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Disciples Home Missions Updates




September 14, 2014

In This Issue
*From the President
*NAPAD
*Central Woodward CC
*Family & Children's Ministries
*Disciples Volunteering
*Refugee & Immigration
*Disciples Women

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From the President

Ever since the wheels of history moved the world into the industrial revolution, humankind has become increasingly automation dependent. The movable printing press and cotton gin have led the way to assembly lines, robotics, and computer technology that have streamlined production, sidelined the need for human labor [jobs], and touted efficiency as the number 1 core value of the 21st century world. No one can argue with the fact that this has created a whole new workforce for a privileged few. The question is if it can create jobs that can provide living wages for the many.

 

While technological innovations can be a means to an end, they can never be an end in and of themselves. Technology for the sake of technology alone is a futile enterprise, but technological innovations that lead all of humanity to a better, more fulfilling way of life is a servant technology that can aid in the eradication of hunger, global warming, disease, poverty, hate, and war. The development of a more healthy, caring and loving humanity would be its end.

 

If quality of life for the many is one of the intended outcomes of increased automation, those leading the advance must beware of becoming automation dependent. "Automation dependency," according to Barry Schiff, "is a relatively new aviation term that describes what can happen to pilots who become excessively dependent on automation . . ."

 

Schiff goes on to say, ". . .it is a dependence on automatic systems that can lead a pilot to complacently accept what an aircraft is doing without monitoring and confirming that it is doing what he expects or wants it to do. . . habitual and excessively reliant use of automation can result in the loss of situational awareness, failure to notice evolving difficulties, and not taking appropriate action to resolve problems. It can also result in the erosion of a pilot's basic (manual) flying skills."

 

I sometimes wonder if, in dealing with all the demands of congregational life, we in church leadership have placed our congregations on autopilot, assuming that the church is piloting itself. We have not paid attention to the fact that the auto throttles are not engaged and the airspeed is eroding and that a stall is imminent. Because we are dependent on the automated autopilot to do the job for us, we are not even monitoring the airspeed in the first place. We trust that all is well, when anything but wellness is on the horizon.

 

As great as automation is, there is no time when you can leave the flying of an airplane or the leading of a congregation up to automation alone. It is the pilot's responsibility to aviate and it is the responsibility of our ministers and lay leaders to lead. Just as a pilot cannot relegate his duty to automation, neither can our ministers and church leaders.

 

Let me encourage you to use the tools offered by current technology to enhance your ministry to the congregation, but not to replace your ministry to the congregation. You cannot autopilot a congregation. Congregations need you. They need your education and experience. They need you to engage them. They need you to make sure they are contextually and situationally aware. They need you to help them with nagging difficulties, to guide them into taking appropriate action when needed, and to resolve problems. If not you, then who?

 

You have been ordained to lead, commissioned to lead, and called to lead. Now lead!

 

Autopilot off-ly yours,

 


NAPAD

The Reverend Harold R. Johnson (1921-2014)

The Reverend Harold R. Johnson-the "Grandfather" of NAPAD-died peacefully on September 6, 2014. He was 93 year old. Johnson was born on March 18, 1921 in Martins Ferry, Ohio, as the son of Harry E. and Ruby Zane Johnson. He graduated from Bethany College, West Virginia, and the University of Pittsburgh. 

 

Johnson served churches in Pennsylvania before moving to Indiana, where he spent the rest of his life, engaged in various forms of ministry. Initially he served Indiana congregations as director of youth and, later, as director of Christian Education. From 1961 to 1968, he served on the general church, the United Christian Missionary Society. When the Disciples restructured in 1968, he joined the staff at the Division of Homeland Ministries, serving first as Executive Coordinator of Program and Strategy and then, from the early 1980s until his retirement in 1990, as the Executive for Evangelism. While at DHM, Johnson also assisted the Board of Church Extension, to train ministers for new congregations, and the Council on Christian Unity, to help it engage in ecumenical conversations with the Consultation on Church Union.

 

While he distinguished himself as a leader of the general church, Johnson's most significant legacy lies in the North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD). Johnson, more than anyone else, was instrumental in establishing this community centered on Asians and Pacific Islanders within the Disciples. It was he who first envisioned and advocated for a denomination-wide community of Asians and Pacific Islanders, something that was not part of his DHM portfolio. His efforts led to the establishment of the Fellowship of Asian American Disciples in 1978, which became the American Asian Disciples in 1979, before becoming NAPAD in 1996. In building NAPAD, Johnson worked closely with other key leaders in the community, especially Grace Kim, David Kagiwada, and Soongook Choi.

 

Though a European-American, Johnson saw himself as one with the Disciples of Asian and Pacific Island heritages-and was accepted as such. For this reason, Johnson was affectionately referred to by fellow NAPADers as the "self-appointed advocate for Disciples of Asian origin" and the "Grandfather" of NAPAD. Johnson was recognized for his contributions at a luncheon at the 2009 General Assembly in Indianapolis, where he was presented with a plaque that honored him as a founder of the NAPAD.

 

Johnson was preceded in death by Ruth, his wife and partner in ministry for 64 years. The couple had no children, but Johnson is survived by brothers, cousins, nephews, nieces and beloved friends at Downey Avenue Christian Church and NAPAD. Downey Avenue Christian Church plans to hold a memorial service sometime in October; NAPAD will also hold an event to celebrate Johnson's life and achievements.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to Downey Avenue Christian Church, 111 S. Downey Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219 and/or NAPAD, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

 

Jinsuk Chun

Executive Pastor of North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD)


Central Woodward Christian Church

Perry Gresham Lectures with Carol Howard Merritt 

The fall is upon us.  Therefore, I would like to get word out to all of you about  Central Woodward Christian Church's annual Perry Gresham Lectures with Clergy Day. This year we have the Rev. Carol Howard Merritt, author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope (both Alban), columnist for the Christian Century, and one of the most engaging religious leaders of our day. I just saw that she had been named one of 15 Christian Women changing the world. That's pretty high praise.  And she will be with us on November 7 and 8.  

 

Friday is a clergy day and includes CEU's from Christian Theological Seminary. Saturday is a general audience focus. Both days should be excellent.

 

Please consider coming and also passing on to colleagues!

 

Blessings,

Dr. Bob Cornwall, Pastor

Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
3995 W. Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084



Family & Children's Ministries

Upcoming Events with the Association for United Church of Christ Educators (AUCE)

The Association of United Church Educators (AUCE) is a group of lay and ordained United Church of Christ educators who share similar passions with many Disciples educators. AUCE holds regional events throughout the year with excellent speakers and workshops. Check out what's on the calendar for this October:

 

PNEUMA 2014 Conference ~ October 13-16, 2014
Zephyr Point Conference Center in Lake Tahoe, NV
More information and registration here.


GLAUCE ~ October 14-16, 2014
Techny Towers Retreat Center in Chicago, IL
Contact the
Great Lakes Region for registration info.

 

Note: Events are open to all and do not require membership.

 

Kids to Kids Urgent Project: Children at the Southern Borders

Thank you for your response to our latest Kids to Kids project! We love hearing your feedback. If you have yet to get involved, more help is needed. Our resources include concrete project ideas, a kid friendly explanation of the crisis, and recommendations for websites and organizations where you can learn more. View the full project guide here, and be sure to send us your stories, feedback, and photos.

 

Light a Candle for Children Prayer Vigil begins September 14

Light a Candle for Children is an annual advocacy and prayer vigil project that offers daily meditations written by Disciples and UCCers beginning this year September 14 and concluding October 19 on Children's Sabbath. For more information visit the Light a Candle blog or follow on Twitter or Facebook.

 

Children Worship & Wonder Upcoming Story Teller Trainings

Sept. 19 - 21, 2014

Jeffersontown Christian Church ~ Jeffersontown, KY (Louisville area)

 

Sept. 26 - 28, 2014

Hilton Christian Church ~ Newport News, VA

 

Nov. 7 - 9, 2014

Erlanger Christian Church ~ Erlanger, KY

 

Visit our website for the most current schedule and to register. 

 


Disciples Volunteering Special Project
Disciples ministries partner to provide disaster relief for congregation

Real Faith Christian Church in Clarksdale, Miss. was in the midst of a major building campaign in 2009 when disaster hit. A stream of unfortunate events occurred that caused the congregation to abandon its construction project and refocus its energy on rebuilding the congregation and searching for a new pastor who could help lead them through an abysmal time in the church's history.

 

In 2012, Real Faith Christian Church appointed a young and vibrant pastor, Zedric Clayton, who would help the congregation retool its missional focus and reclaim its place in serving the community. In the spirit of support, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is walking alongside Real Faith Christian Church to bring assistance to this congregation. Disciples Home Missions, Disciples Volunteering, Disciples Church Extension Fund, Disciples Women, Week of Compassion, National Convocation, Reconciliation Ministry, Great River Region and Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation have joined this effort to help Real Faith Christian Church finish the building project, which will include a new sanctuary, gym and fellowship hall, narthex, classrooms and media room. Groups from Central Christian Church in Newark, Ohio, and First Christian Church in Moss Point, Miss., will be the first teams of volunteers to help assist with the church's construction needs. They are scheduled to begin work on the building September 15.  

 

Register

 

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Refugee & Immigration Ministries
Disciples Support Legal Assistance for Central American Children Fleeing Violence ~ and Encourage Others to Join the "Third Tithe Challenge!

The letterhead of North Chevy Chase Christian Church in Maryland claims their congregation is committed to outreach. Now their

generosity and rapid response to assist the critical concerns of Central American children fleeing violence has confirmed their words in a big and generous way! As soon as church mission team members heard that over 15% of the nearly 38,000 children seeking safety from gang extortion and drug violence were joining relatives among the already existing Central American communities of DC, Maryland, and Virginia, they contacted the Refugee & Immigration Ministries office to ask how they could help. RIM Director, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea preached with the congregation, and the church mission team went into immediate action!

 

Of the many ways to assist the children (see these "Top 10 Ways to Join Local to Global Responses for Central American Children in Crisis" and "DOC Ways to Help Children in Crisis, Seeking Refuge"), they learned that one of the most crucial needs is to provide legal services to aid the children in preparing for their required immigration hearing. Indeed, 9 of 10 children are likely to be deported immediately without the assistance of a lawyer to listen to their story, understand the violence they have endured, and represent their possible eligibility for a trafficking, special immigrant juvenile, or other visa protection. Read more.


Disciples Women

Disciples Women are invited to SOAR at General Assembly 2015. Learn more.

 

The Quadrennial 2014 website is still live. You are invited to order your QA2014 highlights and session DVDs on this site.

 

The Breaking the Chains: Link by Link web pages are ready to help you with taking the next step in battling human trafficking with this social action emphasis for 2014 to 2018.

 

Please lift-up prayers for the participants of the Woman-to-Woman Worldwide 2014 journey to France and Italy. They leave next month on this life-changing journey. Applications for the 2015 journey to Israel and Palestine will be available early-2015.


Be sure to look for the latest issue of the Disciples Advocate online.

 

Also, check out the Disciples Home Missions Web site

for more congregational resources.

 

Rev. Ron Degges 

President

Disciples Home Missions
Phone: (317) 713-2684