December 2, 2015
Mission First! planning group makes progress
 
logo The implementation team for Mission First! has been hard at work throughout October and November refining the design for the mission gatherings which will take place across the United States and Canada in 2016. Subgroups have been working on worship, questions, data gathering techniques and other logistics. They have also run several test gatherings - at Disciples Center and in two congregations - to find the best ways to approach the work.
 
Generally, the mission gathering will go something like this: after an introduction to a few key concepts and a short time of worship, small groups will talk about their experiences of mission with a designated facilitator. They will identify possible areas of focus in mission for Disciples today. The small groups will share their thoughts with the larger group. The responses will be recorded and added to the feedback from all the mission gatherings.
 
In December of 2016 a Mission Council will meet to surface common themes from the Mission Gathering input. The Mission Council will identify a shared focus in mission for Disciples today - something Disciples can become known for. As the various ministries of the Church collaborate around the key focus area or areas, Disciples will make a difference.
 
Meanwhile, the Administrative Committee of the General Board is functioning as a prototype for a Governing Board to do the business of the Church in mission. The General Board meeting in 2017 will propose the way forward after this pilot.
 
The implementation team includes Mark Anderson, president, National Benevolent Association; Denise Bell, regional minister, Georgia; Lonora Graves, chair, General Board member; Lynette Li, director of communication and transformation, North American Pacific/Asian Disciples; John Mobley, regional minister, Alabama/NW Florida; Cathy Nichols, executive for mission personnel, Global Ministries; Bernice Rivera, member, General Board; Tony Rodriguez, moderator, General Board and General Assembly; and Sharon Watkins, general minister and president. Kenetha Stanton is serving as project manager.

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

How you can prepare
Global concerns

Global Ministries is offering a webinar Dec. 9 with Walter Brueggeman on his book Chosen?: Reading the Bible in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Efforts by Global Ministries and other Disciple ministries are ongoing on behalf of Syria and her people.

Resources for
Dec. 10-14
GA 1521 - General Assembly resolution on gun violence

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Disciples Peace Fellowship to publish daily prayers second week of Advent
 
This year Disciples Peace Fellowship will publish a Peace Prayer every day during the second week of Advent (Dec 6-12).  After lighting the "Peace Candle" on Sunday, please join with us throughout the week to pray for the peace our fragmented world so desperately needs. Sign up 
 
Christmas Offering received in most congregations
Dec. 13 and 20

The Christmas Offering directly benefits regional ministries. Find out more. 
Ministries support slave-free supply lines
Disciple Women and Christian Church Foundation are joining in efforts to combat human trafficking. The foundation's president sent a letter in support of bipartisan legislation calling on businesses to examine their supply chains for evidence of slave labor. Read more

News in the Church                                   Other News                          
Foundation Board hears about faith-based investing
Faith-based investors play an important role in helping companies be good corporate citizens, says Laura Berry, executive director of the Interfaith Coalition on Corporate Responsibility. Berry, who spoke at the fall meeting of the Christian Church Foundation Board of Directors, said it is important for faith-based investors to remain engaged with corporations by being shareholders and voting proxies. She pointed a wide range of successes that have occurred over time because faith communities remained engaged with business. Read more
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McCaw scholars named 
Two seminary students working through Disciples Seminary Foundation have been named the 2015-16 recipients of the John and Maxine McCaw Scholarship Fund Prophetic Living, Teaching and Preaching. The scholarship fund, held in trust at the Christian Church Foundation and administered by the College of Regional Ministers, was created by the McCaws in 2012.

Siobhan Lopez is a co-pastor at East Whittier Christian Church and also serves on the regional board for the Pacific Southwest region. She is active with the regional Disciples Women Commission and serves as treasurer for the Convenci
n Hispana in the region and attends Claremont School of Theology.

Heesook Yoo, originally from South Korea, attends Mannam Christian Church in Everett, WA, and is the moderator-elect for the Northwest Regional Christian Church. She is a student at Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. 
 
Both attend their respective schools through a partnership with Disciples Seminary Foundation. Recipients must attend Disciples seminaries or Union Theological Seminary in New York.
 
The scholarship is the legacy of Dr. John McCaw and his late wife, Maxine. The McCaws established the scholarship to encourage a "prophetic" voice from the pulpit that seeks to eliminate evil and enhance goodness in human relations and in international relations. The pulpit, says Dr. McCaw, must be informed, alert, emboldened and fearless, and this scholarship provides resources to help ease any educational debt for future preachers.

Kentucky ecumenical leaders welcome refugees 

 

Tennessee pastor offers column on terrorism 

 

Texas church launches experiment in millennial involvement 

 

Illinois church hosts performance for special needs theater group 

 

Plarn lives on in Ohio church 

 

Iowa church continues Christmas help for families  

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Order 2016 Just Women Bible study
Just Women magazine is accepting advance orders for non-subscription copies of the 2016 Bible study, "The Table and Beyond: Lavish Hospitality in the Bible". Ordering before Jan. 19. for $12 per copy will save the shipping and handling costs associated with later orders. This Bible study is part of a standard subscription. 
  • To place your 2016 Bible study order online - click here
  • To renew or start your subscription - click here
  • To learn more about the Bible study and the other 2016 issues - click here

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From Disciples Center for Public Witness
Encourage those without health care to investigate their options and sign up by the end of January. More information
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NBA XPLOR accepting applications
for 2016-17
 
Early Decision Deadline: Dec. 4, 2015
Cornerstone Deadline: Jan. 15, 2016
Extended Deadline: Feb. 19, 2016
NBA XPLOR is committed to cultivating a diverse population for our 2016-17 cohort of 25+ residents. You may know a young adult who would be interested in the XPLOR experience. An ideal applicant is any young adult (21-30 years old) with an open heart and open mind, who is ready to ask, what did God create my soul to do? Learn more  | Read the latest stories from NBA XPLOR residents
 
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Events, Resources and Ministry in Action                                                   
Events
Dr. Walter Brueggemann webinar, Chosen, Dec. 9

Remind & Renew conference on race, Tulsa, OK, Jan. 13-14



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

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
_______ 
 
Information on Disciples and UCC responses to the Syrian refugee crisis

Resources for Dec. 10-14 interfaith gun violence Sabbath available

Theme announced, order form provided for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18-26)




Center for Faith and Giving Measuring What Matters stewardship program available


Ministry in Action
You can find ways to plug into mission and more through these ministries.....
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Kids to Kids: Syrian Refugees
Our latest Kids to Kids project helps kids understand more about the Syrian refugee crisis and how to show God's love through hands-on mission:
  • Help understanding what "refugee" means
  • Information on Syria
  • Basic human rights
  • Books to read
  • Missions ideas
Download the PDF from the Family & Children's Ministry website. This resource has been created in partnership with Week of Compassion and DHM's Refugee & Immigration Ministries.

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