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COMMAnts from the Conference Minister - May, 2016
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By Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
That Mysterious Thing Called COVENANT
"That's insider language that people don't understand," commented one person in a meeting. "I don't even know what that thing really means," said another. Both United Church of Christ members were referring to the word and concept of covenant, and the fact that it meant very little to them was just a bit horrifying to me as Conference Minister. Why? Because covenant lies at the very heart of who we distinctively are in the United Church of Christ.
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Annual Meeting ~ June 10 - 12, 2016 College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN
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 Marty Haugen will be involved in Saturday evening worship and then will share in a time of music at our Saturday evening social time. Marty is a liturgical composer, workshop presenter, performing and recording artist, and author. A number of his published songs, including "Shepherd Me, O God", "Gather Us In", and "All Are Welcome" are well-known to many religious denominations.
How has your congregation engaged in anti-racism work since last year's Annual Meeting? Tell your church's story in 250 words or less by submitting the information to Sandy Kellen in the Conference office. Include the name and email address or phone number of a contact person. Sandy will compile a collection of these documents so that we can see the impact and share your ideas with others.
Keep up with the latest information on the 2016 Annual Meeting by visiting the Annual Meeting page. Many of the reports are already published here and more are being added daily.
Registration is now open. Be sure to register for the Annual Meeting BEFORE the end of TODAY - Wednesday, May 4 - to get the early bird rate.
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This Week's Spotlight - Zion UCC, LeSueur
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 Zion UCC is a church in a changing town. For many years, Le Sueur had been the headquarters of Green Giant. Since Green Giant moved its corporate offices, the town has been shifting from a white collar community to a blue collar one with an increasing Hispanic population. Zion has a strong working relationship with other local churches to address the changing needs of their community.
They have two pastors: Rev. Kent A. Meyer, Ph.D., senior pastor, and Rev. Jean Sidner (UMC), visitation pastor. The average attendance is just over 100. Zion has a 9am Sunday service regularly and a 10:30am service on the 1st & 3rd Sundays.
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Highlighting Camp Opportunities at Pilgrim Point:
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Young Adult Week | June 12-17, 2016
 Are you bummed that you graduated out of the youth weeks at Pilgrim Point? There is a new camp just for you. Young adults (age 18-29) are now able to attend for 1, 2, or more days for the purpose of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones while you swim, hike, play games, climb the wall and ride the zip line!
If you are working a job this summer or taking summer courses, not to worry, you have the option to attend for part of the week even if you cannot make the full week. You're welcome & encouraged to invite friends (UCC or otherwise)
Cost: $55/day or $250 for the full week
When:Sunday, June 12 - Friday, June 17 | Option to attend for select days
Where: Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria, MN (directions)
Who: Young Adults aged 18-29 who do no qualify for Youth Camp
Registration Deadline: June 6, 2016
Check out other camp & retreat opportunities at Pilgrim Point on our website.
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National and Minnesota Conference Open and Affirming Events HERE in June!
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 There are several ONA events happening at St. Benedicts in St. Joseph in early June. - The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ chose Minnesota as the location of their national Gathering (conference) from June 7th - 9th
- On Thursday evening, the Coalition will host their annual fundraising banquet.
- On Thursday afternoon, the Open and Affirming Team of the Minnesota Conference will host our pre-annual meeting event starting at 5 pm.
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Joys & Concerns
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- Rev. Philip Ramstad, a retired minister and member of Chapel Hills UCC, is receiving radiation for cancer that has now spread to his spine and pelvis. Prayers for Rev. Ramstad and his family are appreciated.
- Aaron Lauer will be ordained on Sunday, May 8, at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A reception will follow the service of ordination. Aaron has accepted a call to serve Coral Gables Congregational UCC in Coral Gables, Florida.
- Deb Braun will be ordained and installed on Sunday, May 15 at 3 p.m. at Congregational Church of Faribault. Everyone is invited to wear red;clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. There will be a dinner at the church following the service. Please RSVP to the church at (507)334-5910 by May 9 if you plan to attend. Deb has served Congregational Church of Faribault since June of 2015.
- An Ecclesistical Council for Catherine Kolwey will be held on Wednesday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at Robbinsdale UCC. Refreshments will be served before the ecclesiastical council. A period of examination will be followed by a vote on a motion that Catherine Kolwey be ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Christ. To ensure a quorum for the council, please RSVP to the church via email or at (763)537-6965.
- St. Paul's Childhood Center has been named Best Preschool/Early Childhood Center by Saint Paul Magazine. They were founded 45 years ago by St. Paul's UCC and they are part of the church's community ministry. Congratulations to St. Paul's Childhood Center.
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Upcoming Events
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- 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 leaving the 6-12th grade and their adult leaders 21 and older) | July 10-15, 2016
- Youth Camp - Week 2 (Youth leaving 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
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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
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Clergy Clusters
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Northeast Cluster - Thursday, May 5 at 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational in Brainerd
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Southwest Cluster - Thursday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. at LaTerraza in Mankato. Please RSVP to Ashley Whitaker to let her know if you are coming so she can make a reservation for you. Spouses and children are welcome.
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Northern Cluster -Tuesday, May 10 at 11 a.m. at Peace UCC in Duluth
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Notices
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- 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.
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Employment Opportunities
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There are many opportunities within the Minnesota Conference. Check out the employment opportunities portion of our website for all open positions.
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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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