COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 11, No. 04 
January 28, 2015 
In This Issue
Mission Bite: from across the Minnesota Conference

from Richard Scheerer, member, MN Conference OCWM Subcommittee 

 

"Changing Lives" is not simply a slogan for our Conference or the United Church of Christ. It is rather a testimony to our living faith. Yes - it is used in our message repeatedly, but there are thousands of lives that give witness to what happens when finding our beloved United Church of Christ. 

I Continue to be Changed

You can see this for yourself by scrolling through videos on the UCC's YouTube page. The message in this video (to the right) is of my own discovery, as I've poked around through the internet looking for ways to thank you and show you the good news you've helped create.

  

Through OCWM contributions from our churches, many lives, congregations and outreach efforts are shining a new light of faith into our communities and world. During calendar year 2014 we, together, raised $701,977.35 for the purpose of changing lives. Congratulations - this is to be celebrated! 114 congregations gave out of joy and faith; you have given strength to our witness that God loves each person.

 

If you could not give, you will still receive the care of our Conference, the opportunity to send youth to Pilgrim Point or youth events, to receive the care and ministry of our staff along with the fellowship of other UCC congregations. Life can change for us through our ministry with each other. 

 

I feel privileged to share this news and want to thank you for making changing lives possible. This link is our THANK YOU and lets you know how you are having an impact on our shared ministry by your giving. 

 

With gratitude, Richard Scheerer

Back Bay Mission Trip

This week a group of 25 people, from congregations across the Minnesota Conference, are serving at Back Bay Mission (one of our mission partners) in Biloxi, Mississippi. The group is working hard and expanding our capacity for compassionate service - so today we lift them up and offer our thanks and prayers as they carry out this important mission on behalf of us all:
  • Richard Hennings
  • Linda Hennings
  • Norma Rae Hunt
  • Mary Kaser
  • Ron Kaser
  • Mark Kuether
  • Tom Lammers
  • Peg Lammers
  • Cindy Lemke
  • Mike Nustad
  • Bob Peterson
  • Barb Peterson
  • Garth Schumacher
  • Kim Shaffer
  • Jan Shaffer
  • Eleanore Troxel
  • Donna Wolff
  • Robert Yahnke
  • Pat Yahnke
  • Steve Boorsma
  • Parker Quammen
  • Dick Eick
  • Becky Galkiewicz
  • Bob Galkiewicz
  • Robin Raudabaugh
Joys and Concerns
  • An Ecclesiastical Council for Terese Tomanek, a member of Peace UCC in Duluth, will be held Thursday, January 29 at 11am at Falcon Heights UCC (1795 Holton St., Falcon Heights). A free-will donation lunch will follow. To ensure a quorum for the ecclesiastical council, please contact office@falconheightsucc.org or call (651) 646-2681.
  • Congratulations to Rev. Ashley Whitaker, Pastor of the United Church of Mapleton, MN, and her husband, Jeff, on the birth of their first child, Isaac John Whitaker, on January 21st! 
  • Rev. James McCutcheon, a retired minister who served as Senior Minister of Wayzata Community Church from 1978 until his retirement in 1999, died January 21 in North Chatham, Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife, Janet, three children and six grandchildren. A celebration of Rev. McCutcheon's life will be held January 31 at 11am at St. Christopher's Church in Chatham, Massachusetts. We extend our prayers and sympathy to the family. Read the full obituary.

  • An Ecclesiastical Council for Cecilia Baxter, a member of Falcon Heights UCC, will be held Thursday, February 5 at 1pm at United Theological Seminary (3000 5th St. NW in New Brighton). The seminary's Context Café will be open for lunch beginning at noon for anyone interested. To ensure a quorum for the ecclesiastical council, please contact Marita in the Minnesota Conference office at maritak@uccmn.org or (612) 230-3371.

Notices
  • BOUNDARY TRAINING - Registration is now open!
         If it has been 3 years or more (2012 or earlier) since you have taken Power and Boundary Training -- required for all ministers (unless exempt) -- there will be two training sessions in the coming months:

  • Celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 22nd (or any Sunday that works for your congregation)!

    Our UCC seminaries are filled with faithful, committed students seeking the skills and wisdom necessary to lead the church in the 21st century. Our congregations need these students. In our region, we are blessed to have three UCC seminaries - Chicago, United, and Eden. Each of these seminaries provides quality education for pastors and lay leaders, and they provide research and resources that serve the entire UCC.

     

    How to Celebrate Seminary Sunday:

    • Lift up our UCC seminaries and seminarians in prayer, in mission moments, and in your bulletins. 
    • Post materials about Chicago, Eden, and United Seminaries on bulletin boards. 
    • Include a special prayer or litany in your service. 
    • Show a five-minute CUE Seminaries video during worship. 
    • Include a gift to CUE Seminaries in your church budget or to take a special offering.
    • DVDs, bulletin inserts, posters, and offering envelopes are available on CUE Seminaries website. 

    If you would like someone from United Theological Seminary to visit your congregation to help with worship leadership for Seminary Sunday, please contact Kathleen Remund, Director of Church Relations, or call (651) 255-6112. The seminary will do its best to accommodate each request!

  • 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.

  • UCC Young Adult Service Communities (YASC) Internships

    Calling young adult candidates for the national Young Adult Service Communities network! Six YASC communities around the country are working hard to get ready - with community agencies, justice leadership workshops, congregational hospitality - to welcome young adult leaders on behalf of the whole church for a year of meaningful engagement at the intersection of congregation and world. Young adults (age 21-35) serve September 2015 - July 2016 in Bethesda, MD, Westford, MA (near Boston), Philadelphia, PA, Granite City, IL (near St. Louis), Chicago, IL or Seattle, WA. Read more, talk to current participants and apply online at www.ucc.org/volunteer_yasc. Priority applications due February 15th. Housing, food stipend, health insurance and assistance with application for student loan forbearance provided. 

  • Clergy clusters in the coming week:
    • Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, February 3, 11:00am
      Peace UCC, Rochester
    • Twin Cities West Cluster: Wednesday, February 4, 12:00-1:30pm Parkway UCC, Minneapolis | Anita Bradshaw will be presenting on her new book "Change and Conflict in Your Congregation (Even if You Hate Both)." Snack provided, but bring your own lunch. Enter through parking lot.
    • Northeast Cluster: Thursday, Feburary 5, 11:30am
      First Congregational UCC, Brainerd
Upcoming Events
  • Regional Opportunities
    • UNITE on the National Day of Prayer: Throughout history, movements of God have birthed through united prayer. We believe this is such a time in the Twin Cities. We are asking you and your church to consider joining for the UNITE Pastors Gathering where we will pray, worship and eat together. Come on March 11 from 11:30-1PM at Substance Church in Roseville, MN, to hear about how your church can be involved in the vision of UNITE on the National Day of Prayer on May 7 in the Twin Cities. RSVP by March 6.
  • Global Opportunities
    • 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.
Employment Opportunities
Check out the employment opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings. 
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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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