2022 All Congregational Gathering

October 15, 2022

Christian Conference Center, Newton, IA

Come be Disciples Together at the Christian Conference Center in Newton for the 2022 All Congregational Gathering. Spend the day with Disciples from across the Upper Midwest in fellowship, worship, and learning as we explore ideas about how to be the church in the world today!

Schedule for the Day

9:00-10:00 a.m. Arrival/Check-in

10:00 a.m. Opening Welcome and Worship

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learning Sessions

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Fun and Fellowship Fair

1:00-2:00 p.m. Learning Sessions

2:00-3:30 p.m. Business Session and Closing Worship

Learning Sessions

Learning Sessions will take on a completely new form this year with three topics options during each learning block. Presenters will cover innovative solutions that they've employed to deal with some of the problems congregations are facing today. Topics for the sessions include: Christian Education, Worship, Resource Sharing, Church Finance, Leadership/Innovation, and Mission.

For each topic, three ministry concepts will be presented with time allowed for discussion at the end.

See the full schedule of presentations here!

**All Learning Sessions will be recorded and shared after the event, so no need to worry if you can't attend all of the topics that spark your interest!

Join the Banner Procession!!!

All Upper Midwest congregations are invited to bring a banner to the 2022 All Congregational Gathering. Members will process with banners during the Opening Worship and display them around the room for the day.

Participants in the processional are asked to arrive by 9 a.m. on Oct. 15 and meet in the College Avenue Worship Center to prepare.

Any congregation that is unable to send a member to the All Congregational Gathering is welcome to drop their banner off ahead of time (or send it along with a neighboring congregation) to be included in the processional.

Please make sure that your banner is labeled with your congregation's name for easy return.

Worship

We will open and close our day with worship together.

Opening worship will include a processional of banners representing the congregations of the Upper Midwest.
Music will be led by musicians from First Christian Church, Coraville/Iowa City.
We will celebrate the ministries of the region and offer our struggles in prayer together as we listen to how God is calling us to serve the Upper Midwest.

Fun and Fellowship Fair

Lunch will be provided free of charge as we enjoy games and activities on the grounds of the CCC. Activities for all ages and interests will be available as well as space for fellowship with your Disciples friends from across the region.

Regional Business

A brief business session will take place immediately before the closing worship service. Business will include:

Announcement of the 2022-2023 Operations Council members.

The Operations Council is composed of 22 members. Eight (8) of these are clergy representatives and 14 are lay leaders representing the geographic areas of the Upper Midwest.

A Presentation and vote on the 2023 Regional Budget

Clergy Nominations

Lay Leader Nominations

Child Care and Children's Program

Child Care will be provided during the opening worship, learning sessions, and business session. Nursery care for children up to age 6 will be provided as well as a school-age children's program. Closing worship will include activities for all ages.

Show Us Your Best!

All Upper Midwest congregations are also invited to record a short video (1-2 minutes long) with a member sharing one thing that your congregation does especially well. We would love to hear about a favorite ministry, a favorite part of worship, or any other aspect of your congregational life that your members might lift up with pride.

These short videos will be compiled to be shared as part of the 2022 All Congregational Gathering. Videos can be emailed to office@uppermidwestcc.org or uploaded to this Google Drive folder.

Help us tell the story of what makes Upper Midwest congregations great!