|
COMMAnts from the Conference Minister - January 2016
| |
-from Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
 On a single weekend just before Christmas, I had the privilege of being with two of our congregations in the Minnesota Conference. The first was a very large congregation in the metro area. This church has multiple staff and has nearly completed major improvements to their sizable facility. The atmosphere during my visit to this particular church was charged with excitement and joy as they celebrated huge accomplishments and looked forward to expanded ministry.
The second visit was to a much smaller congregation far from the Twin Cities. Currently conducting a search process for a part-time pastor, they are engaged in deep discernment about the future of their church, where many have worshiped for multiple generations over decades of time. Their love and care for their church shone through, from the beautiful sanctuary adorned with lights and poinsettias to the small group clustered around a table sharing coffee and laughter.
|
|
Year-End Gifts for 2015
|
Happy New Year! As you close your church books for 2015, the Conference office looks forward to gratefully receiving your gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM). Gifts received in our office by January 15, 2016 will be counted as 2015 gifts; those received after that date will be counted as 2016 gifts. Questions? Either call Lese Wright, Development Officer at 612-871-0359 or email her. Many thanks for your generosity! |
|
Church on the Move: Saturday, January 23 - REGISTER NOW!
|
 The United Church of Christ: Why We Matter
General Minister and President
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
How can you say the United Church of Christ has its best days coming when all the statistics would suggest something else entirely?
What are two or three important commitments the United Church of Christ must make in order to remain relevant, credible, and vital in the future?
What: Church on the Move: Continuing Testimony!
When: Saturday, January 23 (9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Where: United Theological Seminary, New Brighton ( directions)
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ Breakout Sessions:- Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World, GMP John Dorhauer
- Ministry with Millenials, Reverend Kelly Stone
- Islamaphobia: Creating a Faithful Response, Jaylani Hussein (CAIR-MN)
- Members in Discernment/Advisors Gathering
Cost: $10/person includes lunch
|
|
Input your changes to the UCC Yearkbook & Directory
|  It's time for additions, changes, and updates for the UCC Yearbook & Directory for the coming year. You can access the Data Hub for reporting 2015 information. CARD has created several helpful video tutorials and information sheets to guide churches through the process. On this page, congregations can find a Definitions Tip Sheet for reporting categories, printable Data Hub reporting guide for churches, and several video tutorials.
Our goal in the Minnesota Conference office is to have 100% participation in reporting this year, so we need your help. If your church does not have regular internet access or is not comfortable inputting data electronically you can fill out a paper form and submit it to Sandy in the MN Conference office and she can input it. Contact Sandy at 612-230-3370 if you are unable to download the paper form and she can send it to you.
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
- 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. Registration is now open. 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 in 2017. The dates will be January 29 - February 4 and February 5 - 11, 2017. Volunteers will have a choice of either week or they can signup for both weeks. Registration forms will be available in June, 2016. For those interested in participating, email Bob Peterson now and a registration form will be sent to you in June.
|
|
Joys & Concerns
|
- First Congregational UCC in Hutchinson is taking on a new identity and changing its name. Friday, January 8, the church will celebrate its roots as First Congregational. Then on Sunday, January 10, at 10 a.m. the congregation will worship for the first time as New Journey United Church of Christ. At 3 p.m. the congregation will celebrate their new name and install Jill Warner as Pastor. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
- An Ecclesiastical Council for David Tillman will be held on Tuesday, January 19 at 11 a.m. at UCC New Brighton (directions) with lunch to follow. To ensure a quorum, please email the church or call 651-633-1327 if you plan to attend. You may indicate at that time whether you plan to stay for lunch.
|
|
Clergy Clusters
|
- Northern Cluster ~ Tuesday, January 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace UCC, Duluth
|
|
Notices
|
- 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.
- The application process for Back Bay Mission's Shari Prestemon Internship is open! This internship provides a unique opportunity to members of the UCC between the ages of 19 and 35 and will nurture participants' passion for social justice and develop their appreciation for the church's role in seeking social justice. The Mission covers the cost of travel to and from Biloxi and interns stay in Mission housing (the Cottage) with other long-term volunteers. In addition, they provide a stipend of $250/week. Learn more about this internship opportunity.
- Oak Meadows, a senior living community that is a member of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries and associated with the Minnesota Conference of the UCC, received some wonderful press lately. Take a minute to see how art improves quality of life for Alzheimer's patients at Oak Meadows.
|
|
Employment Opportunities
|
The MN Conference is now searching for a Director of Finance and Operations. Deadline for applications for this 30-hour per week position is Friday, January 8. See the full job description here.
The Minnesota Council of Churches announces an opening for the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Executive Director position. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please take time to look at the details of the job description.
Also, check out the employment opportunities portion of the Minnesota Conference website for all open positions. Click here to see the listings.
|
|
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ | www.uccmn.org
122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
