To equip, empower, encourage and connect the churches of the Michigan Conference

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Pastoral Care in the New Year

Dear Michigan Conference,

Over the last year and a half of visiting our churches as your Conference Minister, I am convinced that our 2024 priority must be the care of our pastors. We are reorganizing our staff so that our new Associate Conference Minister Lawrence Richardson can recruit clergy for Michigan churches through Search and Call.

Our long term Associate Conference Minister Cheryl Burke will focus her wisdom and experience in the area of caring for the ministers and MIDs we already have, beginning with asking pastors what they need. So on that note, would you take a minute to encourage your pastor to fill out this short survey?

We know our pastors are extremely busy people, so we are offering them an incentive to complete it by Jan 7 for a chance to win one of five $10 Amazon gift cards.

Responses from our pastors, clergy, and MIDs will inform how we partner with them to support spiritual, emotional, mental, and social wellness in 2024.

This quick survey is a judgement free zone, and even includes space to add things we have not thought to ask. Even if you have a pastor who doesn't have any unmet needs or interest in any of this, just having that data is valuable information for us as well.

In the meantime, please know that the Michigan Conference is committed to creating resources that meet the diverse needs of our pastors and local churches to help them feel encouraged, cared for and equipped for whatever lies ahead.

Peace and Blessings,

Lillian Daniel

Michigan Conference Minister

2024 Pastor Support Survey

Facing Finances Faithfully

HELP! Who keeps shrinking the Church Budget?

Jan 3, 2024

12noon - 12:45 PM

Rev. Andy DeBraber, Senior Generosity Officer for the National Setting and fellow Michigan Pastor, will help our Conference Minister to share practical tips and resources to face local church finances faithfully.

Feb 7, 2024

Mental Health for Church Leaders with Rev Dr Sarah Lund, UCC Mental Health Network

Leadership Lunch is a monthly Zoom opportunity for clergy, volunteers, and church leaders of the Michigan Conference. Join us on the first Wednesday of every month to discuss important issues facing the church today

NEW IN 2024 watch LIVE

on YouTube @12noon

If you have registered previously, you will automatically receive a copy of your unique Zoom link via email on the first Wednesday of every month

Watch previous Leadership Lunches on the Michigan Conference YouTube Channel

Conference Winter Youth Retreat

2024 Youth Winter Retreat - Registration now open

Youth in grades 6-12 will gather along with adult chaperones from their local churches for the opportunity to connect with one another and the wider church on January 27-28, 2024 at Ada Congregational UCC in Ada, MI

Meals, snacks, programming, recreation and showering after hours at local YMCA, sleeping space, a movie, and worship will be provided. Retreat starts at 10:00am on Saturday and ends after worship on Sunday

Cost is $15 per participant

LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2024

Association and Mission Area Team News

DMA Ecclesiastical Council

Sunday January 21, 2024

3:00pm ET

Grosse Pointe Congregational Church

240 Chalfonte Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

Detroit Metropolitan Association authorized clergy and delegates are invited to attend an Ecclesiastical Council for Dr. Selma Massey. Each church is encouraged participate and to send 2 delegates.

Compassionate Generosity Mission Area Team will re-convene in Jan 2024

If you are interested in being a part of the team that will work with local churches and clergy regarding matters of stewardship and benevolences, as well as help to secure the financial resources necessary to support the ministries of the Michigan Conference please contact MAT chair Rev. Andy DeBraeber

Preserving Democracy and Getting Out the Vote in DMA

The Detroit Metropolitan Association invites UCC people from across the state to share ideas and work together with their Social Justice Team in Interfaith and secular coalitions to Get Out The Vote for the Fall 2024 Presidential and General Election.

Read full text of the letter

Michigan Church Stories

We Want to Hear from YOU!

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

Conference Office News

UCC Data Hub opens for Local Churches on Jan 4

Accurate Local Church Yearbook Data in the UCC Data Hub helps both the Conference and the National Setting in a myriad of ways to best support you at the local level! If you have questions about entering your Local Church Yearbook Data OR this year's Supplemental Survey contact lisa@michucc.org

Reporting Instructions, Access, and Help

Incentives for Local Churches

Need Your Church ID?

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister

2023 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits

LINK TO ALL upcoming 2024 DATES

Contact Lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit

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

Edgewood United Church, UCC in East Lansing is searching for a full time pastor. Details
Trinity Church of the United Church of Christ in Northport is searching for a part time pastor. Details
First Congregational Church, UCC in New Baltimore is searching for a part time pastor. Details
For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here

Church contributions to be accounted for in 2023 must arrive to the Conference office via check or online BEFORE January 12, 2024

Funds received after Jan 12 will be attributed to 2024

Local Church Events

Queer Sexual Ethics Zoom Workshop & discussion hosted by Phoenix Community Church UCC

January 11, 2024

6:30pm - 7:30pm ET

Are open relationships, polyamory, BDSM, and other “non-traditional” expressions of human sexuality compatible with being a Christian? Is it time to re-think what culture and the church has traditionally taught about love and relationships? What does it mean to talk about queer sexual ethics? Join us for an introductory workshop and discussion as we challenge our cultural and religious norms and assumptions about marginalized sexual practices. This first session will focus on the topic of non-monogamy.

Read this BEFORE the Zoom Workshop

EVENT ON FACEBOOK

Orientation for Financial Leaders

January 24, 2024

7:30pm - 8:30pm ET

Presentation will review basic aspects of the treasurer, financial secretary, and trustee roles in a local congregation. Discussion will include creating a “financial dashboard” to help

fellow board members understand the finances of the congregation, effective ways to record and thank donors for their gifts, and best practices around cash controls and cash management.

National UCC News, Events, and Resources

Download Brochure

Visit the Website

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.

Faith Foundations: UCC History and Polity

(for laity and clergy)

Zoom course meetings take place Thursdays February 22, 29; March 7, 14, 21 and April 4, 11, 18

7:30 - 9:30pm ET

Instructor: Rev. Michael Jones, Associate Conference Minister, Wisconsin Conference, United Church of Christ and member of the UCC History and Polity teachers’ network.

Primary Season: Prioritizing Climate Solutions

Wednesday January 10, 2024

1:00pm - 2:00pm ET

Recent headlines have highlighted a "waning enthusiasm" among voters who have helped propel environmental justice champions into office in the past. What can be done to encourage those grounded in their values to vote and make a difference in 2024? Join us in this free webinar

With the new year comes plenty of new plans for ministries throughout the United Church of Christ.