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Michigan Conference UCC:
E-Bulletin
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A Word from the Conference Minister
I want to offer some updates about recent events with the Michigan Conference:
- On Monday, a few clergy and lay folk had a conference call with Dr. Jennifer Harvey, our Annual Meeting keynote speaker. During the call, it became clear that Dr. Harvey is very much looking forward to being with us, and that the message she will share is one that is so very important for our time. I hope that your church will be represented by both delegates and visitors to gather with UCC kinfolk in Michigan and learn together how best to understand white privilege and be allies with those struggling against racial bias and injustice. This will not be a time for any guilt, but a time to be empowered for the important work we need to be doing together. Please avail yourselves to what will be a remarkable opportunity - October 14 & 15.
- Michigan Conference staff travelled to Flint to visit Woodside Church and Mott Community College - the venues for this year's meeting. Woodside Church is a significant architectural edifice that in addition to serving the spiritual needs of its members also serves Flint residents in tremendous ways - 12 step programs, support groups, non-profit office space, nursery school, and distribution of water and water filters. Mott Community College is adjacent to Woodside and some Friday meals and meetings will be at the new Event Center. We also toured a few different neighborhoods to get a sense of the challenges faced by citizens. Friends, our presence in Flint is important. Please come.
- On another note, we have some upcoming staff changes at the Conference Office. Ms. Sasha Gaskin, Administrative Assistant to the ACM's and Associations will be leaving her position in the middle of August. We are grateful to Sasha for her 2 ½ years of collegiality and work. Associations will still receive the same level of Conference staff support for their meetings and record-keeping. For the time being, please route your requests to Lisa Soulliere, Administrative Assistant, at lisa@michucc.org.
The August Gospel lessons from Luke 12, 13 and 14 are all about recognizing what is of greatest importance in life and then living lives worthy of the One who reminds us, "where our treasure is, their your heart will be also." I hope that this last full month of summer will be a time for you to reflect on your life in relation to God who welcomes, loves and heals you with grace, mercy and love.
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
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SAVE THE DATE!
Retired Clergy (Spouse and/or Partner)
Boundary Training
available October 22, 2016!
Watch for more information coming soon!
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Building Bridges: Linking our Muslim and Christian Communities
The Building Bridges initiative invites all people across the wider church, to build relationships between Christians and Muslims in local communities around the country. The one-church effort to extend the extravagant welcome of the United Church of Christ to all is building on a successful Pacific Northwest Conference
Ramadan initiative, 'Honoring Sacred Time,' which posted visible signs of welcome, solidarity and support for Muslim Americans in dozens of churches around Washington state.
"This initiative is very much in line with the spirit of love and compassion that the gospel invites us to bear witness to. While we celebrate this bold, public witness, we also realize that Muslims in America live in fear all the time. It is going to take a concerted, collaborative effort on our part to shift the dialogue and engender feelings of trust, of love, and of mutual support across interfaith lines." John C. Dorhauer, UCC General Minister and President
There are four simple actions individuals and congregations can do to get involved: Get educated about Islam, meet with your Muslim neighbors, offer a visible sign of solidarity, and become an advocate.
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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Michigan Conference UCC
Annual Meeting
October 14 & 15, 2016
Theme: A New Covenant
1509 East Court Street
Flint, MI 48503
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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 (sasha@michucc.org) in the Conference Office by August 31, 2016 -
Deadline extended.
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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 Annual Meeting COOKIES!
Calling ALL baker's and baking enthusiasts! Our cookie tradition continues at the 2016 Annual Meeting! We would love for you to share your favorite cookies, dessert bars or other special treat with this year's Annual Meeting participants! During our afternoon break on Friday, October 14th, we will serve up all of the delicious treats donated by the wonderful folks of the Michigan Conference UCC. Please bring your yummy treats to the registration table upon arrival! [Mark your plastic container of 3 dozen treats (or more!) with your name and kind of treat. Containers will be returned to the registration area at the end of the day for pick-up.
If you can help with our cookie tradition please contact Lisa Soulliere (lisa@michucc.org) (517)332-3511 X204
Thank you in advance, for your sweet treat donations!
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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 Now Accepted!
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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Joys & Concerns
Upcoming Events
Combined reception hosted by both churches to take place at the First Congregational Church, Shelby at 1:00 PM
Prayers Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the family of the Rev. Marwood E. Rettig, former Michigan Conference UCC Conference Minister from September 1, 1988 to December 28, 1992. Marwood is remembered for his five decades of service within the denomination. He passed away on July 18, 2016 after a lengthy illness. He was 81. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maxine, his sons Phillip and Perry and daughter Elizabeth; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 26 at the Krause Funeral Home in New Berlin, Wisconsin. OBITUARY
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We know your church is doing amazing things to live out the
"Be the Church" values. . .
Protect the environment. * Care for the poor. * Forgive often. *Reject racism. *Fight for the powerless. *Share earthly and spiritual resources. * Embrace diversity. * Love God. * Enjoy this life.
So share them with us-and you could Be the Church of the Month!
Congratulations to Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, this month's "Be the Church of the Month" winner! Click here to see what amazing things they're doing to "Care for the poor," which was the statement for July's contest.
August's "Be the Church" statement is: "Forgive often." Send us information, photos, or video of what you're doing to Forgive often Winner will receive a special prize and "Be the Church of the Month" for September! |
 Free LED Lighting with installation for churches in some parts of Michigan
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light (MiIPL) is a non-profit that works with religious congregations across Michigan to save energy and to inspire and equip people of faith to love and care for Creation. They are cooperating with Consumers Energy in 2016 to offer free energy efficiency upgrades to congregations in the areas of Flint, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Muskegon, and Saginaw. If your congregation is in one of these areas, and is a Consumers customer for electricity and/or gas, learn more about this free program and see what upgrades are available here . To ask questions or sign up, you can contact Michigan Interfaith Power & Light at 248-537-9175 or projectmanager@miipl.org.
Rev. Peggy Garrigues
Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
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Boundary Training Opportunity:
September 22, 2016 9:30 - 3:30 PM
St. Francis Retreat Center
703 E. Main St., Dewitt, MI 48820
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Disaster Co-Coordinators' Corner
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Plan a Fall Season of Church Growth
Take the Next Step
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Woodside Church, Flint
WATER: Keep up with info, needs and actions HERE |
 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?"
Thank you! |
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The Parish Paper
"Multiple Roads to a Multicultural Congregation"
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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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| 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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