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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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from Susan George, chair, Immigration Team
Immigration Team Annual Report
"Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is
within our reach."
- Clarrissa Pinkola Estes, PhD.
The Immigration Team continues to focus on delivering our Workshops to UCC Churches throughout Minnesota. We have been invited to Anoka, Pelican Rapids, Montevideo, Austin, and Lyndale UCC here in Minneapolis. We will also be offering our workshop at the 2014 Annual Meeting at St. Ben's.
Our workshop in Montevideo was a typically friendly congregation with an added special ending. Rev. John Guttermann did the sermon in their service, we were invited to join them for a potluck lunch, and then other people arrived to participate in our workshop.
 Our workshops set the theological ground work for our conversation on immigration. (There are at least 52 passages in the Bible that speak specifically to "welcoming the stranger", "love one another' etc). There is a conversation about why they come here. Some come as refugees from their home where it is no longer safe for them to stay. Some come because of the policies we (the USA) enacted, specifically NAFTA. These policies benefited the United States and our multinational corporations. NAFTA created forced migration. After they have heard us, typically they want something concrete to do, some specific actions. We provide a variety of tools and ideas for them to keep. At the end of our Montevideo workshop, a Hispanic man stood up and asked to speak. He said, "I have been doing this work for forty years. This is the first time I have been in a room with people with a different color skin than mine talking about this." As tears came to his eyes he added, "I never knew anyone else cared." What a gift he was to us.  We made sure he was connected with the people of that congregation so they could continue their work together. In addition to reaching out to MN UCC churches, we have collaborated with a number of other organizations focusing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. One such organization is Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM) -- which was co-founded by the MN Conference Immigration Team. Together we participate in the monthly interfaith Vigils and the Conversations with Friends Program, both at the Ramsey County Detention Center. This year we have done a lot of research on the so-called Bed Quota. We have written a resolution on this topic for this year's Annual Meeting. Basically, the Bed Quota requires 34,000 detention beds be filled every night. So, when one detainee is deported or freed, someone needs to go out and find someone else for that bed, that night. This turns out to be a great deal for the majority of privately-owned prisons and another inhumane treatment of our neighbors. Some of us have traveled to Washington, DC. to participate in "Day on the Hill Events." We participated in events for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in general, and for Immigration Equality, specifically focused on binational same-sex couples. The Senate passed the Immigration Bill and the House has chosen to divide it up and pass things individually, which they are not doing. This work can be frustrating and seemingly overpowering. Moments like the one in Montevideo lift us up and help us carry on. Respectfully submitted by The Immigration Team: Alison Killeen - First Congregational Church UCC, Minneapolis Diane Haines - Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis Don Christensen - Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul Joanne Sylvander - Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul Susan George - Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis Bruce Richardson - First Congregational UCC, Austin Karen Edmonds - Peace UCC, Rochester
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| Faith in Minnesota's Future: An Invitation from the Conference Minister |
Dear sisters and brothers in the Minnesota Conference-
One of my strongest convictions about the Church is that we are called as the Body of Christ to actively embody the prophetic mandate of Micah to "do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)." In many of our churches, we express this commitment by engaging in hands-on outreach and mission: collecting food for food pantries, building affordable housing, staffing shelters for those experiencing homelessness, or responding in many other ways to meet the charitable needs of our communities. In doing all these things, we increase the love of God and neighbor and are faithful to our calling as Church.
Doing justice, though, sometimes requires us to go a bit further, going beyond alleviating the consequences of injustice and seeking to transform the actual causes of injustice. The ministry of doing justice is complex, long-term, and is rarely accomplished without many
 companions on the journey.
On June 28 you have an opportunity to join with many others in the faith community to seek greater justice in the state of Minnesota. On that day ISAIAH (http://isaiahmn.org) will host Binding the Covenant: Faith in Minnesota's Future at the Minneapolis Convention Center, convening a statewide, ecumenical gathering of 1500 people and prominent elected officials in Minnesota. This is a moment when you can join your voice and your efforts with others to seek economic and racial justice for all God's children, working to build a Minnesota where the dignity of each person is respected, where healthy communities and residents are the norm, and where everyone has a pathway to greater opportunity.
1,500 people of faith working together to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God?" That sounds like a pretty phenomenal opportunity to me. I'll be there; I hope you will be too!*
With thanksgiving for ALL you do to multiply love and seek justice,
Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
*Find out more and register at:
http://isaiahmn.org/2014/04/faith-in-minnesotas-future-2/
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| Praying for Kidnapped Nigerian Girls |
This week we learned the names of 180 of the 276 girls who were kidnapped from their school in Chibok, Nigeria on April 14th by Boko Haram. This terrorist organization has announced that they plan to sell them into marriage (sexual slavery) for $12 per child.
Rev. Alexis Fuller-Wright, pastor of First Congregational UCC ("Old South") in Farmington, Maine, offers this way of lifting this situation and these children up in prayer: "I'm planning to print out their names on individual strips of paper, as well as 96 strips with the words "Nigerian Girl: Name Unknown" and have our ushers invite each person to take a name along with their bulletin. During the prayer time I'm going to ask each of us to commit to praying for our girl until she is found. Praying for each child by name reminds us that these are real kids in real danger, and not just another tragic event thousands of miles away.I can't think of a more important way to honor Mother's Day than to stand with these grieving families, who've been ignored by the media, and wrap their daughters in our prayers."
The names known of those kidnapped are linked here.
We invite prayerful witness and solidarity across the Minnesota Conference as you feel moved.
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| Joys and Concerns |
1. A Service of Farewell for Rev. Richard Fylling will be held Sunday May 11 at 9:15 a.m. at Granite Falls UCC and at 11:00 a.m. at First Congregational UCC in Montevideo. Rev. Fylling has served the churches in Granite Falls and Montevideo since 2008.
2. Once a week in May, First United Church of Christ in Northfield is expanding the lunchtime choices available to city residents by inviting food trucks to their parking lot. Read the full article.
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| Board of Directors Meeting Summary |
The Minnesota Conference UCC Board of Directors met May 3, 2014 at First United Church of Christ in Northfield, MN. Rev. Todd Smith-Lippert welcomed board members and staff and shared a devotional and update on the ministry of First UCC. The congregation recently approved the installation of solar panels and has a number of students from two local colleges who attend Sunday worship on a regular basis. The Board approved $1500 from the Campus Ministry Fund to support First UCC 's new initiative for an outreach & faith formation ministry for these students and other young adults beginning Fall 2014.
Rev. Dr. John Ross, Wayzata Community Church (WCC) joined the Board to share an update on the work surrounding the recently closed Pilgrims Church in Maple Grove. The Conference has assumed financial oversight responsibility for the property and WCC has taken on property management responsibilities. A small group has been meeting to identify possible future options. Next steps include a thorough assessment of Pilgrim's financial obligations and assets.
The Board reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2015. Despite the diligent work by conference staff and committees a deficit budget has been proposed. Considerable discussion occurred regarding the Fossil Fuel Divestment decision of last year's Annual Meeting, which has created challenges to optimizing investment revenue. The Board voted to recommend the deficit budget to the annual meeting for consideration.
The Board spent time identifying its perspective on the essential purpose, functions and mission priorities of the national setting of the UCC including the times the Minnesota Conference has turned to the national setting for resources. The Associate Conference Minister Search Committee reported they are concluding the search process and expect a candidate to be in place by October 2014. Rev. Michael Small was appointed to fill the recently vacated and unexpired term for the Board liaison to the Committee on Ministry.
Other highlights of the meeting include: received a report on progress towards fossil fuel divestment; reviewed and approved an investment policy; learned that development efforts are somewhat better than last year; approved $31,000 of deferred maintenance for Pilgrim Point Camp; selected the Ackley Consulting Group to work with the Conference on preparation of a case for support and capital campaign feasibility study; noted five congregations are participating in the New Beginnings process and strong registration for events at Pilgrim Point Camp; and reviewed the resolutions submitted for consideration at the annual meeting.
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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:
- Take a look at the Call to the Meeting materials that were sent out at the beginning of March - just click here.
- 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.
Three items that will be up for vote at the Annual Meeting have been sent out and are now posted. Click here for the 2014 packet materials. As items are ready, they will be added to the gallery.
The gallery currently includes:
- 2014 Resolution in support of an end to the DHS/ICE daily detention level mandate
- 2014 Resolution to support dismantling racism and creating diversity in the MN Conference
- Proposed change for the 2015 compensation guidelines
Questions? Contact Alison Bents in the Conference Office at alisonb@uccmn.org or 612-871-0359.
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| The Great Vitality Rally (Pre-Annual Meeting) |
Catch Fire: The Great Vitality Rally
June 13, 2014 - 9am to 11:45am
College of St Benedict, Alumnae Hall, St Joseph, MN
An annual gathering on vitality before the Annual Meeting, Catch Fire will be an interactive, energetic morning of a panel of experts from within our own Conference speaking on what they have learned about revitalizing congregations and you sharing what you have learned. The morning will feature idea exchanges, networking, making new friends, and creating sustainable vitality for your congregation.
Register Now!
Registration is $25 per team member and includes the workshop, a continental breakfast, materials, and a vitality goodie bag. For every four team members that attend from your church, the fifth team member can join for free!
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Staff Leave
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Alison Bents is out on leave and will return immediately following the Annual Meeting on June 16, 2014. Her tasks are being covered in-house, so we thank you for your patience as we cover the gaps. Generally, questions should be directed to Marita Karlisch at maritak@uccmn.org. Questions specific to the COMMAntary should be directed to Zac Norenberg at zacn@uccmn.org. |
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).
Start date extended - there's still time!
We are targeting each group to begin mid-May and continue for three months.
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| Financial Management Training for Clergy |
Financial Management Training for Twin Cities Clergy
June 2-4, 2014 (8:30AM - 12:00 Noon)
United is holding a financial training workshop this summer covering the fundamentals of nonprofit finance, budgeting, and cash flow/reporting. This is the first of several such workshops United is offering over the next couple of years. As the recent recipient of a Lilly Grant intended to help prepare and educate students and clergy in financial management, part of our work includes offering free training for local churches and clergy.
Dates: Monday-Wednesday, June 2-4, 2014
Time: 8:30AM - 12:00 Noon
Location: United Theological Seminary, Strobel Room ( directions)
Cost: FREE
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| Webinars: Engaging Your Neighborhood, Grant Writing, and Appreciative Inquiry |
1. Engaging Your Neighborhood - May 12 - Noon CDST
Your church wants to reach out. Be known in your neighborhood. Be engaged with the community around you. Join this session for strategies for increasing your outreach and visibility in the community. Mike Piazza is Director of Congregational Vitality for the Center for Progressive Renewal
2. Appreciative Inquiry - June 3 - Noon CDST
Learn about the process of Appreciative Inquiry and its value in congregations, especially in making changes. Mark Lau Branson is a Professor at Fuller Seminary and the author of Memories, Hopes, and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry and Congregational Change.
3. Grant Writing - June 24 - Noon CDST
Learn strategies for finding and obtaining grant funding for various projects your congregation wants to engage in to provide stronger ministry. Cameron Trimble is the Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal.
Register Here!
Each webinar is $9.99
If you register for all 3, you get them for the price of 2: $19.98
If you are unable to participate on the day and time listed, not to worry. Each webinar will be archived and you can listen to it at your convenience. The advantage to being on the live webinar is you can ask questions, but you can still get the information, whether you are on live or not.
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Carol Howard Merritt to come to Minnesota
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 Save the Date!
Rev. Carol Howard Merritt
coming to the Minnesota Conference
We are delighted to bring Carol Howard Merritt back to the Minnesota Conference on Thursday, June 26, 2014. Carol is the author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope, as well as a regular columnist to in the Christian Century. She has pastored churches in Louisiana, Rhode Island and Washington, DC. More details to follow. Rev. Howard Merritt comes to us as part of our work with the Center for Progressive Renewal.
CHURCHTRACK - Try it free for six months. ChurchTrack is an online trend tracking system that helps your church understand its growth dynamics. The system tracks key vitality indicators such as attendance, members, people served, donations, volunteers, events and much more. You can view your church trends in a dynamic dashboard that shows you how your congregation is progressing individually and in comparison to other churches in your area and across the nation. Here is how it works: Every Wednesday, a leader in your congregation will receive an email with a link. This link takes them to a reporting page on the website. Enter your information, press submit and view your trends. It is that easy. If you are interested, contact Anita Bradshaw at anitab@uccmn.org or call 612.871.0359 for more information. |
Volunteer at Pilgrim Point in 2014!
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 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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Oak Meadows at your church!
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 Are you or your congregation interested in having someone come to your church to speak about senior housing? Kim Prayfrock of Oak Meadows, our UCC-affiliated senior living facility located in Oakdale, Minnesota, would love to hear from you! Drop her an email or give her a call at kim@oak-meadows.org or 651-578-0676.
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Clergy Clusters in the Coming Week
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Northeast Clergy Cluster: Thursday, May 8, 11:30am, Community Church of Walker
Northern Clergy Cluster: Tuesday, May 13, 11:00am, Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Duluth
Twin Cities West Clergy Cluster: CANCELLED
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| Boundary Training |
Living the Sacred Trust:
Boundary and Ethics Training
Who: Clergy and Lay Leaders
When: Tuesday, September 30
Where: UCC New Brighton (1000 Long Lake Rd, New Brighton)
Register: Registration is open! Space is limited. To register, click on link and event listed as "Living the Sacred Trust." Choose "other" for district and church.
Download the flyer for more information.
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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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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.
The Minnesota Conference UCC has established the following OWL Facilitator Training for Grades 7-9 & 10-12 Curriculum:
When: Friday, May 16, 3:00pm until Sunday, May 18, 2:00pm
Cost: $125 (without resource)
Register for this Training Now
Registration closes: May 12th
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 material)
Last day to register!
or read the event summary, agenda, F.A.Q, etc.
Meighan Pritchard, UCC Minister for Environmental Justice, with questions about the curriculum and registration
Gigi Nauer, Co-Camp Director, for questions about accommodations
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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?
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Calling all Quilters!
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Quilting Service Weekend | May 30-June 1
Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats
 Calling all quilters - and all those who have ever 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
- Bringing along a working sewing machine
- Coming to camp to help create quilts!
Come and enjoy Pilgrim Point during this special weekend opportunity to connect, serve, quilt and rejoice!
Deadline to register: May 19, 2014
Participants will be housed in the Lodge and we are asking for a $30 donation to help cover the cost of meals and facility use.
Questions? Contact Zac Norenberg, Registrar, with questions about registration. Contact Gigi Nauer and Robin Raudabaugh, Camp Co-Directors, with questions about program or accomodations
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Youth Camps at Pilgrim Point
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Strengthen Your Youth Ministry -
Go to Camp Together!
Whether you have one youth in your church or many, attend camp together 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: $350
Adult Church Leader cost: $100
Find answers to common questions: FAQ for 2014.
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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. - Thursday, May 8: Spring Dinner, Community UCC, St Paul Park
- Saturday, May 10: Plant and Bake Sale, Community UCC, St Paul Park
- Saturday, May 17: Talent/No Talent Show, Living Table UCC
- 2nd Sundays, ongoing: Evensong Services with Folk Harm & Dulcimer
- 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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