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Breaking News: Pilgrim Point Camp
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 Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria has long been beloved by many across the Conference. As an important part of the ministry of the Minnesota Conference, Pilgrim Point has nurtured faith, changed lives, and strengthened community thousands of times over the years. It hasn't always been easy. |
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Call for Resolutions for 2016 Annual Meeting
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 It's time to begin preparing for our 2016 Annual Meeting! On Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12, 2016, we will meet on the campus of The College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN.
The Resolution Process and The Resolution Process: A Worksheet (five pages total) were revised in 2014 to provide for a better procedure to follow during Annual Meeting. Please read and carefully follow these guidelines in preparing resolutions for the 2016 Annual Meeting. Those submitting resolutions are encouraged to provide additional, educational resources (articles, websites, etc.) to be made available to the delegates of the Annual Meeting to aid in further study and discernment. The Annual Meeting Planning Work Group recommends that you also specify "next steps" for local churches and suggestions for how the Conference is to live into the resolution.
Be sure to select a presenter (interpreter) of your resolution who is committed to attending all parts of the Annual Meeting where your resolution will be discussed (resolutions hearing and plenary sessions). Please note that resolutions in Classes I, II, III, and IV proposed for the Annual Meeting must be in the office of the Minnesota Conference by March 7, 2016. Only those resolutions that fit into Classes V, VI, and VII will be considered after March 7th, but do submit all resolutions to the MN Conference Office, 122 West Franklin, Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
If you need further help in this process, please contact me or any member of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee. I may be contacted at pam@wowzonefec.com or 507-381-4279.
Thank you,
Pamela DeMarce
Annual Meeting Planning Work Group
Resolutions Coordinator
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Do You Need a Giving Statement?
| If you would like a statement of your giving to the Conference in 2015 for tax purposes, please contact Annalese Wright in the Conference Office.
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Do You Use MissionInsite?
| MissionInsite is now being administered by the UCC Center for Analytics, Research, and Data (CARD). With a new team overseeing this program, they would like you to take the time so they can find out more about MissionInsite's impact and use among Conferences and congregations. Please provide your thoughts by taking a brief, 10-minute survey. The deadline is February 15.
CARD is excited to provide this important tool for congregational outreach and vitality.
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Celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 28
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Why Celebrate Seminary Sunday?
Our UCC seminaries are filled with faithful, committed students seeking the skills and wisdom necessary to lead the church in the 21st century. Our congregations need these students. In our region, we are blessed to have three fine UCC seminaries - Chicago, United, and Eden. Each of these seminaries provides quality education for pastors and lay leaders, and they provide research and resources that serve the entire UCC.
How to Celebrate Seminary Sunday
- Lift up our UCC seminaries and seminarians in prayer, in mission moments, and in your bulletins.
- Post materials about Chicago, Eden, and United Seminaries on bulletin boards.
- Include a special prayer or litany in your service.
- Show a five-minute CUE Seminaries DVD.
- Include a gift to CUE Seminaries in your church budget or to take a special offering.
- DVDs, bulletin inserts, posters, and offering envelopes are available on the CUE Seminaries website or by contacting Kiely Todd Roska via email or at (651) 255-6121.
Please join us on February 28 (or another Sunday that works well for your congregation) in supporting the current and future leadership of the UCC by celebrating Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries.
If you would like someone from United Seminary to visit your congregation to help with worship leadership for Seminary Sunday, please contact the seminary directly: Kathleen Remund, Director of Church Relations, via email or (651) 255-6112.
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Upcoming Events
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- Youth & Faith Formation Events
- Winter High School CYE - "Be the Good News!" March 11-13, 2016 at Camp Koinonia in South Haven, MN. Registration is now open!
- Save the date: Spring Middle School CYE - "Be the Good News!" May 13-15, 2016 at Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria, MN
- Fourth Thursdays - VBS & Beyond! Thursday, January 28, 11:30 - 1:30 at the Minnesota Church Center. Join us to hear from a wealth of great Faith Formation leaders about some of their very best ideas to get your congregation out of the church box this summer! Cost is FREE! Lunch and resources included. Please register in advance for this event.
- National UCC Events
- National Youth Event (NYE) is scheduled 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. The Minnesota Conference is arranging a delegation for this event.
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Joys & Concerns
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- Jessica Holmgren Esposito, head cook at Pilgrim Point Camp, and her husband, Nicholas, welcomed son Zayne Enzo Anthony into the world on January 15. Zayne was born early and will stay U of M Children's hospital until ready to go home to Osakis. Big brothers Noah, Maji, Max and Oliver await his arrival there. Thoughts and prayers for young Zayne and his family are appreciated.
- A Service of Farewell for Rev. Kayla Bonewell will be held Sunday January 24 at 9:00 a.m. at Peace UCC in Rochester UCC (1503 2nd Ave. NE). Rev. Bonewell has served Peace as Pastor for Children, Youth and Young Adult Ministries since 2009. She has accepted a call to serve Cathedral of Hope UCC and Church of the Open Arms UCC, both in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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A Service of Farewell for Rev. Richard Nichols will be held Sunday January 24 at 9:30 a.m. at New Spirit UCC (14394 Quebec Ave. in Savage. Rev. Nichols, who has served New Spirit UCC since 2006, is retiring. A reception will follow the service. All are welcome.
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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.
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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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