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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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A scholar with a passion for justice
During the 1960s, issues of race and war and gender were churning. There had been two assassinations, and riots. In 1969 when the United Church of Christ elected a seminary professor from central Pennsylvania to be its new president, people were surprised, and some were skeptical. 
But Robert V. Moss, skilled biblical scholar, civic leader, educator and ecumenical visionary, did not disappoint. At his inauguration he symbolically wore a stole of heavy chains, worn by a slave, to affirm his commitment to keep the UCC focused on justice. READ MORE
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From Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett
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This Sunday, Pray for an End to Gun Violence
This Sunday, pray for victims of gun violence and their family members. Pray for communities torn asunder by violence and death involving guns. Pray for communities where residents are shot down in churches, in movie theatres, in schools, in their homes, and in the streets. Pray for communities where there is so much violence and death that there are no longer funds to help pay for funeral expenses.
Then, on Monday, advocate for sensible gun control laws and "well regulated" gun ownership; call your state legislators and your members of Congress to demand an end to their silence and inaction in the face of this scourge of gun violence.
And then on Tuesday, repeat what you did on Monday. Same for Wednesday.
Twenty years ago (!) the United Church of Christ General Synod adopted two resolutions. The calls to action in these resolutions are still relevant and worthy of our review:
Begin planning now for your Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath, December 10 - 14.
Oh yeah, same for Thursday.
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: 
Lodging:
Our contracted hotel has filled all rooms available. There are other hotels in the area which can be found using helpful search engines like Expedia, Kayak or Hotwire, to name a few. Each one will map out hotels in the area with current rates for desired dates.
**As a reminder, this year's Annual Meeting is "PAPER-LESS" - All materials will be available online prior to Annual Meeting. We encourage all churches to provide copies of these materials to their delegates in preparation of the meeting. Thank You!
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Association
Fall Meetings
Covenant Association:
OCT 10, 2015
Location: Pilgrim Cong'l UCC, Lansing
Detroit Metropolitan
Association:
OCT 3, 2015
Location: St. John-St. Luke UCC, Detroit
Eastern Association:
OCT 24, 2015
Informal gathering - sitting together at lunch during the MI Conf Annual Meeting
Grand West Association:
OCT 11, 2015
Location: Hudsonville Congregational UCC
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Southwest Association: assisting members with Annual Meeting expenses
At it's meeting on September 26 the Southwest Association (SWA) voted to reimburse anyone from an SWA congregation who attends the Michigan Conference Annual Meeting for the costs of registration and Saturday lunch!
SWA Annual Meeting Assistance Letter
The deadline to register for the Michigan Conference UCC Annual Meeting is October 14. Please visit the Conference website (www.michucc.org) for registration information.
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 Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
Social Justice Grants
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Michigan Faith Leaders
for Racial Justice:
A session with Chris Crass
November 13th, 2015
10:30a.m. - 1:30p.m.
145 Capital Ave. NE
Battle Creek, MI 49015
All people are welcome, but this workshop will focus on how historically white faith leaders and congregations can be a part of racial justice movements of today. The will be skill-building, resource sharing, and support for the work already being done.
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Neighbors in Need (NIN)
Many UCC churches receive the Neighbors in Need special offering in October. Here is a link to more information about ways that this offering helps foster justice and compassion in the United States: http://www.ucc.org/nin.
Neighbors in Need grants are available to local churches and communities working for justice. Is there are program in your church that fosters justice? Think about applying for a NIN grant to enhance that effort. Thank you for your support of Neighbors in Need!
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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.
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.
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Are you looking for employment?
New Opportunities -
Updated 9/23/15!
Check out our list of available positions!
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Items for Sale or Donation
UPDATED (9.2.15)
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
"Can Congregations Attract Young Adults"
"New Models for New Churches: What Works?"
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 Joys & Concerns
Please keep in your prayers, the family of Rev. Thomas Rebentisch
(Retired pastor; Southwest Association) who passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015 at the age of 86 - surrounded by family and close friends. We have spoken with the family and an obituary will be available soon.
Please keep in your prayers, Rev. John Martin (Associate Pastor, St. John - St. Luke UCC, Detroit) and his family on the passing of his father, Julian Martin at the of age 77. OBITUARY
Please keep in your prayers, Sallie Anderson (Co-Chair of the Gathering Team for UCC Women of MI) and her family on the death of her mother; she passed away on September 26. She was laid to rest on September 30 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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:
We also continue prayers for strength and wellness as she recovers from recent surgery.
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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| 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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