August 7^th, 2009

              111^th    Weekly Edition                                     2009  GRR CURRENTS

JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS

·         Rev. David Artman at FCC Harrison, AR, in the death of his father, James Artman on Tuesday evening of this week.

·         Rev. Donna Rountree at FCC Conway, AR, in the death of her mother, Betty Maness.

·         Cleo Hataway, widow of Harry Hataway, passed away last week. Harry was minister in Crowley, LA for many years, then went to Hammond and was there until he retired from the Ministry due to health problems.

·         Rev. Barbara Jones, Regional Minister, father, Gerry, had knee replacement surgery.  He is recovering in Kansas City.

·         Congratulations River of Grace CC on your baptisms in the river!  What a wonderful celebration of their faith.  Rev. Holly Patton, Pastor.

·         Congratulations Rev. Ann Pickett-Parker, New Generation CC, Moss Point, MS was ordained with Rev. Vivian Bryant and Rev. Vance Moore participating.  Also Ann was recognized at the General Assembly.
Congratulations Rev. Jeff Murphy, Jackson, MS.  Association of Professional Chaplains has accepted Jeff’s workshop, "Body Image and Spirituality Following a Medical Crisis" to be presented at their 2010 National Conference.  The conference will be in Schaumburg, IL in April.

NEWS

EVENTS

Another General Assembly of the Christian Church has concluded and we have all returned to our home communities and congregations.  For an overview of the assembly, you can get overviews and commentaries at two primary locations:

http://www.disciples.org/GeneralAssembly/tabid/59/Default.aspx  and

http://www.disciplesworld.com/index.html.

There is a nice article on the Disciples World site about our own Ann Pickett-Parker who was honored by the National Convocation of the Christian Church for her contribution to Christian education in the African American communit. Both sites cover the long and painful debate over “A Call to Action”, the resolution (0925) I asked for your prayers.  It was not approved.  However, those in opposition agreed that the principles of what we were trying to do are principles they agree with, it just needs more work.  Those principles include education prior to the business session with opportunities to hear from diverse voices on issues of ethical, moral and justice issues.  We certainly heard from many voices.  I’m glad I did my part in getting what I heard from each of you into the document and onto the assembly floor, and that all seemed to affirm those principles.  With that, I will step back and let go and let the new leadership take it where it needs to go.

The other major issue that passed with very little debate was the new policies and criteria for the order of ministry which now opens the door for an alternate track to ordination to be recognized denomination wide – not just in our region!  There has been much debate and division over this issue for the last 10 years, and now was the time for it to be approved!

It was good to see so many Great River Region folks at General Assembly.  As I told the Park Hill delegation “now you get to see the other part of my job description – Barb at work in the General church”!  Rick, Vivian and Vance kept the Hospitality Suite going.  Next assembly:  Nashville!

Disciples Men Mini-Retreat in Slidell, LA.  To be held in Slidell, LA on Saturday 15AUG2009.  Michael Elmore of the GRR is excited about this opportunity for the men to rejoice together, learn together, fellowship together and become stronger together.  The Rev Michael Karunas has agreed to lead us in this time together.  Hopefully, an event like this can reoccur in the future in a rotational basis.
   In the effort to keep this simple, congregations are asked to bring a crock pot of chili to enter for judging and lunch.  Slidell DM will furnish drinks, cornbread, fresh fruit and light dessert.  We will
start at 9:00 in men's spirituality until lunch, then about an hour of spirituality closeout and a short update from the GRR Men representatives finishing up ~1:00PM.
   Please promote this among your men to attend.  I believe this event is timely and a natural response to the call of Christian need and action.  God bless you.  IJN, Herve Lara, DM Chair, Slidell DOC

Foundation for Ministry Course.  A number of you have expressed interest in attending the discussion of specific topics.  Click here to see the list of topics and the schedule.

The entire Foundation for Ministry Course is a 14-week survey of 24 topics that are frequently encountered in ministry.  The format will include an opening one-day workshop, 12 teleconference sessions, a closing one-day workshop and an ongoing online conversation blog on www.wallaceresources.us.  The teleconferences will each last 1.25 hours.

New Beginnings.  "Come and See" what New Beginnings is all about!  Matt Rosine from Church Extension will be in Little Rock, AR on the 11th of September and Jackson, MS on the 12th to introduce what the "New Beginnings" project could do for your congregation.  It's a two hour event (time and location TBA) and ALL congregations are encouraged to send their pastor or a leader to attend.  Rick Hamilton will be in Little Rock and Michael Elmore will be in Jackson.  Mark your calendars now and watch for details soon!

Pastors, I need your assistance in our search for transportation for the church.  We are in need of a van or small bus to enhance our community ministry.  I am asking for you to reach out to the churches in the region and inquire as to whether they have a van or bus for sale or donation.  Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.  Also, the new sanctuary is wonderful.  The church is excited about its new location in Pascagoula and we are also as excited about reaching out into the highly diverse community in which we are located.  We are looking forward to all the things that the Lord has in store for us.  We are also planning to have a dedication service in the near future as soon as it is not so hectic with regard to scheduling. Thank you once again and God bless each of you.  Yours In Christ, Rev. James "Jay" Green.  www.newgenerationchristianchurch.com.

MCMC had its 2009 Convention July 23-25 at Duncan Gray Retreat Center in Canton, MS.  The theme for the Convention this year was “Disciples Rising Above it All with the Word of God”.  Rev. Freddie Harris is MCMC President and Elder Patricia Parker is MCMC Vice President. 

Healthcare Reform.  Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You are no doubt aware of the debate on health care reform currently taking place in the United States. I recently attended a conference on health care, organized by and for religious leaders to help us understand the current discussion. We heard from health care policy experts, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mark McClellan (who served in the Bush administration) and other political leaders. They assured us that health care reform can happen this year. But we, the faith community, must act to make it happen.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration and action.  In Christ, Sharon E. Watkins,

General Minister and President.  Click here to read full article.

Disciples News Service.  Click here to see full issue.

• General Minister And President Calls For Disciples' Involvement In Health Care Reform
• Week Of Compassion Announces New Associate Director
• Moderator Newell Williams To Present Historical Reflections At Assembly
• Traveling Communion Table To Grace Chapel At General Assembly
• General Assembly Food Drive Will Help Combat Hunger
• Polish Youth To Visit U.S. Churches, General Assembly
• Historical Society Launches New Online Card Catalogue
• Colorful Bumper Sticker Touts Disciples Statement Of Identity
• Disciples Home Missions Awards Black Leadership Project Grants
• Disciples Benevolent Services Renews Partnership With Youth-Service Organization
• Disciple Among Faith Leaders Talking Health Care Reform At White House; Health Care Reform Rally To Be Held At Assembly
• Ecumenical Meeting Strives For More Collaboration And Unity
• Lynchburg College Professors Training Educators In St. Lucia
• Northwest Christian University Bolsters Support For Adult And Online Studies

ONLINE Certificate in Pastoral Ministry Courses.  The Missouri School of Religion has four online Certificate in Pastoral Ministry Courses offered this year.  You now have the option of registering for a course online with a credit card.  Just click on the Register Online button.  Please remember that if you order text through Amazon, to use the link on the Missouri School of Religion website, they donate 4% of your sale to us, with no charge to you.  For more information, feel free to contact me.  Krystal Jacobs, Office Administrator, Missouri School of Religion, Center for Rural Ministry, P.O. Box 104685, Jefferson City, MO 65110-4685, Phone:  573-635-1187, Fax:  573-636-2889, Email:  krystalmsr@earthlink.net;  New web:  www.missourischoolofreligion.org

Disciples Institute.

1.        Churches Don’t Have Financial Problems; Churches Have Spiritual Problems! Rick Hamilton, GRR Regional Pastor, and Disciples Institute are presenting a stewardship workshop at Real Faith Christian Church in Clarksdale, MS on Saturday, August 29^th.  Come to learn:

a.   The different reasons people give to the church and how to honor these motivations in stewardship campaigns and stewardship moments.

b.   How to effectively structure a stewardship campaign

c.   How to craft stewardship moments each week in worship to educate your members about abundant living and faithful use of God’s resources.

Please contact Deitra Blackwell at disciplesinstitute@grrcc.org for a brochure and further information.

2.       We are organizing a new Education for Ministry year and want to include you in this life-changing program! It is a four-year program that focuses on the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Disciple History.  We will meet by telephone and/or computer each week for 34 Lessons.  We will have a group that meets in the daytime and one that meets in the evening.  Contact Deitra Blackwell at disciplesinstitute@grrcc.org for more information.

STAFF UPDATES

Cool Resource.  In my research for our upcoming board meeting for Westside Mission, I found the following resource and thought some of you might be interested: http://www.www.independentsector.org/programs/research/ReligiousCong.pdf
It's a study of congregations of all faiths and their service to the community.  What caught my eye was where we pick up people that fall through governmental cracks. Barb

FCC, Little Rock had a special music program celebrating with their Interim Director of Music this year, Jonathon Trotter.  He arranged a program of music that included the choirs and bell choir, and a group of fellow students, faculty, and others.  Jonathon just graduated from UALR and is on his way to graduate school in Illinois.  David King, Interim Pastor.

Women of Kings Highway Christian Church, Shreveport, LA, have put tougher a 225 page cookbook called Heavenly Temptations. It is for VARIOUS projects.  It has wonderful recipes and cost only $10 plus $4.00 shipping. We have about 100 left to sell. My e-mail is SuzanneHR@comcast.net. Sue Rodenroth.

From Barbara Jones:  I am HOME!  It is good to sleep in my own bed!  My dog sitter sent a picture of Gilligan (my dog) sitting at the door Wednesday with a caption saying "Mama, you are coming HOME TODAY, I can't wait to see you!  Dad has improved 100% since he got home from the hospital.  Monday will be 4 weeks since surgery and he is now going to outpatient rehab.  Life has returned to normal at their home, Mom's feeling much better and is on maintenance care for her kidney issues, so I'm back home!

First Christian Church in Little Rock has called Rev. Kevin Robbins as their new pastor and his installation will be the first Sunday in October!

From Rick Hamilton:  This weekend I will be in Fayetteville for the ministry celebration 
honoring Lara Blackwood-Pickrel.  Lara has accepted a call to serve Hillside Christian Church in Kansas City.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

Disciples Christian Fellowship, Texarkana, AR

FCC Harrison, AR (Assoc/Youth)

FCC Russellville, AR

FCC Sherwood, AR

Central CC Shreveport, LA

Please contact me, in confidence, to inquire about any of the above Ministry Opportunities

From Vivian Bryant:  The July issue of the ‘ENCOURAGER’ is out.  Mississippi has the feature article this issue. 

From Michael Elmore:   On Study Leave thru August.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

FCC Leesville, LA 

FCC Vicksburg, MS

FCC Lake Charles, LA

Broadmoor CC, Shreveport, LA

FCC Baton Rouge, Associate Minister

From Vance Moore:  In General Assembly we had a hospitality suite to showcase Westside Mission and the Great River Region. Please keep us in your prayers. This event helped us to keep the Mission operating for the next year. As folks came by to visit we were able to tell the story of the Great River Region and our work to help the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Louisiana, and New Orleans.

                On last Sunday I worshiped with Salem Christian Church in Port Gibson, MS.  Salem is the oldest Disciples congregation in the Mississippi Christian Missionary Convention.

MCMC:  This past week the Mississippi Christian Missionary Convention met at Duncan Gray Center just north of Canton, MS.  The 122^nd anniversary of MCMC was celebrated with worship services, workshops, business sessions and the ordination of Ann Pickett-Parker.  Elder Patricia Parker of East Percy St. Christian Church in Greenwood is the new President and Rev. Russell Myers of the United Christian Church in Jackson is the new Vice President.  Please keep them in your prayers as they continue the MCMC traditions.

Westside Mission:  UCC Churches from Englewood CO and surrounding area met UMC churches from North Carolina (78 total!) at Westside for two weeks of work and fellowship. Thanks to Eric, Amanda and Amy for leading these groups and for all the hard work!

                Harvard Avenue Youth group from Tulsa, OK returned and their 15 parents and youth worked hard in the lower 9^th ward!

                Countryside CC came with 11 from Mission, Kansas.  This first trip was a great success and they plan to return.  Come on back!!  WHERE DID YOU SEE GOD TODAY?

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

     Bethel Christian Church—Coila, MS

     Christian Chapel Christian Church—Port Gibson, MS

     Highland Drive Christian Church—Jonesboro, AR

From Sara Rozzell:  Summer Celebration is August 14-16 at King's Highway CC in Shreveport. Hope to see you all there!

For more information check out the youth page of the website on www.grrcc.org.