|
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ginny's Gems
My first tears in our ministry together came last Sunday as I worshiped with our brothers and sisters of Emmaus Home. During the time of joys and concerns, each worshiper was invited to share their joys and concerns. When the microphone came to Kevin, a middle-aged African American, and he was asked of his joys and concerns, he sat there motionless. Then his aide spoke to him. "Kevin, didn't you want to pray for your mama who has been sick?" Immediately, Kevin's face expressed his love and now desire to pray for his mama. He looked to his aide and then he looked to the rest of us, and we all knew his love, concern, and prayer energy for his mama. And our response was, "God, in your compassion, hear our prayers!"
In that moment, crocodile tears welled up in my eyes and spirit as I felt God in the holy space between Kevin, his aide, and the rest of his worshiping community. What trust there must be in order for a deep need to be known, expressed, and met among each other! Oh, to have that depth of relationship.
In that moment, I felt the tears of appreciation that God has called us into relationship so deep that we mirror the holy ground of my worshiping Emmaus friends. This is the new love birthed within the Missouri Mid-South Conference at this very moment.
Some of us, at times, are like Kevin: unable to articulate what resides deep within us - pain, longing, fear, love - but the need is still there. Some of us, at times, are like the aide: companioning with such an intimate relationship that we can name the concerns when our companion is unable. And some of us, at times, are like the worshiping community: receiving the concerns of each other and expressing our love that the Holy One will hear the breath of our prayers.
As we prepare for the many Christmas eve worship services throughout the Missouri Mid-South Conference, may we remember those who are the Kevins, aides, and worshiping communities in each of our settings. The birth of Christ reminds us of the new life God creates among us when we trust one another so deeply that love energy is shared and birthed.
Thank you for ministering God's love into new life throughout the Missouri Mid-South Conference!
Christmas Blessings,
Ginny
|
This communication is made possible by your contributions to OCWM - Our Church's Wider Mission. Individual or group donations welcomed!
Click here to donate today.
|
MMSUCC eCourier Holiday Schedule
Week of December 20 - the eCourier will be sent on Wednesday, December 23.
Week of December 27 - no eCourier will be shared.
Week of January 3 - the eCourier will return.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
|
The next eHappenings will be sent on Monday, January 4th.
The deadline for submissions is 12/30/15. Email future events to kris@mmsucc.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT - 2015 OCWM Contribution Deadline!
All OCWM contributions earmarked for 2015 must arrive at our Conference office and be postmarked by Monday, January 11, 2016. This date applies to online contributions as well. Due to Cleveland's time frame, this date is not negotiable and no exceptions can or will be made. If your church's contribution is postmarked after 1/11/2016, it will be  counted toward your 2016 OCWM total. Please share this date with your church treasurer, council president, church administrator or anyone who is responsible for sending contributions to our Conference. Please mail OCWM checks to: MMSUCC 483 E. Lockwood Avenue, Suite 15 St. Louis, MO 63119 If your church wishes to contribute online, please visit our website. Thank you for supporting the UCC and your Conference!
|
Conference Office Holiday Schedule 
With Christmas and New Year's fast approaching, we are sharing the days our Conference office will be closed for the holidays: December 24, 25, 28 31 and January 1
Beginning December 21 a few staff members will be working from home until Monday, January 4, but will have full access to email and phone messages. You may find contact information for all Conference staff on our website.
|
Installation of Rev. Robert Walker
The St. Louis Association of the
Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and Prince of Peace United Church of Christ
invite you to a worship service to install
Rev. Robert Walker
on Sunday, January 24 at 3:00 pm
Prince of Peace UCC, 4966 Towne South Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128
Preacher for the service is Don Frandsen, Pastor at St. Pauls UCC, Defiance, MO
Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and join in the procession, please arrive by 2:30 and meet in the Education Wing. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
|
Installation of Rev. Todd Bean
The Eastern Association of the
Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and St. Johns United Church of Christ
invite you to a worship service to install
Rev. Todd Bean
on Sunday, January 24 at 3:00 pm
St. Johns UCC, 945 Wolfrum Rd, Weldon Spring, MO 63304
Clergy are invited to robe, join in the procession and the laying on of hands.
A reception will follow.
|
Showing Muslim Support at Southwood UCC
At the instigation of their church's Mission Team, Southwood UCC in Raytown, MO put "Muslim Lives Matter!" on their church street sign and gathered around it on Sunday to take a group picture. Pastor Michael Stephens will be hand delivering this picture along with words of support today to the local mosque and the attached school.
"At Southwood United Church of Christ, we are very concerned about the heightened rhetoric in our nation against Muslim families and children. This kind of rhetoric of fear and hate has historically brought out the worst in us as Americans and Christians. Hate crimes are now at all time highs against our Muslim brothers and sisters. Southwood invites all Christians to live out Jesus' call to truly love our neighbors and all American descendants of refugees to maintain the hospitality that is a founding principle of this nation." -submitted by Rev. Michael Stephens
|
Is Your Church's Website Ready to Welcome Christmas Eve Visitors???
From Rev. Ginny
Here are some suggestions for church websites in preparations for your Christmas Eve services: 
- On the home page - post the time of your Christmas eve services
- Post the address of the church
- If you have a nursery, share that on your website
- Share if your worship service is welcoming to children
- Offer any words of welcome from the pastor and/or ministry staff!
Post similar information on your church's Facebook page (perhaps a video greeting from the pastor)
|
BEYOND RESISTANCE: AN AFTERNOON WITH JOHN DORHAUER 
Sunday, January 31, 3pm
General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, will address the topic of the Church and the 21st Century in a special event in the Memorial Hall of the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, 10 W. Lockwood Ave. 63119, on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at 3:00 in the afternoon.
During this two-hour event, Rev. Dorhauer will discuss his book, Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World (Chicago: Exploration Press, 2015); field questions from audience members; and sign copies of the book, which will also be on sale.
This free event is open to the public, a gift from the First Congregational Church to our community in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of First Church, January 31, 1866.
|
MoVal Winter Camp Retreat
January 16-18, 2016
This is going to be a weekend exploring how our faith helps us to build community and understanding when discussing race. Drop off will be Saturday January 16th at 4pm and pick up will be Monday January 18th at 9am over Martin Luther King Day weekend. Winter Camp Retreat will be a mixture of fun and serious and all around, a wonderful adventure!
Winter Camp Retreat is open to 5th-8th graders. To register please contact Mariah Newell at mariah.moval@mmsucc.org
|
Back Bay Mission - Shari Prestemon Internship
The application process for Back Bay Mission's Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship is open! 
This internship provides a unique opportunity to members of the United Church of Christ between the ages of 19 and 35. During this 10-week summer internship, participants will:
- Work directly with Mission staff in each of our program areas. This includes our emergency assistance, housing rehabilitation, volunteer, and supportive housing programs, as well as the Micah Day Center.
- Meet with leaders in the Biloxi community, including staff at other nonprofit organizations in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the surrounding area.
- Have the opportunity to focus on specific ministry areas of special interest to them.
This internship will nurture participants' passion for social justice and develop their appreciation for the church's role in seeking social justice.
We recognize the value of our interns and the financial burdens that can come with taking on an internship. The Mission covers the cost of travel to and from Biloxi and interns stay in Mission housing (the Cottage) with other long-term volunteers. In addition, we provide a generous stipend of $250 per week.
|
Heifer International Newsletter, December 
Check out the latest news from Heifer.
|
UCC Christmas Fund Offering
Since 1902, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund -- today one of four UCC Special  Mission Offerings -- has provided assistance to clergy and lay employees who, after years of service to others, now find themselves facing unexpected needs. In addition to pension supplementation, Christmas "thank you" gift checks and emergency grants, the Pension Boards-administered program also grants quarterly health premium supplementation to individuals and families in need.
"The theme of the 2015 Christmas Fund Offering is 'Love Shines Through,' with a giving goal of $1.7 million," said Brian R. Bodager, president and CEO of The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ. "In the spirit of love, I invite and encourage you to prayerfully consider and support this year's appeal, and to spread the word so that others will join in this essential ministry."
In 2014, more than $1.4 million was provided in pension supplementation, almost $496,000 in health premium supplementation, $203,000 in "thank you" gift checks, and about $91,000 in emergency grants.
Donate to the UCC Christmas Fund and download promotional resources.
|
Boundary Training 2016
The Mid-America Center for Ministry has announced three the below boundary training sessions for 2016. Our Conference will determine dates for 2016 in early January.
- Olivet Christian Church, Columbia, MO, Saturday, April 30, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- First Christian Church, Sedalia, MO, Saturday, September 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Both sessions will be facilitated by Rev. Donna Rose-Heim. Donna is an ordained Disciple minister and has  served both in congregations and on regional staffs. She has been an installed pastor and has served as a transitional interim in several settings. She now serves as a consultant, speaker, trainer and writer. She serves as lead instructor for the Mid-America Region in providing Boundary Training for clergy. 
- Fellowship Christian Church, Kansas City, KS, Saturday, October 1, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This session will be facilitated by Rev. Bruce Moeller. Bruce is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with authorized standing in the Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference. He has served on the Committee of Ministry, the authorizing body for ministry, of the Eastern Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the UCC.
Cost is $70 per session. Registration form and flyer.
|
Conference Youth Event
February 13-15, 2016
Calling all Youth! Are you attending CYE? If you are currently in the 9th-12th grade, you need to witness  "The Power of Presence" as presented by keynote speaker, Marcus Engel. "Best-selling author and speaker Marcus Engel inspires and empowers audiences nationwide. His extraordinary story of recovery after being blinded and catastrophically injured by a drunk driver challenges individuals to achieve success by making intelligent choices." Marcus Engel is a speaker with a message, a story, you will never forget!
DATE: February 13th-15th, 2016LOCATION: Camp MoVal - Union, MOARRIVAL & DEPARTURE: Check-In: Saturday, February 13th, 9:30-10:30am. Departure: Monday, February 15th at noon
COST: The registration fee is $120 per person for each youth and adult participant. You are not registered until ALL of your forms and complete payment is submitted. Registrations must be in the MoVal office by Wednesday, January 27th to ensure space availability and t-shirt. We cannot guarantee a t-shirt if you register after the deadline. Further info on our Conference website.
|
Gift to LeMoyne-Owen College
We are still collecting donations on behalf of Allen Fluent's service to our Conference the past two years. All  monies collected will be presented to LeMoyne-Owen College in Allen's name. If you wish to contribute, please send a check to MMSUCC, 483 E. Lockwood Ave, #15, St. Louis, MO 63119, and write "gift for Allen" on memo line. Or you may contribute online via our website. Please use the Special Offering field and indicate the donation is for Allen or Lemoyne-Owen. The deadline for contributions is Thursday, December 31, 2015. Thank you. We are immensely grateful for Allen and his service to our entire Conference!
|
Ginny's Pics
|
| | Zion UCC in Florissant - Ginny attended worship on 12/13/15 |
|
| | Zion UCC in Florissant - Ginny attended worship on 12/13/15 |
|
| | Zion UCC in Florissant - Ginny attended worship on 12/13/15 |
|
| | First Congregational UCC in Webster Groves - Ginny attended the Jazz to the World concert. |
|
Clergy Robes/Stole - FREE 
A retired clergy person (male) is donating 2 robes (one white/one blue) as well as a stole. Please contact Rev. Todd Bean or Julie at St. John's UCC, Weldon Spring for further information, 636-926-8995.
|
Two Stoves - FREE 
2 - 36 inch "commercial grade" flat top stoves available from St. Lucas UCC in St. Louis! Stoves are in working condition despite their age (35 + years). Stoves are 208 Volt, 3-phase electric and will be available for pick up sometime in early January 2016. Please contact John Weber, St. Lucas UCC Church Council at 314-504-1150 if you are interested in the re-purposing of one or both of these ranges, or would like more information.
|
|
|
|
|
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Zion UCC, Florissant, MO - Part-time Bookkeeper, 12/17/15
Zion is seeking a salaried part-time Bookkeeper (average 5 hours a week) to process and maintain all the financial obligations and accounts of Zion UCC (inclusive of Peace Tree Spirituality Center). Some of the duties include: payments to vendors; payroll; processing tax, pensions, and insurance obligations; preparing financial budgets and reports; track online transactions. Familiarity with QuickBooks and/or other accounting software highly recommended. Ability to navigate web-based software desired. Full job description and information on how to apply.
Joint Neighborhood Ministry, St. Louis - Transitional Executive Director, 11/24/15
Joint Neighborhood Ministry seeks a Transitional Executive Director for a term of three to five years. The position requires a person who has a demonstrated ability to bring about organizational change within non-profit organizations. The person will lead the Board, staff, volunteers and neighbors in the following transitional tasks:
- Create a new setting of extravagant hospitality and respect for the dignity of each individual. Welcoming neighbors and offering assistance that assures each person a safe place for them to find the help they need.
- Expand our services to go beyond charity to create programs that empower people and change lives.
- Expand our utilization of all forms of technology for office operation, fund raising and providing resources needed by our neighbors
- Address the issue of space and location of JNM - so the space enhances the ministry and does not restrict or limit JNM's ability to provide assistance
For complete job description and how to apply, click here.
Samuel UCC, St. Louis - Temporary Office Administrator, 11/24/15
Samuel UCC's Office Administrator, Anna Muhm and her husband, Jason, will be welcoming their first child in March 2016. Samuel UCC is looking for someone to work as an office assistant while Anna is on her maternity leave. This will be approximately a 6 week, 20 hr/wk, paid position; Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm. Estimated start date will be around the week of March 16; however this is variable due to the baby's arrival. If you know someone whose experience makes them a good candidate and who would be interested in a temporary position, please ask them to call Samuel Church at 314-727-9540 or email secretary@samuelucc.org.
|
|
Contact Us
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
