May 27, 2015

Disciples share programs

By Will Jewsbury, First Christian Church, Kokomo, Becky Sundquist, South Side Christian Church and
Chuck Armstrong, Northview Christian Church

 

Children from First Christian Church and South Side Christian Church went on a field trip to Grissom Air Force Base.

Shared ministry programs do far more than ease the burden on a few overworked leaders. They remind us that we are part of a great fellowship of Disciples in our own communities and beyond. For Kokomo Disciples we are fortunate to have three vital congregations in close proximity who can work and serve together.

 

Ash Wednesday: The cooks at South Side Christian Church are turning out pancakes and sausage for the crowd. But those gathered for the combination Mardi Gras/Ash Wednesday meal and worship are not just those who call the building their church home. Others have come as well; brothers and sisters from Northview Christian and First Christian enjoy the meal and fellowship, and then gather in the sanctuary where leaders from all three congregations lead worship to invite all into the beginning of Lent.

 

Saturday: Some of the same people, again from these sister congregations, have arrived to put the finishing touches on a Habitat house for Kyle and her children. It has been a long project, but a faithful few representing both First and South Side have been there throughout turning a run-down house into a warm, safe home.

 

Tuesday: Children are piling into a bus to head for Connor Prairie and a hot air balloon ride. The children wear matching t-shirts proclaiming "Oh, the Places God Goes!" The t-shirts are the same, but the children come from two of the three Kokomo, Ind. Disciples congregations. They and their leaders are experiencing a shared summer travel program that is all the more vital because it brings them together from across the community.

 

Sunday: The three congregations are meeting for worship in their own spaces. But because of Wednesday, Saturday, and Tuesday they realize they are not alone at the Table of our Lord. They sense the presence of their brothers and sisters within the community and around the world.

 

Others find such connection across denominational boundaries and even county lines. It is true that "we are the church together." Thanks be to God for brothers and sisters in faith to challenge, support and care for one another.

 

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Search opens for Pension Fund senior vice-president/president-elect

The Board of Directors of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Inc. is seeking candidates and candidate recommendations for the position of Senior Vice-President/President Elect. This position has been created to serve a transitional role in conjunction with the retirement of the current president, following which the President Elect will become the President of the Pension Fund. Applications will be received through June 30. 

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The General Assembly Program and Business docket is now posted online! Download it from the business page of the General Assembly website.
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Take the opportunity to promote General Assembly.
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Worship video submissions needed
Click on link to find out how
Reflections on Isaiah 40: Soar!
Reflections on Isaiah 40: Soar!
News in the Church                                     Other News

Joined together in mission at home and abroad

By Ron Degges, president of Disciples Home Missions

 

Everything we are and everything we do in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is tied up with Jesus and with mission. These two go hand in hand with one another in all healthy expressions of the Christian faith. When one puts Jesus first in her life, Jesus' mission of love and compassion for all become the paramount and ultimate pursuit of one's life.

 

 Over the centuries, in some expressions of the Christian faith, there has become a growing separation between Jesus and mission as though the two are mutually exclusive. This artificial separation has weakened the core message of the gospel, "For God so loved the world . . ."[John 3:16]. The separation of Jesus from mission produces individuals and congregations obsessed with issues of personal salvation, nationalistic pride, ersatz evangelism, stingy stewardship, and an 'it is only about me/us mentality.' Prayer, Bible study, worship, education, and stewardship are all directed to the enhancement of the local congregation alone.

 

Fortunately, we Disciples of Christ are wired differently from those who separate Jesus from mission. Just last week 13 seasoned denominational leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ returned from a two-week pilgrimage to the Middle East. The group was composed of home/local missions and Global Ministries staff. We met with leaders of the Coptic Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Armenian, and Reformed churches as well as other ministry and mission partners throughout the Middle East. During each meeting, we were asked to come back home and share what we have learned about the church in the Middle East with our congregations throughout the United States and Canada so that we might stand in solidarity with our Christian sisters and brothers, praying for them, understanding their plight, supporting them in their struggles, and rejoicing with them in their hope.

 

Also, the executive committees of the Council for Christian Unity, Global Ministries, and Disciples Home Missions met together to identify a new partnership for mission and ministry on behalf of the wider church. In our listening to one another, we talked about communication, structure, the Middle East Initiative of Global Ministries and Mission First!, the two-year pilot to be introduced at the 2015 General Assembly.

 

In Christ, mission at home and abroad is linked together. What God has linked together, let no one rend asunder!

North Carolina Church celebrates 100 birthday

 

Bethany College Valedictorian receives Oreon E. Scott Award

 

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Foundation's 1st Treasurer Honored

Virginia G. Spradlin, of Naples, FL, who was the first full-time treasurer of the Christian Church Foundation, has been named treasurer emeritus by the Foundation's Board of Directors. During her 15-year full-time career at the Foundation, assets under management grew 2000%. The processes she put in place are still used today. She will be honored this fall in Indianapolis. For more information. 

 

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Please note: Correspondence for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society should be sent to 1099 N. Meridian, Ste. 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

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Black Leadership Projects

The Black Leadership Projects Committee is happy to announce the opening of the 2015 grant process.Applications are due no later than May 31, 2015.There is no minimum request. All proposals for projects thatdevelop, nurture, and strengthen church leadership in Disciples African American congregationswill be considered.

 

Go to the webpage for more information and application forms. 

 

 

Other News and Resources
Events

 

Brite Heritage Weekend in Kentucky June 6-8

 

Discovery Weekend for Women, Christmount, June 5 - 7 (Register by May 27)

 

Christmount Music Workshop (handbells, choral). June 18 - 21 (Register by June 10)

 

Stalcup Lecture with Jose Morales, Dallas, June 14


General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Columbus, Ohio, July 18-22

 

Christmount Mission Camp July 26-31


Biblical Storytelling for Pastors, Christmount, Sept. 15 - 17 

 

Hope Partnership Leadership Academy, Sept. 21-24

 

Gateway to Hope lecture on returning veterans sponsored by Mid-America Center for Ministry, Columbia, MO, Sept. 22

 

Drury University Conference "Subverting the Norm III", Springfield, MO Nov. 5-7

 

Find more events on the calendar hosted by Chalice Press

Resources

Mid-America History course June 23

 

Toolkit for World Refugee Day June 20

 

Online preaching class starts June 23

 

Refugee resettlement sign-up information 

 

Disciple Women offer flyer on human trafficking 

 

Center for Faith and Giving Measuring What Matters stewardship program available

 

Pacific School of Religion announces Old, New Testament courses and more 

 

Partner Society of St. Andrew offers VBS materials 

 

Tips on choosing VBS and other summer curricula. 

 

Disciples Peace Fellowship offers weekly worship resource 

 

People-to-People Guides for Leaders and Participants 

Ministry in Action

You can find ways to plug into mission and more through these ministries.....

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
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