February 22, 2010


Thank you for your hard work on yearbook reports! Missed the deadline? It’s not too late to submit your forms!


In This Issue:
The Power of CVI
Mo-Val Camps
Mo-Val Trivia Thanks
Congo Partnership
Mission Moments
Staff Preaching
Calendar

Other News

ACM Search
We are seeking an Associate Conference Minister to share their gifts with us.

Women’s Retreat
Women, join us at Mo-Val for a retreat of spiritual renewal, fun and fellowship.  Available: flyer and informational brochure.

Mo-Val Work Day
We’ll work on the Welcome Center on March 6, 9am-4pm.  Please contact George to help. 314-822-4627 or email to geoconlee@yahoo.com.


2030 Clergy Network
This network of UCC pastors in their 20s and 30s offers an event for professional connection, renewal and worship.  “Shepherding the Shepherd” will be held June 1-3 at Chicago Theological Seminary.




 

Forward

Know someone who might be interested in this email? Forward it.

Unsubscribe

Not interested in this email? Unsubscribe.

Donate

Want to show your generosity to the MMS?  Donate.

The Power of CVI

Southwood UCC in Raytown Pastor Michael Stephens names a steady number of visitors since 6 months ago as a solid sign that becoming an Open and Affirming congregation witnesses good news to people in our time.  New life is also evident in a newly-formed children’s choir, led by one of the newcomers to the congregation. Read more about the renewal of life in this congregation.

This story of congregational rejuvenation is just one of many that we’re seeing as we develop intentionality through the Congregational Vitality Initiative.  Does your church need this renewal?  Contact Rev. Carole Barner, CVI Coordinator. 

Mo-Val Announces Camps

Camp Mo-Val and Outdoor Ministries are excited to announce camp dates for the summer season!  Schedule is available as a flier to post in your church.  All grades listed are the grade completed by this summer.

For Younger Children
June 13-15 Discovery Camp – grades 1-2
June 16-19 Primary Camp – grades 2-3
July 11-17 Lower Junior Camp – grades 3-4

Younger and Older Children Together
June 20-26 Junior Camp – grades 3-5

For Older Children
June 13-19 Outback – grades 5-6
June 27-July 3 Upper Junior Camp – grades 4-6
July 11-17 Outback – grades 5-6
July 18-24 Upper Junior Camp – grades 4-6

For Youth
June 13-19 Campers in Leadership Training – age 15+
June 27-July 3 Outback G78 – grades 7-8
July 4-10 High School Camp – grades 9-12
July 11-15 Middle School Canoe Camp at Shannondale – grades 6-8
July 11-17 Campers in Leadership Training – age 15+
July 18-24 Outback G78 TREK – grades 7-8
July 25-31 Middle School Camp – grades 6-8

Other Camps
May 28-31 Family Camp – all ages
June 6-11 Adventures in Community – adults with developmental disabilities)
Sept 12-15 Over 50s Camp – age 50+

Mo-Val Trivia Fundraiser Thanks

A big thank you to everyone who participated in or volunteered for the Camp Mo-Val Trivia Night held at St. Peter's UCC in Washington this past weekend!  Friendly competition, great questions, tons of food, a fast-paced order for the night and your support contributed to a great event.  The net profit for the evening totaled $2,864.80, a gift of great help to Camp Mo-Val!

 

Our Congo Partnership

Our Conference Minister, Rev. Jeff Whitman, will return this week from a trip to the Republic of the Congo. We will report on his travels and our growing relationship with our partners in the Congo.

Two Congo Church Women – stories from Clela Anderson
Mama Mata (Mah tuh) loved her church, especially the music. She was always present when there was special music. Because she loved music so much she offered to sing a solo rather frequently. There was one problem, she could not carry a tune. Even so, because the members knew how much she loved to sing her praises to God, she was allowed to do so regularly.

Mama Mata was also active in the Eamanelo e’amato (ay ah mah nay lo ay ah mah to), the “Meeting of Women”. She attended the regular meetings and once each month she volunteered to call on the elderly and the sick in Boende (boh end ee). She would go from door to door asking how people were and if they had any special needs. At times there was a need for wood, or some food from the market or store. Once in a while someone needed help to get to the hospital for care. Once she knew the needs she would ask other women to help meet these needs.

She enthusiastically supported the bimonthly visit to the prison to take food for the prisoners. We would all gather and cook rice, fish, chicken, banganju (bah nn gah nn jew) manioc greens and other food which was joyously received. Mama Mata spent much of her time visiting with the men in prison, letting them tell their stories.
Mam’okeji (ma mah keh gee) had been a part of a polygamous marriage and had one son. When her husband became a Christian, he chose to keep his first wife and release the others. She managed to have a hut and provide food and other needs through raising a garden and selling most of its produce.

One day I met Mam’okeji on the street just days before a special women’s gathering. She explained that she had nothing in her garden to sell and she was troubled about how she would have an offering for the event. She told me that she was praying about what to do.

On the day of the special women’s gathering Mam’okeji was present. When it came time for the women to walk/dance forward to present their offerings she held a 5 zaire bill (This was a large sum of money for her.) and a radiant smile on her face.

After the meeting when we met, she quickly explained that her prayer had been answered with the idea that she should go fishing. Amazingly, she had caught a large fish and sold it for 5 zaire. Even though I was sure she had many needs, she gave the whole amount to the offering.

Mama Mata and Mam’okeji represent the women of Congo who love their God and bear witness where they live. What is done comes from a genuine faith which is strong and deep.

Mission Moments

BREAD FOR THE WORLD will be holding its annual Offering of Letters Workshop Saturday, March 13, 2010 beginning with registration and a light breakfast at 8:30 and ending at noon.  It will be at Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 N. Ballas Rd., St. Louis, Mo., 63131.  We will be learning how to unite as Christians and concerned citizens to become advocates for those living in poverty. This year we will be advocating for strengthening and protecting our country’s tax credits that are targeted to help low-income working families make ends meet.  For more information contact Gayle Lyles at 636-441-6068 or e-mail flyles@sbclobal.net.

Kirkwood UCC has some hymnals that are no longer being used and would give them to any church who is interested in picking them up.  They include: 58 The Avery and Marsh Songbook and 81 Rejoice in the Lord hymnals. Anyone who is interested can contact the KUCC church office at 314-822-2240.

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Ellisville, MO, is seeking a Director of Religious Education.  We are open to applications from non-UU persons, so long as they are accepting of religious diversity and UU values.  Read more here.

This summer we celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Louis Edward Nollau, one of the founders of the Evangelical Synod of North America and thus one of the founding figures of what is today our UCC.  The Wisconsin Conference is sending a delegation to the birthday festivities in Reichenbach and Goerlitz, Germany, July 1-8.  To learn more about this delegation, please contact Rev. David Moyer, Conference Minister of Wisconsin.  Brochures about the Germany event are available in the Conference office.

Staff Preaching

 
March 7 Jeff Whitman at Ivy Chapel
March 21 Jeff Whitman at Bethany, Berger
March 21 Jeff Whitman at St. Johns, Berger
March 28 Jeff Whitman at St. Johns, Casco
March 28 Jeff Whitman at St. Johns, Mantels

Community & Agencies Calendar