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OCWM: a Piece of Our Mission Pie or the Pie Tin?
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-from Roberta Peterson (Development Committee) & Bob Peterson
 For decades, support for OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) has been declining. However, during that same time period, some churches have, in fact, increased their support for OCWM significantly. It is hard to summarize what is OCWM; it is easier to explain what OCWM is not: "OCWM is not a slice of the Mission Pie!"
OCWM may sound like just another mission project, and many church members, especially those unfamiliar with the wider United Church of Christ, may believe that's just what it is - some general, undefined, mission project of the church. OCWM is actually essential support for many different specific ministries of the church.
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May We Remember Our Global Partners in East Timor and All Around the World This Thanksgiving
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Rev. Tom and Dr. Monica Liddle will be returning to serve as Global Ministries mission personnel with the Protestant Church in East Timor in 2016. Thus far churches and individuals have raised $32,100 to support their appointment which will be matched by the MN Conference. Their holistic ministries will include providing pastoral and medical care and leadership as they work alongside our church partners in this Southeast Asian country. The Minnesota Conference has challenged congregations across the state to raise support to fund this mission assignment. More information is available through the Global Mission site.
 
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- Church on the Move: Saturday, January 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at United Theological Seminary in New Brighton. Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the UCC, will be our keynote speaker. Come and hear what he has to say about the future of the UCC. This event is $10/person (sign up 5 people and the 5th one is free).
- 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. Registration is still open.
- Regional UCC Events
- Recharge - A Ministry of Youth Leadership is a one-day multi-denominational conference to inspire and equip church staff and their volunteers serving in children's, youth, and family ministry. Sign up now for their Twin Cities, Duluth and Fargo conferences that will take place in January.
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Joys & Concerns
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- Pastor Jennifer Sandstrom died Friday, November 20. Jennifer had served First Congregational UCC in Pelican Rapids as a licensed minister since 2012, and also served Scambler UCC in rural Pelican Rapids for a number of years. Her full obituary is available. Funeral services were held on November 24. Jennifer Sandstrom is survived by her husband, Pastor Rob Sandstrom, three children, seven grandchildren, other family members, and the congregation of First Congregational UCC. Our sympathy to the family and the congregation.
- St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Wayzata has hired Rev. Dr. Anita Bradshaw as their interim pastor beginning November 29. Rev. Bradshaw most recently served Lynnhurst Congregational UCC in Minneapolis as Interim Minister.
- John Szarke will be installed as Pastor of Community UCC in Biwabik (directions) on Sunday, December 6 at 9:30 a.m. A reception will follow the service of installation. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. John Szarke, a licensed minister, has served Community UCC since May, 2015.
- Rev. Zoe Kuester will be installed as Pastor and Teacher of Mizpah UCC (directions) on Sunday, December 6 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service of installation. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
- Rev. Ashley Whitaker will serve as the Associate Region Minister of the Mid-American Baptist Churches starting in January. Rev. Whitaker will also continue to serve as Pastor to the United Church of Mapleton.
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Clergy Clusters
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- Southeast Cluster - Tuesday, December 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Peace UCC, Rochester
- Twin Cities West Cluster - Wednesday, December 2 at 12 p.m. at Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
- Northeast Cluster - Thursday, December 3 at 11:30 a.m. First Congregational, Brainerd
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Notices
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- The Minnesota Conference UCC is pleased to announce the approval of up to $10,000 for congregation micro-grants of $200-700 from the Ashley Endowment. Grants must support the congregation's ministry and work with children, youth and/or families. View and download the grant application here.
- Youth and Children's Ministry resources are available for your church. R.E.A.D.Y. for a new discovery of yourself, the church, your community, and the world? You and your youth can begin the journey of experiencing mission in new ways with this curriculum created by Global Ministries. Kids to Kids VBS Curriculums include several free downloads. All of them are directly related to Global Ministries of the UCC and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
- The Faith Formation Team of the United Church of Christ and Trinity United Church of Christ is sponsoring KidzBeat, an inspiring model of ministry on March 9 from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. This successful after-school arts program for children in grades one through six offers a dozen courses in music, choral instruction, drama, culinary and more.
- The Middle East Initiative of UCC Global Ministries is excited to announce a special webinar opportunity with Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann who will be joining us December 9th at 12:00 CT to discuss his new book "Chosen?: Reading the Bible Amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict". Visit the Global Ministries website for more information and to register for this event.
- The Minnesota Council On Family Relations presents the Fall 2015 Annual Conference addressing gender in school, work, and family on Friday, December 4 at the New Brighton Community Center. This conference will be useful in creating welcoming and equitable environments for all student and adults; learning about the broad spectrum of gender development and how it influences our lives and work; and getting practical tips for working with individuals and families, and hearing personal stories.
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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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