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WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: |
MAC Connect 2017 "Hope for the Mountains & Prairies" October 21, 2017 10:00 am - 3:00 pm First United Methodist Church 2800 4th Ave N Billings, Montana |
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:"
Ecclesiastes 3
Ask Yourself......"Is this a time to break down? OR is it a time to build?"
Let’s make this a time when Montanans choose to build!
The Montana Association of Christians (MAC) is gathering together spiritual leaders and theologians to explore ways to CREATE relationships & DEVELOP coalitions to channel love into justice, and strengthen communities in the mountains and on the prairies.
*Continuing education credits are available through the Norther Rockies Institute of Theology (NRIT) - See form below
Let’s make this a time when Montanans choose to build!
The Montana Association of Christians (MAC) is gathering together spiritual leaders and theologians to explore ways to CREATE relationships & DEVELOP coalitions to channel love into justice, and strengthen communities in the mountains and on the prairies.
*Continuing education credits are available through the Norther Rockies Institute of Theology (NRIT) - See form below
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ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US AT MAC CONNECT 2017!
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Speaker & Special Guests
Keynote:
"Building the Good Life for All: A Christian Mandate for Social Justice Where We Are."
Churches of whatever size are called to the same mission of "loving God and neighbor." What that means differs with context. The presentation will ask what it means to be the church where you are. Rural and smaller membership churches are more significant than ever in these days when tearing down seems so much easier than building up. And yet we are called to "build up the body of Christ." What might that mean in Montana?
Keynote Speaker - Professor Shannon Jung
Shannon Jung is Professor Emeritus of Town and Country Ministries at Saint Paul School of Theology. As a Presbyterian minister, he has served in Florida, Minnesota, and Tennessee. His research interests run to social issues such as income inequality, the practice of ministry especially in rural contexts, and the theology of eating.
He loves working with the homeless as a food stamp specialist and also kayaking, his grandkids, and his wife, Patricia Beattie Jung, who incidentally was born in Red Lodge, Montana.
Shannon Jung is Professor Emeritus of Town and Country Ministries at Saint Paul School of Theology. As a Presbyterian minister, he has served in Florida, Minnesota, and Tennessee. His research interests run to social issues such as income inequality, the practice of ministry especially in rural contexts, and the theology of eating.
He loves working with the homeless as a food stamp specialist and also kayaking, his grandkids, and his wife, Patricia Beattie Jung, who incidentally was born in Red Lodge, Montana.
Workshop:
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Workshop:
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Panel Discussion:
“Theological Foundations for Christian Social Ministry”
Some Christians believe we should “take a stand” on social issues. Other Christians believe that we should retreat from an immoral world. And still other Christians believe their faith is a personal source of comfort and strength. How does our faith connect us with the world? This ecumenical panelists will lead us in considering the questions: “Why should Christians be concerned about being moral?” and “How should we act on our deepest religious convictions?”
Panelist - Bishop Jessica Crist
The Rev. Jessica Crist is Bishop of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A resident of Great Falls, she is married to Turner Graybill, a retired attorney. They are members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Montana. Prior to assuming the office of Bishop, Pastor Crist served as Associate to the Bishop for 5 years, and Director of the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology for 18 years. She served congregations in Great Falls, Montana, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started in ministry as a campus pastor. She served on the Transition Team that helped put together the Montana Synod from the predecessor churches, and was elected Synod Secretary at the Constituting Convention. She served in that capacity for 12 years. She has worked with the Montana Association of Churches for many years, including serving as President, and as part of the teaching staff for the Lay Ministry Institute. She has served on the Board of Lutheran World Relief. Her community service over the years has included chairing boards for the local YWCA, the PTA and the hospital’s Women’s Health Board, and has written a column for Montana Woman Magazine for 12 years. |
Panelist - Mike Mulberry
Rev. Mike Mulberry is the Senior Minister at Billings First Congregational Church (UCC). He is the facilitator for Billings Sanctuary Rising, serves on the Native American Council, is the Billings representative for Montana Interfaith Network, and is the Secretary for the Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council Local Food Campaign. Mike’s lifetime partner is Rev. Tracy Heilman, pastor of Columbus Community Congregational Church. Rev. Heilman is a gifted teacher, organizer, and pastor, and is downright beautiful to boot. Mike and Tracy are the proud parents of Jacob, a computer software educator, Abraham, a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, Africa, and Sophia, a wise and talented actress in her Junior year at Billings Senior High School. Mike came to Montana three years ago. He, himself, is friendly. |
Panelist - Valerie Webster
The Rev. Valerie Webster, Ecumenical and Inter-religious Officer of the Diocese of MT, participates in Ecumenical and Inter-religious ministry at multiple levels. In Associate Priest at All Saints in Big Sky, a shared ministry of the Episcopal and ELCA Lutheran churches, she is a part of a diverse worshipping community. She organizes and facilitates ecumenical retreats, and helped found (in 2006) and continues to facilitate WEBS, Women’s Ecumenical Bible Study. She seeks to integrate ecumenical and interreligious insights and inspirations to all she undertakes. May of 2017 she and her husband, Jim Webster, a member of Bozeman United Methodist Church, celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. They have three twenty-something children. |
Panelist - Doug Garner
Rev. Doug has been a pastor for 37 years. He has degrees from the University of Oregon, Tel Aviv University, and Emory University. He has served churches in Washington, Georgia, Idaho and Montana. He is currently the Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church in Billings. He is married to Lisa and has four grown children |
Moderator - David Andersen
A retired pastor, Dave served United Methodist Churches for over 40 years. His career has been focused on Jesus' demands for social justice as articulated in Matthew 25:31-46. He currently works with two foundations that address the educational and cultural needs of Tibetan refugees in India. Dave also works with the Sacred Heart Ashram, a shelter for homeless men, woman and children in the South Indian state of Kerala. He is the father of three children and the grandfather to eight. During the 2018 Montana Legislative Session Dave will help to provide a regular MAC presence at the State Capitol.
A retired pastor, Dave served United Methodist Churches for over 40 years. His career has been focused on Jesus' demands for social justice as articulated in Matthew 25:31-46. He currently works with two foundations that address the educational and cultural needs of Tibetan refugees in India. Dave also works with the Sacred Heart Ashram, a shelter for homeless men, woman and children in the South Indian state of Kerala. He is the father of three children and the grandfather to eight. During the 2018 Montana Legislative Session Dave will help to provide a regular MAC presence at the State Capitol.
Networking Session:
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Moderator - Kendra Wilde
Rev. Kendra Wilde serves as MAC’s President Elect and as Associate Pastor at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Helena. She is passionate about attending to the spiritual and physical hunger of the Lord’s sheep. |
First United Methodist Church
2800 4th Ave N
Billings, MT
2800 4th Ave N
Billings, MT
Registration is OPEN
Stay Tuned for updates.....
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most up to date information on MAC Day. More information and details will be sent through our newsletter, and posted right here on our event page.
Like us and follow us on Facebook @MontanaAssociationofChristians & Twitter @MT_Christians
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most up to date information on MAC Day. More information and details will be sent through our newsletter, and posted right here on our event page.
Like us and follow us on Facebook @MontanaAssociationofChristians & Twitter @MT_Christians
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For continuing education credits, download the "Certificate of Participation", complete, and submit the form post conference attendance.
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