Disciples Home MissionsApril 10
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From the President
Former Harvard Divinity School Professor, Ronald Thiemann, devoted his life to research on religion in public life. He viewed faith communities as those places where spiritually motivated public intellectuals are raised up to 'provide guidance for those of us who struggle to be faithful to our own spiritual commitments in a complex and challenging world.'
 
In the journal, Religion and Values in Public Life, Thiemann identifies the public intellectual as one who is genuine, a connected critic, bound to real flesh-and-blood communities of commitment and engagement. He writes: "None of us can know when that moment of crisis might occur that will call forth the voice and leadership . . . to nurture our communities of faith so that we might witness to hope in a world that is burdened by cynicism and despair."
 
The clergy and lay leaders of the communities we call church are our public intellectuals. Through prayer, worship, education, and engagement, these leaders nurture us in the way of beauty, truth, and goodness. They call us to look away from the darkness that consumes to that eternal light that illumines all of life. They show us a way forward to that day when all heaven and earth will sing with one accord, 'We are free at last.'
 
When you put on that clerical robe and stole; when you open the Bible to teach or preach; when you pray at the Lord's Table; when you stock goods in the food pantry; when you reach out and take someone's hand in a hospital bed; when you counsel that young couple; when you go to the Statehouse to protest discrimination and unfair treatment; when you sit in a committee meeting planning for the future; and, even when you are not sure you can do it any longer, little seems changed by your effort, and you doubt that God's tomorrow will ever come - remember that it will and that your public intellectual leadership is God working in you to change and renew the world one person at a time!
 
Intellectually yours,
National Youth Event
 



Joint Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ Youth Gathering in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on July 26-29, 2016. Registration is $549 per person, double occupancy. Please visit the United Church of Christ website to sign up and receive further information. See also the special invitation from our General Minister and President, The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins!
Young Adult Commission
Application Deadline Extended for Young Adult Commission 
If you are between the ages of 18 and 33 and are interested in connecting and empowering Young Adults to engage in the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), you can fill out a PDF application or a Word application to serve on the Young Adult Commission. The next term of service begins now through December of 2017.  Go here to see the expectations for those who serve on the committee. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2016. Come serve with us!
DHM Virtual 5k Results

A BIG THANK YOU to the over 550 runner/walkers registered in the FIRST EVER Disciples Home Missions 5k! You've raised over $11,100 dollars for the Disciples Mission Fund Easter Offering! Many churches are planning their walks for when the weather warms up so we're expecting to see a lot more photos on social media with the #disciples5k tag over the next couple months. Be sure to follow the Disciples Virtual 5k on Facebook to stay in the loop for next year.
Black Ministries
Black Leadership Projects Grant - Deadline May 31
The Black Leadership Projects Committee is accepting applications for this year through May 31, 2016. There is no minimum request. All proposals for projects that develop, nurture, and strengthen lay or clergy church leadership in Disciples African American congregations will be considered. Funds will be awarded to the chosen projects in Summer 2016. Go to our webpage for more information and application guidelines. 
Disciples Women
Woman-to-Woman Worldwide
Sponsored by the International Disciples Women's Ministries and administered by the staff of Disciples Women in conjunction with Global Ministries.

This year's Woman-to-Woman Worldwide journey is to Ghana and South Africa in October. The group has been chosen and they are beginning preparations for their trip. This is an exciting opportunity for the women to build relationships and learn about different cultures. Each woman must raise $5,000 for the trip. Want to help support a traveler? Donations can be made in any amount, click here

The women appreciate any help and look forward to sharing their knowledge when they return.
Christian Education/Faith Formation
Pre-Event 24th Biennial Session of the National Convocation

The Pre-Convocation Lay and Clergy Leadership Institute will take place on Thursday, July 21st, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. It is an opportunity for leadership development for both clergy and lay leaders.

Clergy Session will be led by Dr. Brad R. Braxton, "Preaching and 'Public Health': Serious Preaching in Dangerous Times."

The Lay Leadership Track will offer a variety of sessions that serve to inspire and strengthen your gifts, passions, leadership sessions, and all are led by presenters who have prayed over this time.

The cost of the Pre-Event is $50.00 and this covers breakfast, lunch and materials.  It is co-sponsored by The Institute for African American Faith and Life, Black Disciples Endowment Fund and The African American Clergy Institute Development Office. 

The listing also features some of the workshops that will be offered on Friday and Saturday through The Institute for African American Faith & Life.

If you have already registered for the 24th Biennial Session of the National Convocation, contact Kimberly Caudle at: (317) 713-2406 or by email: kcaudle@disciples.org.

Kimberly's hours are: Mondays and Tuesdays 11 am to 4 pm.; Wednesdays  12-4 pm.; Thursdays and Fridays 11 am to 4 pm. Please leave a message if no answer.

If you have not registered yet for the Biennial Session, you can register for both online - just click here
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 13-14
First Presbyterian - Mt. Pleasant, MI
 
May 20-21
Hillside Christian Church - Kansas City, MO
 
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.
Liturgical Resource
Looking for a Liturgical Resource?
The Jubilee Fund provides free lectionary-based worship resources for churches and congregations, including Call to Worship, Invocation, Stewardship Moment, Offertory Prayer, and Communion Meditation. Please click the link below for more 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