Disciples Home MissionsMarch 27
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From the President
I have been thinking lately about that verse of Scripture from Matthew 10:39: "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." The words are important to understand as is the one who said these words -- Jesus. I gave my life to Jesus when I was a young boy and each and every day since that time Jesus has given my life back to me. The life I gave was a 'me' life. The life I receive back each day is a 'we' life - a life lived in community with others and for the sake of others.

Thinking about this verse reminded me of the words of evangelical Christian author, Philip Yancey. When Yancey was just "one year old, his father, stricken with polio, died after church members suggested he go off life support in faith that God would heal him. This and other negative experiences with a rigid church contributed to Yancey's losing his faith at one point of time." His words that I lift up are:

"Inspection stickers used to have printed on the back 'Drive carefully - the life you save may be your own.' That is the wisdom of humankind [instead of man] in a nutshell. What God says, on the other hand, is 'The life you save is the life you lose.' In other words, the life you clutch, hoard, guard, and play safe with is in the end a life worth little to anybody, including yourself: and only a life given away for love's sake is worth living."

Yancey continues,

"To bring the [instead of his] point home, God shows us a man who gave his life away to the extent of dying a national disgrace without a penny in the bank or a friend to his name. In terms of
humankind's [instead of man's] wisdom, Jesus [instead of he] was a perfect fool, and anybody who thinks s/he [instead of he] can follow him without making something like the same kind of fool of him or herself [instead of himself] is laboring under not a cross but a delusion."

The surest way to shrivel up the Christian faith is to hold it close, in Yancey's words, to hoard it, to guard it, and to play safe with it. A Christian faith held tightly smothers and dies. But vibrant is the Christian faith that is loosed out to the world and out to peoples long shackled by holding on too tightly. Letting go produces some distinct advantages, the most distinct is finding ourselves, our faith, and our God! If you want the Christian faith to embed itself in a whole new generation, let go of it, loose it, and let God do the rest.

Loosely yours,
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National Youth Event
Registration NOW OPEN for Disciples & UCC Youth Event, July 26-30, 2016

Join 4,000+ Disciples and United Church of Christ youth (aged 13-18) from at least four continents at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in July 2016! This is an International Youth Event for the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our Disciples North American and Global Witness intersects with the United Church of Christ's National and International/Global Witness for the first time ever in a gathering of youth from both denominations and with youth from around the world. Register between now and May 27th at http://nye.uccpages.org.

Where can I find out more?
The UCC NYE page has information on pricing, speakers, schedules, meals & lodging.
Disciples Men

COME AND SEE - GOD IS CALLING!

REGISTER HERE

You are a man, active in leadership in a congregation, or you would probably not be reading this far. You may be wondering, "
Is it worth the trip?"
For more information check out: sessions2016.org
The program starts with dinner at 6:00 pm, Friday, July 8 and 
ends after 8:30 am worship on Sunday, July 10.

  • $100 scholarships available for those under the age of 30
  • New Commuter Registration option available
  • Registration Deadline is June 1, 2016
DHM Virtual 5k
DHM  Virtual 5k - Sign up March 1-31
Sponsored by General Youth Council and Family & Children's Ministries

The GYC has set a goal of 1,000 runners/walkers. That is more than $15,000 for the Disciples Mission Fund.

What is a Virtual 5k? A virtual 5k race is a 5km race that can be run at any location. You can walk, use the treadmill, run or walk outside, or join a local race near you. (You can even break it up over time!) For your $25 registration fee you receive some BLING (a T-shirt and Medal sent out in early May).

Sign up as an individual or group: March 1-31 (Sign up in March. Run/walk at any time...)

Like us!
 
More info on the Family & Children's Ministries website: www.docfamiliesandchildren.org
Family & Children's Ministries
Summer Missions and VBS for 2016
Planning for summer? Check out our suggestions and links to comprehensive VBS curriculum reviews for 2016. Or other ideas for Summer Programs and Missions including Disciples-affiliated mission trips.
 



Children Worship & Wonder Training Story Teller Trainings
April 15-16, 2016
Hooker Memorial Christian Church - Greenville, NC
 
May 6-7
St. Paul's UCC - Evansville, IN
 
May 20-21
First Christian Church - Salem, VA

June 4-5
First Christian Church - Athens, AL


Interested in hosting a training for your church or community? Contact Jessica Kramer for information. 
Gifts to the Disciples Home Missions Annual Funddhm 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