COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 51
December 24, 2014
In This Issue
Merry Christmas!
A very merry Christmas
to you and yours from the staff
of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ!
(back: Barb Nilles, Zac Norenberg, Wade Zick, Gigi Nauer, Lese Wright, Beth Cherne, Marita Karlisch front: Rev. Steve Boorsma, Rev. Rick Wagner, Rev. Shari Prestemon, Alison Bents)
Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference
from Annalese Wright, Development Officer, MN Conference UCC
Why we support the Minnesota Conference UCC
Supporting the Minnesota Conference makes Rev. Frank Bennett, Assoc. Minister for Pastoral Care at Wayzata Community Church, and his wife, Mary Lenard, very happy indeed!
Annalese Wright, Development Officer for the Minnesota Conference UCC, recently had a conversation with Rev. Frank Bennett, member of the Conference's Board of Directors and ministry staff at Wayzata Community Church, about why he and his wife, Mary Lenard, choose to give generously to the Minnesota Conference.

When you last made a donation to the Conference, how did that make you feel?
Happy. Proud to support an organization doing tremendous work. It makes us feel hopeful that our donation will contribute to the future of the Minnesota Conference of the UCC - to ensure there is a future.
5 for 5 deadline set for 2014 contributions

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 [email protected].  

 

Pastors and Moderators: please make sure this information gets passed on to your church treasurer.
Joys and Concerns
  • 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 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. The celebration will continue with a social time and meal after worship. A program will begin about 12:15pm and conclude with dessert and more social time. Since many area clergy will be leading worship on this Sunday morning, you are encouraged to stop by any time up to about 1:30pm. The meal and program will be in the Fellowship Hall in the lower level of Pilgrim Church, 2310 East 4th Street, Duluth.
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.
     
  • 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.
Upcoming Events
  • 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
    • 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 [email protected]. 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, [email protected] or 651-255-6131.
    • 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 
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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