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From the President
I hope you will acquire a copy of Michael Kinnamon's, Can a Renewal Movement Be Renewed?: Questions for the Future of Ecumenism. If you have not had a good work out in ecumenism lately, this book will bring you up to speed. If you think that the ecumenical movement is dead, it might just give you reason to pause and reconsider.
Based solidly in New Testament theology, Michael states that a divided church is oxymoronic. Using imagery from Ephesians: "Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" [Ephesians 4:3-6], Kinnamon interprets the scripture:
"Whatever else the church may be, it is the body of Christ -- and Christ cannot be divided . . . Paul doesn't say that the eye and the hand ought to negotiate in order to form a body. No! We are a body, not because of what we have done, but because of what God has done in Jesus Christ. This is the miracle. The mystery, and the burden of the church: we are related by blood (not ours but Christ's) to people we, humanly speaking, might avoid like the plague."
Kinnamon offers the reader a framework for renewal first articulated by the British Council of Churches in 1977, in a paper by Martin Conway in 1982, and later reported in Midstream in 1983. He calls it: A Framework for Imagination. It is that non-linear "series of steps or stages" that can help foster growth and development, even preparing a faith community for 'breakthrough moments that disrupt old patterns of relationship . . ." The "5 Cs" of this framework for imagination, are: competition, coexistence, cooperation, commitment, and communion. Somewhat like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for the individual psyche that reaches its pinnacle in self-fulfillment, this framework for imagination reflects the maturation of community into a reconciled oneness where there are no longer separate entities. If you and your congregation have become a little rusty when it comes to ecumenical and interfaith relations, take a moment to dust yourselves off and re-engage in the conversation. Michael Kinnamon's book can help show you the way! Renewingly yours,
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Christian Vocations
Disciples Home Missions Provides Elder Emeritus, Deacon Emeritus Pins & Clergy Pins
The Office of Christian Vocations has available Elder Emeritus, Deacon Emeritus & Clergy pins. The cost is $5 per pin, including shipping. Place your order here!
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Advent Resources
Click to download the 2015 Advent Resource
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Disciples Center for Public Witness
November 1st marked the beginning of the new enrollment period for health insurance through the process established by the Affordable Care Act. General Assembly Resolution 9915 urged all Disciples to support and advocate for "affordable, quality health care for everyone." Based on this resolution and supportive statements more recently made by our General Minister and President, the Disciples Center for Public Witness has joined with its ecumenical and interfaith partners to promote  enrollment among those who are still uninsured. According to Laird Thomason, the Center's Minister for Health and Wholeness, "Many previously uninsured persons have already obtained affordable, quality health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. But a significant portion of the US population remains uninsured. Our goal is to reach out through our churches and urge uninsured persons to sign up for insurance during this current enrollment period."
More information and resources can be found at Healthcare.gov. Please publicize this information in your church publications and share with your networks. The deadline for enrollment is January 31, 2016.
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Disciples Women
Just Women
We are pleased to announce the 2016 Bible study ~ The Table and Beyond: Lavish Hospitality in the Bible ~ is available for advance ordering of non-subscription copies. 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. The first 100 copies have been ordered. Were you part of this group?
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Family & Children's Ministries
Intergenerational Advent Resources
Thank you!
Thank you so much to all the children, churches, and families who submitted their writing and pictures for the
May we continue to pray and advocate for children, not just on one day or in one season but throughout the year and through every opportunity we have to improve the life of a child.
Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Trainings
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 Jessica Kramer.
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Refugee & Immigration Ministries
Welcome Weekend November 13-15: Welcoming Refugees thru Worship, Education & Action!
Join faith communities around the country on Sunday, November 15th-or anytime during the weekend-to show your support for refugees! Register to participate.
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Winter Talk 2016
January 25-27 - Phillips Theological Seminary - Tulsa, OK
 An educational offering from Landscape Mending Coalition.
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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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