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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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from Wade Zick, Associate Conference Minister
of Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Mission Trip Grants Awarded
 We were very pleased to have 27 Minnesota Conference UCC congregations apply for and receive Ashley mission trip grants. The service projects will take place in Minneapolis - Denver - New York City - South Dakota - Duluth - Arkansas - Georgia - Tennessee - New Orleans - Michigan - Toronto - Nicaragua - Chicago and more! Grant requests totaled $34,145. The initial grant funds allocated were $20,000 but thanks to the MN Conference Board of Directors, there was an additional $5,000 directed to these grants from the Ashley Endowment bringing our grant amount to $25,000 for the varied mission & service projects.
 The following congregations were awarded mission trip grants; Detroit Lakes UCC, Circles of Faith UCC (Waubun), Wayzata Community Church, Peace UCC (Rochester), Macalester Plymouth United Church (St. Paul), Mizpah UCC (Hopkins), Robbinsdale UCC, First Congregational UCC (Winona), St. Paul's UCC (Henderson), Bethlehem UCC (Maple Lake), Chapel Hills UCC (Edina), Edina Morningside UCC, Cottage Grove UCC, Union Congregational UCC (St. Louis Park), Falcon Heights UCC, New Brighton UCC, Living Table UCC (Minneapolis), Peace UCC (Duluth), First UCC (Northfield), First Congregational UCC (Alexandria), First Congregational UCC (Austin), St Anthony Park UCC (St. Paul), Federated UCC (Morris), First Congregational UCC (Wadena), Mayflower UCC (Minneapolis), Linden Hills UCC (Minneapolis) and Lynnhurst UCC (Minneapolis).
 In receiving the grants, congregations will 1) have background checks done on all adult participants and leaders, 2) publicize receiving the grant in a church newsletter and/or bulletin and 3) provide the conference with pictures and short summary after they are done. We look forward to sharing through COMMAntary and other news the stories of these congregations in service assisted through grants from the Minnesota Conference UCC.
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Photos are from St. Anthony Park's 2012 mission trip to Wisconsin where they were hosted by Amery Congregational UCC and worked on residing a home in Luck, WI with Habitat for Humanity.
Lori Alford, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries at St. Anthony Park UCC, says, "Without the support of the Minnesota Conference UCC and Amery Congregational Church UCC, our transformation through service would not have happened. We are so grateful for partners that help us reach higher than we can go alone. SAPUCC is already thinking 'How will we do this next year?' A very good question, as we reflect on being Christians in this sometimes murky world. Thank you for the gift of the grant! Lives were changed and hope was restored!"
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Joys and Concerns
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1. Rev. Ashley Whitaker will be installed February 3rd at 2:00pm at The United Church in Mapleton (201 Troendle Street SW). A reception will follow the service of installation. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
2. Rev. John Guttermann's extensive work around immigration reform has been noticed to the national UCC who, this week, published an article featuring Guttermann, the Conversations With Friends (CWF) project, and the monthly Faith Action Vigils (this month is #41, see notice below in COMMAntary).
Life is lonely for the immigrant detainees at the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center in St. Paul, Minn. These individuals spend up to 18 hours per day behind bars while the courts determine their immigration status. They experience little to no human interaction - most of their families can't visit because they aren't documented. Detainees who do get visitors connect through the lobby video phone. They have no right to a free phone call, and the phone calls they can make cost a lot of money.
That is where the Rev. John Guttermann and his interfaith program Conversations with Friends (CWF) come in. Through CWF, Guttermann, covenant minister of the United Church of Christ in New Brighton (Minn.), and his volunteers visit the detainees for one hour twice a month. Because of the tight restrictions, this is often the only nonofficial, in-person contact the detainees will experience before they are released or deported - a process that takes an average of 100 days and rarely has a happy ending. Read the full article here. (article by Emily Mullins)
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Transition Team Update
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from Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel and Rev. Mark Kuether, Transition Team
Hello again, COMMAntary readers. Last week we urged you to record two dates for celebrating the Minnesota Conference ministry of the Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers. But now there's a change of date.
The new date for the Conference-wide celebration is May 5, 2013. Open your iPhones or paper calendars immediately! Record this new date right now! Erase the old date of June 22! Here's the schedule:
5:00pm Reception
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Program, concluding at 8:00pm
Since this is a Sunday evening, we believe this schedule will fit even for those who must travel a distance.
 | | photo from: http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/silverwood-park/silverwood-great-hall.aspx |
Why this change? Mostly, if truth be told, it was a matter of finding the best venue. An early favored site proved, on further examination, to be limited in parking and accessibility. And many places were already fully booked in June - the wedding season, you know. But now we have found and reserved a beautiful facility - the Great Hall at Silverwood Park, one of the Three Rivers Park District's newest additions. The Great Hall is set off by glass walls overlooking Silver Lake, and is surrounded by oak-savanna woods along with a restored prairie. Parking is free, abundant, and the facility is fully accessible. It's located at 2500 County Road E in St. Anthony Village (the former Salvation Army Camp), just west of Silver Lake Road, about a mile south of the United Theological Seminary campus and two miles south of Interstate 694's exit to Silver Lake Road.
The other celebrative occasion at the Annual Meeting is still set for Friday evening, June 7. So keep holding that date! Do not change it! And plan to attend! After meeting last Friday and changing the date of the Conference-wide celebration, the Transition Team realized that we had been guided by a providence greater than we realized, since now the sequence of celebrations concludes with the liturgy of farewell at the Annual Meeting, rather than with another celebration later on.
We must add that the Transition Team, along with the whole Conference, owes a deep sense of gratitude to Rev. Sharon Fazel who worked overtime to get the date and location settled in such fine fashion. If you see her, thank her; and if you don't, send her a note.
Clyde Steckel and Mark Kuether
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Micro Grants now available!
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The Minnesota Conference UCC Board of Directors has approved use of up to $10,000 for congregation micro-grants of $200-$700 from the Ashley Endowment. Grants must support the congregation's ministry and work with children, youth and/or families.
GUIDELINES:
1. Congregations are limited to only one grant.
2. The micro-grant range is limited to $200-$700.
3. Grants will only be given to Minnesota Conference UCC congregations.
4. Priority is given to faith formation events and programs centered around;
a. Intergenerational ministry
b. Multiple congregation involvement (one grant per event, not congregation)
c. Community evangelism of children, youth and/or families
d. Children, youth and/or family specific program
5. Application deadline is rolling (grants will be made until the fund is depleted).
6. Notification of grant and amount will be done within two weeks of receiving the application. Grant checks will be sent after a request and confirmation of the program within one month of the program or event.
7. Creativity is encouraged!
Click here for the interactive,
2013 micro-grant application form.
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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, Campground)
- July 26-28 (Available: Annex, North Shore, POEM Cabins)
- August 9-11 (Available: Annex, North Shore, Campground)
- August 23-25 (Available: North Shore)
- August 30-Sept 1: (Available: Annex, North Shore, POEM Cabins)
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Looking for a few good backers
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SEEKING JUST A FEW (more) STRONG
UCC/MINNESOTA CONFERENCE "BACKERS"
to cozy up to a 2-year position in one of the
following areas of our Conference life:
-Personnel Committee (1)
-Pilgrim Point Camp Committee (1)
- Committee of Ministry (3)
-Professional Development (1)
-Annual Meeting Planning Work Group (1)
-Nominating Work Group (2)
-Faith Formation for Children and Youth (3)
- Emmaus Anti-Racism Transformation Team (1)
-Justice and Witness Team (2)
-Immigration Team (1)
For more information or to give your preference
contact the Nominating Work Group Secretary,
Rev. Damen Heitmann at 320-632-5468
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New info for those seeking UCC positions
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Important New Information
for Clergy and Lay Leaders Seeking UCC Positions
This month MESA and Conferences are transitioning from the familiar nationwide "Employment Opportunities" PDF to the new "Ministry Opportunities" searchable database. During the rest of this month searching ministers can use both tools. Both links are public and accessible from the UCC webpage. For example: http://www.ucc.org/ministers/search-and-call/united-church-employment.html. February 1st will be the final day that the Employment Opportunities PDF document will be available. On February 1st users will be directed to access the new site directly: http://oppsearch.ucc.org; this new site will feature lay employment and internship listings as well as the customary listings for authorized ministers. More information is forthcoming from The National Offices, and will be posted in the "Keeping You E-Posted" newsletter of the national church.
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Celebrate Seminary Sunday on Feb. 24th
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Why Celebrate Seminary Sunday?
Our UCC seminaries are filled with faithful, committed students seeking the skills and wisdom necessary to lead the church in the 21st century. Our congregations need these students. In our region, we are blessed to have three fine UCC seminaries - Chicago, United, and Eden. Each of these seminaries provides quality education for pastors and lay leaders, and they provide research and resources that serve the entire UCC.
How to Celebrate Seminary Sunday:
- Lift up our UCC seminaries and seminarians in prayer, in mission moments, and in your bulletins.
- Post materials about Chicago, Eden, and United Seminaries on bulletin boards.
- Include a special prayer or litany in your service.
- Show a five-minute CUE Seminaries DVD.
- Include a gift to CUE Seminaries in your church budget or to take up a special offering.
- DVDs, bulletin inserts, posters, and offering envelopes are available CUE Seminaries website: www.cueseminaries.org
Please join us on February 24 in celebrating the current and future leadership of the UCC by celebrating and supporting Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries. For more information and resources, please contact Kiely Todd Roska, CUE Seminaries Director, 651-255-6121 or kiely@cueseminaries.org.
For more information and resources about United Theological Seminary, please contact Kathleen Remund, Church Relations Coordinator, kremund@unitedseminary.edu or 651-255-6112.
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Cokesbury Bookstore is closing
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We will be closing the
United Theological Seminary
Cokesbury Store on March 15, 2013
Cokesbury Christian Resources will continue to be available through our Call Center at 800-672-1789, our website Cokesbury.com, plus a Cokesbury Sales Representative will soon be hired for the Minneapolis/Saint Paul market. The Cokesbury Store staff would like to express appreciation to the New Brighton and Twin Cities Christian communities for your support.
Come by and take advantage of our 30% off inventory liquidation sale.
Shop early for best selection. Click here for a map to our store
3000 Fifth Street, NW New Brighton, Minnesota
*In-Stock Items Only *While Supplies Last *All Sales Final *Excludes VBS and Dated Curriculum *Some exclusions apply.
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, February 5, 11:30am
Peace UCC, Rochester
Twin Cities East Cluster: Wednesday, February 6, 12:00pm
Falcon Heights UCC, Falcon Heights
Central Cluster: Thursday, February 7, 11:30am
St. Paul's UCC, Plato
Northeast Cluster: Thursday, February 7
Time and location to be announced
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Webinars on upcoming bylaw amendments
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 Mark your calendars now for one of three upcoming webinars going over and discussing amendments to the Minnesota Conference Bylaws that will be coming up for vote at this year's 51st Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference UCC.
Tuesday, February 5, 1:00pm
Wednesday, February 6, 7:00pm
Tuesday, February 19, 7:00pm
To register for one of these sessions:
1. Follow this link.
2. Click on "Upcoming" to see our sessions.
3. Click "Register" for the session that you would like to attend.
4. Fill in your information and click "Register"
5. You will be asked to verify your registration, and then asked to either setup the WebEx Training Manager when you register or at a different time. You may choose either option. Do make sure your java software is completely up to date before entering a session.
A detailed summary of the proposed changes is available here.
A full copy of the sixth draft of the bylaws for review is available here.
If you have questions, please email Alison Bents at alisonb@uccmn.org. Thank you - we're looking forward to these informative sessions!
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PPC&R Summer Camps
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We are pleased to announce that we have opened registration for youth camps at Pilgrim Point for summer 2013. Register now to join other Minnesota Conference youth for a fun-filled week while enjoying this magical place of ministry. Both youth camps are directed by David Becker, Youth Program Director.
Radical Hospitality
at Pilgrim Point Camp
Middle School Camp
July 21-26, 2013 (Sunday through Friday)
Cost is $315/person until May 1, then $340/person
Register here or online at pilgrimpoint.org
Senior High Camp
July 28-August 3, 2013 (Sunday through Saturday)
Cost is $340/person until May 1, then $365/person
Register here or online at pilgrimpoint.org
Note: Middle School Camp is for youth currently in 6th-8th grade. Senior High Camp is for youth currently in 9th-12th grade.
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Save the Dates
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Boundary Training has been scheduled for 2013. Dates are:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at First Congregational UCC in Alexandria. To register, go to events.minnesotaumc.org where it is listed as "Living the Sacred Trust." Choose "other" for district and church. For a flyer and more information, click here.
Tuesday, September 24 at a Twin Cities metro location to be announced. Mark your calendar now and watch this space for location information.
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Winter High School CYE 2013
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Winter High School CYE 2013
Out of the Darkness: Dealing with Suicide & Depression
March 1-3 | Camp Koinonia
 The important issue of suicide & depression is our conference youth event focus on March 1-3 at Camp Koinonia in South Haven, MN. Helping us navigate through our weekend will be Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Mahan. Liz Mahan is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has been a chaplain in the mental health field for several years.
We will also be utilizing resources from the Minnesota-based organization, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education). SAVE is designed to link depression awareness with suicide prevention.
Also, don't forget to plan for fun!Bring warm clothes for sledding and ice games!
Register Now!
Early Registration by February 15: $75 youth/$50 adult
Registration after February 15: $85 youth/$60 adult
Download the Authorization Form: Youth-Adult
Note: The authorization forms are interactive.
This event is for High School youth (grades 9-12 ONLY) and their adult leaders (21 and older). Adult leaders must attend with youth. Questions? Email me at zacn@uccmn.org or call 612-871-0359.
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2013 Certification School!
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 Coming this spring 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. Click here for more info. Scholarships of up to $800 are available thanks to the Ashley Endowment of the Minnesota Conference UCC. You can download the scholarship application here. For more information, contact Zac ( zacn@uccmn.org) in the Conference Office.
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Pathways to Reform!
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Immigration Team invites you
to learn about pathways to reform
Attention all who live in Congressional District 3 (Rep. Erik Paulsen's district)! As we saw in his inaugural address, President Obama named immigration reform as a top priority for his administration. On Tuesday, February 12, at 6:00-9:00 pm, come to a workshop to learn about immigration reform and proposed pathways to citizenship. We will gather at Wayzata Community Church with the goal of preparing a group of UCC constituents to meet with Representative Erik Paulsen. Rep. Paulsen has shown concern for immigrant justice in the past, and we will encourage him to be a champion on this issue.
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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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Upcoming Events
from United Theological Seminary
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 Deepening the Spiritual Life of a Congregation In this one-day experiential class, be still before God and participate in a variety of spiritual practices, old and new, designed to deepen the spiritual life of a congregation. Led by Barbara Anne Keely, Schilling associate professor of church and economic life, and leadership of the congregation, at United Theological Seminary.
When: Saturday, February 23, 9:30-3:30PM
Where: Plymouth Presbyterian Church, 3755 Dunkirk Ln N
Cost: $98.00*
Register online or contact Renee Flesner at 651.255.6138.
*Includes lunch. Scholarships and group discounts are available. Online registration allows for groups of two of more to receive a reduced rate of $83.00 per person and accepts payment by check or credit card. You may also contact Renee Flesner at rflesner@unitedseminary.edu or 651.225.6138.
 Susan Deborah (Sam) King
"Writing as Mindfulness"
Tuesdays, Feb 19, 26; Mar 5, 12, 26; 1:30-3:00 PM
Delve into writing as a spiritual practice! Led by local poet and writer Sam King, participants will see their writing develop and change as it becomes a deeper form of spiritual practice, providing not only insights and understanding, but a tool to use in their daily life and work. King's most recent publication is Bog Orchids: Island Poems.
Fee: $70.00
Students/Seniors: $35.00
Registration: More information and online registration. You may also contact Renee Flesner at 651.255.6138. (Online registrations allows payment by check, credit card, PayPal, or at the door and registering of multiple people.)
 Best-selling author,
William Cope Moyers
on Recovery and Spirituality
Thursday, March 14, 7:30pm
Spend an evening with William Cope Moyers, addiction and recovery insider and expert, as he reflects on the question, "Now what?," for addicts and their loved ones along every step of the journey through contemplation, intervention, treatment and recovery. William C. Moyers is vice president for public affairs and community relations at Hazelden; he is committed to eliminating barriers to recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs by carrying the message and addressing public policy.
Fee: $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door
Students: No charge
Location: Award-winning Bigelow Chapel (a Joan Soranno building)
Registration: More information and online registration. You may also contact Renee Flesner at 651-255-6138. (Online registration allows payment by check, credit card, PayPal, or at the door and registering of multiple people.)
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Faith Action Vigil #41
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Faith Action Vigil #41
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1:00 PM
Host: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
MORE INFORMATION
Two Prayer Vigil Times on the 1st Sunday in February at the Ramsey County Detention Center
Join us on Sunday Feb 3rd at the Ramsey County Detention Center for the Prayer Vigil on Sunday, Feb. 3 either at the regular time of 2:30 p.m. or join with St. Joan of Arc parish who will host an early prayer vigil at 1 p.m. The Interfaith Coalition on Immigration will hold the prayer vigil at 2:30 during the regular visiting hours for families to visit detainees.
Place: Ramsey County Adult Detention Center
425 Grove Street, Saint Paul, MN
COME, PRAY, SUPPORT
"Dignity Not Detention"
Sponsor: interfaithcoalitionimmigration@gmail.com
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Music for the Earth w/ Marty Haugen
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MARTY HAUGEN PRESENTS
MUSIC FOR THE EARTH
Join composer and musician Marty Haugen February 1st at 7 p.m. at Mayflower UCC for a special evening of "green" music! Long an activist for ecology and conservation, Marty has written and performed many songs centered on our beautiful planet. Come prepared to sing along and be inspired!
Cost: $20 for members of Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality; $25 for non-members. Mayflower is located at 35W and Diamond Lake Rd. in Minneapolis.
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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.
- Sunday, February 3: Evensong Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Wednesday, February 6: Fare for All Express, Hazel Park UCC, St. Paul
- Friday, February 8: Friday Night Out: "Play Again" Film, St. Anthony Park UCC, St. Paul
- Sunday, February 10: Recovery Sunday, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis
- Tuesday, February 12: Mardi Gras & Mini Golf! First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis
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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