to [email protected] 

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.