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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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Welcome, Samaritan Bethany!
Samaritan Bethany joins the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) this month as its newest member in an effort to better serve residents and team members. The Minnesota Conference is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a covenantal partnership with Samaritan Bethany. The senior care community, located in Rochester, Minnesota, provides assisted living, independent housing and a nursing home, all on one campus.
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Sue Knutson, Shari Prestemon and Jean Boese meet at Samaritan Bethany in early March
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Pastor Jean Boese, a United Church of Christ pastor and chaplain for Samaritan Bethany, suggested that the organization apply. "Becoming a CHHSM member is a public affirmation of our intent to be the hands, the heart, the voice of Christ to the elders we serve," she said.
Boese is glad that Samaritan Bethany will become part of something larger than itself. "Always stronger as part of a like-minded group rather than standing alone, CHHSM membership allows us to pursue justice in new ways for our staff through participation in the Pension Boards, and to be part of a system that helps do justice in the health and human services field," she said.
Sue Knutson, mission leader and CEO of Samaritan Bethany, is looking forward to being part of the CHHSM family. Knutson is searching for more cost-effective ways to insure her 430 employees.
Samaritan Bethany employs mainly "homekeepers" and nursing staff. Of its 200 employees who are eligible for insurance, only about 50 percent participate. "We have a variety of reasons why they don't take our insurance, ranging from they are eligible for county assistance or it's just too expensive and they make the choice not to take it," Knutson said. Samaritan's current health insurance plan carries a $5,000 deductible for individuals and an expensive premium.
Being part of CHHSM means affordable, comprehensive health care, dental care and pharmaceutical services.
"We are proud to welcome Samaritan Bethany to the CHHSM family," says the Rev. Danielle K. Bartz, CHHSM program associate. "It's important to us that our ministries are well taken care of and can access what they need to perform their work at its highest level."
Samaritan Bethany started in 1922 as the Convalescent Hospital and Hotel of Rochester. It was established and operated by the Men's Fellowship of Peace United Church of Christ of Rochester as an extension of the church to serve those in need.
More than 264 seniors live on the downtown campus, which offers long-term and short-term care. Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth has 182 skilled nursing beds. Arbor Terrace has 32 units in its assisted living and memory care assisted living section and 50 independent apartments.
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Joys and Concerns
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1. Spirit on Lake, a senior living facility marketed to elderly LGBT people was recently featured in an article and short video by the BBC. Please take a moment to read and view them! Spirit on Lake is located in the former site of Spirit of the Lakes UCC (now merged to create Living Table UCC, Minneapolis). 2. Rev. Kay Welsch's 25 years of ordained ministry will be honored Sunday March 23 at 9:30 a.m. at UCC New Brighton (1000 Long Lake Road). Since her ordination March 12, 1989, Rev. Welsch has served numerous Minnesota Conference churches, as well as Mennonite, Baptist and Methodist churches. She also served as the Interim Associate Conference Minister and as Interim Association Minister for the Southern Association of the Minnesota Conference. Rev. Welsch currently serves as Visitation Minister at St. Paul's UCC in St. Paul. 3. Adam Westrich will be ordained Saturday March 29 at 3 p.m. at Cottage Grove United Church of Christ (7008 Lamar Ave. S. in Cottage Grove). Refreshments will be served following the service of ordination. Adam has been licensed to serve St. John's UCC in Norwood Young America since 2013.  4. The First Congregational UCC of Anoka's Knitting for Peace Group celebrated its 7th anniversary this month. In seven years, the group has produced and given away 89 prayer shawls, 45 full-sized blankets, 61 baby blankets, 103 pairs of mittens, 133 hats, and 250 scarves. It all adds up to more than 7,227,648 stitches, and at 30 stitches per minute (without finishing or fringes), it's 100 40-hour work weeks! Congratulations! (Pictured above are their celebratory ball-of-yarn-cupcakes.) Pictured L to R: Laurie MacKechnie, Mary Beltman, Claire Johnson, Deena Derr, Nancy Benz, Barb Reichel, Judy Lidtke, and Phyllis Ryman. |
2014 Annual Meeting - Strangers no more
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The 2014 Annual Meeting is coming up!
You won't want to miss it - June 13-15, 2014
Registration is now open.
Important information:
- Workshop submission deadline is coming up on April 1. Share your knowledge - get your application in! Workshop applications are available here.
- Take a look at the Call to the Meeting materials that were sent out last week - just click here.
- The early bird discount ends on May 5, so be sure to get registered before that!
- Does your church have 100 members or fewer? If so, the first registrant from your church qualifies for a Small Membership Church discount! Just use this form to register the first person from your church.
Questions? Contact Alison Bents in the Conference Office at alisonb@uccmn.org or 612-871-0359.
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Upcoming Staff Leave
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Beginning in the next few weeks, Alison Bents will be out on leave and will return immediately following the Annual Meeting on June 16, 2014. Her tasks are being covered in-house, so please bear with us as we cover the gaps. Generally, questions should be directed to Marita Karlisch at maritak@uccmn.org, and questions specific to the COMMAntary should be directed to Zac Norenberg at zacn@uccmn.org. There may be a week or two at the beginning of April that will be missing a COMMAntary, but never fear! We'll be back for sure on Wednesday, April 16th. |
Affinity Groups on Stewardship & Social Media
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 Want some coaching, resources and support around the areas of stewardship and/or social media? The Conference will be offering an Affinity Group on each topic as part of our contract with the Center for Progressive Renewal. An Affinity Group is a three month coaching experience that gives your congregation access to a number of CPR's best consultants and coaches. You meet once a month in a coaching group consisting of the pastor and up to five lay leaders in each congregation participating. This is a live audio conversation online.
 In addition to the once a month coaching session, each topic area will have a website where you can access recorded webinars, videos, booklists and other key resources. These resources are available to everyone in your congregation. You can use them at Council/Consistory or other Committee/Team meetings. You will also have access to the coaches through sending questions to the facilitator who will get a personalized answer on your questions from the various coaches and consultants involved in the Affinity Group.
Each group is limited to 10 congregations and the cost is $75 per congregation for the three months. Please contact Anita Bradshaw in the Conference Office if you have questions or want to sign up (anitab@uccmn.org or 612.871.0359). We are targeting each group to begin on May 1 and end on July 31.
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Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship
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The Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship
Back Bay Mission is pleased to announce that applications are available for the 2014 Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship!
The Shari Prestemon Social Justice Internship provides a member of the United Church of Christ between the ages of 19 and 35 with a unique opportunity to participate in a 10-week summer program tailored to their interests. Drawing on the Mission's long experience in community engagement and advocacy for justice, the internship will nurture participants' passion for social justice and develop their appreciation for the church's role in seeking social justice.
In order to attract the highest quality candidates, interns are generously provided for while at the Mission. Interns have the cost of their travel to and from Biloxi covered by Back Bay Mission, stay in Mission housing while in Biloxi and receive a stipend of $250 per week. During their time at the Mission, interns will work in each program and engage in reflection with Mission staff.
Applications are available on the Back Bay Mission website. Completed applications should be sent to:
Kenney Washington, Director of Client Services
Back Bay Mission
1012 Division Street, Biloxi, MS 39530
Or emailed to Kenney Washington, Director of Client Services at kwash@thebackbaymission.org with the subject line 'Shari Prestemon Internship' no later than April 30, 2014.
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Carol Howard Merritt
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SAVE THE DATE: CAROL HOWARD MERRITT
COMING TO THE MINNESOTA CONFERENCE
 We are delighted to bring Carol Howard Merritt to the Minnesota Conference on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Carol is the author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope, as well as a regular columnist in the Christian Century. She has pastored churches in Louisiana, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. More details to follow. Rev. Howard Merritt comes to us as part of our work with the Center for Progressive Renewal.
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Volunteer at Pilgrim Point in 2014!
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 Some church groups and individuals have started checking in, and Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats is beginning its 2014 season! How do you plan to spend your summer? Does being of service, doing vital volunteer ministry in community with others in a gorgeous outdoor setting sound appealing to you? Our volunteer hospitality ministry makes all the difference to these events at Pilgrim Point and we invite you to fill out the 2014 volunteer application and background check form to become engaged in hands-on work with this vital ministry. You are a blessing to PPC&R, your ministry of hospitality for those who come to camp helps strengthen our community as a camp and as a Conference. Thank you in advance for your work, your time and your heart!
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R.E.A.D.Y.!
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Global Ministries is pleased to announce a new justice oriented, free, online youth curriculum called R.E.A.D.Y! (Revolutionary, Engaged and Driven Youth). In four sessions, R.E.A.D.Y. takes youth on a journey of self-discovery to broaden their view of themselves, the church, the community, and their place in the world. Get a hold of it by clicking here. Session 1: Challenging our assumptions and prejudices Session 2: Redefining mission in the context of increasing diversity Session 3: Discovering differences and similarities to people in different cultures Session 4: Realizing God's mission requires a constantly evolving world view The Global Ministries Mission Education team welcomes your feedback and has provided a link at the end of Session 4 (ready@ucc.org).
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Typhoon Haiyan Update
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from your Global Partnerships Team
 Typhoon Haiyan Update
Remember the typhoon that hit the Philippines last November? The one that had the highest wind speeds ever recorded in a tropical storm? As you can imagine, the devastation was widespread, and there are still many relief needs to be met in that area. We want to direct your attention to this update page from Global Ministries, which provides a good summary of the current situation and a very specific summary of what still needs to be done. There is also a link for donations, if you should be so moved. Thank you!
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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South Central Clergy Cluster: Monday, March 24, 9:00am
Federated Church, Morris
Northwest Clergy Cluster: Tuesday, March 25, 10:00am
First Congregational UCC, Moorhead
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Boundary Training - May 2014
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Boundary Training has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at Hilltop United Methodist Church, 108 S Manitou Dr, Mankato. 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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Justice LED is back in Minnesota - Register Now!
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LAST REGISTRATION DAY!
Thursday, March 20, 3pm
 The Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing (Justice LED) program is a faith-based, biblically grounded curriculum and leadership training resource. It is designed to support local church members - laity and clergy - who wish to develop and strengthen their congregation's justice ministries. The one-day training includes Bible study and theological reflection, socio-cultural exploration and practical tools for building justice into existing ministries and mission.
 WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 8am to 5pm.
LOCATION: Union Congregational Church of Christ, 3700 Alabama Avenue South, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416
COST: FREE! Lunch and snacks provided
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: click here to register.
DEADLINE: Friday, March 14.
Leaders: the Rev. John Guttermann and the Rev. Barb Martin.
Click here for more information, or contact Justice & Witness Team member, Rev. John Guttermann, intpasj@me.com or 651-485-3104.
Sponsored by the Justice & Witness Team, MN Conference UCC.
Pre-registrants: watch for the first of two or more emails with additional information from Rev. John Guttermann. If you have not yet received this email, please contact John: intpasj@mac.com or 651-485-3104.
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BEHOLD! The 2014 ONA Celebration
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2014 Minnesota Open and Affirming Celebration
Saturday May, 10th
Workshops at 1:00 PM | Worship at 2:30 PM
Parkview UCC, White Bear Lake
Engaging Workshops
ONA 101: members of churches share their steps to becoming Open and Affirming and what it has meant to their congregation and the community.
Youth Impact of ONA: a panel of youth who identify as queer share their experience of coming out and some parents responses.
Fabulous Worship
Celebrating all the Minnesota Open and Affirming settings. Challenging preaching by the Rev. Kayla Bonewell, Associate Pastor at Peace United Church of Christ, Rochester. The choir from Edina Morningside Community Church, UCC will be providing music.
Hope you can join us in the celebration!
Find and share an event poster here.
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Faith Formation Leader Luncheon
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Register Now!If you have questions or are unable to make a Fourth Thursday but would like resources shared at the event, please contact Zac at zacn@uccmn.orgFuture Fourth Thursdays: April 24, 2014
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OWL Facilitator Training at Pilgrim Point
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 Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a sexual education program with resources written by professional sexuality educators that equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information to help them make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. OWL provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants clarify their values and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
OWL Faciliator Training this Spring for:
Grades 7-9 & 10-12 Curriculum
Where: Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats | 2059 Pilgrim Point Road NW, Alexandria, MN 56308
When: Friday, May 16th (3PM) until Sunday, May 18th (2PM)
Cost: $125 (without resource)
Register for this Training Now
Questions about OWL Training? Email Zac Norenberg or call the Conference office at 612-871-0359.
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Environmental Justice Retreat
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How can people of faith work for environmental justice for all? How can we create Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s beloved community - one that is sustainable, healthy, and inclusive? This train-the-trainer workshop will explore these questions with the goal of empowering conversation and actions around environmental justice that will continue far beyond the initial workshop.
When: 5PM on Wednesday, May 14 thru Noon on Friday, May 16
Where: Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats, near Alexandria, MN
Cost: $90.00 (includes six meals, housing, and training/program)
Registration opens next week!
Registration deadline: May 7, 2014
Meighan Pritchard, Minister for Environmental Justice, for questions about the curriculum
Gigi Nauer, Co-Camp Director, for questions about accommodations
Zac Norenberg, Registrar, for questions about registration
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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
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Quilting Service Weekend
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Quilting Service Weekend
May 30-June 1, 2014
Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats
 Calling all quilters - and all those that have always wanted to quilt! Come to Pilgrim Point Camp on beautiful Lake Ida to participate in this weekend service retreat. Our goal: to make 30 twin sized quilts for special event campers to use at Pilgrim Point!
You can help by:
- Contributing 100% cotton fabric, thread and/or twin sized quilt batts
- Providing a working sewing machine
- Coming to camp to help create quilts!
Register by: May 19, 2014
Participants will be housed in the Lodge and we're asking for a $30 donation to help cover the cost of meals.
Questions about registration? Contact Zac Norenberg
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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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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. Questions? Contact Zac at zacn@uccmn.org or call 612-871-0359.
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Upcoming event at United Theological Seminary
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 Celebrated artists Chuck Hoffman + Peg Carlson-Hoffman are bringing the exhibition "Beneath the Surface: Exploring the Layers," inspired by their visit to the Holy Land and other peace-challenged areas, from April 4 to June 18 to United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  There will be an opening reception with the artists on Friday, April 4, as well as two hands-on workshops led by Chuck + Peg: "Painting Prayer: Common Threads" on Thursday, April 3, and "Painting as Prayer: Reconciliation" on Friday, April 4. Don't miss these excellent events!
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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. Just click on the title of the event in the calendar to get more details. - Wednesday, March 19: Community Education Series on Mental Health: QPR, First Congregational UCC, Anoka
- Wednesday, March 19: On the Road with the Zealot, Living Table UCC, Minneapolis
- Wednesday, March 26: Community Education Series on Mental Health: Insights: Confronting the Stigma of Mental Illness, First Congregational UCC, Anoka
- Wednesday, March 26: On the Road with the Zealot, Living Table UCC, Minneapolis
- Wednesday, April 2: Community Education Series on Mental Health: In Our Voice, First Congregational UCC, Anoka
- Wednesday, April 2: On the Road with the Zealot, Living Table UCC, Minneapolis
- Wednesday, April 9: Fare for All Express, Hazel Park UCC, Saint Paul
- Wednesday, April 9: On the Road with the Zealot, Living Table UCC, Minneapolis
- 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, ongoing: Transgender Support Group, Peace UCC, Rochester
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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