121^st    Weekly Edition                                     2009  GRR CURRENTS

JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS

Laura Cook, daughter of Rev. Miles Cook, Park Hill CC, N. Little Rock, AR, has moved to the rehab unit at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.  A website is available to update her progress:  www.lauracookinfo.com.

Rev. Ron Rector, former pastor at FCC Mountain Home, was featured in an article in their home paper in Illinois: http://www.herald-review.com/sports/article_0c226fd6-c2bb-11de-8c5c-001cc4c002e0.html.

Highland Christian Church, Bella Vista, AR has just initiated a call to Andrew Lee to serve as Staff Intern.  Andrew is a freshman at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR, majoring in Youth Ministry.  The Staff Intern position is for the purpose of reaching children, youth and young adults in the Bella Vista area.  A stipend will be provided to help Andrew with his college expenses, plus a weekly gasoline allowance.  He will be working under the supervision of Rev. Paul Seal, pastor, and coordinating events with the Minister of Music, John Robertson.

 Andrew will begin his ministry on October 31st when the church hosts its Annual Planning Retreat.  Ministry Teams and other elected church leaders will assemble for a morning of planning and goal setting for 2010.  A 'Theme' will be chosen and a 'Theme Song' for the coming year to help promote the overall ministries of Highland Christian Church.

Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Sanders was installed as the Senior Minister at First Christian Church, Lewisville, TX October 25^th, 2009.  His wife Claire has applied to Brite Divinity School where she will begin work on a Master of Divinity degree in January. 

Over the years the Sanders have had a personal connection with FCC, Leesville, LA, FCC Pineville, LA, FCC, Hammond, LA, and Stephen with FCC, Slidell, LA.  Stephen will continue to serve as a chaplain with the Louisiana Army National Guard.

The couple wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to their friends in Great River Region for their support, friendship, and guidance.

Park Hill Christian Church, 4400 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, AR 72116.  Has extensive flooding throughout the church.
     Water came through every doorway in the church with the exception of the outside door that leads to the food pantry and the door in the hallway behind the pulpit.  We have removed items that were being water damaged and things have calmed down here at the noon hour. 
The Family Life Center flooring and carpet were completely flooded.  The children's desert room at the south end of the building was slightly flooded.  Other classrooms in the children's wing were fine, including the nursery.  The narthex carpet and some of the sanctuary carpet is saturated.  The entire north end of the building was flooded, with the exception of the secretary's office, my office, the A.V. closet and the closet next to Mike White's office. 
     We expect to be able to have our normal schedule on Sunday, but if safety issues are a problem, we will notify you.  In Christ's service, Your soggy pastor,

Rev. Miles Cook, 501-753-1109, www.parkhillchristian.org, mcook7@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Lucian and Carol Lee will be returning to Camden Arkansas in about a month after several years at First Christian in Meridian, Mississippi, but the storms that went through Camden AR last night left a tree in their home.  If anyone can help out in Camden, please contact Lucian at lucian01@bellsouth.net.

NEWS and

EVENTS

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, Pulaski Heights and Parkview in metro Little rock, First in El Dorado AR, and Monroe LA.  Last report was that Pine Bluff were in discernment as well.  It's not too late . . . even if you didn't attend "Come and See" . . .  Rick Hamilton has application forms and can be reached at rick@grrcc.org

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)

Reflection from a visiting Regional Minister, Rev. John Richardson:  Last Friday morning my wife and I traveled to Little Rock, AR for my 40^th of my graduating class at Little Rock Central High School. 

     Those of you who experienced and or are students of major events of the integration of public schools and the Civil Rights movement will recognize Little Rock Central High School as the place where in 1957 the 101^st Airborne was deployed by President Eisenhower to escort nine African American students into Central High School, then known as Little Rock High School.  I entered the school 10 years after the 1957 Integration Crisis, graduating three years later.  There was on going tension in the student body of some 2,000 throughout those three years.

     On Sunday morning, the final event was a worship service led by three ministers from our class—myself, Robert Palmer (pastor of Cross Street Christian Church), and Charles Bobo.  Robert and Charles are both African American.  Forty years ago, the three of us played on the same high school football team.  But we did not go to church together.  Whites did not worship with blacks, except on rare occasions, in Little Rock in 1969.  Forty years later are going to church together and even lead the worship service together.  It takes so long, for most of us, to overcome our challenges, our wrongs, our sins.  I am grateful, at age 58, this wrong is being overcome—not just by myself and my two colleagues and friends, but by our graduating class of 1969.  Peace, John M. Richardson

Regional Minister Christian Church (DOC) in North Carolina, phone: 252-291-4047

Covenant Christian Church, Byram, MS.  Position available for Youth Pastor.

To apply, please mail your resume and a letter of interest to:

Covenant Christian Church (DOC), P. O. Box 720357, Byram, MS 39272

Accepting resumes until December 31, 2009

Contact: John Holifield, Minister 601-573-8030 or 601-760-6104 or 601 924-5095

Or Monica Fountain, Parent Volunteer 601-885-6876 or 601-573-8003

Click here to see full ad and details.

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.

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.

FCC Slidell, LA is building a new building on their site to be used as a community center/missions building. The center will be used to provide various ministries and outreach opportunities for the people of FCC to serve their community. Disciples Volunteering is sponsoring the Blitz Build which will take place from March 1-April 3, 2010. If your church is interested in participating, you can call Brenda Tyler at Disciples Volunteers, 317-713-2642 or go to the web site at www.discipleshomemissions.org/Volunteer/SpecialProjects/SpringBreak.htm

Also, for more information on how you can participate in or donate funds to the project, you can contact Rev. Susan Lassalle at 985-643-8623.  Click here to see the list of needs.

International Affairs Seminar.  IAS is a trip for your youth who are high school juniors and seniors.  Our Oklahoma youth will join youth from the Southwest and Great River regions on this trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City on March 13-20, 2010.   This trip must have at least 16 participants to happen!  Registration form to follow....Click here to see flyer.

     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.  If you would like to help, or have others in your congregation who would like to be part of this group, please let me know!  Gary Mitchell, Assoc. Reg. Pastor, Christian Church in Oklahoma

gmitchell@okdisciples.org, 918.906.8824.

Journey of Faith: A Pilgrimage of Discernment for Ministry.  On behalf of Columbia Theological Seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning, this special program will allow pastors to make a unique pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Traveling to the roots of our faith, participants may deepen their spiritual journey, clarify their call to ministry, and gain valuable insights.  Please consider this opportunity for yourself and share this information with others who may be interested in participating.

Cost.  Participants will pay a $500 registration fee. The only other costs will be personal expenses and possible transportation to and from Atlanta if you live within 200 miles of Atlanta.

Dates.   
April 19 - 21, 2010, Orientation (Columbia Seminary)

April 21 - May 5, 2010,  Pilgrimage

July - August, 2010, Reflection Process 

November 19, 2009 is the deadline for completed applications. Participants will be notified of acceptance by December 18, 2009.

Requirements for Participation.

·         Pastors of any denomination are eligible to apply

·          5 years of ordination

·         Current service in a congregation

·         Completion of application, including 2 letters of reference

Journey of Faith brochure and application.  Journey of Faith news release

Natasha Nichols, Staff Associate, 404-687-4577,  journeyoffaith@ctsnet.edu

Summer Collegium: a project in support of small congregations.  All expenses paid nine-day conference for small church clergy and their spouses/partners.  The deadline for postmarking applications is quickly approaching (December 15).

The Summer Collegium is an ecumenical project fully funded through the Lilly Endowment and seeks to offer encouragement, education, refreshment and renewal to 25 small-church pastors each year.  The dates of the Summer Collegium are June 23-July 1, 2010.  Single clergy and locally ordained persons are welcome to apply.  Our keynote this year is the Rev. Dr. Alice Mann, and music will be led by John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland.  Blessings and peace.  Marilyn Johns, D. Min., Project Manager, Virginia Theological Seminary, 703-461-1760

www.vts.edu/education/collegium.

STAFF UPDATES

From Barbara Jones:  After regional board last week, I boarded a plane to attend the Disciples Leadership Summit in Indianapolis.  I’ll be leaving today to participate in Diana Negron’s ordination tomorrow, all Saint’s Eve, in New Orleans.  Next week I hope to catch up! 

From Rick Hamilton:  Sunday I will be preaching at First Christian in Fayetteville, then I will be at a New Church Summit in Atlanta the following week.

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: 

From Michael Elmore:   After attending our Regional Board Meeting, last weekend, I traveled to Shreveport where I worshiped at Kings Highway CC and participated in a celebration with Iglesia Aposento, the Hispanic ministry of Kings Highway CC 5 years of ministry, congratulations!!!  That afternoon Rick Hamilton and I lead a Covenant of Calling Service for Rev. Tim Schomp new Pastor of Broadmoor CC. On Wednesday I met with the leaders of FCC Pineville in our continuing conversation about their future, Rev. Bill Norton is their pastor.

This Saturday I will be leading the Ordination Service for Diana Negron-Valentin at FCC Greater New Orleans. Next week I will be on vacation.

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 the 18^th I preached the installation service for Rev. Jimmy Matson at Ozark, AR.  Then back to Westside for a week with the volunteers.  On Friday and Saturday the 23^rd and 24^th we were at the GRR Board Meeting in Byram, MS.  Much discussion about all of our churches in the Great River Region and how we are connected in mission and outreach. Mission truly is local, national, and international.  If your church would like a visit to look at your local outreach program and see how the local, national, international pieces fit together, get in touch with us at the Regional Office.  We will be happy to schedule a visit.

     On the 25^th I attended my home church in Utica, MS.  Sunday was youth Sunday.  The young folks did a fantastic job.  There was a tremendous amount of nervousness but Pastor Brad should be over it by now!!! ;-)

Search Committees I am currently supporting:

     Highland Drive Christian Church—Jonesboro, AR

Westside Mission:  On the week of the 18^th we had volunteers from FCC, Moss Point, MS and Newark, OH.  Mrs. Vincent’s house was the recipient of lots of love and work including a new ramp.  Mrs. Vincent made the first trip inside her new home.  She’s been unable to “look” till now; couldn’t get in!  She’s excited.  Plans are for us to finish our work on this phase over the next two weeks, then the city will do their part and after Christmas we’ll be able to go back and “top out” so she can move into her new home.  It’s been a long five years!!  Coach Bennett’s house is almost done.  We’ll complete it next week.  Time for Coach to move in.  He’s ready; another long 5 year story!!

     On the week of the 25^th we had volunteers from Downey Ave. CC in Indianapolis.  They met and repaired some of the damage on Robert Williams’ house.  What a story, born in MS, worked and lived in a horse barn when he was young, moved to New Orleans and been there for 55 years.  83 now and widowed, living alone, needed help and boy did the volunteers pitch in and help. Thanks guys!

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:  Youth dates available on the youth page at www.grrcc.org.