YouTube

Calendar

Giving

Website

Facebook

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

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view in a browser

UCC Yearbook Data DUE TOMORROW

DEADLINE

March 6, 2024 11:59pm ET


Your participation is the ONLY way our records are kept up-to-date. Please submit information for your local church to the UCC Yearbook.


Linked below are documents from the National Setting to help you through the process.






Data Hub closes to churches at midnight Eastern Time on March 6. We appreciate your hard work collecting and reporting.

How is Yearbook Data is Used?


These UCC yearbook numbers about budgets, attendance and membership are not there to judge your church. They are a helpful way for our denomination to track the trends of what we are seeing around the country.


This resource provides a numeric snapshot of the people, churches, and communities that are part of the UCC, from data collected for the Yearbook.


Are you curious about how your church compares to others within the United Church of Christ (UCC)? Do you enjoy charts and research graphics?


View Full 2023 Statistical Profile


If you need help with Yearbook Data OR this year's Supplemental Survey contact Lisa in the Conference Office lisa@michucc.org 517-258-0038

Digital Security for Local Churches

watch LIVE

on YouTube @12noon

and watch recordings ANYTIME!!

Register for Leadership Lunch


Digital Security for Local Churches

March 6, 2024

12noon - 12:45 PM


Rev. Lawrence Richardson and Jenn Ringgold will join in conversation with Conference Minister Lillian Daniel about practical tips and strategies for personal and church security online.



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


April 3: The God of Wild Places with

Author Tony Jones


May 1: TBD

Boundary Training

Online Boundary Training

April 9, 2024

9:30am - 3:30pm ET


Full-day Boundary Training meets the Michigan Conference requirement of Committees on Ministry for Active Authorized Ministers,

MID's, Retired Clergy & Lay People


REGISTER HERE

Conference Office News

New Conference Office Number is:

517-258-0038

New Staff Phone Numbers


Conference Staff is now utilizing Google Voice for phone calls, voicemail, and text messages.


The new number for the Conference Office is 517-258-0038


New numbers for individual staff members can be found on the Michigan Conference UCC Website Staff Page


Introducing New Clergy Care Groups of the Michigan Conference


In 2024, our Conference Minister Lillian Daniel reorganized the staffing pattern to meet the need for focused clergy care, which will be a conference-wide priority in the year ahead. This crucial work now falls under the leadership of Rev. Cheryl Burke in her new role of Associate Conference Minister of Clergy Care and Formation, who began her work with a survey of our pastors. Those results confirmed that our pastors need and are interested in connecting for renewal, learning, wellness, and support. 


Clergy Care Groups (CCG’s) are one of the ways that the Michigan Conference will address this need. These groups will be relational and may be formed as affinity groups with a focus, or as general gatherings geographically. An email will be sent directly to pastors and clergy for Group Registration. Group topics, days, times, and locations will be chosen by facilitators and listed for Registration. Space will be limited, and groups will require at least 5-6 group members to begin. Please sign up as soon as possible if you are interested in being part of a group. As space allows, we will invite our colleagues from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Michigan Region.


Proposed groups currently being formed by facilitators are; Spiritual Deepening, Spiritual Issues in Retirement, New Clergy Mentoring, Preaching Workshop, Health and Wellness, Rural Progressive Presence, Mindfulness, Peer Support, Chaplains, Engagement in Retirement, Circle of Friends, Senior Pastors of Multi-staff Churches, MIDs, Multigenerational Ministry, Clergy Cafe and more.


If you are already part of an existing support group that you would like to have listed for others to join, if you would like to facilitate a new CCG group, or if you have other ideas for clergy care, contact Rev. Cheryl Burke, Associate Conference Minister of Clergy Care and Formation, cheryl@michucc.org 517-292-3102


Pastors, be on the lookout for an email coming soon.

Groups will being in April.

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister

2024 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits


March 3, 2024 Preach - Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Lansing, MI

March 10, 2024 Preach - Newaygo UCC, Newaygo, MI

March 17, 2024 Preach - Edgewood UCC, East Lansing, MI

March 17, 2024 Truman Morrison Lecture Series - Edgewood UCC. East Lansing, MI


April 14, 2024 Preach - Countryside Trinity Church, Saginaw, MI

April 20, 2024 UNA Spring Meeting - First Congregational UCC, Cadillac

April 21,2024 Preach - St. Paul Church UCC, Chelsea, MI


LINK TO ALL upcoming 2024 DATES

Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit

Application and Guidelines for Immanuel Scholarship


Registration Instructions:


1) login


2) choose Adult Retreats 2024


3) choose "Best of Festival of Homiletics"


4) choose single or double occupancy

Registration Now Open

There are 17 remaining scholarships of $250 OFF cost of registration

for Michigan Conference UCC

clergy and MIDs


Use discount code MI250


Secure your spot with a $50.00 deposit

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

  • Shelby Congregational UCC in Shelby is searching for an interim pastor. Details
  • Douglas Congregational UCC in Douglas is searching for a full time pastor. Details
  • Edgewood United Church, UCC in East Lansing is searching for a full time pastor. Details
  • For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here


Ecclesiastical Councils

  • An Ecclesiastical Council is scheduled March 10 at 3:00pm for Anthony Carter at Shrine of the Black Madonna Pan-African Orthodox Church, 7625 Linwood St., Detroit, MI 48206. Anthony is a Member in Discernment of the Detroit Metropolitan Association.  

Installations and Ordinations

  • A service of Installation is scheduled March 17 at 2:30pm for Rev. Jonathan White at Bostwick Lake Congregational UCC, Rockford
  • A service of Installation and Ordination is scheduled April 14, 2024 at 3:00pm for Rev. Marcia Meabon at Webster UCC, Dexter
  • A service of Installation is scheduled May 4, 2024 at 3:00pm for Rev. Matthew Hogue-Smith at Peoples Church of Flint
  • A service of Ordination is scheduled May 19, 2024 at 3:00pm for Rev. Dr. Selma Massey at Whosoever Ministry, at Grosse Pointe Congregational Church, Grosse Pointe Farms


In Memoriam

  • The Rev. Joseph Policoro died recently.  Rev. Policoro was Michigan Conference clergy from 1983-1996 and served with calls in Bangor, Stanton, and Northport, as well as being on the Church and Ministry Committee and attending General Synod events.


Regional Youth Event

July 17-20, 2024

Augustana College, Rock Island Illinois



The long awaited details and registration information for the upcoming Great Lakes & West Central Regional Youth Event are ready for publicity!


The Early Bird Rate of $200.00

per person is available through March 31, 2024


Download pdf Flyer to share

Jenn Ringgold, Program Associate for Youth Ministries will happily answer any questions you may have.


Please let Jenn know As Soon As Possible if you would like to collaborate for transportation with others in MI. So far only one local church has expressed interest. If we have a large group, the Conference will work to organize a way to travel together. Indicate HERE if you are interested.


Worship and music with The Many, special concert with guest star Flamy Grant, workshops, service, advocacy, fellowship, and fun with the wider-church!!


Registration Website is now live

Association and Mission Area Team News

Association Spring Meetings


April 20, 2024 Detroit Metropolitan Association

April 20, 2024 United Northern Association


April 27, 2024 Covenant & Eastern Association


April 28, 2024 Grand West Association

First Congregational UCC, Lowell

May 4, 2024 Southwest Association

Tower Hill Camp, Sawyer

View the Conference Calendar for additional details about Spring Meetings

Our Faith Our Vote


The Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team is encouraging local churches to explore resources from the National Setting that can equip you with the tools for nonpartisan faithful engagement in our democratic process. 


Last month we shared a popular resource about Political Advocacy Rights for Churches.


This month we are sharing ideas for how to

Get Out The Vote!


Host a voter registration drive at your church, start a conversation about the importance of expressing our faith through civic participation in your congregation, know your laws, and engage with local non-partisan organizations.

IDEAS for how to Get Out The Vote

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”

John Lewis, late civil rights activist

Local Church News, Events, and Resources

March 13, 2024 1:00pm ET

Register Here


In April, the 10th anniversary of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan will be marked. Yet, justice, in many forms and by many measures, has remained elusive. In Jackson, Mississippi and near the U.S. Navy’s toxic Red Hill facility in Hawai’i, justice has also been difficult to achieve in the wake of water crises. Learn how leaders from these communities envision the path to justice in this webinar



New to You Choir Robes


First Congregational UCC Charlotte has choir robes that they no longer use and would like to offer free of charge to a church that would like them. There are 23 robes of various sizes, plus a director’s robe with cuffed sleeves.


If you are interested, contact Music Director, Ramona Kime through the local church office at office@ucccharlotte.org

We Want to Hear from YOU!


Use THIS FORM to share your joys, concerns, news, events, and resources

with the Michigan Conference UCC!

Women’s History Month Resources

from Yale Divinity School Center for Continuing Education


March is Women’s History Month. Explore resources celebrating women, which include:



Sense of Wonder 

Women’s Retreat 

April 5-7, 2024


Registration fee includes meals and retreat materials.


$275 double occupancy

$325 single occupancy

$150 day rate


Check in after 4pm on Friday, check out before 11am on Sunday.


Registration will remain open until March 8


Register Here

Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomen’s Leadership Event

April 16-18, 2024


“Weaving our Tapestry at the Intersections”


Charleston Harbor Resort

20 Patriots Point Road

Mt Pleasant, SC 29464


2023 Antoinette Brown Awardees will be the keynote presenters. This event is open to all authorized UCC Clergywomen.



Register Here

National UCC News, Events, and Resources

Liturgy and Resources for UCC Women's Week


Liturgy written by Dr. Sherry Warren, Minister for Women's and Gender Justice and Rev. Amy Johnson, Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice


Additional resources can be found HERE, as well as videos from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson and Rev. Shari Prestemon honoring women in church and beyond.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the UCC Mental Health Network wants to make sure you have resources to best equip you for a Mental Health Sunday!


Download pdf HERE


Created by the UCC, UCC MHN, and United Church of Canada for use in your local church.


Here is video to raise awareness about Youth Mental Health too.

THREE PART SERIES

REGISTER HERE



  • Feb 22, 2024 3:30pm ET
  • Feb 29, 2024 3:30pm ET
  • Mar 7, 2024 3:30pm ET


Watch recordings HERE

Wednesday March 6, 2024

3:30pm ET


Hear why the UCC commitment to Women around the world matters and learn tangible ways to engage.


REGISTER HERE

Report to the church from the UCC Board: March 2024

Register for upcoming Webinars

Check out PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. - an innovator in cost-effective, progressive Christian theological education. Working alongside denominations, regional partners, and individuals to make our programs accessible to all regardless of their ability to pay.


See Spring Course Schedule HERE

Wednesday March 6, 2024

1:00 PM ET


The UCC Council for Climate Justice will be hosting a Climate Action Assembly to hear updates on three endeavors launched for this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC. 


REGISTER HERE

This Monthly Newsletter Communication

is made possible

by your contributions to




Basic Support

of Our Church's Wider Mission



DONATE