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Voices of Pentecost
Written by: Rev. Dr. David Alicea
It's Pentecost; an event that represents the rise and development of the early Christian church, filled with the Holy Spirit. An event that challenges our minds and spirits to immerse ourselves into realms of Grace that go beyond our understanding on issues over speaking of new tongues and the discernment of the spirit among other gifts. Pentecost, an event that took by surprise those who were present, who were waiting in defying expectation for the fulfillment of the promise granted by the resurrected Christ. It was in Pentecost that many things were born, like a shout of worship, resilience to endure, a will to preach and hope to live. Yet, one of the greatest blessings of Pentecost is represented by a simple and capable human capacity: The power to listen. READ MORE
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Sponsor a child from Woodside Church, Flint, to attend camp at Camp Talahi!
The Michigan Conference has been working closely with Woodside Church in Flint in responding to the water crisis. The newest collaboration includes Camp Talahi as we send kids from Woodside Church to a camp session at Talahi. Woodside has identified nine (9) children and families to attend a regular camp session or the Family Camp. If your church, or a group in your church, would like to sponsor a young person - a full scholarship is $395, or you may make a donation of any amount towards a partial scholarship. Please make your check payable to the Michigan Conference - designated for "Flint/Talahi". Mail to the Michigan Conference, P.O. Box 1006, East Lansing, MI 48826-1006. Any funds received over the full scholarship total will go to Woodside's water filtration project.
The Michigan Conference is also sharing about another way to support citizens in Flint during the water crisis. In cooperation with health staff at Northwestern High School, we are inviting people to consider donating hand held portable showers to help with basic hygiene. Ivation Battery Powered Handheld portable showers can be purchased on Amazon for around $39.00. There are 165 students in the six health classes. Some students have not had a normal bath in almost two years as they now use only bottled water for sponge baths. These portable showers will bring some relief! Send units to Angela Lots care of the high school: Northwestern High School, G-2138 W. Carpenter Road Flint, MI 48505.
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Applications for Innovation Awards Open!
Innovation. Think - new, invention, advancement, creation, design, imagination, ingenuity, original, inspirational, resourceful, revitalizing, energizing!
What innovative ministry, worship, outreach, mission or other program would you initiate if money was not a barrier, but an opportunity for meeting a profound need in your community? What if you used this money as matching funds for your congregation and doubled the impact? What if you applied for other grants and added this award to accomplish your hopes for a world transformed by God's love?
We are inviting you to dream and to listen and to imagine what God is doing in your midst. Put that dream into an innovation plan and you are ready to apply for this award. For more information and how you can apply - READ MORE.
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Call for Workshops!
Annual Meeting
October 14-15, 2016
Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
Woodside Church, Flint
Theme: A New Covenant
"The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people..."
Jeremiah 31:31
God is still speaking in the Michigan Conference UCC.
What resources, training, possibilities, or opportunities have helped you move in new directions, initiated new covenants or new relationships?
Is God called you to offer a workshop on this topic for the Annual Meeting?
If so, please return the application form below to Sasha Gaskins in the Conference Office by August 5th, 2016. (sasha@michucc.org)
We are looking forward to exploring all of the ways that God's new covenant with us opens us to new relationships and ways of being/acting in the world.
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SAVE THE DATES!
October 14 & 15, 2016
Michigan Conference UCC
Annual Meeting
Theme: A New Covenant
"The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people...."
Jeremiah 31:31
1509 East Court Street
Flint, MI 48503
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.
More information coming soon!
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 SAVE $25 by registering for ¡Missionworks! before June 25th
The Early Bird registration deadline is June 25th, and we don't want you to miss out on the savings or this great event. After June 25th the registration rate will go up to $125.
At ¡Missionworks! you will:
Pray - Discover music, prayer, and worship resources that will connect your congregation to life-giving partner ministries.
Engage - Learn first-hand from international partners, missionaries, and Global Ministries staff about issues affecting communities around the world and how your congregation can work to address these challenges.
Celebrate - Hear the Good News of how the global church is making a difference in the world through your support and efforts.
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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 |
Announcing a New Master of Arts (Academic) Program at ETS
To the Friends of Ecumenical Theological Seminary,
We are delighted to announce that Ecumenical Theological Seminary has been approved to offer a new graduate degree program, the Master of Arts (M.A.), by our accrediting body, the Association of Theological Schools. ETS will begin recruiting students immediately to commence studies in the Fall 2016 Quarter. READ MORE |
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
Dear Friends of First Congregational Church, Saginaw:
As you may have heard, Rev. Dr. Todd S. Farley will be leaving his position. His last Sunday here will be on Sunday, July 31, 2016. Pastor Todd will be returning to his native state of Hawaii to attend the University of Hawaii working towards a Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre degree. A reception in his honor is scheduled for Saturday, July 30, 2016 beginning at 6:00 PM and will be held in the Bradley House. Tickets for the reception will be sold at coffee hours or by contacting the Church office. Please join us for this farewell to Pastor Todd. Church office: (989)754-6565.
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Press Release
Atlanta, June 17, 2016:
Launching in response to the devastating killings in Orlando, the "Will Listen With Love" Project is a national support network comprised of pastors, therapists, spiritual directors and community support providers who have volunteered their time to offer safe and affirming space for grieving members of the LGBTQIA community and their allies to be heard. Unlike formal therapy, these "listening sessions" are intended to support the LGBTQIA community as they process their sadness and anger over Sunday's massacre in Orlando. READ MORE
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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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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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Woodside Church, Flint
WATER: Keep up with info, needs and actions HERE |
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The Parish Paper
"Making Congregations Greener"
"When Charity Brings Anything But Relief"
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