January 15th, 2010
|
128th Weekly Edition 2010 GRR CURRENTS |
|
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS |
Our hearts are heavy with the tragic earthquake in Haiti. Please refer to our webpage for details: www.grrcc.org. Two immediate opportunities exist to help: to give to the special appeal through our WEEK OF COMPASSION, designated to Haiti, and 100% will go to relief efforts through our workers and partners in ministry in recovery efforts. Donations may be made online at http://www.weekofcompassion.org, they can be sent to our office and we will forward as usual, or you can send them to Week of Compassion in Indianapolis. The second opportunity is to make baby kits and hygiene kits for Church World Service. Details are linked on our webpage to CWS. Their warehouse for all states west of the Mississippi is in Little Rock, Arkansas! Tiffany Jones, daughter of Tina Jones, our administrative assistant in the regional office, gave birth on January 14 to Stephanie Louise Jones in Jackson, Mississippi. Stephanie was 6lbs, 6oz, 19 ½ inches long and is a beautiful healthy baby. Tina will continue to work from Jackson while Tiffany recovers from a cesarean section and begins back to class ASAP. Sympathy is extended to our Moderator – Elect, Rev. Gene Lawson, whose father, Bishop Earl Eugene Johnson passed from this life to the next early in the morning on January 15th. Rev. Michael Noble Riggs will be ordained to Christian Ministry by the Great River Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the local congregation of First Christian Church in Bossier City, LA, on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church located at 2205 Shed Road in Bossier City. The Rev. Dr. Graham F. Riggs, pastor of First Christian Church, will direct the service. The Rev. Barbara Jones, Regional Minister of the Great Giver Region, will preside over the ordination and the “laying on of hands” by Elders and Clergy. Representatives from both the Great River and Southwest Regions of the Christian Church will be participating as well as faculty from Brite Divinity School. The Rev. Dr. Jerry Kirkpatrick of Westwind Christian Church in Keller, TX will deliver the sermon. Click here to see full press release. Rev. Stan McDougal’s, Pastor of Parkview CC in Little Rock, mother was in the hospital in ICU in Frankfort, Kentucky. She is a life-long member of First Christian Church Frankfort, KY. She was dismissed from the hospital on Friday. She is now at the Masonic home in Shelbyville, KY for rehab and therapy. It was a tough week. Don't think at this stage she will be able to return to her apartment. Taking each step as it comes. Last weekend was not sure she would be here today. Appreciate your concern. Stan. FCC Harrison Arkansas welcomes new Youth Director Cindy Adler this week. Congratulations to Cindy and the congregation upon God's calling you together in life and service. |
|
NEWS and EVENTS |
First Christian Church Harrison Arkansas welcomes new Youth Director Cindy Adler this week. Congratulations to Cindy and the congregation upon God's calling you together in life and service. Disciples Mission Fund. We have a new look! The link below will take you to Disciples Mission Fund's website to view Comparative reports of offerings received by region. www.disciplesmissionfund.org. Disciples World. The award-winning journal of news, opinion, and mission for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will cease publication after almost eight years. Click here to see the full press release. Disciples World website, www.disciplesworld.com. Foundation Course for Ministry. Next Series Begins Mid-January, 2010. 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. Part of the uniqueness of this Course is that it can be take from wherever you have a highspeed interenet connection. The Course takes place over 13 weeks and is a combination of weekly online webinars (1¼ hours each topic) and two Saturday events. Topics covered include the Bible Introduction, New Testament Introduction, Old Testament Introduction, Spiritual Disciplines, Connecting People to God, Ethics, Administration, Conflict, Worship, Stewardship, Group Dynamics, Counseling, Communication Skills, Introduction to Theology, Preaching/Teaching, Learning Methods, Church History, Disciples of Christ Basics, 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 complete course is $395. To sign up or find out more email Rev. Stephen Wallace at swallacegs@aol.com or call (501) 217-9129. Some Scholarship funds may be available for those qualifying. Wallace SC&W, www.wallaceresources.us. Disciples Women. As we continue to work on our Quadrennial Assembly service project to bring an end to human trafficking, I wanted to bring to your attention this new film, co-produced by George Clooney, that deals with the sexual exploitation of children. Called “Playground,” we have written to the publicist of the film to see if there is a possibility of having a showing at the theaters across from the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro during QA next year. Meanwhile, please help publicize this new film so if there is a showing in your area women might be encouraged to attend. Adonna Boman. http://www.nestfoundation.org/film/. Click here to see the latest issue of ‘VOICES’ newsletter and ‘Umaja’ newsletter. Disciples Institute. Disciples of Christ – 19th Century Roots – 21st Century Mission. One-Day workshop at Park Hill Christian Church, Saturday, February 27, 2010, Dr. Amy Artman, Instructor. As Disciple churches across our nation are looking at redefining their mission and ministries, all of us would probably be surprised to learn the similarities between today’s issues and the issues our founders faced. We would probably also be impressed by the ways they addressed those issues. The things we take for granted as Disciples: · RESTORATION of NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY · CHRISTIAN UNITY · PRIESTHOOD of BELIEVERS · OPEN COMMUNION · BELIEVER’S BAPTISM have been part of us from the beginning! Are these things that the world needs? If your people could share this good news, would your church be a more vital, more effective, more transformed? Of course it would! Take a moment to consider the difference it will make when your people can build on their heritage as they follow God’s Spirit into the future! Then plan to bring your entire congregation to this workshop! Each church can bring its entire congregation for a single fee of $200.00! Contact Deitra Blackwell – 501-517-2474 or deitra.d.blackwell@comcast.net – for more information.
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. ·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. FCC Slidell, LA is building a Community Center on their site in March 2010. The facility will be used as a mission outreach to the community. Disciples Volunteering is sponsoring the Blitz Build. If your church is interested in participating in the build, you can call Brenda Tyler at 317-713-2642 or go to www.disciplehomemissions.org/Volunteer/SpecialProjects/SpringBreak.htm FCC is asking for materials donations form churches, individuals, or companies. Click here to see the list of materials needed. Contact Josh Baird at 985-778-6915 or at joshbaird@hotmail.com if you can donate. Also, for more information, you can call Rev. Susan Lassalle at 985-643-8623. Black Ministers Retreat 2010. The office of Black Ministries is happy and excited to announce that the Black Ministers Retreat of 2010 will be held March 1-4, 2010 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Our host for this event will be Bishop Chester L. Aycock, Presiding Prelate of The Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly of The Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ International. This will be a historical moment for the office of Black Ministries, Disciples Home Missions, the Black Ministers Fellowship and National Convocation. In the thirty-five year history of Black Ministers Retreat, this will be the first time that this event has been hosted by one of the Assembly Churches. The Black Ministers Retreat is a national church event and is open to all clergy of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ. Please feel free to pass along the attached information. Karen Jones, Admin Asst, Phone: (317) 713-2672 or toll free (888)346-2631, kjones@dhm.disciples.org, Web site: http://www.discipleshomemissions.org Disciples' Bicentennial History Book and Workshops. There are less than two months left during the Disciples’ Bicentennial Anniversary! We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the publication of The Disciples: A Struggle for Reformation, our bicentennial history (2009) authored by D. Duane Cummins. It is the successor to Journey in Faith, written by McAllister & Tucker in 1972. The reviews for Cummins' new volume are highly favorable, strong and solid. cumminsdd@gmail.com, 255 Sears Lane, Swanton, Maryland 21561, 301-387-8088. New Minister of Faith and Giving. A Disciples pastor whose church has demonstrated outstanding stewardship has been called to serve as the new Minister of Faith and Giving. Bruce Barkhauer, senior minister of First Christian Church (DOC) in Jeffersonville, Ind., will assume his new position beginning on Feb. 1. Click here to read full press release. |
|
STAFF UPDATES |
From Barbara Jones: After a busy week in the office with much concern over ongoing events in Haiti, I will be officiating in the ordination of Michael Riggs at First Christian Church, Bossier City, Louisiana, then traveling on to the Mid-Winter Mission in New Orleans. From Rick Hamilton: This weekend I will be participating in the Ordination Service of Pastor Paul Elliott. Paul is the former pastor of FCC Berryville, AR and Elm Tree CC in Bentonville. He is now serving as pastor of FCC Erie, KS; where the service will take place. Search Committees I am currently supporting: FCC Sherwood, AR FCC Mountain Home, AR Please contact me, in confidence, to inquire about any of the above Ministry Opportunities. From Michael Elmore: Saturday I will be participating in the ordination service for Michael Riggs at FCC Bossier and then preaching at FCC Leesville and meeting with their search committee on Sunday. Our annual Clergy Spiritual Life Retreat has been scheduled for April 12-14 at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, MS. More information later but mark your calendars. Search Committees I am currently supporting: FCC Leesville, LA FCC Lake Charles, LA FCC Gulfport, MS From Vance Moore: I have been in the Dominican Republic all week and have much to share about our Global mission partners. Search committees I am currently supporting: FCC Newport, AR Westside Mission: We’re booking groups for late spring and summer 2010. Come on down, there’s plenty of work, fellowship and opportunities to serve! WHERE DID YOU SEE GOD TODAY? From Sara Rozzell: Mid-Winter Mission will be January 15-18, 2010. Nearly 100 youth and adults will be volunteering at the Westside Mission Center and around the city in New Orleans, LA. 2010 Summer Camp Dates: More youth dates available on the youth page at www.grrcc.org. |