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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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Yearbook Data Entry
Deadline - March 7, 2016
Churches:
You will add your own statistics into the National Data Hub right from the comfort of your own church location.
Why do we need information for the Yearbook?
- Local Churches covenanted to be in a mutual mission and ministry - doing together what we cannot do alone. Having up-to-date contact information helps every setting of the church to be as well-informed as possible.
- The number of General Synod delegates each Conference receives is based on our total membership number. In order to be well represented, we need to know that number.
- The Michigan Conference updates its Clergy Compensation Guidelines every year. The figures you share help to accurately represent our Conference averages.
- The Yearbook is used not only for analyzing long term trends in the denomination, but it will also be used by historians to understand the state of the church in 2015. Your church information will help accurately reflect who we are today.
- The Yearbook is now also used as a Directory of churches, clergy, Associations, Conferences, and National Setting staff. We don't want you to be left out!
The process is quite easy - let us help you get started!
The National Office has provided an instruction booklet - a helpful tool to print out and refer to - during your data entry process. Please print and read through these instructions prior to entering any information. CHURCH YEARBOOK INSTRUCTIONS
There is also additional information NEW for 2016
To help with any questions that might come up as you fill out these forms, you can use the helpful "Tip Sheet" - this gives the definition of each field that you will use in the Data Hub.
Accessing the Data Hub: To login to the UCC Data Hub it requires a six-digit number that will serve as your "User Name" and consists of the Conference ID # - MICHIGAN is 32 - followed by your church number. For example, if your church number is 1450 then your User Name would be 321450. If your church number is a two or three digit number then you would use zeros in place of empty spaces to make up your six-digit User Name. Example: If you church number is 25 your User Name would be 320025. If you are unsure of your church's church ID# click on the link below to find your Church Name and Number on the chart.
The default password is "password". After you have successfully gained access to your church record, you should change your password. Click on "Change Password" at the upper right side. (The National Office resets all passwords back to "password" every year for Yearbook data entry.)
IMPORTANT
- Once you have entered your information into the Data Hub please be sure to double check your information BEFORE clicking the "ADD" button - once you click "ADD" there is no going back - you will be unable to edit or add any information. Enter your info and double check your answers!
- Please do not add any punctuation like commas or decimal points in your Financial Information - your report will not be accepted - please use whole numbers only.
- If you find that you've entered information incorrectly or maybe forgot to enter something, please contact Lisa Soulliere at the Conference office and she will make sure information is corrected. She can be reached at lisa@michucc.org.
- You can also use the "Data Discrepancy Form" located on Data Hub - include the information to be corrected or added and we will receive an email from the National Office to update the information.
We are only a phone call or email away to help with any questions - please contact Lisa Soulliere at lisa@michucc.org or 517/332-3511 ext. 204.
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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Flint Update
The Michigan Conference continues to support Woodside Church in Flint as Pastor Deb Conrad and church members serve Flint residents.
Woodside is now receiving donations of bottled water and helping to distribute faucet filters and replacement cartridges. Woodside is also raising funds for a point-of-entry water filtration system at the church. Residents will then be able to fill water bottles at the church for free. Once Woodside's filtration system is in place, additional funds will be used for other point-of-entry filters around the city.
Many members at Woodside are very active in advocacy efforts on behalf of Flint residents. Pastor Deb has advocated for the refunding of water bill payments that were paid over the past two years. Church members are also advocating for increased funding for school nurses, increased health services for Flint's children, and for State and Federal government agencies to replace the aging water infrastructure throughout the city.
Donations may be made to Woodside Church with a notation that the funds are for "Flint Water Crisis." 1509 E Court St, Flint MI 48503.
Check out Woodside's website for more updates: |
 Attention Michigan UCC Youth:
You are Invited to a Sock Hop!
Join all the UCC Youth in Michigan (MUCCY) in collecting NEW socks for the Lansing City Rescue Mission
All Michigan UCC Youth are invited to bring their sock donations to a SOCK HOP at Haslett Community Church on Saturday, February 27th from 7 - 9p.m. A great way to help out & have fun! See flyer for more details!
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Spotlight: Faith For Thought
The Michigan Conference 2016 annual meeting will have a component on issues of privilege in church and society. In this week's Faith for Thought, Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Cheryl Burke, offers some reflections on the theme of privilege.
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Rev. Cheryl Burke - Privilege
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Read more about a new initiative through the Chicago Theological Seminary below.
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Whit e Privilege Glasses
We are writing to tell you about a new initiative being launched by Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) on February 2, 2016 to inspire productive, engaging, and respectful dialogue about race and privilege.
"White Privilege Glasses." is a minute-long public service announcement that imagines for the viewer "what if we had glasses that helped us see privilege in everyday life?" The purpose of this provocative PSA is to start dialogue, drive discussion, and create awareness about racial disparities.
While the audience for this project is not focused on audiences of color, we want to share this message widely.
We have attached a link below to the official White Privilege Glasses website, where you can watch the video, download press materials and get more information.
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 Bertha Dayton Fund
The Bertha Dayton Fund is available for aiding and assisting rural, small town or village churches in the state of Michigan and in the support of their pastors and families.
for an application. |
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You Are Invited!
God's best to you as you receive this communication!
I am writing to personally invite you to "Caring In The Midst Of It All", a two session seminar on Pastoral Care in the Black Community. As those in ministry may already know, our community continues to face particular challenges that require knowledge and understanding about providing pastoral care. We are very pleased to have Dr. Lee Butler, Jr. as our instructor for these sessions. Dr. Butler has extensive experience in ministry, is an author of several books and is a professor at Chicago Theological Seminary. This event is especially designed for those in ministry including pastors, ministers, deacons, caregivers, chaplains and any others who are involved in providing compassionate care. Please consider this an invitation to all of your staff and congregation as well.
The dates of the seminar are Feb 26, 2016 from 7pm-9pm and Feb 27, 2016 from 9am-12pm. It will be held at St. Stephen's Community Church 1007 Kimberly Drive, Lansing Michigan 48912. Cost is $55.00. This cost includes all materials and food for both days.
Attached, you will find a flyer and registration form that can be duplicated if needed. Pre-registration is encouraged and can be mailed to St. Stephen's Community Church.
We look forward to having you with us for this special event.
BE BLESSED!
Rev. Sameerah L. Shareef
St. Stephen's Community Church-United Church of Christ
1007 Kimberly Drive
Lansing, Michigan 48915
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This Week's Epiphany Light Focuses on these two Authors
 Rev. Dan Plasman (who served East Congregational UCC, Grand Rapids; Edgewood UCC, East Lansing; and First Congregational UCC, Rochester) has published a book: Jesus, a Life - Daily Reflections on the Gospel of Luke. Believing that the arc of Jesus' life bends toward social justice and inclusion, Plasman offers 365 one-page meditations. An excellent resource for preachers who follow the lectionary, for lay people who want a deeper Bible study, and for those who've given up on all things "churchy." Available in paperback and as an ebook from Amazon.
 Rev. Dr. Pamelajune (Pj) Anderson, D.Min (Pastor, Space for Grace Fellowship United Church of Christ, Lansing) has published a book, Between a Rock and Hard Places: Our Journey Before and Fifty Years Beyond the 1957 Merger of the United Church of Christ. This publication is lovingly called The Project. It is the first of its kind to preserve Afro-Christian/Black Congregational heritage since A History of Black Congregational Christian Churches of the South, written by J. Taylor Stanley in 1978. The late Dr. J. Taylor Stanley is the father of the late A. Knighten Stanley, Pastor and Senior Minister, Peoples Congregational Church, Washington , DC. Our ultimate goal is to preserve, protect, and keep alive the Afro-Christian/Black Congregational Heritage of the United Church of Christ. To purchase please contact Rev. Dr. Pj Anderson at drpjanderson@spaceforgrace.org.
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Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events:
April 23, 2016 - Festival of Faith/Vitality Day
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Please continue to hold the Rev. Sherry Schacht and her family in your prayers. Well-wishes and caring thoughts are desired and appreciated. 227 Prospect St., Romeo, MI 48065.
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Our Fight for Detroit's Kid's Day of Action
Join with teachers, school employees, parents, students and community members for a rally outside our schools to focus attention on the importance of investing in public schools.
Morning What: Citywide School "Walk-ins" When: Times vary by school. Call (313)689-9015
Light up the city for Public Education. Enough is enough! Our community deserves better. Our students deserve good schools and educators deserve respect.
Evening What: Candlelight Vigil & Unity Rally Where: Cass Park (between Cass Tech High School and the Masonic Temple) When: 5:00 p.m.
Fore more details contact Detroit Federation of Teachers at (313)875-3500 or AFT Michigan at (313)505-1141.
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Save The Date!
Boundary Training 2016!
May 5th, 2016 9:30a - 3:30p
Paw Paw Presbyterian Church
20 Pine Street
Paw Paw, MI
- Ministerial call, covenant, and disciplinary practices
- How boundaries can empower healthy, transformational ministry
- Emotional Intelligence and Family Systems tools
- Best practices and pitfalls re. relationships, money, power
- Internet and Social Media
- Practical strategies for ministry for the emerging church in a changing world
This program model offers the opportunity to-
- Increase self awareness
- Attend to triggers in oneself and strategies for managing them
- Explore a variety of situations where boundaries come into play
- Develop an increased understanding of power dynamics, including one's own power
- Kindle curiosity that opens up new possibilities
- Open conversation with colleagues
- Create a support network for ongoing learning
- Build clarity around which boundaries are solid and which are moveable or contextually shaped
- Develop an understanding of group dynamics and boundaries
- Consider theological framework for boundaries, including an examination of the life of Jesus.
- Review policies and procedures to support ministry safety and effectiveness
This program is endorsed by the Christian Reformed Church of North America, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, the Presbyteries of Detroit and Lake Michigan, Disciples of Christ, and the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ as fulfilling the boundary training requirement for clergy.
Participants receive 6 contact hours of professional development training. Certificates are issued at the close of the event.
Parts of this program will be videotaped in order to create one or more short webinars to share with a broader audience. Participants will be invited to sign a release form at the event, so their interactions may be included in the webinars.
Early registration fee by April 5th - $75
Includes materials & lunch
Regular registration fee $85 - due by April 25th.
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WINTER FEST 2016
WINTER 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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MUCCY Presents in Concert Singer-Songwriter
Bobby Jo Valentine
Please click on the picture to print - share this information on bulletin boards and with church groups!
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Harold & Marcia Beer
Disaster Co-Coordinators' Corner
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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
Updated: February 2, 2016
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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| 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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