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Thursday, October 29, 2015
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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, October 30.
The deadline for submissions has expired. Email events to kris@mmsucc.org.
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Allen's Message To You...
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away....
Revelation 21:1
Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel,
I must admit that I have not for the most part been an avid enthusiast for the Book of Revelation. I've even wondered from time to time whether or not it should belong to the sacred texts of Scripture. In this, I am comforted to be in good company with many scholars and saints of the church over the centuries, who have also questioned the images of God and Jesus that, in their fierceness, seem contradictory to the seemingly more benign images of the other books of the New Testament. The danger of apocalypse (literally, an unveiling) seems to be its tendency toward retributive justice, inconsistent with the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. 
Still, there are times when I turn to Revelation. Perhaps I'm improperly selective, since there is much in it that I do not like, but I can't quite let go of the passionate hope the evangelist expresses for a healing time, when the whole world is cleansed of its many wrongs. I think we need that vision to be lifted up from time to time to help us look beyond the way things are to the way they will someday be and already are in the imaginings of God.
In the whole, long span of the Christian journey, the millennia of searching faith, we have gotten so much wrong. We have advocated against the poor; called people sinners because of their biology, psyche or social circumstance, enforced the social dominance of the wealthy; sought to punish those we defined as enemies or labeled wrong. What good is it to say that we've also gotten some things right? There is so much that we should have seen in the unveiling of God's truth in Jesus. There is so much that we do now see, but have not made the effort to change for the sake of justice in this troubled world.
The message of Revelation simultaneously encourages us with the image of a clean slate in the new heaven and new earth that still awaits us, and calls us at the same time to look honestly at the inequities and injustices we have not yet confronted within ourselves and in our world.
The people who look and learn and honestly confess are those to whom the vision is given. It becomes a call to action and a gift of grace and peace. May it be so for us.
AllenRev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Call to a Special Meeting and CAPE
Call to a Special Meeting of the Missouri Mid-South Conference -
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Below is an invitation to attend a Special Meeting of the Conference/CAPE on November 14 at Columbia UCC. To attend this event you MUST complete a registration form, and there are three reasons why: - A quorum must be in place in order to vote for our new Conference Minister. The following verbiage is taken directly from our MMSUCC bylaws (page 2) - "Quorum. One fifth (1/5) of the persons entitled to vote and one third (1/3) of the member churches of the Conference (as defined in these bylaws) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at an Annual or Special Meeting of the Conference. Absentee voting and voting by proxy are not permitted." If you are eligible to vote at the morning meeting, you must register and indicate you are to receive a voting card at registration - just like CAG.
- Seating arrangements - even if you are not eligible to vote and only plan to participate in the CAPE portion of the event, we need to know how many people are planning to attend so proper seating/table arrangements can be made. This is for everyone's comfort, so please register.
- A catered lunch (free of charge) is being ordered, therefore, a head count is needed and we can only gather an attendee total through registrations.
The registration deadline is Friday, November 6, which is 8 days from now. There are less than 75 people currently registered - please send in your form if you plan to attend.
Below is a schedule for the November 14th event:
9:15 am Registration
9:30 am Conference Minister Search Team Candidate Presentation and Vote
11:45 am "Setting The Sights" (plenary)
Noon Lunch - catered, no charge
12:45 pm Small Planning Groups begin meeting (bio breaks as needed)
2:45 pm Plenary gathering to share key ideas so far
3:00 pm Small Planning Groups reconvene for further planning
3:45 pm Closing worship and dismissal
4:00 pm Departure
Registration form (complete on your computer)
Registration form (complete by hand)
Grace and Peace to our sisters and brothers in Christ! 
The Conference Council Executive Committee, at the request of the Conference Minister Search Team, is delighted to call a Special Conference Meeting of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ, to be held at Columbia United Church of Christ, in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Registration will begin at 9:15 a.m. The Special Meeting will convene promptly at 9:30 a.m. The purpose of this Meeting will be to consider extending a call to the position of Conference Minister, based upon the Search Team's unanimous recommendation of a candidate for Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference. This Meeting is called pending the Conference Council's consideration and approval of the recommendation. Conference Council will meet at Camp Mo Val on Friday-Saturday, October 30-31, and will consider the recommendation and will announce its decision via an all-Conference mailing during the first week in November.
This Special Conference Meeting will precede the already-scheduled Conference Annual Planning Event (CAPE)... continue article
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Beloved Community Conference
For six years, the Beloved Community Conference at Saint John's Church has been an occasion to enrich local ministries and organizations with theological frameworks and hands-on tools for Social Justice work. This year's  conference calls for Radical Reconciliation as part of the region's ongoing response to the recent release of the 'Forward Through Ferguson' (Ferguson Commission) Report and the need for continued movement toward policy change. The conference begins with an Opening Convocation on Thursday, October 29th and culminates with a Public Meeting on November 1st. (A complete schedule and more information can be found here.)
Several outstanding speakers will be attending, including Rev. Allen Boesak and Rev. Curtis DeYoung, authors of Radical Reconciliation: Beyond Political Pietism and Christian Quietism.
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Ordination of Caitie Smith
The Western Association in the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the
United Church of Christ
and
Peace Christian Church United Church of Christ
cordially invite you to the ordination of
Caitie Smith
to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament
Sunday, November 1, 2015
at 5:00 PM
1801 McGee Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108
All clergy are encouraged to wear a stole.
A reception will follow the service.
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Installation of Rev. Donald G. Wester
The St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference
and Faith United Church of Christ
Invite you to join in the celebration of the installation of
Rev. Donald G. Wester
as pastor and teacher
On Sunday, November 1, 2015
at 11:00 a.m.
at Faith United Church of Christ, 3 Lakeshore Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204
Rev. Allen Fluent will offer the sermon
All Clergy are invited to attend and robes and red stoles are requested
Note: If you are not able to attend this service, please remember Rev. Wester and Faith UCC in your prayers on November 1.
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Important Message to Church Treasurers from The Pension Boards
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thank you for your participation in the benefit plans administered by the Pension Boards. At this time, we seek your assistance to ensure proper invoicing for the benefits provided to your employees.
In September 2015, we sent Salary Report forms to employers to record any compensation changes for their employees in 2016. The accuracy of this information ensures proper invoicing for Annuity Plan contributions and Life Insurance and Disability Plan premiums. If you have already submitted your updated form, thank you. If you have not yet had a chance to do so, and the current form does not reflect the appropriate salary basis, we ask that you please take a moment to make the changes and return the form to the Pension Boards by November 6, 2015. Upon receipt of the updated information, we will change our records and invoicing accordingly.
Please feel free to contact me at 1.800.642.6543, ext. 2640 or by e-mail at chuggins@pbucc.org if you have any questions or if I may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Camilia Huggins
Controller
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Installation of Rev. Paul A. Porter
The St. Louis Association & Missouri Mid-South Conference & Eden United Church of Christ
Invites you to join in the celebration of the installation of
Rev. Paul A. Porter
as pastor and teacher
On Sunday, November 8, 2015
at 3:00 pm (a reception will follow)
Eden United Church of Christ, 8920 Eden Ave., Affton, MO 63123
Rev. Jack Spratte will offer the sermon
Clergy are invited to gather at 2:30 pm, robes and red stoles are requested
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YOUTH - Conference Middle School Event - Registration Deadline November 4th
You could not, would not, want to miss a Middle School event quite like this! This year's Dr. Seuss themed retreat  will be held November 20 th - 21 st. The Conference Middle School Event (CMSE) is a tool for enhancing Middle School youth ministry in local congregations by helping youth connect with their peers from around the Missouri Mid-South Conference. The retreat will be full of all the great camp activities we love at MoVal, discussion groups, games, mission opportunities, and some Dr. Seuss fun. Check in will start at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 20 th and the event will end at approximately 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 21 st. Youth currently in grades 6 th, 7 thth, & 8 and their adult advisors are all invited to attend this life changing event. The cost is $60 per youth or adult. Scholarships are available. Registration and further information can be found on our website under Youth/Upcoming Events. And check out the updated Youth page on our Conference website featuring photos of several recent youth events!
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A Special Message from Allen
Dear Friends,
The arson attacks on seven Christian Churches in north St Louis have saddened all people of good will throughout our region. They are a reminder to us that the evil of extreme racial hatred continues to exist among us. While the perpetrators of these crimes are not yet known to us by name, we pray that they will soon be apprehended, so that those who feel exposed to danger because of their acts may see this immediate threat removed.
And still, we know that the threat is never entirely removed until all of us engage in a committed effort to rebuild a community of trust, which needs to include intentional and honest conversations on race, support for one another in the struggle, and serious public advocacy to address the discriminatory systems that have divided us racially for much too long.  We commend those individuals and churches who have begun to engage in the conversations needed in various parts of our Conference. We are thankful as well for those in our churches who have begun to engage the issues of structural racism in our society in study and in action. We are at different places in our lives in our ability to respond, but everyone's contribution is necessary.
Right now, we are aware of the urgent need of those churches in north St Louis that are feeling the immediate trauma of being targeted by racial hatred. This is something all of us are able to see and feel, and know that we want to respond. A coalition of organizations in St Louis, initiated by the Faith and Labor Coalition, has created a website for those wanting to send contributions to help repair the churches affected by arson. We encourage you to send a contribution through this link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-for-st-louis-churches#/storyFor those who prefer to make a contribution through our Conference office, we will also accept your gift sent to the Missouri Mid-South Conference and marked clearly for "churches damaged by fire." You may also print this poster to share with your pastor and/or church. Thank you for prayers, acts of kindness, constructive conversation and advocacy, and for all you do for the work of reconciliation.
Allen
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Ordination of Victoria Hampton
The Saint Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference
and Kirkwood United Church of Christ
Invite you to join in the celebration of the ordination of
Victoria (Vicki) Hampton
On Sunday, November 8, 2015
at 3:00 p.m.
at Kirkwood United Church of Christ, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63122
A reception will follow.
Rev. Betsy Happel will offer the sermon
Clergy are invited to gather at 2:30 p.m.; robes and red stoles are requested
Vicki has accepted a call to St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Imperial, Missouri and will begin
serving that congregation on November 15, 2015.
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One 2015 MMSUCC Boundary Session Remaining
There is one upcoming MMSUCC boundary training session in November:
ST. LOUIS - Saturday, November 7, 2015 - First Congregational UCC - Webster Groves, MO - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
10 W. Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119
Facilitators: Ms. Jane Porchey and Rev. Bruce Moeller
Please visit our Conference website for further information and to register, or contact Kris Scott at 314-918-2605 or kris@mmsucc.org.
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Our Friends of the Conference Challenge 2015 - Week 10
Welcome to our 10th week of the "Friends of the Conference Fund Challenge" for 2015. The goal is to reach $20,000 before the end of this year, and our current donation total is $7,940. We will continue to 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
The Conference Council, the OCWM Covenanted Ministry and others are so excited about the future of our work in the Missouri Mid-South Conference that they have already personally pledged $1,600 toward our "Friends of the Conference 2015 Challenge." Our $20,000 challenge is to assure additional ministry growth as a new Conference Minister comes to guide and work among us.
We are excited to look toward the future and the new ideas that have been growing in the last two years: Church Vitality, Sacred Conversations on Race, and the new relationship with The Center for Progressive Renewal. Continue letter Pledge card
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Rev. Traci Blackmon to Lead UCC Justice and Witness Ministries
October 21, 2015 Written by Connie Larkman
A prominent community leader, a gifted preacher and a much-loved pastor and teacher has been appointed as the acting executive of UCC Justice and Witness Ministries.  The Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor of Christ The King UCC, in Florissant, Mo., called by the United Church of Christ General Minister and President and the UCC Board chair and vice-chair, and appointed to the position by an enthusiastic and unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, looks forward to beginning her work with the national offices.
"I am extremely excited, a little overwhelmed, and honored by this new opportunity for ministry," said Blackmon. "I have chosen to accept the challenge of Acting Executive Minister of Justice and Witness at this time because I believe the United Church of Christ is uniquely positioned to reimagine the welcoming table of Christ in ways that create space for all voices to be heard." continue articleArticle and photo courtesy of ucc.org
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Camp MoVal 2016 Schedule
Camp MoVal is excited to present you with the dates for our Camp Schedule for the year of 2016. Make sure to  mark your calendars because you won't want to miss all of the fun we will be having exploring "FEARLESS FAITH, courage in community". Contact our office to register early and be on the lookout for our new website! Also, be sure to notice, MoVal is bringing you a new Winter Camp Retreat over Martin Luther King Day weekend for 5th- 8th graders. You will not want to miss this exciting retreat. The camp brochure will be coming out at the beginning of the year and all pricing information will be included.
See you soon!
Sincerely, Jeremy Force and Mariah Newell
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Eden Seminary Bookstore - New Hours 
Bookstore hours have been changed temporarily until the appointment of a new Bookstore Director.
The Bookstore's new hours are:
Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Free Church Pew Cushions Available 
St. John UCC in Manchester has the following free cushions: 30 (120x15), 7 (100x15), 2 (81x15), 2 (40x15) and 1 (71x15). They are made of a soft velvet.
Whoever would like the cushions will need to pick them up. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Kevin Gregory at 636-391-6655 or kevin@stjohnmanchester.org.
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
St. John UCC, Part-time Organist/Pianist, 10/14/15
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.
Christ Church UCC Maplewood, Part-time Administrator, 10/2/15
This person will work during times of absence/vacation of our current Administrator. The successful candidate would possess a working knowledge and experience with the Powerchurch software program. Hours can be flexible, during the periods of need, but are typically 9am to noon, Monday through Friday. Please contact Ron at
rgaus15496@gmail.com
for more information.
Union Communion Ministries, Part-time Executive Director, 10/2/15
A church-related, neighborhood-based outreach agency. Average time commitment is 20 hours per week. Requirements: Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years administrative experience in human services, skill with diverse populations. Resumes to Union Communion Ministries Search, 826 Union Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63108, FAX (314) 367-8174, or markleerobinson@gmail.com. Application review will begin on September 8, 2015.
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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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