| Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference | |
from Rev. Anita Bradshaw, Interim Associate Conference Minister
What is God Calling Your Church to Be and to Do?:
New Beginnings Assessment Service
Has your congregation wondered what God is calling you to do and be in this time and this place? This key question is at the heart of new service to our congregations through the UCC's New Beginnings Assessment Service. New Beginnings assesses a congregation's strengths and challenges as it seeks to redevelop its ministry. The goal is to put the congregation on the road to sustainable Christian witness and action within its community.
If your congregation can answer "yes" to three or more of the following, it may the right time for a New Beginning:
- Less than 70 in worship
- Significant building issues (too much space, inadequate parking, putting off repairs and maintenance)
- Aging membership
- Changing neighborhood
- Trouble paying bills and/or paying off a loan
The process usually takes six to eight months. Your congregation will:
- Receive a comprehensive report of strengths and challenges, as well as a realistic picture of possible future directions.
- Be trained in a discernment process to follow God's lead in choosing a new direction.
- Discover available ministry opportunities in the community.
- Learn how to discuss and implement change in a healthy, open manner.
- Leaders receive additional training on leading through change.
- Set a course for future strategic and visionary ministry planning.
The cost for the service, which is significantly less than similar services with outside consultants, is $2,800.00 for each congregation.
David Schoen, Minister and Team Leader for Congregational Assessment and Support, will conduct three "Come and See" sessions to acquaint pastors and leaders in Minnesota congregations with the process and answer questions on January 25 and 26. These sessions are free, but please register to help us plan for each session. Sessions will be held around the Conference as follows:
- January 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the southern part of the Conference
- January 25 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Twin Cities
- (Exact location for the Saturday sessions is still being determined.)
- January 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. First Congregational UCC of Brainerd.
Click here to register now!
|
Joys and Concerns
|
1. An Ecclesiastical Council for Margaret (Margo) Richardson, who is seeking Privilege of Call in the UCC, will be held Thursday, December 12 at 11:00am at First Congregational UCC in Anoka (1923 Third Ave S, Anoka). A quorum of 7 churches is required. Attendees are invited to have lunch following the ecclesiastical council. To ensure a quorum for the council, please RSVP to the church at 763-421-3375 or office@uccanoka.org and also indicate whether you wish to have lunch. 2. Advent greetings from the national offices of the United Church of Christ!  | | Room for Everyone |
3. First Congregational UCC of Grand Marais is pleased to announce that it has called the Rev. Beth Benson to be its next pastor. They will extend a warm welcome to Beth and her family as she begins her ministry with them in late January. The congregation also wishes to express its deep appreciation to the Rev. EvaLyn Carlson for her faithful ministry as their Interim Minister.4. An Ecclesiastical Council for Michael Slagenweit-Coffman, whi is seeking ordination in the UCC, will be held Monday, December 16 at 10:30am at First Congregational UCC, Winona (161 W Broadway, Winona). A quorum of 7 churches is required. Attendees are invited to have lunch following the ecclesiastical council. To ensure a quorum for the council, please RSVP to the church at 507-452-4829 or 1stcong@hbci.com, also indicating at that time whether you plan to have lunch. |
2013 MN Homeless Memorial March & Service
|
Join Conference Minister Shari Prestemon
and other UCC members to witness for justice.
On Thursday, December 19, the 29th annual Minnesota Homeless Memorial March & Service will take place, sponsored by Simpson Housing Services. Since 1984, hundreds from throughout the state march through downtown Minneapolis in silent vigil to remember persons who died while homeless. Marchers carry individual signs with the name, age, and hometown of every person being remembered. A memorial service follows, where candles are lighted for each person lost.
As we await the Prince of Peace this Advent, you are invited to participate in this march alongside Conference Minister Shari Prestemon, Reverend T. Michael Rock (Robbinsdale UCC, Robbinsdale), and other UCC members who do so as a way of offering a witness for justice and hope in a world where far too many still sleep - and die - on our streets nationwide.
United Church of Christ members will gather inside the front doors of the Hennepin County Government Center at 4:45 pm on December 19 to march together beginning at 5 pm. The evening continues at Simpson United Methodist Church (2740 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis) with a Service of Remembrance at 6:30. Wear any UCC pins, coats, hats, or scarves you may have, and dress warmly and comfortably. Drop Shari Prestemon a line to let her know to look for you! (sharip@uccmn.org)
For further information on the homeless memorial march and service, see http://www.simpsonhousing.org/memorial.html.
 | | MN Homelessness Memorial March |
|
Give a Great Gift: Donate to the Conference
|
 When we think of gifts this time of year, we imagine shiny boxes filled with toys, neckties, sweaters, and books.
But some of the greatest gifts don't come wrapped in paper.
One of the greatest gifts we have as a Conference is you. Thank you for all the gifts you share.
Please take a moment to reflect on the gifts the Conference has given to you and your church.
When you give to the Minnesota Conference Annual Fund, we pass the gift on to congregations, ministers, and communities.
The Conference supports churches in ways no other organization does. It helps ministers navigate times of crisis. It guides youth and adults alike on their spiritual journeys. It brings together leaders for trainings and peer support groups.
In this season of joyous giving, please be a Friend of the Conference. Make a year-end contribution to our Annual Fund today and ensure our ministries continue to thrive tomorrow.
|
5 for 5 Deadline set for 2013 Contributions
|
Five for Five 2013
deadline set for Wednesday, January 15
Checks with gifts for UCC Basic Support (Our Church's Wider Mission), One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, Neighbors in Need, and the Christmas Fund will need to be received at the Conference Office by Wednesday, January 15 to be counted toward your 2013 Five for Five tally. Offerings we receive after Wednesday, January 15 will be credited, with gratitude, to your 2014 giving. Please help us with your understanding and your support, and by meeting this deadline for 2012 Five Funds gifts. If you have questions, please contact the Business Office at business@uccmn.org. Pastors and Moderators: please make sure this information gets passed on to your church treasurer.
|
Micro-Grants now available!
|
The Minnesota Conference UCC is pleased to announce the approval of up to $10,000 for congregation micro-grants of $200-$700 from the Ashley Endowment. Grants must support the congregation's ministry and work with children, youth and/or families.
View and download the grant application here.
While scheduling faith formation events, please consider avoiding Pilgrim Point Youth Camp dates;
- July 20-25, 2014
- July 27-August 1, 2014
Questions? Email Zac at zacn@uccmn.org or call the Conference Office at 612-871-0359!
|
Advent: A Season for Immigrants
|
Advent: A Season for Immigrants
from the North Carolina Council of Churches
(submitted by the Rev. John Guttermann)
Advent is a season of hope, of waiting, of watching for signs of God's reign among us. It's a season for remembering the people around us, of opening our hearts and learning to see the image of God not only in family and friends but also in "strangers." In this spirit, Strangers Among Us: An Advent Devotional is a wonderful series of advent reflections on immigration, published by the Virginia United Methodist Conference. It's a great resource for our times.
Supporters of Immigration Overhaul Remain Focused
 | |
Lobbying for Immigration Reform with an interfaith and ecumenical group at Congresswoman Betty McCollum's office. Participants represented the Interfaith Coalition on Immigration, Jewish Community Action, The Advocates for Human Rights, Liberian Anglican Community, Council of Arab Islamic Relations, Catholic Charities, and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans.
|
For a group of protesters on the National Mall, the strategy has become dramatic and drastic. After 12 days of no food, just water, dark rings circle the eyes of activist Rudy Lopez. "The hunger has gone from sharp pain to now more of a constant companion that I've gotten used to," says Lopez, a community organizer from East Chicago, IN, with the Fair Immigration Reform Movement. Click here to read more.
Click here for more information about the Fast for Families.
Immigration Programs and Preaching
Free from your Conference Immigration Team
For more information, contact Diane Haines (dianemaryhaines@gmail.com) or Susie George (susiemg7@yahoo.com)
|
New Authorized Minister Profile Portal!
| |
Due to come out Jan. 31, 2014
The new system is to be released Jan. 31, 2014. By means of a validated denominational Profile and a live, self-reported 'Snapshot' - will document eligibility for call as well as improve timely visibility for ministers. Unlike the 'vintage' profile, the new profile contains only three written/phone references, and gives space for a variety of callings and vocational experiences. What doesn't change in the profile: the criminal background check, an ethical self-disclosure, and conference verification of ministerial standing and fitness. Search committees will receive some of both profiles for up to 18 months, or until vintage profiles expire. (Note: Search and Call Staff across the 38 conferences are the first to be trained on the new system, beginning this December. Authorized ministers can expect online "how to" video tutorials in January found at www.ucc.org/ministers/profile.)
|
UTS Receives Lilly Endowment Grant
|
United Theological Seminary
Receives Lilly Endowment Grant
to Improve the Economic
Well-Being of Future Ministers
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) has received a $184,355 grant as part of Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Theological School Initiative to Address Economic Issues Facing Future Ministers. United is one of 67 theological schools across the country to receive this funding.
Personal financial pressures are severely limiting the ability of seminary graduates to accept calls to Christian ministry and undermining the effectiveness of too many pastoral leaders. To help address this issue, Lilly Endowment created the Theological School Initiative to Address Economic Issues Facing Future Ministers. The initiative's aim is to encourage theological schools to examine and strengthen their financial and educational practices to improve the economic well-being of future pastors.
All theological schools fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada were invited to submit grant proposals. United will use its funding to develop innovative programs and practices designed to provide financial wellness training for students and alums.
"United's efforts to stem the amount of debt that students take on have seen encouraging success in the past year," noted President Barbara A. Holmes. "The Lilly grant allows us to create financial training, advising and mentoring programs that address the typical debt load of theological education. The resulting financial well-being gives graduates flexibility in the types of congregations they can serve."
"Pastors are indispensable spiritual leaders and guides, and the quality of pastoral leadership is critical to the health and vitality of congregations," said Christopher L. Coble, vice president for religion at the Endowment.
"Theological schools play a critical role in preparing pastors and are uniquely positioned to address some of the economic challenges they face," Coble added. "The Endowment hopes that these grants will support broad efforts to improve the financial circumstances facing pastoral leaders so that pastors can serve their congregations more joyfully and effectively."
About United
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is a progressive graduate school welcoming diverse faiths, views and orientations. A variety of stimulating programs focus on social justice, interfaith dialogue and the arts in religion. Learn more at www.unitedseminary.edu.
About Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family-J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli-through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. Lilly Endowment's religion grantmaking is designed to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes. More information can be found at www.lillyendowment.org.
|
Habitat for Humanity Trips Coming Up!
| |
 This will be the 25th year Minnesota Conference UCC members and friends will travel to Coahoma County Mississippi, to help build houses for those most in need. Coahoma County is one of the poorest counties in the USA and Jonestown Mississippi is one of the poorest towns in Coahoma County. We will be working on three houses this year: finishing and dedicating one house, continuing the work on a second and starting with a cement slab and framing a third house. We can use volunteers of any age or skill, as there will be plenty of work for all. We hope to have 20 volunteers helping each week. Questions? Contact Bob Peterson at rpeter446@aol.com. An application and more information is available here. We look forward to having you join us!
|
Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
| |
There are no clergy clusters in the coming week.
|
A Conversation with Rev. Prestemon
|
A Conversation with Rev. Prestemon
at Peace UCC Rochester
Please join us in welcoming Rev. Shari Prestemon, new Conference Minister of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ. Rev. Prestemon looks forward to talking with you about your local ministries and the future of the Conference. Light refreshments will be provided.
Date & Time:
January 12, 2:00 PM
Location:
Peace UCC
1503 Second Avenue NE
Rochester, MN
We'll see you there!
|
Save the Date: Installation
|
 Mark your calendars now and plan to attend the installation of our Conference Minister, Rev. Shari Prestemon!
Installation: Rev. Shari Prestemon
Saturday, February 1, 1:30pm
Mizpah UCC, Hopkins
|
Upcoming VRV Workshop: INSPIRING LEADERS
|
Mark Your Calendars
VRV Workshop - February 5, 2014
(Registration @ 9:00am, Workshop 9:30-3:00pm)
Location: TBA
INSPIRING LEADERS
Developing Effective Congregational Leadership
Facilitator: Rev. Glenna T. Shepherd,
Center for Progressive Renewal
 Congregations will see increased commitment and vitality when we recruit leaders who can inspire others to be passionately involved in the ministries of the church.
But we often think that we must find someone - anyone - to fill established roles in the structure of the congregation. What if we change our approach and tap into the interests, skills, and passions of our people, if we instead listen deeply to the lives of the congregation and look for leadership qualities?
In this practical workshop that includes underpinning goals of faith formation and service to communities, we'll consider strategies for recruiting, training, nurturing, and developing ministry leaders.
INSPIRING LEADERS will focus on:
- Connecting ministries to the life of the whole church
- Building adaptive leaders
- Using imagination to build ministries
- Equipping leaders with the resources they need
- Inspiring vision and moving to action
We will also consider basic, but pivotal issues about qualities to look for in ministry leaders, about leadership and vision, and about building systems of communication using a variety of media.
Cost: $30.00 Includes lunch, breaks, all materials, and access to archived videos of all presentations. Teams of two or more from a congregation get to bring their pastor for free!
Can't attend on February 5? You can still access the presentations by registering for the virtual participation option. Each of the presentations will be recorded and streamed over the internet. Your virtual participation registration will get you each presentation for the cost of $15.00. You will also be able to receive the handout materials electronically.
|
No More Silence
|
The Justice and Witness Team of the MN Conference UCC with Protect Minnesota, the Minnesota Chapter of Moms Demand Action to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut:
TIME: 9:30 AM Central Time
DATE: Saturday, December 14, 2013
LOCATION: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave Minneapolis, Minnesota
No More Silence: A Call for Remembrance and Resolve
 | |
More than 3,300 makeshift grave markers on the National Mall commemorating the lives lost to gun violence since the shooting in Newtown, CT
|
As mothers, we believe that there has been too much silence in this country about gun violence. On December 14, we will honor the 26 lives* lost at Sandy Hook Elementary, as well as the thousands of Americans lost to gun violence, with a moment of No More Silence. We will gather for a short program culminating in a bell-ringing, both to remember the victims and show our resolve to continue speaking out until meaningful action is taken to make our country safer.
We encourage you to bring a bell from home so that you can participate in the bell-ringing. Note: This is a simple and solemn event; not a political rally. Please refrain from bringing signs, buttons or other items of a partisan or political nature.
Co-sponsors: Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Organizing for Action, Protect MN, Westminster Presbyterian Church
The program includes remarks from Mary Johnson (From Death to Life), Peter Lindstrom (Mayor of Falcon Heights), and Connie Coleman (Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's wife). The vigil will culminate in a communal bell ringing to honor the 26 victims* killed in Newtown, and to demonstrate that American mothers will never again be silent about gun violence. Nationally, there will be more than 50 "No More Silence" events in 35 states. A full list of events is available here.
* Please click here to read a statement from Justice and Witness Team member, the Rev. John Guttermann.
|
National Church Leadership Institute
|
National Church Leadership Institute
August 2014 is closer than you think! Mark your calendars for August 7-10, 2014 for the National Church Leadership Institute 2014. The theme is Finding Our Way Again and the primary speaker all four days is Brian McLaren. It promises to be a great time and members of the Minnesota Conference can get a discount on registration. Up to 10 leaders can receive a 10% discount on registration and groups of 3 or more from the same church will receive a 25% discount on registration. Watch this space for more details as they become available.
|
Christmas Open House
|
Make sure to stop by the Conference Office on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 11:00am - 2:00pm
for our annual Christmas Open House!
We'll have treats, punch, coffee and all sorts of merry to get you in the holiday spirit. Hope to see you there!
122 W. Franklin Ave. #323, Minneapolis, MN
|
The Hyphenated Pastor
| |
The Hyphenated Pastor:
Creating Church at the Intersection
of Movements & Institutions
featuring Brian McLaren | May 12-15, 2014
Next May, the Plymouth Center for Progressive Christian Faith, in partnership with the Beatitudes Society, will bring together Christian thought-leader Brian McLaren and a select group of younger clergy (defined as under 40 and in the first seven years of parish ministry) for their latest Emerging Leaders Institute. For those whose applications are selected, this is an affordable event and a rare opportunity for ample conversational time with a visionary church leader. See the link below for general info and the application. If your application is chosen and you can commit to the entire retreat, all costs are covered after travel to Minneapolis. Please consider applying and/or sharing with others who might be eligible. Full information is here.
|
|
Local Church Events
|
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, December 11: Noel at Noon, Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
- Sunday, December 15: German Christmas Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Sunday, December 15: Chorus Polaris Holiday Concert, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Wednesday, December 18: Noel at Noon, Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
- Friday, December 20: Christmas Solstice Service, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Saturday, December 21: From Darkness into Light: A Service of Hope, Community UCC, St. Paul Park
- Sunday, December 29: Opera on a Schtick, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
Would you like your events to appear on this calendar? Just email Alison Bents at alisonb@uccmn.org. Simple as that!
|
Employment Opportunities
| Check out the Employment Opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings.
|
Free Choral Music Available
| |
Free Choral Music Available!
Saturday, December 14, 9:00am - 12:00pm
First come, first served
There are about 25 copies available per title
Emerson UCC, 7601 Girard Ave, Richfield, Minnesota
|
|
|
|
