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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Troublesome Times
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Jeff Fulk, Minister and Manager of Shannondale Community Center UCC, brings us words of wisdom today from a beautiful place of peace and serenity, Troublesome Holla. We need to find beauty in our world of trouble. It's up to each of us. We are all called to be ministers and find the calm, patience and understanding. Jeff invites us to "Come apart and rest awhile."
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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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Augusta, MO
| 7/10/16
| Worship at Ebenezer UCC
| Salem, MO
| 7/17/16
| Worship at Shannondale UCC
| Houston, TX
| 7/20-21/16
| 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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8/5/16
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
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Rev. Tyler Connoley's Contact Info
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As many of you know, our Associate Conference Minister, the Rev. Dale
Parson, was on vacation June 24 to June 30 and then onto his 4-month sabbatical that began July 1 through October 31. During Dale's sabbatical, the conference will have a Sabbatical Associate Conference  Minister, the Rev. Tyler Connoley, who will minister with us.
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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Washington, MO
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7/10/16
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Meeting: Search & Call
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7/11/16
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Out/Tyler's Sabbath Day
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Independence, MO
| 7/12-15/16
| Visits in WA
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Blue Springs, MO
| 7/12/16
| Blue Springs Terrace Board Mtg
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| 7/18/16
| Out/Tyler's Sabbath Day
| Union, MO
| 7/22/16
| Visit with MoVal Staff
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| 7/25/16
| Lafayette Cluster Meeting
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| 7/26/16
| Out/Tyler's Sabbath Day
| Salem, MO
| 7/28-29/16
| Shannondale Native Craft Workshop
| Blue Springs, MO
| 7/31/16
| Blue Springs Terrace Building 305 Dedication
| Columbia, MO
| 8/15/16
| UCC/DOC Regional Staff Mtg
| Kansas City, MO
| 8/20/16
| Mission Fest Event
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Columbia, MO
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8/25/16
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Boundary Training
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Persons In Ministry (PIM) Retreat - Register Now
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September 19-21, 2016
The Inn at Grand Glaize, Osage Beach, MO 
Many Paths, One Mountain
The World's Religions: Primary Perspectives and a Closer Look
Local church pastors, retired clergy, chaplains, youth ministers/directors, Christian educators, and music directors are all invited to this year's PIM! Our journey will begin with an overview that groups religions into three families with similar traits and vastly different ways of approaching the central questions of faith. Then we will spend time exploring Islam, Daoism and Hinduism in more detail. How can we better understand our neighbors? How can really seeing them help us better understand ourselves and our own faith?
Our presenter will be Brian Carwana, Director of the Encounter World Religions Centre in Toronto. His presentation comes highly recommended by our clergy colleagues, Michael Stephens and Karen Aitkens. Enjoy time for fellowship, rest, and renewal, as well. Spouses/partners are welcome!
The cost of registration is $125 until 9/8/16; $135 after that date. Registration is now OPEN. 2016 PIM brochure. All hotel reservations must be made directly with The Inn at Grand Glaize by calling 800-348-4731 or visit their website. Be sure to use the code MMS16 when making your reservation to receive the discounted price of $89 per night for a king bed or $99 per night for two double beds, plus tax.
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Take the UCC Mission Statement Survey
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The leadership of the United Church of Christ is undertaking a process of developing a share d Purpose, Mission and Vision for the UCC, in order to clarify who we are and the work that we are called to do. We are asking for feedback from people across the life of the church on proposed Purpose, Mission and Vision statements. Your feedback to what is being proposed is critically important in this time of change! 
Some Important Details: This feedback gathering survey is designed to receive input from both individuals and groups. The questions are the same for both; but when inputting responses on behalf of a group, comments are more important than multiple-choice responses since those items are more appropriate specifically for individuals (though you are free to respond to these questions for the group). A Discussion Guide and Questions for groups can be found HERE.
Please print and use this guide in your conversations prior to completing the survey.
The survey should take about 10-20 minutes to complete.
Responses will help to inform the leadership's work around developing a shared Purpose, Mission and Vision for the denomination; so please share honestly and openly. Know that your feedback will be anonymous, meaning that you will not be asked to identify yourself or provide any personally identifying demographic information.
Feedback will be collected from June 20 to August 22, 2016. We will then carefully review responses and make any adjustments based on the feedback in order to present a final version at General Synod 2017. As noted above, materials for reviewing and engaging in group conversations can be found HERE. Thank you for participating in this process. Your feedback is critical to the future of United Church of Christ as a whole.
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Be The Church Contest
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" Be the Church of the Month" is a new, church-wide contest inviting all UCC churches to participate by living out the statements of the UCC's popular "Be the Church" message.
The contest began June 1, with all churches receiving an email inviting them to participate and announcing the statement "Protect the environment." Churches were given until June 22 to submit information and any photos and video showing what they've been doing to make that statement a reality. Congratulations to the "Be the Church of the Month" winner for July, Clackamas United Church of Christ in Milwaukie, Oregon!  This contest is ongoing-on the first of every month, a new "Be the Church" statement will be announced, and submissions will be due by the 22nd of the month. The winning church earns the "Be the Church of the Month" title for the next month. All winning churches and their accomplishments will be featured on UCC social media and ucc.org, and they'll receive a prize from the "Be the Church" collection from UCC Resources. The "Be the Church" statement for July is: "Care for the poor." HOW TO ENTER "BE THE CHURCH OF THE MONTH" CONTESTPlease send us information, photos, and video of the amazing things your church is doing to live out this month's "Be the Church" statement: "Care for the poor." Deadline is July 22. Send to:: jannsoha@ucc.org - Thank you!
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| Boundary Training is a requirement to maintain ministerial standing with our  associations of the Missouri Mid-South Conference and must be completed every three years. Typically, each association offers several Boundary Training opportunities per year. Please see new dates below:
Eastern Association:
St. Louis Association:
- Saturday, October 15, 2016 - Location TBD. Facilitators: Rev. Ann Wilson and Rev. Bruce Moeller
Western Association:
- Thursday, August 18, 2016 - St. John's Chapel UCC - Springfield, MO - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 4344 S Fremont, Springfield, MO 65804. Facilitator(s): Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman
- Thursday August 25, 2016 - Columbia UCC - Columbia, MO - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 3201 I-70 Dr NW, Columbia, MO 65202. Facilitator(s): Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman
- Thursday, September 29, 2016 - Southwood UCC - Raytown, MO - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 7904 Raytown Rd., Raytown, MO 64138. Facilitator(s): Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman
For further information on boundary training, please contact Kris in our Conference office. |
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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UCCOSSN Annual Conference - Registration Open
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August 4-6, 2016
Gaithersburg, MD
You are invited to the 2016 UCC Office Support Staff Network Annual Conference which kicks-off on Thursday, Aug. 4 with a welcome dinner at the Hilton Gaithersburg. The event continues on Friday at Rockville United Church in Rockville, Md. with breakfast, fellowship, break-out workshops, lunch, the  keynote presentation and interactive workshop. The event concludes Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Hilton Gaithersburg with breakfast, fellowship, the UCCOSSN business meeting, a peer group workshop and lunch.
Our theme this year is Balance - Work & Life... something we all strive for, and hopefully something this conference will help you reach. Workshops at the event include Body Balance and Finding your Spiritual Geography, and keynote, Marchae Grair, who is newly UCC and loving it. She is the Social Media Associate for the national setting of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland.
MORE INFORMATION
Regular Registration Fee (by July 14): $135 - 6 days remaining Late Registration Fee (after July 14): $150 ($5 from each registration fee goes to the UCCOSSN Scholarship Fund) Membership Dues: $10 per year
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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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Ordination & Installation for Guangyou Lou
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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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Blue Springs Open House & Re-dedication Event
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Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society Event
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African American Women in Ministry Event
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