Inside This Issue

General Synod

Boundary Training

Camp Mo-Val

Jeff’s Schedule

Association News

Local Church News

Transitions

Name the News

Pension Boards

Strengthen the Church

Shannondale Sunday

Special Opportunities

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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.

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H1N1 (SWINE) FLU RESOURCES FOR CHURCH LEADERS

The world has moved closer to the brink of a global influenza pandemic as the fast-spreading N1H1 (swine) flu, identified in at least eleven countries, claimed its first victim in the US. The World Health Organization raised its global alert to level 5 — just one notch below the level for "global pandemic." In his news conference Wednesday night, President Obama said: "Everyone should rest assured that this government is prepared to do whatever it takes to control the impact of this virus."

In an effort to do our part we are sending the document below with links to the CDC. It has practical and useful information for all individuals as well as pastors and church leaders. This information should be shared widely with church members. Please note that this is a practical guide that should be followed for any outbreak of infectious disease.

CDC Up-dated information for H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Bulletin Insert prepared by Parish Nurse Ministries

GENERAL SYNOD IMMERSE YOURSELF MOSAIC

Doug Kaufman, pastor at Friedens UCC in St. Charles has discovered that the picture of his daughter Tori that he sent in for the Immerse Yourself Mosaic has been included.  Per Doug: “It was really easy.  I printed out the sign, which is in PDF format, at home and took Tori's picture then sent it in.  They will only post pictures including the "Immerse Yourself" sign.  It’s fun!”

NAME THE NEWS CHALLENGE

You can now vote for your favorite name for this Weekly News on our website.  Go to www.mmsucc.org and cast your vote!

BOUNDARY TRAINING

The May 5^th Boundary Training at Columbia UCC has been CANCELLED due to a lack of attendants.  Please let the Conference Office know if you are planning to attend any of the opportunities that are planned. 

Boundary Training is a requirement for maintaining your standing with the Associations of the MMSUCC.  To find up-coming dates and registration forms: www.mmsucc.org/events/other_evemts.asp
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE.

TRANSITIONS

We want to welcome Michael Kasevich who was called to serve St. Paul UCC in Old Monroe beginning November 30, 2008.  Mike graduated from Hartford Seminary in 2003, earned his M.Div. at Bangor Theological Seminary in May 2008 while graduating with a BS in Religious Studies from Excelsior College, Albany, New York in March 2008.  As a Licensed Student Pastor while In-Care Mike served a small church in Northern Maine.  He was ordained by the Connecticut Conference in November 2008.  Mike volunteered for over 8 years at a correctional facility in Connecticut.  He is a member of a Harley Owners Group, enjoys fishing, hiking, reading, travel and exploring.  Mike and his wife Linda have four children: John, Meladie, Jessica and Joshua.  Please welcome Pastor Kasevich to the Eastern Association and the Missouri Mid-South Conference.

PENSION BOARDS – MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL DOWNS

The Annual Meeting of the Pension Boards is only five weeks away – June 5, 2009. We are pleased that we will once again have with us 18 Proxy Representatives who reflect the rich diversity of the United Church of Christ. The Pension Boards is grateful to all who nominated individuals to serve in this capacity.

   The role of the Proxies is to vote for Trustees, and on any other matters that may come before the meeting, in accordance with the instructions of their respective constituencies. A list of the Proxies is attached for your information.

   We encourage you to be in touch with your Proxy Representative with any questions, concerns or comments you wish to have brought to the meeting.

West Central Region

Phyllis Anderson    Lay Annuitant      Lincoln, Nebraska

Kevin Cameron      Pastor, Parkway UCC       St. Louis, MO

Tanya Kaufman     Staff, First Congregational     Sioux Falls, SD

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH

Faithfully Building the Body of Christ supports church growth and leadership development in the conferences and through the national offices of Local Church Ministries. Received annually on Pentecost Sunday (May 31^st).
 Read more…

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

CAMP MO-VAL

Male Counselors are needed for Adventures in Community, our camp for adults with developmental disabilities, from June 6-12.  The minimum age is 18 and our most senior counselor is 81.  The slower pace of the camp session makes it a good option for retired church members who are looking for a significant service opportunity.  Training and lots of support are provided and most of the campers are fairly high functioning.  For more information, contact Rev. Sue Leary at 314-843-5100 or pastorsue@stphilipsucc.com  or Rev. Bruce Moeller at (636) 228-4586 or revbrumoe@hotmail.com.

College Students home for the summer??  Paid service opportunities are still available at Camp Mo-Val for the 2009 summer camping season.  Serving on the summer Program Staff is a great way to gain valuable experience and a sense of satisfaction, while earning a little money along the way.  It’s almost like being on a mission trip all summer long.  Contact Shirley in the camp office for more details and to receive an application.  636-583-2730 or 1-877-344-2267 toll free or moval2@mmsucc.org. Home for the summer?  Paid and volunteer program positions are still available at Camp Mo-Val.

Fun in the sun!!   Sign-up for summer camp!!  There is still time to sign-up for summer sessions at Camp Mo-Val.  A couple camps are now full, but most still have openings.  Contact the Camp Office at 636.583.2730 or 1-877-344-2267 toll free or moval@mmsucc.org  to receive a brochure or check on a specific camp.  General information is also available on the camp web site at www.campmoval.org   MAKING MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME!

For more information please call 636-583-2730 or toll free 877-344-2267; email: moval@mmsucc.org or check the website.

SHANNONDALE SUNDAY
You can still designate a special Sunday for Shannondale.  Congregations are asked to receive a special offering 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

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

Expressions of Jewish Life through Texts and Objects opened on Monday, April 6, and continues through Sunday, June 28, 2009.

The exhibition begins in Olin Library's Grand Staircase Lobby, where materials on loan from the University of Michigan's Jewish Heritage Collection are on display. The collection, founded in 2003, was formed to reflect Jewish life, and it does so in an unusual assemblage of some 3,000 books and objects dating from the 15th century to the present. The selection shown at Washington University focuses on the Passover holiday and includes household objects relating to the Seder, or ritual dinner, and editions of the Haggadah, the text that guides the Seder.

For more information about the lecture or exhibit please contact the Department of Special Collections at the Washington University Library at 314-935-5495. or: http://religiousstudies.artsci.wustl.edu

Craigville Colloquy turns spotlight on revival of spirituality July 13 - 17, 2009 at the Craigville Conference Center, Cape Cod, MA.  For more information go to www.craigvillecolloquy.com  or read more …

CONFERENCE MINISTER’S PREACHING SCHEDULE

May 17 – Marshallese UCC, Springdale, AR

May 31 – Trinity UCC, Lexington

June 7 – St. Paul UCC, Gerald; 8am

June 14 – Ebenezer UCC, Levasy

June 21 – Ivanhoe UCC, Kansas City; 10:30am

ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Western Association Spring Meeting

Read about the highlights of the meeting and check out the photos.
The St. Louis Association Spring Gathering was held on April 23rd at St. John's UCC in Chesterfield.  Watch for a report on the website soon.

The Eastern Association Spring Meeting

Read about the highlights of the meeting and check out the photos.

The Eastern Association Quilt Show will be at St. Peter’s Church in New Haven on Saturday, May 9. Arrive at 9:30 am. The program will be presented at 10:30 a.m. There is no admission charged but attendees should bring “finger foods” to share.  St. Peter’s is at 607 Maupin Avenue in New Haven.  New Haven is on Missouri Highway 100, between Washington and Hermann. 

LOCAL CHURCH & AFFILIATED AGENCIES NEWS

May 10, Sunday, 11am - 2:30pm, Mother's Day luncheon Benefiting Lydia's House. For menu and more information, please visit: www.parkwayucc.org 

May 14, Thursday, 11am - 1pm, Cape Albeon Retirement Community Open House. Valley Park, MO. Refreshments served. Register to win a 9” under the counter, drop down television with built in DVD player!

May 15 & 16, Friday & Saturday, Heifer International Workshops.  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.

May 16, Saturday, 11am. St. John's (N. Grand, St. Louis) hosts Beloved Community Theatre featuring The Black Rep's adaptation of "Porch Lies: A Tale of Slicksters, Tricksters & Other Wily Characters" a children's book by acclaimed author Patricia McKissack. Open to the public. All welcome. Freewill offering to benefit St. John's Outdoor Ministries activities. For more info contact sjucc@yahoo.com or call 314.534.0323.

May 16, Saturday, 7pm, Samuel UCC Multimedia Pop Culture Trivia Night. There will be prizes for the top three tables, food and drinks, and plenty of other entertainment. Reserve your space by calling the Church Office at 314-727-9540. Samuel UCC, 320 North Forsyth Blvd.; Clayton, Mo. 63105.

May 30, Neighborhood Houses Family Fun Fair in Fairgrounds Park.  Check the calendar for more info.

May 30, Saturday, 10 - 11:30am, a Social Security Disability Workshop will be held at Christ The King UCC, 11370 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO. The workshop will include a discussion on: What medical conditions automatically qualify the applicant for benefits.

May 31, St. Peter’s Evangelical UCC in Ferguson Golf Tournament fundraiser.  Contact Rob Davis at (314) 521-5694. 

June 6, Saturday, a Tailgate Sale at Christ The King UCC, 11370 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO. Parking spaces will be available for $15 each. You can call 314-741-6808 to reserve a space.

June 12, Christian Family Night at River City Rascals minor league baseball at T.R. Hughes Ballpark, O’Fallon, MO.  See calendar for flyer.

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

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.