During more reflective periods I think about the time I fritter away on meaningless things. You probably fritter away time on meaningless things, too.

I do not think any of us really wants to, but it just happens. Bit by bit, parcel by parcel, we sell our souls for that proverbial bowl of soup [Genesis 25:29ff]. More meaningful endeavors are sacrificed to the lesser gods.

There is an old story that goes something like this. When Alexander Maclaren was called to the pulpit of a prominent Baptist church in Manchester, England, he said to the deacons, "Gentlemen, there is one matter to be settled before I take this position."

"What's that?" they asked.

Maclaren said, "Do you want my head or my feet? You can have one or the other, not both. I can run around doing this and that and drinking tea if you wish me to, but then do not expect me to bring something in my messages that will shake this city!"

It is not because I walked in the CROP Walk this year that I cite this story asking whether the church wants the minister's head or feet. I encourage you to walk for worthy causes that support groups like Church World Service. The reason I share this story of Maclaren's conversation with church leaders is because much ministry is in danger of becoming ineffectual because of the lack of establishing priorities. If preaching is not a priority for you and your congregation, then make it a priority.  

I invite you to establish some priorities for your lives and ministries. Without them you are adrift. With them you might just shake your city. And remember, use your head!

Ron Degges

New Resource on Mental Health and Gun Violence

Our sisters and brothers at the American Baptist Home Mission Societies [ABHMS] in cooperation with the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition [IDAC], a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities [AAPD], has released a new publication and resource available to members of our Disciples congregations and leaders entitled, "Grounded in Faith: Resources on Mental Health and Gun Violence." This resource was created "to ensure that the debate around gun violence prevention neither stigmatizes people with mental illness nor deprives them of their rights and freedom." 

The Office of Christian Vocations has purchase all remaining stock of Cokesbury's Disciples Elder Emeritus  lapel pins. Cokesbury has notified us they will no longer stock this item. Due to limited quantity at this time, these gold pins with red chalice will only be resold in orders of two or less. The cost is $10 per pin, including shipping. The pins currently come in a gray felt jewelry box. You can order them through the Office of Christian Vocations.

Disciples Home Missions is currently seeking a new long term producer/supplier of the Elder Emeritus lapel pins. Once a new supplier is secured, pricing will be re-evaluated and the quantity order limits will be removed. Our hope is to continue to serve our Disciples congregations by making sure these Elder Emeritus pins remain available.

Newsletters

Umoja and Voices Spring 2013 issues are available. Please note the special volunteer opportunities for General Assembly 2013 featured in both issues.

QA 2014

Registration and other cost information is available. There is a special GA2013-only offered registration option.

Just Women study resource materials

The Spring 2013 Bible study should arrive in your mailbox by the end of this week. Now would be a good time to renew your subscription to insure receipt of every issue.

Women's Endowment Fund

Do you know someone who has served the church in an exceptional way? Do you know someone who has changed your journey of faith? Have you had a great idea for a new and creative ministry for women but had no funds to support it?

The Women's Endowment Fund (WEF) of Disciples Women is a fund established in honor or in memory of women who have made an impact on Disciples women's ministries and the church. These funds remain in a permanent fund invested through the Christian Church Foundation. Only the interest from these investments is used to support grant requests which benefits the entire Disciples women's network.

WEF has funded projects involving leadership training, inclusion of young women, outreach, etc. This fund allows women the opportunity to make a tremendous difference in the shaping of tomorrow's world by what they do today.

If you have a great idea for a ministry that serves women, consider applying for a Women's Endowment Fund grant to support that ministry. The yearly deadlines are March 15 and October 15.