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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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The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen ...
In Luke's Gospel, it is the shepherds who first learn of the birth of Jesus - well, after Joseph, of course. An angel announces this incredible event - the Messiah has been born in Bethlehem! Without much thought the shepherds agree they must go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place. "So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger." They told the parents what the angel had said. Everyone was amazed. The shepherds then returned to keeping watch over their flock by night - glorifying and praising God.
Each year we also hear the angel's announcement: "to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." We pause in the midst of an otherwise hectic schedule to make our own pilgrimage to Bethlehem to witness the events. This "pilgrimage" usually includes a worship service stop at our church, giving and receiving gifts, spending time with family, and eating a special meal. And then after a few hours, or a couple of days, we return to keep watch over our flocks at home or work. But do we return, glorifying and praising God, or are we simply relieved that the rush is over and we can return to some semblance of order?
As Christmas comes and goes, let us return to our everyday tasks praising and glorifying God. We always return from Christmas - this year let the Good Shepherd be our guide!
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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Detroit Celebrates the Life of Nelson Mandela
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On Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. a celebratory program will be held at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, located at 350 Madison in Detroit for a special tribute to honor the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. The event is free and open to the public. Detroit has a legacy of supporting the anti-apartheid movement and championing the accomplishments of Nelson Mandela. When he was released after 27 years from prison a march was staged from the Museum of African American History to a program at Ford Auditorium. When he toured the United States 50,000 people gathered at Tiger Stadium to hear him. $1,000,000 was raised in Detroit (more than any other city in the country) and given to Mr. Mandela to forward his cause. 
At this time of transition in Detroit, regardless of any political or social distinctions it is appropriate that we as a community reflect of the lessons of Nelson Mandela. We invite every one of all races, of every station, young and old to unite in the legacy and memory of Nelson Mandela.
Ticket Information: 313/871-2087
(The event is FREE and open to the public - limit 4 tickets per person)
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Proclaim Release To The Captives: Next Step Meeting
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Dear Michigan Conference Family --
On Saturday, January 25, 2014, on behalf of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team (PIMAT), the Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC, in Ann Arbor will host a next-step meeting for the Proclaim Release to the Captives Resolution ("Proclaim-Release") passed by the Conference at its Annual Meeting this past October.
THE RESOLUTION: The Proclaim-Release Resolution is based on Michelle Alexander's book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The book calls on all of us who seek justice to work together -- to start a Movement -- to end the Racism imbedded in our American Criminal Justice System. This racialized system has institutionalized a social caste system that places real limits on many of our sisters and brothers of color -- this is the "New Jim Crow" system. The Proclaim-Release Resolution calls on the Conference's PIMAT to work on ending the Racism in the justice system.
THE WORK: The work calls on us to start a Movement. The work involves educating ourselves, other Christians, our neighbors, and legislators about how the system is UN-just. The work calls on all of us to open hearts -- ours, and others -- so we care for the "least" of God's people.
JOIN US: Please, join us in planning next steps: discuss where you fit in this work; find ways to help locally; be part of spreading workshops to open more hearts; and be part of planning more next-steps in the Movement gathering our brothers and sisters ... to make Jesus' love and God's realm a reality in our churches and in the larger community.
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
On behalf of the Good Shepherd's Proclaim-Release Group,
Walt Kemnitz, Jr., past-moderator, the Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC
REGISTER AT: http://tinyurl.com/proclaimresolution
DATE/TIME/PLACE: January 25, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lunch provided), at Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC, 2145 Independence Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
QUESTIONS: contact Walt Kemnitz, Jr., at wkemnitzjr@yahoo.com
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 Rev. Margaret Vredeveld knows firsthand the sorrow and anguish of a loved one's passing. In April of 2001, her youngest daughter, Sheri Joy, died at the age of twenty-eight of ovarian cancer. During that time, Vredeveld served as her daughter's spiritual guide while continuing to pastor her congregation; she soon came to realize that she had come to a better understanding of difficult times her parishioners faced. In Soothe Your Soul, Vredeveld shares a host of meditations to help people navigate some of life's most painful moments. Based on her personal life experiences and complemented with Scripture readings and songs, the meditations address a variety of topics, including conflict, confusion, gossip, hostility, self-doubt, anger, depression, and the death of a loved one. Filled with words to calm the spirit and uplift the heart, Soothe Your Soul offers reflections and teachings to guide people through some of life's most trying times and experiences.
Author Rev. Margaret Vredeveld's book entitled "Soothe Your Soul: Meditations to Help You Through LIfe's Painful Moment's", is now available on Kindle, Hardcover and Paperback through Amazon.com. |
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The Many Voices of Christmas
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Canales Academy, and St Paul's UCC, Dearborn Heights Present:
"The Many Voices of Christmas"
Come join us on Friday, December 20th at 7:00 PM for a joyful and diverse concert that celebrates the birth of Our Lord Jesus. The concert will be held at St Paul's United Church of Christ, 26550 Cherry Hill Road, in Dearborn Heights.
This concert will include many of your favorite Christmas Carols and elegant traditional Christmas music. It will also feature original compositions written by Canales Academy's talented group of new Christian composers and songwriters. This event is free to the general public.
St Paul will offer a post-concert reception for your enjoyment and refreshment. Please join us in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. For more information, please call 313.278.7270.
A free-will offering will be taken to support both St Paul's Church; and to support Canales Academy in its continuing efforts to promote Christian music and educate Christian Musicians.
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The First Seven Words of Advent
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013
5:15p Social Hour and light Hors d' oeuvres
6:15p Program begins
For additional information please contact the church, 517/484-2180
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Philippine Disaster Relief
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To donate, please place a check in your Sunday offering plate - made out to your church with Philippine Disaster Relief in the MEMO. The Conference will forward these checks to the National Setting. 
To donate electronically:
Go to the "Support MI Conference" link on the lower left corner of the Michigan Conference website: www.michucc.org. There is an option for Disaster Relief.
Or, go to this ucc.org site to learn more about donating funds, making CWS hygiene kits, or finding a bulletin insert: http://www.ucc.org/disaster/typhoon-haiyan/
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"BeCalmed Days" at Transformations Spirituality Center
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New this semester at Transformations Spirituality Center;
"BeCalmed Days"
February 10, 2014
Once-a-quarter we are offering a taste of retreat designed for those who want to reflect, relax and recharge in a meaningful way to begin the week. Each program will run from 9:00am - 2:30pm and will involve an engaging presentation, with ample time for personal reflection, prayer, meditation as well as group discussion - plus lunch!  Life is a journey from the place of our birthing to the place of our rising," so said the Celtic Christians in describing the whole of life to be a spiritual pilgrimage. By exploring the tenets of Celtic spirituality, participants will be encouraged to see their own lives as personal pilgrimage in a balanced approach including worship, discussion, prayer and reflection. David Moffett-Moore is the Senior Pastor at Portage United Church of Christ in Portage, Michigan and author of the book "Life As Pilgrimage: A View from Celtic Spirituality"
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Inclusive Justice Radical Welcome
"Racism remains a wound at the heart of our nation
that cannot be wished away or treated carelessly."
-- UCC Pastoral Letter on Racism (2008)
Delegates at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference reaffirmed the urgent need for dialogue, education, and action that address the continuing reality of racial inequity and injustice. Heeding that call, the Covenant Association is offering a two-part workshop series designed for clergy and lay leaders. Inclusive Justice, Radical Welcome in an interactive workshop where participants will explore creative ways to interrupt racism at the personal, congregational, and societal level. Please join us for this critically important workshop series!
Dates: February 22 and March 22 (Attendance at both sessions required)
Time: Saturdays, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Facilitator Team: Melanie S. Morrison and Monique Savage
Location: Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 125 S. Pennsylvania, Lansing 48912
Cost: $25 - (includes program, materials, and lunch for both days)
Full Program Description
Registration Form
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We have 110 New Century Hymnals that are like new for sale at $10 a book or best offer. You can buy the whole set or each book individually.
Please contact:
Kimberly Eve, Bethel United Church of Christ
248-682-9240
Monday - Friday, 9a - noon
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 Disciples and UCC...together in God's global mission at the point of deepest need.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: 2013 Contributions
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All of your church's 2013 contributions must be received in the Michigan Conference office by Friday, January 17, 2014.
All contributions received after that date will be credited to the year 2014. Please be sure your remittance forms are clearly marked.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Heisler, Michigan Conference UCC Business Manager at bob@michucc.org or by calling 517/332-3511 x203
Thank You!
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Employment Opportunities:
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Description: Provide for the pastoral needs of residents, their families and staff.
Description: Responsible for planning and implementation of the youth ministry program for middle school (6th-8th grades) and high school (9th-12th grades) and is under the direct supervision of the Christian Education Coordinator.
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"Why Sense of Belonging Matters"
"Big Ministry Trends for 2014"
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Central Seminary - Ann Arbor
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Please keep in your prayers, the Rev. Roger Pohl as he recovers from recent surgery.
Please keep in your heart and in your prayers the family of the Rev. Charles Shields, who passed away November 25, 2013. Surviving him are his wife of thirty-seven years, Ida; his daughter Jennifer (Peter) Stevenson and granddaughter Audrey Stevenson. Charles was ordained an Elder of the United Methodist Church in 1988 and served nine UMC Congregations. After retirement from the UMC, he went on to serve as Interim Pastor to four United Church of Christ congregations. A memorial service was held on Friday, November 29th, 2013 at the Second Congregational UCC, Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. 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). Please continue to lift her up in your prayers of strength and courage -determination and faith - and for LOVE and comfort.
Please keep in your heart and in your prayers the family of Felix Lorenz, Jr. (retired pastor; Detroit Metropolitan Association), who passed away on Wednesday, November 27th, 2013 with wife Lucille by his side. Felix most recently served as pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Dearborn Heights; beginning in 1990 until his retirement in 2011. He and Lucille moved to Loma Linda, California where Felix stayed active in the United Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his daughter Rosalie "Sallie" Lorenz (1963 - 1999), and son Felix Lorenz, III. >>Unfortunately, we have not received any other information regarding arrangements or where cards or letters of condolence may be sent. |
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5945 Park Lake Road | P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
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