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Sabbatical Update about Wade
Wade Zick, Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children and Youth, is currently on his sabbatical until February 15. If there are any questions or concerns that would typically be directed towards him, feel free to instead contact Zac Norenberg at zacn@uccmn.org.
Wade's sabbatical plans revolve around taking this period of Sabbath and focusing on personal renewal and spiritual growth. He already took a 10-day silent meditation retreat in California and came back to MN to spend Christmas with his family and is currently in Cape Town, South Africa. He will also be doing volunteer work at an orphanage in Zimbabwe and traveling abroad with his spouse to Dubai, Sri Lanka, and India.
He offers the following thanks:
Many thanks to the Board of Directors for this opportunity, Karen Smith Sellers for helping to make this time away possible, David Becker for helping to pick up some program pieces in my absence, and Rick Wagner and Elena Larssen for handling some extra tasks around ministry grants. Huge thanks to Zac Norenberg, my assistant, for everything added onto his agenda and his stepping up during this period, making sure the work and communication continues.
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Middle School Service Days
(6th-8th Graders)
There are 3 service days:
-Saturday, January 28, Henderson UCC
-Saturday, March 10, Anoka UCC
-Saturday, May 12, Pilgrim Point Camps & Retreats
(Each of the days are from 9:30am-3pm)
Cost is only $5 per person per service day!
Attend all 3 Service Projects & get
a FREE T-SHIRT!
REGISTER NOW!
Registration closes January 23rd
Henderson Service Day: We will listen to Jesus' words and watch his actions of caring for the poor, the widows, the children, the ill, and the prisoners. ...We will follow him! We'll have some fun along the way and get to know each other with some games and activities. We'll work on a variety of projects, all indoors, to care for the people Jesus askes us to.
We are seeking donations of 1-yard lengths of fleece in a variety of bright colors and patterns. One of the projects we will be working on is tie-blankets for kids who are in the hospital.
Groups interested in joining St. Paul's UCC Henderson for a lock-in the night before may contact Rev. Brigit Stevens at stpaul06@frontiernet.net
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Winter High School CYE 2012
"Bullying & Your Faith" March 2-4, 2012
Held at Camp Koinonia in South Haven, MN. Enjoy a weekend with MN Conference
youth as you discuss bullying with
keynoter Alison Feigh.
Additionally, Robin Nelson will be joining with us to instruct Folk Dancing! So a big thanks to Robin for giving us the opportunity!
Event will begin at 6:30pm on Friday, March 2nd and will conclude at Noon on Sunday, March 4th.
Download the Authorization Form Here: Adult Form - Youth Form
Questions? Email Zac at zacn@uccmn.org or call the Conference Office at 612-871-0359
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National Youth Event 2012
The National Youth Event, held every four years, provides an opportunity for over 3000 youth to gather for worship, workshops, faith, fun and fellowship.
"Imagine"
Held July 10-13, 2012 at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN
NOTE: Will be leaving before the 10th for travel and arriving back after the 13th due to travel. Details TBA
after Wade returns from sabbatical.
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!
Get your youth group organized and registered! Registration is going to be done individually through the conference at our subsidized price by clicking on the link above.
Registration fee includes:
- Transportation to and from the Twin Cities
- Full NYE Registration
- Housing
- An AWESOME conference T-SHIRT!!
Register before February 1st and get a FREE pair of conference FLIP-FLOPS!!
After registration, you can download the necessary forms by clicking HERE. Either mail, fax, or email the completed forms to the conference ASAP. We can mail you hard copies of the forms to be filled out upon request.
NOTE: Ignore national setting registration fee announcements since your registration is going to be subsidized through the conference.
Questions? Contact Zac at Zacn@uccmn.org for details and answers
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MN Conference Turns 50!
Help us celebrate June 8-10, 2012
MN Conference UCC 2012 Annual Meeting Goal:
50 YOUTH from at least
50 CHURCHES celebrating our
50 YEARS as a conference!
Help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary and also reach our goal--send a youth (18 & younger) to the 2012 annual meeting!
Oh, and one more thing...their registration will only be $50
NOTE: $50 registration applies for one youth from each church
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Grant Opportunities
2012 Outdoor Ministries Ashley Grants
The MN Conference UCC is pleased to offer congregation grants for intergenerational, youth, and children camps and retreats. The camps & retreats can be at Pilgrim Point in Alexandria, MN or at other locations - whichever best serves your local context of ministry.
View or download the grant application form here
Grant application forms are due by January 23, 2012. Please see the form for more information.
Micro-Grants are now available!
We are pleased to announce that the MN Conference Board of Directors has approved use of up to $10,000 for micro-grants of $300-$800 from the Ashley Endowment of the MN Conference for congregations to do multi-congregational and/or community outreach events. Grants must support the ministry and work with children, youth, and/or families. The application deadline is rolling. The grant application form with more information is available here:
View or download the grant application from here
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Upcoming Children & Youth Ministry Leaders Luncheon
To be held Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at Plymouth Congregation Church and will be held over lunch with a guess keynoter from 11:30am-1:30pm.
Mark it on your Calendars...
More details TBA on February 1st. Stay tuned for that.
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Future Leader Opportunities
Certification School
2011 Participants had this to say about their experience with certification school...
"A life-changing week that is going to help me do my ministry in better ways"
"I feel reinvigorated, refreshed, and with new tools for my work."
"I was skeptical about going, but I'm so glad i did. It was a God-filled amazing experience!"
Coming again August 12-17, 2012
Registration to open in March!
GLAUCE 2012
Held October 15-17, 2012 at Techny Towers in Chicago, IL. Starting on Monday at 4pm and concluding Wednesday at Noon.
Theme: "The Creator is Still Creating"
The event will be keynoted by the amazing Steve Case. Steve is author of: the "Caffeine and..." series, The Book of Uncommon Prayer, Crash: Prayers from the Collision of Heaven and Earth, Rejected Sunday School Lessons, and God Up Close. Steve will facilitate 3 keynotes, there will be 9 different workshops, multiple group worship times, great accommodations, and awesome opportunities to network with old friends and to make new ones! More Information about registration to come in Spring. |
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2012 Youth Summer Camps
Theme: "Living Stewardship"
Middle School Camp
July 22-27, 2012
Senior High Camp
July 29-August 4, 2012
Save the dates! Mark your calendar!
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Happy New Year,
Zac Norenberg
Assistant to the Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Zacn@uccmn.org
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ
122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 323
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
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Newsletter Introduction
We all live busy lives and have large amounts of information coming at us from all different directions. In an attempt to simplify communication, this is designed to be a quick overview--all in one location--of what's happening with children & youth ministry in the MN Conference & national setting of the UCC!
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ATTENTION:
If you have photos of your youth group and you would like for them to be featured in the side bar of this newsletter, please send them to Zac at zacn@uccmn.org
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