|
|
|
Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| From Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett |
Some Troubling Thoughts
I was invited to one of our churches to help observe the twentieth anniversary of the pastor's ministry in their midst. It was to be a great occasion with a special service of worship, the original search committee members invited back, a retrospective video presentation, and a gala pot-luck supper with verbal tributes. I was asked to preach the anniversary sermon. The only catch was that it was all going to be a total surprise! The pastor would not know anything; he would still go ahead and prepare the service, write his sermon, and conduct the service - until it came time to preach. At that point, I would be ushered in from an adjoining room and the youth of the church would "escort" the pastor from the pulpit to the first pew.
(Now I need to let you know, I did ask those planning the service if they had really thought this all through, and if so, was there a defibrillator on the premises.)
The time came for the "pulpit swap" and as I was led forward to preach, and the pastor was led away to be feted, he looked at me and asked: "Am I in trouble?" Obviously, one response could have been, "Yes! Your people have taken over and are going to spend the next two hours offering you words of thanks and appreciation." On a deeper level, however, the question startled me. I wondered about my role as Conference Minister, and why my presence at a church might raise the question, "Am I in trouble?" I then recalled how variations of this question have been asked when people see me at a church or Association gathering. "Hmmm, who's in trouble now?"
Please allow me to offer a different framework for viewing those of us in conference ministry:
Some time ago the Michigan Conference hosted the staff person from our national setting responsible for endorsement of military and institutional chaplains. He spoke about these ministries as being "specialized ministries." When I asked a question for clarification, he mentioned that I too was in specialized ministry - which basically means not in a local church, but instead in a more narrowly defined form of ministry. That was a revelation to me because I still have the heart of a local church pastor. Our conversation turned to how specialized ministers, like chaplains or conference staff, should work closely with their local churches to interpret the many work-related absences on Sunday morning, not as skipping worship, but as deployment to another setting of the church.
Thus, in many ways, I am deployed by each local church to serve the Michigan Conference. I like this sense of deployment because it signifies an ongoing connection. Therefore, when my schedule allows me to worship at a particular church, the pastor should not have to offer a special welcome because I am visiting, or ask the, "am I in trouble?" question. They should simply inquire, "How is your ministry going that we have deployed you to do on our behalf?"
The busy "homecoming" and fall meeting season is about to begin. When you see me around, don't think about trouble but instead about how I have been deployed by your local church to serve the Conference. Hopefully, there is nothing troubling about that!
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
Vital Growth Mission Area Team Update
The Vital Growth Mission Area Team is overjoyed to announce eight applicants for the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ 2015 Innovation Awards!
|
Peace Day March
Sunday, September 27 - 2:00 PM
Join us in celebration of International Day of Peace! Read and share attached flyer for details!
|
Interfaith Clergy Advocacy Team
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light's interfaith Clergy Advocacy Team will have its first Lobby Day in Lansing on Wednesday September 9, 2015 from 12-4pm.
On the agenda will be:
- lunch
- an advocacy training (legislative context and handouts will be provided)
- an interfaith prayer in front of the Capitol
- visits with key lawmakers (to be scheduled in advance)
Clergy attire is suggested. If you have questions, contact:
Leah Wiste
Interim Executive Director of Michigan IPL
|
 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
Peace,
Zach Wolgemuth
Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries
Questions? Local Contact:
Marcia & Harold Beer (517)375-2977
|
|
|
 You're invited to a book publishing party!
M&M And The Rolling Stone and Other Scripture-Dramas
Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 3 - 5PM
Penny will be available to sign books. 10% of all book sales will be donated to the ongoing ministries of First Congregational UCC, Romeo.
|
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 was submitted and adopted by 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.
|
|
Boundary Tending and Border Crossing
703 E. Main Street, Dewitt, MI 48820
Sessions are available:
September 10, 2015
|
Are you looking for employment?
New Opportunities -
Updated 8/5/15!
Check out our list of available positions!
|
|
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.
|
|
The Parish Paper
August 2015
"How to Enhance the Ministry of Associate Pastors"
|
Get the latest camp information and links for registration
|
|
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.
|
|
|
 Joys & Concerns
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.
|
| Contact Us: | |
Michigan Conference
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 1006 | East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
517-332-3511
conference@michucc.org
|
|
|
|
|
