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COMMAnts from the Conference Minister | July 2015
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-from Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
"Therefore be it Resolved...": What are Resolutions Good for Anyway?
 The wonder and whirlwind of the United Church of Christ 30th General Synod is over! More than 3,000 delegates, honored guests, and visitors descended on Cleveland June 26-30 to reunite as church family, to worship, and to discover all over again what it means to "be Church together". It was a glorious, inspiring, and utterly exhausting week!
I'm one of those people who loves General Synod and gobbles up every experience, conversation and opportunity for debate and learning that is part of it. It is fascinating to watch us gather as the diverse Body of Christ and struggle to work out how we discern God is calling us as Church in this moment of history.
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UCC Responds to Burned Churches in the South
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 People across the United Church of Christ are stepping up to support recovery and rebuilding of burned African American churches and communities.
Be part of the UCC's response. Funds raised will be used to help begin the re-establishing of the churches, so members and the community will have opportunity to worship together and heal together.
Your continued prayers are requested and needed. Donations are also welcomed and may be sent online through the United Church of Christ Emergency USA fund. Designate your gift by noting the disaster in the memo line of the check, for example "Burning Churches".
Volunteer groups have not been requested by the local community, and therefore the United Church of Christ does not have plans to send disaster recovery volunteers to South Carolina.
Other volunteer opportunities may be found on our website for individuals, groups, and for those wanting to help communities recovering from disaster.
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Minnesota Churches Pray for Mother Emanuel AME Church
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The Minnesota Council of Churches invites you to choose a Wednesday evening in the next 12 months to join in a statewide effort to pray for families of the Mother Emanuel 9, to pray for the Mother Emanuel AME congregation, to repent of systemic racism and to pray for the healing of our nation. In addition to the wonder of prayer, one of the values is to keep this experience in front of one another as it is an opportunity for witness and change. This evenings (Wednesday, July 8) vigil is being hosted at Lyndale UCC, 610 W. 28th St., Minneapolis at 7:00 p.m. Eighteen congregations have already signed up to participate in and support this year-long vigil of remembrance, repentance and healing. Congregations can reserve a Wednesday here.
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Please Return Your Postcard This Week
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 In May, each church in the Minnesota Conference received a letter along with a return postcard defining the terms of funds that were received when Peace UCC in St. Paul closed its ministry in 2005. Each church was asked to return the postcard, indicating whether they would like their portion to be contributed to the Minnesota Conference's new church start and church renewal effort or receive its share of the Peace UCC gift. The deadline for this information is July 13. If you do not have your postcard you can respond directly to Shari Prestemon or by calling the Minnesota Conference office at (612) 871-0359. |
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Joys & Concerns
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- A Service of Farewell for Rev. Liz Mahan will take place on Thursday, July 9th at 1:45pm at Mill Street Residence, Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls (directions). Rev. Mahan has served as Chaplain of Mill Street Residence since 2012.
- Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Williams, MN will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday, July 12. A celebratory service at 11:45, with Conference Minister Shari Prestemon preaching, will be followed by an anniversary lunch. Music will be provided by the local group Sloughgrass.
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An Ecclesiastical Council for Rev. Timothy Usset, will be held on Thursday, July 16 at 10:00am at Robbinsdale UCC (directions). Lunch will follow. Rev. Usset, a minister ordained in the International Ministerial Fellowship, is seeking Privilege of Call in the UCC. To ensure a quorum for the Ecclesiastical Council, please email Robbinsdale UCC or call (763) 537-6965 if you plan to attend.
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A Service of Farewell for Revs. Sharon and Chris Fazel will be held Sunday July 19 at 9:30am at First Congregational UCC in Anoka (directions). The Fazels have served the church in Anoka since 2000.
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Notices
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- Clergy Clusters in the coming week:
- Northeast Cluster: Thursday, July 9, 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational, Brainerd
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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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