Ministry Together, December 2022 Edition

Ministry Together

Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

December | 2022

Happy New Year!

Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President

I hope that you have had moments of great joy in your Christmas celebrations. And I hope that you have found or are finding some time for peace and some extra rest.

I don't imagine you want to read articles, so I won't share any this month. There are some important upcoming dates and activities, which are included in this newsletter.

I do hope to see many of you at the 2023 Ministers Institute, either in person at the Christian Conference Center or online. Not only will it be a good time to spend with friends and colleagues, but this year's focus on self-care seems particularly valuable. More information is below, but you can jump to registration here.

And if you're planning ahead, you can also register and make hotel reservations for the 2023 General Assembly. FYI - this Assembly's schedule will be different from previous years. Rescheduling the event from 2021 required shortening it by 1 day.

Standing Renewal (due Jan. 20)

Ministerial standing renewal applications for 2023 have been emailed. These forms are due by Jan 20. Application for active clergy (including active retired). Application for Inactive Retired Clergy.

While Josh is on vacation...

I will be on vacation Dec 25-Jan 5. During these times, please contact our regional office by email or phone (515-255-3168) if you have urgent needs. If it isn't urgent, please email me and I'll respond when I am back to work.

Regional Calendar

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org

Dec 25-Jan 5 Josh on Vacation

Jan 2 Regional Office closed

Jan 11 Clergy Chat with Josh, 1 pm

Jan 20 Standing Renewal applications due

Jan 26 Regional Operations Council, 7 pm

Jan 30-31 Ministers Institute (Christian Conference Center)

Feb 1 Anti-racism/pro-reconciliation event (Christian Conference Center)

Feb 6 Ministers Institute (online)

Feb 10-12 Junior Retreat

Feb 10-11 Committee on Ministry

Save the Dates!

July 29-Aug 1, 2023

General Assembly

Registration is now open!

2023 Ministers Institute Focuses on Clergy Wellness

The 2023 Ministers Institute, "Clergy Wellness: Replenishing Our Souls for Ministry," will feature workshops, worship, and more. Two options for participations:

In person at Christian Conference Center, January 30-31 (and opportunity to participate in Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation session on February 1)
Online on February 6

Important News and Resources

January Clergy Chat

Joshua Patty will host an online New Year's Clergy Chat on Wednesday, January 11 at 1pm.

Join the Zoom conversation on January 11.

After Christmas Sermon

Regional Minister Joshua Patty has recorded a sermon, "Echoes of Christmas" based on Luke 2:25-35. The sermon is appropriate for January 1 or any Sunday after Christmas.

Ministers and congregations received email instructions to download the sermon. It will also be available through YouTube beginning at noon on December 31.

January Worship Resources

Here are some helpful resources for congregations that celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and/or Week of the Laity in January.

Resource and devotional booklet for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, prepared by the World Council of Churches
Week of the Laity 2023 Resource, prepared by Disciples Home Missions

Youth Leadership Symposium

Chapman University is sponsoring a six month leadership symposium to help high school youth design and implement a project in their home congregations. This leadership lab is available at no cost to 1-2 youth and 1 leader from each congregation. Learn more and register here.

General Church Covenant Conversations

The General Church has prepared a summary video of the recent town hall conversations, discussing possible changes to General Assembly and the General Board. You can read more about this project here, and you can submit questions and feedback to covenant@disciples.org.

Green Chalice Conversation

Green Chalice, a Disciples creation care ministry, invites people to a virtual gathering on January 12, 6 pm. This is a time for sharing and encouraging congregations engaging or considering in this ministry.. Register here.

Leadership Course

Disciples Interims is offering an online, 8-week class for ministers and church leaders focused on adaptive change. The cost for the course is $500. Online classes are on Monday evenings, beginning Jan. 23. Register here.

Transitions and Prayers

Please submit your celebrations and personal prayer requests to Liz Woodward, liz@uppermidwestcc.org.

2023 Prayer Calendar

Each year, our region prepares a calendar inviting individuals and congregations to pray for our shared ministries and colleagues. The calendar provides weekly suggestions of congregations, ministers, and general and regional church ministries.

Access the 2023 Upper Midwest prayer calendar here.

Celebrations

Congratulations to Heather Wachendorf, called to serve as the senior minister of New Beginnings Christian Church in Urbandale, IA.

Congratulations to Jia Starr Brown, who will be ordained on Saturday, January 28. More details will be shared in January for colleagues who wish to attend or participate remotely.

Prayers for Clergy Colleagues

The family and friends of Joe Jones, on his passing. Joe served as a minister in Hedrick, IA. Obituary

Prayers for congregations, pastors and chaplains as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect life.

Looking to Serve?

Each month, we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. It is challenging to identify enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.

Please contact Josh, Tiff or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.

Congregations in Transition

Friends, you will see listed below the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Gratefully many of these congregations have interim leadership, equipping the congregation to transition with hope and grace.

Mitchellville Christian Church is in the search and call process. Alice Bolen is serving as interim.
Altoona Christian Church called Lisa Grace as interim.
Oakland Christian Church is in the revitalization process, using regular pulpit supply for Sundays.
Waukee Christian Church is in the search process.
New Disciples Christian Church, Cedar Rapids has called Sherry Schwab as interim.
Park Ave Christian Church, Des Moines is in the search and call process with Tim Johnson serving as interim.
Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
First Christian Church, Hampton has regular pulpit supply.
Central Christian Church, Boone, is in the search and call process, with David Clark as the interim.
Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
Carlisle Christian Church is beginning the search process.
Nichols Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
Bondurant Christian Church is beginning the search process.
Broadway Christian Church is beginning the search process.
Marion Christian Church is beginning the search process.
Highland Park Christian Church will enter the search process after the resignation of Heather Wachendorf.

Continuing Education Opportunities

National Benevolent Association

Back to the Basics: Self-Care and Wellness for Clergy and Leaders

Jan. 26, 12pm, online

Joselyn Spence, Rev. Anita Anglade, and Sarah Serrano, presenters

Luther Seminary

Festival of Homiletics

May 15-18, Minneapolis

The 2023 theme is "Preaching Hope for a Weary World."

More info about program.

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

Discerning Whiteness: The Unacknowledged Barrier

2 Zoom session, $90

Clergy-specific workshops led by the Anti-Racism Study Dialogue Circles.

More info about sessions.

MN Council of Churches

Building a Culture of Dialogue

2 sessions, online

Offered for MN clergy interested in deepening their experiences and skills in dialogue.

More info about program.

MN Council of Churches

White Church Truths

recorded, online

Dr. Michael O. Emerson shares from research that suggests "whiteness" is more important than the Bible of most white churchgoing Christians .

Learn more and access program.

Continuing Education Requirement

All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.

Resources and News

Other Resources

Children Worship & Wonder trainings, offered by Ministry Across Generations

Disciples Tech Corp, technology guides for congregations

Mental Health Resource for all active ministers and families

Important -- you do not need to be a member of Pension Fund to access this service, but only active minister of a DOC church

Free Stewardship campaign materials

"Marks of a Vital Congregation" videos

Practicing Our Faith website

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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org