Is the Good Shepherd Up at Night Counting Sheep?
Festival of Faith, 2015
The Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ is blessed to have such great partners in the Michigan Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). What a special joy it is to collaborate with them on this year's Festival of Faith, April 18 at First Christian Church in Lansing. I hope that you will make every effort to attend. It is a post-Easter celebration designed to rejuvenate, renew and revive all who have exhausted themselves during Holy Week and Easter! What can you expect?
This event is for preachers! Lillian Daniel will be the featured preacher and speaker. Lillian is the very popular Stillspeaking Devotional writer and author of articles and books on the theme of Spiritual but Not Religious. As an added bonus, Lillian will preach using the alternate lectionary Gospel reading for April 26th as her text (John 10:11-18). So, you are guaranteed to get a sermon illustration or two for your upcoming sermon!
This event is for church leaders! We're all dealing with waning attendance and cultural shifts. This will be an event not only to celebrate the good things that are happening in our congregations, but also to receive some updates about how our churches can be in ministry with the "Nones."
This event is for musicians! Music, music and more music! Festival of Faith will feature three genres of music: Gospel, Contemporary and Hymns for the Progressive Church. Our own Adam Webber will be a featured song leader. Come and share in great music and get some resources for your local church.
This event is for you! This will truly be a festival of fun, food, fellowship, faith and maybe even a little frivolity! Please save the date and join us for the Festival of Faith, April 18, 9:30 - 2:30 at First Christian Church in Lansing.
Register Online
Event Flyer/Paper Registration
Campbell Lovett
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| | Photo courtesy of www.lilliandaniel.com |
Festival of Faith
Keynote Speaker: Lillian Daniel
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Cost: $30 per person (includes lunch)
1001 Chester Road Lansing, MI 48912
Join the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Michigan Region and the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ as we welcome pastor, writer, and teacher, The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel. Dr. Daniel has served as senior minister of the First Congregational Church, Glen Ellyn, IL since 2004. She is featured in Mark Oppenheimer's recent New York Times article Examining the Growth of the 'Spiritual but Not Religious'. In addition, Dr. Daniel also serves on the Board of Directors at Chicago Theological Seminary.
In preparation for the Festival of Faith, participants are encouraged to read our keynoter's most recent book. Lillian Daniel's book, When "Spiritual But Not Religious" Is Not Enough, is available through your local library, your favorite bookstore, or your favorite online retailer, including: Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, & Indie Bound.
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IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN
Sponsored by the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
"Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her." MARK 14:9
Sunday, May 17, 2015
11:00 - 3:30 p.m.
A day to remember and appreciate women (ordained and lay) who have strengthened the Michigan UCC over the past 50 years.
7301 Curtis Street
Detroit, MI 48221
Come for the whole day or just the afternoon program!
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Local Churches in the Michigan Conference are amazing.
First Congregational UCC in Battle Creek has had a special emphasis on racial justice for the past two years. In this article from First Congregational blog, a church member offers a very helpful reflection on "white privilege" and its meaning in our community contexts.
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Take Faith Formation to the Next Level
We still have $100 scholarships for you to attend any of these top-notched faith formation training events! Stop chasing the next best way to do children, youth and family ministry and learn the latest best practices through one of these upcoming learning events. Whether you are a volunteer or a seasoned church staff person, these events will give your ministry a boost! Both online and in-person training events are available. (We've added some more to the list because of your great suggestions.) Up to $100 matching scholarships are available to churches sending participants to these events.
Atlanta, GA Princeton, NJ
Unable to travel? Try these terrific online options!
Overwhelmed by all these fantastic options? Want to apply for scholarships? Contact Nicole Havelka, SW Area Minister, at nicole@michucc.org. She'll help you discern which option is right for you and your church. |
 Board of Directors: Michigan Conference UCC
The Board of Directors of the Michigan Conference will meet on Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem UCC in Farmington. The agenda includes:
- Opening welcome and devotions
- Approving minutes, quorum, excused absences
- Conversation with host church members
- Adoption of Consent Agenda
- Policy & Procedures Manual Update
- Conflict of Interest Policy Discussion
- OCWM Ambassador Presentation
- Acceptance of Property Report
- Mission Area Team Updates from Board Members
- Strategic Planning Session I
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 National Church Leadership Institute
AUGUST 10-13th, 2015 Boston, Massachusetts
10% OFF WITH CODE: NCLI10MICHIGAN
The headlines tell a story of decline and despair. But cultural trendlines paint a picture of possibility.
Join the leading practitioners and thinkers in progressive church at this year's National Church Leadership Institute where we will curate conversations around five trendlines:
DIY, crowdsourcing, the local food movement, the cloud, and the sharing economy.
Together, we'll have a blast, re-imagine the church and build a more just and generous future!
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 NEWS FROM CUE (Chicago, United, Eden) Seminaries
Chicago Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the 2015 Spring Conference, "Selma at 50: Still Marching." The conference, taking place on campus Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25, will trace a thread through the legacy of civil rights activism to current activist movements in Chicago and around the country to inspire a new generation of leaders working toward a more just society in our lifetime. The conference will include keynote addresses from Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and award winning author of The New Jim Crow Michelle Alexander. The event will also feature a closing plenary session, practical workshops and special performances and events.
For more information or to register, please visit selma.ctschicago.edu
AGENDA
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Know Us Project Training
April 26, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1000 Cranbrook Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Know Us Project Training (KUP) helps prepare lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their allies to have personal and effective conversations with friends and family members about the emotional impact of stigma and discrimination.
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Young Fenix Fellowship
with YFX Physical Theatre presents
Stories of Reintegration
Stories of PTSD
Admission is free - donations accepted,
Info: (626)475-4543
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 UCC Women of Michigan proudly present:
The Gathering 2015 - "Dance in the Spirit"
June 12 - 14, 2015
Kettunen Center, Tustin, MI
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Ginny Titus
Join us for a weekend of retreat, renewal, relaxation and recharging. It is a time to greet old friends and make new ones!
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The Dream of Justice (DOJ) Calendar & "Issue of the Month"
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 Team and learn how you can get involved.
Follow the link below to read the resolution and sign the Statement of Support.
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 Did winter take a toll on your church?
Repair and improve your building and grounds with a Cornerstone Fund loan.
The Cornerstone Fund was created to help churches expand and address a full range of building maintenance needs-from straightforward repairs to large-scale additions or renovations. We can help.
Choose the loan that suits your church's needs.
The Cornerstone Fund offers four different loan programs. All loans are secured by the borrowing organization's real estate. No personal guarantees or other collateral required.
Determine the amount that fits your church's budget.
Cornerstone Fund loans are available from $10,000 to over one million dollars. A quick phone conversation will help determine your borrowing capacity.
Click here for current rates.
For more information on church loans and loan application packages, call 888-822-3863 or go to http://cornerstonefund.org/borrow.
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 Joys & Concerns
Please keep the Rev. John Rogers (former Conference Minister, Michigan Conference UCC) and his wife Barbara in your prayers. Barbara was recently diagnosed with mouth cancer. Surgery to remove the cancer went well - though Barbara will require weeks of therapy and radiation - her prognosis is good.
Please keep the Rev. John (Jack) Byers (Covenant Association retired pastor) and his family in your prayers on the recent death of his wife, Alice (Jakie) Byers, who passed peacefully with family gathered around her, Tuesday, March 17th. Services will be held at First Congregational UCC, Grand Blanc at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20th. Visitation will be held an hour prior to service time from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Please continue to hold in your prayers the Rev. Gene McCornack and his wife Mariann. Gene suffered a stroke on January 27. After extended time at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, he was moved to the UCC Pathways program at Evangelical Homes of Michigan. Cards of encouragement can be mailed to his home: 14750 Lakeside Circle #112, Sterling Heights, MI 48313.
Please hold in your hearts and continued prayers, the Rev. Sherry Schacht and her family(Eastern Association; retired pastor). Please continue to lift her up in your prayers filled with strength and courage - determination and faith - love and comfort. |
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Are you looking for employment?
Check out our list of available positions!
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 OPEN HOUSE: Ecumenical Theological Seminary
Saturday, April 11, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Experience One-on-One Interaction with:
The President & Academic Dean
Members of the Faculty and Staff
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YFX Physical Theatre Announces:
Company Auditions
Gods, Genies, & Giants
By appointment - please contact: Todd (626)475-4543
Rehearsals: June/July (TBA)
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The Parish Paper
"What Churches Can Do to Increase Social Media Security"
"Finding God's New Call in the Same Place"
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New Items!
Items for Sale or Donation
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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Get the latest camp information and links for registration - CTRNC News
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