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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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I Almost Flunked College Spanish because of Martin Luther King, Jr.
That's right; I almost flunked my college Spanish class because of Martin Luther King, Jr. For that class, we were required to spend time in the language lab listening to a variety of Spanish dialogues. So, I would make my way to a basement room in a non-descript building to don some headphones and dial in the dialogues. However, something distracted me and kept me from my appointed task. In the directory of listening options were audio recordings of great speeches. A possible selection was the "I Have a Dream" speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I took the Spanish road less traveled and listened to that speech three or four times every night when I should have been listening to Tia Luisa complain to her niece: "Como gritas, hija." I was transfixed by the soaring eloquence, the passion of the message, and the incredible hope that still had haunting power though King had been assassinated ten years earlier.
I was thinking about my near miss with Spanish when I read that the King Center in Atlanta is inviting every state in the US to encourage the ringing of church, town hall, and school bells at 3:00 p.m. on August 28 - the 50th anniversary of the famous speech. Here is the exact information from the King Center website about the bell ringing on the 28th:
Starting at 1:00 pm, the 'Let Freedom Ring' Global Commemoration and Celebration will take place in remembrance of the "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The day will consist of entertainment and tributes by elected officials, dignitaries, celebrities, youth and leaders from national and international organizations.
One of the most exciting highlights of the day will be the 'Let Freedom Ring' Bell Ringing at 3:00 p.m. EST. On August 28th, the exact time and date, when Dr. King shared his great dream of hope, healing and brotherhood with our nation and world, we are also calling on every state of the union to join with us in ringing bells at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and in different time zones around the world.
http://www.thekingcenter.org/news/2013-06-voting-rights-decision-adds-urgency-mobilization-50th-anniversary-historic-march
Friends, let's have the United Church of Christ in Michigan lead the way in this commemoration. If your church has a steeple bell, make plans now for someone to ring it. If your town or city has a government center with a bell, figure out today who will contact them about ringing that bell at 3:00 pm. Does a nearby school have a bell? Contact them soon about bell-ringing arrangements. In so doing perhaps we can not only remember the hope but also rekindle the dream of freedom that King proclaimed:
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And, might I humbly add, let freedom ring from the peninsular rises of Michigan. Let freedom ring for the poor of our cities and rural areas; let freedom ring for those who continue to be judged by the color of their skin, or their ethnicity, or their sexual orientation - and not by the content of their character; let freedom ring for those who are being disenfranchised and marginalized; let freedom ring for immigration reform and for those who are bullied. Let freedom ring on behalf of the generations to come currently being shackled by climate change. Let freedom ring!
Who is going to ring your bell?
Via con Dios!
Campbell Lovett
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Michigan Conference UCC:
Proud representatives at General Synod 29
Long Beach, California
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Learn more about the work of the Michigan Conference delegation at General Synod 29. This video features Conference Minister, Rev. Campbell Lovett; he shares photos, and insight into the General Synod experience in Long Beach, California.
 | | God's Vision, General Synod 29 |
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2013 - Michigan Conference Annual Meeting
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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:
NEW! Online Registration available soon!
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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Standing up for Reproductive Justice
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July 13 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. STANDING UP FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE ... an interfaith voice for women, men and gay communities. First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit, 4605 Cass Avenue, Detroit. This conference examines the religious grounds (United Church of Christ, Judaism, and Unitarian Universalism) for being a reproductive justice advocate; discusses the impact of reproductive injustice on various communities; shares resources for teaching others about reproductive justice; provides updates on Michigan legislation; and trains citizens to communicate with their State legislators. KEYNOTE: Rep. Vicki Barnett. Sponsors: Equality Michigan; Mothering Justice; Michigan Conference - United Church of Christ; Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network; National Council of Jewish Women - Michigan; and Planned Parenthood - Michigan. Lunch and child care provided. Register at: www.uujustice.org/conferenceregistration2.html $15 ($5 for students or low income persons). For more information (or to register) call: 248-549-5170.
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Small Church Ministry Resources
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Thank you to Kathy Schuen (First Cong. UCC, Constantine) for sharing the reading list for small church ministries (from the Center for Progressive Renewal webinar led by Elizabeth Dilley).
Imagining the Small Church, by Steve Willis
Inside the Small Church (a collection of writings edited by Anthony G. Pappas)
The In-Between Church, by Alice Mann (about navigating size transitions)
Small Church Redefines Its Mission, by Richard H. Bliese (Excellent! Proposed a "diaspora" model - the small church as diaspora.)
Making It Work, by Douglas Alan Walrath (part of an excellent series about pastoring small churches)
Organic Community, by Joseph R. Myers (a wonderful chapter about measuring churches by the complexity and richness of their relationships instead of by numbers. Makes an excellent case for 'moving from bottom line to story')
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SAVE THE DATE ~ Retired Clergy Day: 9/12/13
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An Annuitant Visitor sponsored program organized by Rev. Roger La Warre, Grand West Association Annuitant Visitor
Retired Clergy Day Thursday, September 12, 2013
Covenant Village of the Great Lakes 2510 Lake Michigan Drive, NW Grand Rapids MI 49504 - 10:00 a.m. Registration ~ Coffee ~ Conversation
- 10:30 a.m. Introductions & Tour of Covenant Village
- 11:30 a.m. Luncheon in Petoskey Dining Room
- 12:45 p.m. Program in Fellowship Hall, The Rev. Campbell Lovett, Conference Minister, Michigan Conference UCC
RSVP by Friday, July 12th to: Roger La Warre 616-897-0105 relfriend@sbcglobal.net
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Presbyterian World Mission: Mission Connections
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 A letter from Kari Nicewander and Joel DeJong in Zambia
Dear Friends,
She knew she would not be able to eat her lunch, nshima and relish packed carefully that morning. But if she did not do it, who would? Everyone else refused to go near the man, with his rotting flesh, his septic skin - this living human being who smelled like death.
He was epileptic - she knew right away, because so many people with epilepsy walked in with burns like this, with limbs that had caught fire and stayed in the flames during the seizure. Like so many others, he was cooking his food, over open flames, when the dancing lights of the fire set off another fit, and he had no control as his arm flailed in the fire.
The difference with this man was that he did not seek treatment right away. In fact, it had been weeks; dirt infected his body, his bone was exposed, and the wounds were now septic. The man was alive, but the flesh was dead, and the smell was almost unbearable. He was covered with dirt everywhere; he lived alone in a compound.
Also learn how you can support Kari & Joel; if you are able, please support their ministry through financial girts. Individual donations may be made on-line at www.pcusa.org/give, or mailed to the address on the attached bulletin. Follow Kari's blog: http://lovinglusaka.blogspot.com/
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United Church Fund: 2nd Quarter Performance Webinar
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 Join United Church Funds' Chief Investment Officer David Klassen on August 1 at 1pm for a review of UCF's second quarter investment performance, outlook for the coming months, and Q&A following. A PDF of the webinar slides will be available the day before the webinar on our website at www.ucfunds.org. For those unable to join the live webinar, a video will be available for viewing on UCF's website by end-of-day on August 1.
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We need YOU to help us "Tell Our Story"
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As the saying goes, "A picture tells a thousand words..."
Help us to tell our story in photographs and words!
We are looking for photographs and brief captions/descriptions that help us tell the story of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ - to each other and those beyond our state.
Please read through examples of fun facts, that you may or may not know; things that are happening in our local churches, with the UCC Women of Michigan, and Camp Talahi - to name a few. Tell Us About Your Local Church & Ministries
The Ambassadors for the Compassionate Generosity Mission Area Team of the Michigan Conference are working with the summer interns to put together a brochure and power point to "tell our story." Please send your photographs and descriptions electronically to Lisa at the Conference office (lisa@michucc.org) by July 1st.
We want to know all about YOU, YOUR CONGREGATION and YOUR MINISTRY for JESUS CHRIST.
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"Great Recession Lessons"
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Dr. Martin Luther King:
50th Anniversary "Freedom Walk" a HUGE SUCCESS!
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 To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Walk led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Detroit in 1963, the "Take a Step" event took place on Saturday, June 22nd, 2013. Over 200,000 people participated for a wonderful turn-out!
Mamie Chalmers, a member of Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit played a pivotal and public role in the Birmingham March of 1963. As part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of this event, Ms. Chalmers will be receiving the keys to the city of Birmingham, Alabama.
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CPR: We are getting close to the deadline
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National Church Leadership Institute 2013: Prophetic Renewal
A Conference for Entrepreneurial
Leaders Innovating the Church
August 6-9, 2013
Atlanta, GA
Mark your calendars and start making plans to spend three inspired days with leaders who are reshaping what it means to be church. NCLI 2013: Prophetic Renewal is the 2013 theme for the annual National Church Leadership Institute (NCLI). You will hear from over a dozen leading experts on everything from building a dynamic, volunteer children's ministry to running the "business" of church. Bring a team from your church to take full advantage of the full experience of:
Innovative presentations | Practical workshops | Engaging conversations
Fun after-hours events | Sustainable connections
During these three days, you will have access to the brightest practitioners and creative experts of our age who are changing the Church as we know it. NCLI 2013 will equip you how to birth new churches, innovate your ministry and how to make an impact in your community. If you are entrepreneurial and want to be part of shaping the emerging church, this conference is for you.
FIND OUT MORE!!
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Employment Opportunities:
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Shelby Congregational UCC, Shelby
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News from CUE (Chicago, United, & Eden) Seminaries
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 Periodically, Chicago, United, and Eden will highlight a student or alum from one of the three (3) seminaries.
This month: Barbara Bolsen from Chicago Theological Seminary
When Rev. Barb Bolsen (MDiv '98) describes her experience at Chicago Theological Seminary she states, "I stumbled into CTS and allowed it to transform my life." This transformation continues to ripple justice and mercy into the world through her work as Vice President of Programs with The Night Ministry, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides resources and human connection to those who experience poverty or homelessness. Previously, Bolsen has worked as a health care journalist, and is currently an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. To hear more from Rev. Barb Bolsen and CTS please visit our website: http://www.ctschicago.edu/alumni-outreach/alumni-stories
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Please hold in your hearts and in your prayers, the Rev. Terri Powell Bracy (DMA Board Member and Pastor of St. Paul's UCC, Warren) on the passing of her mother Mrs. Pauline Powell. Mrs. Powell passed away on June 19, 2013. Pauline enjoyed having her hair & nails done, and playing bingo and cards with friends. She was thoughtful, even tempered, and kind to everyone. Her loss will be felt by all who knew her, but especially her children. A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Nobleboro, Maine. OBITUARY |
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5945 Park Lake Road | P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
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