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NEWS and
EVENTS
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PENTECOST SPECIAL DAY OFFERING. Supports New Church Start in Jackson, MS. Your giving to the Pentecost Special Day offering will directly support the launching of The Light of Grace Christian Church in Jackson, MS. This start, a joint project of the Great River Region and New Church Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was born out of a vision cast at an African American New Church Summit in January of this year. Since that time, God has opened many doors, until now we are ready to place a church planter on site this summer to begin this new and exciting ministry. A two sided Bulletin Insert can be downloaded here and used in your congregation to promote the offering. The goal is a minimum gift of $200 per congregation in the region (but don't let that stop you from raising more!).
Please encourage generous and vibrant support of the Pentecost Special Day Offering, that the world may know the saving power of Jesus Christ.
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CONASPEH -Haiti Recovery Plan. Knowing your interest and concern for Global Ministries partners in Haiti, we want to share with you the latest information on the Recovery work of CONASPEH and a brief outline of its plans for Reconstruction that is published now that CONASPEH is concluding its Emergency Response work and moves into Recovery: CONASPEH Recovery Phase II.
For information on the work and situation since the January 12, 2010 earthquake, please visit the Global Ministries Haiti Earthquake Update page at: Haiti Earthquake Response.
Thank you for your care and concern for our partners in Haiti.
Sarah Riester, Program Associate for Resource Development, Tel: (317) 713-2564,
Email: sriester@dom.disciples.org, www.globalministries.org.
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From Barb-- I don't often make "commercial" recommendations, but www.churchsafety.com is conducting a survey of what church leaders should do when a registered sex offender starts attending their church. I am a fan of Christianity Today's host of resources which are practical and helpful. I also took classes with Richard Hammar back when I was working on my D.Min degree before I became a regional minister (and never finished...) Here's what came today via email: "We hosted a webinar earlier this month with noted church attorney, Richard Hammar. During the Q&A portion of this online event, two participants asked about what church leaders should do when a registered sex offender starts attending their church. We then polled webinar attendees, asking whether they knew of a registered offender currently attending their church. Half said yes. At this very moment across the country, church leaders are wrestling with how to respond to the presence of a known offender in their midst. You may be one of those leaders. And if you're not facing this dilemma yet, you likely will at some point. The Department of Justice estimates that at least one known offender lives within every square mile throughout America. Because of this reality, we're conducting a groundbreaking, 10-minute survey on this critical subject. Responses are kept confidential, and they will provide us with powerful answers for future articles and resources to help church leaders like you. In return, you'll receive a free copy of our training resource, "Child Sexual Abuse Response Plan." You can read Richard's response to the question: How should we handle a sex offender who attends our church?"
The Disciples Women Spring Workshops:
Park Hill CC, North Little Rock, AR - May 15th
Highland CC, Bella Vista, AR - May 22nd
Make plans now to attend a spring workshop near you!
Hi Everyone, Because the storms in Little Rock last weekend knocked out power at First Christian Church in Little Rock (and the air conditioning won’t be fixed by the 15th), we’ve moved the workshop to Park Hill Christian Church at 4400 JFK Boulevard in North Little Rock.
Registration begins at 9:30 AM. See you next Saturday (or on the 22nd at Highland Christian Church in Bella Vista)!
Directions to Park Hill Christian Church: From I40 — take the Highway 107/JFK Boulevard exit North, go apx 1 mile on JFK —Park Hill Christian is on your RIGHT.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to let us know! Wendy
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY IS COMING UP:
MANY FACES OF MINISTRY – NOVEMBER 5-7, 2010 in McCOMB, MS
Keynoters: Johnny Wray, former director of Week of Compassion (Friday night) and Bob Shebeck director of Global Mission Partners from Division of Overseas Ministries (Saturday morning). Worship Sunday featuring Revs. Donald Dick and Barbara Jones
Want to check your congregation’s giving? Disciples Mission Fund has a new look online! The link below will take you to Disciples Mission Fund's website to view Comparative reports of offerings. www.disciplesmissionfund.org.
The CHRISTIAN CHURCH In KENTUCKY'S MINISTRY SCHOOL will be held June 21-25 at Lexington Theological Seminary. The purpose of the Ministry School is to equip leaders to serve the church and provide Licensed/ Commissioned Ministers a forum for collegial support. The tuition is $125. The classes offered this year are: Worship: A People of Word and Table; The Christian Canon; and A People of the Table. For a registration form or for more information, please contact the Regional Office at 859-233-1391.
The Association of Disciples Intentional Interim Ministers will be hosting The Intentional Interim Minister training the week of September 20th - September 24th at Christmount Christian Assembly. This training is being provided by the Interim Ministry Network, Inc. (www.imnedu.org) utilizing two Disciples trainers and is for those who have already completed the Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry training or its equivalent. Applicants must also apply through the IMN prior to attending. The registration cost, at a significant discount, includes lodging, meals and training fees and will be $1000 for ADIIM members and $1100 for Non-Members. (A $100 deposit will be requested to hold your place.) There are grants for up to $1000 available for Disciples Ordained Ministers through DHM.
For more information please contact James Cotten at pastorjamesc@gmail.com. To request an application packet please call the Ozarks Lakes Area Office at 417.865.0850.
Global Ministries hosts a variety of webinars with mission updates. To see a schedule of all upcoming Global Ministries Mission Live webinars Click here: http://globalministries.org/news/webinars/mission-live-global.html.
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Foundations Course for Ministry Next Series Getting Ready for May/June Kickoff
Over 40 participants from 7 states have gone through this course that provides a picture of what is needed to serve a congregation. Of those who have gone through the course, 43% have been licensed ministers, 11% have been children’s/youth/music staff persons, 30% have been lay leaders of congregations and 16% have been those trying to decide if God is calling them into church work. The Foundations Course looks at 24 areas of ministry and takes place over 14 weeks and is a combination of weekly online webinars (1¼ hours each topic) and two Saturday events. It can be taken anywhere you have a high speed internet connection. If you have to miss a live presentation or want to rehear a session then recordings are provided. Topics covered include:
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.
The Foundations Course is taught by Rev. Stephen Wallace and Dr. Julie Wallace (licensed psychologist and Pastor of FCC, Sherwood, Arkansas). Cost for the complete course is $395. The next series will begin in May or June and you can sign up or find out more by emailing Rev. Stephen Wallace at swallacegs@aol.com or calling (501) 217-9129. Some Scholarship funds may be available for those qualifying. Find out more about us at: www.wallaceresources.us.
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.” Marilou Coins, FCC Sherwood, AR
*“In the past I have doubted my ability to lead and these classes are helping me.” Aaron Dummer, FCC, Junction City, Oregon
*“I can’t express, words can’t express, the gratitude that I have for the class you have helped me through and given me a little more understanding of the things of God…I thank you for helping me to grow in my spiritual life …we appreciate you and will be praying for you. God bless you.” Eddie Wyatt, Real Faith CC, Clarksdale, Ms
*“I really enjoyed all of the classes. The presentation of the material was excellent. I can not wait till you are ready for the next set. Thanks for the life skills.” Jeremy Kuntz, FCC, Nampa, ID
*“The material was very helpful it let you know right where you are in ministry as well as to appreciate your ministry or make needed improvement if necessary.” “This is a very good course for all ministry leaders and laymen or anyone in ministry.” Willie Turner, Real Faith CC, Clarksdale, Ms
Quadrennial Assembly Pre-Event Opportunities.
Wish someone would explain what the Disciples Mission Fund is and how it works? Want to become a Ministry and Mission Interpreter (MMI) for the church? Love to get your hands involved in mission and see tangible results?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you won’t want to miss the Quadrennial Assembly pre-events. Special note: Because these events are expected to fill up quickly, you MUST be signed up for these trainings by April 15, whether you have already registered for QA by then or not. Read on for more information and instructions on how to be sure you’re not left out.
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.
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.
FREE DEMOGRAPHIC UPDATES ARE READY! We know it's possible, with everything going on at the beginning of a new year, you may have forgotten Percept's Annual Data Update! But, for us, it's a big production. We regenerate tens of thousands of custom studies and demographic reports, then store them on our servers so that when you want the latest data for your ministry area, all you have to do is click. You can sign on to Link2Lead and, within a minute, get the latest FirstView or 10 Facts report instantly, for your county, ZIP Code, or a radius around your church.
Go to www.link2lead.com and provide some simple sign in information. In minutes you will know more about the community you are called to serve than you did before. Link2lead data will tell you about the age, income, spiritual priorities, church going habits, and more in YOUR ZIP code. Or, the region can help you generate a custom report. The fees are prepaid through a partnership with the region and Church Extension.
Study Leave Program.
Study Leave for Ministry Professionals at Duke Divinity School is for Christian institutional leaders and pastors of all traditions who want to spend a week immersed in learning and renewal through self-directed study, worship and prayer on the Duke University campus. While on campus, study leave participants have full access to university libraries, community worship and lectures. Special arrangements can be made for participants to audit courses or meet privately with Divinity School faculty.
Study Leave is open to ministry professionals of all Christian traditions and communions, including Christian institutional leaders, pastors, educators, musicians, deacons, elders, lay professionals, parish nurses, program directors and youth leaders. The program is offered multiple terms each year. Tuition for Study Leave is $650 for the 2010 fall and 2011 winter/spring terms.
Tuition for the week includes: accommodations for four nights, a meal allowance, access to the campus gym, parking on campus, a temporary university library membership. Please click the link below for more information and online registration.
http://faithandleadership.com/programs-training/for-organizational-leaders/study-leave-for-ministry-professionals
The Christian Church Michigan Region is continuing its search campaign for its next regional minister. You can send a quick e-mail to our search committee chair at the following e-mail address: Miregionsearch@hotmail.com. Anyone who has interest in the Michigan region can download pertinent regional documents from the Michigan region website: michigandisciples.org. We are looking for a candidate with pastoral, relational, and administrative abilities who has done on-going training in leadership and conflict mediation, someone who has experience with regional work and/or General Board and denominational issues, someone who leadership style is transparent, collaborative, and clear, who holds people accountable, who works within existing structures and who can move the region forward, without dwelling on the past. We are looking for someone who can do necessary repair work, and who sets good boundaries. Rev. Richard H. Boyd, Chair, Reg. Minister Search Committee, Michigan Region. Pastor, FCC Lansing, MI.
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STAFF UPDATES
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From Barbara Jones: As you saw in the Concerns and Joys, I’ve been in Kansas City this week both working and taking days off.
From Rick Hamilton: I will be spending the weekend at home to honor Mothers' Day. Happy Mothers day to everyone who has a Mother! Next week marks the Inaugural Prayer Service for the Ministry of Dr. Julie Wallace at First Christian Church, Sherwood, Arkansas. This service will take place Wednesday, May 12th.
I have restarted occasional publication to my Blog: grrick.blogspot.com. The latest post is on requirements for selecting congregational leaders. I will try to note postings here in the future.
Search Committees I am currently supporting:
Bentonville First (Associate)
From Michael Elmore: I will be home in Baton Rouge this weekend. Next Sunday Tim Schomp will be ordained at Boradmoor CC, Shreveport, LA.
Search Committees I am currently supporting:
FCC Gulfport, MS
From Vance Moore: In April I preached at FCC in Blytheville, AR. They are in the latter stages of completing a new fellowship/all purpose building. When finished this facility will be an important addition to the ministry at FCC. Next door they’re beginning work on a beautiful prayer garden/outside worship area. FCC Blytheville is a shining star in northeast AR. God is doing great things. Come and see!
Pastor Leonard Harp reports that the rebuilding of the Sanctuary that was struck by lightning last year is almost complete and plans are underway for a dedication ceremony. Watch for details. We’re all invited. Plan to come and see God at work in Trumann, AR.
Happy Mothers Day! We’ll celebrate with our home congregation in Utica.
Search Committees I am currently supporting:
FCC Newport, AR
Community CC, Hardy, AR
Westside Mission: We’re working on drains and sewers at the new construction site for Rose Gueringers’ home. Our next volunteers will arrive from FCC, Crawfordsville, IN on the 16th.
WHERE DID YOU SEE GOD TODAY?
From Sara Rozzell: Registration and counselor forms can be viewed and printed on the youth page at www.grrcc.org .
2010 Summer Camp Dates:
June 4-6 Family Camp at Camp Roosevelt (contact bjones@grrcc.org)
June 13-19 CYF
June 19-20 Discovery
June 20-23 JYF
June 23-27 Chi-Rho
July 4-10 FISSH (finished 9th grade only)
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