Faith for Thought
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Faith for Thought is a bi-weekly offering of the 
Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
January 15, 2016
In today's Faith for Thought, Rev. Cheryl Burke reflects upon making room for the new in a New Year.



Haslett Community Church to host presentation: Refugee Resettlement - how local churches can help

On Sunday, February 21st at 7PM in the church's sanctuary, the Current Events in Christian Context group at Haslett Community Church will host a presentation by Judi Harris, the Refugee Resettlement Director at St. Vincent Catholic Charities. St. Vincent's has long been deeply involved in refugee resettlement work in the Lansing area and Judi will share with us the latest about their work and about how local churches can join in it.

Haslett Community Church is located at 1427 Haslett Road in Haslett. If you have any questions, you can call Pastor Kurt Kirchoff at 517-339-8383, ext. 11. Everyone is welcome!
 
ucc-color-logo It's that time again...time for
Yearbook Data Input!

We need your help this year - maybe more than ever! 

It's time again for Yearbook Data input and we are encouraging and praying that all of our churches will participate before the March 7th, 2016 deadline. 

Churches will again input their own information directly into the UCC Data Hub. The Data Hub is open for church data input as of January 4, 2016. 

Please click on the link below to follow instructions and find new information for inputting your church data. 

We would really appreciate your help in increasing our reporting response this year!

Unfortunately, the Michigan Conference UCC dropped in our reporting percentage last year from 10th place to 16th place - a 9% decrease from 2013!

With a little extra effort we can push ourselves back up to the Top 10! Let's show our strength and get our results in as soon as possible! Wouldn't it be an awesome sight to have ALL of our Michigan Conference Churches reporting this year! 

We are only a phone call or email away to help with any questions you may have. We can also input your information for you if you need assistance - just let us know! 


Thanks so much for your help!
 
Epiphany light is shed upon Webster UCC's 
Ghana Ministry!

 
Health & Human Service Sunday: January 31, 2016 

What is Health and Human Service Sunday?
Each year, the United Church of Christ designates one Sunday - usually the last Sunday in January - as a day to recognize the ministries in health and human services provided by the  members of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries as well as those supported by our local churches, ministries which respond to human need with compassion and justice.  This Sunday is an opportunity for congregations to lift up our common ministry of healing and service to others in Christ's name.  Some local congregations might choose to observe Health and Human Service Sunday on a different date, especially on the anniversary of the founding of a ministry with which they are engaged, but the importance of lifting up these special ministries which call forth the best in UCC members is not lost whenever the observance is held.  Feel free to use any of the resources offered here, or create others appropriate to your experience.
[Resources from previous years can be found at http://www.ucc.org/health_hhs-sunday.]



Wishing you a blessed day and wonderful weekend!
 

Michigan Conference
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 1006
East Lansing, MI 48826-1006
517.332.3511

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In This Issue
In today's Faith For Thought....
Refugee Resettlement
It's Time Again for Yearbook Data
Webster UCC's - Ghana Ministry!
Health & Human Service Sunday
MI Conference Staff
CPR: Free Lenten Webinar..
2015 Friends of the Conference
CTRNC News
Calendars
Joys & Concerns
Quick Links

Michigan Conference 
Staff

Conference Minister

Associate
Conference Minister

Southeast Area Minister

Interim Southwest Area
Minister

Business Manager

Executive
Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant
Search & Call

Administrative Assistant
Assoc. Conf Minister

2015 
Friends of the Conference 

CALENDARS 




 
Joys & Concerns
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In Our Thoughts & Prayers

Please continue to lift up prayers filled with comfort and peace for the Rev. Sherry Schacht (retired pastor; Eastern Association) and her family. "May the blessings of light, comfort, joy, and peace abound for you this and each new day."
~ The Michigan Conference UCC Staff


Watch for information on these important events!
February 2016:      Immanuel Scholarship Information
March 5th, 2016:  Vitality Day! (tentative)
April 23rd, 2016:   Festival of Faith
May 5th, 2016:      Boundary Training (location to be determined)
May 13th, 2016:   Chaplain's Day Away
August 2016:     Prophetic Integrity MAT - Social Justice Grant Info
Sept. 22, 2016:  Boundary Training @ St. Francis Retreat Ctr, Dewitt
October 14-15, 2016:  MI Conf UCC - Annual Meeting in Flint, MI