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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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| From Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett |
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A Resolution Update from General Synod 30
At this year's General Synod, delegates passed a resolution entitled: A Call for the United Church of Christ to Take Actions toward A Just Peace in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. This resolution calls for the United Church of Christ to "divest any direct or substantive indirect holdings in companies profiting from or complicit in human rights violations arising from the occupation of Palestinian Territories by the state of Israel," The resolution also calls for a boycott of goods "produced in or using the facilities of illegal settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories," The action of General Synod in this matter has created a serious rift in Jewish-Christian and interfaith dialogues. Some reactions are that this resolution is anti-Semitic or that it sides only with Palestinian Christians. Some local clergy report a chilling of interfaith relations with members of the Jewish community.
I would like to invite those who have concerns about this resolution to study the issue more in depth. Three resources are available for your research.
Read the entire resolution and its additional calls for study, dialogue and work for social justice and peace in the Middle East. The text of the full resolution can be found at: http://uccfiles.com/pdf/GS30-A-CALL-FOR-THE-UNITED-CHURCH-OF-CHRIST-TO-TAKE-ACTIONS-TOWARD-A-JUST-PEACE-IN-THE-ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT.pdf
The United Church of Christ has prepared a Summary Guide for UCC Clergy and Members regarding the Israel/Palestine resolution. This Guide may be found at: http://www.uccfiles.com/pdf/General-Synod-and-Israel-Palestine.pdf
The UCC and its antecedent denominations have a 200 year history of being involved in the Middle East. An excellent resource for understanding this long history and the UCC's commitment to speaking to matters of international justice is this Some Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.uccfiles.com/pdf/The-UCC-and-I-P-FAQs.pdf
I am glad to be in conversation with those who would like additional information about this issue. Our executive for Middle East and Europe, Dr. Peter Makari, is also available for more dialogue related to this resolution and our many efforts on behalf of peace in the Middle East. I hope that we can continue to be a part of promoting peace and justice in our local communities, in Michigan and around the world.
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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2015 Annual Meeting of the
Michigan Conference UCC
"We Are Overjoyed"
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced"
Psalm 126:3
Friday, October 23, 2015
First Park Congregational Church
10 East Park Place, NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Saturday, October 24, 2015
L.V. Eberhard Center
301 West Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI
Keynote Speaker: 
REGISTRATION is open! Please click 'REGISTER NOW' below to get registered for the Annual Meeting.
Overnight accommodations are available at the Holiday Inn located at 301 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI (just 262 walking steps from the L.V. Eberhard Center). We have a block of rooms available at a discounted rate. Standard Double: $129/per night plus tax or King: $139/per night plus tax. The cut-off date for the discounted rate is October 6, 2015 - please be sure and secure your reservations soon. For more information about the hotel please visit:
or call 1-616-235-7611 and reference
Block Code: UCC
DISPLAY SPACE will be available at the L.V. Eberhard Center on Saturday, Oct. 24th. Set-up of displays can begin as early as 7AM Saturday morning. Space is limited and will be assigned as requests are received. There is no cost to display however, all organization representatives must be a registered participant of the Annual Meeting. Please contact the Conference office if you have questions about registration
(517)332-3511.
Please Note:
This year's Annual Meeting is "Paper-less" meaning that all materials will be available for download from the Michigan Conference UCC website prior to Annual Meeting. We strongly recommend and encourage all of our churches to download materials for their delegates; we will not have additional copies at either site.
We will continue to update our website (www.michucc.org) with new information as this year's meeting takes shape - please check in periodically for all of the latest news and progress!
We look forward to seeing you there!
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 Volunteer Training Event
Dear Friends,
As UCC Disaster Ministries continues to move towards a focus on long-term recovery following disasters the need for skilled, trained long-term volunteers is more important than ever.
In order to support communities, in long-term recovery, volunteers willing to commit to serving through UCC Disaster Ministries a minimum of 1 month (or longer) are key to a successful recovery and to maximizing the potential of short-term volunteer groups/mission teams engaged in recovery.
To that end, UCC Disaster Ministries is planning a training event aimed at providing the necessary tools for long-term volunteers to be successful and fulfilled in their role. If you know of individuals who are at a stage in their lives where they can serve at a disaster site for a month or more, please share the event information with them and encourage them to save the date and participate.
For those interested in receiving registration information. Please send your name, phone# and e-mail address to Diane Dicken at dickend@ucc.org
Who: Volunteers interested in serving in Long-Term (1 month or more at a time) with UCC Disaster Ministries
What: UCC Disaster Ministries Long-Term Volunteer Training
Dates: October 4-10 (tentative)
Location: Biloxi, MS
Cost: All related expenses including travel for participants will be covered by UCC Disaster Ministries
*More detailed information including registration and travel arrangements to follow in early September.
**Space will be limited. Once registration information is distributed applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
Thank you for your assistance in identifying individuals and sharing the event details throughout your network.
Peace,
Zach Wolgemuth
Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries
Questions? Local Contact:
Marcia & Harold Beer (517)375-2977
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 Faith & Sustainability
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, is hosting a conference in East Lansing this fall entitled Green & Grow Your Congregation. The conference is for faith communities who want to put energy into Earth stewardship. The conference will provide practical information on how "greening" houses of worship can help grow congregations.
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 ETS Admissions Open House
Monday, August 17th, 2015
6PM - 8PM
2930 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
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 Prophetic Integrity MAT: Call for Resolutions
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 Joys & Concerns
Please keep in your prayers, the Rev. Dr. Renee Jackson (pastor, 1st Cong'l UCC - Imlay City & Southeast Area Minister), her husband Dennis, and family; Dennis had successful surgery last week. He is recovering at home now - thank you for your continued prayers.
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:
Please continue to lift up the Rev. Sherry Schacht (Eastern Association; retired pastor) and her family with prayers filled with strength and courage - determination and faith - love and comfort.
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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.
August 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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COMING TO DETROIT:
On August 15th at 7pm, Young Fenix Fellowship Academy (at St. John's-St. Luke - 2120 Russell St., Detroit 48207) showcases fun-filled adventure the whole family will enjoy - there's no deep message, just a night filled with giants, genies and adventurers, based on 1001 Arabian Nights. "Tale of the Lamp" features the illusionary work of YFX Physical Theatre which was featured on TruTV's first season of "FakeOff". The performers come from MUCCY and colleges from across the state.
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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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Are you looking for employment?
New Opportunities -
Updated 8/5/15!
Check out our list of available positions!
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Items for Sale or Donation
New Items! (7.23.15)
New Interpreter's Bible, Interpreter's Dictionary, Bible Commentary both Old & New Testament - click the list below for all of the details!
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
August 2015
"How to Enhance the Ministry of Associate Pastors"
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Get the latest camp information and links for registration
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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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| Contact Us: | |
Michigan Conference
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
517-332-3511
conference@michucc.org
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