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
| Ginny returns to the Conference Ministry Theme, "Gathering at Our Table," as she speaks from her kitchen table in Texas. She shares that at the spring meetings for the Western and Eastern Associations, Ginny presented a powerpoint entitled, "Gathering at Our Table of Generosity." Too often we don't like to talk about money in church. But if God created us to be generous people, shouldn't we celebrate all the opportunities we have to help our church and conference make a difference in the world by giving generously from what we have been given?
Ginny shares the examples at the Western Association where the host church, Immanuel UCC in New Franklin, MO, shared that the money they received from the association's offering would all be given to an area ministry outside of the UCC or Immanuel Church. Woohoo! The JRD Marshallese Church taught us how to be spontaneous in our generosity by introducing a dance they practice where everyone moves around the sanctuary so that everyone can join together in giving of their money. All of the money from that spontaneous dance was given to Our Church's Wider Mission offering of the United Church of Christ.
The United Church of Christ makes a difference in people's lives through its extravagant hospitality! We have the opportunity to inspire generosity in all of the diverse churches of the Missouri Mid-South Conference! Woohoo! Let us live into who God created us to be as generous people! Amen.
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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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4/29/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
| St. Louis, MO
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5/1/16
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Worship at Christ Church (Maplewood)
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St. Louis, MO
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5/5/16
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SLA Spring Meeting at Eden Seminary
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5/6/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Jackson, MO
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5/8/16
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Worship at Emanuel UCC
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St. Louis, MO
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5/9/16
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SLA Ministerium
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St. Louis, MO
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5/13/16
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Speaking at Eden's Baccalaureate
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5/14/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Memphis, TN
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5/15/16
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Worship at Holy Trinity UCC
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Houston, TX
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5/16-21/16
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Work from Houston
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5/20/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Columbia, MO
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5/21/16
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Search & Call Steward Training
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St. Clair, MO
St. Charles, MO
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5/22/16
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Worship at St. John UCC
Installation of Rev. Lisa Martin at St. John UCC
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Kansas City, MO
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5/23-25/16
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Meetings
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5/26/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Cleveland, OH
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5/27/16
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MESA Training
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Weldon Springs, MO
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5/29/16
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Worship at Immanuel UCC
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5/30/16
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Office Closed;Memorial Day
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Dale's Schedule
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Location
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Date
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Description
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Troy, MO
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5/1/16
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Worship at Zion UCC
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5/2-3/16
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Community of Practice
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Raytown, MO
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5/15/16
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James Fuller Ordination
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Higginsville, MO
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5/16/16
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WA CoM Meeting
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Washington, MO
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5/17/16
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St. Peter's UCC Meeting
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Columbia, MO
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5/21/16
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Search & Call Steward Training
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5/23/16
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Community of Practice
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5/30/15
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Office Closed;Memorial Day
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2016 Conference Annual Gathering, REGISTER!
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Registration for the Conference Annual Gathering is NOW OPEN!
Our 2016 theme is
"Gathering at Our Table...For Such a Time as This 3.0!"
Date: Thursday, June 9 - Saturday, June 11, 2016 Location: The Holiday Inn Executive Center, Columbia MOThe 2016 CAG schedule is now available here. Please use the below form to register for the event, which may be completed on your computer: CAG REGISTRATION FORM (Word) If you prefer to fill out your registration by hand, please use the below form to print and complete: As in year's past, we are offering several registration options with various pricing for your convenience. Everyone attending CAG must register through the MMS Conference office. To pay for your CAG registration online with a credit card, please visit our secure website partner - Vanco Services. This same link may also be found on the homepage of our Conference website. Click the link in the upper right hand corner - "Click here to Donate or Register for an Event." To make your hotel reservation at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, please click here. This link is preset with the discounted group code of CJ6 (don't change or remove) and hotel rate of $102.95 per night during CAG. If you use another website or link to make your reservation, the discounted price cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to call the hotel to make your reservation, please use their local number 573-445-8531, and mention UCC. If you use a toll-free number for the hotel, the discounted rate cannot be guaranteed. The registration deadline is Wednesday, June 1st! Please be respectful of this date as meal counts need to be shared with the Holiday Inn. Registrations received June 2 or later will be charged a late fee, as stated on the form. All of the above information may also be found on the 2016 Conference Annual Gathering website page of our Conference website.See the Clergy of Color event details here. If you are interested in attending the event as a table vendor, please use the following forms, or contact Renee Cordes: Letter of invitationRegistration formWe look forward to gathering together in Columbia, MO this June! Printable flyer to share at your church or at your upcoming Association meetings.
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The Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel Installation
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Strengthen the Church Offering, May 15
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Strengthen The Church (STC) is a special mission offering to reimagine and build the future of the UCC. Shared at the conference and national levels, STC largely supports youth ministries and full-time leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard. As God calls our congregations to be the "church" in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults. STC funds will also be used to award grants to help congregations communicate the "God is still speaking," message. Most congregations will receive the STC offering on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2016
Promotional items for the 2016 offering
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St. Johns UCC Billingsville - 150th Anniversary
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It was a beautiful and spiritual celebration on Sunday, April 25 at St. Johns UCC Billingsville in Boonville, MO - they celebrated their 150th anniversary! Congratulations to this wonderful church and congregation in our Western Association. The Rev. Dale Parson and Mr. Ron Wendle attended to represent our Conference and the Western Association. Thank you to Rev. Jim Elliott for providing the below photos.
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International Emergency Relief Fund
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UCC Disaster Ministries authorized a $15,000 grant to support the work of our ACT Alliance partners in Ecuador. This is in addition to the $2,500 grant that was sent to FEDICE, a Global Ministries partner, for early response work. Our partners are engaged in early recovery work such as food distribution, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene), NFI (non-food items), shelter and community based psycho-social support.
Giving to support our response to the Ecuador and/or Japan Earthquakes should be directed towards the International Emergency Relief Fund, please see below.
Natural and Human-Caused Disasters affect millions of people worldwide every year. Millions of others are forcibly displaced either within or beyond their national borders. UCC Disaster Ministries and UCC Refugee Ministries are well positioned to respond in most parts of the world through our longstanding partnerships and connections. Donations to the International Emergency Relief Fund enable the United Church of Christ to support refugee emergencies as well as disaster relief efforts, long-term rehabilitation, advocacy and sustainability efforts.
If you prefer to donate by mail, make checks payable to International Emergency Relief Fund. Mail to: United Church of Christ c/o Financial Services office, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
Undesignated giving allows the United Church of Christ to respond where resources are needed most but if you prefer to designate your gift you may do so by noting the disaster or refugee emergency in the designated box on the online form or in the memo line of the check. Donate online.
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eConnection Update - Death of Rev. James Konrad
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Yesterday we shared the notice of Rev. James (Jim) Konrad's passing on Monday, April 25, 2016 in Washington, MO due to complications of Parkinson's disease. He was an authorized minister within the Eastern Association of our Conference. Please see further details below regarding the memorial service:
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 14, at St. Peter's UCC, 20th E. Fifth St, Washington, MO 63090. The family will be available at 9:30 am to greet visitors in the Atrium at St. Peter's UCC. Immediately following the service a light lunch will be served, which will include pie - Jim's very favorite dessert.
Please keep Jim's wife, Ruth, and the entire Konrad family in your prayers during this time.
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Health Updates - Rayla Hogue and Nylin Bathke
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Our prayers for healing and encouragement continue with Rev. Rayla Hogue and her family as she has been diagnosed with colon cancer. She will be undergoing continued treatment for managing her recurring chronic illness. Rayla is pastor of St. John's UCC, Chamois, and Chamois United Methodist Church. We also hold in prayer her husband, Rev. Jim Hogue, and their son, Jimtu, in these days.
Mr. Nylin Bathke came through heart surgery earlier this week like a champ! He was taken off the ventilator the very next day and is already up and walking the hospital halls for exercise. Joyce and Nylin's son, Kevin, was admitted to a different hospital this week for gall bladder removal surgery. We wish them both healthy and speedy recoveries. Please keep the entire Bathke family in your prayers.
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UCC Culture of Giving Survey
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Greetings! The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback on various items related to giving patterns in the United Church of Christ. In 2015, the UCC Board of Directors formed the Task Force on Giving to review giving across the denomination and to recommend ways to improve and enhance giving throughout the UCC.
To that end, we are seeking your wisdom, ideas, thoughts, and general feedback on giving patterns in the UCC. Your responses to the survey will remain anonymous; however, at the end of the survey, you will have the option to provide your contact information in order to enter a drawing for a chance to win an iPad or to opt-in to participate in this process in other ways. Your contact information will not be used in any other way beyond the purpose(s) you indicate. Your feedback will be considered carefully by the Task Force in coming months and will contribute to recommendations that will be presented to the UCC Board in the fall. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Please provide us with your feedback no later than tomorrow - Saturday, April 30, 2016. If you have questions or additional comments, please contact [email protected]. We greatly appreciate your time and effort in completing this survey! Take survey NOW
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Installation of the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, UCC GMP
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When the United Church of Christ gathered to install the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer as General Minister and President, the entire church was able to participate in the services - in person or by live-streaming. It was a wonderful and spirit-filled three days The first opportunity took place at Riverside UCC, New York, on April 15 th; the second at Trinity UCC, Chicago on April 16 th; and the third service at Plymouth UCC, Seattle on April 17 th. Each gathering celebrated the covenant relationship with John and others in the United Church of Christ. The below video captures the spirit and joy of each day. You may also watch the video from the UCC website homepage.
| Watch the Installation services
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Several persons from Missouri Mid-South Conference participated in the Saturday service in Chicago. Rev. David Lyon, Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke's UCC, Independence, led the prayer of invocation. Rev. Heather Arcovitch, Senior Pastor of First Congregational UCC, St. Louis, was one of three preachers on this day. Heather spoke of the UCC being a church of "firsts", a people of the comma. She also encouraged the gathering in our sometimes "messy" and "painful" diversity to be a church of the ampersand, as we continue to engage the church and world in transformation and witness. Also attending from the Conference: Mr. Nesa Joseph, President and CEO of Visiting Nurse Association; Rev. Jake DeNap, Associate Pastor of First Congregational UCC, St. Louis ;and Rev. Dale Parson, Associate Conference Minister. -submitted by Dale Parson
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l-r, Rev. David Lyon, Rev. Jacob DeNap, Rev. Dale Parson, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Rev. Heather Arcovitch and Mr. Nesa Joseph.
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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 [email protected] 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:
- St. Louis Association: Andrea Tukin [email protected], St. Phillips UCC, St. Louis MO
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Rev. Dale Parson's Anniversary/Sabbatical - Rev. Tyler Connoley's Introduction
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As many of you know, our Associate Conference Minister, the Rev. Dale
Parson, will be celebrating his 20th anniversary of ministry with us this year! Woohoo!
Dale will be going on his 4-month sabbatical beginning July 1 through October 31. We are so grateful for the opportunities Dale will have to rest, read, engage his ministry so that he can return to us refreshed in our ministry together! During Dale's sabbatical, the conference will have a Sabbatical Associate Conference Minister, who will minister with us.
At their meeting last week, the MMS Conference Council approved Ginny's recommendation to hire the Rev. Tyler Connoley as the Sabbatical Associate Conference Minister.
Tyler came from the Southwest Conference where he served on the conference staff with the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer. Tyler will live in the Western Association 4 days out of the week in order to minister with the Western Association. As Dale has been actively involved in the Church Vitality Covenanted Ministry Team, Tyler will also assume those responsibilities, where he brings conference knowledge and personal experience to the areas of churches in transition and decline as well as church starts.
Tyler attended the WA and EA association spring meetings last weekend to introduce himself to the Missouri Mid-South Conference, and he will be at the SLA meeting on May 5. Dale will train Tyler beginning Monday, June 13. Congratulations, Dale, to our 20th anniversary of ministry together! And welcome, Tyler as our Sabbatical Associate Conference Minister!
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Annual Clergy Information Review Forms
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On Friday, April 15th, the annual Information Review 2015 forms were sent to all authorized clergy within our Conference. The majority received the form via email, which can easily be completed on your computer. For those without an active email address, the form was mailed to your home/church. This annual form is required for all clergy, both active and retired, in order to maintain your standing within the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC.
You may also find your respective Association form below: Eastern Association IR form St. Louis Association IR form Western Association IR form
The Minister Codes for your review: Ordained Licensed Commissioned
As you are aware, "All Authorized Ministers are expected to participate in....Information Reviews in order to maintain their authorization" (United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry, Section 8, page 9). This instrument is a means for ministers to not only participate in the Information Review process, but to update your personal contact information, and to remain in touch with each of you. If you have any questions regarding the form or code, please contact your Committee on Ministry. Your annual Information Review form is due to our Conference office by Monday, May 16, 2016.
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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 - 4/29/2016
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2016 Spring Association Meeting Date
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- Thursday, May 5 - St. Louis Association, Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, MO. Registration.
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Ordination of James Fuller, Jr.
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Installation of the Rev. Lisa Martin
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Camp MoVal Event - Youth Leaders Turn Youth
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Every Child's Hope Luncheon & Bake Sale
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Emmaus Homes - Marthasville Update
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