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Michigan Conference
United Church of Christ
www.michucc.org
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1006
East Lansing MI 48826-1006
Physical Address:
5945 Park Lake Road
East Lansing MI 48823
Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:30a-4:30p
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Email Bulletin
May 25, 2012
Next issue scheduled for: June 15, 2012
Content Deadline: June 13, 2012
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Conference Staff
Conference Minister (beginning June 15)
Rev. Dr. S. C. Campbell Lovett
Acting Conference Minister
Rev. Cheryl Burke
Acting Associate Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Deborah Kohler
Acting Associate Conference Minister
Rev. Sameerah Shareef
Business Manager
Bob Heisler
Executive Administrative Assistant
to the Acting Conference Minister
Lisa Soulliere
Administrative Assistants to the
Associate Conference Ministers
Merrilyn Vaughn-Hoffman
Barb Paff
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Whoever you are, where ever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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Brought to you by your generous contributions to
Our Church's Wider Missions
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National Youth Event
2012
One church. Four days to Imagine. More than 2,000 Stillspeaking Youth.
IMAGINE
Go ahead. Dare to Imagine!
July 10th ~ July 13th
www.ucc.org/nye
Follow us on  and  !!
Waltrina Middleton
United Church of Christ
Minister for Youth Advocacy
and Leadership Foundation
Congregational Vitality and
Discipleship/Local Church Ministries
(216)736-3871
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"LIKE" US!
The Michigan Conference UCC
is on Facebook
We want our page to grow and grow; to become your source for information and resources.
Post your photos/videos from the National Youth Event lock-ins, on your bus ride to Purdue, and during the event. Share photos and information about your church, a church anniversary, or a celebration.
Click the icon above to "LIKE" us and begin Connecting Our Blessings!
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Words from Acting Conference Minister
Rev. Cheryl Burke
Priorities
What are your priorities? I am finding that many church and pastoral conflicts come when people have different priorities and expectations? There is so much ministry to do and so much time that is needed to pray and reflect and just be. Sometimes we try to accommodate another's priorities and end up getting frustrated that what we care about isn't getting done. Sometimes we try to compromise and only some of what anyone wants actually gets accomplished. Sometimes we just avoid dealing with the differences by withdrawing from the situation. Some of us try forcing our priorities on others because they are so important to us and others just push back. The skill that is most useful for dealing with a difference in priorities may be collaborating.
Collaborating skills include: listening to each other; agreeing in places where there is no difference; focusing on the interests of each party (understanding the reason behind the priority); speaking for ourselves using "I" statements; being specific about who, what, when, and where; turning concerns into requests or proposals (my concern would be taken care of if ...); clarifying intentions and preference stating (I would rather...). Collaborating is something that needs to be practiced.
So, I'd like to test my collaborating skills to check on one of our conference priorities. At the annual meeting last October, I heard people say very strongly that our youth and young adults are a priority. There was some difference of opinion about how to attend to that priority, but I believe that I heard correctly that it is a priority for us. I heard that we care about our youth, are inspired by them, want to pass on what we have gained from the church to them, want to be in partnership with them, that they have gifts to share, and more. I heard that camp is important to some and so we agreed to a way forward that will make camp at Talahi a reality this summer. I also heard that other ways of connecting are important. So, we have focused on National Youth Event this summer. With the leadership of First Congregational UCC, Saginaw we are partnering with our national setting by bringing in a group of interns to focus on youth and young adult ministry. We are working on a Facebook presence to connect more effectively with younger folks. We are working on connecting our 20-30 something clergy.
A lot is going on to manifest the priority on youth and young adults. We have collected from you over $2,000 toward sending youth to National Youth Event. Thank you! We still need $8,000 more. My concern about this would be taken care of if you would send in your $1, $11, $111 or $1,111 today as a sign of your commitment to our priority on youth and young adults. There are lots of causes and ministry priorities asking for your attention and, frankly, your money. I believe that our young people are the present and future of the UCC, so I sent in my $111. Will you join me at whatever level works for you?
How did I do? If you would like to learn more about using collaboration as a tool to work through differences, please let me know. We have a group in DMA refining their skills in this area and we would enjoy sharing with you. |
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National Youth Event
ARE YOU ATTENDING?
If you are planning to ride the bus with the Michigan Conference contingency please let us know!
We are in the midst of planning programming consistant at each of our three (3) lock-in locations.
Locations:
- Bethlehem UCC, Ann Arbor
- St. Stephen's Community Church UCC, Lansing
- First Congregational Church, South Haven
The buses each hold 55 passengers, so your boarding location is very important to us - we want to make sure that you have a seat on the bus at your planned lock-in location.
We also have some necessary forms that need to be filled out in order to ride the bus to Indiana; please make sure you fill these forms out as soon as possible and return them to our office by June 15th.
Please refer to the IMPORTANT Bus Reservation Instructions and Information document below on how to secure your seat on a bus. The forms that are required are linked below as well.
IMPORTANT Bus Reservation Instructions and Information
This information is also available on the Michigan Conference UCC website www.michucc.org
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 MICHIGAN: 1
 We have raised more than $2000 toward our National Youth Event Bus Campaign!
Please help us provide our youth the opportunity to experience unity and connection with youth from across the conference, the United States and youth from other countries. By sending in your monetary gift for our youth you are solidifying your commitment to the future of the United Church of Christ and the vitality of our churches.
THANK YOU for your gifts:
Susan Alexander
Cheryl Burke
Deborah Kohler
Campbell & Eileen Lovett
Terry & Kathy Miller
Janet Schultz
Mable Adamson
Chris Schwab
Meredith Olsen
Penny Lowes
Stan & Elizabeth Dole
Gordon & Vernie Nethercut
Women's Fellowship - First Cong'l Church, Battle Creek
United Church of Christ, Clinton
Women's Fellowship - St. Paul's UCC, Chelsea
St. Paul's UCC, Watervliet
Women's Guild - First Cong'l Church, Flat Rock
First Park Cong'l Church, Grand Rapids
St. Paul UCC, Warren
United Northern Association
Grand West Association
Clare Congregational UCC
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Support Michigan:1
Help our youth get on the bus! MICHIGAN:1 Your donation means that transportation & scholarships toward the $475 registration fee can be provided - If 111 churches and/or individuals send $111 we can cover the buses and scholarships for registration.
- Or - pass an offering plate during your spring Christian Education Sunday and ask each person in worship to contribute $1.
- Or - come up with your own great idea how to participate in Michigan:1.
We are one in Spirit as we support our young people in this great adventure. Together we can do what we could never do alone. Just another way to connect our blessings. NEW! BULLETIN INSERT Rev. Dr. Deborah Kohler Acting Associate Conference Minister Michigan Conference United Church of Christ www.michucc.org To make a donation online click the 'DONATE' button above! Checks should be made payable to: Michigan Conference UCC Mail to: Michigan 1 P.O. Box 1006 East Lansing MI 48826-1006  |
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A Message From the Michigan Conference UCC
Moderator
Dear Michigan Conference UC Friends, It isn't even June, and still it's time to mark your calendars for what could be the finest Conference Annual Meeting ever. Our meeting will be held on October 5-6 in Battle Creek. Lots of information will be included in our Email Bulletin. Particularly important are registration forms and hotel information. The finest Conference Annual Meeting ever? It may stretch the point, but it is hard to top these three headlines: The Featured Keynote Speaker is Diana Butler Bass who is the author of many excellent books and will speak to us about the 4th Great Awakening in Christian Spirit that will help us re-vision our faith communities for the future. She encourages us to read her NEW book Christianity After Religion: The End Of Church And The Birth Of A New Spiritual Awakening in advance of the meeting. Her books are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online sellers or local bookstores. They are also available on Kindle, Nook and other ebooks. We will Install our New Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett. Dr. Lovett will begin his ministry with us on June 16th with a welcome at the Conference office in East Lansing from 3:00-5:00p. After three months of beautiful Michigan Summer, welcomes, and introduction to our Conference, his installation will be featured at the Annual Meeting. Our Theme for the Meeting is: For Such A Time As This "Who knows, perhaps you have come...for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14) This gathering of clergy and lay people from around the conference will be a time for refreshment, renewal, prophetic wisdom, mutual affection, encouragement, and hope in the spirit of Christ. I look forward to seeing you in Battle Creek, October 5-6. Faithfully, Rev. Dr. David Wheeler, Moderator |
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DATE CHANGE!
United Northern Association area
Insurance Summit scheduled for June 23rd
ATTENTION Trustees, Financial Personnel, Treasurers, Moderators, and Clergy - anyone who makes or influences financial decisions at your church; we would like to invite you to participate in a session with our insurance carrier and other UCC Churches to see how a new program may benefit your church.
Join our UCC Insurance representative, Mark Lambert, on June 23rd at the First Congregational Church 218 W. Second St., Gaylord MI 49735, from 11:00a - 1:0op. We will have discussion and presentation on the possible benefits for you, during a working lunch provided by hosts Rev. Susan Webeler and Mark Lambert.
We anticipate holding other sessions in other Association areas in the near future. We will notify you once those dates and locations have been decided.
Please confirm your participation by calling Lisa at 517.332.3511 ext. 204 or email her at lisa@michucc.org.
We look forward to seeing you there, if you have any questions, please contact Jeffrey T. Wardford, Conference Treasurer, at 313.610.6814 or email him at consulttaylar@aol.com.
INSURANCE SUMMIT FLYER
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Church World Service:
Kits URGENTLY Needed
Since the beginning of January, Church World Service has shipped thousands of kits - baby kits, clean up buckets, school kits and hygiene kits to assist people impacted by disasters. Your help is urgently needed to increase supplies that are currently available in the CWS warehouses.
Most needed are baby kits, clean up buckets and school kits.
Below is a link to the CWS Brochure that includes information about kit ingredients and shipping. Please share this with our local church members and other friends within your Conference. Your help to other communities in need is greatly appreciated
Church World Service Brochure
Florence Coppola, Executive, National Disaster Ministries
UCC Wider Church Ministries
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3211; toll free: 1-866-822-8224 x3211
Fax: 216-736-2294
http://www.ucc.org/disaster
"National Disaster Ministries' are supported by OCWM & OGHS". |
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SAVE THE DATE for the upcoming
"INSTALL-VERSARY" Celebration!
Join St. Stephen's Community Church
United Church of Christ
for our "INSTALL-VERSARY" Weekend!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
25th Anniversary Luncheon
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Installation worship service for
Dr. PamelaJune Banks-Anderson
Please mark your calendars with these dates - more details to follow!
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 CAMP TALAHI Retreat & Nature Center Rejoice in a new beginning! |
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SAVE THE DATE!
UNITED CHURCH
OF CHRIST
Proudly Presents the Third Annual Conference
2012 National Gathering
November 1 - 3, 2012
Columbus, Ohio
www.wideningthewelcome.com
Registration Opens in June!
Sponsored by the United Church of Christ (UCC) Disabilities Ministries and the UCCMental Illness Network.
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Renewing Heart & Hope
A Retreat for Social Justice Educators & Trainers
JUNE 29-30 Presented by Allies for Change Imagine if you had time and space to...
- Be with others who share a deep and abiding commitment to social change
- Share with colleagues what is life-giving; what is depleting in this work
- Meet and learn from colleagues engaged in many different realms of social justice education and training
- Name the losses and frustrations in a community that can hold the grief
- Celebrate the breakthroughs with people who can share the joy
- Soak up the beauty of the woods and lakeside property at the Michigan Friends Center
If your spirit longs for rejuvenation, deeper connection with other social justice educators, and the nurture of a beautiful natural setting, we encourage you to join us for this unique retreat. Facilitator -guides for our time together will be Monique Savage and Melanie Morrison. |
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"For the Bible Tells Me So"
Homosexuality and the Bible - The Michigan Roundtable will show "For the Bible Tells Me So" at First Congregational Church UCC, New Baltimore, June 13, 7:00-9:00p.
This award winning documentary film reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture. Through the experiences of five families, we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. The film helps Christians and churches understand the importance of being inclusive of everyone. The church is located at 36223 Alfred Street, New Baltimore. Everyone is welcome.
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 Friends, In September 2011, Hurricane Irene flooded the Southeastern part of the United States. The North Carolina coast was one of the locations that suffered significant damage to homes. The United Church of Christ is partnering with the United Methodist Church in this recovery. Volunteer work groups are needed. The North Carolina Methodist Conference is providing volunteer coordination and construction supervision for all projects. Please share this information throughout your Conference. The link below will take you to registration information. Peace, Florence Coppola, Executive, National Disaster Ministries UCC Wider Church Ministries 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115 "National Disaster Ministries' are supported by OCWM and OGHS." |
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Discovering your church's ministry opportunities has never been easier. MissionInsite provides instant access to community information for your church via The MI System.
Michigan Conference UCC - MissionInsite Page |
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National Gathering:
a unique opportunity for Open and Affirming Churches!
Register today for a historic event: a special National Gathering of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns to celebrate 40 years of LGBT ministry in our church and to welcome our newest Open and Affirming congregations - including ONA church number 1,000! Join us June 25-28 at Elmhurst College near Chicago for inspiring worship, powerful preaching, joyful music, and workshops that will feed your mind and your soul. Preachers are the Rev. DaVita McCallister and Bishop Yvette Flunder. Keynoter is the Rev. J. Bennett Guess.
A special invitation to leaders of ONA churches: workshops will focus on supporting ministry and mission in local churches.
Scholarships are available for young adults who need financial assistance. Contact gathering@ucccoalition.org for more information.
Registration and a complete schedule of National Gathering events is at http://ucccoalition.org.
Information Flyer |
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This man and his daughter live in a camp for people displaced by the earthquake that ravaged Haiti's southern coast in January 2010. Since then, CWS has provided both emergency food and shelter and long-term assistance that includes helping rebuld permanent homes for earthquake survivors - more than 500,000 of whom still remain in encampments.
Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance |
This Father's Day Honor Dad - Build hope
Always a dilemma - what to get Dad for Father's Day. This year surprise him with a gift in his honor to the Church World Service Blankets+ Program. Besides blankets, the CWS Blankets+ Program provides seeds, education, small business loans and other resources to help fathers feel empowered - and encourage their families. On Father's Day host a Blanket Sunday in your church and help Dads the world over - BUILD hope for their families - BUILD a feeling of pride - BUILD a brighter future. By honoring DAD with a gift to the CWS Blankets+ Program you will also be helping families in need around the world.
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Joys & Concerns ~ | |
Please keep Pastor Lorraine Boucon (Congregational UCC, Hart) and her family in your prayers, as she was recently hospitalized.
Please keep Rev. Harry Clark (St. John's UCC, Niles) and his family in your prayers; his daughter was involved in an automobile accident last week.
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MI Conf Office
Associations
S.T.E.M.
Mission Area Teams
SING Groups
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WELCOME to the
Michigan Conference!
Joseph Jeffries
First Congregational
Church, UCC of Chelsea
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Association News
Covenant:
Detroit Metropolitan
Service of Ordination/Installation for: Wallace Tatara
June 3rd @ 3p
St. James UCC
Saline
Eastern:
Spring Meeting:
May 31 @ 6:30p
St. John's UCC
Port Huron
Grand West:
Southwest:
United Northern:
June 23, 2012
Insurance Summit
11:00a - 1:00p
First Congregational UCC
Gaylord
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Area
Employment
Opportunites
St. Stephen's
Community Church, Lansing
Part-Time Admin. Secretary |
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"How To Turn Bystanders Into Active Disciples"
"Mission Possible More Men in the Pews"
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CLASSIFIED
FOR SALE -
Well maintained Kimball Baby Grand Piano. Excellent for a home, school or church. Click link above to see pictures. |
Disaster Recovery Volunteers |
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Consider a Gift
(click on logo) |
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