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A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed.
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The Year in Review ~ Yet Another Top Ten List
Each year-end, periodicals, magazines, newspapers and websites are filled with year-in-review articles. Top news stories, photos of the year, most significant moments, etc. are all re-hashed as a tool of reflection and remembrance. In that spirit, here is my top ten list, in no particular order, of Michigan Conference, UCC news and events:
Behold I Do a New Thing
The Vital Growth Mission Area Team was all about new: new churches, new ministries, New Beginnings, and church renewal. New Church/New Ministry Starts are being developed in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Traverse City, Benton Harbor, and Ann Arbor. Churches in southeast and southwest Michigan are participating in the New Beginnings program for churches at a crossroad. Church renewal is being fostered through Innovation Awards and Vitality Day (on March 7, 2015 in Flint).
Called as Partners
The Michigan 2x2 program of churches linking with community organizations in their local contexts continued for a second year. Dozens of churches participated with great outreach and partnership efforts. Churches in Muskegon and Alpena really set themselves apart with many great partnership efforts.
Grace Abounds
The Michigan Conference welcomed nationally renowned pastor, Nadia Bolz-Weber, as the keynote speaker at the 2014 Annual Meeting. Nadia did an awesome job sharing from her unique perspective about God's grace in our midst. This meeting set a record for the number of Conference churches represented! The 2015 Annual Meeting is in Grand Rapids October 23 & 24.
Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters
The Detroit Metropolitan Association Social Justice Team was active on behalf of those having their water turned off in Detroit. Two UCC churches are serving as water stations to help people in need receive emergency supplies of water; the DMA sponsored a resolution at Annual Meeting regarding the shut-off crisis; a UCC pastor participated in an act of civil disobedience at the entrance to the company charged with performing the shut-offs; and dozens of Conference church members marched in Detroit to protest the shut-offs. This crisis gained international attention, and the DMA continues to work on a just resolution. These efforts are leading to a renewed interest in sacred conversations on race.
O Canada!
For the past year, I have been a part of a six-person delegation in conversation with a similar delegation from the United Church of Canada regarding full communion between our denominations. If full communion is approved at General Synod 30, this could enhance our border ministries and expand our international partnerships. In the meantime, a Port Huron Church has been sharing events with a church in Sarnia, Ontario, and conversations are beginning between UCC churches in Detroit and UC Canada congregations in Windsor.
Next 5 in the count down
Churches contributing to Our Church's Wider Mission helped all of this - and much more - to take place in 2014. Thank you for your support of the wider church! I look forward to 2015 being an equally faith-filled year. Peace, Campbell Lovett Conference Minister
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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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Attention Churches: It's Yearbook Reporting Time!!
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It's time again for Yearbook data input! This year churches will input their own information directly into the UCC Data Hub.
The Data Hub is open for church data input as of January 5, 2015. We must have your information submitted prior to March 9th, 2015.
Last year Michigan was ranked 10th (out of 38 Conferences) with a 77% return rate in Yearbook Reporting - can we have your help and cooperation in a higher percentage of Yearbook Reporting for 2015?! I think we can do it! Maybe it will push us into the top 5%!
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Save the Date!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Evangelical Homes of Michigan
135th Annual Corporation Meeting
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Brecon Village
200 Brecon Drive, Saline, MI 48176
In addition to the Annual Business Meeting and election of members to the parent Board of Directors, we will recognize the numerous regional Board members and Church Ambassadors. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the accomplishments and explore the future course for this ministry dedicated to delivering EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES and INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. Each United Church of Christ congregation is entitled to 6 delegates, including the pastor. |
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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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Technology and Church Vitality Workshop
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 How technology supports church vitality, including worship PowerPoint, video/sound, Google, social media, demographics, and much more.
When: Sunday, January 25, 2015
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Bethel United Church of Christ
6650 Elizabeth Lake Rd.
Waterford, MI 48327
Cost:
Free!
Event Flyer
Sponsored by the
Michigan Conference UCC
Vital Growth Mission Area Team
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NEW Employment Opportunities:
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Are you currently looking for employment?
Check out our list of employment opportunities!
Newest opportunity: Director of Music Ministries - First Congregational UCC, Kalamazoo
Click the blue link below for a current list of available employment opportunities! |
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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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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 |
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Church World Service
Employment Opportunity
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Dear Colleagues and Supporters:
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Wartburg Theological Seminary's
34th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
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Wartburg Theological Seminary's 34th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
"Practicing Care in Rural Congregations and Rural Communities"
March 1st - 3rd, 2015
Dubuque, Iowa
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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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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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Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center 6458 Richardson Road Howell, MI 48843
Registration for summer 2015, A Call in the Wilderness is now open! Early registration ends on April 15, 2015 so sign up today and save!
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BACK BAY MISSION
CALENDAR FOR MISSION TRIPS OPEN FOR 2016
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Biloxi, MS - January 5, 2016 - Back Bay Mission, a community ministry of the United Church of Christ, has opened its mission trip calendar for 2016.
Supervised by dedicated Back Bay Mission staff, mission trip volunteers work in a variety of Mission programs, including housing rehabilitation, the food pantry, and the Micah Day Center. Volunteers also have the chance to work at their sister organization, Loaves and Fishes. The wide variety of ministries at Back Bay Mission ensures that there is always something for volunteers to be involved in.
Volunteers also have opportunities for education, fellowship and teambuilding. The Mission has an accomplished record in housing rehabilitation services that is unparalleled in the region and is one of the most highly respected and utilized volunteer programs in the United Church of Christ.
For more information on volunteer opportunities at Back Bay Mission, please visit their website - http://www.thebackbaymission.org/ - and look under the Get Involved menu tab. To reserve a date for a mission trip, please contact the Mission's volunteer coordinator by email at volunteercoordinator@thebackbaymission.org.
The minimum age for volunteers is 14.
Depending on group size and scheduling, some dates for 2015 may be available as well.
Back Bay Mission is a community ministry of the United Church of Christ dedicated to the eradication of the sting of poverty and its effects on individuals and communities. The Mission meets the urgent needs of those suffering from poverty and its effects while building pathways to social justice. It leads the way in delivering services, creating collaborative solutions and transforming lives through mission immersion experiences.
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"Our Future Pastors - Assessing the Pipeline"
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The Dream of Justice (DOJ) Calendar and "Issue of the Month"
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DOJ Newsletter - January 2015
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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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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Mansfield, Ohio
Please keep in your prayers the Konz Family on the passing of the Rev. Harold L. Konz (former Michigan pastor; Detroit Metropolitan & Southwest Associations) who passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015. He was 94. Rev. Konz was ordained on March 24, 1945. Harold served several churches throughout Ohio and Michigan, with his most recent church being St. John's UCC in Mansfield, Ohio. He retired from Evangelical Homes - Detroit, where he served as chaplain. A proud Navy veteran, Harold served as a lieutenant and chaplain.
In his free time, Harold enjoyed fishing, gardening, camping with his family, and playing cards. He also liked watching Ohio State football, golf, tennis, and basketball. Most of all, he loved family gatherings where he could be with his children and grandchildren and was always the last to leave the party.
Surviving are his three children, Gwen, Alan "Rich", and Gail; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Betty Harbert. Along with his parents, Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn V. Konz, who died October 26, 2012; six siblings; and granddaughter, Brenda Walter.
A funeral service was held January 7th at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors in Mansfield, Ohio. Burial followed in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's UCC - 68 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, OH 44902 or to the organization of the donor's choice.
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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