Make sure to "View Entire Message" to see all the January News! | |
To care for the UCC clergy and churches in Michigan | |
Wisdom for Wounded Pastors
Wednesday 01.08.25 at 12noon on Zoom
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2024 Basic Support Contributions postmark January 10, 2025
Offerings for Basic Support and Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) designated for 2024 must be postmarked by Friday, January 10th, 2025. Any offerings received that are postmarked after January 10th will be designated for 2025.
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Conference Staff offers four monthly drop-in Caring Clergy Community Groups | |
UPDATES FOR JANUARY 2025 CLERGY CARE DATES
Due to the holidays, events will each will move one week later
Leadership Lunch with Lillian Daniel
January 8: Special Guest Rev Carol Howard
Book of the Month with Jenn Ringgold
January 15: What Happened To You? by Dr Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
Clergy Cafe with Cheryl Burke
January 22: Open House style Zoom for clergy check-in
Spiritual Practices for Pastors with Lawrence Richardson
January 29: Finger Labyrinth
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
2025 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits
January 6-10, 2025 Teach - History, Theology & Polity of the UCC, Chicago, IL
January 17-18, 2025 Board of Directors & Staff Retreat, Lansing
January 19, 2025 Preach - East Congregational UCC, Grand Rapids
February 9, 2025 Preach - Plymouth UCC, Grand Rapids
February 23, 2025 Preach - Park Congregational UCC, Grand Rapids
LINK TO 2025 DATES
Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit
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Conference Transitions
The Conference Transitions feature appears in the monthly Michigan Conference Newsletter. Please share your transition information, including church anniversaries, with commmunications@michucc.org
Searching Churches
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First Congregational Church UCC in Union City is searching for a full time pastor. Details
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Shelby Congregational UCC in Shelby is searching for a part time pastor. Details
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Trinity Church of the UCC in Northport is searching for a part time pastor. Details
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For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here
Installations and Ordinations
- A service of Installation will take place January 12, 2025 at 2:34pm for Rev. Ricardo Tavárez at En Vivo Church, Grand Rapids, MI
- A service of Installation will take place January 12 , 2025 at 3:00pm for Rev. Jim Coran at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Saline, MI
- A service of Ordination will take place January 19, 2025 at 3:00pm for Deacon Sasha Graves Gaskin at St. Stephen's Community Church, Lansing, MI
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A service of Installation will take place January 19, 2025 at 3:00pm for Rev. Brian Smilde at First Congregational Church of Rockford, UCC, Rockford, MI
Retirement
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First Congregational Church of Gibraltar will host a brunch to celebrate the retirement of Pastor Lorolie Andrews on Sunday January 26, 2025 following the 10:00am service of worship Download Invitation
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Registration Closes SOON for Youth Winter Retreat
February 1-2, 2025
Youth in grades 6-12 will gather along with adult chaperones from their local churches for the opportunity to connect with one another and the wider church in downtown Detroit. A minimum of 1 adult chaperone is required for each church group, plus an additional chaperone for each 6 youth. Meals, snacks, programming, recreation, sleeping space, and worship will be provided. Retreat starts at 10:00am on Saturday and ends after worship on Sunday
Contact Jenn Ringgold for additional information jenn@michucc.org
Cost $30.00 per participant
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Includes: Detroit 67 Experience at Detroit Historical Museum, lunch in downtown Detroit, recreation at Boll Family YMCA, dinner, programming, overnight lodging at Mack Avenue Community Church, continental breakfast, and worship.
Registration closes January 17, 2025
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Time To Submit Yearly Update of Church Data | |
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The Data Hub will open to churches at noon on January 22nd and will remain available through March 21st. Please submit your data prior to the March 21st - deadline extensions will not be available.
This year will be the first time utilizing the NEW Data Hub system - UCC Database and Directories.
PLEASE read through the Church Instructions HERE.
If your church already has an Engage account (the same platform that hosts ministerial profiles), simply enter your username and password to sign in.
If you do not have an existing account or are unsure if you have one, click the green “Sign Up: Yearbook Reporter” button and enter your email address on the following screen.
If the email address matches one or more of the accounts on record, you will be prompted to select the account on the following screen. If no match is found, click “Click here to request a new account”.
We thank you in advance for your help in completing this annual process.
The Michigan Conference UCC is available to help update your Yearbook information. If you have any problems call (517.258.0038) or email (lisa@michucc.org)
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New Year New Grant Opportunities | |
Funding Opportunities for Pastors and Churches
When the 2025 Budget was approved at the Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference UCC, it included the creation of four new categories of grants for pastors and churches.
In addition to long standing Vital Growth and Small Town/Rural funding, the Michigan Conference UCC webpage for Scholarships and Grants has been updated to include Emergency Grants for Clergy and Churches, AND there is now specific grant money available for Sabbatical, Technology and Community Outreach support.
All requests for funding require completion of a Unified Grant Form. Non-emergency grant applications will be reviewed twice a year, with deadlines of March 15 and September 15. Funding will be distributed in early April and early October.
Emergency requests will be dealt with as they are received.
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Association and Local Church News | |
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Hope is a Spiritual Practice
Betsy Dole profile featured in Spirit of Generosity December Donor Newsletter
"I think this is the genius of the UCC: it is open to all who want to be part of a faith community seeking truth rather than a community that believes it already has all the answers to life's great questions."
READ MORE
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Michigan Black Summit Announces "Faith and Governance" Panel with Prominent Pastors
February 7-8, 2025
Event Registration
Press Release
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Detroit Metropolitan Association Social Justice Team
Upcoming Zoom meeting
January 14, 2025 10:00am ET
January 18, 2025 11:00am ET
Download Gray Panthers Flyer
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January 18, 2025 5:30pm
503 Garland St, Flint MI 48503
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Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources | |
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Wednesday January 15 1:00pm ET
UCC Creation Justice Webinar will focus on the growing power of a toxic media industry that has an enormous influence. Panelists will come from the Environmental Defense Fund, Media Matters for America, and UCC Media Justice.
REGISTER HERE
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Boundary Training for Ministers in Specialized Settings
Monday February 3, 6:00 – 9:00pm ET
Offered by MESA
*Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.
REGISTER HERE
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Wednesday January 15, 12:00pm ET
REGISTER HERE
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Thursday January 16, 2025 2:00PM ET
Insurance Board Webinar, “Sanctuary: Legal Considerations for Faith Communities"
REGISTER HERE
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Our Whole Lives Training, April 4-6, Adult, $400/double, $450/single includes meals, lodging from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center, 12173 Tower Hill Road, Sawyer, MI
Trainers: Christina Fairman and Craig VanKempen will provide training for adults who want to offer the Junior/Senior High (7-9 and 10-12) OWL programs at their church and in their communities.
REGISTER HERE
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We Want to Hear from YOU!
Use THIS FORM to share your joys, concerns, news, events, and resources
with the Michigan Conference UCC!
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This Monthly Newsletter Communication
is made possible
by your contributions to
Basic Support
of Our Church's Wider Mission
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