118^th    Weekly Edition                                     2009  GRR CURRENTS

JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS

A big welcome to Rev. Kevin Robbins, new Senior Minister at First Christian Church of Little Rock, AR who began his ministry there October 1^st.  Installation service will be Sunday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m.  Neighboring clergy are invited and encouraged to attend.

A big welcome to Wade Cunningham, new Youth Minister at First Christian Church of Fayetteville, AR who begins his ministry there with an immediate trip to Fall Fandango.  Way to jump right in Wade.

Congratulations to Rev. David King.  He has completed his work at First Christian Church, Little Rock and will now be the Development Director for The Salvation Army in Arkansas.

PRAYERS FOR:

Rev. Joe and Juanita Wilson in Hot Springs, AR as they move into an independent living complex called West Shores.  The current plan is to sell the house on Pakis and its contents by auction in December, unless a buyer is found in the next few weeks.   Juanita says she wished then that they were already moved.  Until they do, they’d love to hear from friends:

Phone: 501-525-2598, Address: 600 Pakis #30, Hot Springs, AR 72304

Dr. Bob Schomp (former interim minister at Fayetteville and Rogers) has shingles. He reports that it doesn't hurt as long as he doesn't move, think, or breathe. 

FCC Bentonville member Shannon Hufford, husband of Jennifer Hufford, Disciples Women, was in a serious head-on car accident last Friday morning.  As of Thursday, he has been moved out of ICU and into a private room.  With a broken femur in one leg and a bad crush injury of his other knee, he is going to be ok, but only after a long recovery period.  Cards may be sent in c/o First Christian Church, 807 SE 14th Street, Bentonville, AR  72712-6716.

Laura Cook, daughter of Rev. Miles Cook, Park Hill CC, N. Little Rock, AR, is in ICU at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.  Though she is no longer a child, her medical situation is so complicated that Children’s continues to monitor her care.  However, last weekend she experienced a swelling in her brain that caused her to lose the ability to speak and Miles got her to the ER for evaluation and tests.  She remains in a coma, under heavy sedation, and testing continues to search for the cause of the swelling.  A website is available to update her progress:  www.lauracookinfo.com.

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.

NEW BEGINNINGS, a process of congregational assessment and transformation led by Church Extension is off to a great start.  So far, we are aware of plans for consultations with Maumelle, Little Rock Parkview, El Dorado, and Monroe.  Last report was that Little Rock Pulaski Heights and Pine Bluff were in discernment as well.  It's not too late . . . even if you didn't attend "Come and See" . . . Application deadline is October 9, 2009.  Rick Hamilton has application forms and can be reached at rick@grrcc.org

First Christian Church Pine Bluff, AR:  Rev. Joe and Debbie Garkovich would like to extend their love and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made our time here in the Great River Region not only enjoyable but very rewarding. We will keep all of you in our prayers and you will always be in our thoughts regardless of where we are ministering. For those of you that would like to stay in touch our address and home phone is:  RR2 Box 5200, Elk City, OK 73644 Phone: 580-303-4987  We wish all of you God’s continued blessings and will hold all of you in our prayers daily.  Blessings, Pastor Joe & Debbie Garkovich.

Central Christian Church, Hattiesburg, MS on Sunday, October 11^th 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.

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 18^th, 2009 at 12:30pm.

You are cordially invited to a pastor’s appreciation service honoring 16 years of service for the Rev. Rita J. Richardson, Pastor of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  This special service will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 18^th at Central Christian Church, located at the corner of West Second Street and South Independence in Russellville, AR
We plan to present a money tree to Rev. Richardson during the service.  If you or your congregation would like to make a contribution for the money tree, you may send a check for Rev. Richardson at P.O. Box 1963, Russellville, AR, 72811 and designate the donation for the “money tree.”  Or you may bring donations prior to the service that day to be added to the tree.
There will also be a special dinner in Rev. Richardson’s honor from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. and a reception following the service.  For more information, please contact the program coordinator, Rachelle “Rockie” Richardson at 479-968-1413.  We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

FCC Meridian has a unique Raffle for Missions -- see attached -- tickets and a place to stay for the Arkansas / Ole Miss game (Oct 24^th) 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!

On Thursday, October 29^th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, there will be a celebration of the talents of 5 local artists with a fall exhibition, reception, and sale to benefit Our House and Pulaski Heights Christian Church.  This event will take place at Pulaski Heights Christian Church, 4724 Hillcrest Avenue, Little Rock.  The Exhibition will showcase fine art from Deborah Allen, Tanya Fitzgerald, Matt McLeod, Kathy Sanders, and Dan Thornhill.  If you cannot attend, but still want to preview the artwork, call 661-1370 to set an appointment.

The Great River Region and the First Christian Church of Greater New Orleans,

of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada 

cordially invite your presence and prayers for the Ordination to Christian Ministry of

 Diana Negrón-Valentín

on October 31, 2009 at 2:00 _PM

at the FCC of Greater New Orleans, 8121 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA 70003 

(Reception at the church, following service Please RSVP by October 23)

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!

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

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:  I had a delightful few days of vacation, during which I visited my parents, Kris and Brooke, Kim and Dave and enjoyed time in Rocky Mountain National Park with my friends Melissa and Daryl.  I’m working on legal issues regarding the Pea Ridge Church and Cemetery Association, preparing for annual meeting at Regional Board (October 23-24 in Byram, MS), will visit the LA women’s retreat, back up Miles on Sunday morning if he needs me, and participate in the Installation Service for Rev. Kevin Robbins Sunday afternoon at FCC Little Rock.

From Rick Hamilton:  This weekend I will be unavailable due to family obligations.  I can be reached on my cell phone at (501) 590-4971.

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:  Attending the Disciples Women LA Retreat to be held at the Tall Timbers Retreat Center in Woodworth, LA on October 2^nd – 4^th.

From Michael Elmore:   I will be preaching at FCC Vicksburg this Sunday.

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 the 4^th I’ll preach at Northside Christian Church in West Point, MS and then participate in the Pastor Appreciation services for Pastor Orlando Richmond.  Pastor and the Northside folks have served together now for 12 years!  Happy Anniversary to Pastor and Lady Richmond.

     On the 9^th – 11^th I’ll be at the Disciples Overseas Missions MMI training in Cleveland, OH. This is in preparation for our coming trip to the Dominican Republic in January.  Please keep me in your prayers.  This is a big step for the Region and we need your prayers and support.

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

     Highland Drive Christian Church—Jonesboro, AR

Westside Mission:  This week we had 13 volunteers from First Christian Church in Harrison, AR.  Four new folks to Westside and nine “home folks” returned.  We worked on Coach (retired) Ike Bennett’s home in the Treme’ area, the Elijah Christian Ministries apartments in Gertown and painted the exterior of Charles and Angela Mason’s home in Mid City.  Hardwood flooring and tile floors were the projects we completed this week.

     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:  Fall Fandango will be held October 2^nd-4^th for Chi Rho at Camp Couchdale outside of Hot Springs, AR.  Other information available on the youth page at www.grcc.org.