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A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed.
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Official Call to Meeting:
from MI Conference UCC Moderator
Rev. Dr. David Wheeler
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SAVE THE DATES!
MI Conference Annual Meeting - October 10 & 11, 2014
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2014 Annual Meeting of the
Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
"Unexpected Places"
"Surely God is in this place - and I did not know it!"
Genesis 28:15 - 16
When:
October 10th & 11th, 2014
Where:
The People's Church of East Lansing
200 W. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber
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photo courtesy of The Washington Post
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Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. She is an ordained pastor in the ELCA, a Mom, a gifted writer and bestselling author. She is honest and outspoken, insightful and hilarious; a deeply engaging pastor who just so happens to have sleeves of tattoos. She is ready to enlighten you in ways only she can.
Hotel/Parking Information:
We have contracted with four (4) area hotels. You may make your reservations at any time. Please note that each hotel has their own deadline for reserving a room at the discounted rate. Please be sure to make your arrangements before the designated deadline. There are many other options for lodging - if you prefer to search for those on your own.
Hotels - Michigan Conference UCC - 2014 Annual Meeting
Please check the Michigan Conference UCC website periodically for new information as it becomes available! Stay tuned!
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Michigan Conference UCC 2014 Innovation Awards
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Innovation: Think - new, invention, advancement, creation, design, imagination, ingenuity, original, inspirational, resourceful, revitalizing, energizing!
What innovative ministry, worship, outreach, mission or other program would you initiate if money was not a barrier, but an opportunity for meeting a profound need in your community? What if you used this money as matching funds for your congregation and doubled the impact? What if you applied for other grants and added this award to accomplish your hopes for a world transformed by God's love?
We are inviting you to dream and to listen and to imagine what God is doing in your midst. Put that dream into an innovation plan and you are ready to apply for this award.
Applications will be ranked by: "innovation", completeness of "Innovation Plan" (see below), the potential for others to replicate the idea, reasonable likelihood of being accomplished, and commitment to send in a report to the 2015 annual meeting on success and learnings.
Applications will be evaluated by the Vital Growth Mission Area Team of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ. The total funds available are $10,000. Awards will be given to the best proposals submitted by two to five congregations.The largest award available is $5,000.
Deadline for application is September 1, 2014 with notification and presentation of awards at the Michigan Conference UCC Annual Meeting, October 10-11, 2014 at Peoples Church, East Lansing.
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Submitting a Resolution: 2014 MI Conf UCC Annual Meeting
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Dear Colleagues,
The Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ will be October 10th & 11th 2014 at The People's Church of East Lansing. The Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team is charged with the task of calling for resolutions. They may be submitted for consideration at the Conference Meeting by a local church, an Association, a voting delegate or the Board of Directors. In compliance with our bylaws, please find attached a copy of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ 2014 Guidelines for Resolutions. The deadline for submitting a resolution is July 25, 2014.
Be sure to mark the date on your calendar and, if you have not already done so, now would be a good time to recruit the delegation from your local congregation. Ordained and Commissioned Ministers with standing in one of the six Associations of the Michigan Conference, as well as Licensed Ministers who have been given voting privileges by one of the six Associations of the Michigan Conference, are considered delegates. Additionally, every local church is entitled to be represented by two lay delegates plus one youth delegate (younger than 22 years old).
Blessings for the Journey,
Rev. RJ Hronek
Facilitator, Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
Call for Resolutions (Copy ready)
RESOLUTION GUIDELINES
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2014 Annual Meeting: Workshops
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2014 Annual Meeting
Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
Theme: Unexpected Places
The theme scripture for Annual Meeting is Genesis 28:15 - 16. Jacob is assured of God's abiding presence and then reflects, "Surely God is in this place - and I did not know it!" We too find God in unexpected moments and places. How can your workshop help participants reflect upon the presence of the Stillspeaking God in their life and work? Priority will be given to workshops that clearly relate to the theme of Unexpected Places.
The deadline for receiving applications is July 25, 2014
Workshop Application Form
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Discounts still available!
National Church Leadership Institute: NCLI 2014
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NEW Employment Opportunities:
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First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Romeo, MI has the following staff openings. It is possible that two positions may be filled by one qualified candidate.
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Covenant Association: Higher Education Grants Available
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The Covenant Association of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ invites applications for grants that advocate for the support of students in Higher Education settings. Please submit a 1-2 page description of the plans for ministry in a specific setting. How will the funds be used? If you have received a grant within the last year, please include an additional page indicating how ministry was impacted in that setting by the gift. Be sure to include the ways outreach includes ecumenical diversity and specific UCC involvement of students, faculty and staff.
Grant applications must be submitted to the Higher Education Advocate, Rev. Dr. Julie J. Kilmer at jj_kilmer@msn.com by September 1, 2014. Please note that grants are limited to one gift per setting per year. Amounts of each grant will vary, depending upon number of applications, need and previous funding patterns. Amounts generally range from $500-$3,000.
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Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center 6458 Richardson Road Howell, MI 48843
Upcoming Events June 29: Mini Camp July 6: Adventure Camp July 13: Junior Camp July 18: Senior High Camp July 27: MADD & GAS Camps August 1: Family Camp
Employment Opportunities: Camp Talahi is also hiring staff for the summer season. They are in need of a Program Director, cooks, maintenance staff, Lifeguards, and a Health Officer. Applicants must be 18 yr of age, responsible and able to commit to working from June to 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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Free Energy Survey Available
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Free energy survey available to all Michigan Conference UCC Churches beginning June 15th, 2014.
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Tower Hill Camp is in the position of having no cooks this summer. Both our cooks have been injured over the last 2 weeks and will be unable to work for 2-3 months. This is a blow to our camp family and we ask that anyone who knows Tawnya Williams, please include her in your prayers for a safe recovery from the exacerbated injuries she suffered in a car accident.
I also ask that if any of you know someone who is a cook and would like summer employment to have them contact me. We need someone starting this week through Labor Day but I am willing to be as flexible as possible to find someone. If you know anyone ask them to contact me either by email ilconfkim@gmail.com or call 269 426-3881. I appreciate any referrals you might have. If I sound desperate - I am!! Thank you
Kim Bosse
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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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Ecumenical Theological Seminary Detroit: Open House - July 24th
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 The Ecumenical Theological Seminary, the protestant jewel of theological education in the heart of the city of Detroit invites you to attend an open house on July 24, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Come and explore how we can help you grow, learn and prepare for spiritual works of service.
or call 313.831.5200 ext 224
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
2930 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI
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July 10 - 13, 2014
Hi to our Bicycle Odyssey Friends and Family,
"I'm alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic...." Sing it with me!!
We are staying at Blodgett Landing in Hersey, MI which will accommodate tents on a nice grassy area. (One of our families has gotten housing accommodations nearby.)
It is close to Pere Marquette State Trail and to Fred Meijer Trailway.
(Directions: The town is Hersey on 180th Avenue, south of US 10. 180th Avenue becomes Main Street in Hersey. Turn left (east) on 3rd Street. That will take you to Blodgett Landing.)
Gather after dinner at the campgrounds about 7 pm on Thursday night.
Costs: $50.
Bring check or money for camp ground, breakfast, lunches, snacks, gas, and for the SAG driver expenses payable to Brad.
You will PAY for your OWN supper each night at nearby restaurants (or even maybe getting pizza?). We will eat together but pay separately.
Send us reservations and health form ASAP
If there is someone who wants to go but can't afford to go, we have a scholarship. Please let us know your need.
If you are aware of people who would like to go, either other UCC'ers, friends, or bicycle enthusiasts, have them contact us soon. We need to make accommodation arrangements .
Bicycle Odyssey Registration Form
Yours through Christ,
Barb and Brad
1845 N. Livernois
Rochester Hills, MI 48306
248 651-9097
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"Caring for the Caregivers"
"What Type of Follower Attends Our Church"
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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 hold in your prayers:
Rev. Dr. James (Jim) Harwood - retired pastor in the Grand West Association, who has been dealing with recent health issues.
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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SING Groups - Meetings have concluded for the summer; we will let you know when groups set dates in the fall.
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5945 Park Lake Road | P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
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