January 25, 2010

In This Issue:
Haiti Relief
Celebrating Shirley
    Asmussen
ACM Search
Transitions
Mission Moments
Transgender Issues
    Conference Call
Staff Preaching
Calendar

Other News

Welcoming
We welcome our new Interim Director of Outdoor Ministries Rev. Don Bizer

Yearbook Report Forms
MMS provides this online resource to help fill out these forms. Due Feb. 19.

Camp Mo-Val Trivia Night
Join us at 7pm on Feb. 20 at St. Peters UCC (Washington) for a night of trivia to raise funds for Camp Mo-Val.  More here.


 

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Haiti Relief

Giving to the UCC’s Haiti earthquake response is shattering previous online giving rates, indicating a generous outpouring from across the United Church of Christ, church leaders say.  One Great Hour of Sharing and Haiti Earthquake Relief funds are being used to help with basic humanitarian relief in providing temporary shelter, food and health assistance. Funds are also being used to provide water and sanitation engineers, and equipment to construct water purification systems. Resources for building latrines are also being provided, as the sanitation situation is critical. The UCC will be supporting communities in the long struggle to rebuild from this disaster — the worst earthquake to strike Haiti in 200 years.

Many have inquired about the best way to help those affected by disaster, and FEMA provides a pamphlet outlining what to consider what offering aid.  The UCC answers your FAQs about their relief fund and response.

 

Celebrating Shirley Asmussen

You are invited to an Open House in Shirley’s honor at St. Peter’s UCC, Washington, 3:30-7pm, on Sunday, January 31.  (20 East Fifth Street, Washington, MO  63090)

You are invited to send letters of appreciation and memories of your work with Shirley and photographs to be included in a memory book for Shirley.  In addition, you are invited to send contributions toward a cash gift for Shirley. We also suggest cards of congratulations and well wishes, which we will place in a basket and given to her as part of a gift in recognition of her ministry with us.  Send any or all of these to the Conference Office by Friday, January 28.

ACM Search

The Missouri Mid-South Conference is preparing to begin the search for a new Associate Conference Minister.   The committee met for the first time on January 16 and is working on the application material and a time line for the search process.  We hope to advertise the position by February 1 in the UCC Employment Opportunities and in the eCourier.  Our plan is receive applications through March 15, interview candidates in mid April, and introduce the new Associate Conference Minister at the Annual Conference Meeting on June 11-13.  The ACM Search Committee includes:  Jane Porchey, from First Congregational UCC in Webster Groves; Donna Curdt, from Friedens-Peace UCC, New Melle; Joyce Meyer,  from St. John UCC Emma; Brady Able, from Immanuel UCC in Sedalia; and Jeffrey Whitman, Conference Minister.  Please keep this Search Committee in your prayers as they seek to call the next ACM for our conference. 

 

Transitions

Rev. Christopher Ross, pastor of St. Peter’s Owensville, will be installed at 3pm on January 31.

Lynn Bohlmann will be ordained at Hope UCC in St. Louis on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4 pm.

Rev. Brad Urban, pastor of Carondolet UCC in St. Louis, will be installed on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 3pm.


 

Mission Moments

Please plan to participate in celebrating the work of CUE, (Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries) on Seminary Sunday, February 28, (or any Sunday that is convenient for your church). The role of seminaries in the life of our churches is critical.  Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries train individuals for ordained ministry and provide resources for lay leadership programs, Christian Education and youth programs. In addition, our seminaries provide leadership, preaching, and continuing education opportunities at conference and association meetings.  All of our churches are enriched by the work of our UCC seminaries.  If you would like CUE brochures, posters, or offering envelopes, please email CUE Development Coordinator, Kiely Todd Roska at cueseminaries@yahoo.com. Printable bulletin inserts will be available in early February, and can be emailed directly to your church.

Global Ministries is seeking a person to fill a one month teaching assignment for Micronesia and Marshall Island Churches summer training in June 2010.

The Illinois South Conference UCC invites us to join them on March 19th and 20th as the Rev. Ron Farr presents Unwrapping Our Gifts:  A Small Group Leaders Training Event. 

A "UCC Web University" is planned for Feb. 26-27 at the Church of the Beatitudes in Pheonix, Arizona.  This national event is designed to help congregations improve their websites, use social media more effectively for evangelism and youth ministry, raise money through the latest online fundraising tools, and reduce printing costs by developing effective email communications. 

 

Transgender Issues Conference Call

On Saturday, January 30,at 2pm Central, we will be gathering transgender* people affiliated with the United Church of Christ for a phone call to discuss opportunities for further connection within the UCC and among ourselves.

The agenda will include:

•    discussion of the recent UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns change to ONA policy, requiring "gender identity/expression" included in all new Open and Affirming statements after July

•    news about opportunities for leadership and input into the development of a UCC Transgender Caucus**

•    sharing of UCC and other transgender networking and relationship-building opportunities in 2010

The phone call will take place at 2pm Central time. It will last an hour and a half. Call-in information will be sent to those who express interest by sending an email to ucc-inquiry@transfaithonline.org. Email inquirers will also receive a confirmation email to be added to our email list for further communications--so please be in touch even if you have a scheduling conflict.

Please spread the word broadly to any transgender folk affiliated with the UCC who might be interested, as well as any allies who might be able to help us spread the word.

Staff Preaching

 
Jan. 31 Jeff Whitman at Country Club Cong, Kansas City
Jan. 31 Jack Seville preaching at Christ Church, Maplewood
Jan. 31 Dale Parson preaching at Peace, Hartsburg
Feb. 7  Jeff Whitman preaching at Carondelet
Feb. 14 Dale Parson at Bethel UCC, Concordia

 

Community & Agencies Calendar

Calendar also available on MMS website.