JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS

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, Pastor of Parkview CC in Little Rock, mother is in the hospital in Frankfort, Kentucky.  She is a life-long member of First Christian Church Frankfort, KY.

NEWS and

EVENTS

Disciples Mission Fund.  The deadline for 2009 giving is January 8, 2010. If you want you contribution to count towards 2009, please submit your remittance before the deadline.
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 – 19^th Century Roots – 21^st 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.

International Affairs Seminar.  IAS is a trip for your youth who are high school juniors and seniors to study a current issue as they visit our nations capital and New York City from  March 20-27, 2010.   In addition, we are looking for people who have an interest in joining a Friends of IAS group to help support, plan, and lead IAS in the future.  This group will consist of IAS alums from all ages.  The deadline for the trip is January 15.

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.

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.  
To view more information about Dr. Cummins’ new book, follow your browser to
http://www.chalicepress.com/The-Disciples-Deluxe-Edition-Leather-Hardcover-P169.aspx.  
The Disciples: A Struggle for Reformation is available in a leather hardcover edition and paperback.

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:  It has been a strange week in the office with Tina’s computer working and the phones being answered, but she’s not sitting there!  She is in Jackson, MS, awaiting the eminent birth of her granddaughter.  She will be working from Jackson for awhile, through a “VPN” connection, with our phones forwarded to her in Jackson.  Walk by her computer and you can see her curser moving and things happening on her screen, but she’s not there!  We all use AIM Instant Messenger through the day – always have – to be in touch with each other whether we are in Little Rock, Rogers, Baton Rouge, or Jackson!  Do keep Tiffany, Tina’s daughter in your prayers.  This child came about as the result of a physical assault and rape, but she will be loved and Tiffany will continue in school at Jackson State.  Tina will help her through birth and these first few months.

From Rick Hamilton:  Happy New Year! This weekend I will be preaching at First Christian Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

FCC Harrison, AR (Assoc/Youth)

FCC Sherwood, AR

FCC Mountain Home, AR

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

From Michael Elmore:   After the holidays I have been in the office most of the week getting caught up. This Sunday I will be preaching at FCC Sulphur and next week will travel to Shreveport to be a part of the Ordination service for Michael Riggs at FCC Bossier City.

Hope all of you had a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

FCC Leesville, LA 

FCC Lake Charles, LA

FCC Gulfport, MS

From Vance Moore:  After a busy week with volunteers at Westside Mission Center, I left this morning for the Dominican Republic to learn more about our Global mission partner.

Search committees I am currently supporting:

       Highland Drive CC, Jonesboro, AR

       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 at the Westside Mission Center in New Orleans, LA.  Click here to see flyer.

2010 Summer Camp Dates:
June 13-19    CYF
June 19-20    Discovery
June 20-23    JYF
June 23-27    Chi-Rho

More youth dates available on the youth page at www.grrcc.org.