Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
December | 2021
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Keep Up with Ministry & More in the Upper Midwest
The start of a new year is a great time to make sure you receive all of the resources and news you want. Choose from up to 5 newsletters, including this one. Learn more and sign up here!
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Ministers Institute, January 24-25; ARPR Session January 26 |
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Registration is now open for the 2022 Ministers Institute, exploring "The Arc of Wholeness." The keynote address and workshop opportunities will inspire, inform, and offer opportunities for connection and rest.
You can participate in person at the Christian Conference Center or virtually. Both options will include opportunities for clergy to learn (and earn continuing education hours), worship, fellowship, and relax. The event will begin on Jan. 24 and close on Jan. 25, with an option to stay through the 26th for an anti-racism/pro-reconciliation session, an in-person viewing and discussion of the award-winning documentary "True Justice."
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Important Ways to Connect in Regional and General Church |
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Ordinations
An ordination service for Daniel Romero is scheduled on January 16, 2022 at First Christian Church in Minneapolis. The ordination will occur during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
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Celebrations
Congratulations to Rev. Cecile and Eleanor Simonton on the celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary, December 28. Cecile served as pastor of Davis Street Christian Church, Ottumwa, IA.
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Prayers for Clergy Colleagues
Please hold the following families in your prayers:
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John Lewis' family on his passing. John was the pastor of Hedrick Christian Church and died the week of Thanksgiving.
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Henry Brewer-Calvert on the death of his grandmother in November.
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Bryce Bowers and his wife Teresa Morse on the death of Teresa's father, Frank Morse in December.
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Alan Finestead and family on the passing of his wife, Bethalene Finestead
Prayers for congregations, pastors and chaplains as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect life.
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Looking to Serve? Lots of Positions Available
Each month, we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. Currently, the list is long and has several congregations seeking part-time professional ministry.
- Are you retired or between calls and interested in a part-time position?
- Are you serving in a position that would allow you to add responsibilities (and compensation) from another congregation?
- Do you know someone who might be a good commissioned minister serving in a part-time congregational context?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we would appreciate your help. Our regional staff is having difficulty identifying enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.
Please contact Josh or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.
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Congregations in Transition
Friends, you will see listed below the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Gratefully many of these congregations have interim leadership, equipping the congregation to move through transition with hope and grace.
However, several of these congregations are small which impedes the search process. If through prayer and discernment you would be ready to serve one of the smaller congregations, please let one of the Regional staff know.
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Cedar Falls, First Christian Church has entered the search and call process. The congregation has called CJ Latham as interim.
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Mitchellville Christian Church will begin the search and call process. Lynda Carlson is preaching for the congregation beginning January 2, 2022.
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Marshalltown First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Altoona First Christian Church called Lisa Grace as interim.
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Albia First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Newton First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Oakland Christian Church is in the revitalization process, using regular pulpit supply for Sundays.
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Red Oak Christian Church has called A J Baratta as their next minister.
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Chariton Christian Church called Alice Bolen as interim.
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Indianola Heights Christian Church has arranged pulpit supply with Sheldon Henderson.
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Waukee Christian Church is in the search process.
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New Disciples Christian Church, Cedar Rapids has called Sherry Schwab as interim.
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Park Ave Christian Church, Des Moines called Tim Johnson as interim.
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Lake Harriett Christian Church called David Cobb as interim.
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Plymouth Creek Christian Church is in the search process.
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Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
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First Christian Church, Hampton is entering the search process.
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New Beginnings Christian Church, Urbandale, is seeking a full-time interim minister.
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Central Christian Church, Boone, has called David Clark as interim minister.
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Other Continuing Education Opportunities |
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Continuing Education Requirement
All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.
Need more for 2021? Here are two opportunities that are available on demand:
Convergence
Grateful: an online journey
6-parts, based on Diana Butler Bass' recent book, $59
KY Council of Churches
Environmental Racism
workshop by Rev. Carol Devine
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Lexington Theological Seminary
Equity and Liberation: Dismantling Racism 2.0
Free online, Jan. 29, 12:30 PM
This webinar will be led by Rev. Yvonne T. Gilmore, Interim Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation and one of the core trainers for Reconciliation Ministry.
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Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Holy Rage, Holy Hope: The Pastor as Public Leader
6 sessions, Jan. & Feb.
This webinar will be led by Rev. Dr. Richard Rouse, who recently co-authored Chalice Press book, The World Is about to Turn: Mending a Nation's Broken Faith.
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Christian Church Foundation
Development Conference
Free online, Jan. 19
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Luther Seminary
Hybrid Ministry in a Post-Pandemic Church
Online, 3 sessions in January.
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Luther Seminary
Theology and Ethics of Digital Ministry
Online, 2 sessions in February, $49.
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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org |
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