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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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 General Synod 29 is now a week past, but the effects of the votes cast by the delegates during those five days in Long Beach will reverberate for years to come throughout the United Church of Christ, the United States, and the world.
The resolution that generated the most debate surrounded alleviating seminarian debt. The resolution that was originally brought before the delegates called for adding "an annual all-church offering and other possible funding initiatives." After two amendments, the resolution passed with 51.7% supporting it. The United Church News article about that vote is available here. There were a number of resolutions before the delegates of the General Synod dealing with environmental concerns. Our very own Minnesota Conference brought a resolution that was first passed by our Annual Meeting calling to make UCC church buildings more carbon neutral. That resolution passed the General Synod, led through the process by Rev. Gretchen Deeg, Lilly Pastoral Resident at Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis.
Another first for the United Church of Christ occurred on the Monday of Synod when delegates voted for the United Church of Christ to become the first major religious body in the United States to vote to divest from fossil fuel companies. That article is linked here, and the original text of the resolution can be found here.
The final item of business for the delegation was to vote on the resolution "Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining in Appalachia" brought to Synod by the Central Atlantic Conference. It was approved with 96% in favor. The resolution calls on all settings of the UCC to spread the word about the problems with the practice of removing the tops of mountains using explosives and carting the rubble into valleys to expose seams of coal. Read that resolution here, and the article on its vote here.
To read and learn more about all of the events, votes, and discussions that took place at this year's General Synod, visit United Church News. All of the original resolutions can be viewed here. Thank you again for your prayers and support as this incredible gathering has taken place and as the 844 delegates, 72 alternates and 2,018 registered visitors return to their home conferences.
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Joys and Concerns
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1. Shift UCC in Mendota Heights was featured in the most recent UCC Congregational Vitality newsletter. David Schoen, Minister and Team Leader for Congregational Vitality and Discipleship says Shift is "a new ministry in the UCC. Shift is 'an intentional faith community of people from all walks of life who strive everyday to live life as (their) truest, most authentic selves.' Shift has multiple ways and times for folks to connect with their community, including their Facebook page which has more than 10,000 likes. Check it out as an example of great online presence and outreach." 2. Margaret (Peggy) Thompson will be ordained on Sunday, July 21 at 2:00pm at Mayflower UCC (106 E Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis). Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the service. Please RSVP to Mayflower UCC at 612-824-0762 if you plan to attend.
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News from CUE Seminaries
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 Periodically, Chicago, United, and Eden will highlight a student or alum from one of the three seminaries. This month: Barbara Bolsen from Chicago Theological Seminary.
When Rev. Barb Bolsen (MDiv '98) describes her experience at Chicago Theological Seminary she states, "I stumbled into CTS and allowed it to transform my life." This transformation continues to ripple justice and mercy into the world through her work as Vice President of Programs with The Night Ministry, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides resources and human connection to those who experience poverty or homelessness. Previously, Bolsen has worked as a health care journalist, and is currently an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. To hear more from Rev. Barb Bolsen and CTS please visit our website: www.ctschicago.edu/alumni-outreach/alumni-stories.
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UCC seeks videos: My Faith, My World, My Voice
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Introduced at the 29th General Synod in Long Beach, the "My Faith, My World, My Voice" video contest will challenge young adults to show what their faith means to them and how it impacts the world in video.
The contest is open to individuals ages 18-35 and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 31, 2013. All entries must be original content and cannot be longer than 60 seconds. Videos can contain stills/photos, graphics, music, text, animation and/or video, and must be family-friendly and appropriate for viewing on ucc.org. The "My Faith, My World, My Voice" contest committee will select the videos of up to five finalists to be posted on YouTube, and the UCC community will have seven days to vote for their favorite video from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, 2013. The creator of the video that earns the most votes will win $5,000 and national recognition on ucc.org.
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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There are no clergy clusters in the coming week.
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Service of Farewell & Reception
for Rev. Elena Larssen
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 You are invited!
Thursday, July 25, 4:30-6:30pm
Farewell for Rev. Elena Larssen,
Associate Conference Minister
Please join us for a brief program thanking Elena for her service to the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ, along with a Service of Farewell, followed by an appetizer and beverage reception.
St. Paul's UCC, 900 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
Please RSVP to alisonb@uccmn.org
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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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Boundary Training - Register Now!
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Boundary Training has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 at Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church in Bloomington. 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.
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PPC&R Summer Camps
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 at
 Registration for youth camps at Pilgrim Point are open! Don't delay your registration - join 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. All participants must submit a health and medical release form before their registration is considered complete. There will also be opportunity at both camps to participate in a High and Low Ropes Challenge Course/Zipline located at a neighboring facility approximately 1.5 miles away from Pilgrim Point. Participation requires a Challenge Course Waiver and Transportation Release Form. All of these forms can be found at pilgrimpoint.org/forms. Deadline is this coming Monday: July 15th
Register Now!
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
Note: Middle School Camp is for youth who have graduated from 5th-8th grades. Senior High Camp is for youth who have graduated 9th-12th grades.
First Annual Deaf Family Camp
August 11-16, 2013
For any deaf family seeking an intergenerational faith experience in an outdoor setting - the UCC church is an open, affirming, progressive denomination where ALL are welcome!
2013 Camp Fees:
Children 3 and under FREE | Adults $230 | Ages 4-18 $200
Women's Retreat
September 20-22, 2013
A Grateful Heart
Join women of the Minnesota Conference UCC for a weekend of renewing old friendships and making new ones - all while experiencing the God-filled beauty of Pilgrim Point Camp and the unmistakable presence of the Lord. "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exalt in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." - Psalm 9:1-2 Download the brochure for more information about the keynoter, breakout sessions, schedule and other general information. |
Discerning Whiteness
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Discerning Whiteness workshop being co-sponsored by
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and
Cherokee Park United Church (UCC/PCUSA)
 United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is co-sponsoring the workshop "Discerning Whiteness: The Unacknowledged Barrier," which will be held on July 19 and 20 at Cherokee Park United Church in St Paul. The two-day workshop is being led by the award-winning ASDIC program. Early bird registration closes on July 12.
Utilizing interactive dialogue and reflection, the workshop will ask:
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?
Prior to the workshop, we will take the opportunity to study relevant leading ideas in the field of antiracism (excerpts from 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: Cherokee Park United Church, Saint Paul. More information, see flyer and registration form.
This workshop is being offered by the award-winning ASDIC Metamorphosis program and is being co-sponsored by United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Additional support for the workshop is comes from Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul (UCC/PCUSA). "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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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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