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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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from Wade Zick, Associate Conference Minister
of Faith Formation for Children and Youth
A Fall Full of Conference Youth Events
 This fall we have had two youth events at Pilgrim Point Camp with nearly 100 youth involved from 21 congregations. The theme of the middle school retreat was Discipleship. We met with the new Conference Minister, Rev. Shari Prestemon, took a journey around camp on a spiritual insight walk and played rousing games of kickball. Many thanks to the leadership of Jameson Baxter as the artist-in-residence, Lori Alford as the chaplain and Robin Raudabaugh and Gigi Nauer as site program staff.
 The high school retreat theme was God's Big Table: a Conversation on Race. We were led during our Saturday morning keynote time by Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes, President of United Theological Seminary. She challenged the group to consider the reality of race and what privileges come with being the defining group to establish identity and races.
 Some of the items youth took away from the weekend conversations on race were: talk to people of different ethnicities, be more aware of racist comments, explore and revoke unjust laws, be aware of one's privilege, pass on what we have learned here to others, to stand up and speak out when others are saying hurtful things, to look inside ourselves and change our own judgmental thoughts.
 Many thanks to Rev. Lawrence Richardson who assisted in programming and as a chaplain, as well as Jameson Baxter as artist-in-residence, Lori Alford as program assistant and Robin Raudabaugh and Gigi Nauer as site program staff. Also, many thanks to the registrar for both events, Zac Norenberg.
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Joys and Concerns
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1. The sanctuary was full as members and friends of St. John's UCC, Fairmont, celebrated the church's 125th anniversary on Sunday, October 27th. The worship service included prayers and readings from previous anniversary celebrations and the presentation of a plaque from the Conference. Keepsake ornaments were available for purchase, and a catered "Chicken & Biscuits" dinner was served, with a choice of five pies for dessert. Five generations of one family were present including a new great, great grandchild only 12 days old. St. John's has always kept good records, and many historical artifacts were on display. In its 125 years, St. John's has recorded:
- 1729 baptisms
- 1533 confirmations
- 870 weddings
- 1036 deaths
We look forward to many more years of faithful service. May God bless their ongoing ministry, and that of their pastor, Richard Abel.
2. Cottage Grove UCC will celebrate its 50th Anniversary as a UCC congregation on Sunday, November 10th at its 10:15 worship service. The church was formed by a merger of First Congregational Church and St. Matthew's Evangelical and Reformed Church, both founded in 1858. Conference Minister, Rev. Shari Prestemon, will bring greetings from the Minnesota Conference. Cottage Grove UCC is located at 7008 Lamar Avenue South, Cottage Grove.
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Taizé 2014
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Taizé 2014
The Faith Formation Team of the Minnesota Conference UCC is sponsoring a 2014 Pilgrimage to the Taizé Community in France from April 3-14, 2014. The pilgrimage is for those age 29 and younger working with children and/or youth, either as volunteer or staff. The low cost of the pilgrimage is made possible by an Ashley Endowment Grant from the MN Conference UCC Board of Directors.
Criteria include:
- Age 29 or younger at the time of pilgrimage due to the restrictions from the Taizé Community
- Involvement at a MN Conference UCC congregation in faith formation or youth ministry, either as staff or a volunteer
- Provide a letter of recommendation from the minister where you are involved in faith formation and/or youth ministry
- Completion of the application
Date: April 3-14, 2014
Cost: $750 (includes flights, transportation, registration)
Registration: There are 25 spaces available with a rolling application through November 1, 2013. Applications will be reviewed by members of the Faith Formation Team.
Download the application to apply or for more information.
If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Wade Zick at wadez@uccmn.org.
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Justice Organizing in the Minnesota Conference
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from Rev. John Guttermann, Justice & Witness Team
 What does God require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
-Micah 6:8
Justice Organizing in the Minnesota Conference UCC
The Conference Justice and Witness Team is continuing its response to the Prophetic Voices resolution by encouraging pastors and congregations to engage congregational based advocacy - organizing. Click here to read the approved version of the Prophetic Voices resolution. The goals are to encourage, work with, resource, and help congregations add advocacy / organizing for structural change to their compassion ministry portfolio.
Congregational Based Organizing (CBO) has long been recognized as an effective way to improve lives and bring justice to places where it is lacking. For churches, such organizing offers a tangible means for being disciples engaged in the public square while strengthening their congregational life and mission. Click here to read more about congregational based organizing.
 To develop this effort, the Justice and Witness Team employed an intern last winter-spring. That intern, Aaron Lauer, has written an important reflection paper about his experience. I invite your reactions to and conversation about this paper.
The JW Team now employs a second intern who comes to us via the Center for Public Ministry and United Theological Seminary: she is Kathryn Price, propheticvoicesucc@uccmn.org.
Your understanding of congregational based organizing and advocacy might also be helped by the typology matrix created by Steve Newcom, director of the Center for Public Ministry (click here to read):
Steve developed a public ministry typology to provide an organizing framework to advance the body of knowledge and practice of social justice ministry. The typology reflects a paradigm shift: from issues to strategies and from knowledge to competencies.
Shifting the conceptual framework of social justice expands the focus to include "how" and moves into the realm of practical theology. The typology provides a framework for organizing and advancing a body of knowledge and body of practice for doing public ministry.
Finally - Peace fund grants are available to help congregations pay for - acquire the resources needed to do organizing - advocacy ministry that takes them beyond the important compassion-care ministries they are already doing. Links for the grant applications are on the JW page of the Conference web site. Click here to see.
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Are you Justice LED?
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Are you Justice LED?
Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing (Justice LED) is a faith-based, biblically-grounded curriculum and leadership training resource developed by Justice and Witness Ministries. It offers an exploration of the Biblical and socio-cultural grounding for doing justice work.
Justice LED training is provided to lay leaders and clergy who wish to facilitate Justice LED in their congregation. Justice LED empowers church members to deeply reflect upon the justice dimensions of Christian discipleship and to act upon justice issues that matter to
them.
Empower yourself and others!
Justice LED Training Options:
Regional Trainers: Once trained, Regional Trainers commit to train local church members in their region who want to introduce Jutice LED to their congregations.
Local Church Training Teams: Groups of 2 - 8 people from a local church who wish to share Justice LED with their congregation. Multi-church or single church trainings can be arranged.
Special Group Trainings: Justice LED may be adapted for special groups (such as Conference staff, justice-related committees, church retreats, college or seminary groups). We particularly recommend this training for Youth and Young Adult ministries and groups!
Trainings can be scheduled to meet your needs, or you may find more information about training options and scheduled events at www.ucc.org/justice/training. You can also access a church planning guide here. If you are interested in being trained to bring Justice LED to your region, congregation, staff, ministry group or UCC events, contact Kelly Burd at burdk@ucc.org or 866-822-8224.
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, November 5, 11:30am
Peace UCC, Rochester
Twin Cities East Cluster: Wednesday, November 6, 12:00pm
Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul
Northeast Cluster: Thursday, November 7, 11:30am
First Congregational UCC, Brainerd
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Fall VRV Events!
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Social Media, Websites
and Technology for Congregations
 The tools of technology both fascinate and frustrate many of us. This fall VRV presents four webinars to help congregational leaders to better use these tools to promote and communicate your congregation and its story.
You may register for the webinars separately, but we encourage you to sign up for the whole package (and you get a price break!). Those who complete all four seminars will qualify for a short-term CoachShare group with Bruce Reyes-Chow, one of the foremost authorities on social media and internet use in the church.
Each webinar is $9.99. If you register for all four, you get four webinars for the price of three at $29.97.
Register here!
Once you register with the Conference, we will send you information on connecting to the Center for Progressive Renewal for the webinars. If you are unable to participate on the day and time listed, not to worry. Each webinar will be archived and you can listen to it at your convenience. The advantage to being on the live webinar is you can ask questions, but you can still get the information, whether you are on live or not.
Here are the details:
Webinar #1 Social Media: The Biggest Pulpit of Today, Part 1
October 17, 2013 - 12:00pm CDT
Facebook and Twitter are the biggest pulpits of today. It's not just about reaching kids or Millennials (though you will!), but about everyone. This webinar will introduce you to a model of curatorial leadership take your social media use from point A all the way to point Awesome.
Webinar #2 Social Media: The Biggest Pulpit of Today, Part 2
October 29, 2013 - 1:00pm CDT
Now that you understand the big picture of how to lead using social media as a pulpit, it's time to practice. We'll walk through creating your online clergy profile and curating your church's content for the biggest impact.
Presenter for Webinars #1 and 2: Ashley Harness is a communications strategist with almost a decade of experience in non-profit media work. Currently, Ashley works with the digital organizing team at Auburn Seminary and provides confidential media training and counsel to clergy seeking to use media as a pulpit of the 21st century.
Webinar #3 Website Basics for ChurchesNovember 7, 2013 - 7:00pm CSTYour website is truly the front door to your church. People will have visited your website before they visit your building. Learn the basics you need to have to make your church website attractive, informative and easily found. Webinar #4 Live Streaming Worship Services for ChurchesNovember 21, 2013 - 12:00pm CSTIt used to be only mega-churches with million dollar budgets could live stream their worship services over the web. A lot has changed recently and this webinar is designed to show you inexpensive (even free) tools that will help you stream your worship services to the world.  Presenter for Webinars #3 and 4: Mike Mitchell has significant experience doing media & communication in the corporate world. Most recently he had founded Progressive Church Media which develops media resources for progressive, accepting and affirming congregations. An increasing number of progressive-minded churches are using video and multimedia to make their worship services more engaging and seeker-friendly. Each webinar is $9.99. If you register for all four, you get four webinars for the price of three at $29.97. Register here!
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Upcoming Events at United Theological Seminary
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JAY BAKKER AT UNITED
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 7:00 PM
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
3000 5th St NW, New Brighton | 651.255.6138
 Innovative pastor Jay Bakker, whose ministry meets regularly at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis, talks about his ministry and discusses his latest book, Faith, Doubt and Other Lines I've Crossed. Bakker's book voices the questions Christians are thinking but won't ask: doubt about God, the Bible, heaven and hell, relationships, love and more. He encourages all to welcome "the other," read the Bible differently but better, draw together in community and seek an unknown God of limitless grace. Son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Bakker speaks to congregations and other groups all over the country about faith, grace and his experiences with the underside of life and Christianity. He is an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community.
Fee: There is no charge
Registration: More information and register online. Or contact Renee Flesner, 651.255.6138.
"WHAT'S NEXT?"
THURS., NOV. 14, 11:30-8:00 PM or 3:00-8:00 PM
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
3000 5th St NW, New Brighton | 651.255.6138
"What's Next?" is a time of worship, stories, feasting, conversation, questions and answers.If you are wondering what might be next in your life, where the call from God might be taking you, where the Spirit might be leading, time with others in the discernment process can be invaluable. United's admissions staff welcomes you into a conversation with other inquirers, current students, faculty and staff to explore together what's next for you. Thursday full-day attendees have the additional opportunity to attend s chapel service, have lunch, and sit in on a class.
Fee: No charge. Snacks and a meal are provided.
Registration: More information and online registration. Or contact Sara Smalley, 651.255.6119.
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Faith Action Vigil, no. 50
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Date: Sunday, November 3, 2:30-3:00pm
Location: Ramsey County Adult Detention Center
425 Grove Street, Saint Paul, MN
November Host: The Advocates for Human Rights
Sponsored by Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM)
Join us for the 50th Faith Action Vigil on Sunday, November 3, from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Faith Action Vigils are held the first Sunday of every month at the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center, and are sponsored by the Interfaith Coalition on Immigration. The Advocates for Human Rights is the host for the November vigil.
Information: Interfaith Coalition on immigration
interfaithcoalitionimmigration@gmail.com
Faith Action Vigils are the first Sunday of every month
Rain, Snow, Cold, or Shine.
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Stop Predatory Payday Lending in Minnesota!
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Stop Predatory Payday Lending in Minnesota!
Be a part of the movement toward fair and equitable lending in Minnesota! Join the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and Minnesotans for Fair Lending to learn about the problem of predatory payday lending in Minnesota and potential solutions to change the situation. Free dinner will be provided!
AGENDA
3:30 - Welcome and Introductions
3:45 - Overview of Payday Lending
4:50 - Ending Predatory Payday Lending
5:40 - Dinner! Eat! Mingle! Converse!
6:15 - Break-out Session #1
7:00 - Break-out session #2
7:45 - Wrap Up and Action Steps
8:00 - Adjourn
WHEN: November 14, 3:30-8:00pm
WHERE: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
2730 E 31st Street, Minneapolis
PLEASE RSVP ONLINE AT EVENTBRITE
Or RSVP by contacting Emily Shimkus via emily@jrlc.org or 612-230-3234.
You can download a flier to post in your congregation, and feel free to invite your friends via Eventbrite. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Shift UCC Anniversary Celebration!
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Join Pastor Lawrence Richardson and members of Shift UCC as they celebrate their one year in ministry in the Minnesota Conference!
Sunday, November 3, 12:30-2:30pm
Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser Brunch!
12:30pm Brunch is served, 1:00 Program begins
2242 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN 55116
The program includes a look back over the first year, music, and an awards ceremony honoring outstanding community members. This event is a great opportunity for you to share in our excitement as we celebrate the community building and ministry happening among us. To RSVP or if you have questions, contact Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson, Pastor: 612-709-3006 or shiftucc@gmail.com.
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Respectful Conversation About Guns
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Join a Respectful Conversation
About Guns in Minnesota
You are invited to join with residents of Stillwater and the East Metro community in a conversation designed not to change minds, but to soften our hearts in a conversation about guns in Minnesota.
Conversations about significant issues can sometimes be emotional, pick-a-side and fight-it-out discussions that leave us feeling worse about the people we disagree with, and sometimes worse about ourselves. We've all seen how discussions about guns have become one of those kind of conversations today. So join this conversation to learn and practice a Christ-like way of discussing significant issues without disliking each other more, but instead by understanding each other better. While the focus and concern is guns in Minnesota, the learning can be valuable in all areas of your life.
This conversation is co-sponsored by St. Peter's and the Minnesota Council of Churches, created this model for talking out of their concern for the good of our communities and the possibilities to have these kinds of conversations because we follow Jesus who built peace and justice among all he met.
A Respectful Conversation About Guns in Minnesota
Wednesday, November 6th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hosted by St. Peter's United Church of Christ
111 Orleans Street East, Stillwater, MN
Pre-registration requested online at: www.mnchurches.org, or by contacting the church at 651-439-2160.
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Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage of Ireland
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 Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage of Ireland
May 6-16, 2014
Explore an ancient spiritual tradition that embodies care for creation, embraces differences, provides seeds of resistance to empires, and finds the sacred in all that is.
Led by Rev. Kiran Young Wimberly & Rev. Dr. Tim Johnson. $300 deposit due by November 24, 2013. For complete itinerary, description, cost and registration information go to www.CherokeeParkUnited.org.
For questions or to have information mailed, contact Rev. Tim Johnson, pastor of Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul at 651-227-4275 or cpuc@usfamily.net.
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Veterans Ministry Roundtable
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Vets Ministry Roundtable
with Father Michael Lapsley
An International Perspective
on the Suffering of Veterans
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 12:00-1:30pm
Minnesota Church Center
122 W. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
presented by the Coming Home Collaborative
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Restorative Justice Keynote
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You are invited to the South St. Paul Restorative Justice Council's Annual Meeting featuring a keynote presentation from Sen. Scott Dibble Tuesday, November 12
6:30pm Social time and Council business
7:00pm Introduction by Representative Joanne Ward
Keynote Speaker
Senator M. Scott Dibble, Governor's Task Force on Anti-Bullying
and author of Minnesota Anti-Bullying Legislation
Questions and Answers to follow
To be held at:
Clark Memorial United Church of Christ Social Hall
779 15th Avenue North, South St. Paul, MN 55075
corner of 15th Avenue and Bryant Street
Parking on street or parking lot located behind church off of Bryant Street. Enter the church through either of the Bryant Street doors
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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, October 30: Fare for All Express, Hazel Park UCC, St. Paul
- Sunday, November 3: Reducing Stress in Your Family Life, Plymouth Congregational, Minneapolis
- Sunday, November 3: Evensong Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Saturday, November 16: Beyond the Basics: Compassionate Communication Deepening Training, Plymouth Congregational, Minneapolis
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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