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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
July 13, 2012
Next issue scheduled for: July 27, 2012
Content Deadline: July 25, 2012
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Conference Staff
Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. S. C. Campbell Lovett
Associate 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 Conference Minister
Lisa Soulliere
Administrative Assistants to the
Associate Conference Ministers
Merrilyn Vaughn-Hoffman
Search & Call
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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Michigan Conference
"Connecting Our Blessings"
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National Youth Event 2012
 | | Hello National Youth Event! |
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Words from Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett
See, I am doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19)
I recall a young mother sharing with me about why she brought her children to church. She described a wonderful upbringing in her hometown church. Now, she wanted the same thing for her children. She suggested we sing more of the hymns she remembered from her youth, and have fellowship events similar to her home church. She hoped to have her children share in something similar to what she had experienced. Since she had such an idyllic youth, I could understand her yearning for a similar experience for her children.
This young mother's yearning is, I believe, what drives many of our churches to long for more youth and young adults to attend. We want our church school programs to thrive, we want more teens to attend our youth groups, and we want youth programs to fill those rooms we added on in the 1950's and 60's. We want our youth to experience in church the best of what we experienced. It's only natural.
I'm writing this article from National Youth Event at Purdue University in Indiana, where over 2,000 youth have gathered for four days of worship, workshops, service projects, and relationship building. Almost 100 youth and adults from Michigan are here. It is a great event! The daily themes are: Imagine an Extravagant Welcome, Imagine a Healthy World, Imagine a World Where Differences are Embraced, and Imagine One Church. These are certainly not the themes that I remember growing up in church. The youth here are thriving on a vision of the church that is new and fresh - with music and technology to match.
Therefore, this is what I am wondering: Should our churches be asking a different question about our youth? Instead of asking, "How can we program for our young people so that their experience of church will be just like ours was?" perhaps the question should be, "How can we work with our youth to build the church now that they will need for the future?" Can we envision this new creation?
So, just a heads up: Many of our Michigan youth are going to be returning from National Youth Event trying to encourage their local churches to do something new. Please listen, encourage, and work with them. Who knows, we too just might like experiencing a new thing!
Gracious God, bless our youth and young adults. Move us beyond the adage that says they are better seen than heard. Help us to hear them as we plan something new together for the future. Amen. |
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Down Syndrome no problem for youth speaker who wows the crowd at NYE 2012
 | | Miah Noel Yager addresses the participants at the UCC's National Youth Event at Purdue University. |
Written by Jeff Woodard
July 13, 2012
Taking the Elliott Hall stage at Purdue University by storm during the morning plenary July 13, Miah Noel Yager brought a brilliant smile, boundless energy and a resounding message to the UCC's National Youth Event 2012.
"I am about to do a new thing," said Miah, the youth keynote speaker, who has Down syndrome.
"I just graduated from high school and am going to college in the fall," said Miah, a graduate of Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo. "I need to learn to live without my parents, and I need to know what a dorm room looks like. I will make a way in the wilderness."
At one point in her speech, Miah had difficulty with her delivery. "Sorry about that," she said, smiling broadly. Her audience -- many of whom moved to tears at some point in the speech -- responded immediately with shouts of love and encouragement.
Miah said her path to understanding and acceptance has been painfully challenging.
"In high school, you had to have the right clothes and wear them the right way," said Miah. "You had to be in the box, and I'm not a person to be in a box. At my church, I'm accepted as I am. I can be silly and break out in song, and my friends laugh out loud."
Church can be fun, said Miah -- and it can be challenging.
"Church is a time commitment, but it's a time commitment to something that is bigger than me," she said.
Miah has attended church work camps in Texas, Arkansas and South Dakota, and has been involved in songwriting, dancing onstage and set design.
To the loudest cheer of the speech and a sustained standing ovation, Miah said, "We can build a better future."
Members of the House of Judah band, seated behind Miah onstage, arose and approached her, offering warm hugs of support.
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Workshops:
2012 Annual Meeting of the
Michigan Conference UCC
The Michigan Conference United Church of Christ will be holding its Annual Meeting at the McCamly Plaza Hotel (http://www.mccamlyplaza.com) in Battle Creek, Michigan on October 5-6, 2012. Highlights will include the installation of our Conference Minister, The Rev. Dr. S.C. Campbell Lovett and a number of educational sessions and keynote address by Dr. Diana Butler Bass.
The theme for the annual meeting is: For Such a Time as This. If you would be interested in presenting a workshop at our annual meeting consistent with this theme, please fill out the application below. This application must be returned no later than September 1, 2012. Space is limited this year, so please send your request as soon as possible. Applications can be emailed to Cheryl@michucc.org.
I believe that this year's meeting will be extraordinary. We look forward to your leadership and participation.
The Rev. Cheryl Burke
WORKSHOP APPLICATION
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Five Fantastic Events - Five Outstanding Opportunities
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 CAMP TALAHI Retreat & Nature Center
Scholarships Now Available!
Thanks to generous donations, scholarships are available for middle school aged campers to attend Wilderness Camp (July 22-27); Music, Arts, Dance and Drama Camp (July 22-27); and Adventure Camp (July 30-Aug 2). If you know a kid who would love to spend some time at camp this summer, please send them our way!
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BERTHA DAYTON FUND
The Michigan Conference Vital Growth Mission Area Team awards six (6) grants each year for up to $2,000. These are available for aiding and assisting rural, small town or village UCC churches in the state of Michigan and in the support of their pastors and families. Fund applications and information can be found on the Michigan Conference website (www.michucc.org) under Vital Growth. REMINDER: Fund applications are due Sept. 15th. |
 Back Bay Mission Adult Work Camp April 7 - 13, 2013 Join United Church of Christ members from the Michigan Conference to participate in a week-long work camp in Biloxi, Mississippi at Back Bay Mission. This vital mission of the UCC has been serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the wider church community by faithful witness for social justice and compassionate service to the poor and marginalized for the past 89 years. Volunteer workers are the core of the mission's success. Rev. Penny Lowes and Dean McMinn are the Michigan coordinators for this event. (Questions? Contact Penny: revpen@comcast.net) The cost of the one week experience is $250 per person plus travel to and from Mississippi. (Part of this $250 is considered tax deductible.) The $250 fee includes: $10 registration fee, $75 Housing Fee, $50 Materials fee, $100 food and incidentals, and a t-shirt. Car pools will be formed to make the two-day journey with a one night hotel stay each way, leaving April 5 and returning to Michigan April 14. Persons may also plan their own transportation. The nearest airport is Gulf Port, Mississippi. New Orleans is 90 miles away. Generally the work week takes place from Monday through Friday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with Wednesday afternoon reserved to explore the beautiful Gulf Coast region. We will also plan to have dinner out at local restaurants at least once or twice during the week. (Think shrimp, oysters and gumbo - yum!) Accomodations are new, modern, and air conditioned with dormitory style sleeping, five shower bathrooms for men and women, laundry room, comfortable lounge area with big screen television, dining area, large industrial kitchen and internet connection. April is a beautiful time to be on the Gulf. Capable professional contractors guide our work with the motto "one nail driven today is one less nail driven next week." Quality of work is preferred over quantity. There are tasks persons of multiple cpapbilities. There is a place for you! There will be an opportunity for some to volunteer at the Micah Center on site. Rev Terri Bracy (St. Paul UCC, Warren) will head up the kitchen staff and she will need help with local shopping and meal preparation. Breakfast, sack lunches, and dinner are inclusive. There will also be an opportunity for volunters to lead daily devotions. Other ideas and activities may arise! To find out more visit www.thebackbaymission.org then click on"housing recovery", then "work camp NEW policy for 2013." We have 20 reserved spaces. Registration is now open. Please send a $100 registration fee to "Rev. Penny Lowes, c/o St. Paul UCC 31654 Mound Rd., Warren MI 48092. Make checks payable to St. Paul UCC with "Back Bay Mission" in the memo. Final payment of $150 per person will be due February 1, 2013. Application forms, including a skills inventory, will be provided after your registrations have been received and prior to the trip to Back Bay. We look forward to a rewarding and life-changing experience with you in Mississippi next year! |
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Michigan Clergy Breakfast
Tuesday, July 24
9:00a -12:00p
Lansing Center
333 Michigan Ave.
Lansing MI
SAVE THE DATE! Join us on Tuesday, July 24 for the second gathering of Michigan Prophetic Voices at the Lansing Center. Over 110 clergy attended our inaugural breakfast in April and we are moving forward with clarifying our vision and message, deepening our relationships with one another and following up on issues put in motion at our first meeting. Representatives from the Governor's Office and the State Legislature will join us as we continue to push for: State support to combat youth violence; resources for families in foreclosure; and restoring education funding. We will also discuss the impact of new rules on voter registration and voter identification. |
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
>Organist/Accompanist position available
The First Congregational Church in New Baltimore, Michigan is seeking a full-time qualified church organist/accompanist. A resume and audition is required; candidate must have own reliable transportation. If interested please send your resume to:
First Congregational Church, UCC
Attention: Music Committee
36223 Alfred Street
New Baltimore MI 48047
Questions: Contact the church office (586)725-0909.
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Boundary Training:
Offered Wednesday,August 22nd
Michigan Conference UCC Office
5945 Park Lake Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Sign up for the next session of Boundary Training - led by Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Cheryl Burke.
The cost is $35 and includes the training booklet and lunch. The session begins at 10:00a and ends at 4:00p. Certificates will be presented at the conclusion of training.
Please see the registration form below - we thank you in advance for returning your form prior to the deadline of August 6th; workbooks need to be ordered in advance and lunch preparations made.
Completed registration forms and payment should be mailed to our post office box:
Michigan Conference UCC
P.O. Box 1006, East Lansing MI 48826-1006
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"Piece-Makers" of St. Andrew's UCC, Dexter
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Photo provided by Elaine Owsley - Pictured-left to right
Back Row: Virginia Weber (Group Co-Chair), Marie Proulx, Barbara Baldus, JoAnn Mahler, Joyce Waggoner, Nancy Tietz, Donna Gregory, Carol Weber
Front Row: Donna Stoll, Sally Wines, Dawn Hutton (with the 100th quilt), Margaret Barrett, Shirley Cobb, Elaine Owsley (Group Co-Chair) |
The first of December, members of St. Andrew's quilt group the "Piece-makers" completed the 100th quilt for the year - 2011 - to be delivered to Mott Children's Hospital for distribution to young patients. The 89th through 100th quilts made this year are shown in the photo above.
The "Piece-makers" Annual Quilt Show raises money to purchase fabric, batting and supplies for the quilts. Over the years, since the group has been meeting, they have donated over 600 quilts to the hospital; all are hand and machine pieced and quilted.
The group welcomes anyone who would like to share their love of quilting for a good cause. They meet Thursday mornings from 9:00a to 11:00a at St. Andrew's UCC, 7610 Ann Arbor St., Dexter 48130. For more information contact Elaine Owsley at (734)426-4980.
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Capitol Connections Are you interested in learning more about proposals that impact on social justice issues here in Michigan? 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 - this publication will let you know 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. Exerpt from July 9, 2012 issue:
Health Care Reform in Michigan
With the Supreme Court's upholding of the Affordable Care Act, it is now time for states to do their work to implement the ACA.
In Michigan, there has been mixed response by Governor Snyder and legislative leaders about how they will move forward, particularly on the option of taking advantage of federal dollars to expand Medicaid to more people in need in Michigan.
You can learn more here about what is happening with health care reform in our state. |
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Joys & Concerns ~ | |
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the family of Rev. Carl Baird (Detroit Metropolitan Association), who passed away recently at the age of 90. Born in Nanking, China of American missionary parents, Carl graduated from the University of Puget Sound and Yale Divinity School. UCC Minister and civil rights worker, Carl was very active in a wide variety of church, community, and civil rights organizations. Married Betty Boutelle in 1950, and together they raised four (4) children, mostly in Highland Park, Michigan (1963-1990). Moved to Ann Arbor in 1990, where he was on the Human Rights commission. Carl is survived by his children: Peter (Anne), Stephen (Sally), Rachel, and Tim (Natalie); four (4) grandchildren: Elizabeth (Ed), Robin, David and Jocelyn, and many beloved friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 18th at 2:00p at Church of the Good Shepherd, 2145 Independence Blvd., Ann Arbor Michigan 48104.
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the Rev. Janet Marlene Bentley (Covenant Association) as she prepares for upcoming knee replacement surgery on July 30th. |
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MI Conf Office
Associations
S.T.E.M.
Mission Area Teams
SING Groups
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Church News
First UCC, Richmond
Welcomes
Rev. Dr. Julie Kilmer
as Interim Pastor
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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
Ecclesiastical Council for:
Connie Simon
Sunday, August 26, 2012 @ Time TBD
Fellowship Chapel
Detroit
DMA/EA Joint Fall Meeting
Saturday, September 29th
Location TBD
Eastern:
Grand West:
Southwest:
Ecclesiastical Council for:
Greg Briggs
Sunday, August 26, 2012 @ 3p
Congregational UCC
Galesburg
United Northern:
Pilgrimage Retreat
August 24-25, 2012
Lake Louise Retreat Center
For more info/questions please call (989)785-5164
UNA Fall Meeting
"Creative Worship"
September 21-22, 2012
Atlanta Congregational UCC
RE-MEMBER Adult Mission Trip
October 12-20, 2012
Traveling to the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota
Cost: $550
For more info/questions please call (989)785-5164
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"What Message Are We Sending About Giving"
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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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