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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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 from Rev. Anita Bradshaw, Interim Associate Conference Minister Inspiring Leaders Vitality Workshop Inspires!
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Participants in Inspiring Leaders learn from Rev. Glenna Shepherd
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Forty leaders from across the Minnesota Conference gathered together under the leadership of Rev. Glenna Shepherd from the Center for Progressive Renewal on Wednesday, February 5th to learn together and share about how we nurture and inspire leaders in congregations.
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Rev. Glenna Shepherd speaks to the group
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The workshop is part of the Conference Vitality program, VRV, and is provided through our contract with the Center for Progressive Renewal. The day was full of high energy, laughing, shared stories and lots of learning.
Our next VRV event will be on Friday morning, June 13 before the Annual Meeting begins. Mark your calendars and plan to join us!
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Joys and Concerns
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1. Rev. William Warnock will be installed as Pastor of Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Benson on Sunday, February 16 at 2:00pm. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A celebratory reception of decadent desserts will follow the service. The church is located at 211 13th Street N in Benson. 2. An Ecclesiastical Council for Lauren Baske Davis will be held Tuesday, February 18 at 1:00pm at St. Anthony Park UCC in St. Paul (2129 Commonwealth Ave, St. Paul). A light lunch will be serve at 11:30am. To ensure a quorum for the council, please RSVP to Susie George at the church at 651-646-7173 or office@sapucc.org and also indicate whether you will have lunch. 3. Congratulations and best wishes to Rev. Jane McBride (Pastor, First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis), her partner Rev. Jen Nagel and their daughter Eliza as they will be welcoming a new daughter into their family soon! Alice is four months old and will be joining them by the end of February. 4. Michael Slagenweit-Coffman will be ordained on Sunday, February 23 at 3:00pm at First Congregational UCC in Winona (161 W. Broadway, Winona). Clergy are invited to robe and wear red or rainbow stoles. Refreshments will be served after the service of ordination. 5. We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Mett. Margaret was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church UCC in Mankato and in the early 90s donated a significant sum to the Minnesota Conference to support continuing education. The Mett Clergy Continuing Education Fund has helped to support many clergy from the Minnesota Conference to participate in opportunities that would have otherwise been out of reach. A full obituary is available here. |
The Search Has Begun!
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The Search Has Begun!
The Minnesota Conference has launched its search for an Associate Conference Minister to join our talented Conference team of 2 other ACMs, camp and support staff, and our Conference Minister. We seek an individual who is driven by mission rather than maintenance and who can effectively embody our core values of faithfulness, stewardship, empowerment, innovation, and justice. The ACM will minister to congregations and their leadership in the southern portion of the state, and will also lead the Conference's vitality and new church development efforts. In addition, the ACM will also shape the Conference's priority to expand our capacity for compassionate service and prophetic witness. Interested candidates may learn more about the position and application process by clicking here. Application deadline is March 7.
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February Clergy Anniversaries
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On the day of an ordination, the people of God gather together to celebrate the call of an individual into ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. In that ceremony, the people pledge to uphold and support the new Reverend's ministry in and with the church. As such, you are encouraged to celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this month with and in honor of these individuals:
Rev. Vernon Hauser - February 1969
Rev. Lynn Strandt - February 2001
Rev. William Steinke - 04 February 1996
Rev. Gary Reierson - 05 February 1978
Rev. Jennifer Jaimez - 06 February 2000
Rev. Richard Flynn - 08 February 1979
Rev. Betty Ondrechen - 08 February 1988
Rev. Brandon Perrine - 09 February 2009
Rev. Lilja Behr - 10 February 1996
Rev. Richard Sellers - 13 February 1972
Rev. Laurie Crelly - 13 February 2005
Rev. Tara Bauer - 13 February 2011
Rev. Kayla Bonewell - 14 February 2010
Rev. Anne Swallow Gillis - 25 February 1979
Rev. Emily Goldthwaite-Fries - 26 February 2006
Our best wishes for continued and flourishing ministry to all celebrating their ordination anniversaries in February!
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Volunteer at Pilgrim Point!
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 As hard as it is to believe, winter is going to end, spring will be ushered in and Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats will begin its 2014 season. Congregational weekends are filling and Youth Camps are on the horizon. Our hospitality ministry makes all the difference to these weeks and weekends at Pilgrim Point.
Sign up now, and bring friends! Groups of up to six can join together in providing this ministry.
 Spend time in a gorgeous outdoor setting providing a vital volunteer ministry to children, youth and families. Experience the renewing presence of the Holy in sunrises and sunsets, in the cooling water of the lake and in the smiles of those we serve.
If you're interested in volunteering, we want to hear from you! Click here to access available dates and a registration form.
For questions about volunteering, you can email Camp Director Gigi at ggmarie58@gmail.com.
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Support Low Wage Workers
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from your Minnesota Conference Justice & Witness Team
SUPPORT LOW WAGE WORKERS
This Saturday become a part of our Conference's support of CTUL [Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha (Center of Workers United in Struggle)] and their campaign for justice, fair pay, and dignified working conditions in their places of employment.
Come to the Second Annual CTUL Pancake Brunch and Silent Auction - Saturday, Feb. 15, 10am - 1pm, 2511 E. Franklin Ave., inside of Bethany Lutheran Church.
In 2011, the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ passed a resolution supporting CTUL. "Since then CTUL has continued organizing and last week marked the beginning of a strike against Target's contract cleaning services. The strike is for better working conditions, wages, and benefits. Unionized workers at Target headquarters are paid nearly $14 per hour plus benefits, while those employed by Target's low wage contract services companies are paid about $8.50 per hour without benefits (source: click here for Huffington Post article)."
For more information: http://ctul.net. Click here for the resolution.
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Justice LED is back in Minnesota!
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from your Minnesota Conference Justice & Witness Team
Your Justice & Witness Team is again bringing Justice LED training to the Minnesota Conference on Saturday, March 22, 8am to 5pm. Mark your calendars now! Final site arrangements for this one-day training are pending. Your Justice & Witness Team will be underwriting some of the cost in order to make it as affordable as possible for people to attend.
Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing (Justice LED) is designed to equip local church leaders with the skills and tools needed to develop, strengthen and sustain justice advocacy ministries. It is fantastic curriculum that includes interactive scripture study, engaging video resources, and guided reflection and dialogue. It is not an issue based program, but a Bible study based program that invites participants to deepen their theological understanding of the scriptures and then to reflect on how they might act in ways that are rooted in that understanding.
Leaders will be the Rev. John Guttermann and Rev. Barb Martin. Click here for more information. Or contact Justice & Witness Team member, Rev. John Guttermann, intpasj@me.com or 651-485-3104.
Full registration information will be available next week.
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2014 Ecumenical Advocacy Days
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from your Conference Justice & Witness Team
2014 Ecumenical Advocacy Days
When: March 21, 2014
Where: Doubletree Hotel, 300 Army-Navy Dr., Crystal City, Virginia
Come to the 12th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days and join UCC advocates and hundreds of other Christians in "Resisting Violence, Building Peace." Guided by the image of Jesus weeping over a capital city that turned from the true way of peace (Luke 19:41-42), we will expose the violence that pervades our culture and world.
We will confront and imagine how to transform the violence in our world, and together will seek a vision of peace in the community, peace among the peoples, peace in the marketplace, and peace with the earth. Through prayer, worship, speakers, and advocacy training we will discover a faith-based vision for national policies that "guide our feet into the path of peace" (Luke 1:79), all culminating with Monday's Congressional Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.
For more info and to register, see the Ecumenical Advocacy Days website - http://advocacydays.org.
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Celebrate Seminary Sunday, February 23rd
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Celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 23rd
Why Celebrate Seminary Sunday?
Our UCC seminaries are filled with faithful, committed students seeking the skills and wisdom necessary to lead the church in the 21st century. Our congregations need these students. In our region, we are blessed to have three fine UCC seminaries - Chicago, United, and Eden. Each of these seminaries provides quality education for pastors and lay leaders, and they provide research and resources that serve the entire UCC. Please join us on February 23 in supporting the current and future leadership of the UCC by celebrating Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries.
How to Celebrate Seminary Sunday
- Lift up our UCC seminaries and seminarians in prayer, in mission moments, and in your bulletins.
- Post materials about Chicago, Eden, and United Seminaries on bulletin boards.
- Include a special prayer or litany in your service.
- Show a five-minute CUE Seminaries DVD.
- Include a gift to CUE Seminaries in your church budget or to take a special offering.
- DVDs, bulletin inserts, posters, and offering envelopes are available CUE Seminaries website: http://www.cueseminaries.org
Interested in having someone from United Theological Seminary help you celebrate Seminary Sunday? Please contact Kathleen Remund, Director of Development, kremund@unitedseminary.edu or 651-255-6112 for details. If there are other times that work better for your church to have someone visit we can arrange that as well.
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Nicaragua: Politics and Culture
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Nicaragua: Politics and Culture, August 11-24, 2014
 WFP-UMW and Project Minnesota-León are partnering for this unique intergenerational trip to Nicaragua, in collaboration with the United Church of Christ. Witness the effects of U.S. policy and shared history with Nicaragua through this exploration of politics and culture. Participants will spend the first week in Managua with Witness for Peace focusing on the broader picture of the effects of U.S. policy and then travel to León for a week with project Minnesota-León for more cultural experiences and family home-stays. Learn from the people of Nicaragua to gain a better understanding of social systems such as healthcare and education as human rights, and of impoverishment and resourcefulness. Look at health and education through the lens of how U.S. economic policy has affected the quality of and access to these systems. Learn more details here, and write to Keith Roberts, robertsk@hanover.edu, or Lyn Clark Pegg at carolynpegg@yahoo.com with questions and to apply.
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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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Cert School
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This course includes 50+ hours of instruction, textbooks, six webinars, individual coaching, ministry plan projects assessment, lodging and meals.
Participation in Cert School costs: $2,000 early registration May 18-23 & Nov. 7-9, 2014
Questions or want more information? Email Zac Norenberg at zacn@uccmn.org.
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Youth Camps at PPC!
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Strengthen Your Youth Ministry -
Go to Camp Together!Whether you have 1 youth in your church or many, attend camp together (6th-12th grades) for an unforgettable ministry and life-changing week! You won't want to miss out on the adventure course, our Lake Ida water slide, (NEW) day of mission experiences, vespers and excellent food. Adult church leaders attend camp with their youth and serve as the camp staff/counselors for the week. This program shift is designed to help get your church youth ministry going into high gear!
Youth Camp Week 1 | July 20-25, 2014
Youth Camp Week 2 | July 27-Aug 1, 2014
Youth cost: $300; after May 1st - $350Adult Church Leader cost: $100Register by March 15 and get a FREE 2014 PPC T-Shirt!
Note: Final payments are due by June 1st.Church/camp staff leader training on Saturday, March 29, 10:00am-3:00pm at Mizpah UCC in Hopkins.Find answers to some common questions by reading the FAQ for 2014, and download the Youth Camp Health Form here.
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Clergy and Faith Formation Gathering
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Winter High School Youth Event 2014
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Winter High School Youth Event
Every person has talents, passions, gifts and abilities they can offer to make the world a better place. The High School Conference Youth Event will focus on naming the ways you are gifted and thinking about how you might be called to put those gifts to use!
Registration: $85 youth, $60 adult
Download the Authorization Form:
This event is for High School youth (grades 9-12 only) and their adult leaders (21 and older).
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Spring Middle School Youth Event 2014
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Spring Middle School Youth EventThe Spring Middle School CYE will be a wonderful cap to your program or confirmation year! We will be "doing - thinking - dreaming" - with ways our faith put into action can change the world. Part of the retreat will be spent "doing" various service projects around Pilgrim Point Camp. We look forward to seeing you this spring! Early Registration by April 7: $50 youth, $35 adult Registration after April 7: $60 youth, $45 adult Deadline for all registration is April 28 Download the Authorization Form: YOUTH | ADULT This event is for Middle School youth and their adult leaders. Adults must attend with youth.
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Communities of practice for church leaders
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Cultivating Greenhouses and Hot-Spots
for Soul-Full and Resilient Leadership:
Communities of practice for church leaders
Feb 27, 2014 - Feb 28, 2014
8:30am Registration
Thurs, 9:00am-4:00pm; Fri, 9:00-1:00pm
Valley of Peace Lutheran Church
4735 Bassett Creek Dr, Golden Valley
Open to church leaders everywhere
 As the landscape of religious life changes, we need to imagine new ways of leading and of sustaining ourselves as church leaders. More than ever, we need the creative power of a "greenhouse" to reflect upon our actual experiences, draw upon our collective imaginations, and find the courage to risk new experiments. We need "hot spots" to connect to the deeper sources of spiritual renewal that also provide mutual, on-going, practice-based learning.
Leaders: Chris Braudaway-Bauman and Larry Peers serve as Director and Director of Learning of the Pastoral Excellence Network.
Cost: $4.95 (includes lunch)
Registration Deadline: February 14
Contact: Willie Sordillo, wsordillo@cts.edu, 508-405-1850
Sponsored by: Minneapolis Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)
REGISTRATION: http://bit.ly/1bnx6xl
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Local Church Events
| | Check out all the events happening at our local churches across Minnesota on our Local Church Events Calendar. Just click on the title of the event in the calendar to get more details.
Want to see your event listed on this calendar? It's simple! Just email Alison at alisonb@uccmn.org. Thank you!
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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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