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Disciples Home Missions Updates




August 16, 2015

In This Issue
*From the President
*Christmount
*Disciples Men
*Disciples Women
*Family & Children's Ministries
*General Youth Council

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From the President

Sometimes when I close my eyes my mind lights up with images of colleagues I have known and admired over the years. I remember the stories we shared about the joys and frustrations of ministry. But most of all, I remember them in the pulpit preaching the gospel and weaving together a message that would call the listener to a higher, better way of living. Their presence in the pulpit led the listener to conviction and that conviction led the listener to action. These women and men of the cloth knew that there is no substitution for the preaching of the gospel.

 

My home pastor, Otis Doherty, was one of those pastors. He went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Otis had a love of preaching and a gift for building up the body of Christ. I remember when he donated a kidney to his son, Glen. Glen had double kidney failure and was near to death. Otis was the closest match. The surgery then was long and difficult and the recovery time elongated. I can see him with cautious calculation waddling his way down the aisle of the church on a cane, making his way to the pulpit, on his first day back to preach after an extended absence. The surgery was successful. He was still weak. The text for the sermon I still remember 52 years later: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends"[John 15:13]. His example and life illustration still preach today.

 

On one occasion, Otis preached about the destructiveness of gossip. He said that gossip was like a feather pillow that has been broken open. Once the feathers get loose it is hard to gather them all back inside the pillow case again. I have always tried to resist gossip lest feathers get loose that I cannot recover.  

 

Then there was that terrible controversy in the congregation: Should women wear lipstick or not? Some felt that painted lips were a distraction to men and could lead to sin and debauchery. When Otis was asked his thoughts on the topic, he paused and thoughtfully replied: "Well, I've never seen a barn that didn't look better after a coat of paint."  The controversy immediately ended.

 

Like, Otis, I remember hearing another mentor and colleague in ministry preach. He told the story of the pastor who was visiting an old lady near death. Her mouth is gaping open and she's drooling out the side. He says, "Mrs. Jones, before I leave, is there anything you would like me to say or do? " She told him she would like him to pray. He asked if there was something specific she would like him to pray for. "I'd like you to pray for my healing, of course," she answered. He thought to himself, "Oh God." So he prayed that, if it was God's will, to please heal her and, if it was not [God's] will, then to help everyone to adjust to the situation. Amen.

 

With that, she sits up in bed and says, "Wow!" she throws her feet over the side of the bed, stands up, flexes her muscles, and says, "This is unbelievable! I feel wonderful!" Then she walks down the hall and calls out to the nurses' station, "I think I'm well! I think I'm well!" The pastor leaves the hospital, gets into his car, and says to God, "Don't you ever do that to me again!"

 

Sometimes when I close my eyes my mind lights up with images of colleagues I have known and admired over the years, like Fred Craddock, the author of that story. He went home to be with the Lord on March 6, 2015. Preaching changes lives. I know it did mine thanks to colleagues like Otis and Fred, and all who labor week in and week out to make that vital connection that has the power to transform life.

 

Remembering-ly yours, 

 


Christmount
Christmount's Executive Director will retire in July 2016
Christmount is a year round camp, conference and retreat center, offering summer youth camp programs, numerous year round adult conferences and retreats, and individual and family retreats. The ministry includes Camp Lakey Gap, a unique and highly valued camping program for persons on the autism spectrum. Christmount also hosts groups from all denominations, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

The Executive Director oversees the total operation of Christmount, including... Learn More!

Disciples Men
Lifetime Membership Award Given
Joel Potts III received the Lifetime Membership Award for his thirty plus years of Disciples Men's Ministry at all manifestations of the church: Local, Regional, and General. 


Disciples Women
Just Women magazine has gone digital!
The 2015 Bible Study is the first e-version offering. Click Here to get started with the Bible study. On this page you will be able to view select sample pages by using the navigational arrows in the dark green menu bar at the top. In the top menu bar you will also see an "i". Click it to view the information page where there is a "purchase" button. You may also buy the full version, by clicking on the "Full Version" button near the bottom of the above link. The Bible study alone is available for $6.99. A subscription is available for $18.99.
Print subscriptions are still available via the established order process.
The 2015 Bible Study has sold out in the regular publisher-printed option. To help alleviate the situation of 'when-nothing-but-a-printed-copy-will-do', we are offering an in-house printed option. Please see the instructions which are part of the Bible Study Large Print option at the online store.
Summer 2015 Study Guide is now available as a free download.

Family & Children's Ministries
Children's Art & Writing Submissions Needed
This year Light a Candle for Children is being written/drawn/recorded by children and youth.

See the submission form(s) here and return to our office by August 19th. Your submission can be by an adult and child working together, a child, or a group of kids together. We can't wait to see what you come up with! The completed devotional will be available in late August or early September for use in the 40 days leading up to this year's Children's Sabbath which falls on October 18th.

Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Trainings

August 14-15, 2015
First Christian Church ~ Winston-Salem, NC
 
August 21-22, 2015
Crestwood Christian Church ~ Lexington, KY
 
Septermber 11-12, 2015
First Christian Church ~ Owensboro, KY

September 11-13, 2015
Allisonville Christian ~ Indianapolis, IN

Our schedule will be updated as new dates are finalized. Please contact Jessica Kramer with any questions.

Upcoming Interdenominational Events
Messy Church: An Inspiring Model of Ministry - Sponsored by the UCC Faith Formation Team and McFarland UCC ~ November 8, 2015 in McFarland, WI

Learn more and register at events.uccpages.org/messy-church.html

General Youth Council
General Youth Council Application Process is Open
The General Youth Council is accepting applications! Applications will be accepted until September 15, 2015. If you are an adult or a youth who is interested in serving on the General Youth Council please fill out and turn in your application. The next term begins January 2016 and goes through December 2017.

Gifts to the Disciples Home Missions Annual Fund dhm logo are directed to our most valuable asset - congregations and their leaders!


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