AdventWord

AdventWord is a free inspirational online Advent calendar featuring a daily prompt word selected from the Sunday Lectionary readings.

Throughout Advent, we will share the word of the day on our Michigan Conference Facebook and invite you to share your personal reflections, art, poetry and other thoughts.

Please pray with us and interact with friends and colleagues across the Conference as we journey towards the celebration of Christmas. Let's stay connected to our faith, each other, and to God.

You can also sign up for a daily meditation and image at AdventWord.org

In my role as Director of Communications, one of my FAVORITE jobs is to help share resources with our pastors and local churches. Connecting folks with what they need to feel supported and successful is the best!! I am looking forward to the continued expansion of my role, and making time to be able to dig into creating efficient ways to share resources that are easily accessible to you via the Conference Website - stay tuned...

To be honest, I didn't know very much about (PSLF) Public Service Loan Forgiveness, but it is a topic that we have received questions about at the Conference, so we've been looking into it for you.

To qualify for PSLF, you must

• be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or qualifying not-for-profit organization (federal service includes U.S. military service);
• work full-time for that agency or organization;
• have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan);
• repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan or a 10-year Standard Repayment Plan; and
• make a total of 120 qualifying monthly payments that need not be consecutive.

Many of our clergy find themselves in a space where they meet these requirements and are working through the process. Some are finding the application process long and tedious, and we have found a common thread in "qualifying not-for-profit organization"

After conferring with Heather Kimmel, legal council for the National Setting, it is helpful to clarify that the PSLF database is incomplete, especially as it relates to religious employers. We also concur hearing that the lack of movement on the part of the government contractor who is running PSLF is frustrating, but here are some recommendations for getting your local church employer cleared as a qualifying not-for-profit organization.

* Enter employer’s information manually, as accurately as possible. 

* This is the EIN of the employer (local church) NOT the denomination’s EIN

Even with this information, because of the incomplete database, your employer (local church) will likely undergo a manual review process.

* You will probably need to include supporting documentation

* You may also need to include a group exemption letter. An updated group exemption letter and supporting materials can be requested by emailing the paralegal at the National Setting gaffneyc@ucc.org

For additional clarification here is more information from the National Setting about Group Exemption, EIN numbers, and tax-exemption for churches

The application can be found HERE

With additional tips and strategies HERE

Frequently asked Questions

We are sitting with you in the persistence that it takes to get things like this done!

If you have been successful and have tips to share -- please let me know what worked well at communications@michucc.org

If you have additional questions or need resources for other topics - please be in contact with me

~ jenn Ringgold

Director of Communication

Michigan Conference UCC

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Use THIS FORM to share news with the Michigan Conference UCC!

Conference Transitions

The Conference Transitions feature will now appear in the monthly Michigan Conference Newsletter. Please share your transition information, including church anniversaries, with commmunications@michucc.org

Searching Churches

• First Congregational Church, UCC in New Baltimore is searching for a part time pastor. Details
• Clinton UCC and Saline St. Paul UCC are searching together for a full time pastor to serve both churches. Details
• First Congregational Church UCC in Charlotte is searching for a full time pastor. Details
• For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here

New Calls

• The Rev. Matthew Houge-Smith was called as Pastor at Peoples Church of Flint on November 19. He will begin his ministry in Michigan on January 1, 2024
• The Rev. Alison Andrea Young has been called by First Congregational UCC, Onekama and will begin on February 18, 2024

Installations

• A service of Installation was held on December 3 for The Rev. Nathan Dannison at St. John’s UCC, Grand Rapids
• Rev. David Frey was Installed on November 12 at First Congregational UCC, South Haven

Anniversaries

• A service of celebration was held on November 11 at Congregational UCC Armada for the 50th Ordination Anniversary of Rev. Doyll Andrews

In Memoriam

• The Rev. Thomas Mason passed from this life to the next on October 28, 2023. Rev. Mason received recognition of 55 years of Ordained Ministry in 2018. He was Grand West Association clergy and served almost 30 years in the Michigan Conference with calls in Douglas, Hudsonville, and Muskegon 

Scholarships & Grants

The United Church of Christ has scholarships and grants available for a variety of purposes in three broad categories: Ministry Education Scholarships, Program Grants, and Leadership Development Scholarships. In addition to what is listed here, check with the Admissions Office at your educational institution to find out about additional scholarships that may be available.

• All online Scholarship application forms open on December 1 each year and close on March 1 of the following year at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Scholarships are processed for use in the fall.

Conference Ministers share lament and commit to action

In observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, the Council of Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ released a letter lamenting for and confessing to harm caused to trans and nonbinary youth and adults, as well as pledging a commitment to action and solidarity.  Read the full text of the letter HERE