|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed.
|
|
|
Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett, Conference Minister
|
Recently, the Michigan Conference hosted the Rev. Stephen Boyd, a staff person from the national setting of our church who is responsible for the denominational endorsement of military and institutional chaplains. Stephen spoke about these ministries as 'specialized ministries'. When I asked him a question of clarification, he mentioned that I too was in a specialized ministry - which basically means not in a local church, but instead in a more narrowly defined form of ministry. That was a revelation to me because I still have the heart of a local church pastor, having served local churches for thirty years.
Our conversation turned to how specialized ministers, like chaplains or conference staff, should work closely with our home churches to interpret our many Sunday absences, not as skipping worship, but as deployment to another setting of the church. Thus, I am deployed by each local church to serve the Michigan Conference as a specialized minister. I like this sense of deployment because it signifies both an ongoing connection, and that the local church is the foundation for all ministries in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ.
Therefore, when my schedule does allow me to worship with you in your local church, perhaps the pastor won't have to offer a special visitor's welcome, just an inquiry as to how it's going on the western, northern or eastern front of the Conference.
With you on the journey,
Campbell
|
|
Fiftieth Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's,
"I Have a Dream" Speech
|
August 28, 2013 ~ 3:00 p.m.
All churches are invited to commemorate the event and to "Let Freedom Ring" by ringing steeple bells for five minutes. Encourage other churches in your city/town to designate a bell ringer and join you in this significant event.
For more information: http://www.thekingcenter.org/50th-anniversary
|
|
Youth Faith Formation In Action:
Michigan Conference UCC - Annual Meeting
|
 Come and join with other youth as we immerse ourselves in discussion about the variety of layers that make up faith formation. Learn how we can grow from the knowledge of others and develop methods for the healthy transformation of youth Faith Formation with established congregations.
Watch your email 'inbox' for more information early next week!!
|
|
Detroit bankruptcy filing: DMA to prepare "fact sheet" to promote a clearer understanding of the issues
|
|
The Michigan Conference and its Detroit Metropolitan Association are working closely with our Detroit churches in response to the bankruptcy filing and the presence of an emergency financial manager. The DMA is preparing a "fact sheet" for our Conference churches in order to promote a clearer understanding of the issues; Conference Minister, Campbell Lovett, is writing to the UCC's Collegium of Officers to invite their response to the troubling trend of placing emergency financial managers in cities with large minority populations country-wide; and local churches are encouraged to participate in a daily time of prayer and fasting for our brothers and sisters in Detroit. This year's annual meeting will be a significant time of solidarity with the city. We look forward to seeing you October 4th and 5th!
|
Annual Meeting Keynote Speakers:
Four (4) books available prior to Annual Meeting |
|
Four (4) titles from Keynote Speakers, Michael Piazza & Cameron Trimble from the Center for Progressive Renewal, will be available for purchase prior to our Annual Meeting in October. All prices include shipping.
Titles include:
- Liberating Hope: Daring to Renew the Mainline Church - $18.05 (written by Michael Piazza and Cameron Trimble)
- Liberating the Gospel: A Daily Reflection for Liberals - $20.05
- Prophetic Renewal: Hope for the Liberal Church - $14.35
- Gay By God: How to be Lesbian or Gay and Christian - $15.35
ANNUAL MEETING BOOK ORDER FORM
Form can be scanned and emailed to Lisa (lisa@michucc.org) or faxed to 517/339-2621.
|
|
2013 - Michigan Conference Annual Meeting
|
 SAVE THE DATES!October 4th & 5th, 2013
Hosted by three (3) Churches:
Shrine of the Black Madonna
Pan-African Orthodox Church, Detroit
7707 Outer Drive
Detroit MI 48235
NEW!
Keynote Speakers:
Make your hotel reservations TODAY! Special rates under room block: "Michigan Conference United Church of Christ" Single/$85 (plus tax) Double/$90 (plus tax) $10 Valet parking - overnight Other highlights: Continuing Education, Worship, Workshops, Youth Programs and workshops, Special Meals, Cookies, Bookstore, Displays, Hearings, resolutions, and much more! More information on the Conference website ( www.michucc.org). Leave feeling inspired, energized and equipped with tools to strengthen relationships and renew the spirit of your church and communities!
|
|
Workshops Available at Annual Meeting
|
Workshops are available both Friday, October 4th from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. and Saturday, October 5th from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Provided below is a list of available workshops at this year's Annual Meeting. Click on "Workshops" below to view and/or print the list. Sign up for these workshops will take place in the registration area; once you have checked in with Lisa & Bob you can make your way to the Workshop Sign-up station.
Workshops |
| Grant Applications: Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team |
|
I'ts that time of year - time for grant applications through the Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team (PI-MAT) of the Michigan UCC conference.
Below you will find an informative letter from PI-MAT, along with Guidelines & Criteria and an Application Form.
Please contact PI-MAT with any questions.
-Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
Grant Letter
Guidelines and Criteria
Grant Application
|
|
Middle School Lesson Plans
|
Visit the MUCCY page on the Conference website for information on Middle School Lesson Plans.
|
|
October 13th - Day at the former Pilgrim Haven Camp!
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!! Come for a Day at the former Pilgrim Haven Camp site in South Haven Michigan. This is open to anyone who wants to attend - it is from 3 to 7 p.m. with a vesper service in the evening for all ages. Special activities for Mddle and Sr. High Youth. Grounds open to people of all ages. Please bring a lawn chair. More information to come!
|
|
Ministry Ethics Class Online
|
|
Ministry Ethics Class: 3 Credits
Online
Cost: $1200 for seminary credit or $400 for lifelong learners, plus books
Ministry Ethics is a course designed for enhancing knowledge of ethics for the purpose of intentional reflection and dialogue concerning ethical issues commonly faced in ministry. Learners are encouraged to apply rigorously ethical theories to practical situations. Pertinent topics to be addressed include: professional boundary issues, responsible sexuality, plagiarism and preaching, pastoral care, financial accountability, and ministerial self-care. Learners will study particular codes of ministerial ethics and consider various sources of moral authority. All are given opportunity to experience personal and professional moral development in the process of academic studies. The online format enables participation both by degree-seeking seminarians and by lifelong learners.
For additinal information please contact:
Rev. Dr. Julie Kilmer Site Director Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics Central Seminary Ann Arbor 517 E. Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone: 517/803-9685
|
|
Employment Opportunities:
|
Chaplain: Full time exempt position, Pilgrim Manor, Grand Rapids
Shelby Congregational UCC, Shelby
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!! Great Lakes Regional Youth Event
|
|
July 10 - 13, 2014
Open to all youth grade 6 - 12 (2014)
|
|
Coaching for Pastors is Available!
|
Coaching with the Center for Progressive Renewal may be just what you need to help your congregation move ahead in ministry. Contact Gregg Carlson (Gregg@progressiverenewal.org) for more information. Make sure to let him know that you are calling from the Michigan Conference UCC for the discounted rate of $800 per year.
Want to know more? Here is a testimonial from one of our own pastors:
As a relatively new, young, progressive, queer and activist-oriented associate pastor in a historically moderate mainline church, I have found the challenges of ministry quite steep! Totally worth the ride, but not without huge challenges. Being coached by Rev. Glenna Shepherd through the Center for Progressive Renewal has helped immensely in tackling those challenges. Here at First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, we are attempting something relatively uncharted: a new church start within an already existing congregation. My colleague, Rev. Thomas Ryberg and I have been charged with forming Christian community with the unchurched, under 40 crowd with half of our time and serving the longer-term, already established members with the other half. The needs of our combined community are quite diverse, sometimes conflicting and often fairly overwhelming. Rev. Shepherd helps us tackle the micro-details of liturgical life, finance and administration, and deploying lay leadership while also helping us think/love into the macro issues that arise in the Body of Christ: intimacy, conflict, life and death. The presence of coaching brings a comfort to rely on. The offered expertise of coaching gives those receiving it practical tools and resources to apply in the congregational setting. Both are invaluable, especially to those of us who are rookies!
In Christ,
Rev. Emily Joye McGaughy-Reynolds
Associate Pastor, First Congregational Church of Battle Creek
|
|
CENTRAL SEMINARY
Ann Arbor, MI
|
|
Central Seminary in Ann Arbor, MI offers courses for men and women who see themselves as leaders in Christian ministry or wish to advance a personal understanding of their faith. The seminary offers a core curriculum taught in an ecumenical spirit, with attention to quality and substance, leading toward biblical, theological, historical, and ethical knowledge. Central Seminary offers a number of degrees and programs including, M.Div., M.A. in Theological Studies and courses for Lifelong Learners.
For additional information please contact:
Rev. Dr. Julie J. Kilmer Site Director and Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics
Phone: (517)803-9685 |
|
It's that time again - time for the Michigan Conference plea for COOKIES!
Each church represented at the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ Annual Meeting is invited to provide 4 dozen cookies for snacking; Cookies will be placed all around Fellowship Chapel for folks to snack on throughout the course of our Annual Meeting.
You are welcome to use your imagination - if you have a new recipe that you are wanting to try - go right ahead, we don't mind being guinea pigs! We welcome cookies, brownies, cookie bars, dessert bars; the more the merrier!
We do ask that if your cookies contain nuts or fruit of any kind, please be sure to label your container accordingly. Thank you!
If you are interested in being part of the cookie project, please contact Lisa Soulliere (lisa@michucc.org). Please bring all cookies to the registration desk and check in when you arrive. We thank you for your help!! |
|
We need YOU to help us "Tell Our Story"
|
|
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) - Deadline extended
We want to know all about YOU, YOUR CONGREGATION and YOUR MINISTRY for JESUS CHRIST.
|
Please hold in your hearts and in your prayers, the family of Rev. Dr. Scott Luthy (Interim pastor serving First Cong'l, Lakeview), aged 62 yr, who passed away at his home Thursday, August 15th, 2013. Scott was an avid reader, enjoyed hunting, rustic camping, hiking and shooting. He also enjoyed learning languages and was a Red Wing Fan. He is survived by his children: Eric Scott Luthy of Kalamazoo and Angela Renee (Andrew James) Colyer of Otsego, Michigan; five grandchildren: Rachel, Jonathan, Kaylie, Lauren, and Carly; three sisters: Cheryl, Carol and Charlotte. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lakeview Congregational UCC with Rev. Todd Petty officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow. OBITUARY
Please hold in your hearts and in your continued prayers, the Rev. Sherry Schacht and her family (Eastern Association; pastor of First Congregational UCC, Romeo). Lift her up with prayers for strength and courage; determination and faith; and for LOVE and comfort. |
|
SING Groups
(We will notify you when these groups reconvene)
|
|
|
|
5945 Park Lake Road | P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
