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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
| from Wade Zick, Associate Conference Minister
of Faith Formation for Children and Youth
This past Sunday, I walked into Associated Church in Owatonna to meet with their Children and Youth Ministry Team. Greeting me near the door was the children and youth table. This is one of my favorite places to begin to know a church - seeing what activities are happening, what resources/curriculum a church might be featuring, and getting ideas about the pulse of the ministry in that location. On this table were two documents that went into detail about the the faith formation ministry plan for the church, how each program fits into their overall approach, the focus for each program, topics being discussed throughout the year and even the spiritual type (adapted from Discover Your Spiritual Type by Corrinne Ware) primary to the program.
 Two years ago, Nicole and Eric Matejcek, the children and youth ministry directors for Associated, were part of the Certification School for Progressive Youth Ministry. They developed a ministry plan as part of the certification school, and they continue to help lead, along with the education team and pastoral staff, the church in living into that plan. And they are doing really amazing ministry in Owatonna - assisting parents in their role as the primary faith formation persons for their children, engaging youth and children in serving, trying to bring Our Whole Lives into part of the program, offering and creating a faith-nurturing place for children, youth and families.
 Certification School for Progressive Christian Youth Ministry has helped clergy, professional staff and volunteers in doing very similar ministry elsewhere in Minnesota and around the country. In just the past two years there have been participants from fourteen Minnesota congregations and seven conferences who have participated in this program sponsored through the Minnesota and Iowa Conference and Untied Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. The program consists of 50+ hours of instruction, several resources that include a 700-page syllabus, coaching, ministry plan development and building relationships with a cohort of other faith formation ministry practitioners.
 The cost of Certification School is $2,00 per student. Through the Ashley endowment we are able to scholarship up to $800 of that fee (in the past two years of $16,000 has been awarded in scholarships for MN Conference students!). Enrollment is now open for the May course and spaces are filling up with folks from around the country. Investment in faith formation ministry pays huge dividends in changing lives, assisting families in their spiritual growth, and furthering the good work we do as the church - please consider being a part of this vital and transformative opportunity. More information can be found on the conference website, including a scholarship form and a link to enroll as clergy, professional staff, or volunteer. Please contact Zac (zacn@uccmn.org) if you have further questions.
Peace and blessings,
Wade Zick, Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children and Youth
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Transition Update
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from Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel & Rev. Mark Kuether, Transition Team
Hello again, COMMAntary readers! Your Minnesota Conference Transition Team (we're the ones guiding the transition into the time of a new conference minister) greets you with important news. There will be two celebrations of the Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers's legacy as she leaves the Minnesota Conference ministry this coming June. You need to write, or post, these dates in your calendar. Don't delay!
The first celebration is on Friday, June 7, at the evening session of the conference Annual Meeting, held in its traditional setting of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Speakers will bring tributes and, of course, a reception will follow. Even if you are not an Annual Meeting delegate or visitor, we urge you to attend this celebration.
The second celebration, a conference-wide event, will take place on Saturday, June 22, in the late afternoon or evening, with a reception, a program honoring Karen's accomplishments and those of the Minnesota Conference with her leadership, as well as her distinguished service in the wider United Church of Christ and the ecumenical church. This event will be in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, at a site yet to be determined.
The Rev. Sharon Fazel is leading a group of volunteers planning these events. If you have ideas, and especially if you want to volunteer, you can reach Sharon at pastor@uccanoka.org.
Rev. Clyde Steckel and Rev. Mark Kuether, transition Team
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Joys and Concerns
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1. On December 30th, First Congregational UCC of Hutchinson held a farewell service for the Rev. Brian Brosz, celebrating his 22 years of ministry as their Pastor, and wishing him a wonderful retirement. The Rev. Cindy Mueller has started as their Interim Minister.
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Reserve your spot at Pilgrim Point for 2013!
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 Congregations are invited to sponsor a week or weekend of their own at Pilgrim Point! We provide twice daily all-camp, cross-generational programs, worship support for the Vespers leadership (once a day as an all-camp event), amazing meals and hospitality. You will still have plenty of time for relaxing, playing at the beach or ball field and creating your own experiences!
As it happens, dates and spaces are filling up VERY fast, but there is still room to get your church to the Point! If you want to pair up with another church, we can help you - contact Gigi Nauer (ggmarie58@gmail.com) to assist with those connections. If you have other questions related to making a reservation, please contact the Pilgrim Point Registrar, Zac Norenberg (zacn@uccmn.org) to get assistance.
Download the reservation form here, and GET TO THE POINT!
On the reverse of the form, please find procedures on how to make a successful reservation. Please read through this carefully before submitting your application. Contact Zac Norenberg (zacn@uccmn.org) if you have any questions.
Here is what is currently available:
- July 12-14 (Available: Lodge, Annex, North Shore, Campground)
- July 26-28 (Available: Annex, North Shore, POEM Cabins)
- August 9-11 (Available: Annex, North Shore, Campground)
- August 23-25 (Available: Annex, North Shore, Campground)
- August 30-Sept 1: (Available: Annex, North Shore, POEM Cabins)
See you at the Point!
2013 Pilgrim Point Camp Dates
Mark them down now!
Middle School Camp: July 21-26, 2013
Senior High Camp: July 28 - August 3, 2013
Registration opens soon!
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5 for 5 deadline set for 2012 contributions
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Five for Five 2012
deadline set for Friday, January 11
Checks with gifts for UCC Basic Support (Our Church's Wider Mission), One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, Neighbors in Need, and the Christmas Fund will need to be received at the Conference Office by Friday, January 11 to be counted toward your 2012 Five for Five tally.
Offerings we receive after Friday, January 11 will be credited, with gratitude, to your 2013 giving. Please help us with your understanding and your support, and by meeting this deadline for 2012 Five Funds gifts. If you have questions, please contact the Business Office at business@uccmn.org.
Pastors and Moderators: please make sure this information gets passed on to your church treasurer. |
Peace Fund Offering is coming up!
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Justice and Witness Team
Peace Fund Offering
Empowering Our Prophetic Voice
Peace Fund Offering is Martin Luther King Sunday, January 20!
New promotional materials are now posted to the Justice and Witness Team page of uccmn.org.
Your support of the Peace Offering empowers the "Prophetic Voice" of the Minnesota Conference. Your "UCC people power" made history in November with the defeat of the marriage and voter ID amendments to our state constitution.
 Your contributions to the Peace Fund special offering on Martin Luther King Sunday, January 20, 2013, will help deepen the support base for advocacy. It adds to your own congregation's financial base (25% supports local congregational based advocacy) as well as creating advocacy resources for use throughout the Minnesota Conference through the Peace Fund Grant program (75% of the offering). The Justice and Witness Team administers the Peace Fund Grant program.
For more information, contact Rev. John Guttermann, intpasj@mac.com or 651-485-3104. Updated resources are available!
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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No clergy clusters in the coming week.
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2013 Certification School!
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Coming this spring Certification School in Progressive Youth Ministry! May 19-24, 2013 with closing retreat Nov. 8-10, 2013 This course includes 50+ hours of instruction, all textbooks, six webinars, coaching and ministry plan projects. May classes take place at Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria, MN and the November retreat in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Cost for early registration by March 1 - $2,000; after March 1 - $2,200. Registration opens January 1, 2013! Click here for more info.
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4th Thursdays
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 Join faith formation leaders of children and youth from the Minnesota Conference UCC on the 4th Thursday of the month to eat together, share resources, and learn fresh ways to engage our ministries. : Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd E Who: Clergy, Leaders of Children, Youth, & Faith Formation Cost: Free Registration: Online, Register Now If you have questions, or are unable to make a Fourth Thursday but would like resources shared at the event, please contact Zac at zacn@uccmn.org
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Be a justice advocate: Register Now!
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Register Now!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 6 pm - 8:30 pm
the day before the 2013 JRLC Day on the Hill event on Feb. 21
Mayflower UCC, 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Learn more about being a justice advocate!
Prepare with other UCCers for the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's Day on the Hill event, organize for faith based social justice advocacy, come together as Minnesota Conference UCC Prophetic Voices for Justice, celebrate our Conference Prophetic Voice!
Come to live into the Conference Vision: The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ is a bold, widely-known, proactive and respected public voice of Christianity.
Register Now!
Free event, and dinner is provided
Directions to Mayflower UCC. And if you're not sure what your Senate or House district are, you can find out here.
Sponsored by Justice & Witness Team in cooperation with the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition.
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Save the Date: Annual ONA Worship Celebration
|  Save the Date!
Annual Open and Affirming Worship Celebration
April 14, 2013
hosted by Union Congregational UCC of Elk River
Workshops at 2:30pm
Worship at 4:00pm
Rev. Ben Guess of the UCC's Local Church Ministries is preaching, and a choir from St. Anthony Park UCC will provide music.
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For the Love of God, Take a Break!
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For the Love of God, Take a Break & Renew Your Spirit!
This retreat is designed for the 2030 clergy to pause in their ministry and breathe deep. The hope is that clergy are able to connect with one another and learn from each other.
January 31-February 2, 2013
Pilgrim Center, Ripon, WI
Barbara Anne Keely, from United Theological Seminary, will be joining us and leading us in two sessions on Spiritual Disciplines. When ministry takes over our lives, we forget to stop and take a break, so come and remember what it feels like to be you, again. And for those not in the 2030 Clergy Network, you are welcome to join...because in the United Church of Christ: All are Welcome!
Click here to register.
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MN Peace Team Introductory Training
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"Nobody Hurt, Everybody Heard"
Minnesota Peace Team Introductory Training
Saturday, February 23, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Minnesota Friends Meeting, 4401 York Ave S, Minneapolis
$20-50 | lunch included | pre-registration is required
Contact Barbara Gerten or 651-470-7781
The role of the Peace Team is to be a non-partisan presence in potentially volatile situations. The purpose is to keep people from hurting one another and to protect the civil rights of everyone involved. Peace Teams do not interfere with civil disobedience and do not enforce the law. This workshop is highly experiential, with exercises and role plays. Click here for more information.
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Local Church Events
| Check out all the events happening at our local churches across Minnesota on our Local Church Events Calendar! You can surf around the calendar to see what's coming up across the Conference. Just click on the title of the event in the calendar to get more details.
Would you like your events to appear on this calendar? Just email Alison Bents at alisonb@uccmn.org. Simple as that! |
Employment Opportunities
| Check out the Employment Opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings.
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