Annual Meeting ~ June 10 - 12, 2016 College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN
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Annual Reports: What has ministry looked like in the MN Conference since our last Annual Meeting? A great way to catch a glimpse is to read the annual reports of our staff, Board, committees, work groups and teams! Check out these links this week from the Open and Affirming Team, the Committee on Ministry, and the Disaster Ministries Team and read about the amazing work that's taken place!
Bible Study will be offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the Annual Meeting. On Saturday, Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson, a UCC pastor, writer, and digital evangelist will be our leader. He uses multiple online platforms to advocate for social justice, express relevant content, and communicate inspired information. He is a graduate of both St. Catherine University and Liberty Seminary. Lawrence travels extensively to minister, and to share his experiences and demographic research with churches, schools, and community organizations with the hope of building a more beloved community.
On Sunday, Dr. J. Samuel Subramanian, Ph.D who is Assistant Professor of New Testament Theology at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities will lead us. He holds Master of Commerce (M.Com) from Sri Venkateswara University; Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) from Serampore University; Mastor of Divinity (M.Div.) from Southern Methodist University; and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from McMaster University. He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. He is the author of "The Synoptic Gospels" and a co-author of "The Psalms as Prophecy Resourcing New Testament Studies".
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 by Friday, May 20. 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.
The FINAL day to register for the Annual Meeting is Wednesday, May 25, 2016.
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The Search Committee for the Selection of the Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children & Youth Has Been Appointed
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Rev. Abigail Henderson (First UCC, Northfield), Nathan Holst (Peace UCC, Duluth), Sheri Nelson (First Congregational, Wadena), Kim Shaffer (First Congregational, Mankato), and Conference Minister Rev. Shari Prestemon will serve as the Search Committee for the selection of the Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children & Youth. Read more about each of these committee members. Now that the team has been appointed, their work will begin this month.
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Highlighting Camp Opportunities at Pilgrim Point:
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Taller & Smaller (K-4 Grade) | June 19-24, 2016
A fun time focusing on parents and their young family members (in Kindergarten through the 4th grade). We'll swim and hike, decorate the sidewalks with chalk drawings, build sandcastles, star gaze, and talk about the wonder of creation. Amazing things will happen when this age group comes to camp with their parent(s)!
You have the option to attend for the full week or for 1, 2, or more days. Age appropriate, intergenerational activities will make this a space where parents or grandparents can have real, faith-filled interactions with their child or grandchild. Studies prove that the most important people affecting the faith formation of children are their parents and significant adults in their lives. You don't want to miss this fun camp experience! Sign up today or share with a parent who you think would enjoy this opportunity.
Cost: $35/day for children and $55/day for adults
When: Sunday, June 19 - Friday, June 24 | Option to attend for select days
Where: Pilgrim Point Camp, Alexandria, MN (directions)
Who: Parents or Grandparents and their child or grandchild in grades K-4
Cost: $35/day or $150 for the full week (child) | $55/day or $250 for the full week (adult) | Attend the full week for a discount!
Registration Deadline: June 13, 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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Is Your Congregation Paying Attention to the "B" in LGBTQ?
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Did you know...
- Bisexual people make up the largest percentage of the LGBTQ community.
- Bisexuality doesn't only mean that someone is equally attracted to women and men.
- Bisexual people are largely invisible in faith communities, society, and even LGBTQ communities.
- Congregations that welcome and embrace bisexual persons can help heal the suffering caused by bisexual invisibility.
Bisexual persons already worship with and serve in congregations but are often cautious about sharing the truth of their lives. Many harmful myths and stereotypes exist in LGBTQ communities and in the general public. It's time to make our congregations healing spaces for bisexual people.
In a unique, interactive training offered by Marie Alford-Harkey, Presiden and CEO of the Religious Institute, you will learn the basics about bisexuality (hint: it's not binary), theological and Biblical connections to bisexuality, strategies to make congregations more welcoming to bisexual people, and most importantly, how to plan a bisexuality education session for your congregation, clergy group, welcoming organization, or other gathering.
Each participant will receive a copy of the Religious Institute publication "Bisexuality: Making the Invisible Visible in Faith Communities".
This exciting training opportunity will be offered as part of The Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC's Annual Gathering that will be held at St. Ben's, and this workshop track will be on Wednesday, June 8th. If you would like to send a member of your congregation to the training, please contact ONA team chair Kim Graff for information on how to register.
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Joys & Concerns
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- Rev. Dr. Marion Pocker, a retired minister of the Minnesota Conference, died Wednesday, May 4. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Mary 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Olivet Congregational Church in St. Paul, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. During his ministerial career in Minnesota, he served St. Paul's UCC in St. Paul, Clark Memorial UCC and Falcon Heights UCC. Rev. Dr. Pocker was Pilgrim Point director and also served on the camp committee, the Conference Board, and as a delegate to General Synod, among other committees and boards. He is survived by his wife, Dorothea, a son and daughter and their spouses, and two grandchildren. Our sympathies to the family.
- 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. 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. Tapas-style refreshments will be served at 1:00 p.m. 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.
- Rev. Coqui Conkey will be installed as Pastor of The Associated Church in Owatonna on Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 p.m. Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A reception will follow the service. Rev. Congqui, who holds ministerial standing in Minnesota but has served elsewhere as interim minister in recent years, began her ministry at The Associated Church in April.
- Rev. Muriel Hachfeld has been discharged from her long hospital stay in Rochester and is now at Ecumen in Detroit Lakes for a time of continued rehabilitation. We offer prayers for advancing healing and strength.
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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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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.
- United Theological Seminary is celebrating United Days on Thursday and Friday, May 19 & 20. This year they will explore how biblical and personal storytelling can enrich your life and inspire collective action in congregations and the world. Details about this event are available on their website.
- New CPE Offering in Hospice: The Allina CPE Center and Allina Hospice announce the inauguration of Clinical Pastoral Education in their hospice setting. IN the fall of 2016 they will begin a "super-extended" CPE internship, lasting 32 weeks, from October 3 - May 12.
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Rev. Mitri Raheb of Bethlehem to visit Minnesota! One of the outstanding prophetic Palestinian voices for peace among our Global Partners will be speaking on Wednesday, May 25 at 7 pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove. Plan to attend this evening with Rev. Mitri Raheb, a moving preacher and inspiring leader in the global movement for justice for all the people of the Holy Land. Read more here about the recent summit in Atlanta attended by Raheb along with Pres. Jimmy Carter and top leaders of the UCC and other denominations. Contact Rev. Emily Goldthwaite Fries of the Working Group on Just Peace in Palestine and Israel for more info!
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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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