Header
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 claim 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, 
Ginny's Gems

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! :)
Ginny's Schedule
Location 
Date 
Description 
Union, MO
8/26-27
Conference Council Leadership Retreat
Kansas City, MO
8/28
Worship at Country Club Congregational UCC

9/2
Out/Ginny's Sabbath Day
Little Rock, AR
9/4
Worship at Faith UCC

9/5
Labor Day; Conference Holiday
Houston, TX
9/6-7
Work from Houston
Cleveland, OH
9/8
UCC Task Force

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

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

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
Tyler's Schedule
Location 
Date 
Description 
Union, MO
8/26-8/27
Conference Council Leadership Retreat
Mayview, MO
Kansas City, MO
8/28
Morning worship at Zion UCC
Evening worship at Open Table

8/29
Out/Tyler's Sabbath Day
Kansas City, MO
8/30-8/31

St. Louis, MO
9/1-9/2

Webster Groves, MO
9/4
Worship at Peace UCC

9/5
Labor Day; Conference Holiday
Webster Groves, MO
9/6
Eden Seminary Opening Convocation
Webster Groves, MO
9/9
Eden Seminary Boundary Training
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
One Year In:  A Retrospective Report
from the General Minister and President 
 
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
Conference Annual Planning Event (CAPE)
 
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.
    
2017 UCC Medical and Dental Plan Updates
 

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
Mt. Tabor UCC, St. Louis - Embracing Change
 
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.

L-R, Greg Stevenson, Elizabeth "Libby" Crofts, Bishop Wilfert Lee, Herschel West, Bert Nollmann, Janice McCoy, Rev. Carole Barner, and Bishop Michael West. 
Cornerstone Fund CEO to Retire
 
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 
Border Convergence Event with John Dorhauer 
 
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!
 
 
 
For more information visit: http://www.soaw.org/border/
 
 


An Educational Experience in Memphis  
 
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
Calling all Volunteers - MoVal Needs YOU   
 
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
Interfaith Partnership Cabinet Statement Imploring Civility During Election Season   
 
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
 
Partners in Building Training Event   
 
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.
For PIB registration information, please contact our Office Administrator Donyale Copeland at [email protected], 216-736-3834.  Or contact Patrick Duggan at [email protected].
Dale's Sabbatical 

Rev. Dale Parson is on Sabbatical from July 1 to October 31, 2016 
Contact Us
MMS Logo 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.
In This Issue - 8/26/2016
Ginny's Journeys
2016-17 Worship & Preach Schedule for Ginny
If you are interested in asking our Conference Minister, Ginny Brown Daniel, to visit your church to preach or worship with your congregation, please request dates for 2017 only.  Ginny's 2016 schedule is now fully booked.

To make arrangements, please contact Kris Scott in our Conference office at 314-918-2605 or email [email protected].

Weekly Podcast by the Rev. John Dorhauer


'Into the Mystic' is the Rev. John C. Dorhauer's weekly podcast on UCC.org. The United Church of Christ General Minister and President is creating these weekly messages so that "the art and practice of spiritual reflection is modeled as a priority and not just a part time avocation."

Listen to John's messages.

20-30 Clergy WebVideo Chat with Ginny!


Thursday, September 22
Noon-1:00 pm

On Thursday, September 22 at noon Ginny will host a noontime WebVideo chat with all authorized ministers in their 20's and 30's to affirm, support, and empower you in your call to ministry!

This 20-30 Chat affirms the 5 Mission Imperatives of the Missouri Mid-South Conference: Cultivating and Nurturing Authentic Covenantal Relationships, Strengthening Congregations, Supporting Authorized Ministers in All Settings, Improving Communication, and Advancing a Mission of Advocacy for Peace and Justice. Watch for Webvideo information soon!

Persons in Ministry Retreat Event
September 19-21, 2016
The Inn at Grand Glaize, Osage Beach, MO

Theme:  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 OPEN2016 PIM brochure.  Contact Kris at the Conference office with any questions about registration.  

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.

Questions? Contact Betsy Happel at [email protected].


Boundary Training

Boundary Training is a requirement to maintain mini
sterial 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 dates below: 

St. Louis Association:
  • Saturday, October 15, 2016 - Church of the Master - Florissant, MO.  Facilitators: Rev. Ann Wilson and Rev. Mark Robinson
Western Association:
  • Thursday, September 29, 2016 - Southwood UCC - Raytown, MO.  Facilitator(s): Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman
For further information on boundary training, please contact Kris in our Conference office 314-918-2605.    

MMSUCC Fall Association Meetings
 
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.  Please visit the EA page of the Conference website for further information and reports. 

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.
CROP Hunger Walk
The 2016 CROP Hunger Walk will be September 25, held at Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO  63119.  Registration/check-in will be at 12:30 pm, and step-off at 1:30 pm.  As in the past, we will have both a one-mile and a three-mile route through the lovely neighborhoods of northeastern Webster Groves.
 
Also, please check our website for updates:  www.crophungerwalk.org/stlouismo  and please see our Facebook page.  On Facebook, search "CROP Hunger Walk St Louis 2016" and please "like" the page to help us spread the word.
 
Church World Service, of which CROP is the division that addresses issues of hunger and poverty, both locally and throughout the world.  Hunger remains a reality for nearly 20% of the world's population; and in Missouri, 17% of families are regularly hungry and/or food insecure.  The needs are real, and CROP helps to address these needs, both with direct aid and with development assistance.  Our local partners for 2016 are Operation Food Search, Circle of Concern, and Webster-Rock Hill Ministries.  25% of funds raised stays in the St. Louis area to benefit these partners.
 
Questions?  Contact Clint McCann at 314-395-5826; or contact Jordan Bles, CROP's Community Engagement Specialist at [email protected]

Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society Event
  
You are invited to attend the annual meeting of the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society on Saturday, September 24, 2016. The meeting will be held on the campus of the Lancaster Theological Society in Lancaster, PA. The keynote speaker,Rev. Dr. Linden DeBie, will discuss the 1866 Liturgy in his talk, entitled "Unless A Grain of Wheat Fall to the Ground and Die: The Remarkable Liturgical Fecundity of Mercersburg."

If you have thought of traveling to the Northeast in the fall, this event in beautiful Lancaster County would be an interesting addition to your itinerary! For more information, contact Joy Dressel at 314-313-4040.
 
African American Women in Ministry Event
  
"Sisters' Lives Matter: Facing the Fierce Urgency of Now!"
October 13-15, 2016
Franklin Center at Bricks, Whitakers, NC

Beginning in the early 1980s, with approximately 15 African American women, this gathering of the hearts, minds and souls of sisters first occurred in a Catholic retreat center located in the Brookland section of Washington, DC.

This network, African American Women in Ministry (AAWIM) focuses solely on UCC African American women in ministry. The purpose of AAWIM holds firm; that every African American woman would recognize who they are and where they are on this sacred journey. Our hope is that through this network, women will be moved to reach beyond the table, embrace one another and offer a warm welcome to their sisters in ministry.

Having come a long way from the initial gathering of women, AAWIM continues to move onward by faith.  Event flyerRegister on website.
Employment Opportunities
Future eHappenings

The next eHappenings will be
shared on Wednesday, August 31. 
Please send your events and
items to advertise
to Kris by 8/29/16.
Quick Links
MMSUCC Conference Website
National UCC Website
Email Your Conference Office