The Spiritual Discernment Mission AreaTeam seeks to empower local churches and clergy in facilitating their worship, education and call.

To achieve this vision we participate in leadership in the following conference wide work and services:

•Youth Initiative/MUCCY (Michigan UCC Youth):
Creating networking possibilities for your on facebook, blogs, e-mail group, etc.  Developing a youth event in conjunction with the Michigan Conference Annual Meeting.  Gathering Association representatives (adults and youth) to meet for planning youth events regionally and conference-wide.  Promoting regionaland national youth events

•Comma work:
Reminding clergy and churches about discernment:  Discernment is the art of listening to our inner selves and learning to recognize (discern) movements that arise from the Holy Spirit within us and distinguish them from those which do not.  This is true for individuals and community life together.

•Partners in Education:
Are available to help local congregations with ministries of education!  Offer workshops to help leaders in congregations plan and develop vibrant ministries of education.

•STEM (Systematic Training for Effective Ministry):
Supporting and connecting with the work of STEM, whose mission in partnership with the Christian Church (DOC) is:  to equip lay leaders, Christian educators, and licensed ministers to carry out their varied ministries through Biblical study, spiritual formation, and by developing leadership skills.

•Immanuel Scholarship:
Oversight of this endowment for the purpose of awarding scholarships for seminary students preparing for ordination and service in the UCC.

•Networking Secretaries:
A priority in 2010 is to create a network of church secreataries that can share resources and support for this important ministry.

Upcoming Opportunities:
»Church and Ministry Day:  April 15
Gather Church and Ministry Committees/Teams from around the conference for training and discussion around common issues of concern.

»Youth Earth Day:   April 18
A youth gathering focused on the Earth and Eco-justice

»Annual Meeting Workshop:   May 15
Train people in use of Faith Practices:  new educational tool provided by the UCC

»Xtreme Youth of the Gospel:   May 14-15
Youth event in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the conference

»Boundary Training:   June 16
Provide boundary training for authorized ministers in the conference

2010 Meeting Dates:
April 28, 2010
June 23, 2010
August 25, 2010

Team Contact Information:
Chair:   Rev. Dr. Todd Farley, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    616-361-2629
Staff:   Rev. Cheryl Burke, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    517-332-3511 x211

How churches can engage with this team:
·Attend meetings and/or pray for the team.
·Support MUCCY events.
·Join the facebook page, contribute to the blog.
·Invite a Partner in Education to provide a workshop in your congregation or Association around educational resources available in the UCC.
·Practice discernment in your meetings...share your experiences with the team and other congregations.
·Send church leaders to STEM class for further learning and leadership development.