Welcome to our weekly eblast, the Missouri Mid-South Conference eCourier. We are a collection of 140+ local congregations in the United Church of Christ denomination covering the geographic region of Missouri, Arkansas, and Memphis, TN.
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
We believe in extravagant welcome. This is why we insist that God's communion table is open, not closed, and God's gift and cla  im in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God's inclusive love. We teach that evangelism - offering bread to those in search of it - is God's mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with - not against - people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking,
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Ginny's Gems
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Ginny discusses how we are Gathering at Our Table by sharing recent and upcoming ministries, which reflect the spirit of Jesus at table with his disciples. Ginny and Dale visited with the Marshallese UCC churches in Springdale, AR; all of our conference staff had our monthly staff meeting; the Gateway ONA Convocation on Saturday; the New Beginnings Ministry training this weekend; the Justice and Witness Covenanted Ministry response to the St. Louis diocese regarding girl scouts; and the Committee on Ministry Covenanted Ministry retreat in 2 weeks. All of our ministries are wonderful opportunities to Gather at Our Table in fellowship, learning, worship, fussing, and always love!
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Ginny's Schedule
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Location
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Date
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Description
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St. Louis, MO
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2/26/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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St. Louis, MO
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2/27/16
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Gateway ONA Convocation
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Owensville, MO
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2/28/16
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Worship at St. Johns (Bem) UCC
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Union, MO
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2/29/16
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Camp MoVal Planning Meeting
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Houston, TX
| 3/2/16
| Work from home
| Houston, TX
| 3/3/16
| CHHSM National Conference
| Houston, TX
| 3/4/16
| Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Columbia, MO
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3/5/16
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Covenanted Ministries Retreat
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Mayview, MO
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3/6/16
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Worship at Zion UCC
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St. Charles, MO
| 3/8/16
| St. Charles Clergy Lunch
| Union, MO
| 3/9/16
| Visit Shannondale
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St. Louis, MO
| 3/10/16
| SLA Committee on Ministry Mtg
| St. Louis, MO
| 3/11/16
| Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
| High Hill, MO
| 3/12/16
| Worship at St. John UCC
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A Very Special "Thank You"
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We would like to thank one of our Western Association churches for their  recent, and most unexpected, donation to our Conference 2015 OCWM fund. The church, which has chosen to remain anonymous, contributed $2,000 over their expected OCWM amount, and also gave $500 to the Western Association. This small rural church explained they had extra dollars to share in 2015 and wanted to contribute to their Conference and to their Association. This generosity exemplifies the UCC and how, when we work together, form a stronger and closer bond not only to each other but also to God. These dollars will let us continue our good work for not only this church, but for your church as well. Thank you for your generosity, and may God bless you!
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Standing Rules for 2016 CAG
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The 2016 Conference Annual Gathering (CAG) will once again be held at the Holiday  Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO, June 9-11. Below are the Standing Rules and Rules for the Introduction of New Business that have been approved by the MMS Conference Council. Please reference these if you have any new business that you would like us to consider in June. This same information was mailed to all churches back in September along with a letter from Joyce Bathke, Conference Moderator. Another letter was mailed this past week to all churches again, along with the two below documents. Please review the documents explaining the procedures and deadline dates:
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Time is Running Out - Church Yearbook Update
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As of Tuesday, less than 25% of all UCC churches have submitted yearbook information, per the National office. This is a very low percentage. The deadline for all churches to enter yearbook statistics 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.
You may ask, "Why should our/my church care about yearbook reports - what's the big deal each year?" Here are eleven reasons why reporting your annual data is important. Thank you to the following 35 churches in our Conference which have either entered their church statistics into the Data Hub, or have provided us paperwork*! If your UCC church is not listed below, please speak with your pastor, treasurer or church administrator so your church information can be included in the next national UCC yearbook. |
Hermann
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Zion Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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Berger
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Bethany UCC
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MO
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Blackburn
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Saint Paul's Church UCC
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MO
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Chesterfield
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Saint Thomas UCC
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MO
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Bonne Terre
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First Congregational UCC
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MO
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Boonville
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St. Johns Billingsville
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MO
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California
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Salem UCC
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MO
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California
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California UCC
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MO
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DeSoto
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Hope United Church of Christ
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MO
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Foristell
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St. Johns Cappeln UCC
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MO
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Gerald
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Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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Hartsburg
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Peace United Church of Christ
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MO
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Higginsville
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Salem United Church of Christ
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MO
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Jackson
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Emanuel United Church of Christ
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MO
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Jefferson City
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Central UCC
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MO
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Kansas City
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Bethel United Church of Christ
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MO
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Kansas City
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Peace Christian Church
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MO
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Kansas City
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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Marthasville
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Saint Paul's UCC
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MO
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Mayview
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Zion United Church of Christ
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MO
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New Cambria
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United Church of New Cambria
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MO
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Saint Peters
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Grace United Church of Christ
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MO
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Owensville
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Saint James/Charlotte UCC
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MO
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Owensville
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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Pinckney
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Saint John's UCC
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MO
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Saint Charles
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Friedens UCC
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MO
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Saint Clair
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St. John UCC
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MO
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Saint Louis
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Bethany-Peace UCC
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MO
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Saint Louis
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Brentwood Congregational Church
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MO
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Maplewood
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Christ Church, UCC (Maplewood)
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MO
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Sedalia
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Immanuel UCC
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MO
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Warrenton
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Friedens UCC
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MO
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Washington
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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Weldon Spring
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Emmanuel UCC
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MO
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Wentzville
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Faith United Church of Christ
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MO
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*as of 2/24/16The 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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Initial Communications Conference Mailing
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In an effort to be more inclusive and expansive in our communications activity as a Conference, the newly-formed Communications Covenanted Ministry will be instituting an occasional hard-copy mailing to churches, Pastors and Association/Conference leadership. This mailing will be assembled by a volunteer team coordinated by the Communications Covenanted Ministry and distributed 3-4 times/year. The first mailing will be sent on March 15; the current plan is for future mailings to be sent in late August and mid-November, 2016. 
As we coordinate this first mailing, we invite Conference and Association settings to send flyers for inclusion. Examples of the material to be included are Association Spring Meeting flyers and registration information; planned activities by Conference Covenanted Ministries or Association Ministry Teams; information from our ministry partners (Eden Seminary, ECH, Emmaus Homes, etc.); Upcoming Conference/Association Youth Activities, and so on. (Information for inclusion will be limited to Conference/Association events, not local church dinners, trivia nights, etc.)
We will duplicate black and white flyers; these can be emailed to Rev. Rick Oberle (rick@bemchurch.com) or Renee Cordes (renee@mmsucc.org ). At this point we won't be duplicating color flyers, but if you would like to include a color flyer please deliver them to the Conference Office. ALL MATERIAL FOR INCLUSION IN THIS FIRST MAILING MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 9. Any questions about suitable materials for inclusion or distribution quantities for color copies may be directed to Rick or Renee at the above email addresses.
This is just one aspect of a multi-faceted plan by the Communications Covenanted Ministry to enhance Conference Communications. Other new initiatives are being developed this spring for roll-out at the Conference Annual Gathering, and possibly at our Association meetings this spring and fall. Watch the eCourier for more announcements and initiatives as we work towards being ever more inclusive and expansive in our Communications Activity!
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MMS Conference Office Open House, 3/29/16
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The Missouri Mid-South Conference will once again be hosting an Open House on Tuesday, March 29. If you will be on campus that day attending Spring Convocation at Eden Seminary, we encourage you stop by and say hello! Our office is located at 483 E. Lockwood Avenue, Suite 15, St. Louis, MO 63119 - we are in Schultz Hall - Door A. This is a great opportunity to visit and see your Conference office, especially if you have never been here previously. Of course we will have lots of yummy snacks and beverages (what, you thought we wouldn't have food?!) and several of our staffers will also be present. So bring your questions, your smiles and yourselves to our Open House! We look forward to seeing you next month!
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2016 National Youth Event Transportation
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The Missouri Mid-South Conference has chartered a bus for the National Youth Event (NYE) 2016, which will be held at Walt Disney World in Florida. NYE  participants that would like to ride with the conference should email Alysha Petry at apetry@zionunion.org by May 27 to ensure your space is saved. Even if you have already rented vehicles for transportation, please consider this option. There are several benefits to riding down as a group, including getting to know one another as a conference. If we have less than 40 riders, vans may be substituted for the charter bus. Youth and their adult leaders/chaperons will have first priority as riders. The bus departs on Monday, July 25 and will return to the St. Louis area on Sunday, July 31. At this time we expect the price per person to be $200. We are seeking monetary support from our associations and individuals in the conference to help lower the price. Please contact one of the following for questions or more information:
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Spring/Summer Clothing Needed at Shannondale
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The Shannondale Annual Clothing Sale will be held on March 24-26, 2016 at Shannondale in Salem, MO. Pastor Jeff Fulk is requesting donations of spring  and summer clothes, all sizes/all styles, that can be made available at the sale for the folks in the Shannondale community. New and clean items preferred, please. If you, your church or organization would like to donate, you may drop off your clothing items at our St. Louis Conference office. Please call 314-962-8740 prior. If you aren't able to make the trip to our Conference office, please contact Renee and she'll be happy to coordinate a pickup if the location is 60 miles or less from St. Louis area. 314-918-2602. Thank you for your kindness and generosity! Peace and blessings, Jeff Fulk |
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Better Ministry Evaluation
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by Elizabeth Dilley
As the Minister for Ministers in Local Churches for the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization (MESA) ministry team, I regularly receive requests from congregations who want to evaluate their ministers. Some are thrilled  with their pastor's leadership and want to encourage her (and maybe ensure she stays longer!). Some are angry with their pastor's leadership and are looking for an excuse to fire him. Some just think it's a thing they are supposed to do, but they don't know how or why or when.
I love the opportunity to remind people that fundamentally, the goal of evaluating ministry is to affirm ministry and to discern ways for it to grow and thrive in their setting, to bring glory to God's realm. Did you notice the shift from "evaluating the minister" to "evaluating ministry"? That's intentional. Ministry doesn't happen in isolation. It is not something that the minister does on behalf of the church or on behalf of God, but ministry is a shared endeavor among the congregation, the pastoral leadership, and the Holy Spirit.
For that reason, I always make sure to ask a few questions: - Do you have a call agreement with your pastor?
- Do you have a job description for your pastor? Continue article
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Open Door UCC Scholarship Fund
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In 2013, the congregation of Church of the Open Door, United Church of Christ in Webster Groves, Missouri agreed that the proceeds from the sale of the church property go to the Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ. It was further agreed the money would be invested and the earnings would be distributed as follows: one-third to outdoor ministries within the Conference, one-third to theological education (a scholarship for a seminary student from the MMS Conference) and one-third to the Conference operating expenses.
This scholarship was established to utilize the income from this investment. The funds will be disbursed in accordance with the policies and practices of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ. The number of scholarships and the amount of each scholarship may vary for year to year. The MMS Conference Executive Committee (Joyce Bathke, David Mehl, Ken Ulmer and Linda Stenger) will review the scholarship applications and select the scholarship recipients. The names of those selected will be provided in the conference newsletter or eCourier. The selected recipients will be notified of their selection and the amount of the scholarship awarded to them.
Scholarship applications must be submitted to the Conference office by June 1 for consideration for the upcoming school year. Scholarships will be awarded during the summer so funds can be disbursed at the beginning of the fall semester. A student is eligible for the scholarship for a maximum of three years. The scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board, fees and books. The amount awarded will be paid directly to the seminary where the student is enrolled. Further information and application.
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Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
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The Stewards of Children program will increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change child-protective behaviors. This program is for any responsible adult who cares about the welfare of children. It is also appropriate for youth-serving organizations and personnel.
This training is being offered to Zion United Church of Christ in Union, MO and invited guests for NO CHARGE! The event is on Sunday, February 28th from 1-3pm. (Donations will be accepted to cover shipping costs of Interactive Workbooks.) Karen Loesch, Stewards of Children Facilitator will be
Topics Covered:
- Facts about the problem of child sexual abuse
- The types of situations in which child sexual abuse might occur
- Simple, effective strategies for protecting children from sexual abuse
- The importance of talking about the prevention of sexual abuse with children and other adults
- The signs of sexual abuse so that you might intervene and be able to react responsibly
What Outcomes You Can Expect:
- Increased awareness of the prevalence, consequences and circumstances of child sexual abuse
- New skills to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse
- Individual commitment to action via a personal prevention plan
CALL/EMAIL/TEXT TO REGISTER BY February 21, 2016, or confirm your attendance with Alysha Petry, Zion United Church of Christ: apetry@zionunion.org. Event flyer.
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Death Penalty Opposition Discussion
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Come hear a powerful faith story from Jeanne Bishop, sister of a murder victim, who  has come to oppose the death penalty. Bishop is the tenacious woman at the center of this true-life murder story and memoir. In 1990, her sister Nancy and brother-in-law Richard were murdered at their home in an affluent Chicago suburb. Readers follow the unfolding investigation to discover that the murderer is David Biro, a local high school student who had stolen a gun. Biro is sentenced and two decades later Jeanne enters a maximum-security prison, where she's asked a simple question: what is your relationship to the offender? Bishop captivates readers with her deliberate, painful, and utterly authentic story that answers that question. All are welcome - each event below is free.
KANSAS CITY EVENTS - Sunday, March 13
- Southwood UCC, 7904 Raytown Rd. Raytown, MO at Noon
- St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1001 E. 52 St, Kansas City, MO at 2:30
JEFFERSON CITY EVENTS - Monday, March 14:
- Morning Press Conference at the Capitol
- Visits with legislators and state officials
ST. LOUIS EVENT - Monday, March 14
- Eden Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO at 3:00
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Conference Council Opportunities
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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.
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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Next Generation Leadership Initiative Application
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Hopefully you have heard by now about the investment in young transformational leaders and the church of the future through the Next Generation Leadership Initiative. The Pension Boards is seeking to contribute to the greater good by encouraging, equipping and sustaining young clergy for service in local congregations of the United Church of Christ.
Those selected for participating in NGLI will receive...
- Ten years of advanced training and education to hone their pastoral leadership skills and gifts for service to the Church,
- Participation in a cohort of colleagues that encourages, challenges, and reflects together on the life of a local church pastor in the twenty-first century,
- Financial incentive-a $10,000 seed contribution is made to the participant's Annuity Plan account, which should have a value of approximately $75,000 at the end of a 35-year career.
We need your assistance in helping reach the pool of all eligible pastors. We have identified the ideal candidate as:
- 35 years of age or under at the point of admission to NGLI,
- Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference,
- Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish,
- Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting,
- Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ.
Please help the Church by getting the following materials in the hands of any eligible clergy you may know-- notice of intention to apply is due March 7-so don't delay! Application FAQ's Spread the word and be a part of the transformation in this way!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Krista Betz at kbetz@pbucc.org or 800-642-6543 x2716. The website ngli2030.pbucc.org is also a good source of information.
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Contact Us
|  Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ
483 E. Lockwood Avenue, Suite 15, St. Louis, MO 63119-3168
877-877-5884 / 314-962-8740 / 314-918-2160 fax
www.missourimidsouth.org
Email Renee Cordes for future submissions. Not all submissions may be shared in future eCouriers, eConnections or eHappenings.
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In This Issue - 2/26/2016
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Installation of the Rev. Wendy Bruner
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2016 Spring Association Meeting Dates
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Annual Women's & Men's Retreats
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MoVal Christian Music Festival
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Eden Seminary Spring Convocation
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Installation Services for the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
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Conference Staff Birthdays
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