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 brings greetings from Orlando, where she is attending the UCC Stepping Into Stewardship Conference. This is Ginny's first Continuing Education conference as the Missouri Mid-South Conference Minister. Stewardship is about Generosity. The 3 main reasons why a person gives to an organization is: Belief in Mission, Trust in the Leadership, and Fiscal Responsibility.
Ginny invites you to ask your local minister: What Continuing Education opportunity will you be attending this year? The Festival of Preachers? Eden Convocation? DMin studies? Christian Century publication?
When churches give ministers the time and money to attend conferences, you are investing in the health of your congregation, our Missouri Mid-South Conference, and the entire Body of Christ. Woohoo!!!
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Ginny's Schedule
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Location
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Date
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Description
| Kansas City, MO
| 4/3/16
| Worship at St. Peters UCC
| St. Louis, MO
| 4/6/16
| Children's Advocacy Day w/Deaconess Foundation
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St. Louis, MO
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4/7/16
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Young Women Preachers Festival
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St. Louis, MO
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4/8/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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St. Louis, MO
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4/9/16
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Alliance of Baptists Convocation
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Owensville, MO
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4/10/16
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St. Johns (Bem) UCC
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Houston, TX
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4/11-13/16
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Work from home
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Columbia, MO
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4/16/16
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Conference Council Mtg
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St. Louis, MO
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4/17/16
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Worship at Calvary UCC
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New Franklin, MO
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4/23/16
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WA Spring Meeting at Immanuel UCC
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St. Louis, MO
Wentzville, MO
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4/24/16
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Worship at Epiphany UCC
EA Spring Meeting at Faith UCC
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Houston, TX
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4/27-28/16
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Work from home
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4/29/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Dale's Schedule
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Location
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Date
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Description
| Kansas City, MO
| 4/3/16
| Closing worship at St. Peter's UCC
| Lexington, MO
| 4/10/16
| Rev. Deveney's 10th anniversary
| Chicago, IL
| 4/16/16
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Rev. Dr. Dorhauer Installation
| Hermann, MO
| 4/17/16
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Preach at St. Paul's UCC
| Higginsville, MO
| 4/21/16
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Lafayette UCC Women's Gathering
| New Franklin, MO
| 4/23/16
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WA
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Houston, TX
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4/11-13/16
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Work from home
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Columbia, MO
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4/16/16
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Conference Council Mtg
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St. Louis, MO
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4/17/16
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Worship at Calvary UCC
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New Franklin, MO
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4/23/16
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WA Spring Meeting at Immanuel UCC
| Billingsville, MO
| 4/24/16
| St. Johns UCC 150th anniversary
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FINAL (Final) UCC Yearbook Update
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Thank you to the following 111 churches which provided yearbook statistics to be shared on the national level. We were able to add a few more churches at the very last minute, so below is the absolute final, final tally for our Conference. The breakout by Association is:
Eastern Association - 41 churches (Way to hang onto the lead, EA!)
St. Louis Association - 40 churches
Western Association - 30 churches
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City
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Name
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State
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ASSOC
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Little Rock
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Faith United Church of Christ
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AR
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440
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Arnold
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Saint Mark UCC
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MO
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440
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Hermann
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Zion Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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436
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Owensville
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Saint John's UCC
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MO
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436
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Berger
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Bethany UCC
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MO
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436
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Augusta
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Ebenezer UCC
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MO
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436
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Hermann
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Zion Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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436
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Billings
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Saint Peter's Evangelical UCC
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MO
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444
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Blackburn
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Saint Paul's Church UCC
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MO
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444
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Owensville
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Saint John's (Bem)
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MO
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436
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Bonne Terre
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First Congregational United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Boonville
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Saint Johns United Church of Christ of Billingsville
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MO
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444
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Mc Girk
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Salem United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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California
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United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Chamois
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Saint John UCC
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MO
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436
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Chesterfield
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Ivy Chapel UCC
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MO
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440
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Chesterfield
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Saint John's UCC
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MO
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440
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Chesterfield
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Saint Thomas UCC
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MO
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440
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Columbia
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United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Cosby
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Hope United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Deepwater
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Valley Center UCC
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MO
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444
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Defiance
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Saint Paul's UCC
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MO
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436
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DeSoto
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Hope United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Emma
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Saint John UCC
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MO
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444
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Florence
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Saint John UCC
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MO
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444
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Florissant
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Church of the Master UCC
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MO
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440
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Florissant
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Christ the King United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Florissant
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Zion United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Foristell
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Saint John's/Cappeln UCC
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MO
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436
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Fulton
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Fulton United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Gerald
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Ebenezer Stone UCC
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MO
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436
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Gerald
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Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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436
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Grandin
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First Congregational UCC Grandin
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MO
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436
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Grand Pass
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Saint Luke UCC
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MO
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444
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Hartsburg
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Peace United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Hermann
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Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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436
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Higginsville
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Salem United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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High Hill
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Saint John's UCC
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MO
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436
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High Ridge
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Saint Martin UCC
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MO
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440
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Imperial
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Saint Luke's UCC
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MO
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440
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Marthasville
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Immanuels UCC
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MO
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436
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Independence
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Saint Luke's UCC
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MO
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444
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Jackson
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Emanuel United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Jefferson City
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Central United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Kansas City
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Bethel United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Kansas City
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Country Club Congregational UCC
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MO
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444
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Kansas City
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Peace Christian Church
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MO
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444
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Kansas City
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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444
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Labadie
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Pilgrim United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Lebanon
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First Congregational UCC
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MO
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444
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Leslie
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St. John UCC Casco
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MO
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436
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Levasy
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Ebenezer UCC
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MO
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444
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Lexington
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Trinity UCC
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MO
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444
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Manchester
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Saint John UCC
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MO
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440
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Marthasville
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Saint Paul's UCC
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MO
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436
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Mayview
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Zion United Church of Christ
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MO
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444
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Morrison
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Saint James UCC
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MO
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436
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New Cambria
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United Church of New Cambria
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MO
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444
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New Franklin
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Immanuel UCC
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MO
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444
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New Haven
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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436
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New Melle
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Friedens Peace UCC
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MO
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436
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Saint Peters
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Grace United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Old Monroe
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Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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436
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Owensville
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Saint James/Charlotte UCC
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MO
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436
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Owensville
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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436
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Pershing
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Zion-Saint Peter UCC
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MO
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436
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Pinckney
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Saint John's UCC
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MO
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436
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Poplar Bluff
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New Life Christian United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Raytown
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Southwood UCC
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MO
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444
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Ryors
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Ebenezer Ryors UCC
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MO
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436
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Saint Charles
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Friedens UCC
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MO
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436
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Saint Charles
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Good Shepherd UCC
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MO
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436
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Saint Charles
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Saint John UCC
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MO
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436
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Saint Clair
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Saint John UCC
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MO
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436
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Saint Joseph
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Zion UCC
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MO
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444
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Saint Louis
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Bethany-Peace UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Brentwood Congregational Church
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Calvary UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Carondelet UCC
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MO
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440
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Maplewood
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Christ Church, UCC (Maplewood)
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MO
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440
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Affton
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Eden United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Epiphany UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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First Congregational Church of Saint Louis UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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First Congregational Church of Webster Groves
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Grace United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Glory to Glory Christian Church
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Hope United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Ferguson
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Immanuel/Ferguson UCC
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MO
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440
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Kirkwood
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Kirkwood UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Mount Tabor UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Parkway United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Peace United Church of Christ (Webster Groves)
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Pilgrim United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Saint John's Evangelical UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Saint Lucas UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Saint Paul UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Saint Paul's UCC (Oakville)
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Prince of Peace United Church of Christ
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MO
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440
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Ferguson
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Saint Peter's Evangelical UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Saint Philips UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Saint John's Church (North Grand) UCC
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MO
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440
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Saint Louis
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Samuel UCC
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MO
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440
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Sedalia
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Immanuel UCC
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MO
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444
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Springfield
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Saint John's Chapel UCC
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MO
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444
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Troy
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Zion United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Union
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Zion United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Warrenton
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Friedens UCC
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MO
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436
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Washington
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Saint Peter's UCC
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MO
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436
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Weldon Spring
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Emmanuel United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Weldon Spring
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St. John United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Wentzville
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Faith United Church of Christ
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MO
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436
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Printable list
Renee
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CIIMs Meeting, 4/5/16
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Collegium for Intentional Interim Ministers (CIIMs) 
Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 5th
Place: First Congregational-Webster Groves
Time: 1:00pm (we do gather a little earlier to share lunch)
There will be a special topic presentation by Rev. Frank Proctor. Please plan to join us. If there are any questions, please call any member of the Steering Committee:
Rodger Kiepe, 573-619-9692
Mark Strothmann, 314-779-6940
Felicia Scott, 314-239-9314
Come. All are welcome here.
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Dinner with UCC/DOC Missionary Elena Huegel
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On Wednesday, May 4, you are invited to share dinner and conversation with Global Ministries missionary Elena Huegel at Country Club Congregational UCC, 205 West 65th St, Kansas City, MO 64133. Huegel has served 20 years in Chile as a missionary from Global Ministries, which is the joint international missions agency of the United  Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. While in Chile, Huegel has worked at the Shalom Center, a non-profit foundation of the Pentecostal Church of Chile (IPC), a long-standing Global Ministries partner.
The Shalom Center's mission is "to create a safe space through learning for transformation to facilitate peace education, environmental education and spiritual development in an integral way, and so strengthen the dignity and resilience of individuals and communities within the Pentecostal Church of Chile and society at the national and international levels." Her work has often involved working with individuals and groups persecuted under the Pinochet dictatorship. Come learn about Elena Huegal's experiences working for peace and justice in mutual partnership with Christians in Chile.
Read more about the work of Global Ministries:
Read more about the Shalom Center:
Read Elena's blog in English: http://www.globalministries.org/
Elena will be speaking at several DOC churches across Missouri during April and May. Visit the Mid-America website for all of Elena's dates: 4/24-Orrick Christian Church 4/24-Burlington Junction Christian Church 4/25-Central Christian Church Moberly 4/25-Carrolton Christian Church 5/1-First Christian Church Maryville 5/4-St. Joseph 5/4-Country Club Congregational UCC KCMO
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MoVal Counselor Training
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Are you thinking about summer 2016 yet? It is coming up quick! We are looking for male and female counselors for all age ranges of campers. Our camp sessions that need  counselors start May 31st through August 6th, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to come serve at MoVal! The training dates for NEW counselors:
On April 9th and April 23rd, refresher courses will be held for counselors who served in 2015.
Please contact mariah.moval@mmsucc.org if you are interested in counseling and to sign up for a training date. You must attend a training date in order to volunteer with MoVal campers. We look forward to seeing you this summer at Camp MoVal!
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Festival of Young (Women) Preachers Event
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You are invited to join the Alliance of Baptists
on April 7, 2016 in St. Louis, at Eden Theological Seminary!
The event is inspired by the work of the Academy of Preachers (AoP), which has existed since 2009 "to identify, network, support, and inspire young people in their call to Gospel preaching."
We will spend the morning learning from plenary and discussion leaders, as well as from one another, as we explore the work of preaching and ministry. The afternoon will be spent in preaching sessions during which each young  preacher will have the opportunity to share a sermon connecting with the theme of the Alliance's Annual Gathering: Bearing in Courage, Rooted in Hope.
While the focus of the Annual Gathering and our preaching festival will largely be the joys and struggles of the journey for women in ministry, men and women alike (up to age 35; students, church staff members, or new to the work of preaching) are invited to participate.
Young preachers are asked to invite a mentor who will help them to prepare for the event, and will also receive feedback from a preaching coach following the afternoon preaching sessions.
Note: Others who will be in St. Louis for the Alliance's Annual Gathering and who would like to show their support for these young preachers and their mentors are welcome to attend the Festival as well. Please choose the "Guest" option on the registration form.
To learn more about our time together, including accommodations, schedule and preaching texts, click here.
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ONA Rainbow Contest
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More and more ONA churches are showing their pride by displaying rainbow signs,  flags or banners outside their church. ONA churches that are visible in their community are churches that can grow!
Look at the entries so far in our churchwide ONA Rainbow Sign Contest if you want to be inspired, and download our Evangelism tools for ideas that will help your church connect with your LGBTQ neighbors!
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Mission Funds Available from Outreach SLA
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It is pleasure to serve you in supporting your work in caring for those in our  community. The Outreach Committee in dialogue with the St. Louis Association Council is working to provide support to mission agencies and new multi- church outreach projects. We are giving preference to existing mission agencies that are closely aligned with the St. Louis Association and new multi-congregational UCC mission projects through one time grants. Please review the criteria before submitting an application, which is due April 15, 2016. Click here to read entire letter/criteria and here for application |
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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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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 recently mailed to all churches again, along with the two below documents. Please review the documents explaining the procedures and deadline dates:
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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. Further information and application.
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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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The Rev. Jimmy Watson Installation Service
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The Rev. Jacob DeNap Installation Service
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The Rev. Catherine Jurgens Installation Service
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Annual Women's & Men's Retreats
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2016 Spring Association Meeting Dates
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MOFESTIVAL
Christian Music Festival
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UCC Shares Open Invitation to Three Installation Services for the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
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Conference Staff Birthdays
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