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Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
July | 2024
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In recent weeks, I’ve asked whether ministers and congregations would participate in Worship Design Studio. There was not sufficient interest, so I won’t be purchasing a regional registration for these sessions. I’m confident that interested ministers and worship leaders can directly access such materials (we have congregations that already do).
Our region will continue to offer ways to strengthen worship in our congregations. As we have this week, we will continue to offer three recorded sermons a year that ministers and congregations can use in worship services. We will share resources through our monthly Worship Together newsletter, especially things that you and other worship leaders share with us.
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Digital Ministry and Interesting Items | |
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I believe that digital ministry is vitally important for almost all types of ministry now and into the foreseeable future. We are learning and adapting as we live into this reality. I greatly appreciate the thoughtful and practical advice of Jim Keat, digital minister of Riverside Church in New York City. In recent weeks, he’s produced a short video about the theology of digital ministry, which I recommend to you and others that may need help understanding why this type of ministry is now essential for most ministries.
Here are some articles that also might strengthen your leadership and ministry:
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All ordained and commissioned ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest are required to complete a boundaries course in 2025. Our region is preparing a one-day onsite course for Wednesday, January 22 at the CCC (following Ministers Institute). There also will be an online option of multiple shorter sessions covering the same material.
The 2025 Boundaries Training offered by our region will focus on our Ministerial Code of Ethics. You are invited to help focus our time by completing a survey, which should only take a few minutes. The survey asks two things. First, help us prioritize the session by identifying the five bullet points of the code of ethics you most want discussed in boundaries training. Second, you have the opportunity to suggest case study ideas for small group discussions related to potential boundaries violations. You can find the survey here.
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Installation
Aaron Brunner was installed as the settled pastor of Glen Echo Christian Church, Des Moines, IA. Congratulations, and blessings upon your ministry together.
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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.
Loren Strait, pastor of Covenant Christian Church, Urbandale, IA and his family of the death of Loren's youngest brother.
Dick and Dana Jumper pastor and spouse of First Christian Church, Vinton, IA as they both deal with health concerns.
Heidi Hulme pastor Faith First Community Church, Davenport, IA as she continues a battle with cancer..
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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First Christian Church, Muscatine and Nichols Christian Church are being served by Marcy Heil during the process of search and call.
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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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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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United Theological Seminary
Leadership for Social Justice Cohort
Deadline to apply extended to Aug 1. To apply.
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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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Pension Fund Gathering
September 3-5, 2024
The Pension Fund Gathering is in Washington, DC. Registration closes Aug 1. For more information.
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The Disciples Preaching Retreat
October 28-30, 2024
The Disciples Preaching Retreat, Beautiful Feet, will bein Phoenix, AZ. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Frank A. Thomas. For more information.
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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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