General Synod 34 - Making All Things New
June 30 - July 4, 2023 - Indianapolis, IN
We hope you will join us for General Synod 34: the United Church of Christ’s first 100% in-person gathering in over four years! Come to Indianapolis for the United Church of Christ’s “Family Reunion,” and register to access all things General Synod:
- Uplifting worship services led by diverse, visionary ministers
- An inspiring keynote by Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber (author of Pastrix and many other revolutionary works)
- Workshops to learn and grow with UCCers from across country
- Dining events to connect with folks doing the kinds of ministry you are called to
- A service project that provides direct support to folks experiencing period poverty
- Discernment for the future of the UCC through resolutions, educational intensives, and more
- Programming for children, and so much more!
Don’t wait - register today! Registration ends May 31st!
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The United Church of Christ Board, sitting as the General Synod Committee on Disposition, received the items of business submitted to the Thirty-Fourth General Synod and recommends disposition as listed on the Proposed Resolutions page of the General Synod website. |
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Any attendee interested can sign up to join the choir, which will minister during the closing worship service Tuesday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m. Sheet music and recordings will be distributed in the first week of June, and there will be at least two rehearsals during General Synod. |
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General Synod “Prayground” sets aside sacred space for UCC’s youngest members and their families. |
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Boundary Training Standing Requirement Update
Illinois Conference Committees on Ministry
We who hold authorized ministerial standing in an Association in the Illinois Conference are required to complete a Boundary Awareness Training (BAT) program every three years. Whether one is active, inactive, or retired, completion of a BAT is required to maintain one’s good standing in one’s Association.
Because our pre-2022 records are incomplete, Association Committees on Ministry (COMs) set forth this jubilee releasing us from the burden of remembering the last time we took boundary training. Authorized ministers now have until December 31, 2024, to complete an approved training and submit a certificate of completion to the Conference Administrator, Naomi Else, for inclusion in your electronic file.
Those out of compliance with this requirement will have their authorized ministerial standing suspended by their COM in January 2025. No exceptions. While there will be occasional announcements of approved BAT offerings via the Conference newsletter and website, it is the individual responsibility of each authorized minister to ensure that this requirement is met.
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"Love of Children" Survey
UCC Faith INFO Team
Faith INFO is in the process of gathering information to better assess the state of children’s ministry in the denomination and are asking for anyone who does children’s ministry (birth through the age of 12) in any capacity to please complete this survey by June 1st.
These are early steps related to the three year, $1.25 million grant received by Justice and Local Church Ministries (JLCM) from the Lilly Foundation. The grant is to explore and engage children in the UCC towards a more faithful ministry and upbringing. For more information, click here.
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Support menstrual justice with 'Period Packs' donations, ...
Menstruation is a normal, healthy bodily function for half the world's population. But not everyone who gets a period can afford the hygiene products. That's why the United Church of Christ is planning to create menstrual hygiene kits or period...
Read more
www.ucc.org
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The Illinois Conference Outdoor Ministries is making lots of things happen in 2023! Registration for this year's camps and retreats is open! The Outdoor Ministries Committee also recently released it's updated COVID policy for this year. Click on the button below to view the new policy and accompanying letter explaining the reasoning behind it. |
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Castañeda-Jennings Lecture
Thursday, June 8, 6:30 PM CST
Chicago Theological Seminary
Chicago Theological Seminary will host the 2023 Castañeda-Jennings Lecture and Award virtually on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. This year, CTS is proud to present Dr. Teresa L. Smallwood, the James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology at United Lutheran Seminary. Dr. Smallwood will present a lecture titled, "(Trans)formational Public Theology in the Age of White Christian Nationalism."
Dr. Smallwood’s Ph.D. dissertation was entitled, The Leprosy Effect: A Queer Womanist Pastoral Care Model. Her areas of specialty are Womanist and Feminist Theology and Ethics; Black Church Tradition; Race, Gender and Sexuality; Emmanuel Levinas; Africana Pastoral Theology; and 20th Century Theology.
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Seizing an Opportunity: Strengthening EPA Protections in 2023
Wednesday, June 14, 12:00 PM CST
United Church of Christ
As UCC congregations across the country embark upon collecting thousands of signed postcards for the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Climate Hope Cards campaign, this webinar will cover how the coming months at the EPA present a significant opportunity to save thousands of lives, address societal inequalities, and put the United States on a path to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on June 14th at 12:00 p.m. CST, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register here!
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June Calendar at a Glance |
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Ordinations, Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils |
June 4: Service of Installation for Rev. Dr. Patrick Daymond. 11:00 a.m. at Covenant UCC in South Holland. Chicago Metropolitan Association.
June 4: Service of Installation for Rev. Michael Cassady. 3:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Evangelical UCC in Kewanee. Western Association.
June 5: Ecclesiastical Council for Sarah Lyn Jones. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Chicago Metropolitan Association Cluster 6.
June 25: Service of Installation for Rev. Dr. Mark Barclay. 3:00 p.m. at Avalon Park Community Church UCC in Chicago. Chicago Metropolitan Association.
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Events in the Illinois Conference & Beyond |
Jun 8: CTS Castañeda-Jennings Lecture. 6:30 p.m. CST via Zoom. Register here.
Jun 14: Seizing an Opportunity Webinar. 12:00 p.m. CST via Zoom. Register here.
Jun 19: Conference Office closed in observance of Juneteenth.
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Conference and Association Committee Meetings |
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Jun 1: PA Committee on Ministry. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Jun 3: Personnel Committee. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Jun 8: FVA Committee on Ministry. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Jun 8: CMA Committee on Ministry. 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Jun 10: Stewardship Committee. 3:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Jun 20: FAB Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Jun 20: WA Committee on Ministry. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Jun 21: EA Committee on Ministry. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
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Employment, Education, & Resources |
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Recently Added Lay Employment Opportunities:
For a list of current open positions with the National UCC click here.
For more lay employment opportunity postings, click here.
Please let us know if you have a job opening you would like to share,
and also update us once the position is filled. Contact Sarah Lohrbach.
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New MAP+Work/Life Benefit
UCC Pension Boards
All of us at one time or another have experienced some type of personal crisis or life event that resulted in grief, stress, financial loss, and more. At the Pension Boards, we are fully committed to your health and personal well-being. We care when life throws you a curve ball. The Member Assistance Program + Work/Life Program, or MAP+Work/Life, offered through West Health Advocate Solutions, a leading clinical health advocacy company, is a no-cost benefit that gives you confidential access to a Licensed Professional Counselor or Work/Life Specialist. Through in-person visits, and unlimited, confidential phone consultations, these specialists can walk you through any of life’s temporary setbacks. Click here to learn more.
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The Group Exemption, Proving Your Church's Tax-Exempt...
Do you know about the United Church of Christ's group exemption? Do you need to prove that your Local Church is tax-exempt? Do you know the difference between "nonprofit," "tax-exempt," and "501(c)(3)?"
Read more
www.ucc.org
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Grow Your Church: The Board Game
United Church of Christ
The Grow Your Church board game is designed to get people talking about church vitality through the Marks of Faithful and Vital Local Churches. It will help deepen relationships with the covenantal partners with creative conversation. This game is for decision makers and strategic thinkers, and for all people who love their church and want to see it grow in vitality and faithfulness. Learn more and order it here. Ages 12 and up; shipping in June. |
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Summer and Fall Course Offerings
PATHWAYS Theological Education
PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. is a 501c3 program that grew from a program of the Southeast Conference UCC. It remains affiliated with the Southeast Conference. The program offers a full menu of courses for those seeking authorized ministry, for those wanting continuing education, and for those looking for a progressive theology, ethics, or practical church course. The courses are asynchronous, geographically unbound, affordable, and aligned with the UCC Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers. Please be in touch with any questions. You may apply online at pathwaystheological.org. |
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OCWM & Stewardship Resources
United Church of Christ
National has been working on updating resources for OCWM. These resources highlight work being done in the National Setting that is supported by Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support. A poster and four bulletin inserts help tell the story of how OCWM Basic Suppor t strengthens local congregations. You can find these free resources here.
“Because of You, Our Church Changes Lives” is this year's UCC stewardship theme, making the connection between donor generosity and the ministry and mission of your congregation. Materials include extensive resources for worship, sermons, and faith formation for children, youth and adults. The materials also provide practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts and letters. Guidance for every step of your campaign helps you make the best use of these robust materials. Various download options are available here.
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Church Newsletter Request |
Please send us your newsletters so we can keep up with what's going on in your church.
Address for printed newsletters: Illinois Conference UCC, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. Electronic newsletters: Please add Sarah Lohrbach at SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org to your church’s mailing list.
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THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE UCC E-NEWSLETTER is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.
This communication is made possible by your contributions to
Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM)
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Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ | (708) 344-4470
1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154
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