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Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
July | 2022
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Upper Midwest All Congregational Gathering, October 15 | |
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Are you and other leaders trying to figure out what to do in your church? Does everything seem harder?
The 2022 All Congregational Gathering will focus on resources to make sense of and adapt to many challenges that the church is facing. In addition to learning, there will be worship and fun as Disciples Together.
Please plan to participate and please promote this to others in your congregation: Saturday, October 15.
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Important News and Resources | |
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Celebrations
Noelridge Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, has called Greg Chambers as pastor. Greg and his wife Kathryn will begin their ministry with the congregation in late September.
First Christian Church, Albia, has called John Sowers as pastor. John will begin his ministry with the congregation the first of October.
First Christian Church, St. Paul, MN held a decommissioning service for the church building that has been the worshiping space for 26 years on Sunday, July 24. The congregation will begin meeting at Roseville Lutheran Church on August 1. Dennis Sanders is the pastor.
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Prayers for Clergy Colleagues
Summer vacations, learning seminars and educational leave, and the general ebb and flow of congregational life in the summer months impact the lives of clergy colleagues. Here are specific names of colleagues we are aware whose lives will benefit from additional prayer:
Diana Robertson, Sylvia Larrsen, Anna and Henry Brewer Calvert, Linda Hunsaker.
Prayers for congregations, pastors and chaplains as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect life.
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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. It is challenging to identify enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.
Please contact Josh, Tiff or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.
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Congregations in Transition
Friends, you will see listed below the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Gratefully many of these congregations have interim leadership, equipping the congregation to move through transition with hope and grace.
However, several of these congregations are small which impedes the search process. If through prayer and discernment you would be ready to serve one of the smaller congregations, please let one of the Regional staff know.
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Mitchellville Christian Church is in the search and call process. Alice Bolen began serving as interim in July.
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Altoona First Christian Church called Lisa Grace as interim.
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Newton First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Oakland Christian Church is in the revitalization process, using regular pulpit supply for Sundays.
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Waukee Christian Church is in the search process.
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New Disciples Christian Church, Cedar Rapids has called Sherry Schwab as interim.
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Park Ave Christian Church, Des Moines is in the search and call process with Tim Johnson serving as interim.
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Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
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First Christian Church, Hampton is exploring regular pulpit supply.
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New Beginnings Christian Church, Urbandale, is in the search and call process, with Nick Green as the interim.
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Central Christian Church, Boone, is in the search and call process, with David Clark as the interim.
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Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
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Carlisle Christian Church is beginning the search process and seeking pulpit supply.
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Clergy Book Study Starts August 25 | |
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The monthly book study with clergy from across the Region will continue on Thursday, August 25, 2 pm. We will begin our discussion of our next book: The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann. This classic work of Biblical theology traces prophecy as a critique of power and source of new vision.
For our discussion on August 25, please read the introductory material, chapters 1 and 2. The book study is a Zoom meeting. The link is sent the morning of 4/28. To participate please send an email to liz@uppermidwestcc.org. Your participation will earn continuing education hours plus join your colleagues in engaging conversation.
This Clergy Book Study will also be held on the fourth Thursdays of September and October. If you have a book recommendation for 2023 book studies, please submit it to Liz.
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Other Continuing Education Opportunities | |
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Disciples Interims
Interim Ministry Basics
online, Sept. & Oct.
7-unit course with 2-hour online weekly sessions. Contact Josh if you are interested to learn more.
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Luther Seminary
Sermon Camp
begins Aug. 30
Multiple sessions focused on improving preaching. Participants will be placed in various cohorts.
More info about program.
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Continuing Education Requirement
All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.
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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org | |
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