One of the Strategic Priorities identified by the Minnesota Conference is Faith formation for all: Minnesota Conference members are well-equipped to grow in faith throughout their lifetime.

The Faith Formation Team provides leadership for the Minnesota Conference as we strive to fully welcome people of all ages into a life of Christian Discipleship. The Team helps to host events and provide resources to congregational leaders of all ages across the Conference. Our mission is to equip people in congregations across the Minnesota Conference to do meaningful ministry with young people and their families so that people have opportunities to practice discipleship in meaningful ways.

This year, the Faith Formation Team worked with Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Minister for Christian Faith Formation Research in the National Setting of the UCC. Kristina spent the past year researching quality faith formation practices. We wanted to combine her wisdom and research with our work in the Minnesota Conference. Together, we developed a list of 5 markers of quality faith formation practices in congregations. These marks are not meant an exhaustive list; they are meant to help start conversation in congregations of all sizes about to best integrate quality faith formation practice into the all ministry areas. It is also understood that these practices will take different forms in different congregations. We are calling these the "Faith Forming 5."

• Children and Youth Participate in Worship
• At Home Faith Practices
• Intergenerational Ministry
• Service and Mission with Theological Reflection
• Lay and Clergy Leadership Development

There will be additional information and a workshop about the "Faith Forming 5" at the Annual Meeting.

Some of the ways the Faith Formation team, the Associate Conference Minister for Faith Formation, and the Ashley Endowment have supported Faith Formation across the Conference:

• "Fourth Thursdays:" The Conference hosts gatherings for adult leaders in congregations. At these gatherings, speakers share from their experiences and provide written resources. The gatherings are also a time for people to network and share ideas with one another.

• Conference Youth Events: Each year, the Conference hosts four weekend-long youth events (two for Middle School Youth and two for High School Youth). These events provide an opportunity for young people to come together from across the Conference for a weekend of worship, leadership development, and learning about a particular topic.

• Certification School for Progressive Christian Youth Ministry: Working collaboratively with the Iowa Conference UCC, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and Vibrant Faith Ministries, the Conference has organized an intensive leadership development training program for adults working with young people. Over the past few years, 21 people have participated in Certification School. The resources and insights gained during Certification School has transformed and inspired the faith formation work in several congregations across the Conference.

• Micro Grants: For the past several years, the Conference has designated some of the money from the Ashley Endowment to be given directly to congregations in the form of small grants. These grants encourage intergenerational ministry and provide support for creative mission work.

• Connections with the National UCC: The Conference provides resources and support for youth to attend General Synod and the UCC National Youth Events. In addition, we work collaborative to fund and create resources that benefit the whole UCC.

We welcome your prayers, your support, and your ideas for our ministry.

Kiely Todd Roska, chair - UCC, New Brighton
Stephanie Winter - St. Paul's UCC, Henderson

Laura Lambert - Bethlehem UCC, Maple Lake
Julia Kvam - UCC, Granite Falls

Eric Karsten - Congregational UCC, Rochester

Lori Heitman - St John's UCC, New Albin

Mary Gilbertson - First UCC, Moorhead

Jackie Falk - Pilgrim UCC, Duluth
Rev. Tom Ewald - Macalester-Plymouth, St. Paul

Cecilia Baxter- Linden Hills UCC, Minneapolis

Lori Alford - St. Anthony Park UCC, St. Paul

Deadline Friday - get your applications in now! 

Justice & Witness Annual Meeting recognitions still being accepted!  

There are four recognitions for your new and continuing work for justice in the Minnesota Conference UCC:

1. *NEW* - Prophetic Voices Recognition

2. Accessibility Recognition

Click here for the one application for all recognitions. The application also explains eligibility. Do remember to provide three digital photos showing your work!  

Final deadline for all applications are due May 31. (Note: the due date for inclusion in the Conference recognition booklet has passed - May 17.) Questions? Contact Co-Chair Rev. John Guttermann,  

651-485-3104 or intpasj@mac.com 

Peace Fund Grants are for growing the mission and ministry capability of Conference congregations and members, and for adding to the justice-prophetic mission capacity of congregation or individual applicants. Here's an update on the Fund.

In implementing the Prophetic Voices campaign approved by the 2012 Annual Meeting, the Justice and Witness Team promotes training organizers within the Conference. The Team recently approved the first "organizer training" grant. A grant to First UCC Northfield will help three of their members attend week-long organizer training this summer. We celebrate this action in implementing the Conference Justice Core Value of "serving with compassion and advocating with passion [in seeking] a more just and peaceful world."

Three other recent grants went to young church leaders - Aaron Lauer, Rev. Alison Killeen, and Laura Beth Gatzke - to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Day training in Washington, D.C. They met with leaders from other denominations around the country to discuss and practice advocacy on hunger.

A shining star Earthwise congregation, a model in stewardship of creation and wise and efficient use of energy, St Paul's UCC, St Paul, received a grant that along with rebates will allow them to complete a controls program to minimize its carbon footprint through reducing fossil fuel consumption. Way to go St Paul's!

Here's where you can find out more about contributing to the Peace Fund and seeking grants from the Fund. 

If you have questions or comments for the Justice & Witness Team contact us at mnconfjusticewitnessteam@gmail.com.

This is a time for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender folk to gather, along with allies, to be in community and learn as we continue to live out our "open and affirming" commitment.

This year's theme is If Not Now, Tell Me When: being spiritual and strategic in our Open and Affirming work. We will spend time sharing and strategizing, playing and praying as we continue to work towards extravagant welcome in our church and bringing God's justice to the world.

Register online now!  

We will come together on the campus of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph in the late afternoon of Thursday, June 6th and conclude at Noon on Friday, June 7th.