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A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed.
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FEATURED ARTICLE:
Rev Dr. Campbell Lovett
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When I visit in our Conference churches, I am sometimes asked about what it means to be part of the United Church of Christ. Before Saturday, I might have mentioned our core values of a Still-speaking God and extravagant welcome. Depending on the history of the particular church, I might have described the Congregational emphasis on autonomy or the German Reformed sense of covenant that have shaped our shared history here in Michigan.
I said "before Saturday" in the first paragraph because that is when the UCC historian and scholar, Barbara Brown Zikmund (BBZ)addressed the Covenant Association spring meeting and shared and excellent summary of who we are as a denomination. After presenting an excellent demographic overview of how the UCC antecedent denominations populated Michigan, BBZ went on to provide a list of significant denominational characteristics that spring from our unique sense of Christian discipleship. I share them with you now for the next time you are asked what it means to be a part of the United Church of Christ:
- Spoken out and acted courageously to confront racism in our world
- Found many different ways to support women in church and society
- Continued to promote Christian unity and deepen interfaith relationships
- Declared its commitment to peace and justice in multiple ways
- Taken progressive action on issues surrounding human sexuality
- Produced new inclusive worship and educational resources
- Done advocacy on behalf of the poor, immigrants, differently abled persons, and the environment
- Supported the arts and upheld the importance of science
- Sought to be a multi-racial and multi-cultural church
- Insisted the God is still speaking and everyone is welcome
If you noticed, all of these denominational characteristics are in the past tense. In many ways, they are accomplishments that speak to the nature of the UCC. BBZ's challenge for the Covenant Association (and really for all churches in the Michigan Conference) was, how do we use the faith, creativity and passion that set our past mission and ministry for the future? Given our significant history of accomplishment, how are we called to be the church in this new day?
I hope that we can all follow BBZ's lead by looking at our history to reinvigorate our ministry for the future. And, I look forward to being asked what it means to be a part of the United Church of Christ. I'm ready!
Campbell Lovett
Conference Minister
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SAVE THE DATES!
MI Conference Annual Meeting - October 10 & 11, 2014
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SAVE THE DATES!!
October 10 - 11, 2014
Michigan Conference UCC
Annual Meeting
The People's Church of East Lansing
200 W. Grand River
East Lansing, MI 48823
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber
Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television (Seabury 2008) and the New York Times Bestselling theological memoir, Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint (Jericho 2013). She blogs at www.sarcasticlutheran.com and Jim Wallis' www.Godspolitics.com. Her writings can be found in the Christian Century, The Lutheran Magazine and www.Patheos.com. Nadia has been featured in The Washington Post, NPR's Morning Edition, The Daily Beast and on CNN.
Book Sales: Available for purchase through Amazon, Indie Bound, and Barnes & Noble is the New York Times Bestselling theological memoir, Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint (Jericho 2013).
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CUE
(Chicago, United, Eden)
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The churches of the Michigan Conference support our UCC seminaries - Chicago Theological Seminary, United Theological Seminary, and Eden Theological Seminary - also known as CUE (Chicago, United, Eden). CUE has just released a wonderful introductory video regarding the work of these seminaries and their graduates. This would be a great video to use on Seminary Sunday or with a church board. You may find it online at this link: http://www.cueseminaries.org/Main/Video or you can order a DVD copy. Contact Kiely Todd Roska at kiely@cueseminaries.org or (651)255-6121.
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NEW Employment Opportunities:
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Save the Date! Great Lakes Regional Youth Event
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Great Lakes Regional Youth Event
July 10-13, 2014
Workshops * Fellowship
Music * Worship
Open to All Youth: Grades 6 - 12 (2014)
*Does your church have youth who plan to attend?
The GLRYE Planning Team is gearing up for the big event ~
*Would your group be interested in traveling by bus
with other Michigan Youth?
*Please contact Rev. Erin Heisler as soon as possible, if you have youth planning to attend and also interested in traveling by bus with other Michigan youth:
erin.heisler@att.net
(517)230-8713
Great Lakes Regional Youth Event Flyer
Please visit the MUCCY Facebook page for updates!
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Most Michigan Conference local churches and Disciples of Christ local church are busy in some form of outreach or community presence. Please share your service information with the Conference Office (2x2@michucc.org) so that we can collate the information and share it widely. Thank you for being in mission in Michigan two-by-two!
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Higher Grounds Coffee Cafe is Open for Business
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Higher Grounds Coffee Cafe (formerly known as Grace UCC) is now open for business with a brand new menu. Now serving coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, breakfast and lunch.
Higher Grounds Coffee Cafe is located at 15324 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI.
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Photo courtesy of Sam I.
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Their hours are:
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM Monday - Friday.
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Saturday.
Be sure to stop in and see them!
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The Coalition changes its name:
Will soon be "Open and Affirming Coalition"
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At its annual retreat last week, the Coalition's Leadership Team voted to change our name from "UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns" to "Open and Affirming Coalition of the the United Church of Christ." 
The transition to the new name will be completed before General Synod in June 2015. In the meantime, we'll continue to use resources and other print materials with the Coalition's former name. The short reference will continue to be "the Coalition."
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Congratulations & Welcome!
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Scott Runyon Called As Pastor of Federated Church of Grass Lake 
Scott Runyon was called as pastor of the Federated Church of Grass Lake on Sunday, April 6th, 2014. Federated Church is dually aligned with the United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches. Scott has served as Youth Minister of the Chilson Hills Church in Brighton. He began his ministry at Grass Lake on April 7th, 2014 and will graduate from Ecumenical Seminary in Detroit on June 7th.
Congratulations to current pastor Rev. Chuck McNeil, who will retire at the end of August.
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Faith for Thought - On the Road
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Have you seen any of the Faith for Thought videos? These are 3 - 4 minute words of encouragement concerning some aspect of church life. Typically they are sent out on the "off week" of the Conference E-Bulletin. Every one of our local church pastors has a story to tell in a Faith for Thought segment. Therefore, this summer we're taking Faith for Thought on the road. If you would like to be recorded sharing a brief Faith for Thought segment, please email the Conference Office at: lisa@michucc.org. We'll let you know when our "film crew" will be in your area!!
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Congratulations Rev. Nicole Havelka!
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Congratulations to Rev. Nicole Havelka who has recently been named as the part-time Minister for Digital Programs for Extravagance UCC, the denomination's new online church start! Nicole works half-time as the Area Minister for the Southwest Region of the Michigan Conference. She spends the other half consulting with churches, Associations, and Conferences regarding faith formation and leadership development. Working on the rollout of Extravagance is a wonderful opportunity for Nicole and we cheer her along in this new endeavor.
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Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center 6458 Richardson Road Howell, MI 48843
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Strengthen The Church Offering
Pentecost Sunday - June 8
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Strengthen the Church Offering, our second Five for Five offering for 2014, will be received in most UCC churches on Pentecost Sunday-June 8. Administered by LCM-Local Church Ministries of the UCC, this offering is the only Five for Five offering split between the national UCC and Conferences. Each Conferences determines the use of its 50% of the offering.
National UCC
...planting New Churches
...revitalizing existing Churches
...Youth and Young Adult Ministries
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2016 Disney National Youth Event
Advanced Planning Urged
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To begin preparing for our Conference's participation in the NYE-National Youth Event, we want to share the dates and advance info with churches so you can begin to prepare your youth for this gathering.
Dates: July 26-July 29, 2016 Theme is: #Believe
Place: Coronado Springs Resort (at Disney World)
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Projected Costs: Estimated at under $500 for double-occupancy. Actual prices will be posted on the NYE website once the website is up and running. That $500 (estimated cost) to include: housing, most meals (two meals will be on your own), program and Disney Park access.
Transportation Costs: The Conference will help to subsidize buses going from our Conference to Florida but those riding the bus will need to raise additional transportation costs.
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Boundary Training: St. Francis Retreat Center, Dewitt
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Boundary Tending and Border Crossing
St. Francis Retreat Center
September 4, 2014
Designed for pastors, lay staff and volunteer leaders, this one-day workshop reviews essential information and strategies for creating and maintaining a safe environment for vital ministry in today's changing world.
$75 (includes materials & lunch)
ONLINE REGISTRATION
BROCHURE-REGISTRATION FORM
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UCC Young Adult Service Communities: 2 positions OPEN!
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"Welcoming Children with Autism"
"Caring for the Caregivers"
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Association of Disciple Musicians
2014 Conference for Music & Worship
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Sunday, July 13 through Friday, July 18, 2014
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UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
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Central Seminary - Ann Arbor
UCC History, Theology and Polity Course (3 credits) Friday's 6 - 9 p.m. and Saturday's 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
June 27-28 July 8 (Wednesday - trip to the National Office) July 25-26 August 8-9 August 15-16
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
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Donation - St. Paul UCC in Saline, Michigan has a choir director's stand. It is wooden, lightweight, and on rollers. SEE PHOTO. Contact the church office if interested: 734/429-7716.
FREE - The Congregational UCC in Lewiston, Michigan has 32 Adult size - Navy Blue Choir Robes free to a good home. Please call 989-786-4764 or by mail @ P. O. Box 282, Lewiston 49756
Edgewood United Church, UCC in East Lansing, Michigan has 110 plastic communion cups and six (6) wooden cup holders (35 slots in each).
St. James United Church of Christ in Casco Michigan has 20 Seafoam Green used Choir robes that they no longer can use - includes directors robe also - ALL are in great shape. Price is very negotiable. Please contact Kim LaDuke at (586)727-3651 for more information.
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Please keep the Rev. Dan Furman (Pastor, Hudsonville Congregational UCC), his Mother and family in your prayers; Dan's father Charles "Chuck" passed away on Friday, May 16th while in hospice care. Chuck is survived by Judy, his wife of nearly 49 years; his brother Bill (Savannah); his son, David (Amy) and grandsons, Andrew and Michael; his son, Dan, and numerous beloved cousins. Chuck's family is grateful for the loving and faithful care of his doctors over the years and for the care of the staff and volunteers at Holland Hospital and at Trillium Woods. His smile, laughter, wisdom, and love will be sorely missed. Visitation will be on Friday, May 23rd at First (Park) Congregational UCC - 10 E. Park Place, Grand Rapids, from 6-9 PM. Chuck's Celebration of Life will also be at First (Park) Congregational UCC on Saturday, May 24th at 11 AM. Memorial donations may be directed to First (Park) Congregational UCC. Cards and notes of condolence can also be mailed to the church.
Congratulations to Rev. Kyle Carnes on his installation as Senior Minister of the St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill, Wisconsin, on Sunday, May 18th, 2014. Kyle was the former Associate Pastor at First (Park) Congregational UCC in Grand Rapids, MI.
Please hold in your hearts and in your continued prayers, the Rev. Sherry Schacht and her family (Eastern Association; retired pastor). Please continue to lift her up in your prayers of strength and courage -determination and faith - and for LOVE and comfort.
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5945 Park Lake Road | P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
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Two positions have just opened up in the 
