December 11, 2009

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of (all people). The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

Dear Friends in Christ,

This has been an exciting year in the Michigan Conference for we have made substantial progress with implementation of A New Way For A New Day (NWND) by establishing our Mission Area Teams (MATs). Our focus, both of the Conference Board and the MATs, is developing better and more effective ways to serve our churches, pastors, and members of the United Church of Christ in Michigan.

These words from the beginning of John’s Gospel are a reminder that, despite the darkness of economic statistics (unemployment percentages, mortgage loan foreclosures, radical budget cuts at state and local levels, families and individuals trying to make ends meet), our Michigan Conference Churches are beacons of Christ’s light meeting the growing needs of our people, communities, and State. We have provided food through soup kitchens and pantries, shelter, clothing, money and various other supports; basic human needs being called for in record numbers. Many of our churches have risen to these challenges and continue to not only meet their obligations but grow and thrive. All of our churches reflect the challenges of the communities they serve even as they continue providing support, faith, and hope to those in need.

As a Conference we have made several changes that reflect these economic challenges but, more importantly, also provide us with greater efficiencies as we continue developing the best methods to serve our churches, associations, pastors, and members.

In faith we have opened ourselves to God’s truth and illuminating Spirit as we have begun to implement a New Way For A New Day in the Michigan Conference. I am excited about many of the accomplishments, new truths and light breaking forth in our midst, during 2009 and extending into 2010.

The Board of Directors has been meeting more than monthly to discern how best to serve the people and churches of the Michigan Conference as we realign to address our most urgent needs; this is strategic ministry planning.

Mission Area Teams

In September a joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Mission Area Team representatives allowed for the sharing of crucial and key information concerning their plan, direction, and required support for each MAT. Hearing each MAT’s plans to serve our churches allowed for synergies and creativity between the MATs and the Board as well as strengthened communication amongst us all. Most importantly, we allow room for God’s Spirit to move within, between and amongst us with creativity, hope, and joy. We have only one objective: to develop the necessary programs to build-up our membership (young, middles, and old alike), strengthen churches, support local and national missions, and spread God’s word through growth.

The following is a brief overview of a few early programs that are developing as of this date. There will be many more to come as we continue to listen to you and address the needs of our Michigan Conference.

The Compassionate Generosity MAT is focused on developing programs that will work with and support the churches in the areas of Stewardship, Giving, Funding Strategies, Finances, and utilization of gifts and talents within the church. They held a Stewardship Workshop in September with 91 people in attendance. Attendees returned to their churches inspired and with many practical techniques for improving their own stewardship campaigns. Workshops will be offered in the coming year that will address stewardship, funding, internal accounting, asset management, and other revenue, and youth team building seminars. In addition they will be working with the Mission Interpreters who have been trained and are available to speak to congregations. Quarterly seminars focused on information vital to pastors, treasurers, and church leadership teams will be offered in the New Year.

The Vital Growth MAT is focused on our UCC identity, local church evangelism, member retention, parish revitalization, new church starts, marketing, and advertising. After experiencing as a team Martha Grace Reece’s process Unbinding the Gospel, they have secured Ms. Reece to be the keynote speaker at our Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference May 14-15, 2010. This team has also experienced the Appreciative Inquiry process, conducted by trained members of the team who are available to speak to congregations. In addition, several members of this MAT have received church vitality training to be shared within the Conference. Guidelines and benchmarks are being developed to facilitate support for new and renewing congregations even as existing relationships are developed and monitored.

The Spiritual Discernment MAT is focused on empowering local churches and clergy with respect to worship and education. They planned and facilitated a Boundary Training Retreat for authorized ministers and persons in discernment and used that opportunity to train people to conduct future trainings. They planned and convened a workshop for clergy and others who may be working with persons experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. A Youth Summit for persons interested in the faith formation of children, youth and young adults was planned and convened in November. In response to this summit, a Task Group is forming and they are developing spring and summer 2010 programming for youth and young adults. This team uses internet communication tools (Facebook and Google Docs) to facilitate communication. Also, financial support through grants has been provided to persons in discernment who are attending seminary.

The Prophetic Integrity MAT is to be the voice of Christ for the Conference in matters concerning social justice, peace and reconciliation, and other issues concerning the oppression of God’s people. This team has worked with local congregations to develop resolutions to be brought to the Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference. This MAT facilitated the movement of resolutions adopted by the Annual Meeting to consideration by General Synod in Grand Rapids this past summer. Grants have been provided to local congregations working on justice and witness issues. Justice and Witness Advocates have been trained and are available to speak to congregations.

The mission of the Core Infrastructure MAT is to provide support, planning and resources, to and with the Conference staff, for purposes of efficient administration. They planned the Annual Meeting in May and Special Meeting of the Conference in November. This MAT takes primary responsibility for developing nominations submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. They also monitor the implementation of A New Way for a New Day, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors to facilitate our new processes. A Task Group to develop needed policies and procedures has also been created to begin in 2010.

I thank each of the MAT team members for their focus, commitment, and faithful service. I encourage all of our churches, associations, and members to participate in or with the MATs in the coming year. As we go into our second year of implementing A New Way For A New Day, much has been accomplished; however our new processes are still a work in progress. Each MAT has specific goals and benchmarks established to guide their work, even as they are to be about the ministry of the church in exciting new ways.

Our Many Blessings In 2009

We give our thanks to the Michigan Conference staff and interim staff who have so capably facilitated the ministry that we have just celebrated in the words above: Rev. Judith Youngman, Interim Conference Minister, and Rev. Cheryl Burke, Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Herman Haller, Rev. Bob Case, Rev. Jack Richards, and Rev. Sherry Schacht (the last four serving as Temporary Interim Associate Conference Minister’s, sharing one position). Rev. Dr. Thom Webster began as Interim ACM in November as Revs. Haller, Case, Richards completed their interim ministry among us. Rev. Schacht completed her time with us in the spring. Marcia Beer’s talents and abilities offered in our common ministry are greatly appreciated even as her position was concluded this summer. We have been blessed as well by Site Manager Jeff Boots’ expertise and faithful stewardship of Camp Talahi. While the Site Manager position ceases, we are grateful Jeff will continue to care for the property.

To the Board of Directors, past and present, I give thanks to God for you. Your passion, creativity, commitment, and willingness to give of your treasure, talents, and time never cease to amaze me.

Those of all ages who are stepping forward, to become part of these broader conversations about the ministries to which the Still Speaking God is calling us, are Bearers of the Light of Christ in this time and place. We need to continue considering new facts and information, to see the other side, change our minds, and grow in understanding – together. We need to continue stepping out in faith and confidence, with assurance, hope, and conviction – and prayer. We need you - and your talents, abilities, passion, and faith. We want you to know that no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome (and wanted) here!

As we move forward in 2010, our reach will be multiplied as we continue to join hands as a Conference and collectively address the needs of our members, churches, and our communities. Our Mission Area Team members, Board of Directors, and I will be reaching out to each of our pastors asking them to support our ministries by recommending members from their churches to join the work of the MATs. We need your gifts, talents, faith and commitment so we might develop and offer our best service to God. Our delicate sparks of fresh light are igniting a brilliant new day and dispelling the gloom of night. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. We are on a New Way For a New Day for God makes all things new. Thanks be to God!

We join our voices with Paul the Evangelist: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 35-39)

Holding you and your church in prayer, as I hope you are holding me, the Board of Directors, our Conference Staff and the entire Michigan Conference in yours, during these holy days and into the New Year - and God’s new day!!

In the love of Christ,

Rev. Catherine Batten Balk

President, Michigan Conference Board of Directors