COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 48
December 03, 2014
In This Issue
COMMAnts from the Conference Minister
from Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
Waiting for God's Intervention
The decorations have been pulled out of the attics or other deep recesses where they languished for 11 months. The frenzy of shopping and lists and social calendars and family events has begun. Favorite songs of Christmas cheer pour from loud speakers and clinking bells greet us at store entrances. All this is the familiar and frantic pace of these weeks before Christmas.

Yet, so little of that resembles what Advent is really about in our Christian life.
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.

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
  • An Ecclesiastical Council for Tom Liddle will be held 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. Information about Tom is available here.
     
  • Charles Owens will be ordained Sunday, December 14 at 4:00pm at Union Congregational UCC (3700 Alabama Ave, St Louis Park). Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A reception will follow the service of ordination.
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.
     

  • Resources available! Mayflower Church's Global Justice Advocacy Team traveled to Guatemala as part of a human rights delegation. The Mayflower group has put together both a Readers' Theater-"Portraits of Resilience - in Resistance to Injustice"-that introduces the people and issues they encountered in Guatemala. This can be done as part of a worship service (in lieu of a sermon) and can be accompanied by a justice-focused communion liturgy that they will provide. The group could do a Sunday morning adult forum-"Injustice in Guatemala: Our Lifestyles; Our Government"- that includes concrete actions people can take. This can be offered in conjunction with or as an alternative to the Readers' Theater program. Finally, Mayflower UCC was the launching platform for the award winning film, Gold Fever. That film can be made available as well. Interested? Contact Keith Roberts: robertsk@hanover.edu or 612-367-4616.
     

  • A call for cards and letters! Give the gift of HOPE this holiday season by joining our mission to send a greeting card to every woman and child in detention this December. We ask all to write messages of hope on a seasonal greeting card in Spanish to bring light and joy to families in detention. Send your notes in one large envelope to LIRS by Dec. 9.
    Send letters to: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Access to Justice, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
    For additional background on family detention, sample Spanish greetings and detailed mailing instructions, email vistation@lirs.org or visit lirs.org/hopefortheholidays. 
     
  • Clergy clusters in the coming week:
    • Northern Cluster: Tuesday, December 9, 11:00am
      Peace UCC, Duluth ** Join others in celebrating Rev. Charlotte Frantz's 40 years of ministry. She will be retiring on January 4, 2015 from Pilgrim UCC, Duluth.
    • Twin Cities West Cluster: Wednesday, December 10, 11:00am
      Parkway UCC, Minneapolis ** Join others at Parkway UCC for their Noel at Noon luncheon and concert. Luncheon is served from 11:30-12:00 followed by a Christmas concert from 12:00-12:30 in the sanctuary. A suggested lunch donation is $6.00.
    • Southwest Cluster: Thursday, December 11, 6:30pm
      El Mazatlan, Mankato
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
  • Regional Events
    • Mother Mary Come to Me: 400 Years of Stories and Symbols, United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, open Dec. 2 - Jan. 30
    • UCC Habitat for Humanity Mission Trip to Jonestown, MS, February 1-14, 2015. If you are looking for an alternative winter vacation, consider joining us in February when we'll be working on finishing the interiors of two homes. For more information, click here, or email Bob Peterson at rpeter446@aol.com. The cost is $350/week plus transportation. $250 of that is a donation for materials to HFH.
    • Philippine Immersion Trip: April 30-May 14, 2015. This trip offers participants an opportunity to broaden their understanding of our global realities as well as deepen their commitment to greater well-being in the context of our highly globalized world. In this exposure-immersion trip, participants will have the opportunity to live with Filipino people, listen to their stories, learn about movements, share faith and hopes, engage in dialogue, and explore ways of solidarity. Moreover, participants will be exposed to the Philippine context, the life and ministry of the church, and  global interconnections. Cost: $2,950 (includes airfare, lodging, meals, transportation in the Philippines, honoraria and other expenses). If interested, please contact Rev. Dr. Eleazar Fernandez, efernandez@unitedseminary.edu or 651-255-6131
       
  • Local Church Events 
Employment Opportunities
Check out the employment opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings. 
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