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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, April 30th.
The deadline for submissions is 4/28/15 at 8am.
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Allen's Message to You...
...how he had been known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Gospel,
The story about two disciples encountering the risen Christ in the form of a stranger on the Road to Emmaus develops wonderfully, beginning with the disciples' expressions of despair, then turning to the encounter with an outsider who, as outsiders will do, adjusts the framework of their understanding. They first see him as someone who doesn't understand, and then as one who holds odd ideas; and then the thoughts of the stranger become a new epiphany, as he interprets the Scriptures to them, and they invite him in. As he breaks bread with them, the stranger disappears, and Christ is known in the fellowship of the meal. 
Perhaps the story suggests that we discover the presence of Jesus in the company of strangers, though that is seldom how we seek it. More commonly, we gather for Communion with those we've known for a long time in a church fellowship where we are comfortable and enjoy a deep level of mutual trust. It feels good there, and we feel the presence of the Christ in the form of personal affirmation. It is not surprising that we want this and identify it as the very center of what we value in our religious life. Nothing wrong with that, except...
Religious feelings, ideas and rituals alike become peculiar as they age; and what was deeply significant to one generation becomes tiresome to the next. In a similar way, what is commonly valued culture in a stable community looks funny to those who come later to reside in it. So it is no surprise, really, that congregations too comfortable with themselves fail to transmit their vision to their own children or their new neighbors in a highly mobile society. The ability to overcome that is the special gift of strangers in the fellowship.
May our churches come to appreciate the gifts that differences can bring, especially when we talk about them with one another and even feel the momentary discomfort of being shifted in our point of view. Then later, as we share the bread and cup, we come to notice a new kind of belonging that is greater than it was before, and perhaps we come to identify that moment along the way when "our hearts were burning within us as Jesus talked to us on the road."
Prayers and blessings upon the valuable work you do.
Allen
Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Ordination of Kristin K. Aardema Faigh
The Western Association
of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and Zion United Church of Christ Mayview
cordially invite your presence for the Ordination of
Kristin K. Aardema Faigh
to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament
on Sunday, April 19, 2015, at 3:00pm
at Zion United Church of Christ
105 N. Mary Street
Mayview, MO 64071
Kristin serves currently as Licensed pastor at Zion UCC Mayview. Rev. Dr. Tommy Faris from Salem UCC, Higginsville, MO, will offer the sermon.
For clergy: robes and stoles (red or of multiple color) are encouraged. Please plan to gather by 2:30pm for procession.
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Installation of Rev. Dr. Vernon Percy Howard, Jr.
The Western Association
of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and St. Mark Union Church UCC
Invite you to the the Installation of
Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard, Jr.
on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at 3:00 pm
(Worship at 11:00 am)
at St. Mark Union Church UCC
1101 Euclid, Kansas City, MO 64127
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Western Association Annual Meeting 
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Eastern Association Annual Spring Gathering
You are invited and called to participate in the Annual Spring Gathering of the Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ! Our theme for this meeting is "Tending the Garden."  The Eastern Association Spring Gathering will begin on Sunday, April 26th, at 2:00pm at Zion United Church of Christ, 115 S. Washington Ave. in Union. Registration and display set up will begin at 1:00pm. A meal will be served at 5:00pm. As a member of one of the 55 congregations that make up the United Church of Christ in Eastern Missouri, it is your privilege and pleasure to gather together with your partners in ministry for this annual spring event. We hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity for education, worship, fellowship and food! Registration will be at the doors as you enter. The cost of the meal will be $8.00 per person, payable that day, and you will have a choice of entrée: turkey or ham. Click here for a printable page of the above information. Click here for driving directions to Zion UCC. These same materials may also be found on our Conference website. Questions may be directed to Karen Watson, Eastern Association Council President at 636-236-5611 or swatson002@centurytel.net. We hope to see you on April 26! Yours in Christ's Ministry, The Eastern Association Council
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St. Louis Association Spring Program Meeting
The St. Louis Association of the United Church of Christ invites you to the SPRING PROGRAM MEETING at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 6501 Wydown Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105, on Thursday, May 7, 2015. Registration begins at 5:30 pm. The theme is "Awakening....St. Louis' Racial Heritage and Our Churches." This will be an interactive, exploratory,  educational time of reflection and conversation with each other and our local United Church of Christ history. Leon Sharpe will be our facilitator. This will be an evening of fellowship, worship and learning. Participants will share in moving liturgy and music, Communion, a lovely meal, and learning through conversation about our denominational and regional racial history. This timely topic was chosen by popular demand through the Fall Meeting evaluation forms. Please spread the word - this will be a sacred conversation unlike others happening elsewhere. Participants will leave with new information and insights and resources to continue learning and reflection in home congregations. Please click here for further information and a registration form. These same materials may also be found on our Conference website.
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Scholarships Available for NCLI
As part of the contract that the Missouri Mid-South Conference has with the Center for Progressive Renewal, we have a limited number of seats open for scholarships ($299 registration fee value) for the National Church Leadership Institute (NCLI) this year. More details can be found at this link: http://ncli15.org/
If you are interested in attending, please contact Josh Gibson at josh@mmsucc.org
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Annual Clergy Information Review Forms - OVERDUE!
All authorized clergy, both active and retired, within the Missouri Mid-South Conference should have received their 2014 Information Review form and Minister Code via email or snail mail on March 2. The forms were to be  returned to our Conference office by Friday, April 10. If you have not yet completed your IR form, please do so as soon as possible.
Use the below links to find the appropriate form for your Association. These forms may be completed on your computer:
Below are the Minister Codes for your review:
If you need a form emailed or snail mailed to you, please contact Kris Scott, 314-918-2605 or email kris@mmsucc.org.
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Blue Springs Terrace Open House
Have you heard of Blue Springs Terrace? Did you know it is a non-profit retirement community for United Church  of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) clergy? Have you ever wondered what life on the Terrace was like?
The Terrace Board of Directors and Capital Campaign Task Force invite you to have all your questions answered. Join us for a weekend of tours, refreshments, and an opportunity to explore Blue Springs Terrace at an Open House:
- Saturday, April 24, 10 am-4 pm
- Sunday, April 25, 1-5pm
Start your exploration at the Blue Springs Terrace Agape House, 312 SW 19th Terrace, Blue Springs, Missouri 64015. We hope to see you there!
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Our Church's Wider Mission = OCWM
OCWM are four letters many of us have heard all of our lives. For some, they're just a part of who we are. Some of us remember that it meant Our Christian World Mission. And later Our Church's Wider Mission. And now we are beginning to hear other words to go with the same four letters. In Missouri, someone said Our Church Works
Miracles. 
Whatever the letters mean, OCWM is simple - it sums up all that we are and do as a people who call ourselves the United Church of Christ. It's not just about money spent in ways that excite or bore, that we like or don't. It is at the heart of our connecting with each other and the ministry of Christ. It is how we share resources to be the church in many differing settings. It is how we hold each other accountable as lay and clergy alike.
It is the means by which we can function effectively...
Connecting to each other
Connecting to the wider church
Connecting to the resources that we need to be church.
The Covenanted Ministry for OCWM wants to help tell the many stories of Our Church's Wider Mission to help us understand and work together. It takes all of us to use our time and energy and share our financial gifts. So... because it is hard for us to understand, our team wants to share stories of what OCWM does, how our dollars are spent, how we are better because we are many different parts in the body of Christ. Keep watching the eCourier for future articles!
Your OCWM Covenanted Ministry,
Keith Karau-Chair, Karen Boyd, Ken Ulmer, Adam Smith, Joyce Bathke and Renee Cordes
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2015 UCCOSSN Annual Gathering
Last week the United Church of Christ Office Support Staff Network ( UCCOSSN) gathered in Ft. Wayne, IN for several days of fellowship, networking and fun. The theme was "Rediscovering the Joy of Play", and our guest speaker was Valerie Tutson, master storyteller. Valerie engaged us with creative renditions of Bible stories, taught us African interactive "pattycake" games/songs, and had us relive childhood memories which helped us reconnect with our inner child. It was so joyful to play and laugh and sing as if we were all 8 years old again! Our group had the extreme pleasure of worshiping at our host's (Lettie Eager) church, Plymouth Congregational UCC on Friday, and spent the day in relaxing and useful workshops. Our business meeting included elections,
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L-R: Lorraine Brooks, Anna Muhm, Kelly Archer, Renee Cordes, Sue Swisher
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discussions regarding our fund raising efforts, the progress our communications team has made, the financial status of our group, locations of future meetings, and the need for a vision statement. Lorraine Brooks, our Conference Bookkeeper, and myself were fortunate to attend and participate in all aspects of the event. To our delightful surprise, 3 other members from our Conference also attended: Kelly Archer, Administration and Communications Manager at Peace UCC-St. Louis; Anna Muhm, Office Administrator at Samuel UCC-St. Louis; and Sue Swisher, Office Administrator at St. John UCC-St. Charles. Lorraine and I were thrilled to not only see 3 new faces at the meeting, but people from our own Conference! Wow! I hope to see more of our Conference support staff become involved in the UCCOSSN over the next year and beyond. If you work or volunteer at a church, conference or association and would like more information about the UCCOSSN, please contact me. It's a great organization which provides support to those of us who support others on a daily basis. And be sure to check us out on Facebook and see the 2015 group picture! ReneeUCCOSSN Vice-Chair
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Groundbreaking Ceremony on April 18
St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Ferguson, Missouri is proud to invite you to the groundbreaking for the  construction of its new Ferguson/Dellwood Community Resource Center, on April 18, 2015 at 10:00am with a reception following. This center has been in the plans for over a year.
The center is to be located at the east end of the current building and will be a center of family services for the Ferguson/Dellwood neighborhood. The center will include two medical exam rooms, office space for community service organizations, a small chapel, a large classroom and storage for a commodities pantry. It is hoped that construction will be completed in seven months. St. Peter's UCC is located at the intersection of West Florissant road at Stein Road, in Ferguson.
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Vision Team to Present at All Spring Association Meetings
The Missouri Mid-South UCC Future Story, adopted by the Conference Council in January, articulates five mission imperatives that speak to our Great Commission. These visionary steps will be brought to life and presented at all three coming Association spring meeting. Team members, the Revs. David Poe and Phiwa Langeni have  produced a short One Act filmed drama with an all-star cast that presents with humor, pathos, and insights how these imperatives can be lived out. The One Act, "Dreaming God's Future Dream," was penned by team chair, Paul Koch with input from the entire team. Click here to read the Future Story.
After the presentation, team members will distribute forms for your input and feedback - all of which will be read, discerned, and presented at the Conference Annual Gathering in lead-up to the presentation of the Conference Strategic Plan by special vision consultant, the Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm and Conference moderator, Joyce Bathke.
Please plan on attending your Association meeting. Your input and participation are needed. Dates and locations are:
- WA: April 25 at Peace UCC in Hartsburg
- EA: April 26 at Zion UCC in Union
- SLA: May 7 at First Congregational UCC in St. Louis (Wydown)
Rev. Dr. Paul Koch,
Vision Team Chair
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Free Church Pew Cushions 
Ladue Chapel has several pew cushions (see photo) available, and they are free.
They are all in decent condition, a few have drips of wax or a stain. Some are more faded than others. They are free to anyone who will come and get them. Please call Vicki Hampton at 314-993-4771 x 3104 or email stjvicki2001@yahoo.com.
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Quote for your week... Accepting Differences 
It is not our differences that divide us.
It is our inability to recognize, accept,
and celebrate those differences.
- Audre Lorde
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Youth Ministry Coordinator, 4/17/15
First Congregational Church of Webster Groves invites applications for an enthusiastic, progressive-minded coordinator of Youth Ministry. This is a paid part-time position, 15 hours per week. For further information or to send a resume, please contact Tracey.Harris@firstchurchwg.org.
Choir Director and Organist, 4/17/15
Peace United Church of Christ, a progressive Protestant congregation of 350 persons, seeks a director for adult chancel choir and instrumental ensemble, as well as organist. This position is about 10 hours/week. If interested, submit a letter of intent, professional resume, and a recording (tape or MP3) of your accompaniment and choir conducting skills, by Friday, May 1, to Darcy Swanson at dswanson@peaceuccstl.org or please mail to: 204 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119.
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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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