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Equipping, connecting, and celebrating the churches of the Michigan Conference |
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From Your Conference Minister
On #TransDayOfVisibility - 3.31.2023 - and everyday as Michigan Conference UCC Minister, responsible for the care of 140 churches, and as a proud parent, I want to be clear: You are all beloved by the amazing mysterious God who made us all. Pretty sure that same God wants their human beings to catch up and do the same.
~ Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel
48 additional Love Notes
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Join this Zoom for a Conference-wide conversation about the impact of individual and collective trauma on the church, faith, and caring for others.
April 27, 2023 7:00-9:00pm
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MI Conference Clergy Retreat | |
MI Clergy get a discounted rate using code MI 1/2
May 15 - 18, 2023
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
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YOUTH@SYNOD
Limited spaces for MI youth in 9th-12th grade to travel together June 30 - July 4, 2023 for special Youth@Synod programming.
$185.00 covers transportation, lodging, and meals - including dinner with Ibram Kendi AND lunch with Bryan Stevenson.
Scholarships available
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Dreaming of going into ministry? Financial help is available
The deadline for Members-In-Discernment to submit an application
(or renewal request) is May 1st, 2023
2023 MID APPLICATION
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Immanuel United Church of Christ - Detroit, as it was disbanding, decided to use their remaining funds to endow a scholarship for seminary students preparing for ordination and service in the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ. Each year, awards are made to multiple seminarians within our Conference. These awards are significant and can be a factor in making it financially possible for aspiring ministers to attend seminary. | | | |
Association Spring Meetings | |
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SATURDAY APRIL 22, 2023
9:30a - 11:30a
Covenant, Eastern, United Northern
St. John's UCC,
801 S. Mechanic St, Jackson, MI
Environmental Action as Christian Service
HYBRID Options available
Please sign up as soon as possible for preparations
Complete a registration form and return to Pam Koebel to attend in-person
Register on Zoom to participate on-line
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SATURDAY APRIL 29, 2023
12:30p - 4:30p
Southwest
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
12173 Tower Hill Rd, Sawyer, MI
Edwards Lodge - RAIN OR SHINE
ALL members and friends of local churches in SWA
are invited to bring a potluck side dish
Grilled main course provided by SWA
Free time for connection at Camp
1:30-4:00pm
followed by Communion
led by Association Minister
Rev. Calandra Nevenzel
FLYER for details and RSVP
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SUNDAY MAY 7, 2023
3:00p
Grand West
Douglas UCC
56 Wall St, Douglas MI
This year’s spring gathering of GWA clergy and laity will be a
“Liturgy of Release and Farewell”
for Rev. Ruth Fitzgerald
who is retiring as
Area Conference Minister
All clergy are invited to robe and wear a stole as they feel so moved and join in a Processional at the beginning of the service. Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall. No RSVP is needed.
The event will also be streamed live online at YouTube.com/DouglasUCC
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SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2023
9:00a - 12:30p
Detroit Metropolitan
Zoom Registration
Coming Soon
DMA is delighted to have Rev. Dr. Velda Love, as Keynote Speaker
Rev. Love serves the United Church of Christ as Lead for Join the Movement and Minister of Racial Justice, Education for Faithful Ministries, Justice and Local Church Ministries.
There will be a Q & A session at the end of her presentation.
CALL TO MEETING FLYER
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AWARD WINNING Activists
Inspired through the Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative, MI local church pastors, members, and friends are taking action to Stop Dirty Banks here in Michigan. They will be recognized and awarded grant funds from UCC Environmental Justice Ministries at the National UCC Earth Day event to continue their activism.
Please mark your calendars and invite others for a Jericho Walk around the Bank of America near the corner of 28th St. and 2627 East Beltline SE in Grand Rapids (the Gold Building) 3:30-5p on Friday, April 21, Earth Day Eve, to demand that banks stop funding climate chaos. Bank of America is one of the four largest financial institutions investing in fossil fuels.
READ MORE...
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MORE Collaboration for Climate Justice!!
Collaboration between congregations is healthy and enriches the experience of everyone involved! Through recognizing that both congregations had active Green Teams, a wonderful opportunity was born!
Addy Stuever, the Climate Justice Fellow at both Edgewood United Church, UCC and Haslett Community Church, UCC is leading 20+ people from both congregations through a Climate Justice Book Club using the book "Speak With the Earth and It Will Teach You," written by UCC minister and author, Daniel Cooperrider. This is not the first time these two congregations have collaborated, and we hope it won't be the last!
READ MORE...
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Interfaith Interactions
In January, East Church in Grand Rapids began an “Interfaith Dinner Series”
The idea came from Pastor, Rev. Laurie Crelly to get the word out that East is an inclusive church. With 10 volunteers pre and post dinner, a fabulous community atmosphere was created for those attending.
Five dinners were planned, and the final dinner will be held April 19, 2023. A different faith tradition has been represented each week by a locally known leader who offered an educational presentation. A culturally specific food from that faith community was also featured.
READ MORE...
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We Want to Hear from YOU!
A 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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Non-binary & Trans Workshop
Come learn more about the “T” in LGBTQ
and the term “non-binary.” Discover practices that are helpful in creating an inclusive environment, especially for churches. Opportunity to discuss why this matters for people of faith.
Co-sponsored by the Phoenix Community Church Open and Affirming Team and the Queer Beloved Community
Thursday, May 11, from 6:30 to 8:00pm
ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 828 3143 0557
Passcode: 907997
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National UCC News and Events | |
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UCC Webinar
Getting Ready for Earth Sunday: Resources for Congregations
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on April 12th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
Register now!
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Join the First Ever UCC Earth Day Summit!
This online event will take place on Saturday, April 22nd at 11 am ET.
The theme is “What’s Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope.”
keynote from the Rev. Jim Antal
AND members of MI CONF will be honored with a Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award!!!
Register now!
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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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APRIL STEWARDSHIP WEBINAR
Apr 26 – 7:30p - 8:30p EST
Rethinking What God Calls
Volunteers to Do
Reflect on ways to engage volunteers and hear God's call to something new when you can't find volunteers. Think about ways to make more dynamic volunteer experiences.
ZOOM REGISTRATION
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Rev. Cheryl Burke
Knee Surgery
March 21 - April 12
Rev. Ruth Moerdyk
Sabbatical
April 16 - July 13
Rev. Ruth Fitzgerald
Retirement
May 31
Rev. Calandra Nevenzel
Sabbath and Synod
June 12 - July 9
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
Upcoming Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits
April
2nd: Preach - East Church, Grand Rapids, MI
16th: Preach - First Congregational Church, Kalamazoo, MI
23rd: Preach - First Congregational Church, Chelsea, MI
30th: Preach - Hudsonville Congregational UCC, Hudsonville, MI
May
7th: Preach - First Congregational Church, Saginaw, MI
21st: Preach - First Congregational Church, Gaylord, MI
28th: OFF
LINK TO ALL 2023-2024 DATES
Contact Lisa@michucc.org to schedule
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Our Mission: For Christ's sake, equip the clergy and the churches of the Michigan Conference UCC for faithful leadership and effective ministries of spiritual discernment, prophetic integrity, compassionate generosity, and vital growth.
www.michucc.org
will be launching a new site later this month
stay tuned for updates and to find out more
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