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Friday, November 20, 2015
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Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
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Our Conference office will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and
Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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The next eHappenings will be sent on Monday, November 30th.
The deadline for submissions is 11/26/15 Email events to kris@mmsucc.org.
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Allen's Message to You...
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:7-8 Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel, In the week to come, we live between the seasons. This Sunday is the celebration of the Reign of Christ (an affirmation of our faith: where does Christ reign?). And also it is the final Sunday of the year, the day we set aside for  reverent remembrance of those whose faithful lives have spanned the centuries of grace. And then, next Sunday, we start again, as though from the beginning, and look upon our troubled world awaiting. Will the day be coming soon? Will the Christ be known among us? Will the justice promised to those who wait break through the wrongs of this present age, and bring at last the day of peace? How will you spend this week between the seasons? Look! Give thanks ahead of time. As you eat the sacred meal and celebrate abundance, look! Examine what you have; it is so much! Look! Consider a world beyond your table, hungry for the sharing that would make us one, the fairness that has not yet been. Look! Because every eye will see him, even those by whom he is betrayed and pierced. And once again be led into the waiting time of Advent, because on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail for what is right. So it is to be, but not forever. Our endings and beginnings, our failures and our hopes, our disappointments and our dreams, become the steps of our faithful journey into God. God hold us, that we may sense our unity and understand our destiny in you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Allen
Rev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent, Acting Conference Minister
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Welcome to Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel - Our New Conference Minister!
The Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ (MMSCUCC) unanimously elected The Reverend Doctor Geneva "Ginny" Brown Daniel to the office of Conference Minister on Saturday, November 14, 2015 during a special called meeting of delegates to the conference in Columbia, MO at Columbia United Church of Christ. 
This vote is the culmination of twenty-two months of work by a nine-person Search Team appointed from all three of the Associations that represent the MMSC and cover the state of Missouri, Memphis, TN and Little Rock, AR areas.
The Search Team was tasked with finding a Conference Minister who would help to restore trust, infuse vitality and bring visionary leadership to the position of Conference Minister while also helping to lead the MMSCUCC into the 21st century's ever-changing landscape of church decline.
We believe that the Rev. Dr. Brown Daniel comes with all these gifts and more. As the founder of Divine Sparks Consulting, a Ministry Consulting company, that provides workshops on Marriage Equality and Stewardship, she developed a model for implementing information to a diverse group of people while also appreciating their theological framework.
Continue article
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Thank You
Dear fellow members of the Missouri Mid-South Conference,
During the service recognizing the end of my ministry among you as Acting Conference Minister, I was given a card that said a donation in appreciation of my service was being made to Lemoyne-Owen College, in Memphis,  Tennessee. Thank you for that kind gesture to me, and even more for your recognition of the values represented by this important school.
Lemoyne Owen is one of the historically black colleges related to the United Church of Christ, having been founded as Lemoyne College by the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Churches to provide educational opportunity to persons who had suffered under the institution of slavery. Today, Lemoyne Owen continues to thrive, providing excellent, accredited academic programs to a diversity of persons, but never forgetting the particular needs of those whose academic potential has been restricted by systems of discrimination and barriers of poverty that have been inflicted upon them because of the politics and economics of race.
Some St Louis Association pastors and church members have begun a conversation about making Lemoyne Owen a more accessible opportunity for students in our metropolitan area. Please look for ways that you can support these ongoing efforts as they emerge.
In thanksgiving for your kindness,
Allen
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Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Program
The Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Program will be on Tuesday evening, November 24, at 7 p.m., hosted by First Congregational UCC, 10 West Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 63119. Representatives of different religions will offer songs and prayers about being thankful. 
The program, "Grateful for the Journey Toward a More Compassionate St. Louis," will feature musical offerings from the Oikos Ensemble, a jazz ministry featuring Kim Fuller as vocalist.
Faith groups performing are:
- Students of School of Islamic Sufism, M.T.O Shah Maghsoudi, St.Louis center
- The Meshorerim - an 8-man Jewish a cappella group
- Soloists from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- The Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis
The program will be followed by a reception at the church. Come celebrate and be thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon you!
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Rev. Molly Baskette Event - Illinois South Conference
On November 21st the PHENOMENAL Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette will be in the Illinois South Conference to share her sparkling personality and deep experience in revitalizing churches. Molly was one of the fea  tured speakers at the recent General Synod, and she wowed the room! By the time she finished, the entire place was up and dancing and praising God! You can spend the day with Molly on Saturday, November 21st, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm (includes lunch) at St. Paul UCC, 115 West "B" Street, Belleville.
Please hurry and register now - registration form/flyer. Your registration fee of $30 includes a continuing education event and a delicious lunch prepared by St. Paul's Culinaires. Molly will be signing her books during the lunch break.
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Retirement Celebration for Joan Hensley
The Board of Directors of Joint Neighborhood Ministry
invites you to celebrate the ministry of
Joan Hensley
through a service of worship followed by a reception.
Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
St. Lucas United Church of Christ, 1735 Denny Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126
Please RSVP, with regrets only, to Mr. Lorin Cope, Board Chair, by calling St. Paul United Church of Christ: 314-772-4772 or by emailing: stpauluccsec@att.net.
The Board also invites you to make a financial gift to Joint Neighborhood Ministry in honor of Joan's ministry as she concludes her service and moves into well-earned retirement. The Board's goal is to raise $14,000 honoring her 14 years of service. Please send gifts to Nancy McFadden, Joint Neighborhood Ministry Bookkeeper, at 4823 Holmeswood Court, St. Louis, MO 63128.
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Heifer International Newsletter 
Here is the latest newsletter from Heifer with information on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and more.
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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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Free Evergreen Swags 
Peace UCC freely offers the artificial evergreen swags that have been used for many years as sanctuary decor during Advent. Please contact the church office at 314-968-1727 for a description/further information and also to arrange a pick-up time in Webster Groves, MO.
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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. Peter's UCC, Washington - Part-time Youth/Children's and Family Ministry Coordinator, 11/13/15
Needs to be pro-active, upbeat and a committed Christian to help develop programs, train volunteers and work directly with youth. This is a part time position with an estimated 20 hours per week expectation. It's a great church with wonderful volunteers and children and youth. Call the church office for a job description and an application. 636-239-6176. If you have questions, contact Rev. Sue Leary, Interim Pastor at that same number.
Immanuel UCC, Ferguson - Full-time Director of Music, 11/13/15
Seeking a dedicated and creative individual for the position of Director of Music. Full-time preferred. The position oversees and provides leadership for the total music ministry of a 450-member church with a new senior pastor. Current responsibilities include playing the Wicks pipe organ and/or the piano for two Sunday services, directing a volunteer adult choir and an adult handbell choir, overseeing a children's choir, preparing music for seasonal services, etc. Previous church music experience is required, and a degree in music is preferred. Previous experience requirements will be reviewed on an individual basis. Salary is competitive and commensurate with the experience.
All interested individuals please submit a resume, salary requirements and references to info@immanuelucc.org The church office can be reached at 314-521-7324 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
To view the job description go to our website: www.immanuelucc.org the home page, go to the About Us tab and Overview drop down tab.
St. John UCC, St. Charles - 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.
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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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