COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 47

November 26, 2014

The staff of the Minnesota Conference UCC
wish you a blessed Thanksgiving!

In This Issue

Employment Opportunities

MISSION BITE: from across the Minnesota Conference

from Cheryl Wold member, Union Congregational UCC, Elk River

Drop-In Resource Center for Homeless Youth
"Birthed" by UCC Church

A new community resource will soon be opening in Elk River, thanks to the initial efforts of Union Congregational Church, UCC of Elk River. Open Doors for Youth will be a resource center where homeless youth, ages 16-21, can acquire both basic needs and access to essential community services. The center will be open Mon-Fri 2-6pm and will be staffed by trained volunteers. A site has been leased and the goal is to be operational this coming February. Our new website will be up by Nov 29th - check us out! www.opendoorsforyouth.org.

Click here to keep reading.

Letter from the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC

We continue to lift our prayers for all those in the Ferguson, Missouri area in the wake of the grand jury's recent decision not to indict the officer who shot and killed teenager, Michael Brown, on August 9, 2014. We share here a pastoral letter from Reverend Allen Fluent, Acting Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC. We give thanks for the witness for justice and peace that UCC congregations and leadership in that region offer in the midst of daunting realities.

Pilgrims UCC Rummage Sale

As was previously reported, the Pilgrims UCC church property in Maple Grove has been listed for sale. A subgroup of the Board of Directors has inventoried the contents and items are now available for purchase.

Please visit the Pilgrims UCC rummage sale.

All items purchased must be picked up at 8801 Rice Lake Road, Maple Grove on either December 6, 10am - 3pm or December 20, 10am - 3pm. Buyers are responsible for their own pick-up and delivery. All abandoned items will be disposed of. No refunds are available. Questions? Contact Alison Bents in the Conference Office at alisonb@uccmn.org.

Joys and Concerns

The members of Living Table UCC in Minneapolis are pleased to announce they have called the Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe to be their next Pastor. Rachael has worked as a pastor and pastoral psychotherapist in Massachusetts, and currently serves as clinical chaplain at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord, NH. She has degrees from Muhlenberg College, Princeton Seminary, and Andover Newton Theological School. Rachael has authored three books and maintains a lectionary based blog at beachtheology.com. She will start at Living Table UCC in January.
An Ecclesiastical Council for Tom Liddle will be hed at 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 10 at Macalester Plymouth United Church (1658 Lincoln Ave, St. Paul). Voting will be by all clergy with standing and lay delegates from a minimum of seven churches with standing in the same formula as prescribed for other voting meetings of the Conference.

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.
Clergy clusters in the coming week:

Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, December 2, 11:30am
Peace UCC, Rochester
Northeast Cluster: Thursday, December 4, 11:30am
First Congregational UCC, Brainerd

Upcoming Events

Minnesota Conference Events

Annual Minnesota Conference UCC Christmas Open House, 122 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, December 17, 2014
Church on the Move, Twin Cities Metro Location TBD, January 31, 2015

Minnesota Conference Youth & Faith Formation Events

Winter High School Youth Event, Camp Koinonia, South Haven, March 13-15, 2015

National UCC Events

Annual Conference: UCC Office Support Staff Network (UCCOSSN), Ft. Wayne, IN, April 9-11, 2015
Unexpected Places! General Synod 30, Cleveland, OH, June 26-30, 2014

Regional Events

Mother Mary Come to Me: 400 Years of Stories and Symbols, United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, open Dec. 2 - Jan. 30, Opening Night Reception and Discussion, Tuesday, December 2

Local Church 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.