Friday, August 14, 2015
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The deadline for submissions is 8:00 am on 8/26/2015. Email events to  [email protected].

Around Your Conference

Allen's Message to You...

...be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
                                                            Ephesians 5:18b-20
Dear Companions on the Way,

            Worship is not a set of ritual practices; it is a movement of the heart that draws us into actions of protest, compassion and ministry.

            I have to say I don't always feel the music we sing in church. Sometimes a hymn will touch an emotional remembrance that comes from somewhere deep within me. Sometimes a new song will give me a tingling insight that has not touched my consciousness before. But much of the time, I just sing along, perhaps noting the relationship of the words to the ideas in the sermon or the Scripture lesson, sometimes wondering what relationship between song and text the worship leader had in mind, sometimes not caring (which is to say, not worshipping). Worst of all are those moments when I'm expected to clap before I'm ready to. It's not that I don't have rhythm (though it's true that I don't have much), but until I'm moved to a deep spiritual level, I'm just not ready to make my body act like what my mind and heart are not yet prepared to affirm.

            But blessed are those who sing when the Spirit says, "Sing." What I mean is that worship song for me is when the singing expresses a deep church desire to be gathered into the wholeness of God and sent into action as a people who have come for the ministry of love, or as the author of Ephesians puts it, when we are "making melody to the Lord in our hearts."

            Some think worship gatherings are not relevant anymore, but that's not so for me. Perhaps the problem is that we don't know the full dimensions of worship, from beginning to end. We think it begins with the morning prelude and ends with the benediction. But the heart knows better. The worship of the heart is not bound by the reading and singing of an hour: It begins with the joy or grief of the morning and concludes with the satisfaction or sorrow we know at day's end. It includes the joys we feel, the troubles we encounter and the actions that we know we must take to bring the beloved community into being.

            How is it for you?

Allen
Rev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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 
2015 Persons in Ministry (PIM) Retreat

The deadline to receive the discounted hotel rate is August 31 - 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!  

Ordination of Paul Porter

First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, UCC
10 W. Lockwood Ave

Webster Groves, MO 63119

August, 30, 2015

3:00 pm

 

reception to follow

Conference Annual Planning Event MMS Logo

Save the date!  On November 14 at Columbia UCC we will gather for the Conference Annual Planning Event.
 
Please mark your calendars for this important planning event.   All pastors, church leaders, Association members are invited and NEEDED to help us move forward with the implementation of the Vision Team's recommendations for our Conference. 

We will be determining our priorities for the upcoming year and determining how we can go about achieving the work we are being called to do in our communities.  Your input is vital. We hope you attend - YOU ARE THE CONFERENCE.
New Beginnings Opportunities - Register Soon - FREE!

We are still riding a high from the uplifting presentations we had at the Annual Gathering from both Doug 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 

To see a brochure of the New Beginnings Assessment Service, click here.  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, [email protected]. 

 

The Rott Foundation - Funds Available

The Rott Foundation has been in existence for over 50 years. During that time it has made loans of more than $5 million and grants of over $1.5 million to 74 churches in the Missouri Mid South Conference for new church construction and expansion of existing facilities.

Over the past few years the number of churches requiring funds for these purposes has declined resulting in less demand for Foundation loans and grants. As a result, and in an effort to assist more churches, the Board of Governors has elected to expand the purposes for which Foundation funds may be used. Therefore, in addition to the purposes mentioned above, churches may apply for funds to modify existing facilities to accommodate new or expanding ministries; improve handicapped accessibility; undertake major repair, maintenance or replacement projects; and refinance existing church debt. The Board will monitor the impact of these changes and may modify or revoke them as appropriate.


Churches interested in obtaining more information or making an application for funding should contact the Conference Office at 314-962-8740.  To view the Rott application, click here.

Friends of the Conference

All around us new things are happening - a new President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ, a new vision for the Missouri Mid-South Conference, and soon a new Conference Minister will be called. There is a new vitality surrounding us and the challenge to make it happen. 
 
Your Conference Leaders know it will take more than our enthusiasm, it will take additional dollars as well. For more than two years, and for the first time in years, Missouri Mid-South giving matches our expenditures. But to meet the future that pulls us, our Conference Leaders are challenging us to make a gift for that future. They are ready to put their money where their mouth is.  
 
They want to fund newness: the Sacred Conversations on Race, Church Vitality and our work with the Center for Progressive Renewal. And who knows what other exciting and vital ministries will emerge along with new leadership?  
 
Soon we will be sharing more about "Friends of the Conference," a fund to make that tomorrow happen for all of us.
 
Your OCWM Covenanted Ministry Team

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, [email protected], or Jon Holt, Emmaus Chief Financial Officer, (636) 534-5217 office, [email protected].  (During the week of August 10-16, Rev. Bumb will be out, so contact Jon Holt during that time.)          

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 was purchased 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 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 [email protected] 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!     

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

St. John UCC, Part-time Organist/Pianist
Position Summary:  St. John UCC is seeking an experienced, team oriented professional with a passion for sacred music and a heart for Christ. This person will be responsible for playing both the organ and piano during all worship services, accompanying the choirs during rehearsal and performance, and offering support to the rest of the music staff. During the program year, our choirs rehearse weekly and perform regularly during Sunday morning services, annual Christmas and Good Friday Cantatas, and for other special events.  To see full job description, click here.
 
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Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ  314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884  
 
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