Michigan Conference UCC

Board of Directors

Rev. Liz Larrivee, M.B.A., M.Div.

President 

Our board-staff partnership provides structure for leading the ministry of the Michigan Conference UCC. The BOD’s function of governance and the staff’s function of management complement and support each other. On March 22 and 23, BOD and staff kicked-off a joint Strategic Planning Initiative by attending a retreat facilitated by Quanita Roberson of Nzuzu Consulting  https://www.nzuzu.com/consulting. Retreat goals included (1.) Building relationships and trust, (2.) Deep listening for the movement of the Holy Spirit, (3.) Discovering “Who We Are,” (4.) Discerning “What We Need to Do,” and (5.) Co-creating a draft mission statement for the Conference. We will continue to build on the foundation we began during the retreat as we engage the next steps in our strategic planning process. 

     

In addition to crafting a Conference strategic plan that includes mission, vision, and values statements to guide our work together, a key BOD governance responsibility is to strengthen Conference ministry programs by ensuring adequate financial resources. After careful and detailed analysis--including dialogue with staff—the BOD made two significant financial decisions in alignment with our strategic plan. First, we have reduced our Conference OCWM pass-through giving to the UCC National Ministries from 30% to 10% to be on par with the contribution rates of other UCC Conferences. Second, we have listed the East Lansing Conference property (office, house, and land) for sale with Lisa Kost, Director Coldwell Banker Commercial. Staffing shifts to remote work locations, a frequently empty building, an aging facility with significant deferred maintenance, and increasing operational costs combined to make this a wise fiduciary decision. These board-staff partnership actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting the transformational ministry of equipping, empowering, encouraging, and connecting Michigan churches and clergy to serve God and neighbor.   

Exciting Opportunities to Serve on the Board of Directors

The Michigan Conference Board of Directors (BOD) is seeking to fill two open positions. There is one open position for At Large representation on the Board of Directors. An At Large rep must hold local UCC church membership in the Michigan Conference. This position is currently open, nominations are being accepted until April 30, 2024 and the name of the person chosen by the Nominating Committee will be voted on by the Board on May 18 at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

There is also an opening for a Liaison role that requires holding local church membership in the Eastern Association. It is important to note that the Eastern Association Liaison candidate chosen by the Nominating Committee will be presented for a vote at the Fall Annual Meeting to join the Board of Directors on January 1, 2025.

The BOD is committed to inclusion and charged with a balance of representation across a diverse intersection of demographics. Clergy and lay people are encouraged to be nominated. If you would like to be considered for nomination, please complete the Board of Directors Nominating Committee Biographical Form. Form submissions will be received by Chair of the Nominating Committee, BOD Vice President, Stephen Johnson. Each submission will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee, who will then select a candidate to be voted on for each position.

Thank you for your generous consideration of ministry service to the wider church in a BOD leadership position! We’d love to have you as part of the team!

In early summer we are anticipating a visit from our German counterparts at Pommerscher Evangelischer Kirchenkreis. The Michigan Conference has a long history of hosting an international delegation, and traveling to Germany to support this partnership. If you would like to join the team working to renew this relationship, provide hospitality, and practice your German (not required) please reach out to Southwest Area Minister, Rev. Calandra Nevenzel

517-618-1613

swaminister@michucc.org

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister

2024 Preaching Schedule & Worship Visits

April 14, 2024 Preach - Countryside Trinity Church, Saginaw, MI

April 20, 2024 UNA Spring Meeting - First Congregational UCC, Cadillac

April 21,2024 Preach - St. Paul Church UCC, Chelsea, MI

May 5, 2024 Preach - Phoenix Community Church, Kalamazoo, MI

May 12, 2024 Preach - Douglas UCC, Douglas, MI

May 19, 2024 Preach - First Congregational Church, Battle Creek, MI

LINK TO ALL upcoming 2024 DATES

Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit

Prayer Request

Rev. Don Mason will be undergoing quadruple bypass surgery on April 8. Let us hold Don in deep prayer for health and recovery, and keep his wife Kelly and First Congregational Union City close to our hearts.

Summer Cohorts for Antiracism Training

"Animating Antiracism in Faith Formation" is a webinar series developed for the United Church of Christ Network of Wider Church Youth Ministries by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training.

This course was designed to fulfill the UCC Manual on Ministry requirements for authorized ministers seeking to engage in ongoing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training to maintain their ministerial standing. Please confirm with your authorizing body to determine if this program meets their racial justice training requirements.

Program Associate for Youth Ministries, Jenn Ringgold, was involved in designing this curriculum and training facilitators. Two of the facilitators are from Michigan. With gratitude to EJ McGaughy and Michael Young for being committed to this work.

Contact Jenn Ringgold for scholarships available to those in the Michigan Conference UCC who would like to engage in this training.

Evangelical Homes of Michigan Senior Solutions is celebrating 50 years

Great pop vocal music, quick-witted humor, and overall likeability make THREE MEN and a TENOR a unique vocal music and comedy show experience that cannot be matched. THREE MEN and a TENOR has regularly sold-out shows at performing arts centers, theatres, festivals and fairs for over 31 years with a powerful blend of vocal harmonies and feel-good music for all ages. They are a can’t miss act that delivers big fun!

Opening act will be Mellifluous, Saline High School’s Barbershop Quartet.