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MN Conference Celebrates Wider Church Covenant Throughout the Weekend - OCWM at Work!
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 "The Holy Spirit envisions a future in which the United Church of Christ matters." Those words from Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister & President (GMP) of the United Church of Christ, defined a weekend of events where Minnesota Conference clergy and lay leaders gathered to celebrate being part of the UCC and reflected on how God is calling us to be Church in the future.
Rev. Dorhauer, who began his leadership as GMP in August 2015, shared his vision for the UCC at an event attended by over 85 donors on Friday evening. On Saturday, Rev. Dorhauer delivered a key-note address entitled "Why the United Church of Christ Matters" to over 100 clergy and lay leaders from across the Conference at our "Church on the Move" event held at United Theological Seminary.
--Read More
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Help for the City of Flint Water Crisis
|  We received this word from Rev. Campbell Lovett, Conference Minister of the Michigan Conference (UCC).
Many of you have been sending inquiries about the City of Flint water crisis that has been in the national news lately. Here is an update that may be helpful.
We have one UCC church in Flint - Woodside. Though it is a federated church with the American Baptists, it relates more to the UCC. It is ONA, very progressivee, and is served by a great pastor, Rev. Deb Conrad, who is passionate about issues of social justice.
It is difficult to describe the extent of this tragedy and the decades-long response that will be needed to adequately care for those who have been exposed to lead and other toxic chemicals through the drinking water.
Here are a few possible responses for your consideration:
- Please continue to keep in prayer the residents of Flint, Michigan, and Woodside Church that is ministering prophetically in the city.
- UCC Disaster Ministries personnel have been very responsive to this situation. A Solidarity Grant has been approved by Disaster Ministries that will help provide water and filters, and advocacy for those whose water is shut off for non-payment (non-payment for water that was poisoning them!). If you would like to contribute funds, donations should go to the UCC's Emergency USA Fund. You may earmark your gift for the response in Flint.
- We are urged not to send bottled water, etc. to Flint at this time as distribution, storage, and recycling issues are an impediment at present.
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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 Paul Martin or any member of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee. Paul can be contacted at Voyager804@gmail.com or 507-263-0342.
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Input Your Annual Changes to the UCC Yearbook & Directory
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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.
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From the Minnesota Conference UCC Immigration Team
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Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation premised on ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent their citizens from returning safely. Currently 13 countries have a TPS designation; a broad-based advocacy effort is currently taking place to additionally designate El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with TPS status. Learn more here. |
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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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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- Southeast Clergy Cluster - Tuesday, February 2 at 11 a.m. at Peace UCC, Rochester
- Twin City West Clergy Cluster - Wednesday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m. at Parkway UCC, Minneapolis. Howard Bell will facilitate our sharing of personal and professional issues.
- Northeast Clergy Cluster - Thursday, February 4 at 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational, Brainerd
- Southwest Clergy Cluster - Thursday, February 4 at 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational, Mankato
- 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! THIS 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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- Bertha Flynn, mother of retired UCC minister Richard Flynn, died Sunday, January 17 in Plymouth, MN. She was 99. Funeral services were held in Tennessee on January 23. A celebration of Bertha Flynn's life will be held at Wayzata Community Church on April 2nd, which would have been her 100th birthday.
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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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