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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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from Rev. Elena Larssen, Associate Conference Minister
V*R*V: Vitality*Renewal*Vision
 " For some time now, Tony Robinson has been giving us pastors wonderful guidance for the challenges of pastoral leadership. Tony is a wise, faithful, pastoral theologian. His work is always useful, practical and informed by a true pastor's heart. When pastors are listing the voices that challenge and help them in their work, they always mention Tony Robinson." William H. Willimon, Bishop, North Alabama Conference, United Methodist Church In the Conference office, we often receive calls from congregational leadership, both lay and clergy, with questions like:
- We can't fill our boards and committees, so we're thinking about restructuring...
- We know attendance is down, but no one wants to talk about it...
- The pastor/moderator/office manager/organist won't listen, but they need help...
These are questions that are common among congregations and are hints that a conversation about Congregational Vitality would be appropriate. But where to begin?  The Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ announces a special V*R*V: Vitality*Renewal*Vision pre-event at our Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting with Tony Robinson. UCC minister, author, consultant and voice for vitality asks, "What's God got to do with it? Connecting Theology and Congregational Vitality."
Drawing from his publications and experience as pastor and coach to pastors, Tony will spend three hours with us on Friday morning, June 7, as well as offering Bible Study and a workshop on Saturday, June 8. As the Alban Institute says, "He examines the problems that occur when congregations are reluctant to focus on theology and are unsure of their beliefs. They risk having a weak identity with nothing at stake. They risk being little more than an exclusive social club. Absent core convictions, structure replaces Spirit, indirection replaces healthy dialogue, and agendas replace leadership." This seminar is a thoughtful setting to think through the theological aspects of being a healthy congregation, to ask questions, and join together in UCC community. "Tony's confident presence and assurance led our leadership team and congregation to define who we are in clear and concise ways. His ability to see and describe our gifts allowed us to discern clearly the direction of our ministry for the future! He was great!" Rev. Paul Bauch, Senior Pastor, Peace UCC, Rochester, MN on working with Tony Robinson as a consultant This V*R*V event is part of our Conference mission priority of Healthy Congregations and is designed for clergy and lay leaders to be inspired together. All are welcome! Friday, June 7, 9:00-12:00 College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN $30/person; register online at www.uccmn.org/annualmeeting Come on Thursday to enjoy an evening of dinner and worship with the Minnesota Gathering, hosted by the Open and Affirming Team. Meals and housing are available.
Questions? Contact maritak@uccmn.org.
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Joys and Concerns
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1. 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.
2. The First United Church of Christ Northfield celebrates its call of The Rev. Abigail Henderson as Associate Pastor. Abby will begin her service on June 4. The Rev. Todd Smith Lippert is Senior Pastor and The Rev. Dr. Bob Griggs is Interim Associate Pastor.
3. The Conference office has learned of the death on March 20th of Mary Sheely, wife of Rev. Madison Sheely. Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 24th at Mizpah UCC in Hopkins. In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by three children and their families. Our prayers and deep sympathies are with Madison and his family.
4. Rev. Shari Mason will be installed on Sunday, April 7 at 2:00pm as Pastor of First Congregational UCC in Austin. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. The church is located at 1910 3rd Avenue NW. Rev. Mason, who has served at First Congregational UCC since mid-2012, has been granted Dual Standing in the Minnesota Conference UCC.
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Out with the old and in with the BOLD!
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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: alisonb@uccmn.org 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
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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!
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, Campground)
- August 30-Sept 1: (Available: North Shore, POEM Cabins)
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Working to prevent gun violence
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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.
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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
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Getting Ready for General Synod!
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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!
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It's coming... Mission 4/1 Earth!
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 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.
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Become a Congregation of Care
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We are all aging together, regardless of our age. As baby boomers get older, America is facing an unprecedented demographic shift. And although most people want to avoid talking about and making decisions about the end of life, the consequences of inaction can be grim. Graceful Journey offers a way to have those conversations, and to make decisions on the basis of deeply held religious beliefs, surrounded by a caring community of faith.
Graceful Journey is a project of the Minnesota Council of Churches in partnership with Honoring Choices Minnesota. It is designed to help people think about the decisions that need to be made at end of life, to offer the tools necessary to talk about and make those decisions, and to encourage congregations to provide the care needed to make the end of life a graceful journey.
Minnesota Council of Churches has trained Graceful Journey Faith Ambassadors who are certified Advance Care Planning Facilitators. Faith Ambassadors are available to deliver two 90-minute presentations or four 45-minute adult education sessions, and can coach your church as it becomes a Congregation of Care.
Are you interested in a presentation, or in learning more about becoming a Congregation of Care? Fill in this interest form.
Please contact Helen Jackson Lockett-El at (612) 230-3345 or helen.jacksonlockett-el@mnchurches.org with any questions.
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
| Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, April 2, 11:30am
Peace UCC, Rochester
Twin Cities East Cluster: Wednesday, April 3, 12:00pm
Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul
Central Cluster: Thursday, April 4, 11:30am
To be announced
Northeast Cluster: Thursday, April 4, 11:39am
First Congregational UCC, Brainerd
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Retirement Celebration
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Conference-wide celebration of the retirement of
Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers
May 5, 2013, 5:00-8:00pm
Silverwood Park Great Hall
2500 Cty. Rd. E, St. Anthony, MN
Cost: $35/person
Includes appetizers, dinner and a program in Karen's honor
Register: www.uccmn.org/transition
Need hotel accommodations? Blocks of rooms are available at two local hotels. Mention "United Church of Christ" when you call in your reservation. To ensure our rates, please call no later than April 14.
Comfort Inn, Brooklyn Center, $79/room: 763-560-7464
Crowne Plaza, Minneapolis North, $92/room: 1-800-481-3556
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In addition, our final goodbye for Karen is during the June 7-9 Minnesota Conference UCC Annual Meeting. A brief program will be part of the Friday evening plenary, followed by worship, then a reception beginning around 9pm. Our liturgical release of Karen from the Minnesota Conference happens during worship, Sunday, June 9. The Annual Meeting takes place at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN. Check www.uccmn.org/annualmeeting to register for the Annual Meeting.
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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
Eco-Justice Training
August 11-14, 2013
Women's Retreat
September 20-22, 2013
Note: Middle School Camp is for youth currently in 5th-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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2013 Certification School - Scholarships Available
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May 19-24, 2013 | 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: $2,000
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 (zacn@uccmn.org) in the Conference Office.
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Spring Middle School Youth Event
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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.
This event is for middle school youth (grades 6-8) and their adult leaders. 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 zacn@uccmn.org or call the Conference Office at 612-871-0359.
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Our Whole Lives Trainings Available
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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.
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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 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!
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VRV Annual Meeting Pre-event!
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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 maritak@uccmn.org
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News from the Immigration Team
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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.
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Building the movement to end poverty
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"BUILDING THE MOVEMENT TO END POVERTY"
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 7:30-9:00 PM
Willie Baptist, poverty scholar-in-residence with the Poverty Initiative at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, will discuss the Bible, economics, poverty and change strategies. Baptist is committed to raising up generations of leaders dedicated to building a social movement to end poverty, led by the poor. Join us for an exploration of how the intersection of grassroots organizing and social theory is building a movement to end poverty.
No charge, but Registration required. Click here for more info.
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United Theological Seminary Spring Convocation
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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.
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Local Church Events
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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.
- Wednesday, March 27: Fairmont Community Easter Egg Hunt, St. John's UCC, Fairmont
- Wednesday, March 27: Discover Why Love Wins with Rob Bell, Wayzata Community Church
- Thursday, March 28: Maundy Thursday worship and Tenebrae service, Faith UCC, International Falls
- Friday, March 29: German Language Good Friday Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Friday, March 29: Tenebrae Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Sunday, March 31: Easter breakfast and celebration worship, Faith UCC, International Falls
- Wednesday, April 3: Fare for All Express, Hazel Park UCC, Saint Paul
- Sunday, April 7: Evensong Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Saturday, April 13: Art Garden, Falcon Heights UCC, Falcon Heights
Would you like your events to appear on this calendar? Just email Alison Bents at alisonb@uccmn.org. Simple as that!
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Employment Opportunities
| Check out the Employment Opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings.
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