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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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We are basking in the glow of the 51st Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ this past weekend - what a spirit-filled weekend it was! We should certainly be grateful for all that we can accomplish together!
Those interested in revisiting some highlights of the weekend can do so now by following these links:
You should also know that the gross sales from the SERRV store were just under $2,300. When they have sold $2,000 worth of product, a family of four in the developing world has been supported for an entire year - so congratulations are in order for generating such a level of support!
Take a gander at just a few of the images captured throughout the weekend - these from Rev. Michael Small, pastor of Union UCC in Hackensack. We will share more as we receive them. Mark your 2014 calendars now for the 52nd Annual Meeting: June 13-15, 2014!
 
          
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Greetings from the Acting Conference Minister
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I am grateful for this opportunity to serve as the Acting Conference Minister of the Minnesota Conference, United Church of Christ. I see my role primarily of "bridging" the time between Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers's retirement on June 10, 2013, and the time when the new Conference Minister will be assuming these responsibilities. Thank you to all the wonderful people in leadership within the conference who are working so diligently in this transition. We are also blessed by an experienced and dedicated staff within the Conference setting. I look forward to opportunities to be visiting churches and meeting with many of you during this time. Please feel free to contact me at: howardb@uccmn.org if you have questions, if you have suggestions, and/or if you would like to arrange a visit.
Rev. Howard K. Bell
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Search Team Update: Final Candidate!
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Greetings from the Search Team! After due course and the final interviews of three candidates, we have unanimously and enthusiastically chosen a candidate to submit to the Board of Directors as our recommendation for the Minnesota Conference's next Conference Minister. The recommended candidate will meet with the Board of Directors on June 12th. After their approval and according to the bylaws, a special meeting of the Conference will be announced for a vote.
The special meeting of the Conference is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 1:00pm at Bethlehem UCC, Maple Lake. Please watch for the official announcement pertaining to this special meeting.
Save the Date!
Special Meeting of the
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ
Saturday, June 22, 2013, 1:00pm
Bethlehem UCC, Maple Lake
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Joys and Concerns
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1. An Ecclesiastical Council for Ashley Harness will be held Monday, June 17 at 10:00am at Living Table UCC (4001 38th Ave S, Minneapolis). A light lunch will follow the ecclesiastical council. To ensure a quorum, please RSVP to the church at 612-729-7556. You may indicate at that time whether you plan to stay for lunch.
2. Wayzata Community Church's Parables worship service was recently featured in a short piece by KSTP. You can view and read that by clicking here. Your very own COMMAntary had an article about the Parables service back in October - revisit that here!
3. Macalester Plymouth United Church in St. Paul is pleased to announce its call of the Rev. Adam Blons as Senior Minister. Adam previously served as a minister at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, CA, for ten years. He is a graduate of Cornell College (Iowa) and Pacific School of Religion. He will start on August 12th.
4. Mayflower Community Congregational UCC in Minneapolis has called the Rev. Emily Goldthwaite Fries as Associate Minister. Emily currently serves as Interim Minister of the UCC church in Brookings, SD, and previously was a missionary in Palestine with UCC/DOC Global Ministries. She also served on the staff of Urbandale UCC in Iowa. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Pacific School of Religion. She will start at Mayflower in August.
5. David Hottinger will be ordained Friday, June 21 at 6:00pm at Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis (106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis). Clergy are invited to robe. A light supper will follow. Please inform David at dhottinger@gmail.com or 612-873-9159 by June 17 if you plan to stay for the meal.
6. Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton of Wayzata Community Church in Wayzata has been awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award that will be presented at the UCC General Synod in Long Beach, CA this summer. The Excellence in Teaching Award has been presented to forty-six educators since 1987 during General Synod by Local Church Ministries - UCC and its predecessor, the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries. The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes outstanding educators, lay or ordained, employed or volunteer, who exemplify excellence in teaching, who are members of UCC congregations and/or who teach in an institution agency, or mission related to the United Church of Christ.
The Excellence in Teaching Award will be presented to four educators at this summer's General Synod in Long Beach, CA. These four educators embody in word and deed vibrant teaching and faith formation ministries in local churches of the United Church of Christ. They have been selected for this honor in recognition of how they exemplify the UCC values of Continuing Testament, Extravagant Welcome, and Changing Lives in their teaching.
Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton is the Minister for Faith and Education at Wayzata Community Church UCC at Wayzata, MN. As Minister of Faith and Learning, Allen Hilton leads Wayzata Community Church's Christian Education team, focusing on adult Christian discipleship. Former Minnesota Conference Minister, Rev. Karen Smith Sellers says, "Allen demonstrates through his access and engagement approach that "God is still speaking" - including through the questions and insights that come from learners/participants." Soon after arriving at Wayzata, he began teaching "Bible for Dummies" - welcoming any and all to classes offered from very early in the morning until late at night. He now teaches through short vimeo clips available of Facebook - making the Good News available to young and old in an open platform.
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A Resolution to Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies
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Moving on to the General Synod
AND Taking Care of Business at Home
from Dwight Wagenius, co-chair of the Justice and Witness Team
The Minnesota Conference UCC met in Annual Meeting this past Friday through Sunday. The Board of Directors and Justice Witness Team proposed a resolution, originally drafted by the Massachusetts organization of the UCC, to divest from fossil fuel companies as an action to defeat climate change. Endorsing the resolution supports its adoption by the General Synod of the whole UCC denomination meeting in California at the end of June.
Here's the resolution adopted overwhelmingly by the Minnesota Conference UCC:
 Regarding the Resolution Urging Divestment from Fossil Fuel Companies submitted as a resolution for UCC General Synod 29 by the Massachusetts Conference UCC (the "Resolution") be it resolved:
- That the 51st Annual Meeting approves, endorses, and states its support for adoption of the Resolution by General Synod 29;
- That the 51st Annual Meeting endorses, and approves application and implementation of the Resolution within the Minnesota Conference by the Conference, the Conference acting as an Association, Committees, teams and all constituent entities within the Conference. The Annual Meeting also recommends implementation of the Resolution by all Congregations in the Conference and their members. When individuals and entities in the Minnesota Conference divest, the Annual Meeting encourages an equivalent reinvestment in clean energy alternatives.
So, first big decision - endorse adoption of divestment by General Synod! Wowza - this is big - raising the potential for nation-wide pressure on fossil fuel companies! Thank you.
Then, even bigger, from some points of view - Annual Meeting adopted divestment for the Conference, even if the Resolution fails at General Synod! Double Wowza! We said - if it's the right thing to do, it's the right thing and we don't need the big kahuna assembly's urging to actually do it. One could call it a Bold New Thing!
Consistent with congregational polity, the Annual Meeting can and did only recommend to local churches and members to divest. We urge you to start right now; listen to the call of creation and our neighbors in the next generations.
If you have questions or comments, or would like additional resources regarding divestment, contact the Justice & Witness Team at mnconfjusticewitnessteam@gmail.com; we'll try to help.
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Reserve your spot and volunteer
at Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats 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: North Shore)
- July 26-28 (Available: 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)
Deadline for reserving a weekend is June 12.
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Organizer Training and Grants!
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Prophetic Voices - Organizer Training & Grants
from Rev. John Guttermann, Justice & Witness Team
Hone your Prophetic Voice skills by becoming a trained faith based organizer. This year's ISAIAH-PICO training is Sunday, August 11 through Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Mankato City Center Hotel, 101 E Main St, Mankato, MN. It is best if congregations send at least two people. For more information and to register, click here. You are not required to become an ISAIAH-MN congregation in order to participate in this training. In addition, as part of your Minnesota Conference Prophetic Voices initiative, your Justice and Witness Team offers grant money that can cover all or a part of the training. For a short form grant application, click here.
Consider, too, attending an organizer training program at the Midwest Academy (click for more information).
Both trainings are excellent: for information about some differences, contact Rev. John Guttermann, 651 485-3104; intpasj@mac.com.
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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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News from CUE (Chicago, United, Eden) Seminaries
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 Periodically, Chicago, United, and Eden will highlight a student or alum from one of the three seminaries.
This month: Aaron Lauer from United Theological Seminary
Aaron Lauer, M.A., graduated from United Theological Seminary in 2010 but stayed to serve as a research associate for the Center for Public Ministry at United. In January, Aaron was selected for an interfaith Community Organizing Residency, through which he works with the MN Conference to expand the base of UCC congregations engaged in social justice advocacy. As a result of Aaron's efforts, one suburban congregation hosted a legislative dialogue session in April that brought together local legislators and 80 of their constituents to discuss issues of a fair economy, healthcare access and education.
Aaron will become a United student again this fall, working towards a Master of Divinity degree. Aaron grew up in Ainsworth, Nebraska, and attended Hastings College in Hastings, NE. He hopes to serve small town and rural congregations.
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Registration Now Open!
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Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ
is proud to present the 7th Annual Fall Convocation
BOLDLY
TELLING OUR
STORIES OF
GOD'S LOVE
AND JUSTICE
October 10-11, 2013
Christ the King Retreat Center
Buffalo, Minnesota
with Ann Poston and Rev. Steve Newcom
The Vision for the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ proclaims the Big Inspirational Goal: to be a bold, widely-known, proactive and respected public voice of Christianity.
In this Fall Convocation we will work together toward the envisioned future in which we Boldly tell our stories of God's love and justice inspiring state and national leaders, as well as news media, to seek our comment and counsel on issues of peace, justice and faith.
Register Now!
Single room: $95* | Double room: $85*
*A generous grant from the Mayflower Foundation (Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis) makes a 50% reduction in the registration fee possible for all attendees of the 2013 Fall Convocation.
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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 $340/person
Register here or online at pilgrimpoint.org
Senior High Camp
July 28-August 3, 2013 (Sunday through Saturday)
Cost is $365/person
Register here or online at pilgrimpoint.org
E
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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Discerning Whiteness:
The Unacknowledged Barrier
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What qualities often make predominantly white organizations, no matter how well-intentioned, problematic for people of color? What are the mindset and practices contributing to racial disparities in the membership and outcomes of organizations, even liberal, progressive ones? How are these played out at the individual level and in the organizations of which we are a part?
Come join the dialogue at a two-day ASDIC workshop, as we explore these questions after taking the opportunity to study some of the leading ideas in the field of antiracism (Zeus Leonardo 2009 and Joe Feagin 2013). Dates: Friday July 19 and Saturday July 20, full day sessions each day with lunch and refreshments. Cost: see schedule attached; $125 per individual participant with scholarships available. Location: the West Side of St. Paul. For more info, see the flyer and registration form.
This workshop is offered by the award-winning ASDIC Metamorphosis program. "ASDIC" stands for Antiracism Study-Dialogue Circle, www.asdic-circle.org, facebook.com/AsdicCircle. FFI: Margery at margeryotto@gmail.com or 952-334-3149.
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50% off Guthrie Tickets: Clybourne Park
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The Guthrie and the Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools invite you to attend Clybourne Park and a panel discussion that reflects on the themes of neighborhoods, class, racism and social politics. Each panel will include actors and representatives of the Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools.
The play revolves around a "plain little house" but quickly moves to stark questions about home ownership and real estate. The panel will reflect on the complex themes that emerge such as profiling, racial conflict, access to capital and changing neighborhoods.
TUESDAY, JUNE 11 * 7:30 p.m.
Following the performance, discussion participants include actors and:
- Barbara A. Holmes, president and professor of ethics and African American religious studies, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton
- Christian Scharen, director of contextual learning, Luther Seminary, St. Paul
SATURDAY, JULY 13 * 1 p.m.
Following the performance, discussion participants include actors and:
- David S. Nah, associate professor of theology, Bethel Seminary, St. Paul
- Michael Patella, Benedictine monk, Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville; professor of New Testament, Saint John's School of Theology, Collegeville; chair, Committee on Illumination and Text for Saint John's Bible
Attend one of these performances and SAVE 50% on tickets.
Call the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224 and quote code "H10"
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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.
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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Interim Associate Conference Minister
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The Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ seeks an Interim Associate Conference Minister, beginning late July or early August 2013. The focus of this position is church vitality, including the Conference VRV (Vitality, Renewal, Vision) program, and Conference work with multiplication churches and new & affiliating congregations. This individual will also attend to the recruitment and development of new church start pastors and the coaching of clergy and lay leaders in church vitality. Additionally, this person provides "first call" response for the churches of the southern area of the Conference and staff support for the
Committee on Ministry, the Conference Vitality Team and all the Prophetic Witness Teams (ONA, Anti-Racism, Justice & Witness, Global Partnership & Immigration). A complete position description can be found
612-871-0369 or submit materials to maritak@uccmn.org or at 122 W. Franklin Ave., Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Deadline for applications: June 28, 2013. |
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