| The intersection of
Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay is the site for a meeting of the
Executive Committee of the International Congregational Fellowship
and its commissions June 2-10, 2003. The Panorama Hotel
located near the beautiful and inspiring Iguassu Falls, which were
featured in the movie The Mission, is the location for the
committee meetings. Awesome meeting venues are not, however, the
primary purpose of the International Congregational Fellowship.
Keeping contact alive between Congregationalists and
Congregational bodies on an international basis is the reason the
I.C.F. exists. To that end, the Executive Committee will be
working on plans for its next quadrennial meeting in Athens,
Greece, in 2005. Following the Executive Committee meetings,
the Theological Commission of the I.C.F. will hold a series of
seminars for Pastors and members of the local Brazilian and
Argentinean Congregational Associations. A youth rally
sponsored by the Youth Commission of the I.C.F. will take place.
Contacts made at I.C.F. meetings have led to opportunities for the
NACCC and individuals supported by the NACCC throughout the world.
Education at the University at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and
the British Seminar for CFTS students are two significant
situations which enhance the life of continuing Congregationalism
as a result of interaction between people gathered together at
I.C.F. meetings.
The International Congregational Fellowship is supported, in
large measure, by voluntary contributions by individuals through
AMCO (the American Committee for the I.C.F.). If you would
like to know more about I.C.F., please contact me (1446 Roxburgh,
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 337-3937, or Rev. Dr. James
Schibsted (First Cong. Church, 515 N State College Blvd., Anaheim,
CA 92806, (714) 776-0960, Email:
schibsted1@aol.com
MARK JENSEN IS SELECTED AS PASTOR OF THE
YEAR!
The Academy of Parish Clergy has elected our own Rev.,
mark Jensen, "Pastor of the Year." Mark, Liane, and Tom
Richard will be attending the annual meeting of the Academy (this
year in Orlando) for the presentation. He was chosen based
on excellence, faithfulness, and competence in pastor ministry.
Mark's outstanding ministry to North Church, his involvement in
ecumenical and interfaith activities, and his work with the wider
Associations of Michigan and the NACCC quickly placed him at the
top of the NA's nominating list. We are proud that this is
the first Congregational clergy to win the award. For more
info on the Academy and their good work among clergy, go to their
website - www.apclergy.org.
EXECUTIVE VISITS
Wisconsin Assoc. Mtg, Faith Comm. (Franklin, WI);
Plymouth CC (Kenosha, WI); Winnetka Congregational.
PROVIDENCE FELLOWSHIP GRANT FUND
A fund to help small Churches attend the Annual Meeting
in Providence has been started by the moderator-elect Dr. Donald
Bentley with a $500 challenge. Others have already started
contributing to it. If you would like to help make it
possible for a Church to benefit from the fellowship and
inspiration of an Annual Meeting, please contact the NACCC office.
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