Ministerial Excellence Groups 

A "Community of Practice (CoP)" is a group of people who share a craft and/or a profession and who learn from each other, support each other, and develop themselves personally and professionally by sharing information and experiences. The Minnesota Conference UCC has a number of such groups, called "Ministry Excellence Groups," which meet 8-10 times a year with a facilitator. Some of these groups meet in person, but others meet via video web-conferencing because the participants are hundreds of miles apart. Each group of 5 or 6 develops its own covenant, and each meeting typically involves a time of worship, personal check-in, and a case study or topic for discussion presented by one of the members. A paid, trained facilitator leads the worship, sends email reminders, and attends to group process to ensure the time is well spent. Each participant pays $250/year to be part of the group. The Conference invoices participants twice a year ($125 each time) and many pastors pay for this out of continuing education or professional expenses. 

Speaking personally for a moment, I serve as the facilitator of a group of ACMs from other Conferences who meet monthly using GoToMeeting. Our meetings are two hours long and might go much longer if I let them because the participants genuinely appreciate the support they get from each other and value the shared learning. We also have become good friends though most of us did not know each other before the group was established. The UCC staff at MESA (Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization) helped set this up. I'm pleased to say it's been one of my best experiences in more than 30 years of ministry.

Our initial groups are now in their second year. Most participants have re-upped. Here, for example, is what one group member has said: "I had my Ministry Excellence Group this morning. Given the weather and my current workload, I thought, 'Do I really want to drive all that way and devote half of my day to this?' Well, yes. I went, and as always, I drove away afterwards feeling heard, renewed, a little bit smarter, and grateful for the people in our group. They are good, good people and it is gift to be able to travel together in our various ministries, with humor and tears and stuff in between. And our facilitator is fantastic, which is a bonus. Thanks for forming these Ministry Excellence Groups!"

New groups can be started at any time as long as we have a facilitator available and a minimum of 4 participants. Contact me if you're interested either in becoming part of a group or in being trained as a facilitator (rickw@uccmn.org or 612-871-0359). Distance is not an issue if you have a good internet connection, and some financial assistance may be available if the cost is a problem. Ministry is a challenging and sometimes lonely profession. Why not join a group that is both supportive and educational?

We can probably all agree on one thing... It's been a long winter! We're tired of it and eagerly look for any signs of spring.

Your church may also be tired of large energy bills eating into funds you wish could go to mission and outreach. You may be looking for ways to make your building more energy efficient and more environmentally friendly. Or, you may be eager to respond to the UCC General Synod resolution on reducing our human "carbon footprint".

If any of these environmental or energy concerns sound familiar to you, the Cornerstone Fund of the United Church of Christ offers EcoLoans to help. EcoLoans provide fixed or adjustable rates and a quick application process for loan amounts up to $100,000. These loans may be for improvements to lighting or heating and cooling or even for an "energy audit" that will help your church decide what steps to take. The Cornerstone Fund will pay closing costs.

If you are interested, contact www.cornerstonefund.org or Midwest Mission Interpreter, Rev. David Moyer at 608-630-3177 or dmoyer@cornerstonefund.org. The Cornerstone Fund is a financial ministry of the United Church of Christ.

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