| Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference | |
Blessings to you and yours in this season of Christmas and the new year!
For the new year, we share with you this reflection from last year's Annual Meeting keynoter, Rev. Felix Carrion. This was originally shared as a StillSpeaking Daily Devotional and can be found here. Excerpt from Mark 1:14-20 "And immediately they left their nets and followed him." The author of the Gospel of Mark is fond of using the word "immediately" to describe a response that follows from a call or invitation. He attaches this word to the response of Simon, Andrew, James, and John to Jesus' invitation to come follow him. However, what appears to be a casual encounter in the moment actually reveals much more that is at work. Something breaks through in the life of these four individuals and they can longer remain attached to a life that does not capture the fullness of who they are and what they are here to accomplish. Jesus invites them to separate themselves from the world they know and to find new direction. They experience a breakthrough, an epiphany of sorts, and find the strength to finally follow a new path, long buried by the sleep of delay, procrastination, or neglect.
In his poem, "The Strength of Fields," James L. Dickey cries out, "Lord, let me shake with purpose."
Sometimes a prayer like this is needed to wake us from our slumber, to shake us loose from our fears, and to set us on our way of "immediacy" toward long-forgotten hopes and longings and dreams. I think this is a prayer for the New Year.
Jump now. Leap now. Follow now. Hurry now. Go now.
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Joys and Concerns
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1. Emerson Congregational UCC will hold its final service on Sunday, December 29 at 9:30am. Coffee hour will follow the service. The church is located in Richfield at 7601 Girard Avenue South. Emerson Congregational Church was founded in 1949 and joined the United Church of Christ in 1959. 2. Our prayers and sympathies are with Rev. Dr. Jeff Palmer and his family as they grieve the death of Jeff's mother, Edythe Palmer, who died on the morning of December 25th. A memorial service was held on Monday, December 30 at Wayzata Community Church in Wayzata. A full obituary is available on the Star Tribune's website. |
Annual Meeting 2014: Strangers No More
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The Transforming Grace of God
The Christmas season should not be a time to be harried or hurried. In fact, it should be a time to slow down and let ourselves be embraced by the transforming grace of God.
It's a time to be reminded that we are all children of God, a time to greet one another as family as we open the door for someone coming in from the cold or for a couple and their children as they enter a care center as they come to share in worship with a beloved resident on Christmas morning, a time to greet strangers with a kind word, a smile or "Merry Christmas" as you pass them on the street or in a crowded store as we celebrate the greatest gift of life and new life ever given.
It's a time to let the transforming grace of God - revealed and embodied in Jesus the Christ - to reconcile us to God and to one another. It's a time to open ourselves to one another that we may be "no longer strangers . . . . but fellow members in the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19).
Please join us at the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference, June 13-15, 2014, as we explore this theme of being "Strangers No More" and the transforming grace of God in our lives anew.
Rev. Dick Fylling
Annual Meeting Planning Work Group
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5 for 5 Deadline set for 2013 Contributions
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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.
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Micro-Grants now available!
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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!
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Get your Congregation to Pilgrim Point in 2014!
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Congregations of the Minnesota Conference UCC are invited to sponsor a week or weekend at Pilgrim Point. Each day we provide all-camp, cross-generational programming and offer worship planning and support for the Vespers leadership (done once a day as all-camp). We will provide as little or as much of the worship and programming, based off your congregation's needs. There will still be plenty of time for relaxing, playing at the beach and in the water, playing in the ball field or creating your own experiences! Not to mention the great food, community and hospitality!
Check out the Reservation Form for lodging and rate information.
On the back, you can find procedures on how to make a successful reservation. Please read through this carefully before submitting your application. Contact Zac at zacn@uccmn.org for available dates and other questions.
Currently available weekend dates and facilities:
- July 11-13, 2014 | Annex, North Shore
- July 25-27, 2014 | Annex, North Shore, POEM Cabins
- August 1-3, 2014 | Annex, North Shore, POEM Cabins, and Campground
- August 8-10, 2014 | North Shore, Campground
- August 22-24, 2014 | North Shore and Campground
- September 12-14, 2014 | ALL
- September 26-28, 2014 | ALL
- October 24-26, 2014 | ALL
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Evaluation of CPR Resources Underway
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Evaluation of the Center for Progressive Renewal Resources Underway
The Conference's contract with the Center for Progressive Renewal (CPR) is up for renewal and we are seeking feedback from anyone who has attended a workshop, been part of a coaching group, or any other service from CPR through the Minnesota Conference. While we sent an email out about the survey, but in case you missed it - there is a brief online survey we are inviting participants to fill out. Your feedback is needed to evaluate what has been done and what needs to be done.
To complete the survey go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XW9DKL8
Thanks for your help!
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New Authorized Minister Profile Portal!
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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.)
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Habitat for Humanity Trips Coming Up!
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 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!
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, January 7, 11:30am
Peace UCC, Rochester
Twin Cities West Cluster: Wednesday, January 8, 12:00pm
Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
Northeast Cluster: Thursday, January 9, 11:30am
First Congregational UCC, Brainerd
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A Conversation with Rev. Prestemon
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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!
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Save the Date: Installation
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 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
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Clergy and Faith Formation Gathering
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Upcoming VRV Workshop: INSPIRING LEADERS
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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.
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Learning the WAY
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 Learning The WAYUnderstanding that in the 21st century...
Christians are formed, not born
Saturday, February 8, 2014 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
@ PEACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1503 2ND Avenue NE - Rochester, MN 55906
The Reverend Paul Hoffmann and Donna Linn present this workshop to help churches realize the life-giving transformation of baptism-centered communities in our post-modern and post-Christian times. Christians are formed, not born. This is a practical workshop for developing a "catechumenate", an intentional and ongoing formation for de-churched and un-churched seekers in our communities. This process is rooted in ancient practice. Rev. Paul Hoffmann, an ELCA Pastor, and Donna Linn of Seattle, WA, share how to gather and engage people in learning what it means to follow Jesus in the world today. They present this workshop to help churches realize the life-giving transformation of baptism-centered communities in our post-modern and post-Christian times. Persons from all Christian traditions are welcome to participate. The catechumenal process translates well into a wide variety of settings and sizes of faith communities. "Learning the Way" is an ecumenical event being directly offered to ALL congregations who wish to participate. Direct financial support for this event is provided by:* Peace United Church of Christ-Rochester
* Our Saviors Lutheran Church (ELCA)-Rochester
* The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ
* Thrivent Financial
While the workshop is open to anyone, the presenters encourage congregations to send a team consisting of pastor/clergy and three or more lay persons. Registration, which includes lunch and materials, is $20 per person. Click here for a registration form and more information. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014
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National Church Leadership Institute
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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.
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UCC for a Fair Wage Gathering
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As the spring legislative session approaches, churches are gearing up to make change for economic justice in 2014!
Join other UCCers to learn more about the campaign to raise the minimum wage and what we will be doing in the next few months to make our voices heard.
When: Tuesday, January 14th (Dinner at 6, Program at 6:30-7:30)
Where: Living Table UCC, 4001 38th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Who: UCCers who want to see a Fair Wage for all Minnesotans!
Please RSVP to Aaron Lauer
(alauer@unitedseminary.edu, 651-252-7544)
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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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