Yes, Our Work Matters

It matters that we hold the light for one another.

It matters that we bear witness to the Light that holds us all,

that we testify to this Light that shines its infinite love and mercy on us

across oceans, across borders, across time.

—Jan Richardson, from Testify to the Light in the Advent Door

During this Advent season, I have decided to spend a few moments each day reading, listening, or viewing a piece of art, music, or writing that inspires me and brings me joy. This is one of my favorite and comforting personal spiritual practices, and I return to it often at times when I feel unsettled, uncertain, and depleted.

Earlier this week, I spent time revisiting a piece by the artist and writer Jan Richardson, which includes the words at the beginning of this article. These words evoked within me a strong emotional response and revealed a question I had been unwilling or unable to give voice to. “Does our work matter?”

In the face of such overwhelming chaos, instability, and injustice in our nation and world, does our collective ministry as the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ matter? In this time marked by extreme division and rancor, where human dignity and the very earth that sustains us seem to be assaulted anew each day, does our witness and action make a difference?

Jan Richardson’s words reminded me that I already know the answer to these questions, which is a resounding, “Yes.” Our individual and collective work matter a great deal. Each time we reach out to another so that they know they are not alone, our work matters. Each time we bear witness to the sacred truth that each and every person is a beloved child of God, gifted beyond our wildest imaging, our work matters. Each time one of our congregations stands against injustice within their community, creates spaces of refuge and safety for the vulnerable and marginalized, or tends to the needs of the children of our communities, our work matters.

I am grateful for the courageous ministry, faithful witness, and bold work for justice that so many of our local congregations and members help lead each day in every corner of our state. These stories of the good and difficult work you are doing amid these challenging days encourage and strengthen me. Thank you for your ministry that “bears witness to the Light that holds us all...”

As you move through this season of Advent, consider how sharing your congregation's story may provide encouragement and hope for another person or community, and also consider with whom you need to stand to gather strength and courage for the journey ahead.

May you make space to breathe amid the busyness of this season and remember to tend to your own soul. And may we each seek to live in the "Light that shines its infinite love and mercy on us."

Grace and peace,

Rev. Kevin Brown, Associate Conference Minister

Seeking Your Pictures

Thank you, Minnesota Conference! The Search Committee is so thrilled to have talked with more than 100 members from across the Conference during listening sessions, Covenant Days, and other meetings. We are also thrilled to have received 96 responses to our survey. We are hard at work analyzing and collating the data to create our conference profile. We also want the profile to be alive with pictures of who we are and what we do.

Please send pictures that you think would be a great addition to the profile. Please include a description of the picture and the name of your congregation and send to Jean Chagnon (tosu1992@yahoo.com) or Lisa Lindesmith (L2doc@uwalumni.com). We will accept pictures until December 15.

Apply Now to be Part of 2025 Youthfest at Iona Abbey

Who: High school students ages 14-18

Where: Isle of Iona, Scotland

When: July 31 – August 9, 2025

Cost: $500 (includes airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and meals)

If you are a current high school student, ages 14-17, please consider applying to be part of a spiritual pilgrimage next summer to the Isle of Iona, Scotland.

Through the generous support of the Ashely Endowment, the Conference will sponsor a delegation of fourteen high school students to participate in Youthfest at Iona Abbey. You can find more information about the trip HERE.

Due to the limited size of the group that the Iona Community can accommodate, participants will be selected through an application process. We will accept no more than two participants from any congregation, so that the group will represent a cross section of Conference congregations. Priority will be given to older high school students, especially those in grades 11 & 12; although anyone age 14 or older is welcome to apply. The application process is simple and is outlined below:

Send an email to Rev. Kevin Brown  that contains the following information:

1. Legal and preferred name
2. Congregation name and city
3. Youth mailing address, email, and phone
4. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name, address, email, and phone
5. Youth Date of Birth
6. Youth grade in school
7. A brief response (400-600 words) that addresses the following:

• Why are you interested in participating in this spiritual pilgrimage?
• How do you think this experience will strengthen your faith or deepen your spiritual life?
• What do you hope to learn from this experience connecting with other young people from the Conference and around the world?
• The travel to the Isle of Iona will be challenging (6-hour flight, 4-hour train ride, ferry ride, bus ride, ferry ride, and lots of walking and waiting), the climate and terrain of the island is quite harsh, and the accommodations will be rustic. What support might you need to navigate these challenges?

If you would prefer to respond to the above questions through a conversation rather than in writing, please indicate that in your email to Kevin. He will reach out to schedule a time to connect via phone or Zoom.

Deadline: The firm application deadline is December 31, 2024. Review of applications will begin January 2, 2025, and applicants will be notified by January 6.

Deadline Approaching for 2024 Annual information Review Form

Have you yet to complete your 2024 Annual Information Review form? The end of the year is fast approaching and you still have time to complete this yearly requirement. It keeps our records up-to-date assuring our covenantal relationship is maintained accurately. It’s easy to do online and will only take a few minutes to complete. ACCESS THE ONLINE FORM HERE. If online is not an option for you call the Conference office at 612-871-0359 Ex. 8 to request a paper form be sent to you.

Partner News & Events

A Time of Transition for The Ministry Lab

The Ministry Lab is moving its physical resources effective January 1, 2025, and refocusing and streamlining our offerings.

You’re busy. And we are deeply grateful for the work you do. Let this five minute distraction serve as a creative outlet; it will help us create greater support for you in the coming months. Your insights are much appreciated. Learn more about this time of transformation at The Ministry Lab here.

Joys & Concerns

Please share your contributions! Send your submissions to communications@uccmn.org.

Upcoming Conference Events

January 24-25: OWLS Course

• Check out the employment opportunities portion of our website for all open positions.
• Send story ideas, insights and more to communications@uccmn.org. COMMAntary is published on Thursdays; submissions are due the Tuesday prior to publication at noon.
• The Conference website offers a wealth of resources related to faith formation, racial justice, and more.

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