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 shares the gift she gave the Missouri Mid-South Conferene at her Installation Service, which are 2 copper bowls. A larger bowl will remain in the Conference Office (sometimes in St. Louis and sometimes in the Kansas City area). This bowl represents the body of Christ that is the Missouri Mid-South Conference. I have a smaller copper bowl that I will take with me every time i worship at a local church in the Missouri Mid-South Conference. This bowl will represent the Living Waters of that church and its connection to the Living Waters of the Missouri Mid-South Conference.
As water offers us rich symbolism of God's presence with us, this Living Water will remind us of God's playfulness, God's nourishment, God's re-creation, and God's sustenance through God's Love.
What are the ways we are called to be the vessel of God's Living Water? In our church sanctuary? In the food pantry? At the Pride Festival? What are the ways we are called to be God's Living Water? In our Worship? Meetings? Service? Extravagant Hospitality? In all that we do, may we feel God's Living Waters among us. This day and forevermore. 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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6/24-7/9/16
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Vacation to Germany
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Augusta, MO
| 7/10/16
| Worship at Ebenezer UCC
| Salem, MO
| 7/17/16
| Worship at Shannondale UCC
| Houston, TX
| 7/21/16
| Work from Houston
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| 7/22/16
| Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
| Memphis, TN
| 7/24/16
| Worship at First Congregational UCC
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Orlando, FL
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7/26-29/16
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National Youth Event
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Ginny will be using vacation and continuing education time to travel to Germany with her husband, David. She will be gone on Friday, June 24 and return to the  office on Saturday, July 9. If you have an emergency, please call Renee Cordes at the Conference office at 314-918-2602, or email renee@mmsucc.org. If you or your church has a ministry emergency, please contact the Rev. Tyler Connoley, Sabbatical Associate Conference Minister at 575-956-3316, or email tyler@mmsucc.org.
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Reintroducing Rev. Tyler Connoley
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As many of you know, our Associate Conference Minister, the Rev. Dale
Parson, will be going on vacation June 24 to June 30 and then onto his 4-month sabbatical beginning July 1 through October 31. We are so grateful for the opportunities Dale will have to rest, read, and 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, the Rev. Tyler Connoley, who will minister with us. Tyler's background was shared with you back in April, but we wanted to reintroduce him and also welcome him once again to our Conference!
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.
Education
- M.Div., Earlham School of Religion, 2009
- M.A. Religion, Earlham School of Religion, 2002
- B.S. Business and Economics, Indiana Wesleyan University, 1993
Ministry History
- Pastor, Silver City United Church of Christ, 2012-2015
- Immigrant Care Coordinator, Southwest Conference UCC, 2014-2015
- Chaplain, Gila Regional Hospice, 2009-2014
- Volunteer Coordinator, Gila Regional Hospice, 2009-2011
- Volunteer and Student Chaplain, United Campus Ministry, 2006-2009
- Acting Licensed Minister, Valley Community Church, 2006
Administration and Leadership
- Took a progressive Christian community in Grant County from initial formation to stability in three years, founding Silver City UCC, a thriving post-modern community.
- Built, trained, and motivated a team of twenty-plus volunteers for Gila Regional Hospice.
- Inspired young adults to personal growth and social action as volunteer and Chaplain at Western New Mexico University's United Campus Ministry.
- Provided leadership to multiple local and national organizations as a board member, including a stint on the Executive Committee of Wider Church Ministries during its transition to the UCCB.
Tyler will be working from St. Luke's UCC in Independence, and occasionally from our Conference office in St. Louis. Please use the below contact information to reach him over the next 4 months:
Cell Phone: 575-956-3316
USPS Mail: St. Luke's UCC, 727 N. Main St., Independence, MO 64050
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Tyler's Schedule
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Location
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Date
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Description
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6/27/16
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Out/Tyler's Sabbath Day
| St. Louis, MO
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6/28-7/1/16
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Visits in SLA
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7/4/16
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Holiday-Conference Office Closed
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Independence, MO
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7/5/16
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Return to WA
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Washington, MO
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7/10/16
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Meeting: Search & Call
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Blue Springs, MO
| 7/12/16
| Blue Springs Terrace Board Mtg.
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| 7/25/16
| Lafayette Cluster Meeting
| Salem, MO
| 7/25-29/16
| Shannondale Native Craft Workshop
| Blue Springs, MO
| 7/31/16
| Blue Springs Terrace Building 305 Dedication
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Rev. Dale Parson - Time for Sabbatical
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The "blessing for sabbatical" that concluded our 2016 Conference Annual Gathering in Columbia shall always be remembered with abundant gratitude and joy! The words of farewell and sending forth shall be carried with me as I begin this sabbatical time of renewal, reflection and re-creation. The support of our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel, the Conference Council and indeed the entire Conference are deeply appreciated. 
My sabbatical focus might be described as "The Third Third of Life." Sabbatical will be a time to ponder, pray and prepare for the future. There will be some travel and study and writing, as well as re-connecting with family and friends. The sabbatical time will begin with a trip to Spain and Italy, experiencing the magnificent art, architecture and culture in these countries. This third-third-of-life sabbatical will provide opportunities for renewal of mind, body and spirit.
I already anticipate returning in the fall with new energy, strength and purposefulness for this ministry we share together. As I leave for sabbatical, it is clear that the Missouri Mid-South Conference is healthy and vital. There are amazing leaders across the Conference! Working with Rev. Tyler Connoley (who will be my "sabbatical replacement") is helping to make the transition into sabbatical mode. His leadership and presence are much-appreciated.
As the Conference Annual Gathering concluded, all sang with great feeling the old hymn, "I'll Fly Away." Of course, there was the apparent suggestion of literally flying away and leaving for sabbatical. But there was a deeper, underlying truth. In the midst of all our striving and living we are held in the palm of God's hand. Gathered or scattered, we can trust in the presence, love and care of a God who journeys with us. Always.
I am honored, humbled and privileged to have journeyed with you for twenty years! During my absence, I shall hold in love and thought and prayer each one of the Missouri Mid-South Conference.
Dale
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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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6/24-30/16
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Vacation
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7/1-10/31/16
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Sabbatical
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MMS Fall Association Meetings
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While it's difficult to think about the fall during the dog days of summer, now is the time to mark your calendars for the upcoming fall Association meetings: 
The Eastern Association Fall business meeting will be held on Saturday, September 24th and hosted by Emanuel UCC in Jackson, MO. 11 am lunch and meeting 1-3 pm. More information to follow.
The Fall Business Meeting of the St. Louis Association will be held on Saturday, September 24 beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ in Chesterfield, Missouri. More details will be announced later. The Western Association Fall Gathering will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 10am to 3pm at Southwood UCC in Raytown, MO. More to follow.
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EA Mission Immersion Experience
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Six members of the Eastern Association are currently participating in a Mission Immersion Experience in Chiapas, Mexico! Pictured are Dr. Lee Parks, from Zion UCC Union; Ken Schlottach from St. James UCC, Charlotte; Linda Adams from Ebenezer "Stone" UCC, Gerald; Rev. Rick Oberle from St. John's, Bem UCC,  Owensville; Audrey Freitag from St. Peter's UCC, New Haven; Rev. Michael Kasevich from St. Paul UCC, Old Monroe; and their interpreter, Joel Durant from Switzerland who is currently serving a one-year missionary appointment in Chiapas.
While in Chiapas, the delegation is working with Global Ministries mission partner INESIN (Institute for Intercultural Studies and Research-translated). INESIN works to promote peace in an area of Mexico that suffers under systemic oppression and cultural biases afflicted upon them by 500 years of European and United States colonialism. This work is done through workshops that teach life skills while sharing a philosophy of peace and reconciliation. The many programs of INESIN are intended to bring the indigenous people of the area together with a mutual respect for each other, the opportunities present in God's Creation, and the understanding that they are valued children of God no matter who they are. INESIN was founded in 1995 by United Church of Christ clergy, working with Bishop Samuel Ruiz of Chiapas.
This delegation, led by Rev. Oberle, is part of an ongoing ministry with INESIN that originated out of the passion articulated by Lindsey Mercer, a Bem Church member who spent three years at INESIN working for Global Ministries. An ongoing project of this ministry is the construction of a multi-purpose facility at INESIN designed to increase their capacity for outreach and promote institutional strength for the organization. This project is nearing completion, and this week the delegation from Missouri is working to put the roof on the building. They have been raising funds to make this construction possible; an estimated $10,000 is still needed to complete the project. Once completed, the ministry impact of INESIN in this community is expected to quadruple.
Please keep this delegation in your prayers as their work continues! More information can be found on the Bem Church website:
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NYE Bus Transportation Update
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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. Registered NYE participants that would like to ride with the conference should email Alysha Petry ASAP at apetry@zionunion.org. We have room for ten more riders. Please consider riding the bus even if you have arranged other transportation.
There are several benefits to riding down as a group, inclu ding getting to know one another as a conference. The bus departs on the evening of Monday, July 25 and will return to the St. Louis area Sunday evening, July 31.
The total cost per person to ride the bus is $200 thanks to the support of the Conference and Eastern, St. Louis, and Western Associations!
Please contact one of the following for questions or more information:
T-SHIRT INFO - We have the opportunity to show our Missouri Mid-South pride with NYE t-shirts. Cathy Pettibone sent t-shirt information to congregations attending NYE. Please contact Cathy (cathypettibone@gmail.com) if you did not receive information about ordering shirts. The deadline to order shirts is Tuesday, July 5th.
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National Church Leadership Initiative Event
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August 9-11, 2016 Atlanta, GA #NCLI2016 We believe your church's best days are ahead. Make your future now at NCLI2016! SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Skill Development Tracks are the core of NCLI16. Each attendee will be part of one of these high quality, professionally curated tracks. NCLI16 will help you develop skills to be the most effective church leader you can be. Whether you are a clergy or lay leader these tracks will provide a top-notch level of instruction, coaching, and take-aways for your leadership growth. Each Skill Development Track is led by a CPR team member and will connect you with the country's leading church innovators and practitioners. Read More.NCLIve NCLIve are talk-show style sessions hosted by Doug Pagitt and will include interviews with top church and non-profit leaders from across the country. These fun and insightful sessions will include music, stories, fun, and inspiration that will energized and refreshed you for the next stage of your church's journey. Read More.The CPR faculty is excited to connect with you and build an exciting learning community! Come hear Carol Howard-Merritt, Doug Pagitt, Cameron Trimble, Gregg Carlson, Chris Davies, and more! And there is a limited scholarship fund for UCCer's only (members and clergy) which makes registration only $100! Sign up here. Register NOW |
Member In Discernment Event
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August 17-19, 2016
Cleveland, OH The Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization (MESA) Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ invites Members in Discernment (MIDs) to gather in the Church House in Cleveland, Ohio for networking, mutual support, sharing  resources and information, and inspiring worship. The Gathering is for anyone who is officially a MID with a local association for any form of authorized ministry - licensed, commissioned, and ordained. The purpose of the experience is to introduce MIDs within the UCC to the national setting of the Church and to build a foundation for vital relationships with lifelong partners in ministry. The event begins with worship in the Amistad Chapel at noon on Wednesday and concludes with lunch on Friday. The majority of the costs of this event are underwritten by contributions to the United Church of Christ. Individual MIDs and their Associations are asked to contribute $100 each (for a total of $200) toward the cost of the event.Since space is limited to 50 MIDs per year, an individual MID may only participate in this gathering once during their process of discernment.
Be watching the website (http://www.ucc.org/ministers_considering-ministry) for more information and for the Registration Link, which will be available in Spring 2016.
Questions? Please contact Rev. Kathy Clark, Minister for Members in Discernment at clarkk@ucc.org. Event flyer. |
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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 - 6/24/2016
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2016-17 Worship & Preach Schedule for Ginny
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Weekly Podcast by the Rev. John Dorhauer
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African American Women in Ministry Event
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