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Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
November | 2025
| | A Property Insurance Conversation | | |
Jim Michel, Disciples Church Extension Fund, will lead a conversation with clergy and lay leaders regarding property insurance. The conversation will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 12p. Save the date! Additional information will be shared in December's Ministry Together newsletter.
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Mid-Year Youth Retreats
Youth retreats are just around the corner! Registration is open! The early bird deadline is Dec. 1. The Chi Rho and CYF retreats will be held at the same time again this year. For more information and to register.
| | Important News and Resources | |
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Celebrations for Clergy Colleagues
Congratulations to Tammy Buseman on her new position in the same context: Caregiver & Patient Experience Facilitator at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, IA.
| Congratulations to Don Naftz, pastor of Bloomfield Christian Church, Bloomfield, IA, who was sworn in as Bloomfield's first police chaplain. | Congratulations to Michael Carlson, who was installed as pastor of Central Christian Church, Marshalltown, IA. | Congratulations to Dennis McKee on his retirement and receipt of the Honored Ministers Pin. | |
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 the family and friends of Margaret Hutchens at her passing into eternal life. Her Celebration of Life is at 1p on Nov. 29th at First Congregational Church in Mason City, IA.
We pray for Arlene Johnson as she begins treatments in December.
We pray for Caila Rinker as she begins treatments.
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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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Pleasantville Christian Church is in the search process.
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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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Elkhart Christian Church has called Linda Hunsaker as settled pastor.
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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.
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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 | |
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The Stable
Various Thursdays at 7p
Online. For more information and list of offerings.
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Indigenous History in the USA
Recorded
Rev. Dr. John Bolen offered a series of lectures on Indigenous History in the US. Recordings are available here. This will count towards AR/PR experience hours.
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Proclamation Project
Preaching in the Small Church
Find the recording here.
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Religion News Service
God, Government, and the Algorithm
On demand videos from 1-day conference.
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Disciples Interims
Family Systems Theory
Jan 6-Mar 3, 6-8p Central
Online. For more information. Contact the regional office for scholarship information.
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2026 Black Ministers Retreat
March 10-12, 2026, Virginia Beach, VA
For more information.
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Mind & Spirit Counseling, Des Moines, IA
Emotionally Aware Leadership
Track 1. A two-year journey toward courageous, connected ministry. For more information.
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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 | | | | | |
