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COMMAnts from the Conference Minister - February 2016
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-from Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
GO.....When Generosity Empowers a Call to Serve. Exciting News about Tom & Monica Liddle!
At our Church on the Move event a week-and-a-half ago, UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer said that "the Church is not the Church unless it is on the move,", following the consistent call of scripture to "GO" into all the world and serve others. I rejoice that we in the Minnesota Conference have played a part in making it possible for two of our own to follow that great commission all the way to East Timor.
 I met Rev. Tom and Dr. Monica Liddle soon after I arrived in Minnesota back in 2013. They told me then about their previous service in East Timor from 2009-2012, and how much they hoped to return there. I remember how clear their call and passion for global mission service was to me that day, and how their love for the people of East Timor burned so brightly.
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Minnesota Conference Traveling to Israel-Palestine in 2017
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 Have you always wanted to "walk where Jesus walked"? Do the complexities of the situation in Israel-Palestine interest you? Do you long to experience the region that is the cradle of three Abrahamic faiths...Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?
The Minnesota Conference is organizing a study tour to Israel-Palestine for January 9-20, 2017. The experience is open to anyone eager to learn more about the region and committed to intentional study and dialogue. Participants will visit such holy sites as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives and other sites in Jerusalem, Galilee, the Dead Sea, and more. We will also visit with global mission partners of the UCC there in the region, and meet with a variety of groups dedicated to justice and peace in the Holy Land. This study tour is part of a commitment we made as a Conference to a 2-year period of study following the adoption of a resolution at Annual Meeting 2015.
The tour will be led by Reverend Bonnie Van Overbeke, a retired UCC pastor who has extensive experience in Israel-Palestine and has led multiple other groups. Minnesota Conference Minister Shari Prestemon will be part of the delegation and share in leadership. Approximate cost of the trip (per person) will be $3000 (including air fare).
If you are interested in being part of this amazing experience, contact Conference Minister Shari Prestemon. Exact cost, itinerary, deposit deadlines, and other details will be released at a later date.
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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 507-302-9760.
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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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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- 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
- Northern Clergy Cluster - day, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace UCC, Duluth
- 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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A Service of Installation for Rev. Dr. Dennis McKee will be held Sunday, February 14 at 9:30 a.m. at Gaylord UCC (directions). A reception will follow the service. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
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An Ecclesiastical Council for Anna Larson will be held Thursday, February 18 at 12:45 at Cherokee Park United Church (directions), with lunch at noon. After a period of examination, there will be a vote on a motion that Anna Larson, who currently serves Circles of Faith UCC in Waubun, be ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Christ. Voting will be by all clergy with standing and lay delegates from a minimum of seven churches with standing. To ensure a quorum for the council, please RSVP. to the church via email or call (651) 227-4275 by Monday February 15. With your reservation you should indicate whether you will be present for lunch.
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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. -
United Seminary will continue its new tradition of celebrating its denominational partners with a United Church of Christ worship service on Thursday, February 11 at 11:35 a.m. in Bigelow Chapel (directions). Conference Minister Shari Prestemon will be preaching "What Kind of Leader?" during a service curated by UCC students to highlight the uniqueness and diversity of the United Church of Christ. We hope you will join us and continue the conversation in Context Café. For more information, contact Chaplain John Lee.
- Are you interested in Social Media? Whether you are a very basic beginner or searching for advanced analytics, you may want to sign up for Get Social. You will get one email a week, guiding you through the ever-changing, sometimes exhausting, but always exciting, world of social media from Marchaé at the UCC office in Cleveland.
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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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