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Annual Report by Moderator and Chairperson
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- from Rev. Cindy Mueller, Conference Moderator and Board Chairperson
As you may be aware, I am serving a church as an Intentional Interim Minister in Hutchinson. My ministry with this congregation has proven to be a wonderful source of challenge as well as inspiration. I have found this to be true of my position as Moderator of the MN Conference UCC as well. I am grateful to our dedicated staff that serves us under the gifted leadership of Rev. Shari Prestemon, a hard working Board of Directors and a Conference of churches committed to responding to God's call to see our world become all God intends for it to be.
As in any local church, the challenges we face as a Conference can either make us stronger or they can defeat us. This past year, the MN Conference has faced what appeared to be obstacles and yet turned them into opportunities. Thank God for the Holy Spirit's nudging, as well as, God equipping us with the personnel, the leadership, the churches' support and the individuals necessary in carrying forward a mission of hope in these incredibly changing times for the church and our judicatories.
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New Signs of Hope
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- from Rev. Dick Fylling, Annual Meeting Planning Work Group member
 A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece titled "A Recipe for Tragedy", an article regarding the epidemic of youth suicides at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Oglala Lakota County in southwest South Dakota; so I was very pleased to read of two signs of hope for that community. From Washington, D.C., one article stated that the Pine Ridge Reservation was one of eight new "Promise Zones" chosen by the White House for assistance to areas of extreme poverty. These eight, which included Indianapolis, Minneapolis and St. Louis, will be provided government help...
Continue reading...
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Resources for Annual Meeting Weekend
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 A worship liturgy and sermon for the weekend of Annual Meeting have just been posted to the MN Conference website. Each year the Annual Meeting Planning Work Group creates these two resources that local churches can decide to use while their pastor or other congregational leaders may be away at Annual Meeting.
Both resources are designed to tie in with the theme of the Annual Meeting; they utilize scripture from Luke 5 and the Genesis text that have been selected to be used at the Annual Meeting. The sermon, written by Ashley Harness and adapted by Rebecca and Beth Davidson, uses only the Genesis text. Congregations are invited to adapt and revise as desired.
Download the resources here...
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Environmental Justice Training - May 27-29
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How can people of faith work for environmental justice for all?
How can we create Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s beloved community - one that is sustainable, healthy, and inclusive?
This train-the-trainer workshop will explore these questions with the goal of empowering conversation and actions around environmental justice that will continue far beyond the initial workshop.
Cost: $90 (includes six meals, housing, training/program)
Registration Deadline: Today! Wednesday, May 13
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Quilting Service Retreat - May 29-31 at Pilgrim Point
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Registration closing next Friday!
Whether you're an experienced quilter or interested in learning for the first time - come and enjoy Pilgrim Point Camp on beautiful Lake Ida during this special weekend opportunity! Attend the 2nd Annual Quilting Service Retreat to connect with others, quilt, serve and rejoice! The eventual goal is to create a twin-sized quilt for every bed in the Lodge for special event campers to use while staying at Pilgrim Point.
Who: Quilters or anyone who has ever wanted to quilt When: 5PM Friday, May 29 until Noon on Sunday, May 31 Where: Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats (directions) Cost: Free-will suggested donation of $30 (to help offset costs of meals and facility use)
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Want More Information on the Just Peace in Israel and Palestine Resolution?
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Want more information on the Just Peace in Israel and Palestine resolution that will be coming up before Annual Meeting? The Minnesota UCC Just Peace in Israel and Palestine Working Group would love to talk to you. We'll gladly take meetings with congregations and/or delegates from now through Annual Meeting. Please contact Don Christensen at 651-690-2609 or rachelanddon@msn.com to schedule a visit or make plans to attend a presentation at Mayflower Church, Minneapolis, on Sunday, May 24th, at 11:15am. Thank you!
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Green Justice Congregations Awards
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 God's works in creation are too wonderful, too ancient, too beautiful, and too good to be desecrated. The challenge is to confess our sins, to take seriously our role as stewards of the earth and to work for the renewal of creation. Humans as responsible stewards of the earth are called by God to restore its natural habitat where it has been damaged and to maintain its sustainable vitality. Each year, the Justice and Witness Team recognize churches that have made an effort to protect God's creation by taking steps to "GREEN" their churches. Application and survey are available on the Justice and Witness Team page. Please take time to fill out the application and survey. Green Justice Congregations will be recognized at the Annual Meeting.
- Ray Daniels - co-chair Justice and Witness Team
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Joys and Concerns
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- Rev. Lauren Baske Davis, her husband Jonathan and their son Elliot welcomed Henry Frederick to their family on May 7. Henry weighed 7 lbs., is 19 inches long and has a full head of hair. Lauren is a UCC minister serving Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Congratulations to the family!
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Notices
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- There are no clergy clusters in the coming week.
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Youth & Faith Formation Events
- 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
- Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreat Events
- Environmental Justice Training | May 27-29, 2015
- OWL Facilitator Training, Levels K-1/4-6/Adult/Young Adult, Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria, MN | May 29-31, 2015
- Summer Youth Camp, Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria MN
- Wayzata Children & Youth Camps | June 6-July 8
- July Family Camp hosted by Union UCC in St Louis Park | July 12-17, 2015
- August Family Camp hosted by St Anthony Park UCC | August 2-7, 2015
- Quilting Service Retreat | May 29-31, 2015 | Register here
- Save the Date: Youth Ministry Training | August 28-30, 2015
- Save the Date: Women's Retreat | September 25-27, 2015
- National UCC Events
- Unexpected Places! General Synod 30, Cleveland, OH, June 26-30, 2015
- National ONA Gathering,Cleveland, OH, June 24-25, 2015
- Widen the Welcome Conference hosted by UCC Mental Health Ministry + UCC Disabilities Ministry, Hartford, CT, Sept 24-26, 2015
- Regional Opportunities
- "Faithful Leadership in a Multifaith World" at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in New Brighton, on Thursday and Friday, May 14 & 15. Workshop topics include Bonhoeffer on leadership, black lives matter, the arts and interfaith dialogue, pastoral care or spiritual care?, and immigrant/religious communities in Minnesota. More info here.
- ISAIAH's Leadership Assembly, Saturday May 16th, from 9am-3pm at Christ Lutheran. With only two weeks until the scheduled end of the 2015 legislative session and people of faith across the state are working and praying on many of the issues and concerns still being debated in the final negotiations; Drivers Licenses, Restore the Vote, Juvenile Justice and transit are all in omnibus bills going to conference committees and we need to work to protect MNCare from proposed cuts or elimination. This is a moment of great potential for us to be community together. RSVP here.
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