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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
June 15, 2012
Next issue scheduled for: June 29, 2012
Content Deadline: June 27, 2012
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Conference Staff
Conference Minister
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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 JOIN US in welcoming our NEW Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett Saturday, June 16th, 2012 3:00pm - 5:00pm Join us for a casual reception and refreshments and a warm welcome from Search Committee Chair, Dianne Roberts. Everyone is welcome! Stop by and bring greetings ~ show him some of our warm Michigan style hospitality! Michigan Conference UCC 5945 Park Lake Rd. East Lansing MI 48826 517.332.3511 If you are planning to come to the reception to welcome our new Conference Minister, the greater Lansing are Open and Affirming churches invite you to come in a little early and visit their booth at Michigan Pride. For the second year in a row, Edgewood United Church (East Lansing), Pilgrim UCC (Lansing), and First Congregational UCC (Grand Ledge) will co-host informational booths and a hospitality center featuring shade, water, cookies, sidewalk chalk, and dog treats. Booths open at 12pm, and are located outside of the gated area along the river walk, so you can visit them without buying a bracelet. Please contact The Rev. Nicolette L. Siragusa (pastornicolette@gmail.com) for more information. The month of JUNE also brings an important time to observe in our Nations history; its called "Juneteenth". This is an annual observance on June 19th to remember when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas on June 19th, 1865. This day is an opportunity for people to celebrate freedom and equal rights in the United States. Check out Juneteenth In Michigan for area events and festivities. |
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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 Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett
With what can we compare the realm of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs..." (Mark 4: 30 - 32) In this passage from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus makes the case that the realm of God begins small yet grows into something surprisingly great. In Matthew and Luke, in addition to a similar parable of the mustard seed, Jesus uses the mustard seed to make a different point. The mustard seed is likened to our faith: even if we have just a little faith we can do great things - like move mountains. I don't know about you, but when I read these passages my faith feels quite inadequate. The thought of ordering a mountain to move or uprooting a mulberry bush can be very daunting! However, I believe we must be careful not to read these passages with an exclusively personal or individual application. They are written to and for a community of believers to encourage faithfulness and work on behalf of God's realm. They are not written to make us, as individuals, feel inadequate. Rather, they are written to remind us that together we can accomplish great things on behalf of those in need and to God's glory. "Together" is a vital word for the Michigan Conference and the United Church of Christ. There are some truly amazing things happening in individual congregations around this state and throughout the denomination. We celebrate those ministries. Yet, we are always called beyond ourselves to engage in ministry and mission together. That is the work of our Associations, our Conference, and our denomination. The national setting of the United Church of Christ has recently put forward a Vision Plan for our work together. Three of our core values are identified: Continuing Testament: Our faith is 200 years old. Our thinking is not. God is still speaking. Extravagant Welcome: No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. Changing Lives: Never Place a period where God has place a comma. These core values can be like the mustard seed, taking root and growing greatly in our midst. As we prepare for our new time of mission and ministry - together - I pray that these values continue to grow and that our faith will be bolstered to move the mountains that need moving. Gracious and Loving God, thank you for the mustard seed that is so small yet grows to be so great. Thank you for our shared faith that can help us - if we dare - to accomplish great things to your glory. May we become more and more aware of your realm growing wildly in and among us. Amen. Campbell Lovett |
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Reflections on a Global Ecumenical Experience
by Rev. Deborah Kohler
Before March I was not aware that the Michigan Confernece partnered with a church in Germany. That is when Marcia Meabon, the current liaison to the partnership, made Acting Conference Minister, Rev. Cheryl Burke, aware of this upcoming important event. She suggested that our Conference Minister would be the appropriate person to represent us. Neither our Acting Conference Minister, nor our Conference Minister elect was available to go. That was the beginning of my good fortune as well as my education about the partner church in Pomerania.
This connection began in the 1980's and was led by the UNA and Rev. Phil Schairbaum pastor of the UCC congregation in Charlevoix. The UEK (United Evangelical Church) in Pomerania is an independent church in the Protestant tradition in the former East Germany. When the partnership began they were reaching out to the free world for support in challenging times. By 1989 the wall had come down and the nature of the relationship began to shift. The UEK, as with the UCC, has an emphasis on ecumenism through relationship across boundaries. Since that time we have had several exchanges both sending delegations and receiving them here including youth, choral groups, and our last Conference Minister Rev. Kent Ulery making the journey.
Now, the UEK in Pomerania is part of a merger with two other independent Lutheran churches into the North Church of Germany. The church in Mecklenburg which was also in East Germany and the Church North of the Elba was in the West are the other two partners. This merger than was not only historic in regard to reconciliation between religious bodies but also in taking such a definitive step to overcome past cultural differences between east and west. It is for this reason that the newly elected German president Joachim Gauck was invited to attend. Mr. Gauck was a former minister in Mecklenburg and has a great personal connection to the event. His talk was heartfelt as he described the journey from living in the shadow of the wall to the day when this merger would be made manifest.
Each of the three churches has 5 - 8 global ecumenical partners. The evening before the worship service we joined together at a nearby retreat center to share a meal, relationship, and conversation with each other and our German hosts. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet with ministers and bishops from South Africa, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Great Brittan, the US, Sweden, Poland, India, and Hungary in one world community.We experienced such a bond of fellowship which carried into the Pentacost Day service celebrating the merger. There was a special presentation of the Acts 2 reading by a group of actor/story-tellers, the premier of a newly commissioned musical compostion, and a liturgical dance representing the coming together of these previously separate churches. The sermons by two of the bishops each focused on a different dimension of the scripture but all made clear that this day was a true dedication of the spirit of wind and fire of Pentecost.
After the worship service the president and other dignitaries brought greeting and then we joined the thousands of people listening outside for a communal meal and an afternoon of festivies throughout the town. The next day I shared a taxi with Dr. Mary Tanner of the World Council of Churches and engaged in an inspiring conversation about the global ecumenical movement. Ecumenism is at the heart of who we are as the UCC. It is easy in the day to day demands of church life to lose track of this big picture. Thank you to Phil, Kent, Marcia and so many others for keeping the Michigan Conference connected to this global community. Thank you to all of you for making it possible for me to represent us at this historic event.
More photos of the event can be seen on the Michigan Conference UCC Facebook page; click the icon below to view them.
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 MICHIGAN: 1
National Youth Event is just around the corner and we're well on our way! We have over $4000 from 17 individuals, 11 churches and 3 associations. Thank you, thank you to all.
Just this week Eastern - the smallest of our associations - sent their donation of $1,111. WOW! I challenge you - individuals, churches and remaining associations - to match that gift.
The buses are arranged, we're finalizing the count of teens and chaperones, planning the details of the Unity Lock-ins, and generally investing our energy & resources in our youth. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the movement. Click DONATE on the Conference website (www.michucc.org) or mail your check to the office. (P.O. Box 1006 East Lansing MI 48826-1006) It's a decision for the present and future of our church which you will not regret.
THANK YOU for your gifts:
Mable Adamson
Susan Alexander
Diane Baker
Traci Bartell
Cheryl Burke
Stan & Elizabeth Dole
Bob & Clara Frederick
Constance Habermehl
Deborah Kohler
Campbell & Eileen Lovett
Penny Lowes
Terry & Kathy Miller
Gordon & Vernie Nethercut
Meredith Olsen
Barb Paff
Janet Schultz
Chris Schwab
Congregational UCC, Armada
Women's Fellowship - First Cong'l Church, Battle Creek
Women's Fellowship - St. Paul's UCC, Chelsea
Congregational UCC, Clare
United Church of Christ, Clinton
Women's Guild - First Cong'l Church, Flat Rock
First Park Cong'l Church, Grand Rapids
Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Lansing
Congregational UCC, Newaygo
First Congregational Church, St. Clair
St. Paul UCC, Warren
St. Paul's UCC, Watervliet
Eastern Association
Grand West Association
United Northern Association
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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  |
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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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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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CONGRATULATIONS!!
First Congregational Church, Harrison
On your 125th Anniversary!
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Sign Up for the New
Capitol Connections
Are you interested in learning more about proposals that impact on social justice issues here in Michigan?
From the prophets to the Gospels, we hear that we are called to work for justice for all people, to love our neighbors and to care for the most vulnerable and oppressed.
The decisions made at our State Capitol in Lansing often affect the oppressed, the poor, the marginalized - those that Jesus ate with, healed, advocated for and embraced. Some of the issues being addressed include immigration, race, poverty, LGBTQ equality, crime and healthcare.
As people of God, we are called to speak out for those who cannot speak out for themsleves. To do this, we need to understand what is happening at our State Capitol. We need to consider how we are called to respond.
Would you like legislative updates in easy to understand language?
Is God calling you to be more engaged in budget and policy decisions at the state level?
If you answered yes to any of these, please consider signing up for Capitol Connections which will let you knwo what is happening in Lansing and will provide opportunities to respond as people of God.
Karen Holcomb-Merrill, Commissioned Minister, is a member of the Michigan Conference Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team.
Capitol Connections is sponsored in part by a grant from the Michigan Conference Prophetic Integrity Team.
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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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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 |
| Siloam Spirituality Center
http://www.eastchurchgr.org/ministries/siloam-spirituality-center
R U suffering from the CPA syndrome? If U R (or you don't know if U R), please read on because this syndrome responds well to treatment and may be cured. One of the sure symptoms of CPA is being prone to chronic multi-tasking. Dr. David E. Mayer, a cognitive scientist at the University of Michigan, claims that Continuous Partial Attention (CPA) is one of the identified emerging syndromes of our time. It is described as "when a person continues to email, text message, and blog, while purportedly listening to someone else". There is also Surfer's Voice and Absent Presence as other syndromes.
Ironically, constantly being accessible makes us inaccessible.
In a recent article in a Spiritual Directors' publication, Kay Lindahl says. "listening is becoming a lost art." We have access to all forms of communication 24/7, but we have forgotten how to listen - "to others, to ourselves, and to that which is beyond words." At Siloam Center, we believe it is possible to become a listening presence by (1) cultivating silence, (2) slowing down to reflect, and (3) becoming fully present (mindful). We are convinced that these skills can be learned by those who choose to seek "treatment".
We believe that through Meditation, we cultivate silence; through Journaling we learn to reflect; and by being attentive to the present moment several times a day (increasing little by little) we become a mindful presence. Join us on this journey to a more balanced life.
ANNOUNCING COMING EVENTS FOR YOU
- Dream Group in July and August
- Sabbath Day Silent Retreat on July 1 9:30 - 6:00 at Gilchrist in Three Rivers, MI
- September thru May - Practicing Meditation every week at 5:30 PM on Wednesdays* (come whenever you can)
- October - Introduction to Meditation
- October - Introduction to Journaling as a Spiritual Practice
- Save the Date! November 3 - Embrace the Mystery: Engage the Dream - a day long event
*Practicing Meditation will be on summer break following the June 6th session.
BTW (to continue with texting language) Remember BRBP (Breathe, Reflect, Be Present)
~~Pat Stirling and Ann Slade
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 CAMP TALAHI Retreat & Nature Center Rejoice in a new beginning! |
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Joys & Concerns ~ | |
Please keep the family of Rev. James Gilliom (Grand West Association) in your prayers; Rev. Gilliom passed away June 4th, 2012. He is survived by Donna Eshmeyer Gilliom, his wife and greatest joy for 61 years; his brother Gene and his wife Bonnie; and his sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Patty, James and Jill, John and Amy, and David and Sue. He was the loving Grandpa to nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Brian, Emily, April, Natalie, Sadie, Lynn, Alden, Ryan, Rachel, Iqra and Eminah. He was a great friend and mentor to many who will remember his warmth, generosity, and steadfast kindness. A copy of his full obituary is attached below. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, June 16th at 10:00a until the memorial service at 11:00a at Shelby Congregational UCC 51 East Third St., Shelby MI 49455. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Shelby Congregational UCC or Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Ste 400, Muskegon MI 49441. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home in Shelby, www.harrisfhome.com.
Jim would also appreciate our heeding the words of his favorite scripture: "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
James Orel Gilliom: January 2, 1929 - June 4, 2012
Please remember in your prayers, the family of Mrs. Mamie Cokley; and the passing of her beloved husband Mr. Jessie Cokley Jr. on June 5th. Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 14th at Plymouth UCC, in Detroit. Cards and condolences can be sent to Mamie at 14072 Cloverlawn, Detroit 48238 or online at James H. Cole Funeral Home.
Please remember in your prayers, the family of Warner Holman Siebert "Zeb", 80, who passed away May 24, 2012 at his home in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. A celebration of his life will be announced by the family at a later date. Warner was ordained in 1957 in the United Church of Christ. He served several Congregations, including two (2) in Michigan; St. Paul UCC, Chelsea and First Congregational UCC, Owosso. After 37 years Rev. Dr. Siebert retired in 1994 and moved to Uplands Village in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce; his children and grandchildren. He was a life-long Detroit Tigers fan. Warner was a professional pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals organization and umpired high school and college baseball games for more than 30 yr. Among his accomplishments; Warner was the founding President of the adoption agency Spaulding for Children in Michigan.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Cumberland County 30 East Adams St., Crossville TN 38555 or the Warner H. Siebert Sr. Scholarship at Eden Theological Seminary 475 East Lockwood Ave., St. Louis MO 63119-3192. Warner established this scholarship in his father's memory.
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Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
UPDATE ~
The Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team (PI MAT) appreciates the responses we have received to our survey. We will now call each church to request that you do the survey if you have not yet done so; to determine who our contact within your congregation is; and to talk further about your concerns so that we might better understand what you are doing and how our team can support and serve you.
We have a number of projects that we want you to know about. One of the most interesting is Michigan Prophetic Voices (MPV). This is an initiative of a faith-based community organizing movement FACT (Flint Area Congregations Together) a local chapter of the PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing) Network. They called together faith-based organizations from all over the state to talk with our governor about our concerns. A group of more than 100 clergy and laity met with representatives of his office to discuss public safety, education, and housing foreclosures. The gathering ended with the governor's representatives committing to taking action and get back to us with answers. We will have a follow up meeting later this summer.
This work with faith-based activists is consistent with the PI MAT objective to focus our ministry on advocacy. Although we know that many congregations do excellent projects in their communities feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoner, and extending hospitality to those on the margins, our goal is to come together as a conference to address the systemic causes of these societal ills. Our meeting covered topics toward that end.
We examined the resolutions passed by the MI Conference since 1985. Several focused on racism. In 1999 we passed a resolution requiring all paid staff and volunteers on conference committees to take anti-racism training. We were diligent in this effort for several years but have become less so over time. In our discussion we considered the similarities and differences between diversity and anti-racism training. We concluded that each serves a different purpose and that both are important. We have committed to the research to learn what is available. When we find something that is of sufficient quality all of us on the PI MAT will take the training. Our efforts include the goal to develop something cost effective which could be offered in much the way boundary training is.
The balance of our meeting dealt with our ongoing support of the Sacred Conversations programs which Rev. Terry Gallagher is providing in a number of settings around the conference, our concerns about pending legislation to increase the difficulty for women to receive safe, legal abortion even if their lives are at risk, and our work with 3 other denominations of the reform tradition with local Native American people in Grand Rapids toward their goal to develop a cultural center.
Finally, we extend to you a reminder of the timeline you recently received about the submission of resolutions for annual meeting. Our next meeting is August 11th and will include review of any resolutions we receive by the stated deadline. We are pleased to provide conference leadership and support for the good outreach work all of you do and to make a witness for the UCC in our communities and across the state.
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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!
Kathy Davelaar, Interim
Congregational UCC
Douglas
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Association News
Covenant:
Detroit Metropolitan
Service of Ordination & Installation:
Michele Yvone Edwards
Saturday, July 14, 2012 @ 1:00PM
Plymouth United Church of Christ
Detroit
Eastern:
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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"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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