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 what used to be the bookstore at Eden Theological Seminary. They have moved to Press Building. Their move provides the perfect backdrop for Ginny's new Conference Ministry Theme from now until the 2017 Conference Annual Gathering, which is, "Living Our Change!" Change is a constant thread Ginny has heard in the many churches throughout the Missouri Mid-South Conference. Whether this change pertains to a church's search for a new minister, discerning whether to go through the Open and Affirming process, or how to live out God's call in the midst of changing membership and financial abilities. The Missouri Mid-South Conference is also experiencing many changes. We have talked about the transition we are experiencing from a "Hub-and-Spoke" model of leadership, where the Conference Ministry staff handles a lot of the ministry to a "network model," where members of the conference lead in ministry.
We are Living Our Change in the messiness, exciting, unknown parts of who God is calling to be -- and we are in good company with the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. You won't find a lot of stories in the Bible about a group of people where God says, "Stay there doing exactly what you've been doing since you were first formed a long time ago!" NO!!! The Hebrew Scriptures are full of stories where the Israelites are in the midst of change and God is there. The gospels show us how Jesus continually (and uncomfortably) challenged the status quo all the time! When we seek to follow the ways of Jesus, we seek to be Living Our Change in the midst of our own lives and community.
For the next 10 months, we will be engaging this Conference Ministry Theme -- Living Our Change! We will learn how to be leaders who guide communities to change as well as what the new paradigms are we are invited to consider. The Search and Call Stewards have a saying amongst ourselves -- We are Building the Plane as we Ride in It!!! This is Living Our Change. There will be moments that are unknown, uncomfortable, and MESSY!!! And that's okay because at the very least, we will be faithful to God's call for all of us to be Living Our Change! Woohoo! :)
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Ginny's Schedule
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Location
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Date
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Description
| Union, MO
| 8/26-27
| Conference Council Leadership Retreat
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Kansas City, MO
| 8/28
| Worship at Country Club Congregational UCC
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9/2
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Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
| Little Rock, AR
| 9/4
| Worship at Faith UCC
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| 9/5
| Labor Day; Conference Holiday
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Houston, TX
| 9/6-7
| Work from Houston
| Cleveland, OH
| 9/8
| UCC Task Force
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| 9/9
| Out/Sabbath Day
| Columbia, MO
| 9/10
| Columbia UCC, Conference Annual Planning Event (CAPE)
| Springfield, MO
| 9/11
| Preach at St. Johns Chapel UCC
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| 9/16
| Out/Sabbath Day
| Maryland
| 9/17
| Memorial Service for the Rev. Dr. John Deckenback
| Lebanon, MO
| 9/18
| Worship at First Congregational UCC
| Osage Beach, MO
| 9/19-9/21
| Persons in Ministry Retreat
| St. Louis, MO
| 9/22
| 20-30 Clergy Chat
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| 9/23
| Out/Sabbath Day
| Chesterfield, MO Jackson, MO
| 9/24
| St. Johns UCC, St. Louis Assn. Fall Meeting Emanuel UCC, Eastern Assn. Fall Meeting
| Chamois, MO
| 9/25
| Worship at St. Johns UCC
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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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Union, MO
| 8/26-8/27
| Conference Council Leadership Retreat
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Mayview, MO
Kansas City, MO
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8/28
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Morning worship at Zion UCC
Evening worship at Open Table
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| 8/29
| Out/Tyler's Sabbath Day
| Kansas City, MO
| 8/30-8/31
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| St. Louis, MO
| 9/1-9/2
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Webster Groves, MO
| 9/4
| Worship at Peace UCC
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| 9/5
| Labor Day; Conference Holiday
| Webster Groves, MO
| 9/6
| Eden Seminary Opening Convocation
| Webster Groves, MO
| 9/9
| Eden Seminary Boundary Training
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Columbia, MO
| 9/10
| Columbia UCC, Conference Annual Planning Event
| Higginsville, MO
| 9/11
| Worship at Salem UCC
| Blue Springs, MO
| 9/13
| Terrace Board Meeting
| Columbia, MO
| 9/15
| Columbia UCC, Boundary Training Planning Team
| St. Louis, MO
| 9/18
| Worship/preach at Pilgrim UCC
| Osage Beach, MO
| 9/19-9/21
| Persons in Ministry Retreat
| Levasy, MO
| 9/22
| Lafayette Area Women's Fellowship
| Chesterfield, MO
| 9/24
| St. Johns UCC, St. Louis Assn. Fall Meeting
| Higginsville, MO
| 9/25
| CROP Walk
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One Year In: A Retrospective Report from the General Minister and President
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As we are approaching my one-year anniversary, I want to take a moment to share with you a bit of my journey these last 12 months. It has been a very rewarding year for me, personally. I have had the unique pleasure to travel the breadth and width of this beloved Church. I get to see us at our best - and I have to tell you, our best makes me pretty damn proud. Far from being unified in thought, we are nonetheless one in a commitment to the proclamation of a gospel that changes lives. Seeing this first hand every week is a true joy. I was at Ascension UCC in Norristown PA when they raised their first Pride Flag as they celebrated the 5th anniversary of the ONA vote. I was in Hillsborough NC after they had their Pride Flags stolen and they put up new ones, with over 40 in reserve in case they needed them. I preached to a parking lot of cars on a Sunday morning as St. John's in Newark OH celebrated their 150th anniversary (you will have to ask me about that). I was at NYE where almost 3,000 youth gathered for a week of devotion, mission, worship, and education. What a grand and very moving experience that was. I gathered in a fireside room in Spokane for an evening with area clergy; preached at an anniversary celebration in Grinnell IA; attended annual meetings in over a dozen Conferences; led privilege workshops in places as far and wide as Hillsborough NH, Philadelphia PA, Wake Forest University, and Seattle WA. You really do make me very proud. I witness week in and week out what our churches and Conferences do. It matters. You matter. Lives are truly changed by the mission we engage in. Continue report.
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Conference Annual Planning Event (CAPE)
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September 10 10am-3pm Columbia UCC
On September 10 at Columbia UCC, we will gather for our second Conference Annual Planning Event (CAPE). We are asking those who plan to attend to please REGISTER. There is no cost for lunch at noon or to participate. All you have to do is show up!
All clergy, church leaders, association members, and committee and covenanted ministry chairs/members are invited and NEEDED to help us move forward with the implementation of the Vision Team's recommendations for our Conference. This is your opportunity to - Take Action. Join the conversation. Be part of the plan. Be part of the vision. Listen to new ideas. Have your voice heard. Make things happen. Establish our future. SHOW UP and STAND UP! We will be determining our priorities for the upcoming year and deciding how we can go about achieving the work we are being called to do in our communities. Your input is vital. We hope you attend - YOU ARE THE CONFERENCE.
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2017 UCC Medical and Dental Plan Updates
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Thank you for being a part of the UCC Medical and Dental Benefits Plan, which assists thousands of clergy and lay employees, and their eligible dependents, in meeting ever-increasing healthcare costs.
We are pleased to report that the Plan is in a stable financial position, with adequate reserves to cover unexpected high claims and contingencies. The Plan also continues to benefit from the purchasing power created by group purchasing partnerships with the health benefit plans of other denominations.
For the 2017 Plan Year, the Non-Medicare Plan and the Medicare Supplement Plan with Rx will experience a rate increase of 9%. There is No Change to Deductibles and Pharmacy Co-Pays. This rate action reflects the increased use of medical services by our members and the increased cost of medical care, including increased costs associated with specialty medications. Individual contribution rates will vary, depending upon changes to tier and/or age bands as of January 1, 2017.
Rates for the Vision and Dental Plan will remain unchanged from 2016 levels.
Please note the following benefit enhancements for the 2017 Plan Year:
- Opposite-Gender Domestic Partners: the UCC Medical Plan will expand its eligibility guidelines to include coverage for opposite-gender domestic partners. Applications will be available on November 1, 2016 for coverage that begins January 1, 2017. Visit www.pbucc.org for more information.
- New Mental Health/Behavioral Health Vendor/Partner: Effective January 1, 2017, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will become the mental health/behavioral health vendor/partner for the UCC Medical Plan, replacing Beacon Health Options (formerly known as ValueOptions). Look for more information in the coming months.
- New Identification Cards: with the transition to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as our mental health/behavioral health vendor partner, all Non-Medicare Plan participants will be mailed new identification cards.
Specific contribution rates will be sent to churches/employers and participants in early Fall. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 1.800.642.6543, ext. 2806 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Frank Loiacono
Director, Health Plan Operations
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Mt. Tabor UCC, St. Louis - Embracing Change
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Good News from Mount Tabor UCC! Mount Tabor United Church of Christ in south St. Louis city is pleased to announce our new direction of faithful ministry! Effective August 23, 2016, we have closed on the sale of our building and property at 6520 Arsenal St., and have moved to a new space and time in the life of our congregation which allows greater focus of our financial resources to being the Church. We welcome St. Michael's Church of Universal Peace to the property and neighborhood, and give thanks to Rev. Gene Bartell, a UCC clergy colleague whose connections as former Director of Neighborhood Houses here in St. Louis brought the potential buyer into conversation with us. Relationship makes the difference, and our wider UCC covenantal relationships matter in particular! Full press release.
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L-R, Greg Stevenson, Elizabeth "Libby" Crofts, Bishop Wilfert Lee, Herschel West, Bert Nollmann, Janice McCoy, Rev. Carole Barner, and Bishop Michael West.
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Cornerstone Fund CEO to Retire
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August 25, 2016 Written by Anthony Moujaes
Gordon Gilles is retiring as president and CEO of the Cornerstone Fund, concluding 21 years of service to that ministry of the United Church of Christ. Gilles is stepping down Oct. 2 and will serve as president and CEO emeritus during an October-to-December transition period as his successor assumes the leadership of the fund, then Gilles and his spouse head for the Carolina beaches to build their retirement home.
"Roberta and I will be moving to the Village of Habersham, which is located approximately 6.5 miles from Beaufort, S.C.," Gilles said. "We plan on building a small low-country style cottage. In addition to playing golf, our plans include being active in the life of the community and seeking out opportunities for volunteer work."
"In looking back over the last 21 years of the Cornerstone Fund, I'm most proud of having been a small part of the Fund growing from $3.2 million in assets to over $80 million in assets and the difference the Cornerstone Fund has made in the lives of local churches by providing over $175,000,000 in loans to over 550 churches," Gilles said. The mission of the Cornerstone Fund is to strengthen the local churches within the United Church of Christ through its real estate-secured loans that help congregations repair, renovate, expand, improve accessibility and refinance real estate debt. Continue
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Border Convergence Event with John Dorhauer
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October 7-10, 2016 with the Southwest Conference
You are invited to join the Southwest Conference, Oct. 7-10, 2016 in Nogales, AZ/Sonora, Mexico for Border Convergence. This partnership event between the Southwest Conference UCC, School of the Americas Watch, and the UCC national setting will call for the demilitarization of border communities, call out immigration policy injustice, and imagine a future that builds bridges not walls. A flier about the event for you to share with your congregations is attached. The schedule on Saturday, Oct. 8 includes a UCC gathering in the morning and an interfaith prayer vigil that evening; John Dorhauer will be with us that day.
We are calling on all settings of the UCC who are unable to travel to the border to send a cross (2'x1') of witness, support and remembrance. We will deliver the crosses to the wall as part of the UCC actions at the event. Crosses have already begun arriving at our office.
Thank you for promoting this important justice action among your congregations!
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An Educational Experience in Memphis
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Two groups of young people travelled to Memphis, Tennessee, this summer where they learned about critical moments in American history at the Civil Rights Museum and explored the values of higher education on the campus of Lemoyne Owen College. The visit was sponsored by Neighborhood Houses, the UCC's educational, social and cultural ministry to children, youth and families in the St Louis metropolitan area. The St Louis Association of the Missouri Conference provided financial support for the trips. The first group to visit Memphis rose early in the morning to board a bus at Christ the King Church for the journey. The trip was an educational field trip for the Neighborhood Houses activity programs held in several UCC churches this summer. The group had a full day, and returned very sleepy in the late evening. The young men of " Magnificent Creations" were the second group to make the trip this year, this time staying overnight in the new student dormitory at Lemoyne Owen and receiving a guided tour of the campus and an orientation to the purposes and history of the school. Continue article/photos.
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Calling all Volunteers - MoVal Needs YOU
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As you all know, Camp MoVal relies heavily on volunteer help and program staff to supplement its programming in the off camp season. Well, it is that time of year again - we need YOU. Here's a list of staffing and volunteer needs for the fall operation of Camp MoVal. If you are interested or can be of service on any of the dates, please contact us at MoVal and we can discuss details. Email [email protected] or call 636-583-2730.
It is also important for us to put together a volunteer team if MoVal-oween is going to happen this year. We need a group of 5-10 people to plan and execute the event. It will take 25-30 volunteers for the actual event to have enough coverage. Marci and I will be able to assist the planning group, but we need more hands to make this event happen. Please let us know if you are interested in helping by September 2 with MoVa-loween.
Thank you for your continued support of Camp MoVal and Outdoor Ministry,
Jeremy Force Camp MoVal Outdoor Ministries Director
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Interfaith Partnership Cabinet Statement Imploring Civility During Election Season
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One of the privileges of living in America is the opportunity to participate in the democratic process either by candidacy, by putting forth ballot initiatives, or by voting. In recent years the tone and tenor of campaigns has coarsened and is stridently divisive.
We, the Cabinet of Interfaith Partnership, believe that political participation and the surrounding conversations need not be exercises in dehumanizing speech or action. While political positions can be in sharp contrast and partisan, respect for people is a bipartisan and universal principle all can agree upon.
We call upon our community to model civil discourse, and we challenge all candidates from municipal to the presidential level to present their issues and discontinue the practice of personal attacks. Every office holder is beholden to the betterment of the whole, with justice and fairness as universal principles of good governance. The current nature of divisive politics and the surrounding discordant atmosphere makes it difficult to unite or heal post-elections.
Let us challenge the conventional wisdom that the public only responds to negative political messaging. This is in the best interest of all Americans. Rev. C. Jessel Strong, Cabinet Chair African Methodist Episcopal Church
Dr. Paul F. Hintze, Vice Chair The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Partners in Building Training Event
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September 23-24 Long Beach, CA
You are invited to attend CB&LF's upcoming Partners in Building (PIB) training event to be hosted by the UCC Southern California Nevada Conference on Friday, September 23 to Saturday, September 24, 2016, at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 500 E. 1st Street, Long Beach, CA 90802. PIB is CB&LF's premier training event for church leaders. Since 2009, PIB has helped over 500 UCC and other church leaders to gain valuable information and assistance on how to build, renovate, purchase, raise money for and/or finance church building projects.
Please forward this email directly to any church leaders you'd like to refer to sign up for PIB.
The registration cost to PIB participants for 2 days of training is only $100 per person. CB&LF pays for housing, meals and travel expenses for up to three leaders of each church or church organization.
The deadline to register for this year's PIB has been extended to August 26, 2016. We ask interested church leaders to please click here to complete a 10-minute survey that will take you afterwards to the PIB registration website. Additional information is available at cblfund.org.
This year, in addition to PIB training, we are offering two pre-PIB seminars on Friday afternoon, September 23rd. The registration fee for each seminar (listed below) is an additional $70 per person and includes lunch:
- The Future of Stewardship: Partnering to Build a More Vibrant Church -Learn about the United Church of Christ's new program to help churches strengthen finances and increase giving. Lead by Melina Higbee, Associate Director, Campaign, Appeal and Special Events-Office of Philanthropy and Stewardship, UCC.
- Partners in Vision: Taking on Large or Complex Church Building Projects -Learn how CB&LF assists churches and church organizations with large and/or complex building projects. Lead by Sandra Acosta, Principal of AIM Development Group.
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Rev. Dale Parson is on Sabbatical from July 1 to October 31, 2016 |
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 - 8/26/2016
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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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20-30 Clergy WebVideo Chat with Ginny!
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Persons in Ministry Retreat Event
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MMSUCC Fall Association Meetings
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Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society Event
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African American Women in Ministry Event
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