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A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed.
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A Message from Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett
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Black Friday Reflection
"Forgive them for they know not what they do."
The Black Friday sales will go on today; the great race for bargains and deals abounds, but there is a pall over this country today - something is terribly amiss.
Shortly after 9/11, I wrote to Walter Wink, the New Testament scholar and author in New York, about his thoughts regarding the horrors that had befallen our country. Our Bible Study group was reading one of his books and I had met Dr. Wink a couple of times at continuing education events, so I figured a letter might garner a response. He responded very promptly to this effect: In the immediate aftermath of tragic events, we are called upon to act pastorally and respond to people in a deeply personal manner. Prayer, worship, and opportunities to be together are imperative. In time, however, we are also called upon to reflect, as difficult as it might be, about how we may have contributed to the tragedy, and then speak out prophetically in order to change the status quo.
As I watched events in Ferguson Monday evening, I recalled Dr. Wink's wise counsel. Yes, we do need to respond pastorally to Ferguson. There must be times of prayer and worship and community gatherings to foster comfort and support in the midst of pain and sorrow. I hope that as we paused to give thanks yesterday around our tables of abundance, that there was time to pray for all those whose Thanksgiving tables are missing a loved one this year. And, as the season of Advent begins this Sunday, I hope there will be time to commit ourselves anew to working for peace and non-violence. (Here is a link to the Missouri Mid-South Conference Minister's pastoral letter: Pastoral Letter)
In addition, we must also look for the prophetic word in the midst of Ferguson. It is difficult to ask the questions of how we may have been involved in creating the conditions for the killing of an unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, but ask we must:
- When have been the times that we have spoken out about the need to love our enemies?
- What have we had to say about the historic and systemic injustices perpetrated against minorities in this country?
- How have we responded as the militarization of our police has continued unabated?
- How have those of us with white privilege perpetrated a fear of the other or a culture of suspicion?
- How long have we ignored the predicament of parents who must talk with their children about taking extra precautions when they are stopped by law enforcement officers because of the color of their skin?
There is a time to be pastoral and there is a time to be prophetic. I'm sensing that we are passing the pastoral moment, and it is now time to honestly reflect and prophetically speak out.
Something is terribly amiss in our country. What will we finally say and do about it?
Campbell Lovett
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World Aids Day - December 1st, 2014
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#GIVINGTUESDAY - DECEMBER 2, 2014
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#GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.
Tuesday, December 2nd - an opportunity for you, your family and friends - your company or organization to come together and GIVE BACK. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving back using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.
Please consider starting your holiday giving season with an end of the year charitable gift to the Michigan Conference 2014 Friends of the Conference campaign.
We thank you in advance for your generosity.
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Church World Service - Disaster Response Training
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On December 16, Church World Service will conduct a free, one-day training for people like you who want to help their flooded neighbors recover. Come learn how disaster long-term recovery works and how you can get involved!
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 (check in at 8:30)
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 8129 Packard Ave, Warren, Mich.
To register: Contact Susanne Gilmore at sgilmore@cwsglobal.org or 785-341-8203
Recovery from a disaster event requires a "whole community" approach. This workshop gives an overview of long-term recovery, to include Disaster Case Management, Volunteer Management, Construction Management and Emotional & Spiritual Care. Presenters will include disaster recovery specialists from UMCOR, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Lutheran Disaster Response, World Renew and Church World Service.
Who should attend? Anyone dedicated to helping rebuild homes and lives: long-term recovery leadership, faith-based groups, religious leaders, community leaders, social service organizations, disaster case managers, and other persons concerned about recovery.
Would you please spread the word to your congregations?
Church World Service looks forward to meeting you on December 16!
Larry Conover
Assistant Field Director, Michigan Region
Church World Service
809 Center St. Suite 7
Lansing, MI 48906
888-297-2767
Skype: Larry.Conover1
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2014 Friends of the Conference
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Equipping
Clergy and churches for more faithful and effective ministry
That is the mission of the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ - 145 churches in Michigan each seeking to be a community of hope and extravagant welcome in their home settings.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, March 7th, 2015
Conflict Transformation
Speaker: Thomas K. Chu, Esq.
Woodside Church (UCC/ABC)
1509 E. Court Street
Flint, MI 48503
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Winter Fest 2015 will be held the weekend of February 6 - 8, 2015 at the United Church of Big Rapids. Please share this information with your youth!
WINTER FEST - About Us
SAVE THE DATE - Flyer
Youth Registration
Adult Registration
Combined Group Registration |
UCC Women of Michigan proudly present
The Gathering 2015
"Dance in the Spirit"
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SAVE THE DATES! June 12, 13, 14, 2015
Tustin, Michigan
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Activities that reflect VITALITY!
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The Vital Growth Mission Area Team is requesting photos of your congregation participating in activities that reflect vitality. These photos will be collected throughout the year to be displayed at the next Annual Meeting.
Please send high resolution photos to pastorpegf@gmail.com and include your church's name and the activity. Thank You!
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IMPORTANT REMINDER: 2014 Contributions
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All of your church's 2014 contributions must be received in the Michigan Conference office by Friday, January 16, 2015.
All contributions received after that date will be credited to the year 2015. Please be sure your remittance forms are clearly marked.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Heisler at bob@michucc.org or by phone, 517.332.3511 x203.
Thank you!
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Boundary Training - Sessions available in 2015!
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Boundary Training sessions are available in 2015! To register for upcoming sessions click on REGISTER.
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When you can breathe again after Advent...
... we have some courses to help you refuel and get inspired again! Grow your self-awareness and skills for conflict management with a new course on the Enneagram, get up-to-date on renewal strategies that aren't just about behinds in seats, fulfill that nagging UCC Polity requirement and much more.
The Key to Faith Formation: Bringing the generations together
The Enneagram: Grow your awareness & leadership
Church Renewal 1.0: How our church came back from the dead and yours can too
Youth Ministry that transforms your whole church
UCC History & Polity
Church Planting 1.0: Till the soil, discern & shape the vision
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Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center 6458 Richardson Road Howell, MI 48843
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NEW Employment Opportunities:
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Are you currently looking for employment?
Check out our list of employment opportunities!
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"Should We Consider Closing Our Church"
"How to Make the Most of a Consulting Process"
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The Dream of Justice (DOJ) Calendar and "Issue of the Month"
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DOJ Newsletter - December 2014
WE ARE THE DREAM OF JUSTICE ("DOJ") group of the Michigan Conference of the UCC ("MCUCC"). Last Fall the MCUCC passed a resolution to help put an end to the "racialized" Criminal-Justice/Mass-Incarceration system. The DOJ is the group formed by the Michigan Conference UCC to implement the resolution. This racialized criminal justice system impacts disproportionately on people of color; the impact is intentional and has racist roots. Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age Of Colorblindness, provides important information about this latent but real racism in the U.S. This book has opened-the-door so we can clearly see the ongoing racism.
Read more about the on-going work of the Dream of Justice and learn how you can get involved.
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 Hello! My name is Jess Walz. I'm a member at Emanuel UCC in Manchester, MI. In December, I'll be serving as a participant-leader (also known as Co-Convener) for the 2014 Michigan Gathering. The Michigan Gathering is an opportunity for groups of high school aged youth, and young adults registering as individuals, to experience four days of service, leadership and community. It is put on by Living Water Ministries (www.elcalivingwater.com) which is a ministry supported by the ELCA and the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
This will be my third year at The Michigan Gathering, and every year is a wonderful, life changing experience. I have made new friends, and celebrated my love of God with them. I have found myself spiritually, and established a new relationship with God I didn't know was possible. Gathering to me is a retreat, a four-day conference where I can relax and practice my faith with people who love and support me, and people who are just as excited about their faith as I am.
I want to formally invite all of my fellow UCC youth groups to participate in this event. As an extension of ecumenical invitation, there is a coupon code you can use at registration that will provide an additional $45 discount per person for the 2014 event!
I cannot wait to see you all at The Michigan Gathering, it is a life-changing experience, that I have been so blessed to be a part of. I truly hope you will be a part of this phenomenal conference as well!
To learn more please visit www.elcalivingwater.com. To receive the coupon code, please contact the Living Water Ministries office at 231-861-4138 and let them know you are calling from a UCC congregation.
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Items for Sale or Donation: NEW ITEMS!
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You never know, you just might find something you have been looking for! Check out our list of items for sale or donation from local churches.
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Please keep in your prayers Walt Kemnitz and his wife Rebecca as Rebecca works through some medical issues. She is home from the hospital and working toward her recovery. Your prayers are very welcomed and appreciated during this time.
Congratulations to Marcia Beer as she begins her new position as Youth Ministry Coordinator at Edgewood United Church, UCC in East Lansing.
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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