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Live from General Synod ~
An Update from the Conference Minister
Today is the first day of General Synod 30 - the day after the 58th birthday of the United Church of Christ. Your Michigan Conference delegation is gathering in Cleveland, Ohio to discuss, deliberate, discern, and decide some very important issues for our denomination. In our polity, General Synod speaks to the church and not for the church. Each setting of the church has the responsibility to receive the work of General Synod and decide how best to implement any actions. Here is a brief listing of some of the work ahead: (read more)
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General Synod Rendezvous
Going to General Synod this summer? The Michigan Delegation invites all Michiganders who are in Cleveland for Synod to gather on Sunday, June 28th following the 3:00 p.m Synod Service of Worship (about 5:00 p.m.). We will gather in *Room 6 on the Concourse Level at the Convention Center. This will be a good opportunity to meet and greet one another; and those who wish to make dinner plans for the evening may team up as well!
*Room change: Originally planned for Room 8 - now in Room 6
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 CPRNews
Come visit us at Synod! We'll have toys for you and an NCLI discount code, if you find our booth. And we'd love to see your shining faces. Also, check out our July and August courses, the new Day Pass option for #NCLI15 and catch up on the awesome VBS we did for pastors, if you missed it.
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Covenant Association Higher Education Grants
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, 2015. 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-$2,500.
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Clergy Communities of Practice
Helping pastors sharpen ministry skills and feel supported
If you would like training to be a facilitator of such a group, you may be interested in the training in Chicago this October 20 & 21, 2015.
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Still Speaking Worship Event
Offered Online
The Faith Formation Team of Local Church Ministries is offering an online opportunity for United Church of Christ churches to enter into a panel discussion on "Creating Sacred Space" for worship. This panel of liturgical art specialists will be discussing the importance of the worship space and offer ways to use it creatively in order to enhance worship. The event will stream live at 11 AM (EDT) on October 27, 2015 from the Amistad Chapel at the Church House in Cleveland, Ohio at: This event will be recorded and posted at this link for later viewing. With questions, please contact Rev. Ivy Beckwith at beckwithi@ucc.org.
More information about this event - i.e. bios of the panel participants is included in the flyer posted below. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you very much! |
MissionInsite: We're Growing Again!
Known for over a decade as a partner for the faith-based and religious world, MissionInsite is excited to announce its new community engagement solutions can now empower the nonprofit community. |
2015 Innovation Awards
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.
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 2015
Annual Meeting
Call for Workshops!
Theme: We Are Overjoyed!
"Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed." Psalm 126:3
God is still speaking in the Michigan Conference UCC.
What resources, training, possibilities, or opportunities have helped you to be overjoyed about your congregation's mission or ministry?
Is God calling you to offer a workshop on this topic for the Annual Meeting?
If so, please return the completed application form to Sasha Gaskin (sasha@michucc.org) in the Conference Office by July 27, 2015.
We are looking forward to exploring all of the ways that God's presence and activity in the world brings joy and meaning and new life.
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 Prophetic Integrity MAT: Call for Resolutions
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 Joys & Concerns
Please join us in bringing recognition, honor and praise to the Reverend Nicholas Hood, Sr. of Detroit, as he celebrates his 92nd birthday! Happy Birthday Rev. Hood, Sr.!
Congratulations to former Michigan pastor, the Rev. Kyle Carnes and his wife on the birth of their son, Silas William Carnes. Kyle serves as Senior Pastor of St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill, Wisconsin.
The Michigan Conference asks for continued prayers for Rev. Deborah Dean Ware, Pastor at Church of the Good Shepherd in Ann Arbor. Deborah has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is receiving medical treatment this month. Deborah is blogging about her experience at:
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 Reading Changes Lives
In the U.S. 1 in 5 adults (20%) lack reading skills beyond a fourth grade level. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 12, that we are all part of one body through Christ. When any member of our community suffers, we all suffer.
We invite congregations to join us in our three-part service project, Engage 3 Ways, with local , national and global actions planned to raise literacy rates. Together we can support organizations that engage in the life changing work of teaching children and adults how to read.
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The Dream of Justice is a group within the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ working to end mass incarceration.
July Newsletter
Sign the Resolution:
Proclaim Release to the Captives
This resolution was passed by the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ, and then sparked a broader resolution that will be submitted for adoption to the UCC General Synod in June, 2015. Sign this resolution to show your support and to get involved.
http://tinyurl.com/signreleasetothecaptives
Contact Emily (emilyhamstra@gmail.com) to have email addresses added to or removed from the Dream of Justice Newsletter list.
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Boundary Tending and Border Crossing
703 E. Main Street, Dewitt, MI 48820
Sessions are available:
September 10, 2015
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Register Today!
Join United Church Funds in Chicago for a day-long gathering designed for church leaders and members who want to create or strengthen an endowment for a rich and sustainable future.
Register early for this great opportunity to deepen your endowment knowledge, build your leadership's skills, and strengthen your church's financial future - all for just $15 per person if you register by Sept. 1!
Questions? Call: 877-806-4989
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Are you looking for employment?
New Opportunities!
Check out our list of available positions!
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Items for Sale or Donation
New Items!
'Like New' Fax Machine
New Century Hymnals
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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The Parish Paper
"Could Lack of Curiosity Kill the Church"
July 2015
"Congregational Strength is Always Plural"
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Get the latest camp information and links for registration
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Immanuel Scholarship:
Deadline Extended
The Immanuel Scholarship opportunities have been extended to June 29th. Please share this information with your Members In Discernment (MID) and encourage them to visit the Michigan Conference website at the link below for more details.
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Friday, October 23
First Park Congregational Church
10 East Park Place, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Saturday, October 24 L.V.Eberhard Center
301 Fulton St., WestGrand Rapids, MI 49504www.gvsu.edu
Keynote Speaker:
The Rev.
Cameron Trimble,
Executive Director & CEO,
More information to come - Stay Tuned!
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 Pre-Annual Meeting Event
Do What Matters
October 22, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
A dynamic training experience for church leaders.
- How are faithful Christian disciples formed today?
- What sustains them through a lifetime?
- How can congregations make a real difference?
Audience:
Pastors and Staff, Children's Ministry Team, Youth Ministry Team, Small Group Ministry Team, Adult Formation Team, Sunday School Teachers, Council/Vestry, other interested leaders, ministry leaders and teams from neighboring congregations.
For more information and to register
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