Radiating Resurrection 

A Prayer

Loving God,

  Let there be a rising

  Like the sun in morning

  Only more than the sun

  And all we claim to know.

Let Your rising

  Radiate a new reality

  Born of You for You

  Penetrating hearts

  With a burning love

  Irresistibly calling

  A turn toward You

  Who pours blessing

  Upon lavish blessing

  Interrupting the inertia

  Of death’s daring drama.

Let this Christ of You

  Revealed in Jesus

  Surprise again and again

  With turns unimaginable

  Except by You who delights

  In bearing a new creation

  When the world is overcome

  With a grief too heavy 

  And too long to bear alone.

Yes, roll away the stone

  Daring to block hope

  Revealing a joy uncontainable

  And a delight uncontrollable,

  Opening up a way unknown

  Except by Your grace

  Reversing empire’s madness

  With resurrection risings.

Yes, O Love, 

  Bear Your bright beginning

  Ever anew in every living being

  That You may be met again

  On every Emmaus road

  Taking, blessing, breaking 

  And giving the bread 

  And breath of You 

  O fullness of Love and Life.

Yes, fashion a rising

  In and through 

  Your whole creation

  With this of You 

  For everyone

  In every time

  And beyond time.

And let it be more 

  Than enough for today

  And every other day.

-April 2023, DMLH

Clergy Retreat Postponed

The Clergy Retreat scheduled for April 17th-19th has been postponed due to low registration numbers. Stay tuned for more information!

All Experience Levels Welcome! Training will be provided!

Registration will open May 15th!

Who? Volunteers across the Heartland Conference

What? Gather to participate in a “Help Build Hope” house build

When? August 25 (Cut Team of 25) & 26 (Build Team of 120)

Where? Camp Templed Hills, Bellville, Ohio

Why? Sponsored by our Disaster Response Team partnering with CrossRoads Missions and Habitat for Humanity. This house will then be trucked to a TBD destination in Ohio, WV, or Kentucky. 

How? Help Build Hope will provide a structure that enables individuals with varying skill levels to have a fulfilling time of service through team building.

So? Place this on your calendar and watch for registration information in then Heartland Conference Fast Five & email blasts. Disasters have no timeline or agenda…they just continue. So…come help with this project and Make a Difference! 

In 2023 our goal is to create 2,023 Emergency Cleanup Buckets 

and Hygiene Kits and we need your help!

Inspire your Congregation with the Bucket Challenge as a Mission Moment!

Come learn how a year-round approach to generosity and stewardship can build joy in your congregation all year long! 

Using the 2023 UCC Generosity Resouces, Rev. Andrew Warner, will engage these tools that celebrate "Because of YOU, our church changes lives!"  

Bring your generosity/stewardship team to this Zoom event on Thursday, April 25th, at 7 pm.  You'll be glad you did!

Topic: The Halftime Report – Half-Time/Multi-Vocational Pastors

Is a half time, multi-vocational pastor the right thing for your church now? (Maybe.) Can we grow without a full-time pastor? (Yes!) What’s special about an MVP? (They rock!) We live in a post-Christian, post-pandemic world where the church has joined the gig economy. Come to discover how your church can thrive as a right-sized congregation with right-sized ministerial leadership where half time is plenty. The Rev. Rachel McDonald, a Multi-Vocational Pastor will shed light on this topic responding to your query – maybe we don’t need a full-time pastor!

Facilitator: The Rev. Rachel McDonald

Join the First Ever UCC Earth Day Summit!

This online event will take place on Saturday, April 22nd at 11 am ET. The theme is “What’s Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope.” This two and a half hour summit will feature a keynote from the Rev. Jim Antal, a panel of inspiring speakers, the presentation of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award, and a video showcasing the uplifting story of Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis. Even if you cannot make the event at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.

May is Strengthen The Church Month!

The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. The Heartland Conference and the National setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. 

Your generosity to Strengthen the Church (STC) provides the funds that allow The Heartland Conference to Support the development our Ministry Networks and support our General Synod Delegates.

In the National setting funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.  By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.