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Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
February | 2026
| | From Montgomery to Minneapolis - Webinar | | |
The National Benevolent Association is offering a webinar, From Montgomery to Minneapolis: Organizing in Times of Disruption, on March 26th at 6:30p. Join panelists Rev. Angel Louis, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., and our very own Rev. Dr. Laurie Pound-Feille as they explore how communities show solidarity in real time - from the Montgomery Bus Boycott seventy years ago, to the acts of courage and care in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information.
| | General Assembly 2026 - July 10 & 11 | | |
It's official - General Assembly is happening on July 10 & 11. This will be the first year of holding GA online, and details are still emerging. The hope is that people will gather in one location and attend together. There is a technology training for congregational and regional tech people on Feb. 26 at 7p (Central) or Feb. 28 at 10a (Central). The same information will be presented at each session. Registration for GA opens in March. For more information.
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ALEX Yearbook Reporting
Yearbook reporting is open! Find the login page here. Questions? Here's the FAQ page. Haven't reported before? The FAQ page has instructions on how to log in for the first time. Want to look at the questions before you fill out report? Here's the worksheet.
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In an endeavor to support our pastors on their journey toward wholeness while pastoring to this fractured world, the Executive Committee of the Regional Commission on Ministry is doing a new thing! Our pastors need a pastor, so we are developing a program, a Care Unit, for pastors to check in with other pastors on a regular basis. The structure is still developing, so as we wait, please remember that you are beloved children of God and that your Commission on Ministry cares about you. Read the full press release here.
| | Important News and Resources | | Clergy Book Study - February-April, 2026 | | |
The next gathering of the Clergy Book Study will be the fourth Thursday, at 2pm on zoom the months of February, March and April. The book to read and discuss is Holy Disruption: A Manifesto for the Future of Faith Communities by Amy Butler and Dawn Darwin Weeks. For February 26, read the forward through chapter 3. For March 26, read chapters 4, 5, 6, & 7. For April 23, read chapters 8, 9, 10, and the afterward. The book is available through Chalice Press.
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Celebrations for Clergy Colleagues
Congratulations to Donna Murphy-Ceradsky and FCC, Ames. Donna was installed as their transitional interim on Feb. 8.
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Prayers for Clergy Colleagues
There is a holy and sacred responsibility for each of us to hold one another in prayer. Colleagues of all ages experience health issues, life-altering experiences filled with concern and joy, as well as the fatigue and energy of ministry. Take a moment to offer prayer for one another.
We pray for Mary Jane Button-Harrison and her family upon the passing of her mother, Mary Lou Harrison. The funeral will be held on March 14 at FCC, Ames, IA. The visitation is at 1p, and the funeral at 2p, with a luncheon following. Find the obituary here.
We pray for Arlene Johnson as she continues treatments through April.
We give thanks for Caila Rinker's successful surgery, and we pray for her as she continues treatments.
We pray for Rev. Ben Masters and Rev. Dan Adolphson, pastors of FCC, Minneapolis; and Rev. Dennis Sanders and Rev. Teresa Kim Pecinovsky, pastors of FCC, St. Paul, as they care for their congregations and communities.
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General/Ecumenical Church Jobs
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Congregations in Transition
Friends, these are the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Please keep them in your prayers during these transitions.
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Highland Park Christian Church is in the search process and has called Arlene Johnson as interim.
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First Christian Church, Adel has called Tim Johnson as interim.
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Lennox Christian Church is in the search process.
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Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, are in the search process.
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Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
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Union Church, Ira, is in the search process.
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Central Christian Church, Marshalltown has called Michael Carlson as interim.
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Mitchellville Christian Church has called Doug Pfeiffer as interim.
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First Christian Church, Newton has called Alan Berneman as interim.
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United Protestant Church, Silver Bay will enter the search process.
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Prescott United Church working with Cromwell UCC is in the search and call process.
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First Christian Church, Woodbine and Moorhead Christian Church are in the search process.
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First Christian Church, Packwood and First Christian Church, Fairfield are in the search process.
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First Christian Church, Ames, is in the search process and has called Donna Murphy-Ceradsky as interim.
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First Christian Church, Minneapolis, is in the search process and has called Ben Masters as interim.
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Park Avenue Christian Church, Des Moines, is in the search process and has called Alice Bolen as interim.
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First Christian Church, Creston, is in the search process.
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Looking to Serve?
Each month we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. This month there are 20 congregations in the search and call process. It is challenging to identify enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.
Please contact Josh or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.
| | | Continuing Education Opportunities | | |
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org | | | | | |
