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Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
August | 2024
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Nominations for Regional Roles | |
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Our region is accepting nominations for the following positions to be elected at a business session during the regional gathering in October. We are accepting nominations for:
- Officers: Moderator Elect, Vice Moderator, Treasurer, and Secretary
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Regional Board members (description of Board here)
- Regional Nominating Committee members
All positions have 3-year terms. Please forward your nominations (of yourself or others) to nominations@uppermidwestcc.org. Our Provisional Nominating Committee needs to receive your input by September 15.
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Tom Burns was presented with the Honored Ministers Pin on August 25. Tom is the pastor of Howard Street Christian Church, Colfax, IA. Thank you for your ministry.
First Christian Church, Muscatine, IA, and Nichols Christian Church, Nichols, IA, have each called Rev. Marcy Heil as their settled pastor. She begins this role on Sept. 1. May God bless your ministry together.
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All Congregational Gathering - Oct 19, 2024 | |
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All Congregational Gathering
October 19, 2024
Christian Conference Center
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First Fruits
Stewardship and faithful financial practices--something that is regularly on our minds! Faithful financial practices isn't just about raw numbers--it's the percentage of our time, talents, and budget that go to ministries in the neighborhood and beyond. Join Disciples from around the region for a day of fun, fellowship, and learning. Rev. Melissa St. Clair, the new Minister for Faith and Giving, will offer the keynote. Other topics include personal seasons of giving, online giving, and fundraising. Representatives from the general church and seminaries will be joining us and are happy to give of their expertise.
Rev. David Yonker will be preaching, and the Revs. Mike Miller and Tammy Buseman will be sharing their musical talents with us. For more information and to register.
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UMW School of Ministry - Fall 2024 | |
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DOC History and Polity Want to know more about the Disciples of Christ and how we came to be? The School of Ministry is offering a ten week course on just this subject, taught by Tim Diebel, and is open to clergy and laity alike. It begins Monday September 9th at 7pm. Clergy and Laity can audit this course at a reduced rate. To register.
Theology I begins Tuesday September 17th at 7pm and is an 8 week course and is being taught by Bryan Feille. To register.
CMEP 2024 FALL Retreat- Pastoral Leadership
When: Friday November 15th beginning at 6pm(no evening meal)- Saturday November 16th ending around 3pm.
Who: Open to all ministers.
What: Our Fall retreat will focus on Pastoral Leadership, exploring different ways you as pastor will show and share leadership, ways you might be involved with training leadership within your congregation, and other administrative leadership skills that come in handy when leading in ministry. To register.
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Important News and Resources | |
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Prayers for Clergy Colleagues
There is a holy and sacred responsibility for each of us to hold one another in prayer. Colleagues of all ages experience health issues, life-altering experiences filled with concern and joy, as well as the fatigue and energy of ministry. Take a moment to offer prayer for one another.
Laurie Pound Feille and Bryan Feille, pastor and clergy spouse of First Christian Church, Minneapolis, MN, as Laurie's father Gomer Pound receives hospice care.
Dick and Dana Jumper, pastor and spouse of First Christian Church, Vinton, IA as they both deal with health concerns.
Heidi Hulme, pastor of Faith First Community Church, Davenport, IA as she undergoes surgery related to her cancer diagnosis on Aug 30.
Heather Santi-Brown, pastor of United Church of Christ, Atlantic, IA, as she undergoes surgery on Sept 19 to repair a torn tendon.
Laura Kittrell, Minister of Music & Worship of First Christian Church, Coralville, IA, as she recovers after her recent hospitalization.
Continued prayers for John Caughron as he journeys the difficult path of ALS. Please remember John's family in your prayers as they support and nurture him during this illness.
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General/Ecumenical Church Jobs
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Congregations in Transition
Friends, these are the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Please keep them in your prayers during these transitions.
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Altoona Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Bondurant Christian Church is seeking an interim.
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Central Christian Church, Boone, is in the search and call process, with David Clark as the interim.
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Highland Park Christian Church is in the search and call process and has called Arlene Johnson as interim.
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First Christian Church, Adel has called Tim Johnson as interim.
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Davis Street Christian Church, Ottumwa has called Terry Wise as their interim beginning in Jan 2024.
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Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
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Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
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Union Church, Ira, is in the search process.
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Central Christian Church, Marshalltown has called Michael Carlson as interim.
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Pleasantville Christian Church is beginning the search process.
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First Christian Church, Estherville will enter the search process. Doug Burton plans to retire Jan 2025.
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Howard Street Christian Church will enter the search process. Tom Burns plans to retire Aug 2024.
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Noelridge Christian Church will enter the search process.
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Mitchellville Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
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First Christian Church, Newton is beginning the search process.
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Looking to Serve?
Each month we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. This month there are 20 congregations in the search and call process. It is challenging to identify enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.
Please contact Josh or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.
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Clergy Book Study Resumes in Fall | |
The regional Clergy Book Study held on the fourth Thursday, 2 pm, will read Michael Kinnamon's new novel The Nominee. Set in 1991 against the backdrop of America's intensifying culture wars, The Nominee draws inspiration from Michael's own experience of being nominated to serve as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The prologue and the first four chapters will be the discussion material for August 22. September 26 will cover chapters five through eight. October 24 will cover chapters nine through twelve. This will be an engaging conversation about a time in the history of the Christian Church (disciples of Christ). The zoom link for the clergy study will be sent the morning on the session. If you are interested in participating in the book study, please email Liz Woodward at liz@uppermidwestcc.org | |
Continuing Education Opportunities | |
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New Church Ministry
Prophetic Advocacy
August 31, 2024, 3p Eastern
Webinar on unpacking Prophetic Advocacy and its connections to spiritual formation and New Church. To register.
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The Proclamation Project
Preaching in the Age of Chatbots
September 25, 2024, 2p Eastern
Rev. Dr. Casey T. Signmon shares the latest research on ChatGPT, AI, and preaching. To register.
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Faith+Lead
5 Practices to Cultivate a Flourishing Church by Scaling Back
Free webinar, offered at three different times in September. For more information and to register.
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Convergence
Post-Doom Spirituality
October 16, 2024, 6p Eastern
Join Matthew Fox, Margaret Wheatley, and Brian McClaren as they explore how we embody a post-doom spirituality. For more information and to register.
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LTS
From Muted to Movement: Faith-Rooted Organization and Congregation Ministry
September 11, 2024, 6:30p-8p Eastern
Two pastor-organizer-scholars, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan and Rev. Dr. Aaron Stauffer, reflect on congregational involvement in community organizing. To register.
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Continuing Education Requirement
All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.
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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org | |
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