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Black Lives Matter: Conversation with Black Church Leaders
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 To help the church reflect on the challenges of being Christian in America after the Ferguson, MO and Staten Island, NY grand jury decisions, I-35W shut down and Mall of America protest, Minnesota Council of Churches has organized a speakers' bureau of Christian leaders from our Historic Black Churches. Hearing the stories of these pastors and their families about being Black in Minnesota will build empathy in our faith communities, and help people of faith discern our part in the movement for racial justice.
Join us for a #BlackLivesMatter conversation on Sunday, March 1st from 3-5pm at First Congregational Church in Minneapolis. The event is free and open to all.
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Our Church's Wider Mission: Changing Lives
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 OCWM: Our Church's Wider Mission. What exactly is that? OCWM is the shared funds of the United Church of Christ that makes all we do at Association, Conference, national, and global levels possible. And it starts with local congregations! Local congregations make important decisions about how much OCWM they will give to support the wider ministries of the United Church of Christ, and from there (in Minnesota) OCWM dollars are split between our local Conference and the national setting. In our case in the Minnesota Conference, we keep 65.25% of all OCWM gifts received from our local churches, and share 34.75% of all OCWM gifts received with the national setting. That's part of the story, but what DIFFERENCE does OCWM really make in our ministries together? Consider these examples...
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Accepting Resumes Until Tomorrow: Assistant Director of Pilgrim Point Camp & Retreats
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Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats, a life-changing ministry of the Minnesota Conference UCC located in Alexandria, MN, has a job opportunity for Assistant Director of Pilgrim Point. This position provides significant oversight of the site and hospitality ministry ensuring a welcoming, safe and hospitable environment for all campers, volunteers and staff.
Please share this opportunity with anyone you believe would be interested and qualified. Read the job posting and description here. We will be accepting resumes until tomorrow: Thursday, February 19th.
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Joys and Concerns
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- A Service of Installation in Covenant for Michael McCann will be held on Sunday February 22nd at St. Luke's UCC in Eitzen, MN from 11:00am-1:30pm. The church is located at 23995 Minnesota 76 in Eitzen, MN.
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A Service of Farewell for Karen Evenson will be held Sunday March 1 at 9am at First Congregational UCC (716 W. 3rd St., Graceville) and at 10:30am at Congregational UCC (4 SE St., Ortonville). Karen has been serving the two congregations as a licensed minister since 2002.
- A Service of Installation in Covenant for Barbara Martin will be held on Sunday, March 8th at Union Congregational UCC in St. Louis Park, MN starting at 3pm. There will be great music and preaching with a reception to follow. RSVP to church office at info@unionslp.com.
- The Congregational Church of Excelsior (UCC) is pleased to announce that at its Annual Meeting on Feb. 8, it voted to call Rev. Tom Porter as its Pastor. Rev. Porter has been serving the church for a little more than a year in an acting capacity.
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Notices
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- Register Now for BOUNDARY TRAINING - February 2015 and April 2015!
Two sessions of Boundary Training have been scheduled for early 2015: - Tuesday February 24 at Rosemount United Methodist Church (14770 Canada Ave. W., Rosemount)
- Tuesday April 14 at First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud Region (1107 Pine Cone Rd. S. in Sartell)
Registration is open for both sessions. The cost is $50. Space is limited. Follow the links above to register today.
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Global Partnership UpdateThe Minnesota Conference has a long history of partnership with the Southeast Mindanao Jurisdiction (SEMJur) of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. We have traveled to visit each other; exchanged liturgies, prayers, hopes and concerns; and worked to address justice issues common to our two regions, including mining and other environmental degradation, LGBT issues, and interfaith conversations.
At 9am on Sunday, Feb. 22nd at Plymouth Congregational Church of Minneapolis, Jessica Allen, convener of the Global Partnership Team, will present a summary of the GPT's work over the past two years. Learn more here.
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Focus On Youth Homelessness
One of the issues that the Minnesota Conference Justice and Witness Team is focusing on this year is youth homelessness. According to a 2012 Wilder Research Study, nearly half of 10,214 homeless Minnesotans were age 21 and younger; more than 1,000 were youth on their own. We are seeking to identify youth homelessness resources and projects across greater Minnesota. Learn more here.
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Celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 22nd!
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. Help Support and lift up the work of our three UCC seminaries by celebrating Seminary Sunday on February 22nd (or any other Sunday that works for your congregation). More information here.
- Clergy clusters in the coming week:
- Northwest Cluster: Thursday, February 23, 10am
First Congregational UCC, Moorhead
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- Global Partnership Update, Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis, MN | February 22, 2015 | 9-10:30am (more info)
- Black Lives Matter: A Conversation with Black Church Leaders, First Congregational Church, Minneapolis, MN | March 1, 2015 | 3-5pm (more info)
- Minnesota Conference Youth & Faith Formation Events
- Winter High School Youth Event, Camp Koinonia, South Haven, MN | March 13-15, 2015
- 4th Thursday Leader Gathering, MN Church Center, Minneapolis, MN | February 26, 2015
- Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Training, Levels 7-9/10-12, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis, MN | February 27-March 1, 2015
- Spring Middle School Youth Event - "Why?", Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria, MN | May 15-17, 2015
- OWL Facilitator Training, Levels K-1/4-6/Adult/Young Adult, Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria, MN | May 29-31, 2015
- National UCC 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.
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2014 Tax Info for our Donors
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We know many of you might be looking for a summary of your 2014 donations to the Minnesota Conference for your tax preparation.
Should you require a copy, please email Mark Hannan at markh@uccmn.org and we will prepare a copy and send it to you.
Thank you for your continued support!
Annalese Wright, Development Officer
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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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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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