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COMMAnts from the Conference Minister | January 2015
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from Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
 A couple of weeks ago I had the heavy privilege of sharing in worship with members of Freeborn Congregational UCC. It was the last worship service this congregation would ever have, for it had made the painful decision to end its ministry and close its doors after 141 years of faithful service. The grief was palpable in the sanctuary as they remembered together all the memories a local congregation creates over so many years. There was also laughter and joy in the gathering, though, as they celebrated the bonds of the Spirit that were everywhere apparent. I pray for each of those members, and for their pastor Reverend Cherie Daniel, that they might know the enduring graces and strength of a God who binds us together wherever we worship and however we minister.
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5 for 5 Deadline Set for 2014 Contributions
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Five for Five 2014
Deadline set for this 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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Church on the Move: UCC New Brighton
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 Is the Christian message antiquated? Does the Church have relevance for the world today? Carol Howard Merritt responds to these questions in her book Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation. Paraphrasing Diana Butler Bass' description of the book and its author: "Reframing Hope is written from the perspective of a "loyal radical" who leans toward "emergence Christianity" but as one committed to a historic denomination. Loyal radicals hope to move into a vibrant future while retaining the wisdom of the past; balancing "wild freedom" with "the rooting and grounding of tradition."
Carol Howard Merritt is not throwing out the proverbial baby with the bath water but, rather, guides her audience into imagining how to continue the telling of the same story through a new frame that makes sense to the listeners in a way that has meaning and purpose - and is exciting!
The next Church on the Move event is Saturday, January 31. Our keynote speaker is the Rev. Carol Howard Merritt; Author of Reframing Hope & Tribal Church. Rev. Howard Merritt is also a regular contributor to Christian Century.
 Our Day will begin with a keynote from Rev. Howard Merritt followed by an opportunity to engage her with questions and conversation. Following Lunch, we will rotate around three "Table Talk" discussions:
1. Media Tools: How to most effectually utilize them, and not to fear them! There is a place for an electronic presence for all churches regardless of size and budget.
2. Retraditioning Spirituality: Carol Howard Merritt will host this Table Talk. The conversation will follow the chapter in her book by the same name.
3. Reforming Community: Rev. Shari Prestemon and another one of our talented Minnesota pastors will co-host this Table Talk. Conversation will also take its lead from the chapter by the same name.
Where: New Brighton UCC, 1000 Long Lake Rd, New Brighton, MN 55112
When: Saturday, January 31st (9:30am Registration & Hospitality; 10:00am-3:00pm Program)
Who: Lay leaders, authorized clergy, ministry teams
Cost: $10/person (includes lunch!)
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 26th
Register Now!
**Bring a team of 5 people and your 5th is free!**
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Joys and Concerns
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- Kathryn Morin will be ordained and installed in Covenant Sunday, January 11 at 2pm at UCC New Brighton (1000 Long Lake Rd., New Brighton). Clergy are invited to come at 1:30 to robe and don red stoles. A reception will follow the service. Kathryn is a chaplain with St. Croix Hospice.
- First Congregational UCC of Brainerd is pleased to announce that by unanimous vote it has called Leslie Moughty to be its next Pastor. Leslie soon will be ordained in the Pacific Northwest Conference and will start in Brainerd on February 12th.
- Neal Bodin, father of Rev. Jan Bodin, died January 1. A memorial service was held January 6. Rev. Bodin is pastor of Congregational Church UCC in Faribault. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to Rev. Bodin and family.
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Notices
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- The Minnesota Conference UCC is pleased to announce the approval of $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. Applications accepted on a rolling deadline until funds are depleted. View and download the grant application here.
- NEW! Grow Your Church: New and Renewing Church Funding
The national setting of the UCC is offering diverse funding possibilities and programs for a variety of new and renewing ministries, including: grants for new congregations and ministries, grants for renewing congregations, a new start-up grant, and a reapplication grant for currently funded congregations. We encourage you to find out more about these funding opportunities.
Two free webinars have been scheduled to discuss these new local church funding opportunities; open to any with interest in applying: - Thursday, January 8, 2015 (Topic: Church Funding for 2015)
12:00PM until 1:00PM
Join WebEx meeting - Tuesday, January 13, 2015 (Topic: Church Funding for 2015)
12:00PM until 1:00PM
Join WebEx meeting
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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.
- Clergy clusters in the coming week:
- Northeast Cluster: Thursday, January 8, 11:30am
First Congregational UCC, Brainerd - Northern Cluster: Tuesday, January 13, 11:00am Peace UCC, Duluth
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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
- 4th Thursday Leader Gathering, MN Church Center, Minneapolis, January 22, 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 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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