November 19, 2014

Disciples of Christ Historical Society board meets, takes action

by Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, interim president

 

The Disciples of Christ Historical Society Board of Directors gathered in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 27-29, 2014. The board established the context for their worshipful work with Rev. Arnold Nelson, Board Chair, quoting George Bullard, "Your mission is sacred, your strategy is not." 

 

Sara Harwell, archivist and librarian, gave leadership to the meeting when she reported on the condition of the archive and the important role an archive plays in telling God's story. Harwell said, "the archive documents the work of the Church in its many manifestations and voices; it keeps and tells the story of a community of faith following God's call." Ensuring the security and future of the archives was the predominant theme of the board meeting. 

 

The board approved a 2015 budget based on conservative income estimates. "Our target was to reduce the draw on funds functioning as endowment and endowed funds to 4.5% as recommended by the Christian Church Foundation Board," said Dr. Todd Adams, interim president. The final budget reduces operating expenses by $462,000 versus the 2014 budget. It anticipates a 5.5% draw, a dramatic reduction from the last three years where the draw averaged in excess of 25%. 

 

The board determined there are insufficient funds to maintain both an archive and the T.W. Phillips Memorial Library building and took actions to ensure continued security and viability of this important collection. After lengthy discussion and a conference call with directors who could not be present in Nashville, the board voted to sell the building and will seek a partnership with a Disciples-related college or university to house the archives. Read the full story


July 18-22, 2015
Columbus, Ohio
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Nominations for the 

2015 General Board and 
2015-2017 Moderator Team are now being accepted online!

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Business resolutions due in the Office of General Minister and President by Jan. 19, 2015.
Learn about the process
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Educational offerings are taking shape.
Check them out.



News in the Church                                 Other News

Oklahoma calls regional minister

Rev. Dr. Pamela G. Holt will begin her term as Oklahoma's regional minister in January 2015. She is a lifelong Disciple and Texas native. She graduated from Texas Christian University. A Brite Divinity graduate, she as served congregations in Dallas, Weatherford and most recently, Mineral Wells, TX. She completed her doctorate program at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is an avid horsewoman who instituted an equine camp in her region to build leadership skills among youth. She is married to Randy Holt and they have three adult children: AnnaCarole, Blake and Brook.

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Women's basketball makes national news with act of compassion

Hiram College's first-year coach Emily Hays said, "Starting two weeks earlier than every other team isn't something I planned for." But in order to help fulfill the wish of a cancer survivor on the Mount St. Joseph University team, her women happily adjusted.

 

Hiram and Mt. St. Joseph were scheduled for a game when the regular season started, but there was concern that St. Joe's Lauren Hill may not be able to play unless it was moved up. Both teams forfeited home court advantage to play in Xavier University's 10,000 seat center. The game was sold out in 30 minutes.

 

Hill got a layup early in the game, fulfilling her dream of playing in a college game. Read Hiram's story  |  CBS story about Hiram team  |  CBS story about Lauren Hill

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Fore! Missouri church collaborates for good

By Mat DeKinder

On October 6 Webster Groves Christian Church came together with neighbor Westborough Country Club for an inaugural charitable golf tournament that raised over $28,000.

The beneficiary of those funds was Room at the Inn, a temporary, emergency shelter for homeless women and families that serves the greater St. Louis area.

 

The Webster Groves Christian Church and Westborough Country Club First Annual Charity Golf Outing to Benefit Room at the Inn came about as a creative land-use and parking agreement between the church and the country club.

 

"The tournament became a collaborative answer to what could have been a divisive question," said Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore, pastor of Webster Groves Christian Church.  "I started thinking to myself, what could we do so that Webster Groves Christian Church saw that our mission and ministry were being advanced, and that we were also good neighbors?"

 

Room at the Inn was chosen to be the recipient of the money raised from this year's golf outing in part because of its 23-year relationship with Webster Groves Christian Church. "We are one of the longest, continuous congregations participating in that program," Moore said. "It was a natural fit."  Read full story

 


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CCF development conference adds pre-conference mission, workshop

The Christian Church Foundation has added two options for development conference attendees. Arrive on the morning of Jan. 21, 2015 and you have the option of participating in one of two activities - a golf outing (you pay your greens fees) at 8 a.m. Jan. 21 or a mission experience with Give Kids the World from 9 a.m.-1 pm. For the complete conference schedule, including information on our keynote speaker, and how to register for the event and the hotel, click here. Early registration ends Dec. 1.

 

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Preorders being taken for study

Disciples Women's Ministries is proud to announce that the second Bible study written by Disciples women scholars for Disciples women is in its initial stages of writing. Orders for extra, non-subscription copies of the Just Women 2015 Spring Bible Study - "Women of the New Testament: Finding their Voices" placed by Feb. 1, 2015, will ship free. The 2014 edition, "Women of the Bible: Seeking Justice", sold out and will not be reprinted. Please pre-order the 2015 issue to insure you have a copy for your group's study.The Bible study is part of the paid yearly subscription to Just Women.

 

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Advent resources coming soon

Be on the lookout for the 2014 Advent Resource Packet which will be available on the Disciples Home Missions' website as a free download.  This year the resource will be posted weekly.  The first week will be posted around Nov. 25, 2014. Bookmark the link. 

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Black Ministers Retreat 2015 registration open

Save the date for Black Ministers Retreat, March 3-5, 2015 in Montgomery, Alabama! Join us as we explore this year's theme, Time for a Shift: Transforming a New Generation of Disciples, through transformative worship, fellowship, and educational workshops. This year's events and location will also coincide with local celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the historic Montgomery to Selma March. It will be an experience not to be missed!
Register Online - 
Early bird price of $165 available through Dec. 31

 

Other News and Resources
Events

Speak out Sunday about gender-based violence Nov. 23

 

An Appalachian Advent at Christmount

 

Mid-America Center for Ministry offers introductory ministry class in January

 

Women and Worship Conference Jan. 13-1

 

Phillips' Re-Mind and Re-New conference, Tulsa, Jan. 14-15

 

Disciples Development Conference, Orlando FLJan 21-23

 

Black Ministers Retreat, March 3-5

 

Association of Disciples Musicians, Liberty, MO, June 23-28

 

Find more events on the calendar hosted by Chalice Press

Resources

Week of Compassion partner offers Advent devotions focused on ending hunger 

 

Children & Family Ministries offer Advent resources 

 

Disciples Home Missions to post Advent materials weekly beginning Nov. 25

 

NonDisciple 4-week study guide for Watkins' book Whole - chapter version; theme version | Disciple 4-week study guides for Watkins' book Whole - chapter version; theme version  | Other identity resources

 

Sign up for Disciples Immigration Legal Updates

 

Family and Children newsletter signup

 

The Landscape for Mission four-session video study series examines current context

 

 

LEI_CRP_CTS
Ministry in Action

Disciple Center for Public Witness

 

Disciples Home Missions Refugee & Immigration Ministries

 

Disciple Home Missions Care for Creation ministry: Green Chalice

 

Disciple Women: Breaking the Chains Link by Link (human trafficking)

 

Disciples Volunteering

 

Week of Compassion

 

Reconciliation Ministry

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