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Every day the average person receives as many as 5,000 marketing messages, many of which seek to have us measure our worth, success, and meaning by what we have acquired. Using the Revised Common Lectionary for Year B, the new Measuring What Matters: Stewardship as Discipleship program invites the congregation to explore up to six texts tied to this theme. Each individual church may decide if they want to follow the traditional model of a compressed campaign, or use a new suggested design, that extends the conversation over as many as seven months.
These Disciples' related annual campaign materials were produced by the Center for Faith and Giving for 2015. Building on the success of From Bread & Wine to Faith & Giving (which is also still available) Bruce Barkhauer, Ron Allen, and new team member Tanya Tyler explore how we "measure" our lives according to the values of the Realm of God.
Sermon resources, adult bible studies, children's sermons, worship materials, theme artwork, campaign guidance, model letters, giving guides, step charts, estimate of giving cards, bulletin covers and inserts, as well as keys for success are all included. In addition, this year's materials include information about electronic contributions and understanding generational giving.
Measuring What Matters is expected to be available by download ($19.95) on April 1, and in print ($34.95) or on a USB drive ($24.95) by April 15. Expedited shipping will be available for an additional cost. Contact the Center for Faith and Giving for more information.
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Top 3 reasons to be inspired by NBA Incubate Projects
With the NBA Incubate Initiative, the NBA has the opportunity to partner with new and emerging health and social service ministries started by Disciples in order to support their growth in those critical early years. Here are 3 ways that we are inspired daily by the amazing work of these ministries and projects:
#1: It begins with the seed of an idea! Mary Lu, with Reach Beyond Mission, in Austin, Texas, speaks of how in conversations with people in her life, she kept hearing them say: "That sounds like a really great idea-you should go for it!" This kind of encouragement went a long way, and Reach Beyond Mission is hosting transformative and educational work-learning trips with youth all across the Southwest.
Read on for reasons 2 and 3!
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Resources and continuing ed
Events
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Faith Forward ecumenical youth, children workshop, April 20-23, Chicago
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- Stone-Campbell Scramble golf event, July 17, Columbus, OH
- Reed Lecture: Role of Social Movements in the History of the United States, July 18, Columbus, OH (tickets through General Assembly registration system)
- General Assembly 2015, July 18-22, Columbus, Ohio
- For more events, see the calendar hosted by Chalice Press
Resources
- Promotion materials for General Assembly including worship resources for May 17
- Earth Day materials (April 22)
- Week of Compassion partner Society of Saint Andrew offers hunger-themed VBS materials and mission trip opportunities
- Center for Faith and Giving lectionary-based worship resources
- HIPAA guidelines (also linked from the Resources page on disciples.org)
- Hope Partnership archived webinars
- Online giving and payroll services
- Curriculum share site: DiscipleShare
- Chalice Press
Online classes
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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.
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Featured Links
Easter offering received in most congregations
March 29 and April 5
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July 18-22
Promotion Sunday
May 17
Please note: The docket will be distributed electronically this year. Churches will not receive a CD-ROM. A USPS letter with an order form for a paper copy or resolution packet will arrive in congregations this month along with voting representative information.
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Racial/Ethnic Ministries
Other resources
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Challenged by trying to explain Disciples Mission Fund?
 | | How Your Offerings to DMF Support Mission in the Church |
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Lilly Grant applications online
The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary provide funds to congregations to support renewal leaves for their pastors. Congregations may apply for grants of to $50,000 to underwrite a renewal program for their pastor and for the pastor's family, with up to $15,000 of those funds available to the congregation to help cover costs for ministerial supply while the pastor is away. There is no cost to the congregations or the pastors to apply; the grants represent the Endowment's continued investment in renewing the health and vitality of American Christian congregations.
DEADLINE April 15, 2015
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