COMMAntary: e-newsletter of the
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ
  

brought to you by generous contributions
to Our Church's Wider Mission

Vol. 09, No. 12

20 March 2013

Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
from Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers, Conference Minister   
Council of Conference Ministers/Collegium Retreat 
This week's "Mission Bite" schedule called for a report from me about the Council of Conference Ministers (CCM)/Collegium (of officers of the United Church of Christ) Retreat, from which I recently returned. The event was bittersweet for me because it was my last time to be with this group as your conference minister. I am deeply grateful to have served in this leadership circle of our beloved denominational family, most recently as Vice-Chair of the Council of Conference Ministers. And I was honored and deeply touched by the farewell for me and three colleagues: Rev. Tim Downs of the Southeast Conference, Rev. Bob Molsberry of the Ohio Conference, and Rev. David Moyer of the Wisconsin Conference (photo above).

As I reflected on what I might say about that gathering I received the e-newsletter from the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ, which included this "musing" from its conference minister, the Rev. Douglas Anders. It occurred to me that folks in Minnesota, who have heard me talk frequently about "burning platforms" and the "new things" that God is doing might enjoy hearing the perspective of one of my colleagues. Douglas has kindly agreed to my request to share his thoughts with you:

March 13-15 Conference Ministers and members of the national UCC Collegium met for a conversation about adaptive change and what we perceive as our next steps as we serve together as the national leadership of the UCC. There is no question we are in a time of great change for the Church and for our denomination. Established and traditional ways of "being church" no longer work.

 

Though we do not know where this change will be taking us, we are open to discernment and to the Holy Spirit to lead and move us in new ways. Among the ways we see this change working its way through our United Church of Christ are:

  1. New unified governance with one unified United Church of Christ Board to provide governance for the national ministry of the UCC (replacing multiple, independent covenanted ministry boards - e.g., Justice and Witness Ministries, Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, etc.).
  2. Re-alignment of national staff to serve the "whole church" and not just one covenanted ministry or one board. 
  3. New ways of authorizing ministerial leaders in the UCC - e.g., multiple paths to ordained ministry, providing new avenues to qualified persons to work towards ordination.
  4. Conversation about possible new conference boundaries. A resolution coming to this summer's 29th General Synod calls for the following: that the delegates call upon the UCC Board in the next biennium to develop a viable proposal for restructuring Conference boundaries and to bring that proposal to the next Synod and that the Boards of Directors and staffs of current conferences participate in broad discussions about ways in which their mission might be better served by partnering with or proposing new Conference alignments with neighboring conferences. Behind this are questions about fresh and faithful ways of doing and being conference.
  5. All of our related UCC seminaries met recently for a summit about how they might serve the needs of the UCC collaboratively and not always independently.
  6. Conversations about new ways of doing ministry in the middle judicatory settings. Several of the six regions of the UCC are having conversations about what they might do together. In some areas conferences are combining forces to work together. In the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference there is a working agreement with Christian Church - Disciples of Christ (DOC) to function at the conference level as one entity, with denominational leaders working together and providing shared ministerial services. In some areas, associations are being merged into one association (functioning as a conference).

Much of this is this is in preliminary phases, but it is a confirmation that we are moving in new ways as a church - ways that are not fully defined or known. We know only that we have to move forward and not be blindly committed to an former way of doing ministry.

 

One of the points made in our CCM/Collegium conversation was that while living through all the changes anticipated and changes to come, we seek not uniformity but unity, unity of Spirit and unity of purpose.  Just as there is no one uniform UCC church, there is no uniform conference. The UCC is not uniform according to region, or size, or financial endowment of conferences, or theological history, or vitality and vibrancy. What we seek is not a way to make all UCC churches or all conferences alike. We are not seeking a uniform church but a church unified by a common Spirit and common desire to be God's church together. 

Rev. Douglas Anders, Conference Minister 


 News and Information


Joys and Concerns

1. Congratulations to the Rev. Norma Rae Hunt (St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul, at left) and the Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers (Conference Minister, at right)! Both will receive a Distinguished Alum Award from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities during the annual Spring Convocation. During the Convocation dinner on Wednesday, April 24, retiring faculty members will be honored and new Bossard-Ward Society members (alums who have made $10,000 or more in cumulative gifts to United) will be recognized. This year's Spring Convocation is focused on "The Church's Public Witness" and will take place April 24 and 25 at United Seminary.

 

2. Our prayers and condolences are with Rev. Beth Benson, authorized minister in the Minnesota Conference, as she and her family grieve the death of her mother, Wanda Benson. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 23 at Family of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, WA. An obituary is available here.

 

3. Rev. Connie McCallister will lead her last service at Mendota Heights UCC on Sunday, March 31 at 10:00am. Rev. McCallister who holds dual standing in the Minnesota Conference, is retiring after serving as the church's pastor since 2007. 

Notice

Next week's COMMAntary will be prepared on Monday, March 25, so if you have items you would like included, please send them to Alison Bents at [email protected] by noon on Monday, March 25. Thank you! 

Out with the old and in with the BOLD!

Behold, I am doing a new thing!

 

We know that Bold New Things are taking place across the Minnesota Conference UCC and Bold New Things are happening in our congregations.

 

Accordingly, we invite you to share the Bold New Things going on in your congregation, particularly as they relate to our Conference's Bold Inspirational Goals:

    • Equip clergy and laity to lead
    • Create and sustain healthy, vital congregations
    • Strengthen faith formation across the generations
    • Increase our capacity for compassionate service and prophetic witness
  • How are YOU developing leadership?
  • In what ways are YOU inspiring the attitude that "Membership Means Ministry"?
  • How is YOUR CONGREGATION reaching out to its neighbors, both local and global?
  • What are YOUR intergenerational program offerings?
  • What are YOUR CHILDREN teaching you about faith development?
  • How is YOUR CHURCH providing compassionate service or being a prophetic witness?

 

Bold New Things may be big or small.

Either way, Bold New Things help us all!

 

Send us your stories of the Bold New Things being realized in your church family. Some of them will be reported during plenary sessions at the Annual Meeting. Others will be compiled for wider sharing. The Bold New Things your church is now doing may well inspire not only the churches in our Conference but also churches throughout the United Church of Christ!

 

Please send your stories (250 words), photos, and videos to Alison Bents, Administrative Assistant to the Conference Minister by April 15: [email protected] or 122 W Franklin Ave #323, Minneapolis, MN 55404

 

Your contribution to our Minnesota Conference UCC is greatly appreciated!

 

Rev. Dick Fylling, Annual Meeting Planning Work Group

Reserve your spot at Pilgrim Point for 2013!

ppc logoCongregations 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 ([email protected]) to assist with those connections. If you have other questions related to making a reservation, please contact the Pilgrim Point Registrar, Zac Norenberg ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected]) 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)
Working to prevent gun violence

UPDATE: from the Justice and Witness Team & Protect MN, Gun Violence Prevention Campaign

from Rev. John Guttermann , Co-Chair, Justice and Witness Team

  

Note: Justice and Witness Co-Chair, Rev. John Guttermann, testified at the March 19 hearing. You can read his testimony here.

Last night, Minnesota House leaders ensured that gun background checks will get a floor vote this session!

That's very good news. So is the amazing turnout of close to 100 supporters at the morning hearing - and a big group on short notice at the evening hearing!

The bad news is, the Gun Violence Prevention Act barely avoided defeat last night. In order to get the bill to the floor, Representative Michael Paymar agreed to a compromise with Representative Deb Hilstrom to create a bill that would close the gun show loophole but not cover all sales of pistols and assault weapons. So we must work for a stronger final bill, like the Senate version.

Here's how you can help: Click here to tell key legislators, including your own, that you strongly support background checks for all pistols and assault weapons. Together we can reduce gun violence in our state.  
______________________

Gun Violence Prevention

Town Hall Forum
THURSDAY, April 4, 2013
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Come discuss with Congressman Ellison and panelists your concerns about preventing gun violence and the right to be safe in your  community.

Shiloh Temple International Ministries
201 W Broadway Ave N, Minneapolis MN 55411
If you have any questions about this event, please call (612) 522-1212.
This event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required, but requested to confirm space. 612-522-1212

Getting Ready for General Synod!  


Head over to www.ucc.org/synod for all the information that you need to learn more about the big event, to study up on pre-synod details, and to get yourself registered!
It's coming... Mission 4/1 Earth!

ONE UNITED CHURCH on a shared resurrection witness for Planet Earth during 50 great days of greening up, powering down, and shouting out.

  • 50 days, 1 million hours of earth care
  • 50 days, 100,000 trees planted
  • 50 days, 100,000 letters to leaders

 

Join the journey: 50 days - Easter to Pentecost

www.ucc.org/earth 

 

Click here to make your pledge! 

 

Click here for all of your Mission 4/1 Earth resources! 

Let's get planting! The UCC, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, offers special ways to plant trees in your community and across the US. Order your gift trees today for planting locally.


 Upcoming Events


Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week  

South Central Cluster: Tuesday, March 26, 10:00am
First Congregational UCC, Moorhead
PPC&R Summer Camps

ppc logo

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.

Save the Dates
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.
2013 Certification School

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.
   

Registration Cost: $2,200

Register Now! 

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 ([email protected]) in the Conference Office.

fourTHursdays 

Spring Middle School Youth Event 

Spring Middle School Youth Event:  

 

God is Still Speaking, Part II

May 3-5, 2013 @ Pilgrim Point Camp

 

Join conference middle school youth (grades 6-8) with our awesome musician, Hans Peterson, for a weekend retreat on beautiful Pilgrim Point in Alexandria, MN.

 

Register Now!

Early Registration by April 15: $75 youth, $50 adult

Registration after April 15: $85 youth, $60 adult

Deadline for ALL Registrations is April 29

 

Download the Authorization Form: YOUTH - ADULT

Note: The Authorization Forms are interactive.

 

All attendees are expected to be active participants in the entire event. Check-in will begin at 6:30pm on Friday, May 3rd (dinner will not be provided Friday evening, so eat before you arrive). The retreat will conclude at noon, Sun, May 5th.

 

Questions? Email Zac at [email protected] or call the Conference Office at 612-871-0359. 

Our Whole Lives Trainings Available 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a sexual education program with resources written by professional sexuality educators that equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information to help them make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. OWL provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants clarify their values and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.

 

More information about OWL is available here.

 

The Minnesota Conference UCC, in partnership with the Prairie Star District UUA, has established the following OWL Training Courses:

 

Middle School/High School Training

(for grades 7-9 and 10-12)

May 10-12, 2013 @ Pilgrim Point Camp

 

Elementary and Young Adult/Adult Training

(for grades K-1, 4-6, Young Adults and Adults)

May 10 & 11, 2013 @ Pilgrim Point Camp

 

 Register Online or 

 Get more information about the trainings.

 

Questions? Email Phil Lund at  [email protected] or Zac Norenberg at [email protected]
Save the Date: Annual ONA Worship Celebration
ONA Celebration 2013 logo Save the Date!
Annual Open and Affirming Worship Celebration
April 14, 2013
hosted by Union 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.


You can download a poster for this event here!
VRV Annual Meeting Pre-event!

The Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ announces a special

Vitality*Renewal*Vision Pre-Event with

Tony Robinson, UCC author, consultant and voice for vitality asks...

 

"What's God got to do with it?"

Connecting Theology and Congregational Vitality

 

Friday, June 7th, 9:00 am to noon
(Annual Meeting begins after lunch)

College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph MN

$30 per person; register online:

www.uccmn.org/annualmeeting 

Come Thursday to enjoy an evening of dinner and worship with the Minnesota Open and Affirming Gathering, hosted by the Open and Affirming Ministry Team. Meals and housing are available through the ONA Gathering registration.

Questions? Contact  [email protected]
News from the Immigration Team
Good Friday Vigil at Rep. Erik Paulsen's office 
Join the MNUCC Immigration Team and allied faith groups in calling for immigration reform on Good Friday. We will pray and sing outside Rep. Erik Paulsen's Eden Prairie office (map) on Friday, March 29, at 10:00 AM, calling upon the Congressman to support comprehensive immigration reform. Rep. Paulsen is considered a "swing vote" on immigration, and we want to tilt him toward justice. To RSVP, please reply to this email.

Take Action: Support the Uniting American Families Act
The Senate's immigration reform framework does not explicitly include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families. Contact your Senators and let them know that you want a fair, humane, and inclusive bill that will allow all families to remain together. Click here for more information.

Resources for your Congregation
New! The Immigration Team has been hard at work creating and collecting resources for your congregation to take action on immigration reform! Visit our blog to find and download talking points calling for fair and humane immigration reform, downloadable  postcard templates to print, sign, and send to your elected officials, and a petition template for your congregants to sign.

 

United Theological Seminary Spring Convocation

Spring Convocation | April 24-25, 2013

"The Church's Public Witness"

 

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, in collaboration with the Center for Public Ministry*, presents this year's Spring Convocation, exploring the role of faith communities and their calling to do justice - from theological, prophetic and practical perspectives. 

 

Check the website (www.unitedseminary.edu) for program details and information about presenters and panelists:

  • Sarah Bellamy, Penumbra Theatre, presenter ("Theatre as Public Witness")
  • Jennifer Butler, Faith in Public Life, keynote presenter and panelist ("The Path to Irrelevance" & "Finding Our Way Back")
  • Eleazar S. Fernandez, United, presenter and panelist, ("Letting Justice Roll: God in Public")
  • Steven Newcom, Center for Public Ministry, panel facilitator (panel topic: "The Place of Public Ministry")
  • Paul Slack, ISAIAH, panelist

Whether you are active in ministry or exploring your own spiritual path, join us for this invigorating topic.

 

Costs: $45-$120. Space is limited; register now!

 

*The Center for Public Ministry at United Theological Seminary is dedicated to equipping the church to be a powerful and sustained force for social justice.


 Local Church Events


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 [email protected]. Simple as that!


 Classifieds

Employment Opportunities
Check out the Employment Opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings.

giss
In This Issue
Mission Bite
Joys & Concerns
Notice
in with the BOLD!
Reserve your spot at PPC!
Working to prevent gun violence
General Synod!
It's coming...
Clergy Clusters
Reserve your spot at PPC!
Boundary Training
2013 Certification School
fourTHursdays
Spring MS Youth Event
OWL Trainings
ONA Worship Celebration
VRV Pre-Event
from the Immigration Team
UTS Spring Convocation
Local Church Events
Employment Opportunities

Quick Links

Join Our Mailing List

News from

the Wider Church

United Church News 

Headlines from across the United Church of Christ

 

Right now: No excuses! Plant a tree! 

____________

 

UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns 

 

Right now: Supreme Court to hear Prop. 8, DOMA arguments on March 26-27 - join the nationwide prayer campaign!   

____________

 

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

 

Right now: Jon Barnes was recently appointed as Mission Interpretation Executive in Indianapolis. 

____________

 

Association of United Church Educators 

 

Right now: Regional educator events announced

____________

 

Congregational Vitality 

 

Right now:  How are you looking forward to participating in Mission 4/1 Earth? 

____________

 

Justice & Witness Ministries 

 

Right now: Are you participating in Community Supported Agriculture? 

____________

 

Council for Health and Human Services Ministries 

 

Right now: Registration is now open for the 75th CHHSM Annual Meeting! 


Donate now to Friends of the Minnesota Conference

 

Are you on Facebook? Be a fan of the Minnesota Conference 

 

Stay up to date with the National UCC: Keeping You ePosted