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Start the Conversation
The MissionInsite website is a great resource available to you FREE, because the Conference pays for an annual membership which includes all of our congregations. You'll encounter an enormous amount of data about the people who live in your community.
For some of us who are demographic geeks, this information is enough in itself. People like me really are fascinated to learn what the average time of a work commute is in Oshkosh or Waukesha. Most normal people are not, however. Over the years I've had lots of questions about this vast trove of demographic information from church members who justifiably wonder what on earth the data has to do with them.
My response is that MissionInsite data helps you to start the conversation. Every church I know of ought to be talking about the people who aren't there yet. Most churches I know find that discussion hard. Church leaders understandably get distracted by conversations about the people who are already there, who have opinions, needs, and expectations. Sometimes the conversations about the people who aren't there get off on the wrong foot, for example, with inaccurate assumptions like "everyone here already goes to church" or "nobody around here is interested or they would already be here."
I encourage people to pick one fact, just one, from the MissionInsite data and kick it around at a Council meeting for a few minutes. You might see that there are an increasing number of retired people in your town, for example. Does anybody know anybody like that? What's life like for a newly retired person in your community? How is your church relevant to someone like that?
The conversation you start about the people who aren't there yet will help you to understand better the people who are. One of the insights of Diana Butler Bass' latest book Christianity After Religion is that the concerns and questions of the people who aren't in church are exactly the same as the concerns and questions of the people who are. Everyone is looking for deepened spiritual experience. If we happen to meet the needs of those who already belong by responding to the needs of outsiders, well, it wouldn't be the first time in the history of Christianity that something like that has happened. In fact, some would say that's actually the point.
The numbers themselves don't provide solutions, answers, or eager new members. But the conversation about who lives in your neighborhood and why they might need the church will start something.
To access the MissionInsite resources available to you, go to our web site MissionInsite page.
Read on to learn more about this valuable resource.
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MissionInsite provides instant access to community information for your church via the MI System. You'll get desktop, web-based access to demographic data for a variety of geographic levels. Resources include:
- Dynamic Area Analysis Tools - Create "real time" demographic reports on preset or custom geographic areas.
- QuickInsite Report - Information for a first look at your area.
- FullInsite Report - 18 pages of community demographic information integrating data, graphs and text analysis.
- ExecutiveInsite Report - A strategic analysis of your area around 12 "insites" that are essential for ministry planning.
- ViewPoint - 120 current variables for Religious Practices, Lifestyle Preferences, Personal Preferences, Life Concerns and Well Being, Social Values and Charitable Contributions.
Optional Resources:
- Congregant Plotting - Plot your current church members/visitors on a custom map
- Names and addresses of recent new movers in your ministry area
Have fun exploring your mission context. Begin by reviewing the documents in the Resource area for the Local Church -
- Tutorial
- Introduction to MissionInsite
- Local Church User Guide
- How to Create a Report
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Transform Your Life - Transform the World
Are you or someone you know searching for the perfect internship? Then, check out the following opportunity:
Leadership Development ~ UCC Style ~
You will:
- Serve in an agency focusing on service/justice advocacy.
- Share in congretional life and leadership.
- Network with volunteers in UCC Young Adult Service Communities across the U.S.
"I believe that each of us can make a difference. This experience has only reinforced my own belief that we can be change makers." --Past Leadership Intern.
Apply by Feb 15 for priority placement!
Learn more about Leadership Development, plus the Summer Communities of Service opportunities here.
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A Source of Hope for Mozambique Women
A partnership between the UCCM and Global Ministries
The mission of the UCC in Mozambique (UCCM) has a Microcredit program that serves as a source of hope for women and their families. The women attend training sessions on financial savings and commit to saving for six months at a time.
The UCCM Women's Microcredit project is rapidly growing due to the dedication of the women. Once considered poor in their community, they can now generate their own small incomes by selling products in the market. Widows can now support their children's school needs, and Christian women are able to participate in their churches by supporting their own transportation and contributions. As an added bonus, some non-Christians are converting to the church.
Global Ministries continues to welcome gifts for this effort. Read more about the Microcredit project here.
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Get Wild!
Women's Wild Winter Weekend | Mar 1-3; Mar 8-10, 2013 Moon Beach Camp, St. Germain, WI.
The Women's Wild Winter Weekends fill up quickly so don't be left in the dust! Join us as we assess blessings in our lives while we learn to appreciate God's gifts to us.
Your stay includes:
- Singing, fellowship, crafts, games, snowshoeing and hiking.
- Worship and motivational sessions.
- Scrumptious meals, a silent auction, and a gift shop.
It's an active weekend with time for relaxation and meditation. We will have our "Give-Away Corner" where you can donate your gently used books, crafts and sewing materials, including yarn for prayer shawls. Attendees can help themselves; the remaining will be donated to charity.
See you in March!
Register online now!
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Save the Date!
Rev. Art Wille, Associate Conference Minister will be retiring in 2013 so join us in celebrating Art's accomplishments as we bid him farewell!
Date: October 19, 2013
Worship will be held at Appleton's First Congregational UCC at 11:00 a.m. Lunch and reception will follow.
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A Reminder of Mission
The UCC will observe
Health and Human Service Sunday on January 27.
Please take a moment to recognize our partners in ministry.
Read more here.
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Are you ready to start growing?
The Turnaround Church Workshop on Feb 15-16 will help you create an action plan to add members to your congregation!
Hurry ... the registration deadline is Feb 1!
Learn more here.
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Learn about the UCC!
The online UCC History and Polity Course is an introduction to the United Church of Christ.
In eight, interactive online sessions, you'll learn about:
* The UCC Today
* Covenant Commitments
* How We Got This Way
* Ministry
* Worship
* Common Life, Basic Texts
* Current Concerns
Jan 30 - Mar 20, 2013
Read more and register now!
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Conference Events Calendar
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PO Box 435 De Forest, WI 53532
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