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COMMAnts from Our Conference Minister
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- from Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
A Call to Prayer & Action 
Conference Minister Shari Prestemon reflects on the tragic events of Umpqua Community College last week and calls the Minnesota Conference to add their action to their prayers.
"Our thoughts and prayers are not enough," said President Obama. "It's not enough."
President Obama shared these remarks last Thursday, responding to the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College (UCC) in Roseburg, Oregon where 9 were shot dead by a student who then killed himself. That speech marked the 15th time during Barack Obama's presidency when a mass shooting in the United States would necessitate his response. When he said thoughts and prayers were not enough, his frustration was obvious. He wanted more than just compassion; he wanted change.
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Church on the Move is BACK! You Don't Want to Miss It!
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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
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How Many are Going to the National Youth Event?
| We need a good, solid estimate of how many of our youth and adults from the Minnesota Conference are going to the National Youth Event (NYE) next Summer, July 26 - July 30. We are planning travel now and we want to reserve a seat for YOU! This NYE includes all youth 13-18 years old and their adult leaders. We are now estimating that the cost per person for the NYE will hover around $1,000 with event costs, meals, and travel. Please send us your responses, even if they are -0- as soon as possible as we will be able to accommodate 80 people for this event and we have already received 60 reservations.
What we need you to email to Zac: - Your Church Name
- Your Town Name
- Number of Adults
- Number of Youth
You will be getting more information as it comes in from the National UCC offices. In the meantime, you can check out the info currently available about the NYE. |
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month
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What a perfect opportunity to express your gratitude to your pastors in special ways. It's really easy, just Google "pastor appreciation" and you will see many good ideas.
The Minnesota Conference UCC celebrates the gifts and service of all our authorized ministers serving in congregational, chaplaincy, and other specialized settings.
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Joys & Concerns
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- We are saddened to report the death on September 27, of June Barnhart, the wife of Rev. Jerry Barnhart, a retired minister in Rochester. June was born near Trimont, Minnesota and lived in Mankato, Chicago, and Texas before she met Rev. Barnhart. Funeral services were held on October 1. Our sympathies to Rev. Barnhart and the family.
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Clergy Clusters
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Clergy Clusters in the coming week:
- Northern Cluster: Tuesday, October 13, 11:00 a.m. at Peace UCC, Duluth
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- 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.
- New Beginnings: 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. Meetings will be on October 31 at 9:00 a.m. at Sandstone United Church of Christ and 3:00 p.m. at First Congregational UCC in Austin.
- 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.
- 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
- Facts on UCC Congregations: Join us for a webinar event on Wednesday October 21, from 9-10 a.m. to discuss the findings from the 2015 faith communities today national survey of congregations.
- 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.
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Notices
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- The fossil fuel divestment movement is growing! Would you like to learn more about fossil fuel divestment - how to build both a successful campaign in your community and a strong movement in our culture? Are you already working on divestment and ready to grow your community's team of volunteers? Come learn how to build confidence and excitement in your community! Join us for a two-part workshop series on October 8th and 29th to accomplish all that!
- Living the Sacred Trust: Boundary and Ethics Training is being offered on Thursday, November 12 at Hylands United Methodist, 9920 Normandale Blvd, Bloomington. Space is still available but is filling quickly. This training satisfies the requirements of the Minnesota Conference Committee on Ministry for clergy. If you are unsure whether your boundary training is due for renewal, please contact Marita in the Minnesota Conference office.
- Judson Press and Joy Skjegstad, author and consultant, will be offering four FREE webinars this fall. Register for each webinar that you are interested in so that you can receive login information.
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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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