Two Minneapolis Churches Host Picnic

Lake Harriet Christian Church and First Christian Church of Minneapolis Family Picnic
Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008
Time: 12:00 Noon
Contact person: Paul Rottschaefer at 612-861-7523

Oak Hill Park
3201 Rhode Island Ave. South
St. Louis Park, MN

Potluck. Paper products furnished. Bring your favorite picnic food to share.

35W Bridge Memorial Service

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and the Minnesota Council of Churches Invite the community to gather to remember the victims and survivors of the 35W bridge collapse and honor the rescue workers and others who responded with courage that day.

Your attendance is kindly requested on Friday, August 1, 2008 Interfaith Service 11:00-12:00 PM - Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis. Governor Pawlenty, Mayor Rybak and Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck, President of the Minnesota Council of Churches, will offer brief reflections. Prayers and songs will be presented from many faith traditions, reflecting the diverse faith traditions of the victims.

Remembrance 4:30-6:30 PM—Gold Medal Park, West River Road, Minneapolis Artists from different cultures will perform until 5:30 pm when a procession led by first responders and community leaders will walk to the Stone Arch Bridge (or viewing area on West River Parkway for shorter walk). The public is invited to join in the procession. At 6:05 pm – the time that the bridge collapsed –a moment of silence will be observed, ending with the ringing of bells across the city and state.

Please RSVP to 612-673-3277 for information on reserved seating and procession line up information.

"Permission to Fail"

I stumbled across this video from the Pittsburgh Presbytery (part of the Presbyteryian Church) which shares the story of a new church plant in Pittsburgh.

What are your thoughts about new churches? Did you know of new churches that are being planted in the Region? Do the pastors and leaders of new churches in the Region have stories to tell us?

Feel free to comment.

Iowa Youth Shares Experiences Pre-ICYF

Joseph Decious of Marion Christian Church had this to say about the trip on the way to ICYF:

"My group has had a great experience on our mission trip at a community center in east LA. We helped out with their summer daycare program, we helped them put on a show for their parents. We helped clean up their garden and plant more plants. We did some painting, help organize their thrift shop, and prepared them for today's food distribution which helps over 2000 families per year. We also set up a few new computers in their lab. They give free English lessons to help the Hispanic community. I am looking forward to the conference in the coming days."

Johnny Wray @ Noleridge Christian

IMPORTANT-- Please announce this event at your July 27th and August 3rd Worship Services. It would also be appreciated if you could include it in your next church newsletter.--Thank you.

JOHNNY WRAY, ADMINSTRATIVE DIRECTOR-WEEK OF COMPASSION
August 9-10
Noelridge Christian Church 7111 C Ave. NECedar Rapids, IA

Mark your calendars for this very important event! It is a rare opportunity for us .
Johnny Wray, Administrative Director of the Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and development ministry fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will be at Noelridge Christian Church on Saturday, August 9th at 7 P.M. for an evening of relaxed conversation. What a great opportunity to get to know more about Week of Compassion and the impact we can make in the world! Johnny will also be preaching at both services on Sunday, August 10th @ 8:30 and 10: 30 A.M. and will host a conversation during the Fellowship Hour between the services.

Thank you for helping us get the word out on this important function.

The Noelridge Christian Church Outreach Committee

Pie Auction @ Howard Street Christian

Date: Sunday, August 3 @ Noon
Location: Howard Street Christian Church, 101 Locust Street, Colfax, IA

Menu: Fried Chicken, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Baked Beans

Pies will be auctioned off right after lunch. Lunch is a freewill donation and please pay for your pies (cash or check) before going home.

Your UCC and Disciples Global Ministries Update - July 24, 2008

Disciples and UCC: together in God’s global mission - Visit us at: http://www.globalministries.org/


Please download the MONTHLY MISSION STORY for your church bulletin or newsletter:
July 2008: pdf or text only or espanol
August 2008: pdf or text only

To download the WEEKLY PRAYER for Sunday worship, click here: Paraguay

Recently changed your address? Please contact Marcia Harris at 317-713-2575 or mharris@dom.disciples.org to update your contact information. Don’t forget to tell us if the church has gone to a post office box.

Come to ¡Missionworks! / MMI in Cleveland October 2-5, 2008 for an inspiring and uplifting time! Disciples and UCC laity and clergy will meet to celebrate God’s mission and to be encouraged and strengthened for ministry. Click here for more information and registration material:
http://www.globalministries.org/calendar/missionworks.html .


Africa Office Executive Reports on Zimbabwe Summit
Sandra Gourdet traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa and gathered with church leaders from around the globe from July 14-17, 2008 around the theme "Overcoming Fear by Faith: Churches in Solidarity with Zimbabwe". The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, the South African Council of Churches, and the Council on World Mission hosted more than 70 Christian participants to discern ways in which one can demonstrate practical solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Zimbabwe. Participants saw tangible evidence of state sponsored violence and intimidation against the people of Zimbabwe before, during and after the March and June elections, yet worked to ensure that they maintained an open ear and heart to the cries of the people. To read Sandra’s full report and the statement made to President Thabo Mbeki, the African Union mediator between the two parties in Zimbabwe, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/africa/zimbabwe-summit.html .

Global Mission Youth Group Resource Now Available
Your youth group can help change the world and be inspired through global mission! Global Ministries would like to accompany you on the journey of being a Global Mission Youth Group. A Global Mission Youth Group PRAYS regularly for partners, missionaries, and the world; EDUCATES members about global issues; SEEKS JUSTICE for the "least of these" in the international community; RECEIVES the gifts of the global church; GIVES to the work of global mission; SENDS its members into the world to share the Good News of Jesus; and GROWS in sharing the story of God's mission with others. To download the Be A Global Mission Youth Group guide that will help your youth group create an action plan for the coming year, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/global-mission-youth/ .

Middle East & North Africa Council Will Forge Just Peace
Leaders from Religions for Peace, the largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, forged a consensus to build peace in the region and launched the Middle East and North Africa Religions for Peace. With representatives from more than 20 countries in the region, the Council will engage in a number of activities aiming at greater understanding between religions and communities. The participants agreed to give priority to building inter-religious platforms in the region by reinforcing the efforts of the inter-faith initiatives that already exist in the Middle East. To read more about the Middle East and North Africa Religions for Peace, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/mee/religious-leaders-of.html .

Young Adults Participate in a WCC Interfaith Summer Seminar
Muslim, Jewish, and Christian young adults from around the world are exploring the question: "How can we affirm our religious identities not in separation or against each other but in relation to one another?" at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland from July 7 to 31, 2008. Their experience of living under the same roof, sharing meals and prayers, and sports and recreation is enriched by lectures offered by specialists from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities. The month long program "Building an Interfaith Community" prepares future leaders of churches, other faith communities, and the society-at-large for the challenges of living peacefully in a world of religious plurality. To read more about the Interfaith Summer Seminar, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/mee/young-muslims-jews-and.html .

Rev. Crabtree Reflects on Her Pilgrimage to Colombia
Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, Conference Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC, shares a reflection from a recent trip to Colombia. The group Rev. Crabtree traveled with met with families who fled from their homes on June 23rd, the third time they have been displaced since 1996. There are close to 4 million Colombians living in displacement, on the mountain hillsides outside cities in "zones of despair;" yet, they are resilient and full of faith. They find hope in the work of Global Ministries partners, Justapaz and Sembrandopaz, who have worked to acquire land to resettle families on farms and are documenting the human rights violations. To read Davida’s complete story, as well as her prayers for Colombia, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/lac/missionaries/displaced-in-colombia.html .


If someone forwarded this e-mail to you and you would like to receive directly to your inbox these weekly Global Ministries updates, please send your name, e-mail address, physical address, phone number, and home church to: bshebeck@dom.disciples.org

Please contact us, if you want any further information:

For Disciples: For the UCC:
Bob Shebeck Jan Aerie
bshebeck@dom.disciples.org aeriej@ucc.org
317-713-2571 216-736-3204

Disciples New Service Update

SMALL TEXAS CHURCH REACHES OUT THROUGH 100,000-WATT RADIO STATION: First Christian Church in Paris, Texas, has decided to make a difference in its ministry by spreading the gospel to all who will listen to its weekly radio broadcast. The church of about 90 members is located in a rural area of northeast Texas but its services now reach thousands each week. Shut-ins, local residents, and travelers crossing the busy highways in the area are now able to dial into the 30-minute taped broadcasts that air over a powerful 100,000-watt FM station on Sunday mornings.“We just felt like that was a way that we could do evangelism and also be a help to our shut-ins and older people, who sorely missed being able to come and hear a live service,” said Ronnie A. Nutt, an elder at First Christian in Paris. “Now they think they are a part of it just by tuning in and listening to the program right where they are.” The broadcast is sponsored by contributions from First Christian’s members. To find out more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08068.html

EMBRACE GOD’S WORLD THROUGH GLOBAL MISSION AT ¡Missionworks!Disciples are encouraged to explore new ways to engage in global mission at the fourth biennial ¡Missionworks!, an event blending mission education with practical ideas for involvement in God’s mission. The event will take place Oct. 2-5 in Cleveland, Ohio. Those who attend will gain a renewed excitement about Global Ministries and discover how to make a difference in the world.Participants will learn how to connect their congregation to global partners and missionaries, effectively pray for missionaries, partners, and the world, educate members of all ages about global issues, and seek justice on behalf of international partners through specific advocacy efforts.Congregational representatives may also participate in Ministries and Mission Interpreter (MMI) training. MMIs are trained to convey the stories of mission, educate people in their local church and region utilizing available Global Ministries resources about the work of global mission, and inspire others to get involved in global mission.The registration deadline is Aug. 29. For more information, click on the ¡Missionworks! logo at www.globalministries.org or contact Bob Shebeck at (317) 713-2571 or bshebeck@dom.disciples.org

DISCIPLES CHURCHES TO SERVE AS MISSION STATIONS IN IOWA RECOVERY INITIATIVE: Three Disciples churches in Iowa are preparing to open their doors to hundreds of volunteers who will arrive in early August to begin the difficult work of helping several Iowa communities rebuild following massive summer floods. The churches will serve as mission stations where volunteers can eat, sleep and fellowship. The three churches are Noelridge Christian Church in Cedar Rapids, Marion Christian Church in Marion, and First Christian Church in Coralville. Each will have a place for 20-25 volunteers per week. More than 4,000 homes were flooded in Cedar Rapids alone. Week of Compassion, the Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the mission station churches and the Office of Disciples Volunteering, a part of Disciples Home Missions, have partnered in this effort. Volunteers are still needed to assist in the effort that will begin Aug. 3 and last through mid-November. To schedule a work week, contact Anne Marie Moyars in the Office of Disciples Volunteering at 888-346-2631 or amoyars@dhm.disciples.org. For questions regarding the recovery efforts, call Carl Zerweck, director of Disciples Volunteering at 317-289-5061. You can also find out more by visiting the Disciples Home Missions website at: www.discipleshomemissions.org

BLACK LEADERSHIP PROJECTS COMMITTEE MAKES GRANT AWARDS: The Black Leadership Projects Committee has awarded grants totaling $31,287 that will enhance the work of five groups in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The awards will pay for a trip by new church planters to southern Africa; allow a group of African-American Disciples to travel to Haiti; underwrite an arts-music camp for Springfield, Ohio youth; create an immersion opportunity for two adults with a Disciples partner overseas; assist African-American Disciples congregations with sponsoring refugees; and sponsor a pre-Convocation training session to prepare clergy, church and lay leaders for transformed ministry within Disciples congregations, regions, and other institutional structures. The fund is administered through Disciples Home Missions. For more information, visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/News2008/08.07.BlackLeadership.htm

WEEK OF COMPASSION FIGHTS RISING WORLD FOOD COSTS: Week of Compassion is responding to the continuing global food crisis, in part through the relationship that Disciples share with the Foods Resource Bank. The relationship enables local Disciples farmers to donate a portion of their harvest to the bank, which uses the resources through partners around the world to empower poor farming families to become self-sufficient in their own food production and security.Donated food is badly needed in countries that have been hit by soaring food prices, particularly developing countries. Prices for basic stables such as corn, rice and wheat have risen 50 percent to 100 percent in some countries since the beginning of the year. Poor families that had been spending 10 to 20 percent of their income on food are now spending 50 percent. To learn more about how Week of Compassion is helping and the Disciples congregations that participated in 2007 growing projects, see: www.weekofcompassion.org/pages/updates/July0817.html

DISCIPLES BENEVOLENT SERVICES NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS: The Disciples Benevolent Services (DBS) Board of Trustees has named its new slate of officers for 2008-2009. Belva Brown Jordan is now board chair and Don Downing is vice chair. Jordan, an ordained Disciples minister, is associate dean for admissions and student services at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Okla. She was previously dean for student life at Harvard Divinity School.Downing is a St. Louis, Mo., attorney, and member of Webster Groves Christian Church in Webster Groves, Mo. Joseph M. Kidwell, an attorney in Fort Worth, Texas, also has been named to serve on the board through 2010. Kidwell is a member of Carmel Christian Church in Carmel, Ind. Disciples Benevolent Services (National Benevolent Association) is the 121-year old social and health services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08069.pdf (PDF)

SPECIAL RATE FOR AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE AT NATIONAL CONVOCATION: The 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation opens Friday evening, July 25 in Memphis, Tenn. with a concert by Gospel recording artist Kurt Carr. Delegates who will arrive at the Memphis International Airport can now use the Tennco Express airport shuttle at a special rate of $20 round trip. To get this rate, delegates must go online to www.tenncoexpress.com and click on the “Group Shuttle Services” icon. Convocation delegates can catch the Tennco Express shuttles at column #14 Yellow on the lower level. Shuttles will run every half hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information about the 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation, see: www.disciples.org/convo/biennial.htm

FUND FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AWARDS MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION: Four Disciples are among 162 students who will benefit from more than $1.5 million in fellowships and support recently announced by the Fund for Theological Education. The FTE is working to help reverse a decline in the number of clergy under age 35 by supporting promising college, seminary and doctoral students who have a passion for ministry or theological scholarship.Over the past decade, the fund has awarded $16 million in support of nearly 1,500 students, most of whom have pursued ordained ministry, a church-related vocation or a faculty post teaching religion and theology. FTE also has a goal to improve diversity on the faculties of North American theological institutions. More than one-third of theological schools do not have a scholar of color on their staffs. To read more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08070.pdf (PDF)

ASIAN INTERFAITH NETWORK STRIVES TO RECLAIM RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH HIV-AIDS: Global Ministries reports on the Asian Interfaith Network which is fighting a difficult battle. Last year, AINA led an interfaith effort that promised to respond to the continuing HIV-AIDS scourge. Since then, the epidemic has exacerbated. The Interfaith Network is now grappling with the increasing incidence of HIV-AIDS in children and the projected rise in the number of orphans and vulnerable children.Faith leaders and other members from faith-based organizations representing 10 countries in Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Korea, met in Chiang Mai, Thailand July 2-5 to tackle the problem. The theme of the conference was "Reclaiming Rights of Children Affected and Living with HIV and AIDS." To read more about their efforts to restore human dignity and to reclaim the rights of children affected and living with HIV and AIDS, visit:www.globalministries.org/news/eap/reclaiming-rights.html

NEW MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR YOUNG ADULT COMMISSION: The Young Adult Commission is looking for two people who want to make a difference in the lives of young adults in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Applications for the positions on the commission are now available. Members of the commission are expected to connect with other young adults across the denomination, plan young adult gatherings for general assemblies, and work for young adult causes on the local, regional and national levels. Commission members also are asked to work with all manifestations of the Church to strengthen young adult leadership.Applicants must be a member of a congregation affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and be between the ages of 18 and 33 when the application is submitted. Applications are due Oct. 1. For questions, contact Tod Iseminger at 888-346-2631 or tiseming@dhm.disciples.org.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN TO HONOR ORGANIST FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE: National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington, D.C., will honor its former minister of music, Lawrence (“Lon”) P. Schreiber, on Aug. 9-10 in observance of his upcoming 75th birthday. Schreiber was minister of music at National City Christian and was one of the founding members of the Association of Disciples Musicians. Known as one of the most respected church musicians in the United States, he will celebrate his birthday in November. Schreiber was minister of music and organist of National City Christian from 1960 to 2000. The festivities honoring him will include a dinner and celebratory worship service. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP as soon as possible by contacting Kathleen Burger-Gerada, chair of the NCCC music committee, at ggerada@yahoo.com, or 12808 Monroe Manor Drive, Herndon, Va. 20171, or call 703-725-9892. For additional information, call Burger-Gerada or minister of music Charles Miller at 202-797-0103.

FORMER DISCIPLES PASTOR AND MISSIONARY TO PHILIPPINES DIES: Former Disciples missionary Leonard Brummett has died. Brummett, 81, died July 14. The ordained Disciples minister served as a missionary to the Philippines from 1952 to 1958. He also served as pastor at churches in Little Rock, Ark., Columbia, Mo., and Mount Carmel, Ill., and as interim pastor at five churches in Indiana and Kentucky following his retirementBrummett is survived by his wife, Ruth Mitchum Brummett, one daughter and three sons. Memorial services were held July 19 at First Christian Church in Henderson, Ky. Contributions may be made to First Christian in Henderson or the American Cancer Society. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08071.html####Editor: Wanda Bryant WillsE-mail: news@cm.disciples.org

Music at Re:Image

Two experts passionate about music ministry will be presenting break-out sessions at the RE:IMAGE Conference Saturday, August 16. Produced and presented by Iowa Religious Media Services, RE: Image is a one-day opportunity to learn from regional and national presenters about growing-edge tools and techniques for involved lay people, clergy, and religious education professionals. It will be held at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 4126 Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines.

Anissa Bacon an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She currently is serving as an Associate Minister at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Before becoming an ordained minister, she served the church for over ten years as a local church Music Director in Maine and throughout New England as a workshop presenter in community song. Her musical interests continue to lie in the field of hymnody, most particularly in discerning the beliefs and life of a people by the songs that they sing. She has just been voted onto the Board of Directors of the United Church of Christ Musicians Network.

Of her session "Helping Congregations Find Their Voices," she says "Why don¹t congregations like to sing anymore? People do like to sing, they sing to the radio or in the shower, but often they don¹t sing in church. Why? ­ Often because they weren¹t invited. They have sometimes not been given the space to practice, to learn and to succeed in singing a new song, their own song to God. In this session we will talk about helping people in the congregation feel encouraged and engaged to use their own voices in worship and the "how-to¹s" of making music happen in ways that are personally and communally meaningful."

Bacon will also present one session on "How to Expand Your Resources Legally" - clarification of copyright law and how to obtain a vast variety of resources without concerns of getting into legal hot water. She notes, "We have access to a wealth of new printed resources, new music for our churches, images, web-content and much more! We are blessed to have these resources to choose from, but many of us don¹t know how to use them legally. We will clarify some of those ideas and show you outlets for new materials that even the smallest churches can afford. You'll go home with information on places to go to get information about copyright law as it pertains to churches, and how you can use these resources even on a limited budget.

Praise and worship composer and performer Noelle Garcia will address two different topics in her break-out sessions: 1) How to involve youth in the music ministry, from music selection to strategies that invite participation, and 2) how to get praise and worship music accepted in your parish by blending the traditional with the contemporary.

She is currently the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Patrick¹s Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her CD Meet Me Where I Am can be sampled at her web site http://www.noellegarciamusic.com/ and will be available at the WLP on-site bookstore at RE: Image. Also available at the store will be CDs by her mentor John Angotti, sheet music, and other resources for parish life and growing in faith.

For information about the other 10 RE:IMAGE presenters and sessions, and a registration form, visit http://www.irms.org/

Waterfall to Honor Past Director of Chi Rho

From Associate Regional Minister Bill Spangler-Dunning:

There is just something about playing in the mud and water that refreshes the spirit! Camp 16 took on the task of building a Cascading waterfall into the pond last week to honor Rev. Phil Kinton (Mr Chi Rho or also known as "Peaches"). The interns have continued this project this week by building more cascades of flowing water. It takes hard work and lots of playing in the mud and water. After our hour work sessions each day we are all coved in mud and drenched in water and full of deep happiness.

This area will surely become a favorite of many over the years. It already has for me! More work is to be done over the last few weeks of the camping season but check our work so far by following the link on the camp page...click on "See pictures of recent changes" in the upper left corner. http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/ministries_camp.html

BlessingsBSD

Residency program prepares seminary graduates for full-time ministry

From DisciplesWorld:

Blogmaster's Note: Shane Issac, the new minister at Plymouth Creek Christian Church in Plymouth, MN is interviewed for this article.

By Tanya J. Tyler, DisciplesWorld contributing writer


LEXINGTON, Ky. (7/22/08) — What is a young minister to do? Many times, newly graduated seminarians enter congregational ministry with little idea of what they’re getting into. No wonder they feel they’ve been thrown to the wolves.

“And sometimes they are thrown to some of our meanest wolves,” said Michael Mooty, senior minister at Central Christian Church in Lexington, Ky. “They end up in some of the most difficult and discouraging situations in ministry without any kind of real experience to help them give good pastoral leadership.”


To rectify this situation, Central and other congregations nationwide, both Disciples of Christ and other denominations, offer residency programs that help graduates make the transition from seminary student to full-time pastor.


Central received a $750,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment in December 2001 to establish a pastoral residency program through the endowment’s Transition into Ministry initiative. A core belief of the initiative is that practices of effective pastoral leadership can best be learned through intense involvement with a faithful congregation and an experienced pastoral leader.
“Their studies demonstrated that a lot of people went into ministry and then five years later were doing something else,” Mooty explained.

“Their question was, ‘Would a positive first experience in ministry, in which a person has the opportunity to work with and be mentored by an experienced pastor, be helpful?’”

Primarily targeting seminary graduates in their 20s, Central’s program offers a variety of ministerial opportunities.

“The residents get to do everything,” Mooty said. This includes preaching, assisting at funerals and weddings, teaching, and offering pastoral care. While some congregations use a rotation model, where the resident spends six months in a certain capacity, such as Christian education, Central’s program was designed to model actual ministry.

“The residents have to decide what the focus of their ministry’s going to be,” Mooty said. “We challenge them to find areas where they can give leadership in the congregation and the community. They can only discover their gifts themselves.”

Seven ministers have graduated from Central’s program so far. Heather McColl, a member of the first class in 2002, now serves as senior minister at Midway Christian Church in Midway, Ky.

It was difficult being in that first class, McColl acknowledged.

“We didn’t have any job descriptions and at first it was really frustrating, but Michael said, ‘You have to develop your ministry.’ As soon as he said it, it was a freeing experience,” McColl said. “I became more aware of my potential in the church.”

Erin Wathen, pastor of Foothills Christian Church in Glendale, Ariz., was in the second class. Initially, she saw herself serving as an associate pastor, but her experience at Central helped her realize she was capable of leading a congregation.

“After about a year in the program, I started to feel a lot more called to a senior pastor position and much more equipped for it,” she said. “I learned I had a lot of natural instinct for pastoral care and church life in general.”

Shane Isaac is the program’s most recent graduate. The experience was more than he anticipated.

“It was a phenomenal opportunity for me to begin getting my pastoral feet wet in a supportive and nurturing environment,” he said.

Isaac started seminary intending to become a Navy chaplain. After his second year, he felt his call to ministry was shifting. “I had to spend some serious time in prayer and discernment, saying, ‘Okay, Lord, if that’s not where I’m going, where am I going?’ It seemed congregational ministry was the right place.”

Like his colleagues, he found his call affirmed in the residency program. He has just begun serving Plymouth Creek Christian Church in Minnesota.

Mooty and his staff, which includes two former regional ministers of the Christian Church in Kentucky, made themselves available to the residents, who appreciated their support.
“You couldn’t ask for better mentors,” McColl said.

The church also benefited from the residency program.

“There was a time of transition where the congregation had to figure out, ‘Oh, these people have already graduated from seminary. These people are full-time staff with us. The depth of our relationships with them can be different,’” Mooty said.

“Now the congregation has learned to trust these people and have a high level of expectation of the kind of leadership they bring,” he said.

About the Disciple Mission Fund

Do you know what the Disciples Mission Fund is? You might, if you have heard someone talk about the Pentecost , Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings. The DMF describes itself as:

Disciples Mission Fund is the Disciples church-wide offering that supports
local, regional and general ministry efforts as Disciples reach out in shared
mission "from our doorsteps to the ends of the Earth." Historically,the
Disciples have achieved greater efficiencies and critical presence through a
"one-fund" ministry that proclaims Christ presence within the United States and
Canada, and around the world. Once known as "Basic Mission Finance," Disciples
Mission Fund today supports a wide array of ministries as Disciples reach out in
witness and mission.

To find out more, please go to the Disciples Mission Fund website.

Reconcilation Offering Materials Now Available for Download

"Come to the Table" is the theme for the 2008 Reconcilation Offering. Minutes for Mission and Graphics are available for download by going to the Upper Midwest website. (A bulletin insert will be available shortly.)

To find out where the Reconcilation offering goes, please visit the Reconcilation Ministry website.

WOC Leader to Visit Iowa

JOHNNY WRAY

WEEK OF COMPASSION

August 9-10

Noelridge Christian Church

Mark your calendars for this very important event! It is a rare opportunity for us.

Johnny Wray, Administrative Director of the Week of Compassion will be at Noelridge Christian Church on Saturday, August 9^th, for an evening of relaxed conversation. What a great opportunity to get to know more about Week of Compassion and the impact we can make in the world! Johnny will also be preaching in both services on Sunday and will host a conversation during the coffee fellowship between the services.

Thirsty Thursdays Take Off

This is the story of an endeavor to get an joint UCC/Disciples Young Adult Ministry off the ground in Minnesota. Click here for more.

Telling Our Story: Joan White

The following was an email sent by Joan White, pastor of First Christian and First Presbyterian Churches in Perry, Iowa:

My daughter, Krista, has been working at the disciples mission in Los Fresnos, TX , Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, for a little over a year. I visited her there and met the man who founded the mission, Feliberto Pereira. I was impressed by the gentleness of his strength and his quiet, focused, hopeful way of assisting refugees... When I heard he was writing a book about his life, I ordered several copies. The book came out this summer and the books are circulating in Perry. I had ordered four books and there has not been a week without someone in the congregation asking to be placed on the waiting list to get one. Some people ordered their own copies and these are also circulating.

It is an easy, pleasant, thought provoking read that has appealed to senior citizens and teenagers and everyone in between. It is spiritual without being “preachy.” We are planning to wait until all of those who still on the waiting list have had the opportunity to read it and then discuss it. Possible topics for discussion that popped into my head immediately were the practice of the spiritual disciplines, evangelism, refugee resettlement, forgiveness, ecumenism, family relations and the allocation of our mission dollars. It would work well for Chi Rho and CYF age groups.

O yes, the book is “I Was a Stranger: Hope for a Hidden World” authored by Feliberto Pereira and Chris Kelly, journalist who helped Feliberto put his story on paper. It is available by going to iwasastranger.com or from Amazon.com.

Pacific/Asian Disciples plan for ‘fruitful’ meeting in August

From DisciplesWorld:


By Ian Bowman-Henderson, DisciplesWorld contributing writer

INDIANAPOLIS (7/12/08) —The 2008 North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD) Convocation is being held August 6-8 in Stony Port, N.Y. This year marks the group’s fifteenth biennial convocation.

“The purpose of the convocation,” says NAPAD Executive Pastor Geunhee Yu, “is number one, to gather together as Asian-Pacific Disciples, number two educating the community of Asian-Pacific Disciples, and the third purpose is getting to know each other and enhancing our heritage.”

Moderator Cindy Kim also believes that the convocation helps connect Asian and Pacific Island Disciples to the larger church.

The theme of this year’s convocation is “Bear Fruit,” a title drawn from Matthew 7:20: "Thus you will know them by their fruits."

“The first day emphasizes a personal perspective, bearing fruit individually,” says Yu. “The second day is a community perspective. As a community of faith we have to bear fruit; and the third day is an ecological perspective.”

The week’s message is of personal significance to Kim. “For me something important is that you leave convocation with a sense of stewardship, like ‘What can I do now?’” says Kim, “and with “Bear Fruit’ there is this responsibility to community, ecology…and your own life.”

Kim said she is excited to increase the level of ecological awareness of her fellow NAPAD members. “…for many Asian immigrants ecological awareness is not big, or is not even on their radar,” says Kim.

The convocation will feature three keynote speakers; Rita Nakashima Brock, one of NAPAD’s earliest supporters and a prominent feminist theologian; Chung Hyun Kyung, a leader in eco-feminist theologies working to promote interfaith dialogue between Christianity and traditional Eastern religions; and Cassandra Carmichael, director of the National Council of Churches’ eco-justice program. This is the first time that NAPAD has held a convocation with all female keynoters.

“Part of that is a response to the Asian community,” says Kim, “but this year we have these amazing women who are all forefront in what they do.”

NAPAD includes over 90 congregations representing many different cultures, which can sometimes pose a problem for convocation organizers. “The difficult part is language,” says Kim. “There are 13 different languages that NAPAD members speak.”

Kim does not feel that this hurts the convocation. “There is really a sense of community,” she says. “Many Asian people struggle with the same things.”

Each day of convocation will begin with a worship session and then move on through the keynote speakers, business sessions, and breakout sessions for additional education. Also scheduled are several after-sessions as well as a pre-convocation event for youth, which will be held at the YMCA in Flushing, N.Y. The final day of convocation will end with the installation of NAPAD’s new officers, who will be selected by the NAPAD’s executive committee.

The event, though geared towards members of NAPAD, is open to anyone who would like to attend. says Kim.

Blogmaster's Note: The Upper Midwest Region has one known Asian/Pacific Congregation; Korean Dordom Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota led by Henkug Choi .

Hispanic Assembly stresses growth and discipleship

From DisciplesWorld:


By Ted Parks, DisciplesWorld contributing writer

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. (7/17/08) — Gathering more than 250 Hispanic Disciples from across North America to Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., near Newark, between July 10 and 13, the fourteenth National Hispanic and Bilingual Assembly included workshops, presentations, and rousing worship experiences, with speakers emphasizing evangelism, faithfulness to the Christian message, and training in leadership.

Worship periods opened and closed the assembly, with Disciples’ General Minister and President Sharon Watkins and Huberto Pimentel, national pastor for Hispanic ministries, presiding at communion during the concluding service. The event also included a youth program with a mission trip to feed the New York City poor at the historic Park Avenue Christian Church.

Speaking in Thursday night's opening worship, Juan Dávila, pastor of Primera Iglesia Hispana in Rochester, N.Y., launched the conference theme, "Growth and Discipleship: Challenges of the 21st Century," taken from the book of Acts.

Today's church must love, serve, and educate, Dávila said. The Rochester minister warned Disciples not to see themselves as a "grupito" — a "little group." Rather, Jesus attracted "great multitudes" because he loved people and taught in a practical and captivating way.

Describing twenty-first-century society as highly productive, highly competitive, and consumerist, Dávila said that affirming "absolute truths" is important for growth and essential for educating believers.

In a message the first full day of the assembly, Xosé Escamilla, pastor of Casa de Oración Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in San Diego, emphasized the need to not only train church members biblically but develop their leadership skills. "Edification of the body of Christ includes explosive numerical growth through the faith confirmed in each believer through discipleship to be ministers to do the Work of the Lord," Escamilla said on a presentation slide.

Pastors should include "practical leadership" in their teaching, Escamilla believes. They should not be simply "leaders of followers" but empower others to lead, he said. "Teaching others to carry out the work means reaching more people in need," Escamilla added.

Preaching Friday night, national pastor Pimentel applied colorful metaphors to call the assembly to maintain the unity God bestows the church as a gift.

"We have to be both together and scrambled up," he said, comparing the church to a pupusa, a stuffed tortilla dish from El Salvador. Pimentel also likened the churches of the "Obra Hispana" — "Hispanic Work," a frequent term for U.S. and Canadian Spanish-speaking Disciples — to a fleet. Ships sailing together knew how to avoid crashing into each other and knew their mission and destination, he said.

The national pastor affirmed both the individual nature of congregations and their connection to the broader church.

"Each church has its distinctive particularity, its own personality, and its particular territory where God has planted it to testify of his love and of his grace," Pimentel said. "This local church does not minister in an isolated way in the body of Christ," he added. "This local church forms part of a region, it forms part of a Hispanic convention, it forms part of the Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship, and it forms part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)."

Before his remarks, Pimentel showed video clips from pastors in border areas who were unable to attend the assembly because of problems with immigration. The national pastor put an empty chair in front of the room to symbolize the scores of people who continue to suffer in the absence of meaningful immigration reform.

Continue reading...

Fall Term Weekend Courses at United Seminary

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Announces 4 weekend classes for Fall Term 2008.
Each of these classes will meet on a Friday evening and Saturday morning,
one weekend a month, beginning in September.

Justice, Liberation and Hope in the Theology of Paul (CH231)
Taught by the Rev. Neil Elliot, editor with Fortress Press and author of “Liberating Paul”
We will examine developments in recent scholarship that challenge the traditional picture of the apostle Paul. Specific topics include Paul’s critical engagement with Roman slavery, the patronage system, and Roman imperial ideology; the problem of theology and praxis in Paul; Paul’s relationships with emancipated persons in the assemblies, especially women prophets; the presence of subordinationist or “kyriarchal” themes in Paul’s letters; and the challenge of interpreting Pauline texts rightly in the contemporary global context. Class will meet on United’s campus in New Brighton.

Major 20th Century Moral Thinkers – Katie Geneva Cannon (TR552)
Taught by the Rev. Alika Galloway, organizing co-pastor of Kwanzaa Community Church in Minneapolis and working towards her doctorate at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. This seminar is a close reading of selected works by Katie Geneva Cannon. Dr. Cannon was the first African-American woman ordained in the United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); she focuses her work in the areas of Christian ethics, Womanist theology, and women in religion and society. Class will meet at Kwanzaa Community Church, Minneapolis.

Empowering Lay Leadership (CL541)
Taught by Dr. Jean Morris Trumbauer, Director of United’s Doctor of Ministry Program
An emerging paradigm of church requires us to move beyond our view of members as “volunteers,” or satisfaction with “maintaining church programs,” and our reliance on “time and talent” forms to invite laity to ministry. Leaders of the church are challenged to re-envision the foundations and practice of sharing the ministry. This course explores a holistic approach to gifts-based ministry and the multiple components of a shared ministry system for today’s congregations. Class will meet at Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Duluth MN.

Reimagining the Church (TR820)
Taught be Dr. Eleazar Fernandez, professor of Constructive Theology at United
This is a course that introduces students to the classical as well as the various contemporary models of the church or ecclesiologies. Then these ecclesiologies will be critiqued in light of the tradition and contemporary challenges that the church is facing. Furthermore, students will engage in reconstructing or re-imagining an ecclesiology that is not only faithful to the Christian heritage but also responsive to the current context, both globally and locally. Class will meet at the Carriage house of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth MN.

OGMP Seeks Minister of Compassion / Exec. Dir. for Week of Compassion

From Disciples News Service:

The Office of the General Minister and President Opens Minister of Compassion / Executive Director of the Week of Compassion Search The Office of the General Minister and President (OGMP) seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as the Minister of Compassion / Executive Director for Week of Compassion. The new Minister of Compassion will serve as a member of the OGMP staff with primary responsibility to oversee the relief, rescue and development fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As the main avenue for Disciples disaster response giving, Week of Compassion also supports sustainable development and humanitarian projects through denominational and ecumenical partnerships around the world.

For more information, a full position description, and information on how to apply visit:www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2008/07/16a.asp.

What's Your Story?

The Disciples Together Blog has been going on for about four months now. I've been trying to make sure Disciples in the Upper Midwest are informed about the various happenings going on.

But I'd like to know what is your story.

The Region is made up of over 160 churches in four states. Every congregation has a story. Events to share, prayer requests, resources to make known. It is my hope that this blog can be a way that those stories can be told and shared with each other. So, please feel free to send me stories or events that might be happening in your church. Send them to me at dennis.sanders@gmail.com and put "Disciples Together" in the subject line.

I look forward to hearing your stories. Godspeed.

Dennis Sanders
Blogmaster

New SCL Materials Now Available

Two materials for the School for Congregational Learning are now available online. Promotional materials and directions to the SCL site are available at the Infopak page.

Thanksgiving for Life of Gwen McCague Brown

From Regional Minister Richard Guentert:

I just opened an e-mail sent to me this morning from Rev. Gail Thiessen,pastor at Marshalltown, announcing the death of Gwen McCague Brown last Saturday. The McCague grounds at the conference center were donated by her father. Gwen herself has been a generous benefactor to the Upper Midwest Region. She was present for the 40th Anniversary Celebration at the camp and was elated at the progress and ministry that was represented that day. We celebrate Gwen's life with gratitude for the breadth of her generosity and influence for Christ and his church.

Dr. Richard Guentert

News From the Minnesota Council of Churches

• Prayer at the Fair
  Sundays, August 24 & 31, 2008, 9:15 – 9:45 AM, State Fair Bandshell
  Going to the Fair doesn’t have to mean skipping church. Celebrate the abundance of life in Minnesota and all of God’s creation at a special worship service sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches. The casual service contains both the familiar forms of church including hymns, prayers and a sermon and also gets into the fun spirit of the Fair with our “bulletins on a stick." Celebrants represent the many denominations that make up the Minnesota Council of Churches, making the service a celebration of Christian Unity.


• 
  
  Funding for Churches in Greater Minnesota
  Get resources to help you serve the critical human needs in your community through the Compassion Capital Fund Project. The focus of the training and grants to greater Minnesota community organizations is capacity building in leadership, program design, financial sustainability, infrastructure and community engagement. Rural Churches-Rural Communities partners with the Compassion Capital Fund of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches and Fairview Health Services to make funding available to faith- and community-based organizations in Greater Minnesota. Click here to learn more or contact Lynne Holman at (612) 230-3211. Deadline is July 15, 2008 for Mankato area.

• Join Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Efforts
  Faith-based disaster recovery groups are key players in the immediate and long-term recovery from disasters. Links to denominational disaster response groups can be found at http://www.mnvoad.org/member_organizations.htm. Current opportunities include:
  ü Ongoing recovery from the 2007 floods in Winona County
  ü Donating a Disaster Recovery Kit to Church World Service
  ü Training to become a disaster recovery volunteer
  ü Donating money
  ü Organizing or volunteering at a Camp Noah for children who have experienced a natural or human-caused disaster.
  ü Helping in the recovery from other national and international disasters

• Volunteer with A Minnesota Without Poverty
  Join A Minnesota Without Poverty, a statewide, ecumenical, interfaith movement to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020.
  · Add your name to the 5000-plus people of faith who have signed a declaration of support for “A Common Foundation: Shared Principles for Work on Overcoming Poverty.” To add your name, go to http://www.mnwithoutpoverty.org/ and click on “Sign Foundation.”
  · Volunteer to assist with data entry.
  · Connect with a workgroup that is leading the way in various aspects of building the movement to end poverty. All of the workgroups are active and would welcome additional interested people. Topics include arts and education, child well-being, business, public policy and communications.
  Please contact Nancy Maeker at (612) 230-3222 for more information.
  
  
  
  The Minnesota Council of Churches manifests the unity of the body of Christ and builds the common good in the world in partnership with 24 member Protestant, Historic Black, and Orthodox judicatories representing more than 2,000 congregations and their 1 million members.

Minnesota United Church of Christ Looking for Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant for Children & Youth Minister
Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ
PT – 12 hours/week

The Minnesota Conference of the UCC is looking for an energetic and productive Administrative Assistant to support our children and youth ministry. The successful candidate will have some experience in administrative or secretarial support and good overall office skills. This part-time, 12 hour per week position works closely with and reports to the Ashley Minister for Children & Youth.

Learn more about the UCC and the Minnesota Conference at http://www.uccmn.org. The Conference office, located in the Minnesota Church Center midway between downtown and Uptown, offers monitored private parking and a pleasant, supportive work environment. It is also close to public transit and only a short distance to the shopping, restaurants, cultural and recreational opportunities on Nicollet, Lyndale and Hennepin Avenues. If you would like to join our committed, competent staff in supporting our local churches in this important ministry, please e-mail (preferred), fax or mail your resume and a cover note to us today!





Responsibilities
§ Provide support services (word processing, copying, filing, record keeping, and mailing) for the Ashley Minister, and assist the Ashley Minister with calendar and schedule.
§ Maintain organized information on current education and youth ministry leaders throughout the Minnesota Conference.
§ Build and maintain a communication network for children and youth ministry leaders.
§ Publish a monthly communication/newsletter for children and youth ministry leaders, with information about Conference events, and highlighting the ministries at the local churches.
§ Assist in administrative support for conferences, trainings and events of the Conference.
§ Assist the Ashley Minister as needed.

Qualifications
§ From one to three years’ experience in secretarial or administrative support.
§ High school diploma or equivalent.
§ Ability to operate all office machines and equipment
§ Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Publisher, Excel, Outlook), and some experience with website content development and maintenance.
§ Good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and flexibility, and a willingness to function as part of a team.
§ Ability to relate well to the diverse constituency of the Minnesota Conference, both staff and volunteers.
§ Experience in church or non-profit settings preferred.
§ Must be able to pass a criminal background check without restrictions.

TO APPLY: send your letter of application and/or resume before Monday, July 21 to:
§ E-mail (preferred): wadez@uccmn.org, subject line “Admin Asst”
§ Fax: 612-870-4885
§ Mail: Admin Asst (Ashley), MN UCC Conference Office, 122 W. Franklin Ave. Suite 323, Minneapolis, MN 55404

The Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, age, or any other status protected by law.

Positions Available at Minnesota UCC Church

Both positions are available at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in St. Paul.

St. Paul’s UCC CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR to begin quarter time with primary focus on youth education programs: pre-school - 5th grade. This position will support Sunday morning and Wednesday evening programming in a multi-age format. The hope is to grow the program participation and eventually the position. Please send resumes to the church address at 900 Summit Ave., St. Paul, and MN 55105 ATTN: CE Director Search Committee by July 25.

St. Paul’s UCC VISITATION PASTOR to make visits an average of 4 hours per week and to assist with funerals as needed. Position will begin in August. Please send a copy of your resume to the church address at 900 Summit Ave., St. Paul, and MN 55105 ATTN: Visitation Pastor Search by July 25.
* FFI regarding position speak with Rev. Norma Rae Hunt, 651-224-5809. Help us grow our ministry with your creativity and skills. Thanks for considering!

Recovery Road

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, interviewed Christina and Jerry Prindle, the family in Hugo, Minnesota who lost their 2 year old son Nate in a Memorial Day weekend tornado. Christina is the daughter of Bob and Barb Rhea, and the sister of Susan Rhea, all members of Lake Harriet Christian Church in Minneapolis. Christina grew up at the Minneapolis congregation. The article recounts that evening when the tornado struck and how Christina and Jerry's daughter, five year old Annika is recovering.

Please go here to see the story.

Also, please remember that Lake Harriet has set up a fund for the Prindle family. You can send donations to:

Prindle Family Fund
Lake Harriet Christian Church
5009 Beard Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55412

The checks should be made out to Lake Harriet Christian Church with "Prindle Family Fund" on the memo line.

"Come Thirsty"

Dear Friends,

I wanted to remind you or introduce an initiative to help connect young
adults in their 20s and 30s with local UCC and Disciple congregations.
Called "Come Thirsty" this is a project that result from a conversation of
UCC and Disciple pastors.

We've all noticed the same thing: our children grow up and tend to attend
church less and less. There is always the cry to do something to help get
young adults involved in the life of the church again. Come Thirsty hopes
to do that by hosting events to welcome young adults back home to church or
for the first time, if they have not been part of a faith community.

When Jesus called his disciples, he taught them the ways of God. As it was
then, it is today: Disciples are not born, but they are taught by a faith
community in the ways of Christ. We are called to go and make disciples,
those who were part of the faith community at one time, and those who have
never been been part of congregation teaching the ways of Christ.

We are starting Come Thirsty with a series of "Thirsty Thursdays" where we
will meet every Thursday at 8 for kickball and then gather at Bryant Lake
Bowl in Minneapolis.

I am asking the local Disciple community to do two things:

First please keep Come Thirsty in prayer. We already have a wonder pastor
in Iowa that is lifting us up in prayer and it would be wonderful if we can
get prayers from local Disciples.

Finally, I would ask that you please share this message with any young
adults you may know. Last week we had 30 people attend (though no
Disciples). It would be wonderful to see a few Disciples attend.

Okay, I have one more thing. Even if you are no longer a young adult,
please consider attending just to support this endeavor. "Come Thirsty" is
a project that can help connect and stregthen local congregations and raise
a new generation of leaders of the church. If you are interested in
attending, please contact me at dennis.sanders@gmail.com. You can also see
Come Thirsty's website at www.comethirsty-mn.org.

Thank you for your time and may God be with you.

Creating Significant Worship in Times of Change and Challenge – A Call to Congregations

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (UTS) is now accepting applications from churches in the Twin Cities metropolitan area to participate in a project designed to help congregations evaluate and enrich their worship. The project, “Creating Significant Worship in Times of Change and Challenge,” is underwritten by a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Those congregations interested in applying can download an application and learn more about this opportunity at www.unitedseminary.edu/ce/vitalworship.asp. Application deadline is July 22, 2008.

The project will select five area congregations to participate in this exciting interactive worship-enriching experience. Each congregation will send a team of worship planners to form a cluster group. The cluster group will meet with UTS faculty and resource persons to explore a wide variety of ways each congregation can enliven its worship life through theological reflection, dialogue, and engagement with the arts. In addition UTS resource persons will visit the congregations to help assess congregational interests, resources, and possibilities. All of this will be funded by the project.

According to Project Director, Cindi Beth Johnson, “The goal is to find churches eager to reflect on ways to make their worship relevant and meaningful, who sense they are on the cusp of congregational growth or change and can send a dedicated team that is willing to invest time and energy as they meet and explore with UTS worship resource people and faculty. We are also looking for a rich diversity of Christian heritages and worship styles for churches.”

The project will begin in September 2008 and and be completed by June 2009. Churches submitting applications must be within a fifty-mile radius of the Twin Cities.

For further information about this press release:
Contact Amanda M. Hunter at religionandthearts@unitedseminary.edu, 651-255-6159 or visit our website at www.unitedseminary.edu/ce/vitalworship.asp.

Disciples News Service Update

MISSION ALIGNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL SEEKS CHURCH-WIDE INPUT
The Mission Alignment Coordinating Council (MACC) recently spent three days in prayer and discussion as it looked at ways to more faithfully organize our Church for mission in the 21st century. The group was created following the 2008 General Board, which approved the creation of the MACC in April, and asked General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and Moderator Newell Williams to name a 12-member group that would develop a plan of mission alignment which addressed several key principles and outcomes.

At its June 3-5 meeting, the MACC offered several examples of how Disciples today can best be organized to accomplish our priorities of 1,000 new congregations, 1000 transformed congregations, new leadership and furthering our pro-reconciliation/anti-racism initiative. To review the Principles of Mission Alignment, the work of the Mission Alignment Coordinating Council and to send on any comments or suggestions, please go to: www.disciples.org/macc

DISCIPLES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION PROTECTING CONGO’S RESOURCES
The Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world plagued by violence that has lead to a battle for many of the country’s natural resources, including coltan, diamonds, cassiterite and gold. Coltan is a little known but very valuable mineral-ore used in consumer products around the world such as cell phones, computers and DVD players. Export of coltan, which is also known as columbite-tantalite, has been blamed for fueling the war in that country.

The humanitarian crisis in the Congo has been a preoccupation of Global Ministries, many in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and our Congolese global partners. U.S. Senators Sam Brownback and Richard Durbin have submitted a bill to Congress entitled, “Conflict, Coltan and Cassiterite Act of 2008” that will require the President to compile a list of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo committing human rights violations and prohibit the importation into the U.S. of any products if the group on the list would financially benefit. To find out more about Global Ministries support of the bill, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08061.pdf (PDF)

For additional questions, contact LaMarco Cable with Global Ministries at lcable@dom.disciples.org

TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS FOR ADOLESCENTS AT ECHO AND OLIVE BRANCH SUSPENDED
Disciples Benevolent Services has announced the suspension of its transitional living programs for adolescents at ECHO and the Olive Branch in St. Louis, Mo. Increasing cuts from state and local funding sources combined with a national trend toward more foster care placement for children forced the difficult decision last month.

Four of the last 15 children recently were placed in foster homes. Several ECHO employees have gone through foster parent training and are now in the process of taking several of the children into their own homes. One student is in college and one will attend this fall. The rest of the youth are in other custodial programs. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08062.html

DISCIPLES SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES IN DARFUR THROUGH TENTS OF HOPE
Disciples churches across the country have joined other faith communities in the national “Tents of Hope” campaign to raise awareness and resources for the suffering people in Darfur, Sudan.

Two Ohio churches, Heights Christian Church in Cleveland, and First Christian Church in Medina have not only painted their tent, but plan to take them to a national rally, that will be held in Washington D.C. this November.

In Oklahoma City, Okla., about 30 people at Crown Heights Christian Church took turns drawing on and painting a Tent of Hope that was erected in front of the church.

“The Sudan, generally, has been one of our advocacy issues for a few years but Tents of Hope has been a campaign that we’ve been promoting,” said Derek Duncan, associate for global advocacy and education with Global Ministries. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08063.html

NATIONAL HISPANIC BI-LINGUAL ASSEMBLY TAKES PLACE JULY 10-13
The National Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship asks for your prayers as it opens its 14th Assembly on Thursday, July 10 in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. Hundreds of Disciples from across the United States and Canada will gather for the event, where the theme “Growth and Discipleship: Challenges of the 21st Century” will be explored. The Biblical text for the theme comes from Acts 16:5.

Assembly events will include worship, business, workshops and youth activities. The 2008-2010 Hispanic Caucus Board also will be installed at the Assembly, which runs through Sunday, July 13. To learn more about the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries and its work, please visit: www.obrahispana.org

APPLICATIONS SOLICITED FOR THE 2008 DISCIPLES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Applications for the Disciples Leadership Institute, a program that aims to help the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) transcend barriers of race, culture, and language, are being accepted for the 2008 conference, which will be held in August in St. Louis, Mo.

The Disciples Leadership Institute (DLI) creates personal and professional linkages among younger congregational leaders from both new and established congregations and across the divides of race, culture and language.

Centered around a week-long event, DLI is intentionally diverse: half of the participants are from new congregations, half from established congregations. Half are non-Anglo. A one-page application, a short essay, and a reference's name and contact information must be received by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) no later than Friday, July 11. For more information, visit: www.helmdisciples.org

NATIONAL CONVOCATION EXTENDS REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR 20th BIENNIAL SESSION
The 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation will take place in Memphis, Tenn. July 25-28. This year’s theme is “God, Our Weapon In Spiritual Warfare”, based on II Corinthians 10:3-5. Pre-Convocation Workshops begin Friday morning, July 25th. The session officially opens on Friday evening with a gospel concert featuring Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers. The deadline for hotel reservations is July 15th although participants also may register for the event on-site. Convocation planners are excited about the preaching, teaching, singing, fellowship and food that will be shared at the event. Those unable to attend the session are encouraged to pray for the event and its many participants. To learn more about the upcoming Biennial Session, visit: www.disciples.org/convo/biennial.htm

ATTENTION ON MIDWAY COLLEGE AND HISTORIC KENTUCKY CHURCHES IS FOCUS OF CANE RIDGE DAY
The annual Cane Ridge Day celebration focused on Midway College when it was held June 28 at the Cane Ridge Shrine in Paris, Ky. The histories of Midway Christian Church and Second Christian Church, both located in Midway, Ky., were told by church members during the celebration. Both churches have historic ties to Midway College. The college was established in 1847 as the Kentucky Female Orphan School by Midway Christian’s first pastor, Lewis L. Pinkerton.

Second Christian Church, believed to be the oldest black church in the nation, was organized out of Midway Christian so that black slaves could have a worship house. Second Christian was established in 1852, 11 years before the Emancipation Proclamation was given by President Lincoln. For more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08064.html

DISCIPLES AND CATHOLICS DIALOGUE ABOUT PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST IN CHURCH AND MINISTRY
The International Commission for Dialogue between the Disciples of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church held its final meeting of the fourth phase of its dialogue at the Abbey of Klosterneuburg, outside of Vienna, on June 23-27. The topic of this session was “The Priesthood of Christ in Church and Ministry.”

From its dialogue, the Commission prepared a document that brought together the wide-ranging issues discussed into the three areas of general agreements, disagreements, and issues for further consideration. The dialogue anticipates producing an agreed statement in the coming year that will bring together the work of the five sessions of this phase of its dialogue on the overall theme, “The Presence of Christ in the Church, with special reference to the Eucharist.” The Commission sees its work as a contribution toward realizing the dialogue’s long-range goal of full visible unity in one faith, one eucharistic fellowship, and common life in Christ. To read more, go to:
www.disciples.org/ccu/news/2008/0806.Disciples%20Catholic%20Dialogue.html

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE BECOMES UNIVERSITY
Northwest Christian College has changed its name to Northwest Christian University. The name change was made to reflect the Eugene, Ore., school’s expanding course offerings and the aggressive course it has taken to better compete and retain faculty and students. NCC officially became NCU during a July 1 ceremony that was attended by the mayors of Eugene and Springfield. The university offers 16 undergraduate programs, four master’s degree disciplines and professional studies for working adults.

“We want students to have an experience that is rich academically with a robust campus life that is positive, fun and interesting,” said Northwest Christian University President David Wilson. NCU also launched a new School of Christian Ministry on July 1. The establishment of the new school was marked with a special worship service in the campus chapel. For more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08065.html

DISCIPLES BENEVOLENT SERVICES SEEKS CHAPLAIN TO SERVE IN IOWA
Disciples Benevolent Services Chaplaincy Care is searching for a chaplain to provide services at Ramsey Village, a retirement facility in Des Moines, Iowa, formerly owned by National Benevolent Association (NBA). Ramsey Village has been without chaplaincy services since 2005, when it changed ownership. The DBS chaplain will be available to provide pastoral care for village residents and the surrounding community. Services are provided at no cost to Ramsey Village, its residents or members of the community. The service is available to all persons, regardless of religious preference.

Chaplaincy Care is a program of DBS Senior Care Ministries and was first introduced earlier this year at Barton W. Stone Home in Jacksonville, Ill., which also was also formerly owned by NBA. DBS anticipates that a second chaplain will be added to the Jacksonville area later this year. To read more about the chaplaincy program, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08066.pdf (PDF)

Persons interested in applying for the chaplaincy position in Iowa should go to the employment link on the DBS website at: www.nbacares.org

DISCIPLES WORK GROUP ASSISTANCE FOR GULF REGION ENTERS PHASE II
Having surpassed its goal in Phase I of sending 750 Disciples work groups to the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast region by this coming August, Disciples Home Missions has set a new goal to send dozens more work groups to the region between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009. The goal in Phase II will be to sign up 150 – 200 Disciples work groups to travel to the region, where they will repair and/or rebuild homes and other structures that were damaged or destroyed by the hurricanes that pounded the region in 2005.

The volunteer groups will work out of mission stations in Gulfport, Miss.; Slidell, Metairie, Lake Charles and Algiers, La.; and Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas. To get more information, contact Anne Marie Moyars at 888-346-2631. Or visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/Volunteer/DisasterResponse/Register.htm

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Editor: Wanda Bryant Wills
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org

Looking for Van

From Associate Regional Minister Bill Spangler-Dunning:

During the week of July 21-26 (Really just for 22-25) I am looking for a
way to transport equestrian camp to and from the Ranch everyday. This camp
grew larger than last year and now we need to divide the group into two
groups with 4 hours of horse time for each group. In short it means that
we need to take 2 round trips from the camp to the ranch to make this
work... I love problems that result from growth, however Im turning to the
great Disciples for the resource of a church van that we could use. Or
maybe its a vehicle that holds 8 but either way need it for transportation....

PS... Also looking for an extra female counselor for this camp... call me
soon 515 577 9050...

Denomination's realignment plan could combine DHM and HELM

From DisciplesWorld:


By Rebecca Bowman Woods, DisciplesWorld news editor

INDIANAPOLIS (7/11/08) — Denominational leaders are heeding the wider church’s call for "less structure, more mission," and are floating a draft of a realignment plan that would combine the programs of at least two of the church’s general ministries — Disciples Home Missions (DHM) and Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM).

General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and a group called the Mission Alignment Coordination Council (MACC) have been working on a proposal to realign the church’s structures with its mission. They will finalize a proposal this year and present it to the 2009 General Assembly for approval.

After weeks of discussion and a three-day meeting last month in Indianapolis, the council is making its ideas public and asking for input from the rest of the church.

Among the changes put forth in the draft document is the creation of a new general ministry, to be called either Congregational and Leadership Ministries or the Center for Congregational Leadership. It would bring together many of the responsibilities, programs, and ministries of DHM and HELM.

The draft documents outline three options for how the general church might organize its work. One option places both New Church Ministries and Transformation Ministries as part of the new general ministry. Another moves the transformation initiative to Church Extension, which already oversees new church establishment.

Racial-ethnic ministries — the National Convocation, the Central Pastoral Office of Hispanic Ministries, and the National Association of Pacific/Asian Disciples would have a more prominent place at the table and would receive a larger share of denominational funding.

The MACC’s draft includes an “accreditation system” that would certify official ministries of the church, a move aimed at improving accountability and transparency within the church.

The future role of Disciples Benevolent Services (DBS), formerly the National Benevolent Association (NBA), has also been part of the council’s discussion. The once-formidable non-profit owned or operated more than 100 facilities for seniors, children, and developmentally disabled adults. It was greatly diminished by a bankruptcy filing in 2004. DBS is still a general ministry of the church but since 2007 it has focused on helping congregations start their own housing and care ministries. DBS would become self-supporting instead of receiving denominational funding, according to the council’s draft.

The MACC’s ideas are based on the principles for mission alignment set forth by the General Board in April. The General Board also identified three desired outcomes: getting clarity about its own responsibilities regarding the church’s mission, embracing the denomination’s growing diversity, and resourcing congregations for mission.

The council’s work is part of the larger process of guiding the church toward four priorities set forth in the 2020 Vision: leader development, establishing 1,000 new congregations and transforming 1,000 existing ones by the year 2020, and becoming a pro-reconciling, anti-racist denomination.

A letter from Watkins posted along with the MACC documents lays out how and when the council will finalize its proposal.

The conversation about how to make the general church more effective “is one the Church has been asking for,” Watkins writes. “The expected result is a general church organization that is more transparent to congregations in how mission is delivered. It anticipates better stewardship of mission funds as less is spent on organizational infrastructure and more on actual ministry. It imagines a church focused on mission.”

In addition to Watkins and Disciples Moderator Newell Williams, the council’s members are Bill Lee, Virginia pastor and former Disciples’ moderator; Carolyn Ho, former first vice-moderator; Mary Jacobs, former first vice-moderator; David Vargas, Global Ministries’ co-executive; Sotello Long, South Carolina’s regional minister; Cherilyn Williams, moderator for the Northwest region; Darryl Trimiew, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion of Medgar Evers College at the City University of New York; Xose Escamilla, pastor of Casa de Oracion in San Diego; Kari Kempf, church administrator at the Church of the Foothills in Santa Ana, Calif., and Tim Lee, assistant professor of Church History at Brite Divinity School.

The MACC meets in September and again in November. The group will compile the comments and ideas received from the wider church and will refine its work before presenting a proposal to the General Board in 2009. The General Board will review the proposal and make recommendations before sending it on to the General Assembly.

Church camps reassure Disciples on foul-weather plans following Iowa Boy Scout tragedy

From DisciplesWorld:

By Ryan Singleton, DisciplesWorld contributing writer

BURWELL, Neb. (7/11/08) — One day after the tragic deaths of four Boy Scouts in Iowa, Kamp Kaleo issued a letter to Nebraska Disciples and others asking for “help in reassuring parents, campers, and the church at large that we are prepared for such emergencies and that campers will be as safe as possible."

On June 11, four Scouts were killed and many others injured when a tornado hit the Little Sioux Scout Camp in western Iowa. The tragedy happened around the beginning of the season for many Disciples camps and conference centers.

Michael Stein, chair of the Nebraska region’s youth and outdoor ministries, wrote the letter explaining the difference between the Boy Scouts’ camping expedition and the facilities at Kamp Kaleo, which serves both the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ. “The Iowa Boy Scout Camp was intended to be a more remote and wilderness-like facility. For this reason, campers there unfortunately did not have access to the extensive warning system and shelter options afforded campers at Kaleo,” Stein noted.

Those include a storm monitoring process, emergency sirens from the nearby town of Burwell, and underground shelters.

The Christian Conference Center of the Upper Midwest Region also took steps to let concerned Disciples know how it protects campers during inclement weather. Associate Regional Minister Bill Spangler-Dunning e-mailed a letter last month detailing the systems and facilities in place.
Those include three newly remodeled, underground shelters, two of which function like “efficiency apartments,” according to Spangler-Dunning. The third is a large room that doubles as a meeting hall. The two smaller shelters can house 96 people, while the larger room can hold 120 individuals or 60 people with mattresses.

The camp also has interns and staff who monitor weather reports and are quick to move campers to safer shelters if an ominous storm approaches.

“Anytime a storm is in the area one of our interns will stay up and collect information relevant to its impact on the camp and if needed we will awake all our campers and move them to the tornado shelter located in the basement of the main lodge,” Spangler-Dunning said.

2008 Regional Assembly

The 2008 Regional Assembly will take place on October 11, 2008 at West Des Moines Christian Church in Des Moines. For more information, please go to our special page on Regional Assembly.

July InfoPak Online

The July edition of the InfoPak is now online and available for download. Go to http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/resources_infopack.html to download materials.

From the DOC Lectionary Blog

In this week's Gospel lesson Jesus offers the parable of the sower. And unlike many of his other parables he offers an interpretation. In his interpretation we can notice a major difference in the allegorized interpretation offered here from how it is offered in Mark. Mark provides a little bit of a conundrum where the sower is sowing the word (v 14) and then later the sower is sowing the hearers (v 16). Matthew, however, does not focus so much on which is which, seeing the combination of seed and soil as a complete component, a recipe in which both ingredients are necessary. So the situation of each combination is likened to a different type of hearer and their response to the word.

The question this parable poses for all of us is thus: Which one am I? Am I like the situation where the seed is sown on the path, the rocky ground, among thorns, or in the good soil? When preached the call to self-examination should be obvious.

Read more about this week's reflection on the Lectionary texts by going to the DOC Lectionary Blog.