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Annual Meeting ~ June 10 - 12, 2016 College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN
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At our Annual Meeting there will be two different resolutions that will be voted on. You can view the resolution in support of the Minnesota Conference and its congregations to covenant as immigrant welcoming congregations and the resolution in support of a basic guaranteed income from all citizens of the USA as well as its supporting documents on the Annual Meeting page.
Registration is now open. Be sure to register for the Annual Meeting BEFORE May 4 to get the early bird rate. |
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This Week's Spotlight on One of Our Minnesota Conference Churches - First Congregational Church of Aldrich
|  First Congregational Church of Aldrich is located in central Minnesota, between Staples and Wadena, about 45 miles west of Brainerd. They have a lay pastor, David Seaton. Their attendance is down slightly (from 11 to 9) due to illnesses and those in nursing homes who cannot attend. With a membership of 12, that's still a great attendance percentage. The congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. They are now in a roofing project due to last year's storms. They try to keep awareness for all their members. They pray for the world issues and for their local members. They often pray for our government, law enforcement, and teachers. Members support the area with collections for the Verndale and Wadena food shelves. They support the Conference with 5 for 5 funds (Yes, with a membership of 12, they are a 5 for 5 church!). The wish of the church members is to be able to continue services for their area. The congregation is mostly made up of those whose families have worshiped there for a long time.
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National ONA Gathering June 7-9 in St. Joseph, MN
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 Join us for a unique opportunity for ONA congregations in Minnesota. With inspiring worship and music, unforgettable preaching, informative workshops, and opportunities for rest and play, an ONA Gathering is an opportunity to renew a congregation's passion for ONA ministry and mission. To learn more, visit the ONA Coalition's website. |
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Justice & Witness Peace Fund Grant Program
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Did you know the Justice & Witness Peace Fund Grant program...
- awards grants all year long
- has given $1,000s in the past five years
- wants your congregation to consider how it might benefit from a Peace Fund grant
The Justice & Witness Team graciously accepts your generous Peace Fund offerings anytime and they are being put to good use:
- to attend Ecumenical Advocacy days in Washington, D.C.
- to promote Open and Affirming ministry
- to welcome transgender members into the church community
Find out more about the requirements and download an application form.
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Pattern of Giving
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The United Church of Christ is taking a fresh look at the "pattern of giving" we have had in place since 1984. Your input is invaluable to this review process as our church studies how individuals, congregations, Conferences,  and the national setting can best prompt generosity in giving and thus multiply ministry. Please consider completing this survey provided by the Giving Task Force of the UCC. Your feedback is a critical piece of this process that could change the way we practice stewardship and giving in the UCC for many years to come. The deadline for this survey is April 22. Thank you for your perspective and participation. |
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Upcoming Events
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- Minnesota Conference Events
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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.
- On Sunday, April 24th, preachers around the country will proclaim from their pulpits a simple message: Keep It in the Ground. The UCC has a great website to help you join them in sharing this message about fossil fuels.
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Interested in a Sacred Journey to Israel Palestine? 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, 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!
- Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats Events
- Taize Meditation Retreat (Open to ALL) | May 18-20, 2016
- Young Adult Camp (for those aged 18-29 who do not qualify for Youth Camp | June 12-27
- Taller & Smaller Camp (for parents and their young children in the K-4 grade) | June 19-24
- Intergenerational Mission Week (Open to ALL) | June 26-30, 2016
- Taize Meditation Retreat (Open to ALL) | July 5-8, 2016
- Youth Camp - Week 1 (Youth exiting the 6-12th grade and their adult leaders 21 and older) | July 10-15, 2016
- Youth Camp - Week 2 (Youth exiting the 6-12th grade and their adult leaders 21 and older) | July 17-22, 2016
- Youth Mission Week | August 7-12, 2016
- Camp AweSum (for families with members on the autism spectrum) | August 14-19, 2016
- Youth & Faith Formation Events
- Spring Middle School CYE - "Be the Good News!" | May 13-15, 2016 at Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria, MN.
- Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Training for Elementary Level (K-1 and 4-6) and Adult/Young Adult Level | May 20-22, 2016 at Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria, MN
- 4th Thursday - "Hard Conversations with Parents and Youth: Exploring the Limits of Confidentiality" with Rev. T. Michael Rock | Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 11:30-1:30 at the MN Church Center
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Joys & Concerns
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- On Sunday, April 10, Cherokee Park United Church held a Service of Farewell for Pastor Tim Johnson. Rev. Johnson retired after serving Cherokee Park United Church since September 1981. During his tenure the congregation has been active in anti-racism work, welcomed LGBT members, worked to defeat the Marriage Equality amendment, and installed solar panels.
- Rev. Cynthia Riggin will be installed as Pastor of Lynnhurst Congregational UCC on Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A reception will follow the service.
- Rev. Muriel Hachfeld, Pastor of First Congregational UCC in New York Mills, is recovering from serious complications following surgery on March 29th at the Mayo Clinic. Prayers for her speedy and complete recovery would be welcome.
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Notices
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- One Voice Mixed Chorus presents Queer Thunder on April 16 & 17 at Hopkins High School Auditorium.
- Trauma and Its Aftermath: Moral Injury and Moral Meaning Making will be held on May 13 -14 at SpringHouse Ministry Center in Minneapolis.
- 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.
- Minnesota Conference Churches had a 16% higher reporting rate this year for the national Yearbook! Wow! Great job and thanks for all your efforts.
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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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