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129th Weekly Edition 2010 GRR CURRENTS |
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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. 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 was ordained to Christian Ministry by the Great River Region of the Christian Church (DOC) and the local congregation of First Christian Church in Bossier City, LA, on Saturday, January 16. The Rev. Dr. Graham F. Riggs, pastor of First Christian Church, directed the service. The Rev. Barbara Jones, Regional Minister of the Great Giver Region, presided 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 participated as well as faculty from Brite Divinity School. The Rev. Dr. Jerry Kirkpatrick of Westwind Christian Church in Keller, TX delivered 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. Congratulations to Cindy and the congregation upon God's calling you together in life and service. |
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NEWS and EVENTS |
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. |
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STAFF UPDATES |
From Barbara Jones: I will be attending the Regional Committee on Ministry Thursday and Friday and then Staff meeting on Monday and Tuesday. From Rick Hamilton: I will be attending the Regional Committee on Ministry Thursday and Friday. Sunday I will be worshipping with FCC Pine Bluff and then in Little Rock for a staff meeting on Monday and Tuesday. 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: I will be attending the Regional Committee on Ministry Thursday and Friday. Sunday I will be leading the Covenant of Calling service for Rev. Dr. David Felty as Pastor of FCC Vicksburg then traveling to Little Rock for a staff meeting on Monday and Tuesday. 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 returned from the Dominican Republic on Saturday night. We experienced much more than we expected. The earthquake in Haiti was also felt in Boca Chita, Dominican Republic, where we were staying. Certainly these tragic events will impact the timing of our global mission partnership with the Dominican people. Still, we went, we experienced and we were changed forever. The people we met (Dominican and Haitian) are some of the warmest and most open people I’ve ever been blessed to meet. In the coming weeks we’ll bring you up to speed on what future plans will be and how the Great River Region will respond to our commitment to be global mission partners. In the meantime, PLEASE respond to Week of Compassion to help (you can send checks to the regional office, made out to GRR with Wk of Compassion/Haiti on the memo line). One thing we’ve learned….if it doesn’t come from people of faith….. it doesn’t normally come. Search committees I am currently supporting: FCC Newport, AR On a personal note: Over the last 4 ½ years I’ve seen many things happen as a result of Hurricane Katrina - things that have changed peoples lives. And, now, I have a change of my own to share with you - a little over a year ago I met Gwen Till, a widow and evacuee of Hurricane Katrina. She came to church one Sunday with her friend Louise from Westside Christian. Since then, we’ve gotten to know and love each other. I’m thrilled to share with you that we plan to be married on February 6, 2010 and we’d like to invite you to come to the wedding! The ceremony will be at Westside Christian Church at 2 pm with Barb conducting the service. There’ll be lots of friends and family there (as will Gwen & I) – we’d love it if you would c’mon down!! How ‘bout that for a “God Thang”! Westside Mission: I returned to Westside on Sunday morning and WOW, there I found 100 teens and sponsors from the Great River Region. We worked, we worshipped, we prayed, we had fun. Thanks to Sara Rozzell (GRR Youth Staff), to Diana Negron (Westside Chaplain), the folks at FCC Greater New Orleans (helped with housing) and all the folks at Westside Christian Church. GREAT JOB!!! 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: 2010 Summer Camp Dates: More youth dates available on the youth page at www.grrcc.org. |
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