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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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| From Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett |
Many of you have been calling with inquiries about the City of Flint water crisis that has commanded a lot of governmental and media attention in January.
We have one UCC church in Flint - Woodside Church. It is a federated church with the American Baptists, and is served by a great UCC pastor, Rev. Deb Conrad, who is passionate about issues of social justice. The water crisis in Flint is the most important issue on which the pastor and people are now working, most of whom are affected by the lead in their drinking water and blood.
People ask what they can do. Here are a few possible responses for your consideration:
1) Please continue to keep in prayer the residents of Flint, Michigan and Woodside Church that is ministering prophetically in the city.
2) Encourage the UCC/DOC partnership as the Michigan Conference, Michigan Region, Woodside Church and Vermont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) work together to supply bottled water, water filters, and replacement cartridges to Flint residents.
3) UCC Disaster Ministries' personnel have been very responsive. A Solidarity Grant of $3,000 has been approved by Disaster Ministries that will help provide water and filters, and advocacy for those whose water has been shut off for non-payment (it is hard to believe that residents are being asked to pay for water that is poisoning them). If your church or church members want to support Flint residents, I am suggesting donations to the UCC's Emergency USA Fund with "Flint Water" in the designation box: https://unitedchurchofchrist.nationbuilder.com/emergency_usa_fund
You can donate to Woodside Church directly, again with "Flint Water" in the memo line.
4) Through our Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team, we partner with Michigan Unitarian Universalist churches for advocacy efforts. These are two of the current appeals for your consideration:
- Expedite the process of the State of Michigan for purchasing and delivering safe water for all residents to drink;
- Refund all residents who have been required to pay for water that they cannot drink, and;
- Secure state and federal funding so that permanent improvements can be made to Flint's water system.
You can register your opinion with Governor Snyder online at this address:
You may also call President Barack Obama at 202-456-1111 and urge him to:
- Encourage all appropriate federal organizations to expedite their support for addressing the immediate need of Flint residents for safe, affordable water, and;
- Encourage all appropriate federal organizations to expedite their funding for short and long term improvements of Flint's water system.
You can register your opinion online with President Obama at this address:
There will be continued needs for the people of Flint. I give thanks for the presence of a UCC church in Flint that is helping to meet those needs, and for UCC churches in Michigan that will do what they can to be supportive.
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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Your Feedback is Needed & Appreciated!
If you've used MissionInsite, please take a moment to provide your feedback and experiences by responding to a brief survey!
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Special Event at St. Stephen's Community Church, UCC - Lansing
Sunday, February 7, 2016 @ 10:00AM: Please join us as we welcome Bishop John Selders - A Man of Faith, Vision and Action. Event Flyer |
Michigan Open & Affirming Coalition Meeting 
January 23, 2016
10AM - 12noon
68651 S. Forest St.
Richmond, MI 48062
We will be meeting with the Eastern Association Churches
Light snacks will be provided.
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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.
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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!
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Celebrate Seminary Sunday: Feb. 28
Why Celebrate Seminary Sunday?
Our UCC seminaries are filled with faithful, committed students seeking the skills and wisdom necessary to lead the church in the 21st century. Our congregations need these students. In our region, we are blessed to have three fine UCC seminaries - Chicago, United, and Eden. Each of these seminaries provides quality education for pastors and lay leaders, and they provide research and resources that serve the entire UCC. READ MORE  |
Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 24, 2016 @ 3:00p
Eastern Association
Installation: Rev. Alana Kelley
First Congregational Church, St. Clair
Sunday, January 31, 2016 @ 4:00p
Detroit Metropolitan Association
Ecclesiastical Council: Ms. Judith West
Mayflower Congregational UCC, Detroit
From Rev. Penny Lowes:
Dear Friends and Loved Ones of First Congregational Church, Romeo,
This note comes to bring you an update on Sherry and Chuck Schacht. Sherry feels your love and compassion each and every moment. Her heart overflows with gratitude for you. Regretfully, the time has also come when she finds herself with limited strength and energy. Please do not call her. You may send her a card, a note or an email and they will be joyfully received. She must save her strength and "up" time for her family and closest friends. I'm sure you understand that this has been a difficult decision for Sherry to reach and one that she has anticipated would one day come. While we still cannot know the will of God, she does feel that her time here is getting shorter.
When Sherry makes her final journey home to God, we will join together to rejoice in the memory of the dear presence she has been in the lives of so many. There will be a Service of Celebration at the church followed by an all-church luncheon and then a graveside service at the Green Cemetery in Waterford. Whenever that day comes, we will celebrate and give thanks to God for all that she is and will ever be to those who know her and love her. Your prayers, well-wishes and caring thoughts are desired and appreciated.
227 Prospect St., Romeo, MI 48065.
Please lift up in your prayers the Rev. Robert Braman and his family on the death of his father, Willard H. "Bill" Braman who passed away on January 16, 2016 at Spectrum United Memorial Hospital age the age of 92. Visitation and Service details, memories, condolence messages, and his obituary are available by following this link: http://www.hurstfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=724911#/celebrationWall
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Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services Available
The Pension Boards now offers financial planning services through Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services (EYFPS) at no cost to actively-contributing members of the Annuity Plan for the United Church of Christ.* EYFPS can help evaluate your financial position, retirement planning goals, and other financial concerns. READ MORE
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 WINTER FEST 2016WINTER FEST returns to the United Church of Big Rapids!
FEBRUARY 12-14, 2016
Yes, the slopes are open - we have lots of snow and all of our plans for the weekend events are confirmed!
Please see the informational flyer below and contact Wayne McKay with any questions or for further information. They have extensive information on the church website, including all forms to register:
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2016 Rural Ministry Conference
March 6 - 8th, 2016
Dubuque, IA
The Rural Ministry Conference outreach is continuing to grow and has become an ecumenical conference for those working in small town and rural parishes throughout the Midwest. The theme this year is "Life Changing Ministry in the Small Membership Congregation." The information will also be useful for larger congregations.
Scholarships are available for those who have served in a rural/small town ministry for less than five years.
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Harold & Marcia Beer
Disaster Co-Coordinators' Corner
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Thinking about retirement?
Build your future - and your church - with a retirement account from the Cornerstone Fund.
Choose the term and account that suit your needs. From traditional and Roth IRA accounts to programs designed for small businesses and self-employed individuals, the Cornerstone Fund has a range of account types to help you establish a retirement fund that does more than just earn interest.
Questions?
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Are you looking for employment?
Check out our list of available positions!
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Items for Sale or Donation
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
"Improving Church Communication"
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SAVE THE DATE!
10th Annual Spirit Awards Banquet of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary
May 12, 2016 at 6:30p
The Colony Club, Detroit
Stay tuned for more details!
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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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