COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 44
November 5, 2014
In This Issue
COMMAnts from the Conference Minister | November 2014
from Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
It was a moment of historic importance for the wider United Church of Christ and for the Minnesota Conference. On Monday, United Church Funds opened a new Beyond Fossil Fuels investment fund with $21 million dollars from investors across the United Church of Christ. The Minnesota Conference was one of those founding investors, making our own initial investment in the fund of $1.75 million.
Just 8 more days!
Just eight more days until Give to the Max Day on November 13th! Make your pledge to support the Minnesota Conference today!

Please visit our Give to the Max page to read over how your donation is hard at work. We have some inspiring stories to share with you of how we are fulfilling our mission, upholding our core values, transforming lives, advocating justice and fostering faith formation.

Board of Directors Report | November 2014

The most recent Board of Directors meeting was hosted by the Congregational Church UCC in Rochester on November 1, 2014. Our meeting began with a welcome from this church's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Teresa Roberts.

 

Conference Minister, Rev. Shari Prestemon presented a review of the Ackley Consulting report on a potential campaign for the Minnesota Conference UCC ministries, including Pilgrim Point Camp. Ackley interviewed approximately 50 persons from across the Conference in four focus groups and at the Fall Leadership Retreat.

Joys and Concerns
  • Mary Shaffer will be ordained Sunday, November 9 at 2:00pm at Mayflower UCC (106 E Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis). A reception will follow. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
     
  • Karl Jones will be ordained Saturday, November 15 at 1:00pm at Plymouth Congregational Church (1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis). A reception will follow. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
     
  • The Conference Office has received word of the death on Saturday, November 1, 2014 of Kay Longley, wife of retired UCC minister, Rev. John Longley. A memorial service is scheduled for 4:00pm on Saturday, November 8th at First United Church (1000 SE 1st Street, Little Falls, MN) with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Kay is survived by her husband, Rev. John Longley, children Susan Wieker, Joan Hansen, Paul Longley and Mary Betker, as well as 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
     
  • Hazel Park UCC in St. Paul is pleased to announce that at its October 19th Annual Meeting, the congregation voted approve its Open and Affirming statement, becoming an Open and Affirming Church. This is their statement:

    Hazel Park Congregational United Church of Christ is called to be a church of extravagant welcome:

    to celebrate God still speaking,

    to share the Gospel of Christian love,

    to serve the tapestry of God's creation,

    and to welcome all into the full life and ministry of the church regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental and physical ability, marital status, age, or ethnic or socio-economic background.

Notices
  • The Minnesota Conference UCC is pleased to announce the approval of up to $10,000 for congregation micro-grants of $200-700 from the Ashley Endowment. Grants must support the congregation's ministry and work with children, youth and/or families. View and download the grant application here.
     
  • The Minnesota Conference UCC is pleased to announce $25,000 in grant money from the Ashley Endowment to use toward youth and multi-generational mission/service trips during 2015 (up to $75/participant). Grants are only available to Minnesota Conference UCC congregations; limit one grant per congregation. View and download the grant application here. Applications are due by Friday, December 5, 2015. Applications received after the deadline may receive grant dollars if funds are still available. While scheduling youth mission trips, please consider avoiding Pilgrim Point Youth Camp dates: July 19-24 and July 26-31, 2015.
     
  • The Chautauqua United Church of Christ Society invites all authorized UCC clergy to apply to serve as a Chaplain of the Week during the 2015 summer season at Chautauqua. For all who like great ideas and great performances, it's simply the best place to spend a week of summer. Each year we invite nine UCC clergy to share a week of Chautauqua with us. In exchange for light duties, we provide housing, gate passes (for you and a spouse/partner, an $875 value), parking, and access to a shared kitchen and dining space. The application deadline is Nov. 30, 2014. For application information and forms, visit www.cuccs.org. For information about Chautauqua, visit www.ciweb.org.
     
  • Clergy clusters in the coming week:
    • Northern Cluster: Tuesday, November 11, 11:00am
      Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Duluth
Upcoming Events
Employment Opportunities
Check out the employment opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings. 
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ | www.uccmn.org
122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404

The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) is the state-wide organization that equips UCC pastors to lead, supports congregations, engages in transformative mission and witness, and guides youth and adults on their faith journeys. Get involved.

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