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A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed.
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Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett, Conference Minister
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Lots of Links from Lovett
The Michigan Conference shares a variety of resources with local churches in the hope that congregations will be equipped for more faithful and effective ministries in their settings, and that the life of the wider church will be enhanced. Here are links to some important resources for local churches:
As a denomination, we are responding to the ravages of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are already at work through our disaster response ministries. Here is more information about how your congregation can help those in need:
http://www.ucc.org/disaster/oklahoma-tornados.html
The Church Vitality Day on April 20th continues to generate a lot of enthusiasm. If you have not seen it, here is the link to the program by Michael Piazza and David Plunkett. You will be asked to sign in and then will be directed to the presentation,
http://progressiverenewal.org/thankyouforattending
As a follow up to the Vitality Day, David Schoen, Minister and Team Leader for Congregational Vitality of the UCC, made four presentations to representatives of over 30 churches earlier this week. Here is the link to his PowerPoint presentation entitled, Your Church Alive - Michigan Conference
http://www.ucc.org/vitality/retreat-resources/
Many of our congregations received the Strengthen the Church special offering of the United Church of Christ on Pentecost Sunday. This year's offering had the unfortunate title of, "Blow the Roof Off." This offering helps create and maintain vital congregations around the country, and a portion of the offering remains in Michigan to support the S.T.E.M. program. Find out more about Strengthen the Church at, http://www.ucc.org/stc/
In the next E-Bulletin, I will be writing about climate change and how it is affecting our churches and members. Our Michigan delegates to General Synod will be asked to deliberate over two resolutions regarding climate change and what we can do. Here are the links to those two General Synod resolutions, http://uccfiles.com/pdf/gs29-2-CarbonFootprints.pdf, http://uccfiles.com/pdf/gs29-6-FossilFuelDivestment.pdf. I'd be interested to know what you think about the issues raised in these resolutions. Please feel free to write me at, scclovett@michucc.org.
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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 The numbers in the Michigan 2x2 Tally Boxes are still growing! Churches continue to share updates and information about great mission partnerships - in their towns, in the state, and even around the world!
To date, churches have reported that during the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost over 3,000 volunteer hours were shared, 7,500 items donated, 2,000 guests served, $25,000 given, 1,000 lives touched, and 2,220 Mission 4/1 Earth efforts. What a great first year! Well done! What we do together truly does make a difference.
Upcoming E-Bulletins will share stories about specific mission partners and the incredible work that was accomplished.
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 Be inspired, energized and equipped with tools to strengthen relationships and renew the spirit of your church and communities.
Michigan Conference
2013 Annual Meeting
"Thriving Churches - Thriving Communities"
October 4th & 5th, 2013
Hosted by:
Lodging:
Make your reservations today: (313)873-3000
Block name:
"Michigan Conference United Church of Christ"
Special Room rates: $85/Single (plus tax) $90/Double (plus tax)
$10 Valet parking - overnight
Keynote Speakers:
Mike S. Piazza, Co-Executive Director AND
Cameron Trimble, Co-Executive Director & CEO of
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A Call for Annual Meeting Workshops
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The 2013 Michigan Conference UCC Annual Meeting is hosted by Fellowship Chapel UCC in Detroit. The theme for this year's Michigan Conference Annual Meeting is "Thriving Churches - Thriving Communities".
If you have a workshop that you would like to present that is consistent with our theme, please fill out the Workshop Application and return to Rev. Cheryl Burke ( cheryl@michucc.org) or fax to (517)339-2621. Application deadline: June 30, 2013
By mail to:
Michigan Conference UCC
Attention: Rev. Cheryl Burke
P.O. Box 1006
East Lansing MI 48826-1006
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Prophetic Integrity MAT: Resolutions for Annual Meeting
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The Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team (PI-MAT) is charged with the task of calling for resolutions. They may be submitted for consideration at the Conference Annual Meeting by a local church, an Association, a voting delegate or the Board of Directors.
This year we are asking that an advance statement of your intention to propose a resolution be submitted to the team by June 19, 2013. You may submit your proposal to Lisa at the Conference office by emailing lisa@michucc.org or fax to 517/339-2621.
The Michigan Conference UCC 2013 Guidelines for Resolutions are being modified and simplified. A copy of these guidelines will be sent to you after your intention is made to submit a resolution.
Be sure to mark the date on your calendar!
Thank you, Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
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The Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ is seeking a Half-Time Area Minister for the Southeast Area and a Half-Time Area Minister for the Southwest Area.
- Do you have a heart for the United Church of Christ?
- Do you enjoy team-building and surfacing best practices from diverse churches?
- Can you assure the smooth functioning of the Search and Call process to churches in transition?
- Can you seek out and provide resources to local churches from a variety of traditional and non-traditional sources?
- Are you able to utilize technology and social media as ways to provide a link between congregations and the Conference?
- Are you entrepreneurial and collaborative in your approach to ministry?
If you can answer "yes" to these questions, or would like to nominate someone you believe would be excellent in this position, we'd like to speak to you. For more information about these positions as well as an application form, please view more details at the Conference website - www.michucc.org. For additional information, please contact the Michigan Conference Minister, Campbell Lovett (scclovett@michucc.og)
Application deadline for this position has been extended to June 7, 2013
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International Mime Workshop & California Tour 2013
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Are you the dramatic type? Do you love theatre and want to use your theatrical gifts for God? Then MUCCY has two events for you!
THE BRADLEY HOUSE THEATRE WORKSHOP
June 10-19
Learn how to mime, dance, act, perform circus acts and acrobatics, sword fight and tap dance all within a 10 day period of intense theatrical training! We have generous scholarships for the serious student and YOU are invited to apply!
Contact Todd 626-475-4543
MUCCY GOES TO GENERAL SYNOD - Long Beach, California
June 20 - July 6
After taking the BHT workshop, come tour and perform with MUCCY for the Friday evening youth worship service; help us teach a workshop on theatre and missions on Saturday; perform for the General Synod Sunday Service! Are you afraid of the costs? Well, we also have scholarships available for team members! But time to register is running out, contact Todd today! 626-475-4543
Schedule changes for other MUCCY event's:MUCCY's Survivor-Scavenger Hunt Week-end at Camp Talahi has been postponed until August.
MUCCY's Youth & Young Adult Leadership Retreat has also been postposed; this will be rescheduled in August in conjunction with the Survivor Week-end.
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Kari Nicewander & Joel DeJong:
Their 1st year in Zambia!
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You are invited Sunday, August 18 to the Presbyterian Church of Okemos to listen and learn - hear from Rev. Kari Nicewander and Joel DeJong, mission co-workers, about their first year in Zambia. Kari will preach at the 10:00 a.m. worship and give a presentation about her work at 4:00 p.m. All are welcome! Stay to visit with them!
May we surround Kari, Joel, their children Frankie and Johnny, and their work, with our loving prayers, gifts, and support.
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UCC Women of MI : The Gathering June 7-9, 2013
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"Walk in the Spirit"
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the spirit"
Galatians 5:25
June 8, 9, & 10, 2013
Kettunen Center ~ Tustin, Michigan
2013 The Gathering - Flyer/Registration
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On Thursday, June 13 - from 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., The Michigan Conference and the Chaplain's Office at Albion College will host a Day Away for all UCC chaplains serving in Michigan. All of our part-time, full-time and volunteer college, hospice, hospital, military, CPE, prison, and nursing home chaplains are cordially invited. The event will be held at Albion College, 611 E. Porter St., Albion, Michigan.
Chaplain Dan McQuown of Albion College will be the worship leader and host for the day. Refreshments and lunch are being graciously provided by the college. The special guest presenter will be Rev. Stephen Boyd, Minister for Government and Professional Chaplaincies, Local Church Ministries of the UCC. He will share updates about how The Marks of Faithful and Effective Ministries relate to the work of all chaplains, and about new standards for professional credentialing. Conference Minister, Campbell Lovett will lead a conversation about how the Conference can better support our many chaplains.
This will be a great opportunity to meet other chaplains, share in fellowship, and be refreshed for the tasks at hand. Please RSVP to Lisa Soulliere at the Conference Office (lisa@michucc.org) by May 30th.
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"Conversation Sand Traps"
"Making Informed Decisions"
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A tie won't keep Dad warm: Church World Service (CWS)
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Thinking of giving your Dad another tie for Father's Day? How about warming your Dad's heart instead while helping Church World Service share the gift of warmth with those who need it most?
During a time of crisis a tie won't keep your Dad warm but an emergency blanket from a Blankets+ Sunday would. Warmth during a time of crisis is essential to survival. Your congregation can provide that warmth by holding a CWS Blankets+ Sunday.
Through the help of congregations like yours CWS was able to distribute over 22,000 blankets during times of need in 2012. This includes the more than 10,000 blankets that went to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Schedule your Blankets+ offering now. When your congregation or group partners with CWS it lets people know in times of crisis that they are not forgotten. We are eager to provide your Blankets+ resources today and to assist you in any other way we can.
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Employment Opportunities:
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Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Lansing
Shelby Congregational UCC, Shelby
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Staying Awake:
Spirituality for Everyday Life with John (Jack) Shea
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Discover and deepen your own unique spirituality with brilliant theologian and popular storyteller, Jack Shea at Transformations Spirituality Center in Kalamazoo on June 28 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Jack brings powerful insights to the Christian Scriptures and to spiritual teaching stories from many traditions around the world.
Registration is $70 and includes lunch
Parking is free, and books will be available for purchase. Transformations is located at 3427 Gull Road, just east of Kalamazoo.
For more information, or to register, call 269/381-6290 ext 310, or visit www.TransformationsCenter.org.
Churches are encouraged to add this information to your church bulletins if space provides. For more information and opportunities please visit Transformations Spirituality Center's website at the address above.
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Bicycle Odyssey: July 11 - 14, 2013
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Please save the dates of July 11 - 14 for Bicycle Odyssey 2013!
Biking Friends, Brad and Barb Barnes, are excited to announce the summer biking dates for 2013.
Consensus is a continued desire for Bicycle Odyssey to remain in the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. Brad is scouring bike paths and camping locations around Leelanau Peninsula and Traverse City. What ideas might you have to assist him?
Please contact Brad and Barb if you are interested in joining in on this years trip or if you have ideas on good bike paths to ride; they can be reached by email at babarnes@comcast.net. |
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CAMP TALAHI: News & Events
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Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the Nativity United Church of Christ, Livonia and its members, on the difficult decision to end its ministry. Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett shared his thoughts in a letter; "Thank you for your bright witness in the community and for your service to the wider church through the Detroit Metropolitan Association and the Michigan Conference. May the love of God surround you, the light of Christ enfold you, and the power of the Holy Spirit sustain you - this day and even forevermore!"
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5945 Park Lake Road | P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
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