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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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from Dr. Jessica Allen, chair, Global Partnerships Team
Strengthening the Partnership
"Our understanding of partnership is founded upon the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'that all may be one.'" (John 17:21)
"We understand partnership to be a sharing of faith-life experiences that hold one another accountable for our responsibility in ushering in the Reign of God." (excerpts from the Guidelines on Partnership between the MN Conference and SEMJur)
 We in the Minnesota Conference have reason to be proud of our prophetic witness. We speak up for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters; we picket for immigration reform; we confront the racism in our own midst and our own hearts; we divest from fossil fuels. We take personal and professional and financial risks to do this.
But - to my knowledge, no Minnesota UCC church has ever been raided by the federal government. But - to my knowledge, no Minnesota UCC church worker is currently in fear for their life because of the witness that they speak every day.
This, my friends, is the daily reality in the Philippines.
The Minnesota Conference is privileged to have a partnership with the Southeast Mindanao Jurisdiction (SEMJur) of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). We were even more privileged for three weeks in June, when we hosted a three-person delegation from our partners: Bishop Modesto Villasanta, Rev. Jesse Pagalan, and Ms. Hazel Corro Navarra (pictured at above in the Duluth harbor).
The goal of the trip, organized by the Conference's Global Partnerships Team, was to strengthen the partnership through face-to-face meetings between the SEMJur delegates and Minnesota Conference personnel, and through an exchange of ideas around common issues. To that end, we organized meetings and events around mining, human trafficking, Christian-Muslim dialogue, Minnesota's historical and modern relationship with Native American communities, community organizing and civil society, LGBT issues, farming, food instability and homelessness. In addition, the delegation met with members of the Filipino community in Duluth and the Twin Cities, and with staff from Senator Klobuchar's office to discuss the relationship between the United States and the Philippines.
Cultural events included visits to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the History Center, the Science Museum, the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, a Minnesota Orchestra concert and a Lynx game. During a visit to Mankato, our guests experienced Minnesota weather in the form of a tornado warning, and had to spend twenty minutes in the church basement!
Bishop Modesto, Pastor Jesse and Hazel were with us for three Sundays. In addition to preaching at Annual Meeting, the Bishop preached on June 8th at Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis, where the entire delegation were given prayer shawls. Pastor Jesse preached on June 22nd at First Congregational UCC in Cannon Falls. Hazel participaed in the Annual Meeting by jointly presenting a workshop on mining exploitation with Thom Haines of Mayflower UCC.
Finally, the Global Partnerships Team would like to thank everyone who participated in making our guests feel at home at Annual Meeting and in Mankato, Freeborn, Cannon Falls, Duluth and the Twin Cities. We couldn't have done it without you.
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Save the Date: Church on the Move
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Save the Date!
Saturday, September 20
Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Duluth
Mark your calendars now for the very first Church on the Move event coming up on Saturday, September 20 at Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Duluth. Registration and event details will be announced soon. Stay tuned! You don't want to miss this!
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UCC Response to Refugee & Immigration Issues
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from your Minnesota Conference Immigration Team
URGENT: Call the Senate & House Today!
Demand that Congress REJECT rollbacks
to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
 Proposals to "deport children more quickly" would return unaccompanied children to exploitation, trafficking and unsafe situations.
As the U.S. government responds to the humanitarian crisis faced by unaccompanied children and families fleeing violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, both President Obama and some members of Congress are proposing changes to the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008. The TVPRA passed both chambers of Congress by unanimous consent and was signed into law by President G. W. Bush to address our international obligations of not returning bulnerable migrants to danger and to reduce the likelihood that the U.S. would deport children back into the hands of traffickers and others who would exploit them.
Changes to the TVPRA would mean that children would not have a meaningful opportunity to have their story heard, apply for asylum, or be cared for humanely by child welfare personnel, and would be deported to potentially life-threatening situations. Congress should not rescind this bipartisan law at precisely the time when more children are in need of these protections. The U.S. must show leadership by finding ways to reduce the violence these children face in their home countries, rather than immoral proposals to deport them more quickly. More than 4,000 people of faith have already urged Congress and the Obama Administration to uphold these protections in a letter delivered to Congress and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. For more information, click here.
Call 1-866-940-2439 to be connected with the offices of your Representatives and Senators. You can also visit bit.ly/TheyAreChildren to call directly.
Here's a sample script: "I'm from state/congregation/community and as a person of faith, I strongly oppose any rollbacks to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Unaccompanied children fleeing violence should not be returned to unsafe situations, but must be protected and cared for humanely. As your constituent, I expect you to stand firm against any proposal that would sacrifice a child's safety for expediency. The U.S. must instead find ways to reduce the violence these children face in their home countries and ensure that children who arrive to the U.S. have access to the legal counsel and services they need."
__________________________
from your National Setting of the UCC and the Interfaith Community
The National UCC announces that its Justice and Witness Ministries has entered into a one-year agreement with Church World Service to work together on advocacy related to refugee and immigration issues. The staff person assigned to this task is Noel Andersen. He will work with churches, pastor and lay leaders and will convene the UCC Immigration Task Force.
Want to get involved?
- Join in the Interfaith Weekend of Compassion and Prayer for Unaccompanied Migrant Children.
- Pray for the protection of the children who have traveled hundreds of miles to escape violence in their home countries. A wonderful resource is available here. Register here to make it known that you are participating!
- You and your church are encouraged to call your members of congress and urge them NOT to repeal the provisions in the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). You can find your members of congress here. More information about this is above.
- Join the UCC Immigration Task Force by contacting Noel at nandersen@cwsglobal.org.
- Contact Noel to arrange speakers, trainings and other local actions.
- Read the UCC Immigration Task Force response to the unaccompanied children situation. Pass it along to your church.
- July 31, 2014, join with other members of the interfaith community including Rev. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister for Justice & Witness Ministries for the UCC, in an act of prophetic civil disobedience in Washington, DC. More information is available here.
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Joining together to restock the school kits
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 Following domestic and international disasters the need to distribute specific material aid is often crucial to the recovery process. UCC Disaster Ministries, Conferences and congregations support these efforts by pre-assembling various types of Church World Service kits that are stored and can be shipped at a moment's notice. UCC Disaster Ministries was recently notified that stock supplies of CWS School kits were very low due in part to the ongoing situation in Syria. In an effort to support UCC congregations in restocking these essential kits, UCC Disaster Ministries is offering matching grants totaling up to $50,000 for congregations assembling CWS School Kits. Grants will be awarded at $250/congregation on a first come first serve basis. Congregations are encouraged to engage their local community, businesses, friends and coworkers and to work collaboratively with other nearby congregations in an effort to pull resources and maximize purchasing power. Together, we can make this happen! Apply today!
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Children Fleeing Violence:
they're knocking on our door
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But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs." (Luke 18:16, NRSV)
It's in the news - children fleeing violence in Central America. Meet these children. Learn about their journey; show
in your congregation and/or community.
 Which Way Home Which Way Home shows the personal side of immigration through the eyes and stories of children. These are stories of hope and courage, disappointment and sorrow. 83 minutes.
Free for all groups, schools, faith and other organizations. Licensed for public screening.
For more information, contact Rev. John Guttermann, 651-485-3104, intpasj@mac.comThe Advocates for Human Rights - Volunteer Liaison to Faith Communities;
Lead, Conversations With Friends
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Dementia-Friendly Congregations?
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Dementia-Friendly Congregations?
88,000 Minnesotans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease. As more of us age, that number is growing. In addition, we are living longer and find ourselves in need of more support. Communities of faith need to be prepared to be supportive.
If you are interested in being a Dementia-Friendly Congregation convene a team and contact Helen Jackson Lockett-El at 612-230-3345 for additional information. You will participate in a community assessment, develop a work plan, implement a plan specific to your congregation, and evaluate your progress.
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8th Annual Fall Convocation
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Leading Through It:
Transforming Conflict for Constructive Change
September 25-26, 2014
Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo, Minnesota
"We don't know how to have a healthy fight."
Is your church mired in conflict, faced with dwindling resources, and trying to cope with increasing pressure and stress on the lay leaders and pastor? Then, this convocation is for you!
Come to:
- Learn the art of utilizing conflict as a vehicle for constructive change
- Boost your leadership skills amidst challenging times
- Discover ways to strengthen your personal and professional conflict management
- Attend to the individual dynamics in conflict situations
- Discover resources on understanding conflict from a congregational perspective
- Gain tools for achieving personal and congregational resiliency in the midst of conflict
- Experience fellowship and peer support in a gorgeous, Minnesota lakeside setting
Registration is open!
Deadline: September 12, 2014
Download a flyer here.
When: September 25-26, 2014
Where: Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo, MN
Who: Authorized ministers, congregational staff, lay leaders, seminary students
Cost: $75-85* for authorized ministers; $115-125 for all other participants
Questions? Contact Alison Bents in the Conference Office at alisonb@uccmn.org or 612-871-0359.
*Reduced cost for ministers made possible by a generous grant from the Richard and Helen Brown Endowment Fund of the UCC.
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Women's Retreat: Registration is open!
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Women's Retreat
of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ
September 19-21, 2014
at Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats
Join with the women of the Minnesota Conference UCC for a God-filled weekend while you experience the beauty of Pilgrim Point Camp on the shores of Lake Ida. Download the brochure for information about the presenters, activities, and for a paper registration form.
Registration is now open!
Cost: $90/person
Questions about registration? Email Zac Norenberg at zacn@uccmn.org or call 612-871-0359. Questions about program or onsite accommodations? Email Gigi Nauer at ggmarie58@gmail.com or call 651-226-1186.
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| Mission Trip to Back Bay Mission | |
Minnesota Conference UCC Mission Trip to
Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi
January 25-31, 2015
We are now accepting registrations for volunteers to who want to travel to Biloxi, MS during the last week in January 2015 to do work with Back Bay Mission. What a great opportunity to do valuable mission work AND miss a bit of the Minnesota winter.
View or download the registration form.
Here are the details:
Who: Open to everyone age 14 and older. 20 spaces are available.
What: Back Bay Mission provides a variety of services to the community. We will be working on projects connected with construction, either building new or rehabbing. Skills are not necessary, but a willingness to learn and help others is key!
Accommodations: We will be staying in dorm-style rooms and will prepare all of our own meals. Everyone will be asked to pitch in with meal prep and/or cleanup.
Leaders: Bob and Barb Peterson; for 25 years they have led groups of volunteers from Minnesota UCC churches to Coahoma County, Mississippi to help build houses through Habitat for Humanity. They will continue that mission next year, as well as this mission to Back Bay.
Cost: Each person will be responsible for raising the following amounts of money for their share of the trip. It is hoped that churches and others will help cover the costs:
- $75 for housing per person
- $50 Back Bay materials fee per person
- $50 per person for food, paper products, washing detergents, and gas to travel to the various work sites while at Back Bay (This assumes that members will bring snacks/cookies/bars to share at break times and after our meals).
- In addition, each person will need to pay for their travel cost to Biloxi, which can include airfare, hotel, food and gas expense for those who drive. Help will be given to participants looking to make car pool arrangements. Estimated cost for participants who drive down and back (including one stop each way at a hotel) is about $250, assuming 4 people per car. Estimate for round trip flight: $625.
- Optional: $20 for a UCCMN Mission Trip Sweatshirt.
- Additional Mission Goal: To raise $10,000 for Back Bay Mission. It is hoped that the Churches in the Conference will support this mission project of the conference with additional gifts to Back Bay Mission.
If you have questions, contact Bob Peterson at rpeter446@aol.com or call 715-549-6798.
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| Register now for 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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Pre-Retirement Seminar
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 In recent years, the Pension Boards has greatly expanded its efforts in Member Education, toward the goal of helping members realize the importance of planning throughout their careers for a financially secure retirement. A good time to review your retirement goals is when you are 10-15 years from your planned retirement date. With that in mind, we have planned a series of Regional Retirement Seminars designed to provide ACTIVE members - both clergy and lay - with important information to help make the transition to a new stage in life as easy as possible.
We invite you to attend the upcoming Retirement Seminar to be held on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center, 30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402. The event will begin with registration and continental breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:30 p.m.
To register for the event, please contact Sharon Thomas, Member Education Services Coordinator, at 800.642.6543, ext. 2712, no later than Friday, August 15th.
A proposed agenda is linked. The seminar is offered to ACTIVE members participating in the pension program at no cost and a one-time $100 stipend is given to each member to help defer travel expenses. We look forward to seeing you on September 4th.
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National Church Leadership Institute
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The Center for Progressive Renewal's annual National Church Leadership Institute is back this August 7th-10th in Atlanta. During these three days, you can have access to the brightest practitioners and creative experts from across the country who are changing the Church as we know it so it meets the world's greatest needs. You will hear from over a dozen leading experts on everything from building digital ministries to pastoral resilience to running the "business" of church. And because you're part of the MN Conference, you get 10% off with this discount code: minnrocks. Learn more at NCLI14.org.
Can't make it to Atlanta?
If you can't make it to Atlanta this year for the National Church Leadership Institute, you can still learn, network and be a part of the experience from the comfort of your home or office. We will be streaming the main sessions of the conference online. You can log in as the sessions are going on, or you can view them later through our website. Register as a virtual participant now!
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Faith Formation Curriculum Preview!
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Shine Curriculum Preview
Thursday, August 7, 10:00-11:00am
Come join Lori at the Resource Center for Churches to preview and learn more about the Shine curriculum, new this fall! We have samples to explore for all ages - early childhood, primary, middler, junior youth, and multiage.
Resource Center for Churches
122 W. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
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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, July 16: Film: Chasing Ice, St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul
- Wednesday, July 16: WOW: Sara Renner and Friends, Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata
- Wednesday, July 16: Evening Fellowship: Michael Cotter, Storyteller, St. John's UCC, Faribault
- Sunday, July 20: Dick Kimmel, Ambassador of Bluegrass, UCC, Gaylord
- Wednesday, July 23: WOW: Michael Monroe, Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata
- Wednesday, July 30: WOW: "House Blend" with Charles Lazarus, Taylor Robert and Tapestry
- Friday, August 1: Holden on the Road, Camp Koinonia, New Haven, MN
- Wednesday, August 6: Fare for All Express, Hazel Park UCC, St. Paul
- Wednesday, August 6: Film: White Light, Black Rain, Living Table UCC, Minneapolis
- 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, ongoing: Transgender Support Group, Peace UCC, Rochester
- Every Thursday, ongoing: Farmer's Market, Cottage Grove UCC
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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Development Officer
| | The Minnesota Conference UCC is seeking a part-time Development Officer. Please share this post with friends and colleagues that might be interested!
Primary Duties:
- Lead donor cultivation, engagement and growth
- Manage and grow direct response program for Annual Fund
- Develop and implement a donor/supporter communications and marketing strategy, forming a case for giving to the Conference
- Coordinate efforts with other Conference fundraising
- Grow sustaining/monthly donor program
- Manage and evaluate fundraising-related technology
- Encourage board and staff involvement in fundraising
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent plus three to five years of experience and/or demonstrated interest in developing and managing financial development strategies
- Practical understanding of and commitment to the core values of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ
- Track record of measurable results of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual donors
- Experience in grant writing desirable
- Demonstrated ability to manage self with limited supervision
- Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated skills in problem solving, planning and evaluation Competencies
- Good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, flexibility and a willingness to function as part of a team
- Ability to relate well to the diverse constituency of the Minnesota Conference: donors, staff and volunteers
- Open to those with a theologically progressive view of Christianity
Skills/Abilities:
- Proficiency in social media and Microsoft Office (Word, Publisher, Excel, Outlook)
- Familiarity with SAGE/Abila Fundraising software
- Access to car and ability to drive
Additional Requirements: Must be able to pass a criminal background check without restrictions
Additional Info: A full job description is available here.
How To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references by July 25 to Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister at sharip@uccmn.org.
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