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A Pictoral Recap of the 2016 Annual Meeting
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Offering a Contrast to Hatred, Violence, and Insanity
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Since the horrific event in Orlando last weekend, we have been heartened by the many actions of love, prayer, and public witness so many of our churches have taken. When we host prayer vigils, counsel the hurting, protest policy, or preach messages of persistent love and hope, we offer a collective, Christ-like contrast to the hatred, violence, and insanity that resulted in 49 innocent lives lost. We will continue to grieve the deep loss so poignant at this time for families of those killed, the LGBTQ community, the Latinx community, survivors, and first responders. And we will continue to cast into the universe an alternative word of hope and love, matched with ceaseless acts of faith and purposeful work for change.
Conference Minister Shari Prestemon released this pastoral letter earlier this week, and we invite your comments on our Facebook page or elsewhere to let us know how you are responding in your community. Let our prayers rise like incense and may our deeds testify to a way of extravagant love that overcomes the evil of hatred and violence.
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Spotlighting Our Churches...
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During the busy weeks leading up to the Annual Meeting our "Spotlighting Our Churches" feature has been on break. It's time to add this back in. Would your church like to be spotlighted? We can send you some basic questions to get you started. Contact Sandy Kellen in the Minnesota Conference office to get on the list of spotlighted churches.
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Highlighting Camp Opportunities at Pilgrim Point:
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Join with others from across the Minnesota Conference UCC in a time of contemplative prayer where you can experience God and recharge your spiritual batteries. Each day we will share in three services of reflective music and chants, readings, and silence - we will transcend ordinary words in a spirit of prayer. All participants will help with a short work shift each day around meals and hospitality, in the tradition of the Taize Community, for this temporary community.
Study and discussion sessions each afternoon will provide a chance to share your experiences or you may choose to spend the time in silence among the natural beauty at Pilgrim Point. Come be renewed.
When: 3-night retreat on July 5-8
Where: Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats, Alexandria, MN (directions)
Who: Open to all (youth must be accompanied by an adult leader or parent, be aware participants will need to be quiet for 60 minute sessions)
Registration Deadline: June 28, 2016
Check out other camp & retreat opportunities at Pilgrim Point on our website.
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Immigrant Welcoming Congregation
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Celebrate that the MN Conference has voted at its Annual Meeting this past weekend to become an Immigrant Welcoming Conference, calling on its members and congregations to become active "Immigrant Welcoming Congregations and Communities."
One way to celebrate is by contacting your Immigration Team and asking them to come to your congregation to discuss ways in which your congregation can learn more about immigrants. They can learn why immigrants come here. What life is like for them when they are here living in the shadows. What they bring to our communities and our state. What their experiences have been like at the border. What our faith has to say about our treatment of immigrants. What the UCC has said through resolutions and pronouncements about immigrants.The team can bring films, discussion about the issues, and books for discussion. Let us know what we can do to assist you on this important journey of following God's command to: "When the foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner living among you must be treated as a citizen. Love them as you love yourself, for you were once foreigners..." Leviticus 19:33-34
You can contact the Immigration Team. They look forward to hearing from you.
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Participate in the Pride Parade at Twin Cities Pride on Sunday, June 26th
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 Please join the Minnesota Conference Open and Affirming Ministry Team and participate in the Ashley Rukes Pride Parade at Twin Cities Pride. We heard your feedback and there will be no gimmicks or themes this year. Simply come and represent your church or faith community. Bring your church banner and wear t-shirts representing your congregation. You can visit our event page to sign up.
On Sunday, June 26th, at 10:45 we will have a brief prayer and song worship and the parade starts at 11 a.m. We will be number 95 in the lineup. Please send Kim Graff an email or text (651-283-0962) if you have any questions.
If you are from a church that traditionally hosts a Pride event in Greater Minnesota, please send the details or link the event on our Facebook page so that we can share the information.
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Joys & Concerns
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- St. John's UCC in Norwood Young America will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a polka service on Sunday, June 26 at 10 a.m. Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister, will preach.
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Upcoming Events
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- Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats Events
- 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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- The UCC has released the Stillspeaking 2.0 Toolkit which offers resources and materials for use in social media, websites, and bulletins.
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FREE Practical Webinars for Our Churches! The New York Conference UCC, along with the UMC and Presbyterian area churches, are sponsoring a valuable resource for our ministers and lay leaders. Webinars are ongoing throughout the year and cover subjects like: how to do Sunday School differently, intergenerational worship 101, embracing stewardship, seeking God via Google, and much more.
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Come meet your Muslim neighbors as they participate in the sacred month of Ramadan (June 6-July 5). The Minnesota Council of Churches is excited to invite you to a series of open houses at area mosques. Coordinated in partnership with the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, open houses provide an opportunity to learn about Islam, observe Muslim prayer, and share food and conversation at the meal breaking the fast, called an Iftar. You are cordially invited to meet your neighbors, share an Iftar meal, and learn about each other. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
- 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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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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