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From the President
I cannot hold it in any longer. Did you know that December is here and that a baby changes everything? The Bible is my guide here and it is a repository of stories of babies that have changed the course of human history. Moses floating down the Nile, Jacob and Esau, David, Isaiah, Miriam, Mary, Martha, Dorcas, and Eunice, to name but a few. Everyone in the Bible was a baby once. And as we well know, so was Jesus. This month we will study and reflect on the advent narratives once again in hope that they may re-birth in us new life that cannot be extinguished or taken away. One of my favorite series of sermons during my preaching days was the one entitled, "Babies of the Bible." Not a bad theme for Advent!
I know how a baby can change everything. Each of my five children-Joshua, Randall, Joey, Hope, and Michele -- have changed my life immeasurably. As a new father, I looked into their eyes and I saw the promise of God at work. I spoke to them and sang them songs and looked into their eyes. And in their eyes I saw hope for the world. Joseph and Mary must have experienced the same. They were there when God walked down the stairs of heaven with a baby in God's arms.
Recently I experienced a baby again. It was just a few weeks ago, on Sunday, October 26, 2014. I held a little angel in my arms. Born on October 16, 2014, to Joshua and Brandy Degges, in Houston, Texas, at the Willowbrook Hospital, my first grandchild, Wyatt Martin Degges, was born at 3:17 a.m. He was 20.5 inches in length and weighed 7 pounds 2.4 ounces on a digital scale.
I got to hold him! And when I did, I spoke to him and told him that he was a blessing from God, a gift to change the world for the better. I told him that he would be a child of God and a blessing to many. He popped one eye open at first, and then both, and he looked at me. I looked back at him. As our eyes intersected with one another, we both got it: God was doing a new thing! As we each continued looking into one another's eyes, it was as though there was a complete sharing and intermingling of our souls. I knew this tiny, little baby, and he knew me, too. I had to get on an airplane and travel back to Indianapolis, but little Wyatt is in my heart to stay.
Back when I was a little boy, I met another baby. His name was Jesus. My heart was broken because my little nephew, Rocky, had just died from leukemia. The world as my family knew it had come collapsing down. The baby Jesus showed up at Rocky's funeral, assuring us of God's love, and promising to be with us always, even unto the end of the age. Jesus showed up then and has never left.
This Advent know that the baby Jesus is here for you Church! He continues to show up at Birth and Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick (sometimes called Last Rites). The sacramentum or 'sacred signs' of God's presence seal you from birth to grave and beyond. God's people are blessed beyond measure because a baby changes everything.
Advent-ly and Grandfather-ly yours,
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Black Ministries
Black Ministers Retreat 2015 Early Bird Price Ends December 31st
Registration is open 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 of $165.00 available now through December 31.
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Christian Education & Faith Formation
Be on the Lookout for These Upcoming Resources
Kwanzaa resources are now available for download on the DHM website.  Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day resources will be available by early January. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
Week of the Laity resources will be available by January 2, 2015. Week of the Laity is often scheduled for the last week in January to celebrate the gifts of the laity. Lift up those special gifts that lay people offer to your congregation's ministry. Week of the Laity will be celebrated January 25, 2015. Laity Sunday is a special time when the lay people of the church often pause to consider their varied gifts for ministry, inside and outside the walls of the church building.
Lenten resources will be available at the end of January. It begins on February 18, 2015. Lent marks the final days of Jesus' life and ministry. The season lasts for forty days, from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) excluding Sundays.
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Christian Vocations
Disciples Clergy Pins
The Office Of Christian Vocations at DHM now has Disciples Clergy pins  for sale, for those in vocational ministry (Commissioned and Ordained). Please note that orders will not be processed until January 2015. Order online now!
Scholarship Application Process will open on January 2nd!
Scholarship applications will be accepted from January 2, 2015 through March 15, 2015 with references accepted until April 15, 2015. Scholarships are available for persons preparing for ministry in the Christian Church (DOC). To obtain eligibility information click here.
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Disciples Women
Greetings from Disciples Women's Ministries to you and yours. 
Do you know the legend of the Christmas Rose? The beauty of legends is that they don't have to be factually true but they still teach us great lessons. To appreciate a legend you may need to set aside the details and enjoy the story.
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Family & Children's Ministries
Advent for Families
Looking for last minute Advent activities? Check out our one-minute videos Advent for Families: Week Three and Advent for Families: Week Four. 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
(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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Refugee & Immigration Ministries
As we remember the journeys of Jesus' family this Advent season, Refugee & Immigration Ministries invites you to use the spiritual practice of your Advent wreath as a way to learn the stories and concerns of immigrant families who are seeking light and hope in this season. This "Advent: Immigrants Waiting in Hope" resource provides scriptural reflections, family encounters, action steps, and prayers to engage you and your family in hospitality, faith partnership, and advocacy to "welcome the stranger" among us.
Disciples Offer Immigration Advocacy & Legal Resources Re: Executive Action
Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries invites you to learn about the President's recent Executive Action to provide temporary relief to many  immigrants, as they await the possibility of permanent fixes to our nation's immigration system which can only come through legislation from Congress. Visit the RIM website for Disciples related and other ecumenical statements, as well as stories of Disciples families potentially impacted, the history of administrative action, and many ongoing advocacy updates about how you can help immigrant families in your area. Contact Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Refugee & Immigration Ministries Director or 202-957-7826.
Disciples who believe they may be eligible for deferred action can find the latest information about preparing, applying, and getting legal help at disciplesimmigration.org in English and Spanish. Contact Tana Liu-Beers, Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel or 317-289-1407.
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