To equip, empower, connect and celebrate the churches of the Michigan Conference UCC | |
Make sure to "View Entire Message" to see all the August Monthly News! | |
"HELP! Our Building Costs are Out of Control"
Zoom at noon Wednesday August 7
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Vitality Day Event September 7 | |
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The Vital Growth Mission Area Team invites you to participate in the
2024 Michigan Conference UCC Vitality Day Event
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Vitality Day
Saturday September 7
10:00am - 3:00pm
Onsite with
Rev Dr Patrick Duggan
from Church Building and Loan Fund
Haslett Community Church
1427 Haslett Rd
Haslett, MI 48840-8415
$15.00 Pre-registration individual participant
$30.00 Pre-registration up to 3 participants from a local church
$20.00 Registration per person on the Day Of Sept 7
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Online Boundary Training
September 30, 2024
Register now for online Boundary Training with Associate Conference Minister Cheryl Burke.
One Day Training is based on Ordained Minister's Code and costs $25.00 for those in the Michigan Conference UCC
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Conference Staff offers four monthly drop-in Caring Clergy Community Groups
These groups meet on Wednesday from 12:00noon - 1:00pm
Pastors and MIDs may join these Caring Clergy Communities on Zoom any time.
First Wednesday Leadership Lunch with Lillian Daniel
Second Wednesday Book of the Month with Jenn Ringgold
Third Wednesday Clergy Cafe with Cheryl Burke
Fourth Wednesday Spiritual Practices for Pastors with Lawrence Richardson
Member in Discernment (Second Thursday and Third Monday) and Retired Clergy Cafe (First Thursday) are also available for drop in.
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
2024 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits
August 4, 2024 Preach - First Congregational Church, Constantine
August 11, 2024 Preach - The United Church, Ovid
August 22 - 26, 2024 Women in Ministry Colloquium, Yale Divinity School
September 8, 2024 Preach - Salem UCC, Farmington
September 22, 2024 Preach - Bethel UCC, Manchester
September 29, 2024 Preach - First Congregational UCC, Owosso
LINK TO ALL upcoming 2024 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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Shelby Congregational UCC in Shelby is searching for a part time pastor. Details
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Douglas Congregational UCC in Douglas is searching for a full 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
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A service of Installation took place July 28, 2024 at 4:00pm for Rev. Marsha McFadden Quick at Clinton United Church of Christ, Clinton MI
In Memoriam
- The Rev. Lisa Zook died at the beginning of July after a two year battle with cancer. Rev. Zook served as the Youth Director at Portage UCC for over a decade, was a member at Park Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, and was ordained in the Grand West Association before serving in various leadership roles at Chicago Theological Seminary.
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The Rev. Jane E Rathman died on July 27, 2024. Rev. Rathman served Michigan UCC churches in Royal Oak and Casco Township. She will be remembered as a groundbreaker for women clergy. A memorial service was held on July 31, 2024 at St. John's United Church of Christ, Port Huron. Additional details about her life and ministry can be found here.
Anniversaries
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First Congregational Church UCC, Gaylord MI celebrated their 150th Anniversary on July 21, 2024
- Galesburg Congregational UCC will celebrate 30 years of ministry with Rev. Whitney Brown during worship at 10:00am on August 11, 2024. A reception will follow the service from 11:30am-1:30pm.
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MichUCC Youth Winter Retreat
February 1-2, 2025
Youth@Synod
July 11-18, 2025
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Great Lakes West Central
Regional Youth Event
Six youth and three adults from Michigan were among the 175 participants at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL July 17-20, 2024.
Join us for wider church youth events in 2025!!
| youth from UCC, Midland and Webster UCC attended together | | | |
Annual Meeting Nov 1-2, 2024 | | |
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Fall Gathering for UCC Women of Michigan
November 8-10, 2024
Friday evening through Sunday noon
"Seasons of Our Lives" Celebrating with an Attitude of Gratitude and Keynote Speaker Rev. Traci Bartell.
Lake Huron Retreat Center
8794 Lakeshore Road
Burtchville Twp, MI
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Our Faith Our Vote - Weekly Zoom
The Detroit Metropolitan Association Social Justice Team is hosting a weekly Zoom at 10:00am on Tuesdays to promote dialogue and the vision that as Christians, it is our responsibility to work in coalitions with people of similar values in a non-partisan way to make plans to get out the vote and preserve democracy.
You can find the Zoom link on the Conference Calendar, and you can also read the DMA Social Justice Team Voting Letter HERE .
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Fall Event for Children and Families
Autumn Paws is hosted by Gathering of Our Imagination, a group of Southwest Association UCC Churches in Berrien County, joining together to serve local youth and families, with a particular focus on students in K-6th grade.
On Sunday October 6, 2024 from 3:00pm-6:00pm Elementary school children and their families will have the opportunity to "pause", and have some Fall Fun with Paws for Humanity.
Find out more and message your RSVP
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Local Church and Other News | |
Back to School at Benzonia UCC
The Father Fred Back to School Shoes event serves over 1,600 kids in five northwest Michigan counties over two weeks. The event offers new shoes, socks, and school supplies, as well as eye exams (and glasses, if needed) to students at no cost to the families.
The Benzie County event, hosted by First Congregational Church of Benzonia United Church of Christ (UCC) on Monday July 29th, provided services to over 200 kids in Benzie and northern Manistee counties. Volunteers from the church coordinated and served during the event, to include provision of lunches and helping to fit shoes on the kids. Many local service organizations offered on-site services at the Benzie County event held at First Congregational Church of Benzonia UCC along with the Father Fred Foundation and Vision to Learn, including Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Northwest Michigan Student Support Network, Benzie Leelanau District Health Department, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, St. Philip's Baby Pantry, Northwest Michigan Health Services, and United We Smile. The church's minister is the Rev. Patty Higgins.
~ submitted by church moderator Sara Moorhead and church member Jeff Rhodes, UNA liaison to the Board of Directors
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images from Father Fred Foundation Facebook Page | |
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Summer Music at Haslett Community
Haslett Community Church enjoyed their fourth annual HCC Summer Concert Series on Thursdays from June 20-July 25. Concerts were outdoors (weather permitting), free, open to the community and all local musicians!
Audiences are a combination of church folk, community folk, and groupies for certain musicians. This year had the broadest representation of musical genres including big brass, ukulele, acoustic folk music, jazz and more!
The church also partners with local businesses to help offset the cost which acts as additional outreach. Between 40-75 in attendance each week means hundreds have gathered with them this summer.
Last year's series was a challenge due to bands that cancelled, wildfires smoke impacting air quality, and being inside most weeks. After starting outdoor music during the shutdown, there was no set plan for how long this would continue.
With gratitude for Jon Lineberry who organized this year's series, reached out to every musician on the schedule, and even replaced an act when injury prevented them from performing. Thank you Jon!
The positive response from the congregation, the community, and the musicians who love having a relaxed place to play is a thrilling and invigorating ministry.
Music is a strength of, and important to, Haslett Community Church. Sometimes, community connection can be as simple as leaning into strengths of the congregation, saying, "you're invited", and having fun!
~submitted by Betsy Aho
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Interfaith Exploration at East Church
With hope to discover new understanding and experiences regarding prayer and the shared common ground among different religions, East Church is hosting a three month series inviting diverse faith leaders to share their perspective on prayer for "Teach Us How to Pray."
You are invited for the final onsite event to explore, contemplate, and learn together.
Wednesday, August 28, 7pm – Rabbi Krishef from Congregation Ahavas Israel
RSVP for the event is helpful but not necessary. Email eastchurchgr@gmail.com
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Collaborating for Older Adult Ministries
Our Michigan Conference UCC Older Adult Ministries Working Group seeks to learn from the congregations who are attending to the needs of older adults by offering programs especially appealing to older adults and intergenerational groups, or perhaps addressing church building accessibility.
We know some congregations offer Memory Cafes, day care for social respite,
educational programs, or support groups for older adults. Other churches have ramps and handicapped accessible restrooms.
We would like to hear from you about what your congregation is doing.
Please write a brief description of your church’s efforts and email to Mary Ann Martin or Jonathan Riedel
Once we have collated ideas from local congregations we plan to offer a special celebration liturgy for churches to use. We would also like to recognize local churches who are doing this work in the monthly newsletter. If you would like to learn more, find a resource, ask a question or share an idea please contact us.
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Items for Free:
Numerous stoles, free for new licensed and ordained ministers, or other interested folks. Email Dan Barnum-Steggerda for pictures and additional details.
Chairs, choir robes, and choir folders.... Oh My! St. Paul's United Church- Disciples of Christ in Dearborn Heights, MI is moving to a smaller location. They have 50 sanctuary Chairs, choir robes, with choir folders and other small items available for free. If a church is interested they can email the church office to schedule a walk through. All items are free but the accepting church must arrange pick up of chairs and/or pay for shipping on smaller items. stpaulsuccdh@sbcglobal.net
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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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Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources | |
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Wednesday August 28 on Zoom
7:30p ET
3 Best Practices for Stewardship in Congregations
REGISTER HERE
| 2024 Stewardship Resources are available HERE | |  |
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worship resources available soon
mark your church calendars now for
Just Peace Sunday
September 15, 2024
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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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