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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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A Letter of Encouragement ~ For the Living of These Days
In II Timothy, the Apostle Paul reminds us, "... God did not give us a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power and of love..." These are bold words in our present context where many are overwhelmed with fear. They are fearful for children and grandchildren, not knowing what might happen if they are stopped by police; fearful about random shootings, wondering if their community will be next; fearful about terrorism; fearful of those who appear to be different; and fearful about the future.
With more killing of Black motorists at the hands of police officers, the slaughter of LGBT folks in Orlando, the slaying of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, the horrific scenes of terror in France, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq and a myriad of African countries, we dare to name the polarization and divisions being created by fear in our world. READ MORE
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UCC mourns long-time conference minister, church statesman, justice advocate John Deckenback
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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
October 14 & 15, 2016
Michigan Conference UCC
Annual Meeting
1509 East Court Street
Flint, MI 48503
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 National Youth Event
Michigan Participants
Youth and chaperones from four Michigan UCC churches will be attending National Youth Event next week in Orlando, Florida. Bethlehem, Ann Arbor; First, Rochester; First, South Haven; and Midland UCC will all be represented! The Michigan delegation will consist of 26 youth and 13 adults. Look for more information about National Youth Event at: http://www.uccpages.org/nye/ Special thanks to Rev. Greg Larsen from First, Rochester for heading up the Michigan group. |
 Why the United Church of Christ?
Please take a moment to complete this survey. . . . deadline August 22, 2016
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President (GMP), asked in declaring a Purpose, a Mission, and a Vision that is consistent with our historic commitments and our current calling that is large enough to inspire our covenant partners at every level to give themselves fully over to a gospel that changes lives; and that is particular enough to answer the question, "Why the United Church of Christ?"
"Your insights, reactions and comments will help refine this even a further," states our GMP. A survey is available and we ask everyone to fill it out. Read more and fill out survey HERE. ( https://www.research.net/r/UCCPurposeMission). Thank you! |
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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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Interfaith Amigos Coming to Alpena, Michigan!
Thursday, September 22
The Power of Interfaith Dialogue
An Imam, a rabbi and a pastor who began working together following 9/11 share why interfaith dialogue is so critically important today and how each of their traditions both support as well as hinder that deeper dialogue.
With 2 workshops during the day and an evening presentation, they support effective collaboration on issues of our time.
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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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Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events
July 28, 2016 @ 9:00 AM
Deadline to register: July 22, 2016
Combined reception hosted by both churches to take place at the First Congregational Church, Shelby at 1:00 PM
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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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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.
July 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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A Note from Cameron Trimble
We're so excited for you to join us at this year's National Church Leadership Institute (NCLI16) in Atlanta! We at the Center for Progressive Renewal believe your church's best days are ahead and that they can start now. From high-quality skill development tracks with CPR team members to NCLIve talk show-style events with Doug Pagitt, NCLI has what you need to jump start a season of growth for your church!
$200 scholarship for UCC Clergy & Members
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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"
"Multiple Roads to a Multicultural Congregation"
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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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