CONFERENCE NEWS

Moving Together in Spirit as a Conference

June 13, 2024

CONFERENCE MINISTER'S CORNER

Rev. Dr. Tony Clark

Transitional Conference Minister

Folks:

I pray that you are well and that you can take some time this summer to enjoy Creation! There are several things happening behind the scenes in our Conference. We have been looking at logos for our ministries and we are excited to reveal them at the Conference Annual Meeting, Sept 27-29 in Billings. Look for new logos for the Conference, the Outdoor Ministries, and the Green Team.

The Green Team is looking toward CAM to discuss the book we’ve been reading together this year. Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Healing and Hope in a Divided World by Katherine Hayhoe, has been a good read for us to talk about, not just the issue around climate change, but also how we talk to each other, particularly our evangelical cousins. If you’d like to join the conversation, you can order the book here. I also want to highlight that a few of our churches have gone or are going solar—Plymouth in Helena, Mayflower in Billings, and University in Missoula. If I missed anything, please let me know. We are hoping that a workshop during CAM will be about going solar in your churches (and homes!). 

The Church and Ministry Commission has been busy scheduling clergy periodic vocational support conversations for the summer. These are to occur every 3-5 years, and none have been done since before 2020. These are conversations that allow clergy to reflect on their call, their ministry, and their goals, and they offer time for discernment for any next steps they might be pondering. They are an important way for the C&MC to keep in touch with our clergy and offer support in tough times and celebrations in good times.

C&MC has also been discerning with Barbara Gulick a call to ordained ministry, and this week we approved her to sit for an Ecclesiastical Council. This is the process by which our denomination examines and determines fitness for ministry, and if approved, the member in discernment is considered “ordainable pending call”. This is one of the ways that we work in covenant together, in that we believe the Holy Spirit works through the discernment of the many to ordain people into ministry. Watch for more info on the date and time.

I start a period of being in and out of the office for vacation, Western Regional Youth Event, various camps, and church visits. In September, I will be joining a delegation to the southern border of the US, and I will be hosting Rev. Roberto Ochoa on a tour of some of our rural churches. I am looking forward to engaging with you in Long Beach, Mimanagish, Christikon, and your churches. And I am looking forward to our Conference Annual Meeting, which is shaping up to be a remarkable event.

Peace and blessings on these sun-filled days. 

Pastor Tony

CALENDAR

June 19 - Juneteenth/Office Closed

June 20/21 - Clergy Interviews

June 26 - Board of Directors 6 pm

June, July - No Green Team Meetings

August - Liturgy Day in Helena

CONFERENCE STAFF

Dr. Rev. Tony Clark

Transitional Conference Minister

Jennifer Penfield

Administrator & Registrar

Patty Martinson

Administrative Assistant

PRIDE FLAG - Shared from the Great Falls First Congregational Newsletter 6.05

ABSAROKEE COMMUNITY UCC

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

BAKER COMMUNITY CHURCH UCC

Stay tuned for upcoming events.

BALLANTINE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am

BIG TIMBER FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

BILLINGS FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am

Prayer Group - First Fridays

Holden Prayer Group - Third Tuesdays

Yoga with Lisa - 1st/3rd Thursdays

BILLINGS MAYFLOWER CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

Grief Group - 3rd Sundays, Fireside

BOZEMAN PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

Carpooling Drivers Needed



BROADUS POWDER RIVER CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 11:00 am

BUFFALO UNION CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 11:00 am

BUTTE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am

COLSTRIP UNITED COMMUNITY CHURCH

Sunday Worship @ 9:30 am

COLUMBUS COMMUNITY UCC

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am

CUSTER CONGREGATIONAL

Stay tuned for upcoming events!

FAIRFIELD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Sunday Worship @ 11:00 am

GLENDIVE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

GREAT FALLS FIRST CONGREATIONAL

Sunday Worship in Summer @ 9:30 am

HARDIN FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am

HELENA PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

Table Tennis - Sundays 3:00 pm

MILES CITY UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

MISSOULA UNIVERSITY

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

MOLT CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 11:00 am

RED LODGE COMMUNITY UCC

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

SAVAGE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship (1st & 3rd) @ 11:00

Facebook Devotional Thurs @ 10:00 am

SHERIDAN FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 11:00 am

SIDNEY PEOPLES CONGREGATIONAL

Sunday Worship @ 11:00 am

WORDEN BETHLEHEM UCC

Sunday Worship @ 10:00 am

2016 Alderson Ave Billings, Montana 59102

www.mnwcucc.org