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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 Friday, August 14th.
The deadline for submissions is 8:00 am on 8/12/2015. Email events to kris@mmsucc.org.
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Allen's Message to You...
The king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man." The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
2 Samuel 18:32-33
Dear Friends on the journey,
The ancient story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David of Israel, is striking in its lasting emotional quality. No one fails to feel the pain of the father's overwhelming grief, brought about by the death of his son in war. Such grief transcends the political realism of governmental affairs and military action. It interrupts the celebration of practical victory accomplished by the army of the king. The Cushite messenger has come to announce a day of triumph. In war and politics, justice has been served. Such is the objectivity of enforcement of the law. But the young man once held in the father's arms has died, and against all rational motivation to the contrary, King David the alienated father cries, "O Absalom, my son, my son!"
This week, we approach the anniversary of the death of a young man named Michael Brown. For many Americans, his death has become symbolic of a system rigged against young men of color in our urban communities. Many churches, institutions and groups of people will be engaged this week in thinking about the death of young black men. Some will focus on the need for better law enforcement training; some will be concerned with systems of discrimination in housing, education and employment; some will examine racial profiling or court practices or patterns of incarceration. All of this is important. Many of our societal structures need to be reformed. In the midst of all that, I'm praying that we don't find convenient people or groups to blame (police, parents, educators, etc.), but acknowledge in honesty our share in the society that sustains a way of life we cherish too often at another's cost.
Still, there is one thing that seems to me more important than all of the planning and studying we do. It is  asking ourselves the question, "How do we feel when a young man dies?" And for many of us there needs to be a second question: "How do we feel when a young black man is killed." I think that's why the slogan, "Black lives matter," is so disturbing to some people that it causes them to steal the signs with that message from front yards and church yards. The words are not an expression of equalitarian sentiment or formal ethics or political correctness. Instead they are confessional words, that remind us of the erosion in our own humanity when we fail to suffer the loss that is known by others.
Whatever else I do this weekend, I hope to stop for a moment and consider the lost lives of many urban youth, and think about the alienation I myself have known, because I too have neglected taking time to feel my neighbor's sorrow. I'll think about the children gone and the ones still living but neglected, and my prayer will be, "O Absalom, my son, my son!"
Allen
Rev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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A Weekend of Vision and Reflection with UCC General Minister & President-elect, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer - On the year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
The St. Louis Association Council invites you to two opportunities for reflection with our General Minister and President-elect, the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer. There will be two opportunities to hear and meet John on Saturday, and one to worship with John on Sunday. Please share this information in your upcoming church bulletins.
At 10 a.m., "What Is the UCC Called to Be in This Time and Place?" 
at Christ the King UCC, 11370 Old Halls Ferry Rd. Florissant 63033
At 2 p.m., "Our Possessive Investment in Whiteness"
at Immanuel UCC, 221 Church St., Ferguson, 63135.
John will share his passion and much needed expertise in the work that European American church members need to do to be faithful and humble partners in bringing God's justice to our communities. John's doctoral work focused on white privilege. On this anniversary weekend, John invites the United Church of Christ into a deep, nuanced, and honest examination of, and meaningful dialogue about, what George Lipsitz calls 'our possessive investment in whiteness.' Wherever you find yourself in the conversation about race in the church today, this conversation will be rich.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's killing
At 11 a.m., "A Day of Remembrance, Recognition, Repentance"
John will preach the Sunday worship service at Christ the King. Event Flyer.
Each of these events are rich opportunities to glimpse into our church's future and continue the work of healing and building the body of Christ in this time and place, thanking God for one another and calling on the Spirit to give us courage and lead us into God's future. We hope to see you there!
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For Jesus & Justice Event - This Sunday
Join St. John's UCC (North Grand) on Sunday, August 9 at 9:00 am for "A conversation about what #MikeBrown still means." The featured panelists include: 
Rev. Osagyefo Sekou - Scholar-in-Residence, Stanford MLK InstituteRev.
Dr. Alice Hunt - President, Chicago Theological Seminary
Patrisse Cullors - Co-Founder, #BlackLivesMatter; Founder, Dignity & Power Now
Rev. Starsky D. Wilson - Pastor, Saint John's Church; Co-Chair, Ferguson Commission
St. John's is located at 4136 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63107. Event flyer.
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2015 Persons in Ministry (PIM) Retreat
The deadline to receive the discounted hotel rate is August 14 - one week from today!!! HURRY! 
September 14-16 are the days. . .The Inn at Grand Glaize is the new location. . .the time to register is now.
The theme for the 2015 Persons in Ministry Retreat is "Church: Who Needs It? Really?!" Sponsored jointly by the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC and the Mid America Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), this annual event provides a time to be enriched, enjoy fellowship with colleagues and retreat in the Lake of the Ozarks.
Co-facilitators for the retreat are Rev. Mark Robinson and Rev. Dr. Cathie McCallie. Please visit our Conference website for further information on our new venue, how to reserve your hotel room and register for the event, in addition to a full color brochure. We hope to see you there!
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Installation of Rev. Joe Rowley
Emanuel UCC and the Eastern Association of
the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC
Invite you to celebrate and rejoice at the Installation of
Rev. Joe Rowley
as Pastor of Emanuel United Church of Christ
Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Emanuel UCC, 304 East Adams St, Jackson, MO 63755
Reception with appetizers will follow in the Fellowship Hall
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Ordination of Paul PorterFirst Congregational Church of Webster Groves, UCC 10 W. Lockwood Ave
Webster Groves, MO 63119 August, 30, 2015 3:00 pm reception to follow
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New Beginnings Opportunities - Register Soon - FREE!
We are still riding a high from the uplifting presentations we had at the Annual Gathering from both D oug Pagitt of the Center for Progressive Renewal and David Schoen from our denominational office of Congregational Life. Going forward there are a several equally uplifting events you are encouraged to attend:
NEW BEGINNINGS COME AND SEE days are set for September 19-20. Dates and locations are:
- Saturday, September 19 from 9 -11 a.m. at Agape House, 312 19th Street Terrace, Blue Springs, MO
- Saturday, September 19 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Columbia UCC
- Sunday, September 20 from 2 - 4 pm at Grace UCC, O'Fallon, MO
These events will be a presentation about the New Beginning assessment process. This event is FREE, so bring a team from your church. New Beginnings might be for you if your congregation can answer "yes" to three or more of the following:
- *Less than 70 in worship, or more than 70 in worship but significant decline for a decade
- *Wrestling with future vision for the church
- *Significant building issues
- *Aging membership
- *Changing neighborhood
- *Trouble paying bills and/or paying off a loan
- *Currently in interim time of transition
Is it time for a New Beginning? Come and See!
If you are interested in attending, please call or email Kris at our Conference office to register and save your place: 314-918-2605, kris@mmsucc.org.
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Become a Friend of the Conference
Whether or not you're a Facebook friend or Twitter follower, the MMS Conference Council and OCWM  Covenanted Ministry invite you to become A Friend of the Conference this fall.
As we prepare for the next chapter of ministry in our Missouri Mid-South, we have announced an appeal to show our support and celebrate our vitality in ministry. The Friends of the Conference Fund invites you to make a gift for the future that is just before us as we welcome a new Conference Minister and dive into vital ministry.
The contributions to this Fund will provide programs and tools that benefit our churches:
- Church Vitality
- Sacred Conversations on Race
- Our relationship with the Center for Progressive Renewal
- And more!
Watch for ways how you can help us meet this $20,000 challenge.
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20 Years, 20 Churches and Now a 26th Home!
We've had an amazing 20 year history building and restoring houses with Habitat for Humanity, 20 years, 20 UCC churches, 25 houses and more than a million dollars. Now work will begin in late September rehabbing the 26th house in north St, Louis. Once again our churches are pledging their dollars and putting work crews together.
Candice will be the homeowner on Fox Haven in Florissant. And we will be her partners to provide affordable housing for her and her family. 
Candice loves working with children and is employed at a local crisis nursery, and a child care center for youth in need of support and direction. She has an associate degree in early child care education and a general studies degree and hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree in social work with an emphasis on nurturing youth. Candice serves as a youth supervisor for two youth auxiliaries at her church and is a member of the choir. When Candice is not working, she spends time with her three children, Marquise (20 years old), Krystal (16 years old), and Jalyn (13 years old).
Marquise attends St. Louis Community College at Forest Park where he is working towards a degree in the arts. He plans to transfer to a four-year university and major in music. He loves to play the drums and create his own music.
Krystal is a sophomore in high school and wants to attend college to become a pharmacy technician or pediatric nurse. Krystal, like her mother, is very active in the church; she serves as the President of the Junior Usher Board and sings in the youth choir.
Jalyn is in the 7th grade and ranks top in her class. She loves to draw and read. She is also a member of the Junior Usher Board at her church and sings in the youth choir.
Candice is grateful to God, the volunteers, and staff members who will help make her dream of owning her own home a reality!
Once again Bob Steen is coordinating our UCC churches and the many volunteers it takes to complete the project. Not only will work crews from local churches come on Saturdays, but others will show up week after week to work during the week, it is amazing what we accomplish working alongside of the homeowner who puts in about 400 labor hours.
-submitted by Rev. Keith Karau
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eMMAUS hOMES continues community expansion
Ceremony planned as Emmaus congregation partners with Good Shepherd
Emmaus Homes announced plans for the final worship service to be held on Sunday, August 23 at 3 pm in the chapel located on the former St. Charles campus, 2200 W. Randolph St., St.  Charles Mo. The ceremony will also include a parade, led by Emmaus clients, to Good Shepherd United Church of Christ located at 3115 Elm St., St. Charles Mo. with a reception to follow immediately. Built in 1952 the Chapel has long served Emmaus clients, staff, volunteers and family members with weekly worship services and bible study. Emmaus has partnered with Good Shepherd to provide community worship services and bible study for Emmaus clients and is open to the broader community. Emmaus-led services at Good Shepherd are slated to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 30. 'This is a full circle moment for our congregation,' said Reverend Mauri Peaco, 'Good Shepherd began our worship services at the Emmaus chapel more than 50 years ago. We embrace the Emmaus clients with an extravagant welcome.'
Full press release
Free Chapel Fixtures Available
The former St. Charles campus of Emmaus Homes, Inc. has been sold to Payne Family Homes, and the Chapel will no longer be used as a worship sanctuary after August 23, as noted above. Many of the Chapel fixtures will be available to any interested churches; these include a pulpit, 1950's Allen organ, and pews. They will be available at no charge, but you will be responsible for pick up and transport during the week of August 24-28.
If you're interested in any of these Chapel fixtures, please contact Rev. Cindy Bumb, Emmaus Vice President of Spiritual Care, (636) 534-5204 office, (314) 504-5340 cell, bumbc@emmaushomes.org, or Jon Holt, Emmaus Chief Financial Officer, (636) 534-5217 office, holtj@emmaushomes.org. (During the week of August 10-16, Rev. Bumb will be out, so contact Jon Holt during that time.)
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Jeff and Laurie Fulk Anniversary Celebration Update
Thank you to everyone for the donations that allowed us to buy the Funtime Playground at Shannondale in honor of Jeff and Laurie Fulk. The playground equipment has been purchased and will be delivered and set up on  Monday, August 3rd. We are using some "free loan" money until everyone has time to turn in donations and fundraiser money. The location has been prepared and landscape timbers installed for the perimeters. After setup, rubber mulch will be added over the ground cover.
The dedication will be held September 6th during the Sunday morning worship service. Everyone is invited. A free picnic lunch of sloppy joes, chips, cookies, etc. will be available. It would be a big help if those planning to be with us for lunch would let us know in advance so we can know how much food to prepare. Lunch reservations (by church or individuals) can be made by email cjkramme@att.net or phone 314-603-9024. Only estimated numbers are needed. And a reminder that all overnights that weekend are free but should be made in advance, please.
Thanks for your wonderful response in providing the Funtime Playground to honor Jeff and Laurie!
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
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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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