Make sure to "View Entire Message" to see all the November Monthly News! | |
To care for the UCC clergy and churches in Michigan | |
Election Reflection & Communion | |
by Lillian Daniel
Michigan Conference Minister
This past weekend at our wonderful and well-attended Michigan Conference Annual Meeting, the General Minister and President of our denomination, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, shared her aspiration for the United Church of Christ to continue to celebrate being a “big tent” with room for a variety of opinions, theological and political. Little did she know that our diversity here in the Michigan Conference extends to some very unusual costumes, which were on hilarious display the night before, as we laughed our way through Halloween, worshipped our way into All Saints Day and now find ourselves here on Election Day.
Today, within our congregations and certainly our denomination, we may be praying for different winners in the same political election. Tomorrow our collective prayer will not be offered in lockstep or unison, but will be part of a cacophony of cries that arise from the wide range of emotions from lament to thanksgiving. As your Michigan Conference Minister, I have learned that I can never assume I know who is who in that mysterious mix. Fortunately, God can handle the complexity. Instead, I have learned to trust in the deeper promises of our Christian tradition, that call us together to recognize that our salvation does not lie in princes and principalities, but in the Prince of Peace, the communion of saints, and the mighty cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and seen it all.
So wherever you are in your election journey, yesterday, today or tomorrow at noon, you will be welcome online at our Leadership Lunch - a Post Election Reflection with Communion
Peace and Blessings,
Lillian Daniel
Michigan Conference Minister
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A Warm Welcome in Northern Michigan
The Michigan Conference 2024 Annual Meeting, which took place at Crystal Mountain Resort, Crystal Center, in Thompsonville, MI, had 126 attendees.
Keynote presenter, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, and Ecumenical guest, Rev. Mark Laird Executive Minister to three Regional Councils, United Church of Canada, rooted the meeting in a spirit of shared ministry and vision for what is possible for the future of the church.
Six workshops offered learning opportunities about Antiracism, the Cornerstone Fund, Ministry for Older Adults, Poetry as a Spiritual Practice, Reproductive and Sexuality Justice Theology, and Vitality and Legacy.
The business of the gathered body included discussion around entheogenic and psychedelic medicines, expanding the boundaries of the Detroit Metropolitan Association in southeast Michigan, and passing a budget that provides for 4 new grant opportunities for local churches to be used for technology, sabbatical, community outreach, and continuing education for clergy. Application details will be available before 2025.
Nineteen local churches were recognized as 2023 Leadership Givers to Basic Support, and our Board of Directors presented Rev. Thompson with a check representing the Michigan Conference's proposed total contribution of around $30,000 to Our Church's Wider Mission for 2024.
The Crystal Center staff served meals buffet style, and many positive comments were made about the site accessibility, the way dietary needs were met, the beautiful scenery, and the overall hospitality of Crystal Mountain. Even though November arrived with a chilly layer of frost, a spirit of fun, fellowship, laughter and love warmed all hearts present.
Recordings of State of the Church, Worship, Business Meeting, and Keynote with Q&A will be available soon on the Michigan Conference UCC YouTube channel linked at the top of this newsletter.
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Conference Staff offers four monthly drop-in Caring Clergy Community Groups
These groups meet on Wednesday from 12:00noon - 1:00pm
Pastors and MIDs may join these Caring Clergy Communities on Zoom any time.
First Wednesday Leadership Lunch with Lillian Daniel
November 6: Election Reflection with conversation and Communion
Second Wednesday Book of the Month with Jenn Ringgold
November 13: Gone for Good?: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition by Mark Elsdon
Third Wednesday Clergy Cafe with Cheryl Burke
November 20: Open House style Zoom for clergy check
Fourth Wednesday Spiritual Practices for Pastors with Lawrence Richardson
November 27: Prayer of Thanksgiving
Member in Discernment (Second Thursday and Third Monday) and Retired Clergy Cafe (First Thursday) are also available for drop in.
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
2024 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits
November 10, 2024 Visit - Fellowship Chapel UCC, Detroit
November 17, 2024 Preach - Hope UCC, Clinton Township
November 24, 2024 Preach - First Congregational UCC, Lowell
December 8, 2024 Preach - First Congregational UCC, Imlay City
December 15, 2024 Preach - St. Paul UCC, Warren
LINK TO ALL upcoming 2024-2025 DATES
Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit
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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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Shelby Congregational UCC in Shelby is searching for a part time pastor. Details
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Douglas Congregational UCC in Douglas is searching for a full time pastor Details
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Trinity Church of the UCC in Northport is searching for a part time pastor. Details
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For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here
Installations
- A service of Installation will take place November 10, 2024 at 3:00pm for Rev. Julia DiFiore at First Congregational Church UCC, Saint Clair, MI
- A service of Installation will take place November 24, 2024 at 3:00pm for Rev. Breanne Ryan at First Congregational Church UCC New Baltimore, MI
- A service of Installation will take place January 12 , 2025 at 3:00pm for Rev. Jim Coran at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Saline, MI
Ecclesiastical Councils
- An Ecclesiastical Council will take place November 17, 2024 at 3:00pm for Kristine Hahn at First Congregational Church of Benzonia, MI, United Northern Association
- An Ecclesiastical Council will take place December 8, 2024 at 3:00pm for Kathy Heisler at First Congregational Church, Jackson, MI, Covenant Association
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2023 Basic Support Leadership Givers
^Chinese Community UCC, Southfield
*Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, Ann Arbor
*Edgewood United Church, UCC, East Lansing
*First Congregational Church, Kalamazoo
*First Congregational Church of Rockford, UCC
*^First Congregational UCC, Saint Clair
*^First Congregational UCC, Saint Joseph
*First Congregational UCC, Alpena
*First Congregational UCC, Charlevoix
*First Congregational UCC, Rochester
*Haslett Community Church, UCC
*Park Church Congregational, UCC, Grand Rapids
*^Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Lansing
*^Plymouth UCC, Grand Rapids
*^Portage United Church of Christ
*Saint Paul UCC, Chelsea
*Trinity UCC, Northport
*^United Church of Christ, Midland
*^Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda
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Expressing deep gratitude on behalf of the Michigan Conference for the generous annual contributions made by 85 local churches in 2023 totaling just over $333,000. We do not take it lightly that churches are willing to trust in the abundance, possibility and capacity of our collective generosity. These 2023 contributions made our shared ministry possible.
At the Annual Meeting, 19 Leadership Givers were recognized. These churches either gave an amount equivalent to more than %5 (^) of their reported operating expenses or contributed more than $5,000.00 (*) to Basic Support.
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SWA adopts ONA Statement
The Southwest Association of the Michigan Conference UCC voted unanimously at their 2024 Fall Meeting on 10.20.24 to become an Open and Affirming Association.
You can read the full statement HERE
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Please register for the Covenant Association Fall meeting HERE | | |
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2024 resources include regular liturgical elements; Litany of the Advent Candle, Prayer of Confession, Words of Assurance, Invitation to the Offering, Prayer of Dedication, and a children’s moment. Additionally, this year’s resource set includes weekly Advent spiritual exercises for adults and teens. All elements are based on Advent lectionary readings.
Download Free Resources
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The Mess In The Messiah
The Mess in the Messiah:
'Far from a delicate porcelain creche or a pristine Hallmark card, the Christmas message of "God with us" is messy—and the writers of this year's Advent-Christmastide Devotional invite you to join them in that mess! Order The Mess in the Messiah today for daily reflections to inspire your spirit from Advent through Christmas.'
The Pilgrim Press has resources available for pre-order to get you started. Paper and PDF options, along with bulk pricing on the website.
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Winter Fun for UCC Youth in Michigan | |
Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources | |
Partnering with the World Council of Churches to bring together panelists that will address the key matter of international climate debt as the UN Climate Conference takes place: bit.ly/ClimateDebt |
Boundary Awareness Training:
A Contemplative Approach
December 3, 2024 online through
The Damascus Project Cost $85.00
Additional information HERE
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Gather for a time of study, reflection, leadership development, worship and mutual support for all attendees. The cost for the virtual gathering is only $10
online registration deadline is November 15th
REGISTER HERE
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The cohort will start in January with scholarships available through FaithINFO at the National UCC. Participants meet online weekly.
Apply by December 15, 2024
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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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This Monthly Newsletter Communication
is made possible
by your contributions to
Basic Support
of Our Church's Wider Mission
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