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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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Spotlight
Earlier this week my spouse, Eileen, and I went to see the movie, Spotlight. This is a movie about an investigative team of reporters at the Boston Globe uncovering the child sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in 2001. The movie moved us on a number of different levels. Since we know the city of Boston fairly well, it was enjoyable to see different scenes of the city. It was interesting to think back to the early years of this century and remember where we were and how news of this scandal played out in our setting for ministry. It was challenging to remember how our own denomination had fallen short in this area and of our conversations with victims of clergy sexual abuse. And, it was fruitful to recall how our current efforts of clergy boundary training, safe sanctuary policies and criminal background checks have combined to enable churches to be safer spaces for children, youth and adults.
I commend this movie to you for all of these reasons and many more. It is a powerful portrayal of the lifetime of sorrow that clergy sexual abuse creates, and of the significance of seeking and sharing the truth in the quest for justice. This could be a very difficult movie to watch for victims of any abuse, just as it could be an encouraging film for those who seek to support and care for victims.
The United Church of Christ has prepared an excellent discussion guide to be paired with the movie. Here is a link to that guide: http://uccfiles.com/pdf/spotlightguide.pdf . I hope that your congregation will discern ways that it can encourage people to view the movie and take part in a group discussion. I will also encourage our Association Committees on Ministry to reflect on this movie in regards to their work not only with those preparing for ministry but also their oversight of those in active ministry.
If you have your own reflections about this movie that you would like to share, please feel free to send them to me, and with your permission, we can make reflections available through future e-newsletters. READ MORE
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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Yearbook Data Entry - Please take a moment to enter your Yearbook Information!
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
Woodside Church in Flint continues to respond to the Flint water crisis in a number of significant ways with the support of the Michigan Conference and the National Setting of the UCC. Please check out Woodside's website for more information about responding to the crisis and understanding it from a historical perspective:
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 Church Views:
News and updates about a variety of churches in the Michigan Conference
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February Concert to benefit Flint Residents
February 19, 2016
First Congregational Church
403 South Jefferson Ave.
Saginaw, MI 48607-1139 (989)754-6565
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 Needed ASAP: Skilled Carpenters, Electricians & Plumbers
Young Fenix Fellowship UCC, a new church start in Detroit, is developing an exciting new ministry called Young Fenix House. It is a place where artists live and create together, inspire each other, engage in meaningful dialogue and share fellowship in life's journey: all who live here intentionally encourage a collaborative creative process.
Space for this new ministry (3800 square feet on the 3rd floor of an existing building) is being renovated right now on Gratiot, overlooking Eastern Market.
Please contact Rev. Dr. Todd Farley (626-475-4543 or todds.farley@gmail.com) if you would like to volunteer some time and your expertise to make this project a reality (sooner rather than later). Also needed: gently used kitchen appliances: refrigerator, electric oven, and washer/dryer.
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 Faith & Sustainability Workshop
February 27, 2016 9:30a - 3:00p
"Our future depends on our stewardship of God's creation"
Michigan Conference UCC Office
5945 Park Lake Road, East Lansing, MI
Rev. Isabella Hutzler, Green Chalice Representative for the Michigan Region and Member of Journey of Faith Christian Church will be the workshop leader. Come and learn about ways to connect faith, sustainability and everyday life through a different approach to the creation stories and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Connect your faith to all of creation, and to making green choices in the food we eat, in the clothing we wear and in the houses we live in.
Tuition: $30 (includes continental breakfast & lunch)
deadline to register: 2/22/16
This workshop is sponsored by the Lay Leadership Program of
STEM
Systematic Training in Effective Ministries
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Sacred Intersextions: A Retreat on Sexuality and Spirituality
Coalition leaders Rebecca Voelkel and Phil Porter are offering a long-weekend retreat exploring the relationship between sexuality and spirituality: "Sacred Intersextions" March 31 to April 3 at the Oak Ridge Conference Center, a beautiful setting near Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Click on the image below for more information!
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NGLI: Next Generation Leadership Initiative
Greetings to you and blessings upon the ministry and service you do in God's name.
Hopefully you have heard by now about the investment in young transformational leaders and the church of the future through Next Generation Leadership Initiative. The Pension Boards is seeking to contribute to the greater good by encouraging, equipping and sustaining young clergy for service in local congregations of the United Church of Christ. READ MORE
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UrbanSpirit and the
Michigan Conference UCC Retreat
The UCC is one of several denominations that have endorsed our center, and many UCC groups have spent a week in our simulation of life at minimum wage. In order to forge a relationship between the Michigan Conference and UrbanSpirit, Conference Minister, Rev. Campbell Lovett and Rev. Deborah Conrad, Founder & Director of UrbanSpirit and Pastor of Woodside Church, Flint, will be leading a "fact-finding tour" to help folks understand what we do, how we do it, and why we bother. From Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, we'll experience and explore the UrbanSpirit neighborhood and program, and worship with UrbanSpirit's new partner, Plymouth UCC in Louisville.
Cost for the weekend is $50 and includes food, lodging and program. You just need to arrange your travel to Louisville.
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 CHURCH WILL HOST MARCH CONCERT TO BENEFIT PINE RIDGE RESERVATION
Stella! and The Springtails will headline March 11 show to support Re-Member's Feather II Campaign for the Oglala Lakota Nation
The Peoples Church has partnered with Re-Member for more than a decade, sending missionaries groups and supplies to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are welcome.
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UCC Women of Michigan: The Gathering June 10, 11, 12, 2016
The Gathering is a weekend of retreat, renewal, relaxation, and recharging. It is a time to greet old friends, and make new ones. It offers workshops, music, singing, and this year lots of laughter and joy. There will be Friday evening entertainment and vespers. Saturday's activities give you many opportunities to either stay busy or simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Kettunen Center. Sunday offers a Sunday school class and a very meaningful worship service. Of course, we must add a business meeting somewhere in all the activity. Kettunen Center is located in the woods on a beautiful lake in Tustin, Michigan. The accommodations are "luxury in the woods" and the food is scrumptious and abundant. In short, it's your weekend. Come and enjoy!
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Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Michigan Conference UCC office - will serve as a Polling Place for the Presidential Primary
Sunday, March 13, 2016 @ 3:00 p.m.
Installation of Rev. Sal Sapienza
Douglas United Church of Christ
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It is with great sadness that we share news about the death of Barbara Rogers on February 8, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Rev. Dr. John Rogers was Conference Minister in Michigan from 1976 - 1987. John and Barb were members at Haslett Community Church while in Michigan. Before and after their Michigan tenure, Barbara and John were world travelers and ambassadors for the United Church of Christ in many different roles and settings. Retirement took them to Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. Cards of sympathy and support may be sent to John there: 531 Harrison Ave. Claremont, CA 91711. We will pass along news about arrangements when plans have been finalized. The Michigan Conference extends condolences to John and his family - as well as thanksgiving for Barb's life.
Pastor Roy Isaac, Jr., Senior Minister at Bushnell Congregational Church in Detroit, died Sunday, February 14th at the church. Pastor Isaac served at Bushnell since 2005 and was a champion for justice in Detroit. Here is a link to funeral arrangements for Pastor Isaac and information about how to send condolences to his family: http://www.wilsonakinsfh.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/11254/id/3601326 . The Michigan Conference was blessed by Pastor Isaac's service and shares heartfelt sympathy with his family in this time of loss.
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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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!
PLEASE RSVP BY
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH!
Thank You!
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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. |
Conference Spotlight: 
Eminent Domain & the Doctrine
of Discovery
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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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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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Zach Wolgemuth, Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries, with Marcia & Harold Beer - Michigan Conference Disaster Co-Coordinator's
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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!
Updated: February 17, 2016
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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
"What Numbers Matter for Congregations"
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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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