Frisday, September 11, 2015
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The deadline for submissions is 9/11/15. Email events to  [email protected].

Around Your Conference

Installation of Kimi E. Yokayama

Sunday, September 13, 2:30 pm
Zion United Church of Christ
9th and Faraon Streets
St. Joseph, MO 64501

 Morning worship is at 10:30 am.
We will have covered dish dinner in Fellowship Hall following the worship.
All are invited to come early, worship, eat!  (We'll have cookies after the service).

 Dr. Robert Lee Hill, retired pastor, Community Christian Church, Kansas City, MO to speak. 
Rev. Phiwa Langeni Receives Award 

The Beatitudes Society has announced that Nokuphiwa "Phiwa" Langeni, Chicago Theological Seminary '15, Eden Theological Seminary '11, has been awarded a $5,000 Beatitudes Fellowship.

Nokuphiwa "Phiwa" Langeni is one of twelve emerging faith leaders from across the United States selected for the annual award.

The Beatitudes Fellowship identifies and equips a select group of young entrepreneurial faith leaders with the resources and relationships that empower them to create new models for church and social justice, and growvital communities of faith in a pluralistic world.

The yearlong curriculum for the Fellows is project-based: each Fellow develops their own model for progressive ministry within their local faith community. The Fellows gather four times throughout the year for a week of coaching and customized mentoring to bring their idea to fruition.  Continue press release.

Phiwa holds standing in our St. Louis Association and is currently serving as Pastor at Zion UCC in Florissant.  CONGRATULATIONS, Phiwa!  Our Missouri Mid-South Conference is so proud!!!
UCC Calls for More U.S. Response to Syrian Refugee Crisis
September 10, 2015
Written by Anthony Moujaes

The United Church of Christ and Global Ministries, in solidarity with several religious groups in the United States, is urging the White House to act in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, which has escalated in the last few weeks with hundreds of thousands of people risking their lives to reach Europe.

So far, the American government has allowed just 1,500 Syrians to resettle here - a fraction of the millions that have fled the country - but this week the White House is considering new options for refugee resettlement. The UCC/Global Ministries is asking members to voice their support to allow more refugees into the U.S. by signing a petition calling on the government to make space for Syrians in the next year.

The petition, organized by Church World Service, calls for a pledge to resettle 65,000 Syrians by 2016. The goal, 100,000 signatures by September 30. Church World Service is a global humanitarian organization that represents 37 Christian denominations, and works side by side with the UCC on issues of immigration and refugee assistance.

"At this moment, the church is being called to respond. The UCC, through its partnerships, has been working to provide support and refuge to those in need," said Phyllis Richards, program associate for UCC Global Sharing of Resources.  Continue article

Article and photos courtesy of ucc.org
20 Year Fulk Celebration - A Blessed Gathering

What a wonderful celebration to observe Jeff & Laurie's 20 years of ministry at Shannondale! It was a gathering of the people of the Timber community along with others from communities in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Nebraska. A remembrance campfire was held on Saturday evening followed by morning worship and the dedication of "Funtime Playground" on Sunday morning. The younger generation used the floor for seating in church after all the chairs were filled. It was a full church!

After the worship service and dedication prayer*, everyone went out to the playground area and the children climbed up onto the platforms, tops of the slides, etc. so that once Jeff and Laurie cut the ribbon they were ready to play. What fun! Many thanks to all who sent in contributions, participated in local church fundraisers, helped prepare the area, and remembered the project in their prayers. We are so grateful to everyone that all expenses were covered by your generous donations, and the balance of the fund will be given to Jeff and Laurie for their use. The Shannondale mission is blessed to have Jeff, Laurie, Brody and Nate these past 20 years, and they will continue their ministry here as God leads them. The morning worship service was closed with the singing of "Awesome God"!  A special luncheon had been prepared for all to enjoy.
 
*Heavenly Father,
As we gather today, we thank you for sending Jeff and Laurie to Shannondale. We thank you for your presence in their lives as they have become a part of this community. We thank you for sending them to touch the lives of so many who come from far and near to share in the blessings of this special mission. We give grateful thanks for all who have helped to make this playground possible. Bless each child who has an opportunity to enjoy this playground. May those who pass by on the highway find it a place to rest. And now, Lord, we dedicate this "Funtime Playground" to you to be used for your honor and your glory! Amen!
A packed house during worship at Shannondale


The Fulk family - Jeff, Laurie, Brody and Nate



 
Thank you to Jeff Fulk and his entire family from our MMS Conference!

You are all such a blessing to have within our midst, and we are grateful for your bountiful years of service to the community, our Conference and our entire UCC family. 

We LOVE you!


Photos courtesy of Jack Nobles
Help Your Church Choose It's Future!

There's still space for you and a team from your church to attend New Beginnings.  This event is FREE, so please join us at the most convenient location/date for you:
  • 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 assessment process, and with New Beginnings your congregation will:    
 
* Receive a comprehensive report of strengths and challenges, as well as a realistic picture of possible future directions.
* Be trained in a discernment process to follow God's lead in choosing a new direction.
* Discover available ministry opportunities in the community.
* Learn how to discuss and implement change in a healthy, open manner.
* Leaders receive additional training on leading through change.
* Set a course for future strategic and visionary ministry planning.
 
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 this FREE and informative seminar, please call or email Kris at our Conference office to register and save your place: 314-918-2605, [email protected].  
Installation of Rev. A. Rushan Sinnaduray

Central United Church of Christ and The Western Association of
The Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ
Invite you to celebrate and rejoice at the Installation of

Rev. A. Rushan Sinnaduray as Senior Pastor
of
Central United Church of Christ, Jefferson City
on Sunday, September 20, 2015
at 3:00 pm
at Central UCC, 118 W. Ashley Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101

All Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
A reception will follow. 
Ordination of Jeffrey M. Mueller

St. Paul UCC and the Eastern Association of  
The Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC 
Invite you to the ordination celebration of

Jeffrey Michael Mueller

on Sunday, September 20, 2015 
at 2:00 pm 
at St. Paul UCC, 136 W. 1st St., Hermann MO 65041 

A reception will follow. 
Our 2015 Friends of the Conference Fund Challenge - Week 2

Please see the below letter which initiated our "Friends of the Conference Fund Challenge" for 2015.  Our goal is to reach $20,000 before the end of this year and we have already generously received $3,650, which is up $775 from last week.  We will track the donation progress each week in our eCourier.  Thank you for supporting your Missouri Mid-South Conference!

Dear Friend of the Conference,

"I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will
make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
 
Over the past two years our Missouri Mid-South Conference (MMSC) has weathered a challenging period of change. Our leadership continues the search for our new Conference Minister, while we continue to give thanks for the sustained presence of our current Acting Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Allen Fluent. Thank you to all who have worked so diligently and generated a new vitality for MMSC.
 
As we prepare to receive new leadership, our MMSC Conference Council and OCWM Covenanted Ministry have announced an appeal to signal our support and to provide financial vitality through the "Friends of the Conference Fund". The dollars collected are being designated for key programs which will prepare our Conference for a strong and successful future. The contributions will provide our churches several programs and tools that will benefit them in such ways as Church Vitality, Sacred Conversations on Race, and the recently engaged Center for Progressive Renewal, and more.  Continue letter  Pledge card  
Fall Association Meetings

Please click on each association link below, which will take you to our Conference website for further information, forms and meeting materials.

Eastern Association:  September 27, 2:00 pm at Zion St. Paul Bay in Hermann. 

St. Louis Association:  September 26, 8:30 am at Church of the Master in Florissant.

Western Association:  October 3, at the Doubletree Hotel in Overland, KS.   
Installation of Austin McCandless 

Faith UCC and the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC
Invite you to the installation service of

Austin McCandless
at
Faith UCC, 106 Kent Dr, Wentzville, MO 63385
on Sunday, October 11, 2015
at 3:00 pm

Free UCC Choir Robes Available
Photo of actual robes available.


A church in Joplin, MO discovered several UCC choir robes in their basement and they are offering them to any congregation willing to pick them up.  The robes have the UCC logo embroidered on the collar.  If your church is interested, please contact Stacey Sarakinif at 417.434.6392
 
If there is no interest in the robes by Friday, September 18, the robes will be donated to a local charity like Goodwill, etc.

Free Church Pews Available

Kirkwood UCC, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Road is offering church pews (twenty-eight 9'8" and one pew 8'2").
Photo of actual pews available at Kirkwood UCC 


They are free, transporting them will be up to the person or organization that wants them. 

Please contact Vi Hennen at 314-650-1284 if interested.

Free Risograph Printer Available

FREE RISOGRAPH PRINTER Model RN 2030 with Manual.  The machine is 20 years old, last used in 2011 and it worked well. You must be able to pickup the printer on your own.

Call for specs and details: Linda Zappe at Immanuel UCC, 221 Church St.,Ferguson, MO 63135, 314-521-7324

Free Church Organ Available

Rev. Mary Ann Lawrence, previous Pastor of St. Matthew UCC  and current Chaplain of Brooking Park SNF, knows a resident with a church organ they would like to donate.  The resident who owns the organ is going into hospice and more space is needed for a hospital bed and other equipment. 

The organ is not a small spinet, and it originally retailed for $18,000.  It would be perfect for a church - might be too large for someone's home.  If anyone is interested, please contact Mary Ann at 314-680-2796.
Employment Opportunities
 
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
 
St. John UCC, Part-time Organist/Pianist, 9/4/15 
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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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.