115^th    Weekly Edition                                     2009  GRR CURRENTS

JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS

Congratulations to Rev. Rufus Edwards of Port Gibson, MS on his call to Christian Chapel CC.

Congratulations Rev. Dana Hoover on his call to First Christian Church, Russellville, AR

Congratulations FCC Baton Rouge, LA has called an Associate Minister, Rev. Laura Phillips, a recent graduate of Lexington Theological Seminary.  We welcome Laura to FCC Baton Rouge and our Region.

Rev. Josh Baird at Grace DOC in Covington, LA, along with 18 other Disciples- are in Eagle, Alaska until September 15th (they left August 21st).  Prayers are appreciated for them and the small village they are serving.  The trip was organized through Disciples Volunteering in response to a personal plea from FEMA.  Disciple volunteers are assisting in the clean-up and rebuilding from catastrophic ice jams & flooding which occurred in May along the Yukon River leaving many homeless.  Winter begins in just a few short weeks in Eagle, Alaska.  Temperatures during the winter can be as cold as -80 degrees.  You can find out more by visiting Josh's Mission Blog www.gd4jc.org.

Congratulations to Rev. David and Rinda Coleman on the birth of their newest granddaughter. Avery Cecilia Capaci, was born at 4:13 a.m. today, September 11.  She weighs 7 lbs. 10 oz. and is 19 inches long. Mom, Dad, Big Brother Coleman, and all the extended family are fine.

NEWS and

EVENTS

New Beginnings.  "Come and See" what New Beginnings is all about!  Matt Rosine from Church Extension will be at FCC Little Rock, AR, 1500 N. Mississippi Avenue on Friday, September 11^th from 1:30 to 3:30 and at FCC Jackson, MS, 645 Briarwood Drive on September 12th from 2 to 4pm to introduce what the "New Beginnings" project could do for your congregation.  It's a two hour event 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.  Click here to see the brochure.This program is an assessment tool designed to help those churches that may be struggling with questions about the future - what will we do in the future, or even will we still be here in the future?  The assessment service that this program provides helps churches make good decisions for the future.  To date, over 100 Disciples churches have experienced renewed witness in their communities thanks to New Beginnings.  New Beginnings service provides:

·     personalized data about your congregation and community

·     a model for analyzing the data and drawing conclusions for your ministry

·     leadership training

·     a small group discussion process for reaching a decision about your church's future

Foundation for Ministry Course.  Next Session Begins September 12.

The Foundations Course for Ministry looks at 24 areas of ministry giving helpful perspectives and practical tools.  It is intended for licensed ministers, church staff members, and those discerning a call into the ministry.  The Course takes place over 13 weeks and is a combination of 12 weekly webinars (1¼ hours each) and two Saturday gatherings.  Topics covered include the Bible, Spiritual Disciplines, Connecting People to God, Ethics, Administration, Conflict, Worship, Stewardship, Group Dynamics, Counseling, Communication Skills, Theology, Preaching/Teaching, Learning Methods, Church History, Disciples of Christ, Pastoral Care, Goal Setting/Evaluating, Relationships, Wedding/Funeral & Special Services.

  Some of the comments from participants are:

       “These classes have been very helpful to me. I would recommend anyone considering the ministry to participate.”                                                         Pam Decker, FCC, Newport, AR

        “These classes are really very well taught and explained. I feel that I have learned a lot from them and am sure that anyone who takes these classes will have a much broader outlook on everything from Spiritual Discipline to the Bible. I am very happy to say I personally have learned a whole lot more than I expected in such a short time.”           Marilou Coins, FCC, Sherwood, AR

        “I think the variety of topics that are covered are very good. I like the pace that you go over the material. It never drags and the information is very good. I’ve learned a lot “

                                                                                              Karen Allen, FCC, Guthrie, OK

The Foundations Course is taught by Rev. Stephen Wallace and Dr. Julie Wallace (licensed psychologist). Cost for the entire course is $395.  To sign up or find out more email Rev. Stephen Wallace at swallacegs@aol.com or call (501) 217-9129.

On September 18th and 19th First Christian Church of Sherwood (2803 East Kiehl, Sherwood) will be hosting a workshop on Spiritual Maturity.  This workshop will look at what spiritual maturity is and is not, misguided effort to reach it and tools to help achieve it.  The workshop will begin on Friday evening at 6:30 and run until 8:30pm.  We will pick back up at 9am on Saturday and conclude by noon.  Cost for the workshop is $20/person (group rates available).  Attached is a poster for this workshop and if you would be willing to print it and post it at your church we would be grateful.  For more information or to pre-register please contact:   

Steve Wallace, swallacegs@aol.com, (501) 217-9129.

Central Christian Church, Hattiesburg, MS on Sunday, October 11 will be celebrating their church's founding.  They will be having a group photo of members and friends of the church following the worship service.  Also a covered dish luncheon will follow the worship service.

FCC Meridian has a unique Raffle for Missions -- see attached -- tickets and a place to stay for the Arkansas / Ole Miss game on the Ole Miss 20 yard line...  Now, you realize here in the GRR, right here in the GRR (think "Music Man"...) we have LSU, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, U of A, Arkansas State, UA/Pine Bluff, to name a few... and of course let's include TCU in the mix...  so I'm just sayin'... anyone who wins those tickets can wear whatever they want to the game and root for whichever team they want!!  It's for MISSION... and that's what we are about!  Barb

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 or http://www.disciplesworld.com/index.html.  Next assembly:  Nashville!

Disciples Men.  A Truly Blessed Day for DM in SE sector of GRR.  FCC Slidell hosted a Disciples Men Min-Retreat on 15 Aug.  29 Men from five churches: Moss Point, MS, Slidell, Greater New Orleans, Hammond and Baton Rouge, LA attended.  The Rev Michael Karunas delivered an outstanding interactive presentation.  Skip Mullen of Slidell won the judged chili cook-off and all enjoyed a great luncheon of man-food.  The event was closed in joyful noise, Communion and Benediction.

Click here to see PICTURES that have uploaded to the FCCSlidell Photobucket account.
I have linked it below.  The password is 'jesussaves'. 
http://s611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/FCCSlidell/Mens%20Retreat/

First Christian Church Fayetteville, Arkansas is seeking applications for a part time Youth Minister position.  For ministry description and further inquiries, please contact Sara Hamilton, Search Committee chair, at (479) 586-1814 (cell) or shamilton@kraft.com.

First Christian Meridian, MS.  Mission Video of where we will be in Venezuela Aug 22-29 ROW Mission.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7O-YburrO4&feature=channel_page 
This is last year's video of the Venezuela Mission Trip to the Warao Indians.  We are flying into Caracas and then driving all day to the river.  Two hour boat ride to our lodge on the river.  Leader: Ben Mathes, Rivers of the World Founder www.ROW.org.  Sharing the gospel via solar powered DVD players of The Jesus Film in Warao Indian language.  Medical trip too!

Please pray for our team of 12.  Thank you.  Tom "Parson" Sikes, TRSikes@aol.com

Union Avenue Christian Church:  DOES YOUR CONGREGATION HAVE STUDENT(S) COMING TO ST. LOUIS?  Union Avenue CC, located in the heart of the St. Louis area, would like to be a church home away from home for students at Washington University, Saint Louis University, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, UM St. Louis, etc.  All visitors, including Cardinals, Rams and Blues fans, are welcome.  If you know of someone coming to St. Louis, please help us to reach out to them.   Send contact information to Suzanne Webb, Senior Pastor at: swebb@union-avenue.org or call 314 361 8844.

New Generation Christian Church.  2811 Martin Street, Pascagoula, MS 39561

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.

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

            ·one (1) copy of the Tour Leader
            ·ten (10) copies of the Traveler's Edition
            ·ten (10) copies of the Before You Go 

To order, call 1-800-366-3383 or click here:  A Travel Guide to Christian Faith Group Package.

Cyrus N. White, President and Publisher, CBP/Chalice Press/Lucas Park Books

Disciples Benevolent Services.  Employment opportunity that is currently available with Disciples Benevolent Services.  Advertisement and job description for the position are attached.  We have begun the nation-wide search this week. If you have any questions about the position, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I can be reached at cgraber@nbacares.org.  Sincerely, Cheryl A. Graber, Director of HR Services.

Religious Worker Visas - new rules for employers.  Attached are new rules for employers of religious workers who are here in the United States on R-1 visas.  Rev. Jennifer Riggs, Director

Refugee and Immigration Ministries, jriggs@dhm.disciples.org, (888)346-2631 toll free or

http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/rim.

STAFF UPDATES

From Barbara Jones:  Having Michael back in the field is great!  I was in Baton Rouge last Sunday, and this week we've had staff meeting.  Sunday I'll be participating in the Covenant of Call service for Rev. Shawn Wallace in Rogers, AR and Next week I'll be spending Monday - Wednesday in Seattle doing a Regional Minister orientation for their new RM, Sandy Messick.

From Rick Hamilton:  I will be in Rogers, AR this weekend to celebrate the Covenant of Call for Rev. Shawn Wallace.  Shawn has been called to serve as the Senior Minister of First Christian Church.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

FCC Harrison, AR (Assoc/Youth)

FCC Sherwood, AR

FCC Fayetteville (Youth)

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

From Vivian Bryant:  Preparing for the DW MS Retreat to be held at the Duncan Gray Conference Center in Canton, MS on September 12-13.

Regional Pastor Michael Elmore on sabbatical at Niagara Falls.

 
From Michael Elmore:   I am back from my sabbatical and getting caught up on all that I missed.  My sabbatical was a wonderful time.  The highlight was two weeks in England where I toured London, spent 4 days on retreat at St. Mary the Virgin Convent in Wantage and a week of CE at Oxford University.  I have pictures and stories I will be happy to share with you.  During the sabbatical Peggy and I had some R&R, I began research and writing a paper on Spiritual Foundation for Church Re-Formation, it is about 3/4 completed, will share with you when it is completed hopefully by end of this month.  In other words my sabbatical was a time of rest, study and reconnecting with God.  Thanks for your prayers and for your support while I was away.  I am especially grateful to the Regional Board and Barb for allowing me to have this time.
Search Committees I am currently supporting:
      FCC Leesville, LA 
      FCC Vicksburg, MS

FCC Lake Charles, LA

Broadmoor CC, Shreveport, LA

From Vance Moore:    When I leave Little Rock today I’ll stop by Duncan Gray and visit with Loma Sullivan.  She’s speaking at the MS DWF Retreat.  Hoping to glean some insight into what’s happening in the Dominican Republic.  Keep your eyes on Currents in the next few months for news about “missions”.  The Great River Region is quickly moving towards more mission impact.  I’ll keep you up to date!!  
     I get to spend a lot of “windshield time” in prayer and meditation.  Today is certainly going to be a reflective one.  It’s 9-11. Seems like so long ago yet like yesterday.
     This week I’ll be preaching and worshiping with the folks at Forrest Grove in Pattison.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

     Highland Drive Christian Church—Jonesboro, AR

From Sara Rozzell:  Check out the youth page of the website on www.grrcc.org.