After a year-long search, the United Church of Christ Board’s Search Committee for General Minister and President has made a historic choice. The committee will be recommending Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson to the UCCB this week as nominee for General Minister and President. If elected, she would be the first woman, and the first woman of African descent, to lead the denomination. Below is the letter to the wider church from Search Committee Chair, the Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin. Read The Letter Here | |
Area Conference Minister Ruth Fitzgerald to Retire May 31 | |
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Dear Friends,
I write to share this letter from our Area Conference Minister Ruth Fitzgerald, who has faithfully served the Grand West Association since March 2019, announcing her retirement. While I did not get near as much time with Ruth as I would want, I will always be grateful for her warm welcome and wisdom in my first year. On behalf of the Michigan Conference, I thank God for Ruth’s ministry, for the chance to thank her in the months ahead, and for the blessings she shares about her ongoing vocation, in this letter to us all.
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel
Conference Minister
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A letter from the Rev. Ruth Fitzgerald | |
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March 1, 2023
This is the way, walk in it.
The words nearly jumped off the page of my bible more than twenty years ago. These are the words that sent me to seminary; the words that launched my formal ministry training and life.
19 Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. 20 Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’
(Isaiah 30:19-21)
These days, I’m turning my head to the left and to the right to hear the voice pulling me into the next direction of my life. Times of discernment are difficult; I think we are only kidding ourselves if we claim that making decisions about calling and transitions and life are simple and easy.
These are exciting times in the Michigan Conference with the new leadership of Conference Minister, Lillian Daniel. She brings energy, a fresh perspective, and deep faith to our shared ministry here. The staff is strong and committed to a new vision.
So, it is with much ambivalence and some sadness that I will retire at the end of May, 2023. When I am in conversation with colleagues contemplating a transition in ministry, often I will ask them to identify what they feel they are being drawn to rather than what it is they are leaving. And, often we talk about how sometimes the best time to leave is when things are going well.
The way ahead of me is becoming clearer; I have a strong sense that I am being called into a more personal ministry and that I am definitely being called to my role as a grandparent. The Michigan Conference is doing well and there are younger skilled folks who, even now, are
sensing a call into this ministry setting. The way ahead for me includes a sense of responsibility to that generation behind me, to making a space, to being a voice of encouragement.
Retirement is a new season. Clergy seem to find themselves busier than ever. Our former ministry settings grow and change, and it is sometimes a tricky road to navigate. I’ll remain in my Grand Rapids home, continue my membership at Holland UCC, and (hopefully) deepen my spiritual life. And so, I will not be available for the work of the ACM but I will, after some time, seek ways to continue to serve God’s church. But first, I’m going to start on the “one hundred
hugs” my grandson has promised me.
This is the way, walk in it. This is the first step on the next part of my journey.
Blessings,
Rev. Ruth D. Fitzgerald
Area Conference Minister, Grand West Association
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A SPECIAL VIDEO INVITATION
from your Conference Minister
for our upcoming Clergy Retreat in May
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50% discount for the first 10 MI clergy
to ask for scholarship
+ Additional $100 off scholarship funding available
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Encourage your pastor to join Michigan Conference Minister Lillian Daniel and Senior Pastor of People’s Church, Shawnthea Monroe, for a clergy time away at beautiful Tower Hill Conference Center in Sawyer, MI. Through the Festival of Homiletics, we’ll worship and talk about the art of preaching but we’ll also take time to stretch our legs in the great outdoors, share good food and even take some time to do nothing!
The cost of the retreat is $475 BUT the first ten Michigan clergy to apply will automatically get half off that price through a scholarship from the Michigan Conference.
As we recognize the stresses our clergy face, additional scholarships will be available for pastors of small congregations, clergy in their first call, and clergy who have faced particular stress in the last year.
Clergy, don’t let money be an object.
Lay leaders, encourage your pastor to take the time away.
Space is limited sign up here
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Monthly News: March 2023
STORIES SHARED
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Financial institutions subsidize the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $11 million per minute according to the International Monetary Fund. The time for action is now!
Keep reading to see how events are currently planned in St. Joseph and Grand Rapids MI that need your participation.
Acting on our Michigan Conference Climate Justice Resolution from Fall 2022, Rev. Mike Mulberry (Pilgrim UCC, St. Joseph) and Rev. Andy DeBraber (Plymouth UCC, Grand Rapids) are working to encourage local UCC churches and their members to join in a National Day of Action on March 21 (3-21-23) to "Stop Dirty Banks." This action is in partnership with Third Act and founder, Bill McKibben, to organize groups all across the country. Find other actions here https://thirdact.org/national-day-of-action/
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(Photo by Michael Mulberry during an Ash Wednesday Climate Justice Action at Chase Bank in St. Joseph with Rev. Tracy Heilman and Rev. Catherine Balk.) | |
Please consider joining in the work of meeting with local branch managers of the four largest funders of fossil fuels - JP Morgan Chase Bank, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo - and asking them to stop destroying the planet. This article is also an invitation to all who have read this far to participate in a Lenten fast from using accounts or credit cards from these banks. If they don't change their practices, then those fasting can commit to cutting up their credit cards or moving their accounts.
So far, Mike and Andy have about 20 people from several UCC churches, including UCC clergy and clergy from other churches ready to ACT. More local UCC churches can become involved in this work by contacting Andy and Mike for easy, step by step instructions. They are also working with the Sunrise Movement, Customers for Climate Justice, and Stop the Money Pipeline seeking more ways to be involved in supporting our Michigan Conference Climate Justice Resolution.
The ultimate goal is to help us all learn how to grow our spiritual muscles around justice organizing, and how to grow both the breadth and depth of our impact on systemic issues around climate change.
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AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING EXPERIENCE II | |
(image courtesy of Rev. Lawrence Richardson of participants in-person at Salem United Church of Christ in Farmington, MI) | |
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Submitted by Wayne Burling
Michigan Conference Open and Affirming Coordinator
An Open and Affirming Experience II
Hybrid in-person and Zoom event
Salem United Church of Christ in Farmington MI
Organizers from both Salem United Church of Christ and the Michigan Open and Affirming Coalition were so pleased to host more than 20 participants from congregations across the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ. This event was designed for people who are interested in expanding their welcome to all. Presenters, Rev. Dr. Selma Massey, Rev. Mike Cooper, Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson, and Wayne Burling, offered the opportunity to learn more about Skills and Resources for an ONA Process, ONA and the Bible, Beyond Binary, and Best Practices from Thriving ONA Churches. It is always the hope that more and more churches in the Michigan Conference will attend ONA learning opportunities. Recordings of the entire event will be made available to those who registered. If you would like additional information about resources that were shared on Saturday February 25, please contact Wayne
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(image features participants in fellowship at Open and Affirming Experience II) | | |
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We Want to Hear from YOU!
A new priority for the Michigan Conference Monthly News
is connecting local churches with one another and sharing YOUR stories.
Use THIS FORM to share with the Conference!
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LAST CHANCE
DATA DUE AT MIDNIGHT!!!
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YEARBOOK DATA DUE MARCH 1, 2023 | |
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For Youth Ministry Leaders and Youth Champions!!
2 day virtual retreat for $25.00
Monday March 6, 1-4pm
Tuesday March 7, 1-6pm
Scholarship code available by contacting Jenn Ringgold
Register today!!
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UCC National Webinar—Leaky Stoves and Deadly Gases
March 8 1:00pm EST
In the media and social media, gas and electric stoves have recently been a "hot topic." In this webinar, we will seek to put this "heated debate" within its proper ethical context in terms of environmental justice, public health, and concerns about methane pollution. This webinar will prepare faith communities for informed action in caring for our neighbors and our planet. sign-up, and you will receive a link to a recording even if you can't attend live.
Register now for March 8
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Planning for the Transition to Retirement Seminar Registration | |
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Please join the Pension Boards for its upcoming two-day Planning for the Transition to Retirement
seminar on March 29-30, 2023.
Whether you are planning to retire soon or are in the middle of your career, clergy or lay, this seminar is designed to help you transition to retirement. If you are an actively-contributing Pension Boards member, 45 years of age or older, we invite you to participate.
Date: Day One: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on EST
Date: Day Two: Thursday, March 30, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on EST
Register here by March 28, 2023
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Our Whole Lives training for 7-9/10-12 grade
APRIL 21-23, 2023
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
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For additional information about building and OWL program at your local church contact Jenn Ringgold | |
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In addition to this local in-person training, Our Whole Lives trainings will continue to be offered online in 2023 for UCC and UUA members, at a cost of only $250 plus curriculum.
Online Training requires up to 35 hours of your time over 3 weeks. You will have 20 hours of synchronous (live, on-camera) weeknight and Saturday sessions plus 10-15 hours of asynchronous tasks to complete (reading, webinar viewing, and written assignments) on your own time.
Additional information about OWL can be found here.
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More details will be shared in the April Newsletter
Block off the time on your calendar now, and plan to join Conference Staff for information and discussion about how all churches are impacted by trauma and can be better stewards of the humans in their congregations.
Find out more about Trauma-Informed Church here
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Synod delegates will be registered by the Conference, Visitors should plan to register as soon as possible as hotel space is limited. Youth will have separate arrangements. Synod is the church happening in real time. Consider attending in order to experience how we continue to "Make all things new!" | |
Resources for Stewardship and Fundraising | |
2023 Stewardship Webinars |
Mar 22 - Changing Landscape of Giving: What we can learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors
Registration: https://ucc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlceyorDIqG91XqzR7meOdnSGSOlEbVOVC
Rev. Dr. Colie Batavia of Grace UCC in Two Rivers, WI, will discuss insights and ideas the Church can learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors.
Apr 26 – Rethinking What God Calls Volunteers to Do
Registration: https://ucc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModOqtqT4vGNI4Cr7C2c3C0N18Ta97FVp9
Rev. Bridget Daniels of Union UCC in Green Bay, WI, and Rev. Elana Larson of the National Ministries will reflect on ways to engage volunteers and hear God's call to something new when you can't find volunteers. They will help us think about ways to make more dynamic volunteer experiences.
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In 2023, a monthly newsletter will be published by the Conference on the first Wednesday of the month, and a Message from the Conference Minister will be shared on the third Wednesday of the month.
Look for our next publications on March 15 and April 5, 2023
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