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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 this link to read all available Annual Reports and see the amazing work that's taken place!
Sunday Worship Resource for Annual Meeting Weekend
A worship liturgy for the weekend of Annual Meeting has just been posted to the MN Conference website. A sermon to go with it will be posted on the same web page by this Friday. Each year the Annual Meeting Planning Work Group creates these two resources, that tie in with the theme of Annual Meeting, that local churches can decide to use while their pastor or other congregational leaders may be away. Congregations are invited to adapt and revise as desired - we hope these will be helpful and meaningful to congregations.
Summary Agenda for Annual Meeting Now Available
Bible Study will be offered on Saturday and Sunday Mornings
 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 Annual Meeting...
By visiting the Annual Meeting page. Many of the reports are already published here and more are being added daily.
The LAST day to register for the Annual Meeting is Wednesday, May 25. Register here.
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Does Your Congregation Practice the Faith Forming 5?
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Faith Forming Five is an initiative of the Faith Formation Team of the MN Conference UCC that honors congregations that are implementing the 5 marks of Faith Formation each year. Your congregation can be recognized as a Faith Forming Five congregation by implementing these five points:
- Children & Youth Participate in Worship
- At Home Faith Practices
- Intergenerational Ministry
- Service & Mission Theological Reflection
- Lay & Clergy Leadership Development
Your congregation may already be practicing all five points!
Mail completed forms to the Minnesota Conference UCC office or email completed forms to Zac Norenberg by May 30 to be recognized at the 2016 Annual Meeting (June 10-12, 2016). Note: If your congregations received the Faith Forming Five recognition last program year, you still need to submit an implementation form this year to maintain that recognition.
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Highlighting Camp Opportunities at Pilgrim Point:
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July Family Camp
Join us as we explore the theme "Love One Another" in
the loving setting of Pilgrim Point Camp
July Family Camp at PPC&R is an opportunity open to ALL to experience the beauty of nature, the richness of intergenerational play and celebration, exploration of radical hospitality, classic camp activities, great conversations, beach time, solitude, laughter, singing...and that's just the first day! And every day after that. A "family" could be grandparents and children, moms and/or dads and kids, households or individuals.
Send complete forms to: "Kim Shaffer, 320 W 10th St, Blue Earth, MN 56013" When: Check-in will be between 3-5pm on Sunday, July 24 with opening supper being served at 5:30pm. Departure will be Friday around 11am.
Where: Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats, Alexandria, MN
Who: For anyone from any family seeking an intergenerational faith experience in an outdoor setting Cost: 3 and under - FREE; Age 4-12 - $200; 13 and older - $270; Family Maximum - $1000. Make checks payable to the "Minnesota Conference UCC"
Deadline to Register: June 24, 2016 (50% deposit required with registration)
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August Family Camp
July 31-August 5, 2016
We welcome people from all congregations!
Sponsored by St. Anthony Park UCC in St Paul, August Family Camp offers a relaxed five days on beautiful Pilgrim Point that projects into Lake Ida near Alexandria, MN. Families quickly discover the community character in which kids mingle and roam while parents know all adults are keeping eyes on what's happening. Open to all (nuclear and extended families, couples, singles) from all congregations! Come for swimming and the waterfront, intergenerational crafts, kickball, and evening lakeside vespers.
Rooms in the lodge and several cabins varying from three to twelve beds are available (bring your own towels and bedding). Campsites available with electric hookup and nearby bathrooms with showers. Meals are provided in the dining hall.
Questions? Please contact the St Anthony Park UCC church office at (651) 646-7173.
Check out other camp & retreat opportunities at Pilgrim Point on our website.
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National Open and Affirming Gathering HERE IN MN
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The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ chose Minnesota as the location of their 2016 National Gathering. It will be hosted at the College of St Benedict in St Joseph, MN in the days before the Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting.
The ONA Gathering begins at 5pm on Tuesday, June 7 and ends at at 5pm on Thursday, June 9. On Thursday evening, the Coalition will host their annual ONA fundraising banquet. Participants arriving Thursday for the Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting are welcome to join at the banquet. The Open and Affirming Team of the Minnesota Conference will host our pre-annual meeting event starting at 5pm on Thursday.
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Joys & Concerns
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- Elaine Keehn, mother of Rev. Scott Keehn, died May 10; services have been held. Rev. Keehn is the pastor of First Congregational UCC in Alexandria. Our sympathies to the family.
- Kathleen Peterson died May 13 in Northfield; services have been held. Mrs. Peterson was the mother of Sandy Kellen, Administrative Assistant to the Conference Minister and editor of COMMAntary. Our sympathies to the family.
- Sanford Morse, father of Rev. Sara Morse, died May 18. Rev. Sara Morse is the pastor of Hazel Park UCC in Saint Paul. Our sympathies to the family.
- 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.
- An Ecclesiastical Council for Nathan Roberts will be held Thursday, May 26 at 12:45 p.m at Lynnhurst Congregational UCC (directions). A light lunch will be served at Noon. A period of examination will be followed by a vote on a motion that Nathan Roberts be ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Christ. To ensure a quorum for the council, please RSVP to the church or call (612) 827-6157.
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Upcoming Events
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- Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats Events
- Young Adult Camp (for those aged 18-29 who do not qualify for Youth Camp) | Sunday, June 12 - Friday, June 17
- Taller & Smaller Camp (for parents and their young children in the K-4 grade) | Sunday, June 19 - Friday, June 24
- Intergenerational Mission Week (Open to ALL) | Sunday, June 26 - Thursday, June 30
- Taize Meditation Retreat (Open to ALL) | Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 8
- Youth Camp - Week 1 (Youth leaving the 6-12th grade and their adult leaders 21 and older) | Sunday, July 10 - Friday, July 15
- Youth Camp - Week 2 (Youth leaving the 6-12th grade and their adult leaders 21 and older) | Sunday, July 17 - Friday, June 22
- Youth Mission Week | Sunday, August 7 - Friday, August 12
- Camp AweSum (for families with members on the autism spectrum) | Sunday, August 14 - Friday, August 19
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Notices
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- United Theological Seminary is celebrating United Days this 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. |
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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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