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National Association of Congregational Christian Churches,  P.O. Box 288, Oak Creek, WI  53154
414-764-1620 
Email: naccc@naccc.org   Web Site: http://www.naccc.org

by Phil Jackson

As I travel I encourage our clergy to join local and regional clergy groups for their personal growth and welfare. Here's my top ten reasons why I think you should. Five are serious and five are otherwise.

10. You can find out you are not completely crazy. There are others experiencing the same things you are.
  9. You see other pastors as peers and co-workers, and not as the competition.
  8. You feel supported by others--through prayer and fellowship--who know what you are going through.
  7. You find out what God is doing in your community.
  6. You find a safe place to share your struggles and problems without being afraid they'll come back to 
       haunt you.

(And on a lighter side):

  5. You meet a group of people who appreciate the way you dress.
  4. You discover a whole new pool for potential staff members.
  3. You find a place where you can figure out how to exchange sheep.
  2. You learn that all of you have been helping the same "poor" family, which explains their driving a new 
       BMW.
  1. You find a group who appreciate your jokes, maybe.

ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE
We asked for volunteers to help us in the office with the library, mailings, filing, etc. and behold they appeared! Our thanks to Peg Muth, of Hutchinson, KS Church (living in the Milwaukee area), Cecile Wilson (a retiree who was referred to us through her daughter, a member at Faith Comm. Church in Franklin), Tea Graham, a member of Faith Comm. Church, and LeeAnne Richard (a member of No. Shore Church) for signing up to regularly volunteering at the NA office.

WHERE DO MINISTERS COME FROM?
They come from your church and other NACCC member churches. The Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies (CFTS) depends on you to let us know who might be interested in full-time ministry and attending seminary. If you know someone who might be a future minister, call or email Phil Jackson or Karen Frazzell at the NACCC office. Without your help, even we don't know where ministers come from.

USDA FUNDS SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAMS IN MICHIGAN
We have information at the NA office about grants to faith-based organizations in Michigan who would be open to providing A Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to children in danger of malnutrition. Rather than have the government make direct contact with your Churches, we are providing Michigan Churches with the information so that, if they wish, they can contact USDA directly.

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