Inside This Issue

Partnership News

Men’s & Women’s Retreats

Five for Five

Summer Camp Schedule

Jeff’s Schedule

Association News

Local Church News

Pension Boards

Donate Electronically!

The Missouri Mid-South Conference, United Church of Christ, depends on the generosity of members and friends to fund its ministries.

Please use the link below to contribute electronically to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) or to The Friends of the Missouri Mid-South Conference.

Donate Now

Shannondale Sunday

Shannondale Sunday will be celebrated in the Missouri Mid-South Conference on Sunday April 26.  Congregations are asked to receive a special offering on that day to support our ministry at Shannondale.  Your gift of three dollars a member will go toward the general operating expenses of this important ministry of the Conference.  Promotional information including a bulletin insert and a sample newsletter article describing the ministry at Shannondale can be found by following this link:  www.mmsucc.org

Partnership News

Our friends in Jamaica - Carlton Senior and Rev. Henroy Samuels and the whole United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands North Middlesex Area Council invited Jeff Whitman and his wife Randy and Chuck and Linda Adams to visit in February 2009.  The four representatives of Missouri Mid South Conference attended the huge Ash Wednesday services at Boscobel United Church.  Chuck Adams brought greetings from our conference and Rev. Whitman was the featured Preacher for the church service.  Rev. Whitman’s sermon was very inspiring and was well received by the approximately 700 parishioners present.  It was a great week and helped to strengthen the bonds of partnership between our Missouri Mid South people and our fellow Christians in Jamaica.  More pictures!

May 1—3, 2009

Women’s Retreat  “Creating a Global Village”

Our keynote speaker will be Jan Aerie, of the Wider Church and Global Ministries, National UCC.  Come for spiritual renewal, fun, and fellowship at Camp Mo-Val.  Find out more on our website.

Men’s Retreat

A multi-church event that will be held at Shannondale Community Center.  More info.

Is Your Church Five for Five?

Being 5 for 5 is one sign of congregational vitality in UCC churches that fully support Our Church's Wider Mission. These leadership churches give to Basic Support and all four special mission offerings. Read how your church can be 5 for 5.

For more information, contact Kate Huey at (866) 822-8224, ext. 3855.

Camp Mo-Val Summer Schedule
Available On-Line

Plan now for the upcoming summer camping season at Camp Mo-Val.

Links to PDF files with all the materials included in the BIG CAMP MAILING can be found on the website.

Conference Minister’s Preaching Schedule

April 19 – St. John UCC, St. Charles; 9 & 10:30am

April 26 – Femme Osage UCC, Augusta; 10am

May 3 – St. John’s UCC, Bem; 9am

May 17 – Marshallese UCC, Springdale, AR

May 31 – Trinity UCC, Lexington

Association News

The Western Association of Churches will gather for the Annual Meeting of the Association on April 18th, Saturday, 9am, at Bethel United Church of Christ, Concordia. All business of the Association will be considered. Among the agenda concerns are significant changes to the By-Laws of the Association and election of officers.  The Association Council is planning a time for delegates and visitors to seriously ponder what it means to be an Association—especially in the midst of ever-changing realities in the life of the church. Worship, workshops and fellowship opportunities are planned to strengthen our life together as the Western Association. REGISTER NOW! E-mail stephanie@mmsucc.org or call toll free 1-877-877-5884 Ext. 77602.

The St. Louis Association Spring Gathering is on April 23rd, Thursday, 4-8:30pm, at St. John's UCC in Chesterfield.  The theme of the meeting will be "The Greening Church" and speakers, displays, and workshops will be offered on ways in which our local churches can function in benefit to our environment.  Dinner will cost $10 per person.

The Eastern Association Spring Meeting is April 26th, Sunday, 2-5 pm. The Mission and Social Concerns Committee of the Eastern Association is putting together a program that will focus on topics of economic justice, and we are wanting to include a food pantry roundtable, which will discuss topics such as: strategies for food drives/collections; food storage and distribution; data collection, screening, and tracking; recruiting and managing volunteers or paid staff; site issues such as rent/lease, location, parking, insurance, and accessibility. INFO: Rev. Craig Blaufuss. E-mail: revcraigblaufuss@centurytel.net   Phone: Office: 636 528-7550, Cell: 636 358-0292

Local Church & Affiliated Agencies News

April 18, Saturday, 6pm, St. Peter's Evangelical UCC to hold Trivia Night and Chili Supper in Ferguson at Stein & West Florissant Roads. Info: Debbie at 636-405-1375

April 19, Sunday, 3pm, The Eastern Association gathers to celebrate a service of recognition for licensed ministry of Pastor Don Frandsen as he serves St. Paul United Church of Christ, Defiance.

April 23-24, Thursday & Friday, 7pm, The Greater New Higher Heights Christian Church-UCC, 4657 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63111 "Spring Revival"

April 24-25, Friday & Saturday, LIFE Retreat at Eden Seminary. Info:www.lifeateden.com  life@eden.edu  or 618-277-1273

April 25, Saturday, 8:30am-12:30pm, Pancakes Plus Breakfast at Church of the Open Door.  Info – 314-961-0456.

April 30, Saturday, 6:10pm, CROP Hunger Day at the "K" Kansas City Royals vs. the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.
May 2, Saturday, 11am – 1:30pm, Emmaus Homes “Heart to Help” potluck brunch at St. John UCC, 405 S. 5^th St., St. Charles.  RSVP potluck@emmaushomes.org or call 636-534-5213.
May 3, Sunday, 11am-5:30pm, St. Paul’s, Defiance holding Chicken Dinner.  Hwy 94 & Defiance Rd.  636-987-2696 for info.

May 15 & 16, Friday & Saturday, Heifer International Workshops scheduled in Cape Girardeau and Kirkwood.  To register or for more information, please contact Isaac Johnson at 573-474-7155 or at Johnson@umocm.com  Registration by May 11th is requested.

Information about these items and more can be found on the Conference Calendar

Ministry Meetings

April 25, Saturday, 10am, Administrating Ministry Meeting at Columbia UCC, Columbia

April 25, Saturday, 9am, Giving Ministry Meeting

April 28, Tuesday, 10am, Congo Partnership Meeting at Columbia UCC

Regional Retirement Seminar

Are you an Annuity Fund Member (active or inactive) age 58 or older?  Thinking about retiring in the next 3-4 years? Wanting to know more about your options in retirement?  If the answer is YES, you are invited to attend a Pre-Retirement Seminar offered by the Pension Boards – United Church of Christ at the St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel on April 22.  INFO: call 800-642-6543 ext. 2712.

This email newsletter is published to promote the mission and ministry of the Missouri Mid-South Conference, United Church of Christ, its congregations, and other settings of the United Church of Christ.

These announcements are brief and timely, providing readers with supporting links whenever possible. Please forward these materials to others in your church and share them in your bulletins and local church newsletters.

You are welcome to send news from your congregation to MMSUCC Communications.  Items will be included as space allows.  Be sure to include your name and contact information.