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From the President
Since Thanksgiving is just a few days away, I thought I would share with you some of the wisdom of author Laurie Beth Jones, in her book, Jesus Entrepreneur. She writes:
"Proverbs states that people who water others will be watered themselves. People who hoard what they have will be punished.
The Dead Sea is dead because it has no outlets. Whatever flows into it never leaves. Have you met people like that? Have you dealt with companies like that? And though they may wring every last ounce of energy or nickel out of you, they are left with a depleted and demoralized customer. Is it worth it to save a dollar and lose a hundred? To lock up everything you own so tightly that nothing will escape?
The G in God stands for generosity. If we are to be like God - experience God - and commune with God, generosity must be one of the first words people use to describe us.
Remember, the only plant Jesus ever cursed was the fig tree that refused to share its fruit with a very hungry, very powerful, and very giving-oriented man.
Break yourself like bread, and you will be multiplied. Pour yourself out like wine, and you too will enjoy the party - especially since your generosity will guarantee you a seat next to God.
Jesus gave it away."
In her book, Laurie Jones introduced me to a new word: Spiritreneur. She joins two words here. The first is Spirit, "the soul, the heart, the seat of feelings." The second is Entrepreneur, "a person who organizes and manages an enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk." Spiritreneurs then "are those who fully integrate their soul in a workplace enterprise."
It is extremely important for those of us who are leaders in the church to be Spiritreneurs, those whose souls are fully integrated into God and Christ and in service to the church. It is not enough to give congregational life and leadership a nod here and there. You give them a nod and they will nod off on you. This is why the church seems so sleepy to so many today. It is time for us to wake up to the reality that the Spirit wants to work through us to accomplish some important and significant tasks that will make the world a better place for all God's people.
I hope you know how thankful we at Disciples Home Missions are for those of you who labor week in and week out in the vineyard of the Lord. You are the body, the engine, the wings, the Spiritreneurs of God, of Christ, and of the church. Never underestimate your significance or the significance of the work you do. When coupled with Spirit you will be able to say, as one did long before you, "I can do all things through the One who strengthens me"[Philippians 4:13].
Thanksgiving-ly yours,
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Christian Education & Faith Formation
Advent Resources Coming Soon
Be on the lookout for the 2014 Advent Resource Packet which will be  available on the Disciples Home Missions' website as a free download. This year the resource will be posted weekly. The first week will be posted around November 25, 2014. You will be able to download this resource.
Other Resources Coming
Also be on the lookout for the following resources to be available on the DHM website: Kwanzaa, Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday, Week of the Laity and African American History Month. The Lent devotional will be available by the end of January 2015.
Fall Advocate Now Available
The Fall 2014 issue of The Disciples Advocate is now available on the DHM website for a free download. This issue is about "Commitment to Justice" and includes justice issues on the crisis of unaccompanied children crossing the southern border into the United State, human trafficking, immigration reform and many others justice issues.
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Family & Children's Ministries
Preparing for Advent
Looking for Advent resources? Check out our one-minute video series starting with Advent for Families: Week One. For more advent suggestions for home and church see our latest newsletter.
Family Friendly Opportunities at General Assembly 2015
Disciples Home Missions is hosting a special family friendly luncheon on July 19, 2015 at General Assembly. We'd love the opportunity to get to know you and share with you the current work and ministry of DHM. Purchase tickets when you submit your GA registration. (Children 12 and under are free.)
Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Trainings
February 6-8, 2015
First Christian Church ~ Florence, AL
March 6-8, 2015
Kingsway Christian Church ~ Germantown, TN (Memphis area)
March 13-15, 2015
Guyton Christian Church ~ Guyton, GA
Register now or contact Jessica Kramer with any questions.
Upcoming Interdenominational Events
Christianity21:January 22-24, 2015 ~ Phoenix
21 speakers deliver 21 big ideas in 21 minutes each
And The Children Shall Lead Them: February 21-22, 2015 ~ Chapel Hill, NC
An Inspiring Model of Ministry for intergenerational faith formation brought to you by the UCC Faith Formation team and the United Church of Chapel Hill
Progressive Youth Ministry: March 19-21 ~ Chicago
(Disciples leaders will have a gathering as a part of this event. Details to come.)
Faith Forward 2015: April 20-23, 2015 ~ Chicago
Bringing together children's and youth ministry leaders for collaboration, resourcing, and inspiration toward innovative theology and practice.
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Disciples Volunteering
Summer Mission Intern Applications
Friends -
Disciples Home Missions is inviting applications for summer mission interns, and we need your help. This is such a great program for leadership development as well as summer adventure! But among our  biggest challenges is getting the information into the hands of potential applicants. We know that not all of you work directly with young adults; we are asking if each of you would please forward this message through your networks to pastors, congregational leaders, and others who can directly share this invitation for young adults to engage in servant leadership next summer. And for those who can, please help us by getting this information directly into the hands of potential applicants.
We've attached a flyer here that describes the program and gives links to the on-line application, deadlines and other such information. Can you share this with young adults you could imagine serving in this summer ministry? Short answers to the most frequent questions:
The internships are for young adults age 20-27 (as of late May 2015)
The application deadline is February 5! And yes, you get paid.
Here's something new in 2015: An Early Placement option. If an application and all recommendations are in by January 7, the applicant may get news as early as January 16. Who wouldn't want the stress-reliever of having a summer plan before winter is done?!?
More information, including a link to the application.
Promo Flyer
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Disciples Women
Just Women
Orders received BEFORE February 1, 2015, will be shipped FREE. "Women of the New Testament: Finding their Voices" is being written by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Rev. Daphne Gascot Arias, and Rev. Dr. Cathy Myers Wirt. This is the second year for the study to be written in its entirely by Disciples women scholars. The Spring Bible study sold out in 2014.
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Black Ministries
Black Ministers Retreat 2015 Registration Open
Save the date for Black Ministers Retreat, March 3-5, 2015 in Montgomery, Alabama! Join us as we explore this year's theme, Time for a Shift: Transforming a New Generation of Disciples, through  transformative worship, fellowship, and educational workshops. This year's events and location will also coincide with local celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the historic Montgomery to Selma March. It will be an experience not to be missed!
Register online - Early bird price available now through December 31!
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Disciples Peace Fellowship
Disciples Peace Fellowship Peace Sunday Resources for 2014
Meditation and Liturgical Resources for the traditional Peace Sunday in Advent or any time Peace and Justice Resources would be helpful for Disciples' congregations and ministries. Further resources, and DPF Summer Intern meditations, go to our website: DPFweb.org
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IDAC
The holiday season can magnify the stresses of everyday life, especially for persons living with a mental illness. Mental Health Ministries current Spotlight includes information and resources for faith leaders, family members and friends who may find the holidays a difficult time. Click here to find a brochure, bulletin insert and more!
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Refugee & Immigration
President Announcement of Adminstrative Relief for Immigrants
On the evening of November 20th, from the White House, the President
 announced changes to the US immigration system that provide relief to some immigrants who have been suffering from family separation for years. His decision to offer Administrative Action matches the authority for action offered by EVERY President since 1956. We are deeply aware of the many pastors and parishioners among our church families who have been waiting for such action--and we likewise are aware of those who will not receive relief through these limited actions. Our Refugee and Immigration Ministries advocacy office, along with our Immigration Legal Consult, continue to work towards legislative solutions for immigration challenges.
Until that time, we have compiled information which we hope can begin to answer some of your questions about the Presidents' recent actions, who is likely to be affected, how persons can mobilize to help immigrant neighbors, and how you and your church can continue to learn about immigration issues. Those resources can be found on the DHM Refugee and Immigration website. Also, for rapid updates of information, we invite you to join RIM on Facebook and sign up to receive legal updates.
Disciples Farm Worker Partnerships and "Food Chains" Movie Premier--in Theaters beginning November 21st!
Disciples have partnered for decades to support improved conditions and just wages for our nation's almost 2 million farm workers. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was a founding member of the National Farm Worker Ministry in 1971. And this week, our Refugee & Immigration Ministries Director joined workers at a Farm Worker Thanksgiving event in front of the White House--where workers shared the Thanksgiving table foods that they grow, as they called upon the President to offer immigration relief that might provide those who have worked in the country for so long just working conditions, and an eventual pathway to citizenship. Two of the special ways we invite you to join with other Disciples to support farm workers now are to:
- Go to see "FOOD CHAINS" in your area--and take your friends! The movie, directed by Eva Longoria and the author of Fast Food Nation, chronicles the story of how tomato growers of Florida joined to form the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, and since have developed programs that partner workers, growers, and retailers to improve working condition for tomato farmers in the United States. See if and when the movie is playing in your area. You can also watch the movie trailer here NOW!
- Contact our Refugee & Immigration Ministries office to volunteer to join our Disciples Farm Worker Ministries team!! Email Sharon Stanley, or call to: 202-957-7826.
This Thanksgiving, let us remember the hard working men, women and children who labor to feed us all! You may download prayers and other information about farmworkers this Thanksgiving by going to: interfaithimmigration.org, and clicking on Religious Holiday Resources.
Keep Watch!! A Special Series of "Advent Wreath of Waiting" Resources will be Coming Soon!!
The Refugee & Immigration Ministries office, together with ecumenical partners, is developing a series of 5 Advent candle devotions which are related to various immigrant challenges; such as "Waiting for Administrative Relief," "Waiting for Due Process," "Waiting to Unite," and other themes. Look for the devotions before Nov. 30th.
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