Disciples Together
October 6, 2014

Message from the General Minister and President 

 

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who loves us, feeds us, calls us!

 

October is the month set aside to honor those called to ministry, and I want to take a moment to offer a word of gratitude and support for you as you serve God's mission with God's people.

 

You are often the most evident manifestation of God's care in your community - a holy calling. To hold the hand of the suffering, laugh with the joyful, bring the Word to life, invite all to the table and then lead the people forth - are labors of God's love.

 

Admittedly, it is at times, LABOR. The unpredictable schedule, the emotional demands, the sometimes thoughtless treatment at the hands of those you serve - it is not an easy calling.

 

But I want you to know you are indeed appreciated. I pray for each of you to be filled with the bread of life and the breath of the Spirit as you respond to God's sacred call - renewed, rejuvenated and ready to continue your good work among God's people.

 

Blessings on you and your families -

 

  

 


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Disciples ministries partner to serve congregation

 

Real Faith Christian Church in Clarksdale, Miss., was in the middle of a major building campaign when disaster hit.  The congregation was in the process of adding onto the current 98-year-old structure that included a gym and fellowship hall for use by their struggling community, a new sanctuary, classrooms and media room.  Read  about how a stream of unfortunate events brought the building project to a halt and how nearly a dozen ministries are partnering to help this courageous congregation complete a project that could revitalize their entire community.  

 

For more information, to volunteer or to provide financial support to the Real Faith Christian Church, visit http://www.disciplescef.org/real-faith/ or call 800.274.1883.

 

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In Defense of "Crazy"
by Sarah Griffith Lund

Editor's note: Yesterday (Oct. 5) began National Mental Health Awareness week in the U.S. Tomorrow (Oct. 7) is a day of prayer for mental illness.

 

When I worked with Chalice Press to create the title for my book, Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness, Family, and Church, I knew that the word crazy would be part of the title. It had to be. This is, after all, the story of my life and how nearly every contour of it touches the margins of mental illness.

 

Some may believe the word crazy in reference to mental illness exacerbates the already significant stigma associated with mental illness. I get it. I also get that we desperately need to challenge and change the stigma associated with mental illness. You see, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one out of every four people will personally experience some form of mental illness in his/her lifetime. A new survey shows that Christian pastors are not immune either (although few actually talk about it). Crazy, in many respects, is pretty common ... as common, in fact, as our use of the word itself.

 

Crazy is not a bad word. Crazy people are not bad.

 

I pair the word crazy with the word blessed. This comes to me from Jesus' own words recorded in the Gospels when Jesus the Liberator preached his most profound sermon on the Mount and chose to shower blessings upon the marginalized and worthless, Jesus considered them central to God's family and priceless.

 

I say blessed are the crazy as a way to resurrect Jesus's words of blessing to all who know what it is like to live with mental illness.

 

Without apology and from deep within my heart I proclaim that blessed are the crazy and we shall be called children of God.

 

Sarah Griffith Lund is a United Church of Christ minister and the author of the book Blessed Are The Crazy: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness, Family, and Church(Chalice Press). She has also recorded a special video for the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding, Tuesday, October 7. For more information and resources, contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) FaithNet group

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Resources and continuing ed

  

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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter with resources for pastoral ministry, please opt out by unsubscribing at the link provided below.
 
81st Week of the Ministry
Oct. 12 - 19


At Pension Fund, we're passionate about working with those passionate about ministry. We recognize it takes courage to answer God's call to ministry and continue to carry out His good work.  We also understand that sometimes in ministry it can be hard. 


 

That's why the Week of the Ministry was created. It serves as a reminder to honor and celebrate the call to ministry and to celebrate and encourage your pastor. During Week of the Ministry, we ask that you consider urging your peers or congregation to participate in Week of the Ministry activities or honor your pastor's ordination.

As part of this celebration, Pension Fund has developed resources for use in your Week of Ministry activities. Visit our website
to download resources and our "Ministry Still Matters" video. Also, follow along on our Facebook page during the week of Oct. 12-19 as we will be posting inspirational stories from other pastors.


 

Pastors do such important work to serve and glorify Him.  We hope that you will join us in celebrating Week of the Ministry, and supporting those in or interested in a career in ministry. Because, after all, "Ministry Still Matters."

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Featured Links

 


All Saints Day materials available from Christian Church Foundation 

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Thanksgiving offering received Nov. 9 & 16

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July 18-22, 2015

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General Ministries

  
Racial/Ethnic Ministries
  
Other resources

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Challenged by trying to explain Disciples Mission Fund?
 
You can download this video and get other information at www.disciplesmissionfund.org
How Your Offerings to DMF Support Mission in the Church
How Your Offerings to DMF Support Mission in the Church