Make sure to "View Entire Message" to see all the March News! | |
bringing Michigan Conference UCC pastors and churches closer together and closer to God | |
Everyone Dies: an Ash Wednesday Conversation | |
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March 15, 2025 Deadline
Michigan Conference Church and Clergy Grants
Visit the Michigan Conference UCC webpage for Scholarships and Grants.
The Spring application deadline is March 15 for April funding. Fall application deadline is September 15 for October funding.
In 2025 there is grant funding available for Sabbatical, Technology and Community Outreach support. All requests for funding require completion of the Michigan Conference UCC Unified Grant Form.
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Clergy Cafe with Rev. Cheryl Burke
IN-PERSON lunch gathering 11:00am -1:00pm on the third Wednesday, March - May.
Join Rev. Cheryl Burke, ACM of Clergy Care and Formation for lunch and conversation at Grand Traverse Pie Company.
March 19 - Plymouth, MI
April 16 - Norton Shores, MI
May 21 - Traverse City, MI
no registration or reservations required
come as you are able, leave as you must
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MichUCC Clergy Retreat
May 12-15, 2025
Michigan Conference UCC Pastors, Clergy and Members-In-Discernment are invited to share in a week of togetherness, rest, preaching, skill building, and fun.
Conference and Camp staff will lead daily spiritual practices, learning opportunities and time for connection. There will also be time for renewal and sabbath.
We hope that you will leave refreshed and reminded that you are enough in your call to ministry for such a time as this.
REGISTER HERE before April 30
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Tiered Registration Pricing for
MichUCC participants
Cost offset by Scholarship Funds
$575.00 for OUT of STATE Participants
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Youth Ambassadors for German Partnership - Summer 2025
The Michigan Conference UCC has the pleasure of hosting 20 youth from Pomerania at the end of THIS summer!! 2025 Ambassadors will be considered first for an exchange trip to Germany in Summer 2026.
There are TWO unique opportunities for Michigan YOUTH:
1) we are looking for 20 youth (age 15-18) to spend Labor Day Weekend (Friday 08.29 - Monday 09.01) with our German Partners at Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center. The weekend will include activities at camp and possible day trips in Southwest Michigan.
2) we are seeking 5 or 6 youth (age 16-18 to travel to Washington DC August 20 - 25 to meet and host our German Partners while we tour DC together.
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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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Zion United Church of Christ in Baroda is searching for an interim pastor Details
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Lakeview United Church of Christ in Lakeview is searching for a part-time pastor Details
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First Congregational Church UCC in Union City is searching for a full-time pastor Details
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For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here
Installations and Ordinations
- A service of Installation and Ordination will take place for Rev. Stephanie Rodriguez on Sunday March 9, 2025 at 3:00pm at Holland UCC, 96 W 15th Street, Holland, MI 49423
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
2025 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits
March 30, 2025 Preach - First Congregational UCC, Owosso
April 6, 2025 Preach - Bethel UCC, Manchester
April 13, 2025 Preach - Plymouth UCC, Grand Rapids
April 20, 2025 - Easter Sunday
LINK TO 2025 DATES
Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit
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Introducing Rev Andrew Warner
Director of Finance & Development
While it may seem like Andrew is seeing double supporting the financial development of two UCC Conferences, he is equally devoted to both the Wisconsin Conference UCC and the Michigan Conference UCC. His 'twin' calls allow him to share his expertise with even more churches.
He lives with his husband Jay near Green Bay, Wisconsin and serves the Michigan Conference UCC part-time from his remote home office. Andrew joined our staff this winter, attended the staff and Board of Directors Retreat in January, and is already a valuable part of the team.
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As the Director of Finance and Development, Andrew leads the fundraising efforts of the Michigan Conference, supports the planned giving and effective philanthropy of congregations, and resources fiscal management questions.
Andrew hopes that local church leaders will reach out to him with questions related to budgets, stewardship, sustainability, fundraising, and philanthropy.
Being able to use his gifts to help local churches with financial questions, supporting them to do more ministry and have a bigger presence in their community, is what feeds Andrew's heart in this work.
Andrew also feeds people really good food. His passion for ministry is almost matched by his culinary exploration, cooking from scratch with ingredients he grows himself, and he is always up for a French baking lesson.
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MARCH Stewardship Webinar
Wednesday March 26, 7:30 – 8:30pm ET
Beyond Robert's Rules: Best Practices for Good Governance
Join Rachel Bauman and Andrew Warner (Michigan Conference UCC Director of Finance and Development) for a conversation on good governance for local congregations. We’ll look at best practices for the roles of boards and pastors, financial controls, and ways to make your meetings more effective.
Webinar Series topics listed HERE
Events are NOT Recorded
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UPDATED Conference Resolution Policies | |
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The newly created Resolutions Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
working with those who desire to submit Conference Resolutions. We have reviewed and revised the process for resolution submission and sharing, including a template for use in drafting a resolution.
Please note the deadlines in the timeline included in the Resolution Submission Process
Guidelines. We will be adhering to these deadlines and will not consider late
submissions unless it is an emergency due to an unanticipated situation that comes after
the deadline.
If you are planning to submit a resolution for consideration, please contact me, Sue Greenwood as soon as possible. Lisa Soulliere and I should receive your Initial Draft Resolution via email no later than May 1, 2025.
Thank you for your interest in bringing a Resolution to our 2025 Annual Meeting of the
Michigan Conference October 3-4, 2025.
Rev. Sue Greenwood, Resolutions Committee Chair
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Deadline MARCH 21: Database & Directory | |
Yearbook Data is DUE BY March 21
Database and Directory, the NEW system at the national setting requires churches to create a local church user platform before entering data. You will need your local church number to start entering data.
Here are DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS to access Database and Directory and to create your user platform.
Please contact Lisa Soulliere, Conference Administrator and Registrar, if you have any questions or difficulties getting started. (517.258.0038 OR lisa@michucc.org)
A reminder that Yearbook Data is collected one time each year, and local churches are asked to provide and update information to the wider-church. This is the information that we use at the conference to connect with and support you. The more accurate the Yearbook, the better we can serve you.
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Scholarships for Members in Discernment | |
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Dreaming of going into ministry?
Financial help is available!
Each year awards are made to multiple seminarians within the Michigan Conference UCC. These awards are significant and can be a factor in making it financially possible for aspiring ministers to attend seminary.
The deadline for submitting applications
(or renewal requests) is May 1st, 2025.
READ MORE
Link to APPLICATION
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Association and Local Church News | |
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GRAND WEST ASSOCIATION NEWS
The Grand West Association Council is asking churches and pastors to fill out a brief survey online regarding how the association allocates its money to various nonprofits and ministries. Each church is asked to fill out one response, perhaps from a governing board or mission team. We are also asking each pastor to fill out a survey.
Six places receive funding from the association, please provide your opinion. In addition, please share if there are new projects or ministries that the association should consider.
The results of this survey will be shared as one resource during the Spring Association Meeting on May 18th in Rockford.
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Queer Spiritual Gifts
A Zoom Workshop
6:30 pm, March 20, 2025
Please join Phoenix Community Church UCC for a discussion and celebration of the spiritual gifts experienced through a God-given queer identity. The format will include several short testimonials, each followed by discussion. This workshop is for all people as we will talk about how these queer spiritual gifts can bring us closer to God no matter how we understand our own sexuality or gender identity. Sponsored by the Open & Affirming Team of Phoenix Community Church UCC, Kalamazoo, MI. If you have questions about this workshop or would like the Zoom information email office@phoenixcommunitychurch.org.
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Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources | |
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Confirmation Conversation
Thursday March 6, 7:00–8:00pm ET
Bring your needs, concerns, questions, and imagination for the Confirmation Conversation hosted by the Network of Wider Church Youth Ministry about the following:
* innovative ways to approach confirmation and writing curriculum
* congregational and intergenerational confirmation
* concerns around historical Confirmation and if it meets the needs of today's youth and churches
REGISTER HERE
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UCC’s 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest for Children and Youth
The theme for this year’s Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” The UCC’s Environmental Justice Ministry will accept art submissions from February 2nd to March 14th.
There will be winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian.
The winning art will additionally serve as the logo for UCC Climate Hope advocacy work throughout 2025.
Register now for your church to participate!
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STAR Churches
SURVEY for Small Town and Rural Churches
The Small Town and Rural (STAR) Coalition is a small group of people bringing voice to churches that are located in small town and rural communities and supporting congregations, pastors, and laity.
Please complete this questionnaire to help address the needs of STAR congregations.
READ MORE
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Our Whole Lives Training
April 4-6, 2025
Adult, $400/double, $450/single
includes meals, lodging from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center, 12173 Tower Hill Road, Sawyer, MI
Trainers: Christina Fairman and Craig VanKempen will provide training for adults who want to offer the Junior/Senior High (7-9 and 10-12) OWL programs at their church and in their communities.
REGISTER HERE
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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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equipping pastors and congregational leaders
through ministries of support, guidance, and leadership development
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This Monthly Newsletter Communication
is made possible
by your contributions to
Basic Support
of Our Church's Wider Mission
michucc.org
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