COMMAntary E-Newsletter, Vol. 11, No. 39 
September 30, 2015 
In This Issue
Minnesota Conference UCC Core Values and Strategic Priorities
This Fall, our Associate Conference Ministers will be sharing their take on our Core Values and Strategic Priorities adopted by the Board of Directors on August 18, 2012.  Today, Garth Schumacher speaks to  "Healthy, vital congregations".  There is a welcoming, vibrant United Church of Christ community of faith accessible to all people of Minnesota.

How do we know when our Minnesota Conference churches are healthy, vital congregations?  When "there is a welcoming, vibrant United Church of Christ community of faith accessible to all people of Minnesota".

Surely, this can only be measured in a case-by-case, church-by-church basis?!?  Actually no, this is one of those situations that call for "both-and" answers.  We are a part of the Minnesota Conference for a reason.  One
Minnesota UCC Immigration Team Helps First Congregational UCC in Alexandria with their "Strangers No Longer" Series 
-Submitted by Daisy Stahlberg, Spiritual Life Chair at First Congregational UCC, Alexandria
 
First Congregational UCC in Alexandria spent five weeks studying the theme "Strangers No Longer".  The UCC Conference Immigration Team was very generous in helping our planning team.  Joan Sylvander provided suggestions for weekly themes and speakers.  The speakers came to our church to share their impassioned belief about the immigration story in Minnesota.
  
                                                     --Read More 
 
Fall Clergy Convocation - Registration is Extended until MONDAY, October 5!

You are not too late!  If you really want to attend the Fall Clergy Convocation we can still fit you in.


What: Fall Clergy Convocation
When:  Thursday, & Friday, October 8 & 9
Where: Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN
Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Robin Meyer


Church on the Move is BACK! Register Now

How do we express an extravagant welcome within our diverse culture? 
Come find out at this Fall's Church on the Move event! 

What: Church on the Move Extravagant Welcome
When:  Saturday, October 24 (9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Where: Peace UCC, Rochester
Keynote Speaker:  Jin S. Kim, founding pastor of Church of All Nations in Minneapolis, will have two main messages.  He will speak about "Welcoming All Nations" in his keynote session and "Radical Hospitality in an Age of Radical Individualism" in his breakout session.
Workshop Leaders:  Rev. Norma Rae Hunt of St. Paul's UCC in St. Paul discusses the "Turnaround Church!" How did they do it?  Discover.  Rev. Steve Boorsma, ACM of our Minnesota Conference presents "Who Do You Say I Am?"  A discussion on developing positive first impressions for your congregation from the web to the narthex.
Cost: $10/person includes lunch

For more information check out our flyer.
Practicing Medicine in East Timor
The Minnesota Conference has been blessed to engage in global ministries in a variety of ways through the years. Now we have a wonderful opportunity to financially support the missionary appointments of two of our own, Rev. Tom and Dr. Monica Liddle (members of Peace UCC - Duluth).

________________________________________________________________
 
-By: Monica Liddle, ND, LM
70% of women in East Timor give birth at home without a trained birth attendant, and often far from a clinic or a midwife with life-saving resources and skills.  In 2011, we began a prenatal care program at Clinic Immanuel in Lospalos to increase local women's access to maternity care, and to develop essential skills within our own staff of community health workers.  
NEW BEGINNINGS - Come and See on October 31 
The New Beginning Assessment was originally designed for churches in  decline but can also be helpful to congregations that are not necessarily in numerical decline but are looking for new energy, direction and focus. Join us for a free two-hour Come and See event that is designed to inform congregations about the process and schedule for the New Beginnings Program.  Regional locations include 9:00 a.m at Sandstone United Church of Christ and 3:00 p.m. at First Congregational UCC in Austin.  For questions or to register for this event contact Rev. Steve Boorsma.
Joys & Concerns
  • Members of The Congregational Church UCC in Rochester voted overwhelmingly on Sunday, September 27, to become an Open and Affirming congregation.  The voted followed some months of study and discussion in the congregation.  Congratulations! That means there are 42 Open and Affirming congregations in our Conference.
  • We are sad to report the death of Peter Hannan, father of Mark Hannan, who worked in the Conference office earlier this year as Administrative Assistant to the Conference Minister.  Our sympathy to Mark and his family.
Clergy Clusters
Clergy Clusters in the coming week:
  • Southeast Cluster: Tuesday, October 6, 11:30 a.m. at Peace UCC, Rochester
  • Twin Cities West Cluster:  Wednesday, October 7, 12:00 p.m. at Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
Upcoming Events
  • Minnesota Conference Events
    • Fall Clergy Convocation: Join us at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN on October 8 & 9 for a special time for our Conference's clergy leadership to gather in a beautiful setting, enjoy fellowship with each other, and reflect together on our ministries, our calling, and our challenges. Our keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Robin Meyer. REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED until Monday, October 5. 
    • Back Bay Mission Trip: The Minnesota Conference UCC is sponsoring a mission trip to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi January 31-February 6, 2016. 
    • Church on the Move: Join us at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester on October 24 from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. as we look at Extravagant Welcome.
  • Youth & Faith Formation Events 
    • Fall High School Youth Event - "Sexuality & Our Faith" with national OWL Coordinator, Amy Johnson, October 16-18, 2015 at Pilgrim Point
    • 4th Thursday - "Ancient-Future Paths for Today's Faith Formation" with Rev. Dr. Rhonda Pittman Gingrich from United Theological Seminary, October 22 from 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the MN Church Center
  • Regional UCC Events
    • Messy Church helps brand churches as welcoming places for children and families who are unchurched or unable to attend regularly on a Sunday morning.  This Inspiring Models of Ministry Event will be held at McFarland United Church of Christ in MacFarland, WI on November 8, 2015.
       
  • National UCC Events
    • Creating Sacred Space: A Discussion: this panel discussion will be live streamed from Cleveland on October 27.
    • National Youth Event (NYE) is schedule for July 26-30, 2016 at Walt Disney World in Florida. Mark your calendars! We encourage local churches to begin the fund raising process early. Registration to open in the coming months. 
Notices
Employment Opportunities
Check out the employment opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website. Click here to see the listings.
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ | www.uccmn.org
122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404