October 14, 2015

Dialogue series begins in Southwest
The Coastal Plains Area in the Christian Church in the Southwest (around Houston) gathered early this month for the first in a series of area events on racial issues. Titled "Who is My Neighbor? The _____ elephant in the room," the Oct. 4 event drew 45 to University Christian Church in Houston resourced by Dr. Alex Byrd, associate professor of history at Rice University, and a member of First Christian in Houston.
 
The series was first conceived in a conversation between Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont, Christian Church Foundation staff in the southwest, and Rev. Wayne Ivey of Conroe in January, when the events of Ferguson were very much on the minds of many around the country. Fiddmont recounts, "My personal angst was it didn't seem that we were discussing any of these things in wider forums. Ivey had been part of the Reconciliation team for CPA 20 years ago when we sponsored several multi-cultural awareness events. He took the idea and the discussion to the Ministry Planning Team of the area. We are charged with the assignment of creating a variety of opportunities throughout Coastal Plains Area using the Reconciliation funds that were available to us."
 
After several small clergy gatherings, a plan was hatched and promoted by word of mouth with clergy and laity. It was announced at the Coastal Plains Assembly in May and planning began in June. Peggy Trott, chair of the Christian Action and Outreach committee for the area, tells about the "God-wink" story that made the speaker possible.
 
"Marilyn spoke about this upcoming racial reconciliation event at the assembly. As she talked, there was a youngish black man sitting down the pew from me who was very engaged in what she was saying. We both noticed him - he spoke to Marilyn afterwards - but we did not know who he was. She assigned me the task of locating this individual. One week later, I visited First Christian Church, Houston to share in an event called Real Conversations whereby Pastor Michael Dunn holds a round table discussion about a current topic. As I sat at the table waiting for the event to begin, you guessed it ... in walks the gentleman I was supposed to find and he sat at my table."

But this is just the beginning of the work the Coastal Plains area will do to promote dialogue. Plans include essay and art contests for youth around the issue, books, movie nights, on-going work with Byrd, anti-racism training events, and a visit with April Johnson of Reconciliation Ministry in the spring of 2016.

Find out more about Mission First!
General Minister and President Sharon Watkins introduced the Mission First! pilot project at General Assembly.

News in the Church                                 Other News                          
Week of Compassion welcomes associate director
by Vy Nguyen

Caroline Arnold-Hamilton is a proud TCU graduate, having studied English, religion, and political science. She completed an M.Div. at Claremont School of Theology. Her greatest strengths are in preaching and teaching-equipping people to connect stories of faith to their lives and to translate their faith into action. She is recognized as a gifted writer and speaker and a creative and critical thinker.
Read more


 

Christian Board of Publication named Open & Affirming Ministry
The Christian Board of Publication (CBP) is the second General Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to be named an Open and Affirming (O&A) Ministry, committing to openly welcoming and affirming persons of all gender expressions and sexual orientations.
 
O&A is overseen by the GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples) Alliance, which reviewed CBP's employee handbook and other key documents as part of the process. At its September meeting in St. Louis, the CBP Board of Directors unanimously adopted a statement welcoming all people into its ministry and pledging that resources published by CBP/Chalice Press will not condemn individuals based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 
Founded in 1911, CBP publishes resources inviting all people into deeper relationship with God, equipping them as disciples of Jesus Christ, and sending them into ministries as the Holy Spirit calls them.
 
CBP is a fully self-sufficient, non-profit corporation and receives no denominational funding.

Young Adult Commission applications accepted
If you are interested in connecting and empowering Young Adults to engage in the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), you can fill out an application to serve on the Young Adult Commission. The next term of service begins January of 2016 through December of 2017 and applications are being accepted until Oct. 31, 2015. Go here to see the expectations for those who serve on the committee.

Pennsylvania church tries coffeehouse vibe

 

New York Congolese immigrant walks with water for CROP

 

Missouri volunteers' experience cautionary tale

 

Oregon pastor takes heat for her support of LGBT community

 

Missouri church joins in CROP walk

 

Texas church hosts 6th pumpkin patch

 

Indiana church celebrates 175 years of ministry


 

Fall issue of the Disciples Advocate is now available 


Christmount seeking executive director; applications close Nov. 4
 
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Just Women Bible study preorder
image of cover The 2016 Bible study -  The Table and Beyond: Lavish Hospitality in the Bible
- is available for advance ordering. This is the third year the Bible study has been written by Disciples women scholars under the Just Women banner. The previous two issues sold out quickly. Please order by Jan.19, 2016 to ensure delivery of extra copies for you and your group. Use the above link to learn more about the study's topics and writers and to place your order.

________ 

Canada seeks regional minister
The Regional Minister is a full-time ministry position serving the congregations and pastors in the three areas of the Christian Church (Disciple of Christ) in Canada (CCIC). A successful candidate will be an ordained minister with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), or other denomination within Canada and willing to obtain standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Applications due by Nov. 30, 2015. See additional info

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Events, Resources and Ministry in Action                                                   
Events

Hope Partnership's New Beginning Come and See, 

Abilene, TX, Oct. 17
 
Oct. 16-17

Christmount Week with Frank Thomas, Oct. 20-23

Oct. 28-31


Worship and Wonder training, Elyria, OH, Nov. 13-14

2016 Disciples Development Conference, Jacksonville, FL, Jan. 20-22

Winter Talk, Tulsa, OK, Jan. 25-27

Black Ministers Retreat, Jackson, MS, March 8-10

Stepping into Stewardship, Orlando, March 30-April 1

Hispanic Assembly, Coral Gables, FL, July 14-16

Association of Disciples Musician's Conference, Evansville IN, July 17-22, 2016

National Convocation Biennial Session, Overland Park, KS (KC area), July 21-24

National Youth Event with United Church of Christ, Buena Vista, FL, July 26-30

NAPAD Convocation, Oakland, CA, Aug. 3-6

Find more events on the calendar hosted by Chalice Press
Resources

Post-papal visit conversation starter with video and toolkit from Faith in Public Life

 

Mid-America Center for Ministry begins four new online classes Oct. 18
 


  




Center for Faith and Giving Measuring What Matters stewardship program available


DHM offers educational grants for Disciples clergy
Applications for 2016 grants will be accepted now through Oct. 31. Grants will be considered for events happening ONLY in the 2016 calendar year. It is applicant's responsibility to ensure application and regional endorsement forms are received before deadline; no exceptions. More info 
Ministry in Action
You can find ways to plug into mission and more through these ministries.....
 
  
  
  
  
  
  


Light a Candle for Children
You can find daily prayers and art from children from now until Children's Sabbath on Oct. 18 at the Light a Candle for Children blog.


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Friday, October 16, 2015