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New Fall Programming - register and join us tomorrow!!

To equip, empower, encourage and connect the churches of the Michigan Conference

NEW Associate Conference Minister of Church Vitality and Transitions

Relying on the Holy Spirit, the Michigan Conference began the search for a full-time Associate Conference Minister of Church Vitality and Transition in July. We are excited to share that Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson will join Conference Staff starting January 1, 2024. He looks forward to being introduced in person at the Michigan Conference Annual Meeting on October 28 in Grand Rapids. READ MORE

Vitality Day on September 30

Over 60 clergy and lay leaders participated in our 2023 Vitality Day with author Rev. Jeff MacDonald. Hosted at St. John's UCC in Owosso, the day was filled with innovative and detail-oriented discussions for how to adapt to the changing world of Part-Time ministry. With gratitude to our Vital Growth Mission Area team and Associate Conference Minister Rev. Cheryl Burke for organizing and providing resources to supplement a thought-provoking event. With appreciation for panelists and participants for a day filled with great questions and conversation!

Exciting Opportunities to Serve on the Board of Directors

If you are interested in learning more about being considered for nomination for one of these positions please contact Rev. Liz Larrivee, Nominating Committee Chair, Vice President BOD at lizlarrivee@gmail.com.

Thank you for your generous consideration of ministry service to the wider church in a BOD leadership position!

The Michigan Conference Board of Directors (BOD) is seeking to fill four open positions.

Fall Association Meetings

2023 Michigan Conference Annual Meeting

"Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference UCC will be held on Saturday, October 28 2023 at Plymouth United Church of Christ in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It will be a perfect venue for us to connect in person and celebrate the covenant that makes us stronger together. "

Call to Meeting Letter

2023 Meeting Documents

Register for Annual Meeting

October 28, 2023

9:00am - 3:00pm

We are so excited to join together for our 2023 Annual Meeting in-person!

Looking forward to seeing you as we come together for worship, fellowship, and our keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg, who will be sharing her insights on how vitality is linked to the life of our congregations. Lunch is included in registration and is being catered by 40 Acres Soul Kitchen.

Overnight Accommodations

Need lodging Friday evening October 27?

Contact The Drury Inn & Suites, Grand Rapids

616-942-8511

Michigan Church Stories

First Congregational Church UCC Saint Joseph grows Weekend Food-Pack Program

With the support of a grant funding from the Michigan Conference Vital Growth Mission Area team, this local church "Bear Packs" Ministry serving families at local elementary schools grew serving 1970 week-end packs in 2021-22, to 4607 in 2022-23.

Not only were they able to increase the number of families served, but they have also seen an increase in the number of community members excited about volunteering for the program. The expansion of "Bear Packs" has also grown to be a model for a neighboring school district with ecumenical support.

At a time when public schools face so many contentious challenges, FCC is grateful to have established trusting and supportive partnerships with their local schools. They are seen as advocates for educators and for families facing food insecurity. What a wonderful way to represent the UCC as a positive faith voice and engaged presence in their community.

Read the full Vitality Award Summary Report submitted by Beth Kenagy and Cathie Schalk

Douglas UCC Retreat House offers local programming for Spiritual Growth

Submitted by Kathleen Mueller

Retreat House at Douglas UCC continues to be a welcoming renewal space for clergy in our Michigan Conference. When the pastor’s office was recently moved out of the 125-year-old parsonage, leaders in the congregation wondered how this sacred space might also serve their own church community.

Listening to the moving of the Holy Spirit, they created a Retreat House Ministry Team of four individuals. Working with the church administrator, these retired pastors and religious guides came up with a plan to repurpose and dedicate the space for small-group spiritual growth opportunities for their own congregation. The pastor’s office became a peaceful interfaith chapel, and the first week of each month was blocked and committed for local church programming.

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Use THIS FORM to share news with the Michigan Conference UCC!

Conference Office News

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister

2023 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits

October

1st: Preach - First Congregational UCC, Manistee

8th: Preach - Congregational Church of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, MI

15th: Preach - First Congregational Church, Rochester

22nd: Chidester Lecture - Sylvania, Ohio

27th-28th: Michigan Conference UCC Annual Gathering

November

5th: Preach - First Congregational Church of Rockford

12th: Preach - St. Paul UCC, Taylor, MI

19th: Preach - First Congregational UCC, Alpena

26th: OFF

LINK TO ALL 2023-2024 DATES

Contact Lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit

Conference Transitions

The Conference Transitions feature will now appear in the monthly Michigan Conference Newsletter. Please share your transition information, including church anniversaries, with commmunications@michucc.org

Searching Churches

First Congregational UCC in Onekama is searching for a full time pastor. Details
Clinton UCC and Saline St. Paul UCC are searching together for a full time pastor to serve both churches. Details
First Congregational UCC of Charlotte is searching for a pastor. Details
For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here

Church Closing on Sunday Nov 5, at 3:00pm the Congregational United Church of Christ of Hart, MI will host their final community worship celebrating 155 years of ministry.

New Calls

The Rev. Nathan Dannison was called as Pastor at St. John’s UCC, Grand Rapids on September 17.
Pastor Dani Veenstra will begin her settled call at Zion Evangelical UCC, St. Joseph on October 15.

In Memoriam

Memorial service announced for Catherine Bernice Andrews, daughter of Rev. Henrietta Andrews (former Michigan Conference UCC Associate Conference Minister for the Eastern & Detroit Metropolitan Associations). Her life will be celebrated on October 21 at 1:00pm at First Congregational UCC in Atlanta, Georgia.

Local Events

Limited Seats available at Park Church for this event with author, speaker and priest Shannon T.L. Kearns.

Brunch Tickets for Oct 14

National UCC News and Events

Access Sunday

October 8, 2023

Join together in celebrating the gifts of persons with disabilities and the strides that the church has made in being more whole through becoming more accessible. It is also a day that the church can acknowledge the journey yet to be taken with our siblings with disabilities.

FIND RESOURCES HERE

Worship on

National Coming Out Day

Wednesday October 11, 2023

7:00pm - 8:00 PM ET

#LoveIsLouder and when we love our neighbors OUT LOUD together — Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries invites us to live out the bold decree of Psalm 139 where scripture declares you are WONDERFULLY MADE!

UCC Creation Justice Webinar

Wednesday October 11, 2023

1:00pm - 2:00pm ET

A panel of climate faith leaders will reflect upon Pope Francis's plea for climate action.

Donors Who Don't Come to Church: Engaging Donors Outside of Sunday Morning

Wednesday October 25, 2023

7:30pm - 8:30pm ET

Think creatively about various ways to engage donors beyond Sunday Morning services.

Retired Clergy Boundary Training

November 6, 2023

5:30pm - 8:30pm ET

Led by Rev. Tara Barber, Rev. Melanie Oommen, and Rev. Anissa Glaser-Bacon of the MESA Team.

Clergy Burnout and Self-Care Boundary Training

October 27, 2023

11:00am - 2:30pm ET

Rev. Dr. Tracy Dawson and Rev. Wendy Kidd of the Rocky Mountain Conference United Church of Christ Healthy Ministry Relationships Training Team will lead the interactive Zoom workshop.

Online Learning Resources

The Damascus Project offers online professional development opportunities for UCC clergy and theological study and leadership training for lay people.

Click to learn more about course offerings and to register

Multi-Conference partnership for Anti-Racism Training:

Call for Facilitators

National Organization of Wider-Church Youth Ministry is seeking to develop a pool of facilitators to help lead Crossroads Anti-Racism Ministry Training in the UCC.

Click to learn more and express interest in becoming a facilitator

2023 Stewardship Theme Materials Available

2023 stewardship materials feature this year's slogan, “Because of You, Our Church Changes Lives” drawing the connection between donor generosity and the ministry and mission of your congregation.

LEARN MORE HERE

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