Michigan Conference
United Church of Christ
Newsletter & Resources
May 20, 2022
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The Michigan Conference UCC Annual Gathering will take place via Zoom on Saturday, October 22nd. The Planning Team is already hard at work to bring you a wonderful online experience. More information will be coming your way through the newsletter, Conference website and email messages.
Resolutions may be submitted for consideration by a local church, an Association, three (3) voting delegates, a Mission Area Team, or the Conference Board of Directors. (Specific requirements detailed in the Resolution Guidelines.)
The Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team is required to officially inform local churches of the resolution process at least 120 days prior to the Conference Meeting. On June 24th, 2022 you can expect a detailed email - with the Call to Meeting, the Resolution Guidelines, and other important information.
Resolutions submitted from an Association should be mailed no later than 14 calendar days following an Association's Spring Meeting.
Proposed resolutions need to be submitted to the Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team (PIMAT) by August 8, 2022. They can be mailed to the Michigan Conference UCC - Attn: PIMAT - P.O. Box 1006, East Lansing, MI 48826-1006 - or emailed to Lisa Soulliere at lisa@michucc.org.
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FREE Lifetime Access
An offering from the Vital Growth Mission Area Team
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What is the Future of Spirituality?
How is our understanding of faith being reshaped, perhaps accelerated, by the pandemic? Do faith communities have a future and what kind of courage will that require? What kind of rituals will shape the future of spirituality? What are the big theological questions of our time? How do younger generations seek spirituality? Is there a future of courageous spirituality? If so, what does that look like?
We will be speaking directly to faith leaders around the world who are leaning into this question with deep thinking and creative innovations. These are BIG questions, but it’s time to rethink everything.
Join us for this five day summit and explore your own imagination as we create the future of spirituality together.
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ETS is Hiring!
ETS is searching for a Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Manager.
Resume Due By May 27, 2022.
Send your resume to:
Jacquelyn Hines
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Jacquelyn Hines
Business and Finance Office Manager
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
2930 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
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New Service Information for Marilyn Schlimgen
Visitation will be held Friday, May 20, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until time of services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1200 Arnold St., Three Rivers, with Rev. Brenda Deily officiating. Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers. A luncheon will follow at First Presbyterian Church, 320 N. Main St., Three Rivers.
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Join us on Thursday, May 26th at 2 PM EST as Richard Bortnick, J.D. shares the impacts of cyber risks and exposures that your ministry could face. Learn about State, Federal, and International compliance regulations, as well as prominent hacking vectors and schemes. Protect your ministry by learning best practices, and tips from the expertise of our guest speaker. |
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About the Speaker:
Richard Bortnick is an industry-renowned problem solver who litigates and counsels U.S. and international insurers and corporations on cyber, privacy and technology risks and exposures; directors & officers liability; insurance coverage; products liability; and commercial litigation matters. In addition, Rick drafts insurance policy forms of varying types, including those covering cyber/ privacy/ technology risks and exposures, and serves as an expert consultant on cyber insurance matters involving the historical existence and scope of cyber insurance products.
Notably, Rick was named Advisen’s Cyber Risk Champion of the Year in 2015.
For nearly 20 of his 36-year legal career, Rick has served as a trusted adviser to public and private entities of all sizes on their privacy, cyber and technology risks, and he has trained hundreds of business executives and others on their commercial and legal responsibilities.
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Chicago Theological Seminary Announces Dr. Brad Braxton as 14th President |
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Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Brad R. Braxton as the 14th President of the historically progressive seminary.
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UCC Webinar
Discerning and Deciding: Bold Climate Action
Wednesday, June 8, 2022 @ 1 p.m. (ET)
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According to a recent UN climate report, the world has less than three years for its greenhouse gas emissions to peak and head into a relatively rapid decline. Careful discernment is needed on where to place our time and energy in seeking policies that will lead to a more just and hospitable world. This webinar will feature three leaders in the climate movement: Keya Chatterjee from the U.S. Climate Action Network, Miranda Ehrlich from the Sierra Club, and Jean Su from the Center for Biological Diversity. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1 pm ET on Wednesday, June 8th, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
Grants for 2022 & Taking a Stand Against Racism in the 21st Century
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The Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team is awarding grants of up to $250 per congregation for 20 congregations in 2022 for public witness action or education on some social justice issue. |
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Racism in the 21st Century
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A Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team (PIMAT) of the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ initiative:
Mission Statement:
To help local churches and clergy define and understand racism and its root causes through education, exploration, and personal experience.
Vision Statement:
Through this process people will be able to identify and develop actions and techniques to fight against racism where ever it may manifest itself including institutions and structures.
Recognizing the rise in organized attacks on teaching and encouraging action on the historical and current struggle for racial justice, our Prophetic Integrity Team is seeking volunteers to form a division to work on the mission statement and vision given here. We know there has been a rise in attacks on school boards seeking to eliminate such teaching. There are legislative actions forcing schools to eliminate such curriculum. We recognize that some of our churches in the conference have withstood attacks for taking stands on racial justice and equity. Please contact us if you are willing to join in the forming of this initiative.
Send an email, text or call to:
Jay Cummings, PIMAT facilitator
517-392-0202
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PBUCC Members: Sign up for the EY webinar, “Boost your retirement confidence” |
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Planning can help you worry less about retirement
Even with other financial challenges vying for your attention, you can plan to achieve a financially secure retirement. In this interactive, 30-minute EY webinar, “Boost your retirement confidence,” you’ll learn:
‣ Action steps for achieving a financially secure retirement
‣ How to save and invest for your life stage
‣ EY resources to help you feel better able to achieve the retirement you hope for
Register here:
After the webinar, you can ask to have a financial planner contact you by phone to discuss your financial planning needs. Or you may call to speak with a planner at any time.
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Unlimited access to financial planning is provided by the Pension Boards-United Church of Christ at no cost to you.
Contact EY today
‣ Sign up or log into
‣ Call the EY Navigate™Planner Line at +1.877.927.1047
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
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May 17th
International Day to
Combat Bi-Trans Homophobia
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Rev. Dr. Pj Anderson was asked to reflect on the upcoming - International Day to Combat Bi-Trans Homophobia by the Lansing State Journal; please see her article HERE.
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C H U R C H - 2 - C H U R CH |
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NEEDED: Bibles written in Spanish for distribution in the community around the church at Rios de Agua Viva UCC (Joy Like A River, UCC) in Wyoming, MI (near Grand Rapids). Actual Bibles and/or funds for this ministry would be accepted. Please contact Pastor Daniel Montejo at danielmontejo1@gmail.com.
Piano For Sale: Peoples Church of Flint (formerly Woodside Church), ever retooling and resizing for 21st century ministry, has one final piano for sale, a black Yamaha baby grand. The congregation is asking $1,500 or best offer. Anyone interested can contact Deb Conrad, 502-550-1236, or our Music Leader, Tom Travis
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Michigan Conference UCC
Courage Grant
Disbursement Form
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As part of the work of our Conference - to provide support for our local churches, we began discussing the idea of a “Courage Grant” for each local church. The idea comes from the book of Joshua where we see the Israelites standing on the edge of the promised land, terrified and afraid of what comes next. Imagine that for a moment. They were scared and worried as they stood on the edge of the promised land. Would it not be reasonable for us to have some anxieties and worries as we stand on the edge of the “Terra Incognita” (the unknown land) of 2022? The response from God to them is the response to us, because it is a constant refrain to God’s people over all times and in all places, “Take courage, don’t be afraid. I am with you.”
The Courage Grant project will provide $2,000 to every congregation in the Michigan Conference to help them prepare for their ministry in these unknown times. Each congregation will have the ability to use these funds in whatever way they decide. Some may use it to help improve their HVAC system, maybe a church might use it to repair windows to provide ventilation. Another church may use it to help with more technology, training, or sabbatical support. Churches may pool their money and work together. The options are truly limitless.
Please follow the link below to the Courage Grant Disbursement Form. Your plans for use of the grant funds will be shared on the Conference website to connect congregations, their ideas, and promote a collaboration of information with projects and resources.
Blessings,
Rev. Phil Hart
Transitional Conference Minister
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Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations
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"Reaching Out to Low-Income Neighbors"
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https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/committee/michigan/ |
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All Conference Zoom Recordings can be found HERE
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