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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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From the Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett
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Thanksgiving 2015
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..." Matthew 6:25
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." Luke 21: 25 - 26
I'm often taken aback by how the lectionary can designate scripture readings within a few days of each other that seem diametrically opposed. Take the Thanksgiving and Advent 1 Gospel passages (November 26 and November 29), for instance. In Matthew 6, Jesus asks us to contemplate birds and flowers within an encouragement not to worry. Three days later, on the First Sunday of Advent, Luke presents a scenario of distress, confusion, fear and foreboding in which worry - or panic - would appear to be the best response.
How should we understand Jesus' exhortation not to worry about our lives when people are fainting from fear? Is there a place for us between, "don't worry," and, "stop, drop and roll"?
I listened to an ordination sermon recently where the preacher commented on this dynamic. She suggested that our lives are lived in "a place between life's last great tragedy and the place where we feast on hope." This is a helpful sentence by which to contemplate these scripture passages. We cannot add any time to our brief span of days by worrying. We can, however, add meaning and purpose to our lives by being people of faith who focus on hope, courage and love.
The Board of Directors of the Michigan Conference at their November 21st meeting supported a hope-filled statement from the World Council of Churches in response to the terrorist attacks in Beirut and Paris. The Board also pledged solidarity with those suffering from attacks in Mali, Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, Libya, Kenya and Somalia - and in particular with refugees and displaced persons fleeing violence in their homelands. Here is the concluding paragraph of the endorsed statement:
"In the face of this brutality, the human family, all people of faith and of good will, must stand together to recommit to respecting and caring for one another, to protecting one another, and to preventing such violence. We cannot and do not accept that such a terrorist atrocity can ever be justified in the name of God or of any religion. Violence in the name of religion is violence against religion. We condemn, reject and denounce it. Let us confront it by holding firm to and upholding the democratic, intercultural and human rights values that this terrorism seeks to attack. Let us not allow these events to diminish our care and hospitality to those fleeing violence and oppression. Let us continue to strive to do what we know is required of us: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God on the way of justice and peace."[i]
As we move into the seasons of Thanksgiving and Advent, seasons in which we will again be confronted by the next tragedies of violent extremism, a resurgent xenophobia, and religious persecution, let us give thanks that our faith calls us away from egocentrism toward a caring for the least of our brothers and sisters - with hope, peace and love.
[i] https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/executive-committee/2015-nov/statement-on-terrorist-attacks-in-paris
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Tuesday, December 1 is #GivingTuesday. Please visit the Michigan Conference website ( www.michucc.org) to learn more about ways you can donate to the work of the Conference.
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 CONGRATULATIONS!Congratulations to Trinity United Church of Christ in Northport, Michigan as they celebrate becoming an ONA (Open and Affirming) Church effective November 11, 2015!
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Boundary Training:
2016 and Beyond...
The Michigan Conference United Church of Christ has been working in conjunction with Sustaining Pastoral Excellence for sometime to continue to bring about this one-day Boundary Tending and Border Crossing training opportunity. New dates for 2016 & 2017 are now available. Sign-up information will be shared with you soon!
2016:
May 5th (Location TBD; west side of the state)
September 22nd - St. Francis Retreat Center, Dewitt
2017: April 26th (Location TBD; north side of the state) September 12th - St. Francis Retreat Center, Dewitt
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Gospel in the Key of Jazz:
Holiday Edition
Friday, December 11, 2015
7:00 PM
St. Stephen's Community Church, UCC
1007 Kimberly Drive
Lansing, MI 48912
(517)484-2180
Event Flyer:
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 Joys & Concerns
CONGRATULATIONS!
Recent Ordinations and Installations around the Conference!
Eastern Association:
Rev. Dr. Julie Kilmer, installed Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015
Detroit Metropolitan Association:
Rev. Carrie Orlando, ordained Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015
Rev. Donald Quigley, ordained Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015
Southwest Association:
Rev. David Stout, installed Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015
Rev. Ken Arthur, ordained Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015
Rev. Emily LaBrecque, ordained Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015
United Northern Association:
Rev. John Doud, installed Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015
The Michigan Conference asks for continued prayers for Rev. Deborah Dean Ware, Pastor at Church of the Good Shepherd in Ann Arbor. 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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Unique Pastoral Opportunity on Mackinac Island
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Are you looking for employment?
New Opportunities -
Updated 11/10/15!
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
"Navigating the Currents of Endowments and Reserve Funds"
"Improving Church Communication"
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 Just Peace
The Just Peace Church vision is a hallmark of United Church of Christ theological identity. For 30 years, the Just Peace Church pronouncement has inspired a grassroots movement of UCC congregations committed to corporately naming and boldly proclaiming a public identity as a justice-doing, peace-seeking church. The Just Peace pronouncement articulated the UCC position on war and peace distinct from other approaches such as crusade, pacifism, or "just war." Grounded in UCC polity and covenantal theology, the position focuses attention on alleviating systemic injustice of all types using non-violence and calls us to offer the message, grounded in the hope of reconciliation in Jesus, that "Peace is possible."
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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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