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Ginny's Gems
In preparation for Ash Wednesday, Ginny reminds us to return to our sanctuary -- in the church or in nature. Ash Wednesday is about returning to the essence of who God created us to be -- the very dust of our existence. This holy day is not about chastising ourselves for the bad parts of who we are. This holy day is about returning to the dust of who God created us to be in goodness and love. Ash Wednesday is about returning to the essence of what Christ called us to do -- love. Love your neighbor, love your Self, love your God.
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Ginny's Journeys 
Check out Ginny's photos highlighting her visits within our Conferenc e. Travel along with Ginny and share her experiences, joys and celebrations that make up our Missouri Mid-South Conference!
GINNY'S SCHEDULE
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Location
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Date
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Description
| | Houston, TX |
Friday, February 5
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
| | Houston, TX |
Saturday, February 6
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St. Louis, MO
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Sunday, February 7
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Worship at Christ the King UCC, Florissant
Event/lecture with Rev. Jim Wallis, St. Johns UCC, St. Louis
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St. Louis, MO
| Monday, February 8 | Clergy Breakfast, Oak Hill Presbyterian Church | | St. Louis, MO | Wednesday, February 10 | Every Child's Hope Luncheon | | St. Louis, MO | Friday, February 12 | Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day | |
Union, MO
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Saturday, February 13
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MMS Youth Event, Camp MoVal
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Weldon Spring, MO
Imperial, MO
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Sunday, February 14
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Worship at Emmanuel UCC, Weldon Spring
Installation of Rev. Vicki Hampton, St. Luke's UCC
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St. Louis, MO
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Monday, February 15
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Conference Office closed - President's Day
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St. Louis, MO
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Wednesday, February 17
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Monthly Church Vitality Conversation
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Houston, TX
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Thursday, February 18
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Work from Houston
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Houston, TX
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Friday, February 19
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
| | Chesterfield, MO |
Sunday, February 21
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Worship at St. John's UCC, Chesterfield
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Local MMS Conference Information & News
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Souper Bowl of Caring
Hunger is an issue 365 days a year. 1 in 7 Americans struggle with hunger. That's about 48 million people. And of  those, 15 million are children.
The Souper Bowl of Caring changes the game. Since 1990, young people have been leading the charge and inspiring others to collect dollars and food weeks leading up to the Big Game. Teaming up with local partners, groups give 100% of donations to local charities, changing the nation's largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of caring.
To learn more about how you, your church, your office and your family can participate, visit https://souperbowl.org/
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Installation of the Rev. Victoria Hampton
The St. Louis Association of the
Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and St. Luke's United Church of Christ
invite you to a worship service to install
the Rev. Victoria Hampton
on Sunday, February 14 at 3:00 pm
St. Luke's UCC, 6610 St. Luke's Church Rd., Imperial, MO 63052
Preacher for the service is Joe Rowley, Pastor at Emanuel UCC, Jackson, MO
Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and join in the procession, please arrive by 2:30 (you will be directed to the correct room upon arrival). A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
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Conference Council Opportunities - Help Identify Prospects
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Leadership Development Committee of the MMSUCC wants you to know we have several leadership opportunities. We ask you, as Conference and Association leaders, to help us identify prospects for the following:
1) Conference Council seats(three year terms) for first term election at June 2016 CAG:
(i) Eastern Association: Two nominees - currently held by
- female Lay member and
- male Lay member
(ii) St. Louis Association: One nominee - currently held by
- male Lay member
(iii) Western Association: Two nominees - currently held by
- Clergy member and
- female Lay member
The Conference is seeking a highly qualified, diverse pool of potential candidates for the limited number of  Conference Council positions. We are gathering names Conference-wide and through the Associations. Prospects are vetted and selected by the Conference Leadership Development Committee as to the best fit for the needs of the Conference. Those ultimately nominated by the committee are carefully chosen so the Council represents diverse population groups and can bring to its deliberations a variety of points of view and life experiences, as well as access to cultural, religious, educational, civic, business and economic resources.
2) Synod Delegates for 2017 (Baltimore) and 2019
Various seats INCLUDING YOUTH / YOUNG ADULT delegates
(youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years old and young adults between the ages of 19 and 20)
Please prayerfully consider who might be prospects to serve in these very important roles in the life of our church.
Laura Dierberg Ayers
Leadership Development Committee, Chair
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Installation of the Rev. Wendy Bruner
The St. Louis Association of the
Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and Peace UCC
invite you to a worship service to install
the Rev. Wendy Bruner
on Sunday, February 28 at 3:00 pm
Peace UCC, 204 E. Lockwood Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119
Clergy are invited to gather at 2:30 to process and are asked to wear red stoles.
The Rev. Starsky Wilson, pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ will be preaching and will be joined by the St. John's UCC choir, as well as the choir from Peace UCC. A reception will follow the service.
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Camp MoVal Brochures 
The 2016 Camp MoVal 2016 Brochures have been mailed and we are very excited for this upcoming summer season. Our volunteer leadership is already starting to look at and work with the curriculum "Fearless Faith: Courage in Community." For more information on what is going on at the camp, check out the changes we made to our website at www.campmoval.org. See you at Camp MoVal this summer!
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2016 Basic Support/OCWM ForecastingThis is an appeal for your assistance with monitoring and forecasting the 2016 Basic Support (also called Our  Church's Wider Mission or OCWM) gifts for the Missouri Mid-South Conference. The Finance & Administrative Committee is seeking information on your church's 2015 budgeted amount for Basic Support/OCWM gifts. Below are two 2016 Commitment to Basic Support Forms for this purpose. The Missouri Mid-South Conference appreciates the contributions from your church to Basic Support/Our Church's Wider Mission. The strength of the United Church of Christ locally, nationally, and globally is based upon the sustaining gifts of our member churches to Basic Support/Our Church's Wider Mission. We thank you for the discipline, diligence, and devotion expressed in your mission dollars that provide the ministries which change the lives of people and give hope to people across the United Church and around the world as well as in the communities served by Missouri Mid-South Conference congregations. Complete letterOCWM Form - to be completed on your computer
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Reviving Justice
February 7-8, 2016
St. John's Church UCC, St. Louis and Christ the King UCC, Florissant
Sunday, February 7
10:30am - Rev. Jim Wallis, Guest Preacher @ Saint John's Church (The Beloved Community)
11:00am - Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Guest Preacher @ Christ the King UCC
2:00pm - America's Original Sin: A Conversation About Racism with Jim Wallis @ Saint John's Church (The Beloved Community)
Monday, February 8
7:00pm - Black History Lecture with Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes @ Christ the King UCC
Meet the Speakers:
Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. is the Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church, an interdenominational (American Baptist and United Church of Christ) church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. He was the first African American minister to lead this multicultural congregation, and served it for 18 years. He currently serves as the CEO of the Drum Major Institute.
Rev. Jim Wallis is a Christian writer and political activist. He is best known as the founder and editor of Sojourners magazine and as the founder of the Washington, D.C. - based Christian community of the same name. Wallis is well known for his advocacy on issues of peace and social justice.
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TICK-TOCK - It's Church Yearbook Time!
Have you started your church yearbook reports yet? No?! Well you have about one month to complete your forms and enter your information into the UCC Data Hub. The deadline for churches is Monday, March 7. If you prefer our Conference to enter your information, your reports must in our Conference office no later than Monday, March 14. These deadline dates are set by Cleveland and are not negotiable. The various information/links provided below will give you the tools you need to complete your yearbook reports:
For assistance on this project, contact our Administrative Assistant, Kris Scott at 314-918-2605 or kris@mmsucc.org. Please DO NOT call or email Cleveland with your yearbook questions - contact our Conference office first!!!
Thank you in advance for you cooperation and participation in this very important statistical gathering process of the UCC.
Renee
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Monthly Church Vitality Conversation - Conflict ManagementFebruary 17, 1pmsponsored by Center for Progressive RenewalSix individuals signed into our recent monthly Conference Church Vitality Webinar on the subject of "Change and Transformation." One of the things you missed if you were not in on the conversation was a video about becoming a "Change Manager" which our Conference coach, Sara Wilcox from the Center for Progressive Renewal, shared with the participants. Here is a link to that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmoDpj1jtyA
 For the month of February, our Church Vitality webinar will be on the subject of Conflict Management. What if conflict were an inevitable and even transformative part of our plan to become a more vital church? This aspect of the topic is well illustrated in the following excerpt from a sermon which Sara Wilcox wrote about the passage from Gen. 32 about Jacob wrestling: But let us not run from the struggle. Let us not turn our backs. Let us believe with all of our hearts that God meets us there and here. And while we yearn for the blessing at all turns it may be good to remember that as the great prophet and theologian Bono reminds us, "Stop asking God to bless what you are doing. And get involved in what God is doing-because it is already blessed." I believe with all of my heart God is at work in our midst... in the challenges and struggles of our living and being community together and in the dreaming and imagining. If it gets uncomfortable at times, don't run. Hold on, like Jacob. Hold on for the blessing.
You are encouraged to join the Church Vitality Conversation. Our next webinar will be Wednesday, February 17 at 1 p.m. Please use the following link to enter the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:
You can also dial in using your phone:
United States: 224-501-3312
Access Code: 945-136-925.
Please contact Scott Lohse, revlohse@gmail.com or Rayla Hogue raykayh@gmail.com with any questions or inquiries.
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2016 Spring Association Meeting Dates and Locations
- Saturday, April 23 - Western Association - Immanuel UCC in New Franklin, MO
- Sunday, April 24 - Eastern Association - Faith UCC in Wentzville, MO
- Thursday, May 5 - St. Louis Association - Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, MO
Please mark these dates on your calendar now. Further information regarding the meetings will be shared in our eCourier and on our Conference website soon!
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Annual Women's and Men's Retreats
April 29-May 1, 2016
Camp MoVal and Shannondale
The Annual Women's Retreat will be at Camp MoVal in Union, MO on April 29-May 1, 2016. Enjoy a weekend of spiritual renewal, recreation, crafts and fellowship. This year's event is one you will not want to miss! The retreat is open to all women,  chronologically young and young in spirit. It is an inter-generational event where we have the opportunity to make new friends and share where we are in our faith journey with others.
Our musical entertainment of previous retreats has been provided by Susan Drake and Julie Jennings. They moved to Alabama this past year but are coming back as our keynoters. They will share their thoughts on "Finding Freedom in Forgiveness", the what, why and how--as we delve into how giving and receiving forgiveness impacts our daily lives.
Many women have attended for several years and many are first-timers. We encourage you to bring a friend or family member and we look forward to seeing you at Camp MoVal! Brochure and registration.
The Annual Men's Retreat will be at Shanondale in Salem, MO on April 29-May 1, 2016. I personally invest a great deal of my ministry specially reaching out to men in the church and in the community beyond - whom I believe can be the largest neglected minority in the church. Beyond serving on building and grounds committees and civic group style breakfasts, I challenge you to ask yourself how men are included at your church in spiritually transforming 
ways. Statistics bear out that a man's personal engagement in the church impacts his entire family.
This weekend pulls together men from many walks of life for a weekend on sacred ground called Shannondale. Men are reached from several approaches that can touch core aspects of his being: through service, rugged recreation, contemplative communal with nature, sharing around bonfires, table (kitchen and grill) fellowship, heart-felt worship, and many one-on-one deep encounters. Aside from the incredible experience, we hope to jump-start communal faith back home at your church. I make it to a point to round-up and wrangle as many men from my community to attend and I make sure my batteries are recharged by attending myself. Will you strive to encourage at least one man to attend? Brochure.
- Pastor Paul Koch, Regional Minister Team
The Christian Church in Mid-America
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Christian Music Festival
April 16, 2016 at Camp MoVal 
Camp MoVal is hosting another community event! On April 16 th join us for the Christian Music Festival. The concerts will be held across the road at TAMBO. We will have food, fun, and hope to raise funds to help remake TAMBO! There are many exciting things being talked about for the future of this space. Please, come spend the day out at camp and have fun with us in Christian community! All ages and all people are welcome. Please contact Mariah at mariah.moval@mmsucc.org, find our event on Facebook titled MoFestiVal, or give the camp a call for any additional questions or information at 636-583-2730. Event flyer.
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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 mid-February.
- 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. - Eden Theological Seminary will host a boundary training session on Friday, February 5, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Cost is $50, and the facilitator is Rev. Bruce Moeller. To register for this event, please contact Ms. Chris Davis at Eden Seminary, cdavis@eden.edu or 314-918-2547.
As a reminder to all authorized clergy in our Conference - if you choose to attend one of the above boundary training sessions, it is your responsibility to provide a copy of your completion certificate to our MMS Conference office so your record can be updated. Proof of boundary training attendance every 3 years is required to maintain your standing.
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National UCC Information & News
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Installation Services for the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
UCC General Minister and President
The General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, will be installed in a progression of three installation services throughout the denomination. All are invited to attend these services of celebration!
- April 15 at Riverside Church, New York
- April 16 at Trinity Church, Chicago
- April 17 at Plymouth Church, Seattle
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UCC Volunteer Ministries - Two Young Adult Programs AvailableWider Church Ministries
Volunteer Ministries, part of Wider Church Ministries at the national setting, is trying to promote two young adult programs for which we are currently accepting applications.  Please share this information with your congregation and youth leaders. See the details below:
1). Transform your life and transform our world through the faith-inspired pursuit of justice, collaborative action, and intentional living in a UCC Young Adult Service Community. Work with social agencies and church communities, and engage with questions of meaning and vocational discernment. Applications are due Feb. 15 for the Sept. 2016 - August 2017 cycle. For more information and to apply, visit: www.ucc.org/volunteer_yasc
2). Do you know a young adult who is looking for an internship this summer? Applications are now open for Summer Communities of Service, an ecumenical collaboration between UCC Volunteer Ministries and the Alliance of Baptists. Participants live and serve for 10 weeks in host congregations located around the country. The internship provides the opportunity for participants to engage in community living, leadership development, hands on justice advocacy and service, and faith conversations. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin the online application as soon as possible here: www.ucc.org/volunteer_scos
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Videos From a Recent Conference on "What Do #Black LivesMatter and #Occupy Mean about the Economy and our Country?"
Sponsored by the United Church Funds
At the Midwest Regional Endowment Conference, held recently at Chicago Theological Seminary, United Church Funds (UCF) hosted plenaries on the global economy, endowment policies, planned giving and socially  responsible investing. We also provided an overview of UCF's funds and convened a panel discussion on What Do #Black LivesMatter and #Occupy Mean about the Economy and our Country? The afternoon concluded with theological reflections by The Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ.Highlights of the conference are available by clicking on the following links: It is our hope that viewing these videos, and other UCF resources, may prove valuable in your efforts to strengthen your church or organization's endowment. You are welcome to share this video with your congregation and other interested parties. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or requests for additional information that you may have. For your convenience, I can be reached at (212) 729-2620 or howard.hawkins@ucfunds.org. Sincerely,
Howard W. Hawkins III
Director, Business Development
United Church Funds 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1020, New York, NY 10115
Direct: 212-729-2620 Toll-free: 877-806-4989 ext. 2620
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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.
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The next eHappenings will be sent on Friday, February 12th.
The deadline for submissions is 2/10/16. Email future events and
items to advertise to kris@mmsucc.org.
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Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Emmaus Homes, Direct Support Professional - Various Location, 2/5/16
Emmaus Homes is seeking passionate individuals who are looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of others! We have current openings throughout Warren County, St. Charles County and St. Louis County. Your role as a Direct Support Professional is critical in the overall success of our mission. You will support the needs of our clients in maximizing their ability to be as independent as possible. Pay starts at $10/hour with a $1/hour weekend differential. No experience required. We offer hands on training, medical and dental insurance, company match retirement, and more. View the full job description here!
Emmaus Homes, Home Manager - Various Locations, 2/5/16
Emmaus Homes is seeking passionate leaders who enjoy working with adults with developmental disabilities and making a difference in the lives of others! We have current openings throughout Warren County, St. Charles County, and St. Louis County. Your role as Home Manager provides support to not only our clients but also our Direct Support Professionals. You will provide supports as described in Individual Support Plans, and advocate for the rights and needs of all persons served. You will also supervise a team of Direct Support Professionals, complete performance appraisals, schedule activities and coordinate staff work schedules. Minimum of 1 year working in Developmental Disabilities field in direct care capacity; or a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 500 hours worked in MR/DD field. View the full job description here!
Emmaus Homes, Recruiting Specialist - St. Charles, MO, 2/5/16
Emmaus Homes is seeking an individual who is passionate about recruiting talent to support our more than 270 clients. Your key responsibilities would include recruiting and selecting employees to fulfill talent needs for the organization through creative sourcing, interviewing, assessing and more. Your role will also manage the applicant tracking system, processing appropriate background checks and new hire on-boarding. View the full job description here!
Emmaus Homes, Employment Branding Specialist - St. Charles, MO, 2/5/16
Are you a branding rock star? Someone who loves to tell stories, engage audience, and simultaneously make a difference in the lives of others? The Employment Branding Specialist would be a key part of bringing Emmaus' employment brand to life. Your primary responsibilities would include leading and implementing an employment branding strategy to support recruitment and retention of employees. We are looking for someone who is creative and wants to help spread our brand message to a multitude of audiences, but most importantly, to our 700+ talented employees. If you're an organized yet out of the box thinker with a passion for branding, apply today! View the full job description here!
St. John UCC, St. Charles, MO - Part-time Organist/Pianist, 1/21/16
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. To apply, contact Sarah Price, Director of Music and Worship Arts: sprice@stjohnucc.org.
Zion UCC, Florissant, MO - Part-time Communications Director, 1/8/16
Zion UCC is seeking a salaried Part Time Communications Director (average 7 hours a week) to manage all aspects of communication at Zion and Peace Tree Spirituality Center. This includes all forms of physical, digital, and analog communications. Some of the duties include: updating and managing the websites and social media; basic graphic/meme creation; maintaining online calendars; editing/producing monthly newsletter and weekly bulletins. Ability to communicate well over multiple media is an absolute must. Extensive experience with social media and web-based programs required. Skills in web design/management strongly desired. Please see full job description and how to apply.
Zion UCC - Florissant, MO - Part-time Property Manager, 1/8/16
Zion UCC is seeking a salaried Part Time Property Manager (average 7 hours a week) to manage all aspects of the physical buildings and grounds located in association with Zion and Peace Tree Spirituality Center. This person will be responsible to ensure all buildings are maintained for immediate usage to include arranging for the rental of the facilities. Some of the duties include: working with the custodian to ensure the spaces are clean and ready for use; upkeep properties and grounds; open and lock buildings for guests; coordinate with contractors, inspectors, etc. for work needed. Reliable and independent persons can succeed in this position. Please see full job description and how to apply.
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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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