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What Now?
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A Pastoral Word from Conference Minister Reverend Shari Prestemon The two Minneapolis police officers involved in the shooting death of Jamar Clark in north Minneapolis on November 15, 2015 will not be charged. That word came just this morning from Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman following a four-month investigation. The question I find myself praying about this afternoon, the anxious nagging at my heart, is this: What now? This afternoon and this evening there will be protests and rallies of those who feel deeply that justice has not been served in this matter. Others will stand with those who protest as a matter of solidarity and in witness to the fact that black lives matter, that Jamar Clark's life mattered. And right now many of us
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An Invitation to Transgender Day of Visibility
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-submitted by Kim Graff, Chair of the Open & Affirming Team
The second belief statement of the United Church of Christ is "We believe that each person is unique and valuable." Bills that target any group of people based on one aspect of their identity strip away their rights and their dignity. Please read my letter reflecting on why I stand in opposition to Minnesota House Bill HF3396 and Minnesota Senate Bill SF3002 and why I will join other people from around the state on Thursday, March 31st to speak out against these bills.
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Annual Meeting ~ June 10 - 12, 2016
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 We are very pleased to have Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon confirmed as the Keynote Speaker for our Annual Meeting. Check out her bio -
Rev. Traci Blackmon's life calling is to serve God and the church in ways that encourage us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in fellowship with all believers.
She is grateful to live out this calling as Acting Executive Minister of Justice & Witness Ministries for The United Church of Christ and as Pastor of Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, MO.
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Spring Middle School Youth Event
May 13 - 15, 2016 at Pilgrim Point Camp
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 How do you tell important Bible stories? By living into the story! Join Conference middle school youth (grades 6-8) and their leaders for a fun weekend retreat featuring two professional actors/educators and a professional improv musician who will help train and coach you in bringing the Bible stories alive in your life...by being the Good News! This is an excellent opportunity for confirmation groups and middle school youth from your church to deepen their faith and connect with others. Early Registration by April 25: $50 youth, $35 adult Registration after April 25: $60 youth, $45 adult Deadline for all registrations is May 9 When: Friday, May 13th until Sunday, May 15th | Check-in begins at 6:30pm Who: Middle School youth (grades 6-8) and their adult leaders Questions? Email Zac Norenberg or call (612) 871-0359.
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2016 UCC HIV Ministries Survey
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 The 2016 UCC HIV Ministries Survey is your opportunity to share with the Leadership Team of the UCC HIV & AIDS Network (aka UCAN) about the HIV ministries happening in and through your church. You will also have the opportunity to tell us how you think UCAN is doing and what you need from us to better serve you.  Your input is very important.
- This survey is for UCC local churches
- Please complete the survey by midnight, Sunday, May 1
- One survey per church, please!
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
- Clergy Clusters:
- Southeast Cluster - Tuesday, April 5 at 11 a.m. at Peace UCC, Rochester
- Southwest Cluster - Thursday, April 7 at 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational, Mankato
- Northeast Cluster - Thursday, April 7 at 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational in Brainerd
- Rev. Stepehn Boyd, the Minister for Chaplains and Minister for Specialized Settings for the national UCC, will visit Minnesota April 11 and 12. On Monday, April 11, from 4 - 5:30 p.m., he will meet with ministers, members in discernment, seminary students, and anyone else considering chaplaincy and other non-parish ministries at the Minnesota Church Center. On Tuesday, April 12 from 11:30 - 1 p.m. at our regular meeting of the Chaplain's Collaborative/Network in the Conference, Rev. Boyd will provide an overview of the MESA Team at the National Setting and how the various team members are there to assist our ministers in specialized settings. That meeting will also take place at the Minnesota Church Center
- The MN Conference is organizing a sacred journey of study and immersion to Israel-Palestine for January 9-20, 2017. An informational meeting will be held on Saturday, April 30, 1:30- 3 pm at St. Paul's UCC, 900 Summit Ave., St. Paul (PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE) with Conference Minister Shari Prestemon and trip organizer Rev. Bonnie Van Overbeke. A draft itinerary for the trip will be shared along with some other early details. Certainty about participation is not necessary to attend this meeting. Just bring your questions and your curiosity!
- "Being OPEN and AFFIRMING Changes Lives" will be held on April 9 starting at 1 p.m. at Linden Hills Congregational United Church of Christ, 4200 Upton Avenue South, Minneapolis with workshops followed by worship at 2:30 with Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson, Minister for Digital Evangelism with the church's national setting. This event is sponsored by the Open and Affirming Ministry Team of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ.
- Make Me an Instrument, a UCC Gathering of Music and Mission, will be held on Sunday, April 17 at 4 p.m. at Mizpah UCC in Hopkins. Choirs and musicians of Edina Morningside, Mizpah, Parkway, and Union UCC Churches will hold a benefit concert for the Global Ministry in East Timor of Rev. Tom and Dr. Monica Liddle. A freewill offering will be taken.
- 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.
- A Staffing and Evaluation event, led by Susan Beaumont, is being held in Des Moines on April 12 & 13. This is for those in congregational settings and will be valuable whether you use the information for staffing or volunteers.
- Join the UCC in St. Joseph, MN for the National ONA Gathering on June 7-9, 2016. You can register online for this event.
- For more information on Global Ministries, connect to their weekly update.
- Shepherding the Shepherd brings together UCC clergy in their 20's and 30's from all over the national for renewal, connection, and growth. Check out the details of their next gathering June 21 - 23 in Wallingford, PA.
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Joys & Concerns
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- Rev. John Guttermann, whose ministry is among immigrants being detained for deportation, would be thankful to be remembered in prayer as he undergoes treatment for brain cancer.
- Rev. T. Michael Rock, pastor at Robbinsdale UCC, is currently having chemotherapy. He would appreciate the prayers of Minnesota Conference clergy and laypeople. Visit his Caring Bridge site for updates.
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Anna Larson will be ordained and then installed Sunday, April 3 at 1:00 pm at Circles of Faith UCC in Waubun. (directions). A celebratory lunch will be served at noon, before the ordination service. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. Anna Larson, a member of Cherokee Park United Church in St. Paul,has served Circles of Faith UCC as a licensed minister since 2014.
- David Tillman will be ordained on Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at UCC New Brighton. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. David will also be installed in covenant with the Minnesota Conference, UCC New Brighton, and Optage Hospice, where he is employed as a chaplain.
- The Conference office has learned of the death of Rev. Lloyd Fried, who passed away March 11 in LaCrosse, WI. Rev. Fried served as pastor in Minnesota Lake and Waldorf before accepting a call to St. Luke's in Eitzen, where he served for 17 years. He is survived by his wife, Marian, four children, nine grandchildren, and other relatives. Services were help on March 19. Cards can be mailed to: Marion Fried, 351 Mason St. NW, Apt 114, Onalaska, WI 54650.
- David J. Mahan, father of Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Mahan, a chaplain in the Minnesota Conference, died on Monday, March 21, 2016. Services were held on Saturday, March 26, 2016 in St. Louis Missouri. Our condolences to the family.
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Notices
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- Chicago Theological Seminary announces RIOTcon 2016: Mapping a Movement, its annual spring conference on April 15 and 16. Early registration for this runs through April 1.
- Training in Appreciative Inquiry will be offered April 12 - 14 at Mt Olivet Retreat Center in the metro area. Several from the Minnesota Conference have received this training through Rob Voyle with the Clergy Leadership Institute.
- One Voice Mixed Chorus presents Queer Thunder on April 16 & 17 at Hopkins High School Auditorium.
- Scholarships for UCC Students at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities are available. Is someone in your congregation considering seminary? UTS has scholarships available for UCC students who are intending to serve in congregations and ministries of the United Church of Christ and are enrolled as full-time students at UTS.
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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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