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Friday, January 15, 2016

The next eHappenings is scheduled for Friday, January 29, 2016 

Deadline for submissions is 8:00 am on 1/27/16

 Issues will be emailed on the 15th and 30th/31st of each month - or the nearest weekday.  Email your  

church/organization/agency events and any items you wish to advertise to Kris at [email protected].

  Full issues of eHappenings 


FUTURE EVENTS

 
 2016

January, Back Bay Mission 2017 Calendar Opens

Back Bay Mission will open its 2017 Mission Trip Calendar on January 1, 2016. Mission immersion experiences at Back Bay Mission are a great opportunity to serve the poor and marginalized of the Mississippi Gulf Coast while learning about poverty and social justice. They're also a wonderful chance to build relationships within your congregation and with other congregations who are serving at the Mission.
Here's what you need to know: The 2017 Mission Trip Calendar opens on January 1, 2016. Beginning on January 1, you'll be able to request mission dates by emailing our volunteer coordinator. We only accept requests for mission trip dates through email. Email provides us with a timestamp and helps make sure that dates are reserved on a first come, first served basis.
The calendar fills up fast. This is especially true for prime dates during summer vacation and spring break. It's best if you have a couple of dates in mind, just in case the date you would prefer has already been reserved. If none of the dates you would like are available - or if the calendar is completely full when you request a date - we can put you on a waiting list.

Our fees have changed. In order to keep up with rising costs and the high demand on our housing rehabilitation program, we've made a minor adjustment to our mission trip fees. There is now a $200 per group administrative fee, a $75 per person housing fee, and a $100 per person materials fee.
 
January 17, Theology and Protest, 10:45am-11:45am
 
This study will look at Biblical, theological and ethical sources that speak with the Black Lives Matter movement (& other voices for human freedom in our time and place).  Two scholars/Eden Theological Seminary professors/Christian ministers will offer their insights on what theological issues are at stake in this movement & how protest (to address institutional racism and structural injustice) connects with their understandings of Christian faith and practice.  On January 3 we will hear from Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause, Academic Dean & Professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary, who also has participated extensively in various protests & acts of civil disobedience in the past year. On January 10 & 17 we host Ben Sanders, Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics at Eden.  This course will help us to better understand the Black Lives Matter movement, its basis in our faith & why local church leaders are so involved.  Free childcare available.  314-822-2240 for more information.
  
January 17, MLK Birthday Celebration, 3pm

A community wide celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday will be held at Zion United Church of Christ, Union, on Sunday, January 17,  3:00 P.M.  It will feature the nationally known story teller, Ms. Gladys Coggswell during the service, along with various music  groups.  Ms. Coggswell will weave music into her presentation, also telling of local events which happened in the history of Franklin County.  It will be an unforgettable experience for anyone who attends.  All are invited.  There will be a free-will offering meal following the service.  Child care under five years old will be available during the service time.   YOU are invited!   Click here for more information

January 24, Evening Book Study, 6:30-8pm
 
Illegal immigration continues to be a topic of much discussion and controversy in the daily news.  How do we respond to this issue in a faithful and compassionate way?  One solution is to learn as much as possible so we can respond to others from a position of understanding and not just the 'sound-bites' that we hear so often.  To this end, our first book study in 2016 will be of Enrique's Journey, an astonishing story that puts a human face on the ongoing debate about immigration reform in the United States.
Enrique's Journey recounts the unforgettable quest of a Honduran boy looking for his mother, eleven years after she is forced to leave her starving family to find work in the United States. Braving unimaginable peril, often clinging to the sides and tops of freight trains, Enrique travels through hostile worlds full of thugs, bandits, and corrupt cops.  But he pushes forward, relying on his wit, courage, hope, and the kindness of strangers.  "This is a twenty-first-century Odyssey."
Join us in the Adult Education room for a discussion of this compelling book and topic.  The book is readily available online in print & electronic forms.  www.kirkwooducc.org or call 314-822-2240 for more information.
 
January 24, Inaugural Beer & Hymns Gathering, 6pm-8pm
 
This event will take place at Ferguson Brewing Company.  Martin Luther once stated that he left the events of the Reformation up to the work of the Holy Spirit; as for him, he sat at the local pub enjoying a pint.  In that spirit, St. Peter's UCC, Ferguson, invites you to gather upstairs in the Sky Room of the Ferguson Brewing Company for an evening of singing our favorite hymns and enjoying a favorite beverage of beer, wine, water, or soda (to be purchased by you).  Food service will also be available at your expense.  We are inviting the entire community to joins us for these events, so  you never know who you might meet in fellowship! 
 January 24 & 31, Funerals, Memorials and Celebrations of Life, 10:45am-11:45am
 
The content & practices of funerals have changed significantly during the past 100 years, & that evolution appears to be continuing as we move into the 21st century.  A wide variety of factors are influencing this, but how is it impacting our hearts & souls?  During the first session we will learn about how funeral practices have changed in the United States over time.  our second session will focus on how to plan one's own memorializing service- a task that many people would like to avoid, but it especially helpful to the loved ones who are left behind.  Kirkwood UCC's Pastor Betsy Happel will lead these discussions.  Joins us as we explore this topic that will be so helpful to all of us & our loved ones.  Free childcare.  314-822-2240 for more information.
January 27, Eastern Association Pastors Luncheon, 11am

The Missouri Mid-South Eastern Association Pastors Luncheon is Wednesday, January 27th,11:00 am at St. Peters UCC in New Haven.  If there is inclement weather on January 27th, the luncheon will take place on February 3.  St. Peters New Haven is located at 607 Maupin Ave. RSVP by January 19th to [email protected].   
  
January 30, Free Choral Music, 9am-3pm

St John UCC St Charles at 401 S. Fifth Street in St Charles needs your help!  After many years of collecting numerous choral arrangements, our space has become limited.  But our problem is your benefit.  Join us on Saturday, Jan 30 at 9am for a music give away.  Come and look through arrangements for SATB, small ensembles, large groups, contemporary works, and classical pieces.  All music is will be available at NO CHARGE!  For more information, contact Sarah Price, Director of Music and Worship Arts at 636-724-1015 or [email protected].

January 31, Beyond Resistance: An Afternoon with John Dorhauer, 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.
 
January 31, An Evening with an Imam, 5pm
 
St. Philip's UCC, 10708 Lavinia, 63123, will have the privilege to share a potluck meal and conversation with Imam Eldin Susa of the St. Louis Islamic Center.  Imam Susa's congregation is building a beautiful new mosque in South County that they expect to open in May.  As our soon to be new neighbor, he is graciously sharing a presentation about Islam with us so that we might get to know one another better.
You are cordially invited to joins us.  The potluck meal will be served at 5:00.  As you are planning what delectable dish you will bring to share, please keep in mind that Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol-so please avoid any ingredients containing these foods.  Or, if you like, you can come at 6:00 for Imam Eldin's presentation only.  Call the church office at 314-843-5100 for more information or to tell us you're coming so that adequate seating is available.
February, Tuesday Evenings, 6-9pm

Rev. Geoffrey Black, past president and general minister of the United Church of Christ will be offering a course at Eden Theological Seminary beginning in February.  The course may be taken for credit or may be audited.  Please contact Tiffany Pittman at Eden Theological Seminary for more information.  [email protected]

M262 The UCC Today: From Still Speaking to Mission One and Beyond
In the last decade, since 2005 the United Church of Christ has experienced unprecedented/major change.  This course will survey the nature and scope of that change, while assessing current issues and future possibilities.  Course content will include:
- a review of membership trends and local church demographics along with emerging patterns of local church development and revitalization.
- The implications of rachial/ethnic diversity, the quest for gender equality and embrace of the breadth of sexual orientation and identities
- Key leadership issues regarding lay leadership development, new perspectives on ministerial authorization.
- The impact of engagement with global and ecumenical partners in shaping the UCC.
- The UCC response to General Synod Resolutions
- The current state of ecumenical and interfaith engagement and its implications for present and future direction within the United Church of Christ.
February 7, 14, 21 & 28, Imago Dei in Films, 10:45am-11:45am
 
During the month of February, we will be discussing how we can find theological images of God in secular films.  We will be watching the film, Pleasantville, starring Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon and Jeff Daniels.  in this film, two 1990s teenagers find themselves in a 1950s sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that complacent world.  We will be viewing a portion of the film each week while discussing different theological topics such as the church, God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Kirkwood UCC Student Pastor Stephen Stark will lead this 4-week series in the KUCC theater.  Childcare available.  314-822-2240 for more information.
 February 10, Ash Wednesday Service, 10:15am
 
Looking for a daytime Ash Wednesday service?  Our service will be at 10:15am on Wednesday, February 10 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles Avenue in Tower Grove South, St. Louis, MO 63116.  Phone number: 314-772-4672; email: [email protected]
February 12, Eden Seminary's 4th Annual Bracke Lecture, 10:30am 
  
Where: Eden Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119
Speaker: Rahiel Tesfamariam
Ms. Tesfamariam is a social activist, public theologian, writer and international speaker. She is the founder and publisher of Urban Cusp, a cutting-edge online lifestyle magazine highlighting progressive urban culture, faith, social change and global awareness as well as a former columnist for the Washington Post.
 
February 20-March 3, St. Lucas Trip to Israel & Jordan
 
Visiting the land of the Bible is an important pilgrimage to make. It's a complicated land where great and tragic events have occurred - some of which are described in the Bible itself, others have occurred across the ages, and more recently in the on-going struggle between Israelis and Palestinians over the same small patch of land. This trip is designed to offer a first-hand look at this multi-layered story, visiting sites where the historical events of the Bible and beyond occurred. We will visit both Jewish and Palestinian villages and cities. The land is rich with story and the connections are made that intersect our lives and our faith. If interested, contact St. Lucas UCC office for a fact sheet giving a detailed description of the trip including cost.  Call: 314-843-2100
 
 February 27, Gateway ONA Convocation
We have moved the event from Eden Theological Seminary to Parkway United Church of Christ.     Registration information will be available in early January.  Details to follow.

April 15-16, Bi-Vocational Ministry Conference 
 
MESA and its predecessor bodies have long been a part of Professional Church Leaders (PCL), an annual convening of ecumenical denominational leaders.  PCL is pleased to announce that it will host a conference, "Bi-Vocational Ministry in the 21st Century," April 15-16, 2016 at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon's Island, Georgia. 

This conference is designed for bi-vocational ministers and for governing body and judicatory executives, with workshops and keynotes at a beautiful location. Registration is now open! Contact Elizabeth Dilley ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

April 18-20, Polity Conference, "Mission, Church Polity, and the (Dis)Unity of the Church"

MESA will make available a limited number of scholarships - up to $250 each - to help support applicants whose papers are accepted to attend the conference: "Mission, Church Polity, and the (Dis)Unity of the Church," 18 - 20 April 2016, at Princeton Theological Seminary.  In return, we would ask that you make your paper available to MESA to share with other teachers and learners of UCC History, Polity, and Theology.  Please send your request for scholarship assistance once your paper has been accepted.  You may send the request directly to Kathy Clark ([email protected]). Conference information can be found at:

April 18-20, UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event

The 2016 UCC Clergywomen Leadership will host an event April 18-20. The theme is "Preparing for, Stepping Into, and Sustaining Our Leadership." Keynote presenters are 2015 Antoinette Brown Award winners the Rev. Traci Blackmon, the Rev. Sharon Ellis Davis, and the Rev. Martha Spong.

The event will take place April 18-20, 2016 (noon to noon) at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center in Carefree, Arizona. It is designed for any UCC clergy who identifies as female, and will provide a mix of plenary sessions, smaller group times (for networking, mobilizing, and learning from one another), and free time to refresh and be energized by the beauty of Arizona. The $100 registration for the event includes housing in single rooms and four meals during the event, additional discounts are provided for Antoinette Brown Society Members (click here to join). Child care will be provided.

The website for the event and the registration portal can be found here:
May 5, St. Louis Association Spring Meeting
  
More details to follow.
 
June 9-11, MMSUCC Conference Annual Gathering (CAG)
 
Mark your calendars for this year's Conference Annual Gathering to be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO.  More details to follow. 

ADVERTISEMENT SECTION

New Advertising Guidelines - Items for Sale/Free
Beginning this week, items that are offered for free or for sale within our Conference (i.e. robes, pews, hymnals, books, etc.) will now be advertised in our eHappenings eblast.  Items will be shared for one month, which means the ad will appear twice.  If you would like the item(s) to be shared the following month, please contact Kris with your request.  The maximum time frame is two months.

As a reminder, the eHappenings is our Conference eblast which shares the upcoming church/organization/agency events occurring within our surrounding area and from our national office in Cleveland.  The eHappenings is emailed each month on the 15th and then again on the 30th or 31st. 

Please send any items you care to advertise, as well as your upcoming events, to Kris at [email protected].  Thank you.

FREE Choir Risers, January 15, 2016

St. John UCC, 405 S Fifth St., Saint Charles, 63301. We have free choir risers. These are three-tiered, total of 14 sections, 18" deep, 8 foot long, and various heights. If interested call the church office, 636.946.0961.

FREE Medical Equipment, January 15, 2016
 
A walker and a power chair are free to any individual who would need them, and can arrange to pick them up.  Please contact Kris Scott at the conference office if interested. Call 314-918-2605 Click here for photos and more information.
 
FREE Robes & Stole, January 15, 2016
 
A retired clergy person (male) is donating two (2) robes as well as a stole. Please contact Rev. Todd Bean or Julie at St. John's UCC, Weldon Spring for more information.  636-926-8995.
 
FREE Stoves, January 15, 2016
 
Two 36" 'commercial grade' flat top stoves available courtesy of St. Lucas Church 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 pickup sometime in early January 2016. 
 
Please contact John Weber, St. Lucas UCC Church Council at 314-504-1150 if you are interested in the repurposing of one or both of these ranges, or would like more information. Click here for a photo of the stoves.  

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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 included.