The latest issue of the RCC (Resource Center for Churches) Newletter has been mailed to those who wish to have paper copies. A link to an electronic copy has been placed on page one of our web site: www.resourcesforthejourney.org
Please take a moment to check out the newsletter. It is full of information about programming resources for youth and adults. Of course the resources listed are only a portion of what we have available. See the Catalog also on the RCC Website.
We are pleased to inform you that three MCC (Minnesota Council of Churches) Power and Boundaries trainings are scheduled for fall 2008. Please note that the trainings are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The first training is in Brooklyn Center on Wed., October 8. The second training is on Thurs., October 30 in Moorhead and the third training is on Thurs., November 13 in Rochester. Click here for the registration form.
Please note the registration due dates below. Because the trainings are contingent on registration (a minimum of 23 people is required), a training will be cancelled if 23 registrations have not been received by the MCC registration deadline. Fees will be refunded or applied to a subsequent training.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 7025 Halifax Ave. N., Brooklyn Center 55429 (early bird registrations due in MCC office by September 24) (all registrations to MCC any time before October 1)
Thursday, October 30, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 210 S 7th St., Moorhead, MN 56560 (early bird registrations due in MCC office October 4) (all registrations to MCC anytime before October 9)
Thursday, November 13, 2008, at Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester, MN 56001 (early bird registrations due in MCC office by October 30) (all registrations to MCC any time before November 6)
Rev. Susan Richey Nienaber and Nancy Biele will lead these trainings using lecture, films and discussion. The training includes:
· theological, sociological and psychological context
· power and gender issues in the pastoral role
· appropriate boundaries in the pastoral role
· prevention: vulnerability, and self-care
· implications to clergy of Minnesota criminal and civil laws
Although the cost of Power and Boundaries training per participant could be as much as $197, the early bird registration fee is $150 (early bird registration must be received 2 weeks before the training). Registration fees received after the early bird deadline are a minimum of $175.
· Clergy registering and paying fees independently - send directly to the Minnesota Council of Churches.
Power and Boundaries training is sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches’ Committee to End Sexual Misconduct in the Religious Community. The committee is composed of denominational representatives or representative staff who deal with clergy sexual misconduct cases and related issues, who are on, or are invited to be on the committee by virtue of their position in each denomination.
Prayer at the Fair -Sundays, August 24 & 31, 2008, 9:15 – 9:45 AM, State Fair Bandshell
Skipping worship on Sunday August 24th or 31st? You don’t have to! Come to the Bandshell for an uplifting, spirited worship service that celebrates the abundance of life. Sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches, the casual service contains both the familiar forms of church including hymns, prayers and a sermon and also gets into the fun spirit of the Fair with our “bulletins on a stick." Celebrants represent the many denominations that make up the Minnesota Council of Churches, making the service a celebration of Christian Unity. For more information contact Gail at (612) 230-3210.
Minneapolis CROP Walk to Benefit Refugee Services Sunday, October 12, 2008, 2PM beginning and ending at Augsburg College
Join the fight against poverty by participating in the Minneapolis Metro CROP Walk. Sponsored by Church World Service, proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services and other international and local disaster relief, refugee assistance and long-term self-help development programs. Click here to learn more about an August 21 recruitment rally, registering online and more, or call Kristin at (612) 230-3219.
Darfur: Where is Our Moral Compass Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 5 – 6 PM, State Capitol Grounds This non-partisan event will create international awareness about Darfur, focusing on current conditions and what can be done to improve the situation. The event will include an interfaith prayer service, Camp Darfur (a reenactment of what life is like in Darfur), stories from survivors of genocide, and speakers. For more information click here or contact Lynne at (612) 230-3211.
Interfaith Service a Meaningful Commemoration Over 1,000 people gathered at the Basilica of St. Mary on August 1, 2008 for an interfaith prayer service in commemoration of the 35W bridge collapse year anniversary. The Service was organized by the Minnesota Council of Churches and the Basilica of St. Mary with cooperation of the office of Governor Tim Pawlenty and Mayor R.T. Rybak. View photo gallery online.
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Announces 4 weekend classes for Fall Term 2008.
Each of these classes will meet on a Friday evening and Saturday morning,
one weekend a month, beginning in September.
Justice, Liberation and Hope in the Theology of Paul (CH231)
Taught by the Rev. Neil Elliot, editor with Fortress Press and author of “Liberating Paul”
We will examine developments in recent scholarship that challenge the traditional picture of the apostle Paul. Specific topics include Paul’s critical engagement with Roman slavery, the patronage system, and Roman imperial ideology; the problem of theology and praxis in Paul; Paul’s relationships with emancipated persons in the assemblies, especially women prophets; the presence of subordinationist or “kyriarchal” themes in Paul’s letters; and the challenge of interpreting Pauline texts rightly in the contemporary global context. Class will meet on United’s campus in New Brighton.
Major 20th Century Moral Thinkers – Katie Geneva Cannon (TR552)
Taught by the Rev. Alika Galloway, organizing co-pastor of Kwanzaa Community Church in Minneapolis and working towards her doctorate at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. This seminar is a close reading of selected works by Katie Geneva Cannon. Dr. Cannon was the first African-American woman ordained in the United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); she focuses her work in the areas of Christian ethics, Womanist theology, and women in religion and society. Class will meet at Kwanzaa Community Church, Minneapolis.
Empowering Lay Leadership (CL541)
Taught by Dr. Jean Morris Trumbauer, Director of United’s Doctor of Ministry Program
An emerging paradigm of church requires us to move beyond our view of members as “volunteers,” or satisfaction with “maintaining church programs,” and our reliance on “time and talent” forms to invite laity to ministry. Leaders of the church are challenged to re-envision the foundations and practice of sharing the ministry. This course explores a holistic approach to gifts-based ministry and the multiple components of a shared ministry system for today’s congregations. Class will meet at Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Duluth MN.
Going to the Fair doesn’t have to mean skipping church. Celebrate the abundance of life in Minnesota and all of God’s creation at a special worship service sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches. The casual service contains both the familiar forms of church including hymns, prayers and a sermon and also gets into the fun spirit of the Fair with our “bulletins on a stick." Celebrants represent the many denominations that make up the Minnesota Council of Churches, making the service a celebration of Christian Unity. 
As many of you know, we had a good meeting on May 29th that resulted in the planning of a UCC/Disciples 20/30 somethings kick-off event.
Our kick-off event is "Thirsty Thursday" in the Park: Five Thursdays of kickball, food, and drink 8:00PM, July 3rd-31 at Bryant Square Park, on 31st and Bryant in S. Minneapolis. Fellowship at Bryant Lake Bowl will follow. If it is raining, fellowship at Bryant Lake Bowl will begin at 8:00pm.
Dennis Sanders has created a beautiful UCC/Disciples of Christ 20/30 somethings website. Check it out! The address is: www.comethirsty-mn.org
Looking forward to being in further conversation with you...Please pass the word to any/all 20/30 somethings you know!
In Christ, Amy Wick Moore
You can contact Amy by going to the "Come Thirsty" website.
