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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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Annual Meeting Highlights
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| | Keynote Speaker, Rev. Cameron Trimble, shares hopefully about our shared future. |
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| | A large crowd gathered at First Park Congregational UCC to hear Cameron Trimble's presentation. |
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| | Moderator, Ms. Judith Booker, and Parliamentarian, Rev. Reg Lancaster, conduct the business of the meeting. |
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| | Conference Minister, Campbell Lovett, introduces Rev. Bruce Roller of United Church Outreach Ministries. |
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| | ACM, Rev. Cheryl Burke presents the Innovation Awards. |
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| | Conference Preacher, Rev. Mayowa Reynolds, captivates the congregation with her sermon. |
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Mayor Heartwell receives Murdale Leysath Leadership Award from award artist, Rev. Denise Griebler.
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Busy delegates engaged in small group conversations.
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From Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett
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Annual Meeting ~ First Reflection
The Annual Meeting Planning Committee and Conference Staff are so grateful for the many, many people who made this year's Annual Meeting possible. Here is a listing of people about whom "we are overjoyed:"
- Senior Minister Rev. Todd Petty and the awesome staff and musicians at First/Park Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Keynote Speaker Rev. Cameron Trimble, Conference Preacher Rev. Mayowa Reynolds, Moderator Judith Booker, leaders and participants in hearings, Mayor George Heartwell, Pastor/Potter Rev. Denise Griebler, all our mission partners who brought greetings, our institutional associates who helped sponsor the award dinner, those who led a workshop or hosted a display table, Judy Furman for selling UCC Resources, John Ditzler for organizing displays, Grand West Association Moderator Dan Spaulding who helped plan award dinner, listeners/recorders during our table conversations, keyboardist Rev. Dr. Adam Webber and those who helped plan and/or lead one of the worship services, the staff at the Eberhard Center at Grand Valley State University - and many others!
I also want to share a few of the things I heard during the meeting that are worth repeating:
- From Cameron Trimble, "Our best days are ahead of us." "You will know that there is a UCC church in town because the quality of life is better for everyone in that community." "The UCC should be a church for the 99%." "Take off your bib and put on an apron."
- "In the last few years the Conference Annual Meeting has done a good job equipping local pastors and churches."
- "I really like meeting in the heart of city so that we can check out local venues." "I really hate meeting in the heart of the city because the parking is so poor."
- Disappointment about lack of youth. Needing to be more intentional about turnout of youth and young adults.
And, finally - I had the opportunity to review Saturday's small group conversation sheets about congregational vitality and the future work of the church. Here are few things worth noting:
- Clergy and congregants have a clear sense of what makes for a healthy church and it includes laughter, spontaneity, kindness, compassion, commitment to Christ, music, multiple generations present, many leaders in worship, and a lot of outreach beyond the church walls.
- Participants shared about a variety of people who have helped them to grow spiritually, including, Sunday School teachers, youth ministers, family members, someone who believed in them, Confirmation mentors, clergy, and well known leaders and people of faith - to name just a few.
- People were very clear about the skills and aptitudes needed in our leaders today - humor, kindness, grounded in faith, bravery, courage, fearlessness, adept with technology, experience of other cultures, outreach oriented, etc.
- There was great hope expressed for the future of the church. People wanted to see a woman General Minister and President, renewed commitment to social justice, the environment, ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and ending poverty, racism and human trafficking.
There will be a lot more information forthcoming about our annual meeting. We will list Cameron Trimble's presentation slides and small group responses in an upcoming E-Newsletter. Please don't forget to complete your evaluation online so that we can learn from your experience.
The theme of the Annual Meeting was truly lived out thanks to you. We are overjoyed!
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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"Planning a Year of Vital Worship"
A workshop presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting
We are happy to share resources from the Annual Meeting workshop that you may find very helpful.
What are the gifts of your congregation? How often are those gifts tapped in worship? Has there been intentional advance planning of your worship services by capable congregants with a goal to capture folk's attention in new ways for Christ? This is the story of one congregation's planning process to map out a year of vital worship ... with a theme of "Walk with Me." You will receive info about Lilly Endowment grants for vital worship and ways to go back to your congregation and experience a spirit-filled year of worship.
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 Boundary Training
November 19th
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Deadline to register:
November 10th
5945 Park Lake Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
Cost: $75 (includes materials & lunch)
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reVision
Are you ready to embark on a bold and brave journey to discern God's call for the future of your congregation? Are you ready to start with your heart rather than your head? If so, reVision may be just the right next step for you.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing all of the information you need to connect to the webinar.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Inclusive Justice of Michigan
Offers Workshop:
"Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)"
November 16th, 2015
10:00AM - 2:00PM
(lunch included)
The focus and purpose of this workshop is to equip religious leaders to confront the dismantling of equality in the name of 'religious freedom.' More details to come!
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MUCCY
(MICHIGAN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST YOUTH)
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Open and Affirming Resources
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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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 Poverty & Partnership
January 15 - 17, 2016 Louisville, Kentucky
UrbanSpirit is pleased to host a Michigan Conference fact-finding tour. You'll experience a portion of our unique approach to ending poverty and discover ways to participate in this new cross-conference partnership. More information available in the attached brochure. Registration capacity is 14; sign-up today!
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Are you looking for employment?
New Opportunities -
Updated 10/27/15!
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
"New Models for New Churches: What Works?"
"Navigating the Currents of Endowments and Reserve Funds"
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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. OBITUARY
Please keep in you prayers Rev. Jane Rathman (Eastern Association), Rev. Deborah Dean Ware (Covenant Association), and Rev. Eric Thorsen (Grand West Association); all of these folks are recovering after recent surgery.
Please keep in your prayers Rev. John Buttrey (retired pastor, Grand West Association) who recently suffered a fall which severely injured his back. He is awaiting surgery.
Please keep in your prayers the family of Rev. Ed Mendenhall (former Michigan pastor) who passed away October 27, 2015 at his home in Florence, Arizona. Arrangements are pending.
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 more 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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