COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 50
December 17, 2014
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Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
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from Mary Twitchell, OCWM Subcommittee member
OCWM - What's All the Fuss?
OCWM - Our Church's Wider Mission - just what does that mean for me and for my church? As a relative newcomer to the UCC, I really didn't know what OCWM did until I found a video that briefly and beautifully showed some of the ways that our contributions to OCWM enrich our faith, our communities, and our world. Take a few minutes to watch this video and experience some of the ways that OCWM blesses so many.  | | Our Church's Wider Mission |
As the year draws to a close, the OCWM Subcommittee, staff and Board of Directors wish to thank all congregations and individuals for their giving to Our Church's Wider Mission in 2014. Our OCWM giving is one of the ways that we express our covenantal relationships in the United Church of Christ and allows us to express our ministry as church throughout Minnesota, the nation, and the world. Thank you!
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Pilgrims UCC Rummage Sale - LAST CHANCE!
| 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 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.
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5 for 5 deadline set for 2014 contributions
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Five for Five 2014
deadline set for Friday, January 9
Checks with gifts for UCC Basic Support (Our Church's Wider Mission), One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, Neighbors in Need, and the Christmas Fund will need to be received at the Conference Office by Friday, January 9 to be counted toward your 2014 Five for Five tally.
Offerings we receive after Friday, January 9 will be credited, with gratitude, to your 2015 giving. Please help us with your understanding and your support, and by meeting this deadline for 2014 Five Funds gifts. If you have questions, please contact the Business Office at business@uccmn.org.
Pastors and Moderators: please make sure this information gets passed on to your church treasurer.
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Joys and Concerns
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- Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ will hold a farewell service Sunday, December 28 at 10:30am. The church, organized in 1873, is closing. A potluck lunch will follow the service.
- Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Duluth will hold a service of closure and farewell on Sunday, January 4 at 10:00am to mark the retirement of Rev. Charlotte Frantz. Rev. Frantz, who was ordained in 1975, has served the church since 2002.
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Notices
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- 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.
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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.
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HABIT: a program for people with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment Information Session
Run by the Mayo Clinic, the HABIT program is aimed at preventing or delaying dementia. It builds on existing strengths and recognizes that procedural memory, otherwise known as 'habit,' can be exercised, promoting the highest level of function and independence.
The requirements for participation are:
1. A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment;
2. A study partner willing to go through the program along with the participant;
3. Ability to participate in the research program for two weeks, April 20 - May 1 for four hours each day at Plymouth Church, Minneapolis;
4. Ability to travel to Rochester before April 20 for a pre-program evaluation;
5. Ability to travel to Rochester six months after the program for a one day booster.
To have this program we will need a minimum of 20 people with the diagnosis of MCI, each with a partner (a spouse, partner, adult child or good friend) to participate. There is no cost to participants. Find out more about it at an Information Session on Thursday, January 22, 2015 10:00-11:30am at Plymouth Church.
- There are no clergy clusters in the coming week.
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- Church on the Move, New Brighton UCC, 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.
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To Set at Liberty: Faith, Race & the Sin of Mass Incarceration: Equipping faith leaders to lead powerfully for change. The Kaleo Center for Faith, Justice and Social Transformation is hosting a "faith summit" on the system of mass incarceration. Click here for more details and registration. Tuesday, January 13 and Wednesday, January 14.
- Local Church Events
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Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ | www.uccmn.org 122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404 |
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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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