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Equipping, empowering, connecting, and celebrating the churches of the Michigan Conference |
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Video invitation to Michigan Conference 2023 Annual Meeting | |
Part-Time is PLENTY Event (in-person OR Zoom)
Research shows many congregations have cut costs dramatically and increased vitality at the same time. They do it by redesigning how pastors and laypeople work together. Join the Michigan Conference UCC as we engage in conversation with Rev. G. Jeffrey MacDonald to help equip local churches living into new forms of ministry.
Saturday September 20, 2023
10:00am - 2:00pm
St John's UCC Owosso, MI
REGISTER HERE for $10.00
* Registration includes lunch and a copy of the book for in-person participants, and video access to the event for 1 month for all registered participants. Online participants will be sent a unique Zoom link before the event.
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Conference Funding for Michigan Churches in small towns
Grants from the Bertha C. Dayton Fund are available to aide and assist rural, small town or village churches in the state of Michigan - and in the support of their pastors and families.
Grant requests are due to the Vital Growth Mission Area Team by September 15, 2023
Application Form can be found on the Conference Website
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Dates for Youth Events
2023/2024
Oct 28, 2023
Michigan Conference Annual Meeting
Jan 27-28, 2024
Winter Retreat
July 17-20, 2024
Regional Youth Event
More details to come!!
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ONA Church #1833 - Rise UCC - Romeo, MI
Congratulations to Pastor Traci and Pastor Kim and the congregation at Rise UCC!
Celebrating the inclusive and justice-oriented ministry you are building and the covenant you are living into:
"We firmly believe that to be a follower of Jesus or any spiritual path, and to do it with integrity, one must be an agent of love and reconciliation. We then are a community that boldly and openly affirms all people with no qualifiers. This means we embrace and celebrate diversity welcoming all siblings no matter race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, relationship status, socio-economic status, or abilities, either physical or mental. We commit to providing a safe environment for all to learn, lead, thrive and grow."
Find out more about their mission and values HERE
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'Love is Bigger than any of that'
By Jody Betten - Interim Pastor First Congregational UCC, Charlotte, MI
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Image of shredded Progress Pride Flag from Facebook
Many churches in the United Church of Christ have faced this issue. It is part of what makes us the UCC; we dare to go against the status quo when it clearly is discriminatory. We are willing to pay a price, the cost of a new Pride flag – over and over again – or the cost of being called the “gay” church (like that’s pejorative somehow) loss of members or even arrest for the sake of love and justice.
The folks who are part of the First Congregational UCC in Charlotte are a group of people who truly live into the reality that “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” When the Lansing State Journal picked up the story of the vandalism from Facebook, it wasn’t because of the hate exhibited by the vandals, but because of the tenacity of the members of the church who, first of all, refused to give in. They will replace the flag over and over again. Not only are they tenacious but they are welcoming, of even the vandals who are invited to join them and see the love (and forgiveness) that is available when they follow the ways of Jesus.
The local TV channel picked up the story and interviewed several of the members of the church. Amy Frost and Mary Kohmuench reiterated the church’s care for all, even the vandals. They expressed some dismay at the tactic of hate used to make a point in the dark when no one can see. But, love is bigger than any of that! READ MORE
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Image of vandalized A Just World For All Rainbow Flag from St Paul UCC Chelsea, MI
* For additional resources related to Church Security and Safety from the National UCC you can read this recent blog post from Heather Kimmel, UCC General Counsel
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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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For all those who identify with the feminine, come explore how the Spirit and Love of God is within all of us. Honor how we reflect and shine these gifts with COLOR by sharing our radiance and brilliance with others.
Registration due by September 10, 2023
See Registration Flyer for cost, lodging options, and schedule
Contact Registrar Shari Hoppe with questions
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Godly Play Training at Park Church
Training in Grand Rapids for those who use Godly Play or Children & Worship. Meals for registrants and travel expenses for trainer are covered by Park Church. Trainer is Nikki Buskirk, from Columbus, OH. Nikki specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion in Godly Play worship centers.
Registration Link
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
2023 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits
August
6th: Preach - First Congregational UCC, Charlotte
13th: Preach - Peoples Church of Flint
20th: Preach - Bostwick Lake Congregational UCC, Rockford
27th: OFF
September
3rd: OFF
10th: Preach - Community Congregational UCC, Pinckney, MI
17th: Preach - First Congregational UCC, Cadillac, MI
24th: Preach - First Congregational UCC, Ypsilanti, MI
LINK TO ALL 2023-2024 DATES
Contact Lisa@michucc.org to schedule
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Relying on the Holy Spirit, the Michigan Conference is seeking an Associate Conference Minister of Church Vitality and Transition to facilitate the search and call process between congregations and pastors, provide spiritual care and practical guidance to congregations at key points of transition, including legacy, revitalization, new church starts and opportunities for shared and cooperative ministry between congregations.
Job Posting
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Conference Transitions
Searching Churches
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Clinton UCC and Saline St. Paul UCC are searching together for a full time pastor to serve both churches. Details
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First Congregational UCC of Charlotte is searching for a pastor. Details
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Atlanta Congregational UCC is searching for a part time pastor. Details
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To see remaining open profiles click here
New Calls
Installations
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The Rev. Shane Montoya will be installed August 6. Congratulations to the Congregational Church of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills.
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Congratulations to Rev. Kim Newport and Rev. Traci Bartell for their installation at Rise UCC with an outdoor service and celebration on July 12 at Columbus County Park.
In Memoriam
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Memorial service announced for Rev. Dr. Steven Archer. Steven served as Senior Pastor at Trinity-St. Mark’s, UCC, Detroit MI from 1998–2016. Services will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 2-3pm in the Chapel at Allegria Village, 15101 Ford Rd. Dearborn, 48126.
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
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National UCC News and Events | |
Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers
August 23, 2023
7:30pm - 8:30pm EST
By telling the story of our congregations' impact, we can inspire generosity in our donors. Come learn how a narrative budget translates the line items of a traditional budget into a story of how your congregation makes a difference in the world. Learn how to use this helpful tool for a stewardship campaign or annual meeting.
Register HERE
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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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National UCC Grants for Individuals and Churches
APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPT 15, 2023
The 2023 Justice and Local Church Ministry Common Application is NOW OPEN. Individuals and local churches who may be interested in applying for Operational support in grants from Neighbors in Need, CASA New and Renewing Church, and Pension Board New Church Start Benefit Support grants can now complete process with one application.
Common Application Form
This convenient link allows applicants to either print the application or start filling out the common application for any of our four grant offerings. Please note that all applications will require a reference from the Conference Minister.
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