This past weekend 16 congregations sent middle school youth and leaders to Pilgrim Point Camp for the Middle School Conference Youth Event with a theme of "Extravagant Welcome." The 87 participants were led in song and programs by Bryan Sirchio, singer/songwriting and author of The 6 Marks of Progressive Christian Worship Music. The energy was high as you might imagine, the message that every young person was welcomed and loved by God was boldly proclaimed, and the hospitality through site staff and volunteers met with extremely high praise. Many thanks to all the leaders, volunteers and site staff who helped make the weekend so successful!  

Is your church thriving?

What does it do that makes you   

proud to be a member?  

Come to Church on the Move at Associated Church in Owatonna on November 8 to hear some of the stories that thriving churches are proud to share! Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Rick Wagner will provide a compelling keynote address. 

Cost: $10/person; includes lunch. Bring a team of 5 and your fifth person comes at no cost!  

Register Now!  

• Gaylord UCC will conduct a Service of Farewell for Rev. Hank Campbell on Sunday, October 19 at 9:00am. The church is located at 318 4th Street in Gaylord. Rev. Campbell has served with Gaylord UCC since February 2010.
   
• Rev. Kent Meyer will be installed as Pastor of Zion UCC in Le Sueur on Sunday, October 19 at 2:00pm. Rev. Meyer began his service with Zion UCC in October 2013. The church is located at 240 South Elmwood Street in Le Sueur.
   
• Wayzata Community Church's Parables Service and Rev. Leslie Neugent were recently featured by UC News. Read all about it here! You can also learn more about Parables and special needs ministry this coming October 26th with a special Still Speaking Event - don't miss it!

• Unexpected Places! The Call to the 30th General Synod of the United Church of Christ has recently been issued, and registration is now open! Make plans to head to Cleveland this June with thousands of your fellow UCCers! Read the call now, and sign up!
   

• Need a Kick-Start on $tewardship? The Center for Progressive Renewal (CPR) is providing an Intensive Online Stewardship Workshop for up to eight Minnesota Conference Churches. Click here to learn more!
   

• Open and Affirming Team Event Planning Meeting: Please join the Open and Affirming Team as we begin to plan 2015 events. We will gather at Mayflower UCC (106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Mpls) Saturday, Oct. 11, 10:00-12:00. Click here for more details.
   
• Give to the Max Day is quickly approaching. As GiveMN.org is working with a new vendor, there are some organizations that didn't transfer over. The Minnesota Conference was one of them, and your church may have been as well. To ensure that your church is active on GiveMN.org in time for Give to the Max day, send these 3 items to help@givemn.org or fax to 651-800-4910.
  • Church's letter from the IRS stating their EIN number.
  • A letter, on the church letterhead, requesting inclusion on GiveMN.org. The letterhead must include organization name, physical address, mailing address (if different), phone number, email address, and website. It needs to be signed by an elected officer of the church
  • Some kind of proof that the church is in good standing with the MN Conference. The church can use the Conference directory or a letter from the Conference affirming their good standing.

  If a church was on GiveMN previously, their web age will be restored. All organizations have until Oct. 31st to restore their pages. Otherwise they will not be able to participate on Give to the Max. The Conference Office will happily assist with these items if necessary. Contact Alison Bents at alisonb@uccmn.org.

   
• Clergy Clusters in the coming week:
• Northern Cluster: Tuesday, October 14, 11:30am, Congregational Church UCC, Grand Marais ***Those wishing to carpool should meet at Peace UCC in Duluth at 8:45am.***