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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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| From the Conference Minister |
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As we began finalizing a statement regarding the killing of African Americans at the hands of police, news came about the sniper killings of police in Dallas. This is all a sad chapter in our country's history. It is a time for the church to respond pastorally and prophetically. We grieve the loss of lives by police violence as we lament the aftermath of peaceful protest leaving five police officers dead. We share our prayers with families in Baton Rouge, St. Paul and Dallas. We offer our solidarity with our brothers and sisters "on the ground" in these cities as they seek to offer comfort and support. And we add our voices to those calling for justice and peace. May it be so in our time.
Campbell Lovett
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Cultivating the Extravagant Welcome
July 8, 2016
Written by: Henry Brinker
I felt the fire and wind of Pentecost thirteen years ago when a friend dragged me to a small UCC congregation. The welcome was unbelievable and truly the working of the Spirit. I will share some of my story.
After coming out as a gay person, the denomination I served for 23 years asked me to leave. The last words of my bishop were, "You are going to hell unless you repent of your sinful ways." I tried attending a church of that denomination but was literally asked to leave while kneeling at the communion rail. Then I tried visiting another large church in the neighborhood only to find the sermon was on the "Sins of Homosexuality." I decided not to allow myself to be denigrated in that way again.
My bitterness and anger kept me away from participating in any church for six years and even worse it nearly destroyed my relationship with God. Kicking and yelling I agreed to go with a friend to Faith-Trinity UCC in Warren. Immediately, I experienced a genuine welcome. Within a few weeks they had me preaching and later I became their part-time pastor (10 hours a week). Thirteen years later, I am happier than ever and have a peace from God that truly surpasses understanding. The Spirit has given me renewed energy, joy and passion serving as full-time pastor at First Congregational UCC, New Baltimore.
READ MORE
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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
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.
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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.
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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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BE THE CHURCH
We know your church is doing amazing things to live out the "Be the Church" values. . .
Protect the environment. * Care for the poor. * Embrace diversity. * Reject racism. * Forgive often. * Love God. * Fight for the powerless. * Share earthly and spiritual resources. * Enjoy this life.
So share them with us-and you could Be the Church of the Month! Full contest details here.
Congratulations to Clackamas United Church of Christ, this month's "Be the Church of the Month" winner! Click here to see what amazing things they've done to "Protect the environment."
July's "Be the Church" statement is: "Care for the poor." Send us information, photos, or video of what you're doing to Care for the poor. Winner will receive a special prize and "Be the Church of the Month" for August!
Full contest details here >>
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 The First Great Lakes Bay Region's
"All-Inclusive Wedding Expo"
Saturday, July 16th 1:00 - 4:00 PM
First Congregational Church
403 S. Jefferson Ave.
Saginaw, MI 48607
- Featuring Church tours, mock weddings!
- Admission is free and several vendors have been invited to show off their wedding wares to traditional and LGBT couples.
- Ceremony/wedding packages for every wedding type
- One lucky couple will win a wedding with officiating clergy at no cost!
Find out more from the informational letter and event flyer!
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Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events
July 20, 2016 @ 10:00 AM
Interim Ministry Support Group
July 28, 2016 @ 9:00 AM
Deadline to register: July 22, 2016 REGISTER
Prayers
Please keep Bonnie Meek (Member-in-Discernment, DMA & recent ETS graduate) and her family in your prayers; her son Joe has died unexpectedly. We do not have any information about funeral arrangements at this time. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help with funeral costs. If you can help in any way please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/2dugkzyc.
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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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NEW Boundary Training Opportunity:
July 28, 2016 9:00 - 3:00 PM
Michigan Conference UCC
5945 Park Lake Rd. East Lansing, 48823
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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
"When Charity Brings Anything But Relief"
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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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