Dear Members and Friends of the Michigan Conference, United Church of Christ.

I greet you with the peace of our brother and savior Jesus Christ.

I am the Rev. Shane Montoya, pastor of the Congregational Church of Birmingham, United Church of Christ, and treasurer of the Michigan Conference. I sincerely hope that all is well in your soul, your church, and your community.

I write this letter primarily to give context to two decisions made recently by the Michigan Conference Board of Directors, reported in our last newsletter: to reduce our planned OCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission) giving passthrough to the national setting of the United Church of Christ; and the decision to put the East Lansing office up for sale.

I believe that these decisions are correct for our conference given our current financial realities. The policy change to our OCWM giving was first discussed in our executive team meeting in January, referred to the board, and approved by the full board in our January board meeting. This decision came about because of two truths: we overdrew from our investment funds more than is desirable (8.3% draw versus a 4-5% recommended draw), and new capabilities in the national setting. Hiding in that 8.3% draw is that an increasingly greater proportion of our reserves are in the restricted Immanuel scholarship fund, which is not available to help us cover our operating expenses.

The other end of this is that the national setting of the United Church of Christ is expanding their own direct philanthropy and stewardship, both to churches and individuals. You or your church may have been contacted by a member of that team to directly support many of the great initiatives and programs that the national setting is starting or supporting. This team, led by Michigan’s own Rev. Andy DeBraber is doing good work.

Furthermore, our hope is that our giving rate functions as a “floor” for our giving to the national setting, and not a “ceiling.” We hope that each year as part of the budgeting process, we will be able to identify key initiatives in the national setting where our dollars and hearts are most needed.

My understanding is that conversations about our East Lansing office have been a topic of discussion for close to 15 years in the conference. Years of deferred maintenance and the post-Covid reality of a staff deployed “in the field” means that central office space is not the best use of our financial and human resources. Last year, maintenance and taxes on the property cost us over $50,000! We are still investigating the best way forward for our staff, including possibly renting offices in some of our churches.

We ask for some measure of grace with the changes happening in our conference; our hard-working Michigan Conference staff and leadership have seen great changes over the past few years at all levels. Our board of directors is also amid a strategic and generational shift, just like many of our churches. Many of the old ways of being and doing church are not as effective as they once were. In the process of discerning the new things God is doing, I take great comfort in that the Spirit of God still dwells with us.

On a personal note, my wife and I moved to Michigan in January of 2023, and I began serving as treasurer at our annual meeting in October. I have been constantly impressed by the generosity and friendliness of Michiganders, and I look forward to meeting many of you in the years ahead. May God continue to bless us and our ministries.

In Faith,

Rev. Shane Montoya,

Treasurer

Michigan Conference United Church of Christ

Exciting Opportunities to Serve on the Board of Directors

The Michigan Conference Board of Directors (BOD) is seeking to fill two open positions. There is a Liaison role that requires holding local church membership in the Eastern Association. There is also one open position for At Large representation on the Board of Directors.  At Large representatives must hold local UCC church membership in the Michigan Conference. The At Large position is currently open and nominations are being accepted until April 30, 2024. The name of the person chosen by the Nominating Committee will be voted on by the Board on May 18 at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

Thank you for your generous consideration of ministry service to the wider church in a BOD leadership position! We’d love to have you as part of the team!

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister

2024 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits

May 12, 2024 Preach - Douglas UCC, Douglas, MI

May 19, 2024 Preach - First Congregational Church, Battle Creek, MI

June 2, 2024 Preach - First Congregational Church, Grand Blanc, MI

June 9, 2024 Preach - First Congregational, Kalamazoo, MI

June 9, 2024 Preach - Phoenix Community Church, Kalamazoo, MI

June 16, 2024 Preach - First Congregational, Wyandotte, MI

June 23, 2024 Preach - First Congregational UCC, Charlevoix, MI

June 30, 2024 Preach - First Congregational UCC, St. Joseph, MI

LINK TO ALL upcoming 2024 DATES

Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit

Prayer Request

Please hold P.L. Cross in prayer and support as he has recently received a difficult diagnosis of prostate cancer. With gratitude that it was caught early and with hope for a good treatment and cure. P.L. and spouse Mary Beth Moran Cross appreciate your prayers. May they feel surrounded with the comfort of God's love and our care for them. Amen.

Summer Cohorts for Antiracism Training

"Animating Antiracism in Faith Formation" is a webinar series developed for the United Church of Christ Network of Wider Church Youth Ministries by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training. Affordable, flexible scheduling, and designed specifically for UCC, this program has practical application for anyone in ministry. Learnings are designed to impact practices and policies directly at the local church level.

Contact Jenn Ringgold for scholarships available to those in the Michigan Conference UCC who would like to engage in this training.

Older Adult Ministries

With many areas of welcome that a congregation can choose from, the Faith Formation Mission Area Team has been collaborating with the Wisconsin Conference to discuss Older Adult

Ministries.

A vision for vital, multi-generational congregations who are in dynamic dialogue about faith and action has generated ideas and resources that tend to the care, spiritual growth and health of older adults.  

A group of twelve to fifteen people, with a passion for ministry and advocacy with

older adults, meets monthly for intentional conversations addressing the issues and priorities of aging.

The goal of our collaboration in this work is to enhance ministry of congregations with educational materials focused on aging, and the needs and gifts of older adults. Stay tuned from more information and resources.

~ submitted by Mary Ann Martin, Jonathan Riedel, Jan Aerie