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Voices of Pentecost
Each week, for six weeks, the electronic offering of the Michigan Conference will highlight a "Pentecost Voice." One voice from each Association will offer words of encouragement to the pastors and people of our Conference churches. Thank you to these six writers for such wonderful and diverse sharing!
J. Michael Curenton
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SAVE THE DATES!
October 14 & 15, 2016
Michigan Conference UCC
Annual Meeting
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Harvey 
Jennifer Harvey is Professor of Religion at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She received her Ph.D. in Christian Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary.
Watch for more information!
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Greetings,
In this 2016 election cycle, with its heightened polarization, partisanship and mean-spiritedness, it may seem especially difficult for people of faith to engage in the electoral process in a meaningful, faithful, nonpartisan way. But perhaps more than ever, our faith, our vote and our voices can make a difference. As we move to a summer of campaigning and conventions, it is critical to find ways to bring an alternative voice and witness to the public sphere.
The UCC Our Faith Our Vote offers several ways to make a positive difference in the electoral process and our civic life. Through nonpartisan voter registration efforts, issue education forums, voter mobilization/protection activities, and more. We invite you to check out our resources and think of ways you might engage yourself and your community in the 2016 elections. Want to take your engagement to the next level? Consider leading your congregation in this effort by serving as a local captain for Our Faith Our Vote engagement or apply for an Our Faith Our Vote grant.
Even in the midst of such a challenging and often divisive election campaign season, our voice, our faith and our vote can and does make a difference! I hope you will join in helping to lift every voice in making informed, thoughtful decisions about the future of our local communities, nation and world.
In Solidarity,
Rev. Traci Blackmon
Acting Executive Minister
Justice & Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ
Sandy Sorensen
Director
United Church of Christ Washington Office
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 UCC Resources Contest
Our UCC Resources Team has put together a "Be the Church of the Month" Contest, based on the popular "Be the Church" message and associated identity items we introduced last year.
In a monthly email to churches and via social media, we will pull out one of the "Be the Church" statements ("Protect the environment," "Reject racism," etc) each month and ask churches to let us know what they're doing in that area by sending info, photos, and/or video.
We will select a monthly winner as "Be the Church of the Month" and feature that church and its work on UCC social media and in UC News. The winning churches will also get a BTC banner or other BTC product. The contest begins this month and will go for the next 8 months. We'll be looking for ways to recognize churches of varying sizes and accomplishments, and hope this will be both inspiring and fun!
Tina Villa, Director
Publishing, Identity, & Communication |
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Upcoming Free Webinars about reVision
Friends:
The Center for Progressive Renewal has rolled out a great new opportunity for congregational Vitality. It is called reVision this is a year long journey that begins with a period of focused worship, intentional small groups and spiritual practices designed to get congregations into their hearts for real discernment. This is followed by a Convergence Summit to bring everyone together to determine what God is saying to this church about what it can do in this community today. Proposal teams then take these dreams and ideas and prototype initiatives for the congregation to give feedback before implementation.
You can have an opportunity to learn more and ask questions at two upcoming free webinars, both will feature the same content so choose the one that works best for you.
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Woodside Church, Flint
WATER: Keep up with info, needs and actions HERE |
Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events
Detroit Metropolitan Association
Installation: Rev. Carrie Orlando
June 26 @ 3:00p
First Congregational UCC, Wyandotte
United Northern Association
Ordination: Vaughn Peterson
June 26 @ 4:00p
First Congregational UCC, Harrison
The Michigan Conference sends congratulations to Plymouth United Church of Christ in Detroit and The Reverend Dr. Nicholas Hood III, celebrating three decades of of his distinguished pastoral service at Plymouth this weekend.
The Michigan Conference sends congratulations to Rev. Dr. Dick Woodward of Comstock Park Congregational Church whose ministry will be celebrated on Sunday, June 26th at the church. Dr. Woodward will be retiring after 12 years of ministry at Comstock Park, and before that at First Congregational in Belding.
Prayers
The Michigan Conference sadly notes the death of Sabine James, the wife of Disciples of Christ Regional Minister, Rev. Eugene James - a great partner in our mission and ministry. The service of Celebration of Life for Sabine James will be held Thursday, June 16, 2016. The family hour will take place at 10:30 AM and service at 11:00 AM at United Christian Church (DOC), 9510 W. Chicago Blvd, Detroit, MI 48228. Please continue to surround the James family with prayer. Condolences and cards of encouragement can be sent to Rev. James at EugeneJ@michigandisciples.org.
In sadness we share the news of the passing of Rev. Fred Baxter Cunningham (retired pastor, Southwest Association); who passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at the age of 78 after a long bout with Parkinson's disease. A service celebrating his life was held at the Portage United Church of Christ on Thursday, June 9th. Please keep his wife Jo and their family in your continued prayers. Obituary & Condolences
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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: June 10, 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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Reenergize. Revision. Redesign. Reimagine.
August 9 - 11th
Atlanta, Georgia
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 Congratulations to
Bethlehem UCC, Ann Arbor - on becoming an
Open and Affirming congregation
Special Meeting Vote: May 22, 2016
ONA Congregation -- # 1365
Covenant of Welcome.
"We, at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, declare ourselves an Open and Affirming congregation where we celebrate Christ's extravagant love. We covenant with God and one another to welcome the diverse tapestry of all people, no matter their age, race, nationality, ethnicity, economic circumstance, marital or family status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We invite everyone-believers and questioners, seekers and skeptics-to share their gifts in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of our congregation."
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Learn how you can help send
a child to camp!
Each year, during our traditional summer camp sessions, we serve hundreds of children ages 5 through 18. Many of these campers attend on scholarship.
Please consider donating to our scholarship (better known as a 'campership' around Talahi) fund and give a special child or children a chance to have a life changing experience at our incredible summer camp.
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Next Boundary Training Opportunity:
September 22, 2016
703 E. Main Street, Dewitt MI 48820
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[Shelby UCC and the Morgan Scott Project]
Harold & Marcia Beer
Disaster Co-Coordinators' Corner
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The Dream of Justice is a group within the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ working to end mass incarceration.
June Newsletter
UCC JC Implementation Framework
Sign the Resolution:
Proclaim Release to the Captives
This resolution was passed by the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ, and then sparked a broader resolution that was submitted and adopted by the UCC General Synod in June, 2015. Sign this resolution to show your support and to get involved.
http://tinyurl.com/signreleasetothecaptives
Contact Emily (emilyhamstra@gmail.com) to have email addresses added to or removed from the Dream of Justice Newsletter list.
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RIPPLES: Stillspeaking 2.0
PRIDE Resources - Trans and Christian Video
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National Youth Event 2016 Disney Bound!
July 26 - 30, 2016
"Faith is the confidence that what we believe will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:1)
Please Read PRIOR to Registration
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The Parish Paper
"Making Congregations Greener"
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