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From the President
There is a moving passage in the book, The Lemon Tree, about reasons why we build walls around us. The author describes Israel's "security barrier" which separates the West Bank from Israel and the West Bank from itself. Author, Sandy Tolan, describes the barrier this way:
"Construction for the barrier had begun in 2002 and would include six thousand workers digging trenches, stringing razor wire, erecting guard posts, laying concrete and installing tens of thousands of electronic sensors. Part wall, part electrified fence, the construction project would cost $1.3 billion, or more than $3 million per mile. 'The sole purpose of the fence,' Israel declared, 'is to provide security' in response to 'the horrific wave of terrorism emanating from the West Bank.'"
In response to the erection of the "security barrier," Palestinian Journalist, Nidal Rafa, reflects:
"They are building the wall so they don't have to look into our eyes."
Whether it be Israel/Palestine, or Berlin, or North and South Korea, or the United States/Mexican border, walls, demilitarized zones, and security barriers never provide an answer or solution to a problem. They only complicate the situation and lead to greater distrust and growing discontent among the people. You cannot keep a cat in a bag any more than you can keep a wall standing. Cats will scratch their way out of confining bags just as humans who are separated from their families, land, life, and liberty, will topple down those walls and cross over those zones established to keep them out. The forces of unity and wholeness are always pushing against walls, demilitarized zones, and security barriers to usher in that day to come when we can look one another in the eyes and find a respectful and lasting solution to all that ails us.
I pray for the day to come where the only barriers that are erected are barriers that encircle all of us. This is the vision of our Disciples poet, Edwin Markham, who wrote in the poem, "Outwitted": "He drew a circle that shut me out -- Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle and took him In!" Rather than shutting one another out, let's take one another in. Rather than building walls, let's look into one another's eyes. The world will be a better place because we did! Barrierlessly yours,
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Disciples Women
 Beyond: Lavish Hospitality in the Bible is available for advance ordering. This is the third year the Bible study has been written by Disciples women scholars under the Just Women banner. The previous two issues sold out quickly. Please order by January 19, 2016 to insure delivery of extra copies for you and your group. Use the above link to learn more about the study's topics and writers and to place your order.
Disciples Women's Endowment Fund (DWEF)
The deadline for applications is October 15. For information on guidelines and an application, visit the Disciples Women web page. Grant requests cannot exceed $5,000. Funding categories include Leadership Development, Scholarship Support, Outreach Ministries, Faith Development and Women's Programming. For more information contact Regenia Smith, Ministry Associate for Disciples Women.
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Family & Children's Ministries
Kids to Kids: Syrian Refugees
Our latest Kids to Kids project helps kids understand more about the Syrian refugee crisis and how to show God's love through hands-on mission:
- Help understanding what "refugee" means
 - Information on Syria
- Basic human rights
- Books to read
- Missions ideas
Light a Candle for Children: September 13 - October 18
Join us online NOW through Children's Sabbath on Sunday, October 18. Each day's post or prayer is written or drawn by children and youth. To subscribe follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or by email.
Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Trainings
October 24-25, 2015
First Christian Church ~ Smithville, MO 
November 6-7, 2015
First Christian Church ~ Riverside, CA
November 13-14, 2015
Washington Ave Christian Church ~ Elyria, OH
More trainings are in the works! See our schedule for updates. Questions on hosting a training? Contact .
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Refugee & Immigration Ministries
Help Meet Urgent Refugee Emergency Needs NOW!
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is requested resettle 8 % of ALL refugees who enter through Church World Service offices, and Disciples have assisted in resettling more than 40,000 refugees through Church World Service since World War II. To do that, we partner with our 34 CWS refugee affiliate offices all around the U.S. and Disciples have especially worked recently with refugee cultures from Iraq, Burma, Afghanistan, Somalia, Bhutan, Syria, and the Congo.
Due to multiple refugee crises in the world, we anticipate increasing refugee arrivals in the coming months.
Disciples in Action ~ Making Delivery to Dallas
Jacob and Laura Edwards and Wade and Leah Cunningham of First  Christian Church in Fayetteville, Ark., delivered two carloads full of bedding, bath and school kits that members gave to assist the Disciples' Refugee and Immigration Ministries (RIM) and Church World Service (CWS) in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. The items were taken to the nearest collection site located at Refugee Services of Texas in Dallas. Leah shared, "The drop-off in Dallas went great. The two girls in the picture work at the refugee center. They were both very busy coordinating volunteer training that morning, but were extremely grateful and shocked by the number of items we were able to collect and deliver. They thanked us over and over and promised the donations would go to good use and be very appreciated." Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, director of RIM, sends her thanks as well to everyone at FCC who participated in this effort.
House Warming Party, But Not for My House, Please! 
Dr. Randa Kayyali of National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., held a house warming party with her friends-and asked them to bring items for REFUGEES, rather than for her own home! Then part of these items were delivered to refugees who entered through the Church World Service office in Lancaster, Pa. Read her story.
Faith Leaders Urge U.S. Government to Increase Support for Syrian Refugees
On September 28th, Disciples Home Missions President Rev. Ronald Degges joined other faith partners on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  to express the urgency for increased U.S. response and support for Syrian refugees. Degges commented, "I am grateful to be a part of a faith tradition that has spoken again and again-over the years through denominational resolutions, in recent months in a letter to the President, and just weeks ago as a national interfaith team of religious leaders-of our key faith value of welcoming the stranger despite religious or cultural background. Read the statement.
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Gifts to the Disciples Home Missions Annual Fund  are directed to our most valuable asset - congregations and their leaders!
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