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Easter and Lent resources
The General Ministries of the Christian Church rely
heavily on the generosity of congregations' year-round budgeted giving, but also welcome the funds provided each year during the special emphasis of Easter. The Easter Offering provides an opportunity for individuals to make a special gift in support of mission across the U.S., Canada and the globe.
The Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, associate general minister and vice president, says of the theme for this season, "Water is a valuable resource. Providing living water - physical clean water to drink and spiritual water to nourish faith and leader development - is critical as we live out identity as a movement for wholeness."
For 2014, a six-week bible study on Living Water is provided as well as bulletin inserts, stories, "minute for mission" materials, children's moments and logos which are all posted on the Disciples Mission Fund page.
The offering is traditionally taken on Palm Sunday (April 13) and Easter (April 20) but individuals can also give online.
Ministries that receive funds from the Easter Offering include Division of Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries, National Benevolent Association, Disciples Home Missions, Communications Ministries, Council on Christian Unity, Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation, Center for Faith and Giving, Disciples of Christ Historical Society, National Convocation, North American Pacific/Asian Disciples, Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries, and Disciples Church Extension Fund. (Links for these ministries can be found in the right hand column.)
Additional Lenten resources are linked from the Resources page on disciples.org.
Good news from the Pension Fund
During their two-day board meeting, the board of directors of Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) approved a 6.5% Special Apportionment for all Pension Plan participants (active, inactive and retired), effective July 1, 2014, as well as 8.5% Good Experience Credits for Tax-Deferred Retirement Accounts, Benefit Accumulation and Roth IRA accounts, effective March 31, 2014. The board also approved a Special Apportionment for Additional Benefit Annuities of 2.5%, to be applied July 1, 2014. Full story including new board members
Higher Education and Leadership Ministries looking for scholars
Each year HELM selects six college and university freshmen for a four-year experience as HELM Leadership Fellows. For the next four years they spend time looking at where the church is and where it is going, investigating the most creative and effective local Christian communities, meeting exemplary leaders, and sharing what they learn at expense-paid annual fellows conferences in places like Washington, DC, Colorado Springs, Charlotte and Memphis. HELM leadership Fellows also receive a $2000 annual scholarship grant.
To apply to be a HELM Leadership Fellow the applicant must:
- Be a member of a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Be currently completing his/her first year of full-time undergraduate study at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or Canada (or studying at a two-year college and preparing to transfer to a four-year institution).
- Agree to participate in the required activities of the program, including the annual conference
Students at Disciples-related colleges and universities are encouraged to apply, but students at all accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada are eligible.
More information and application materials are available at www.helmdisciples.org Applications for the 2014-2015 academic year must be postmarked by April 15, 2014.
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