Newsletter: FEBRUARY 2026
Revitalization Mini Conferences
We are excited to announce a specific offering for each of our clusters. We have a number of churches wondering what is next and how to seek revitalization for their churches. Our network is offering a Revitalization Mini Conference for churches to explore new ways of looking at their communities and their chuches.
This will be a unique approach to a “conference” where the actual conference will present and explore ideas through collaboration and relational interactions. We welcome Rick Foster, Church Assessment and Resource Associate from VitalChurch as well as Network Leader Ron Fischer, OT Coordinator Thomas Cellilli and CKT Coordinator Luke Schouten as facilitators of our time.
Our first mini conference will be in the Pleasant Prairie cluster (PPC)* on Saturday, March 28th from 10am to 3pm at Wellsburg Reformed Church. The mini conference is free and lunch is provided. Invitations to PPC churches will be sent with registration information next week. We are asking that Consistory member attendance is most important!
Our next two Revitalization Mini Conferences will take place in September (East Central) and November (The Valley).
*Pleasant Prairie cluster churches are: Bethel Aplington, 1st Aplington, Washington, Dumont, Bristow, Trinity Allison, Wellsburg.
Upper Mississippi Valley Network Annual Meeting
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the UMV annual meeting, Learning & Leading the Way on Saturday, June 13th at Sully First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa. National Alliance Pathways Director David Rylaarsdam will be our keynote speaker. As always, worship, fellowship and great equipping sessions will be offered.
Tier 1 Pastors will also be invited to a learning opportunity on Friday, June 12th led by the UMV Ordination Team.
More details on the annual meeting and learning opportunities will follow soon.
Shifting Clusters!
Due to additional churches that have joined the Upper Mississippi Valley Network in Western Illinois, the UMV board has decided to re-arrange some churches into different clusters. Northridge Community Church in Eldridge, Iowa and Christ’s Family Church in Davenport, Iowa will “shift” to the newly named East Central cluster (formerly known as South Central). East Central cluster leader Craig Maasdam met with representatives from each church to discuss the change and take any questions. East Central cluster churches are as follows: New Life Community Church, Coralville, Iowa; Sully First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa; Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa; Northridge Community Church in Eldrige, Iowa; Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and our three Florida Churches: Vida de Reino in Sarasota, New Life in Fruitland Park and Rolling Hills Community Church in Zellwood.
2026 Grants!
Our 2026 grant programs are up and ready. We will continue with the popular Church Creativity Grants and Sabbatical Grants. If you and your church are interested in more information on these grants, reach out to Network Leader, Ron Fischer (ronfischer45@gmail.com) or Grant Chair, Taylor Mabaga (tsm092218@gmail.com).
Looking for Short-Term Missions Opportunities?
Our partner Serge has a number of opportunities for your missions teams or individuals considering missions work. Check out the attached opportunities in Chile, Dominican Republic, North Africa and South Asia.
Recent UMV Network Articles
