|
Church on the Move: Reframing Hope
|
 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!**
|
|
Joys and Concerns
|
- 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.
|
|
Notices
|
- 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.
- 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.
- SAVE THE DATES FOR BOUNDARY TRAINING!
Information about registration be be available next week.
If it has been 3 years or more since you have taken Power and Boundary Training, required for all ministers (unless exempt), there will be two training sessions in the coming months: - Tuesday, February 24 at Rosemount United Methodist Church
- Tuesday, April 14 at First United Methodist Church in Sartell
- "Eat, Drink and Be Married" is the theme of the upcoming concerts of One Voice Mixed Chorus (Minnesota's only, and the nation's largest, LGBTQA chorus) to be held Saturday, January 17 at 7:30PM and Sunday, January 18 at 3:00PM at the Hopkins High School, 240 Lindbergh Dr, Hopkins. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.onevoicemn.org or by calling 651-298-1954. This concert focuses on celebrating marriage equality recently achieved in Minnesota.
-
Faith in Action: Aligning Financial Practices with Spiritual Values
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light will be hosting an event at Mayflower UCC, 106 Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis on Thursday, January 29 from 6:30-8:30PM that follows up on the 2013 Conference and General Synod resolutions urging divestment from fossil fuels. We will address environmental justice, divestment, reinvestment, impact investing, inspirational stories and practical tools. Find out more information and RSVP 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
- 4th Thursday Leader Gathering, MN Church Center, Minneapolis, January 22, 2015
- Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Training, Levels 7-9/10-12, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis, February 27-March 1, 2015
- OWL Facilitator Training, Levels K-1/4-6/Adult/Young Adult, Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria, May 29-31, 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.
-
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
|
|
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ | www.uccmn.org 122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404 |
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
