117^th    Weekly Edition                                     2009  GRR CURRENTS

JOYS AND PRAYER CONCERNS

Congratulations to Rev. David and Rinda Coleman at FCC Greater New Orleans, LA, on the birth of their newest granddaughter.  Avery Cecilia Capaci, born Sept 11^th.  She weighs 7 lbs.10 oz. and 19 inches long.  Mom, Dad, Big Brother Coleman, and all the extended family are fine.

Rev. Josh Baird has returned from Eagle, Alaska where he was working with Disciple Volunteering following flooding that occurred in the area.  Thanks to all for your prayers.

October 4 will be the Covenant of Call ceremony (Installation) for Rev. Kevin Robbins at First Christian Church in Little Rock, AR.

James Paul Stribling, brother of Rev. Zena McAdams, pastor of Northwest Christian Church, Oklahoma City, and former Transitional Regional Minister for Louisiana - founding regional minister of the Great River Region - died on Thursday, September 17.  Graveside services were held at Acton Cemetery on Hwy 167 in Acton, Texas.  Arrangements are being handled by East Gate Funeral Home in Garland, TX.  Zena McAdams home address is:  3421 NW 41^st, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
 

NEWS and

EVENTS

Disciples Women.  The deadline for the next issue of the ‘Encourager’ is here.  Please submit your articles as soon as possible to the regional office, office@grrcc.org.  Thanks so much.

First Christian Church of Leesville, LA located at 400 North Fourth Street invites you to a dedication of a Louisiana State Historic Marker commemorating the history of the church.  This event will be held on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 12:30pm.

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!

FCC Fayetteville, AR located at 220 N. College Avenue will be hosting Congo Awareness Week October 18-24.  This is a global initiative led by students, churches and grassroots activists to educate the world community about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to help support the people of the Congo in their quest for control of their land and their country.
Click here to see the flyer that contains all of the details. Congo Awareness Week is something already supported by Global Ministries and Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins.

Foundation for Ministry Course.  Next Session begins soon……

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.

Martha Grace Reese, author of the highly acclaimed Unbinding the Gospel:  Real Life Evangelism, will direct research to discover, evaluate, and work with the dynamic of congregational transformation through faith development and faith sharing. The Lilly Endowment has awarded a major new four-year grant to support this second phase of the Mainline Evangelism Project, which will be called the Unbinding the Gospel Project.  The purposes of the Unbinding the Gospel Project phase are:  
    1. to provide coaching that will support 1000+ congregations to use the Real Life Evangelism Series (Unbinding the Gospel, Unbinding Your Church, and Unbinding Your Heart) in the most systematic and effective way possible, and
    2. to encourage pastors and lay leaders in 1000 congregations to work together as "field researchers," in "Communities of inquiry," to help discover the dynamics of church transformation.

"The most important point of the Unbinding the Gospel Project will be to help churches and their leaders slow down and pray. We believe with all our hearts that if we will ask Jesus to use us, and if we follow humbly and simply, that Spirit can use us to reach tens of thousands of people who do not have a conscious relationship with Christ, or who are not part of a loving faith community. Congregations interested in being a part of the study may contact Reese at www.GraceNet.info.

Church Law and Tax Update.  Does a church have a legal right to keep people from coming to church? Let's say an individual disrupts your worship service to the extent that your members fear for their safety. You ask this person to leave the church and not return, but the following week he comes back. How should your greeters or ushers respond? Can you legally prohibit him from accessing the church's property?
Our new download, Dealing with Dangerous People, takes a long look at this topic, arming you with practical information to help you act decisively when threatening situations arise. Richard Hammar also offers a legal perspective on the topic on our newest site, TheYourChurchBlog.com. Also in this issue:  Protecting Your Church's Tax-Exempt Status

• Do house churches need to apply for tax-exempt status? Richard Hammar addresses this topic in a new video.
• Coming in Church Law & Tax Report: What the IRS will look for when they audit ministers.  Subscribe today to receive the November/December issue!

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

Available Now from Chalice Press: A Travel Guide to Christian Faith (by Dawn Weaks) has three components. The Before You Go booklet gives first-time seekers an easy-to-understand synopsis of the Christian faith. If they wish to learn more, the Traveler's Edition serves as a student workbook, while the Tour Leader is for the instructor.
This group package offers a 25% discount off the regular full price, and includes:

            ·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:  Fellowshiped with the Disciples Women at FCC Pine Bluff speaking on the Dominican Republic Monday night, and then on vacation until September 30.

From Rick Hamilton:  This weekend I am in West Virginia serving as keynote speaker for the Men's Retreat.
Search Committees I am currently supporting:

FCC Harrison, AR (Assoc/Youth)

FCC Sherwood, AR

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

From Vivian Bryant:  Preparing for the DW LA Retreat to be held at the Tall Timbers Retreat Center in Woodworth, LA on October 2^nd – 4^th.
Attending the Disciples Women AR Cabinet meeting to be held this weekend at Park HIll CC in North Little Rock, AR.
 

From Michael Elmore:   I will be preaching at FCC Slidell this Sunday and then meeting with leaders at Grace DOC in the afternoon.  Next Monday and Tuesday I will be attending the Louisiana InterChurch Conference Board Meeting in Baton Rouge.

I would encourage you to check out the web page for The Academy of Spiritual Leadership, it is a wonderful program that has been developed over the past 12 years to develop Leadership, lay and clergy, in our churches http://www.la-umc.org/ssl/asl.php

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

FCC Leesville, LA  

FCC Vicksburg, MS

FCC Lake Charles, LA

FCC Gulfport, MS

From Vance Moore:  On Sunday I preached at FCC Blytheville and then enjoyed fellowship dinner with the church.  Loads of good food and desserts were the order of the day!  Then in the afternoon Blytheville Pastor Tommy Carney and I traveled to FCC Mammouth Springs for an ice cream supper.  Homemade banana and vanilla ice cream plus a table loaded with homemade pies and pastries.  The hospitality and love of both of these northeast Arkansas churches was a treat and a true blessing.

On Monday I attended the Disciples Women “salad supper” in Jonesboro.  The food was typical “Disciples Women”, WONDERFUL!  Then the real wonderful happened.  We were treated to a keynote sermon by visiting pastor, Rev. Deborah Matthews.  Rev. Matthews has also been a “frequent flyer” in pulpit supply for Jonesboro Highland Drive this summer.  Loved by all, Rev. Matthews delivered an inspiring talk.

This Sunday I’ll worship with Westside Christian Church in New Orleans, LA as I prepare for volunteers coming to Westside Mission.

Westside Mission:  On Sunday First Christian Church Harrison AR will arrive with 14 volunteers.  The Harrison group are regular volunteers.  Dick Henry called today and said they’re packing and ready to head south.  We’ll work on Gloria Vincent’s house, Henry Smith’s house, one of Elijah Christian Ministries apartments, and another house in the Tremae’ area that’s almost ready for the homeowner to come home.  We’ll keep you posted!!
                    OH BY THE WAY, WHERE DID YOU SEE GOD TODAY?