March 2, 2016
Council on Christian Unity releases document on Disciples' take on unity  
by Robert Welsh, President

As ecumenical officer for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), I have often been asked "How do Disciples understand the vision and goal of Christian unity today? And, how has that understanding changed over the past 40 years of your giving leadership to the ecumenical witness of the Disciples of Christ?''

In looking to my retirement on April 1, I have developed a brief statement of "ten basic understandings of Christian unity" that I believe articulate our ecumenical vision and calling as Disciples of Christ for the 21st century church and world. It is my belief that these understandings reflect our core identity as a people of unity - with Christian unity continuing to be our "polar star."
Document available in English, Spanish and Korean  
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#DOCWeAreOne - Let's show it!

Jordan "JD" White saw something he didn't like and decided to do something about it in the fall of 2015. "Seeing the divisions that we have, and my generation becoming less connected or being too busy for God, I saw that we have a problem."

With the help of his friends from committees, church camp and school, he came up with a plan based on his study of the history of the denomination. He instituted the #DOCWeAreOne hashtag.

"I saw this as a fun way to go back to our mission statement," White said. He is a member of East Second Street Christian in Lexington and a member of the Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention Executive Youth Committee.

Through social media, he encouraged people to take selfies in either red clothing or in Disciple gear and post them with the hashtag #DOCWeAreOne.
 
With White's permission and support, Communication Ministries is taking his hashtag idea and running with it. But, you may ask, where do you get Disciple gear if your own congregation hasn't printed up T-shirts? And when could you light up Facebook together? Or how could this give you an opportunity to talk about the next General Assembly?  Read more to find link to purchase shirts and answers to all these questions! 

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How you can prepare

Brush up on the identity statement. Other materials you might find helpful include the Justice Primer and Justice Devotions. Global Ministries also offers a new three-session adult curriculum called REACH.

 

Join the prayer effort and receive weekly prompts for prayer and action.

 

Find out more and sign up for a mission gathering on the Mission First! page.

You can also share your stories of mission on the Mission First! Facebook group.

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July 26-30
Registration is now open for youth 13-18 and their families and sponsors to attend the Disciples/UCC joint youth event in Orlando.
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easter shirt
#DOCWeAreOne
Shirt of the Month
Orders close March 11
Not only can you get standard polos, T-shirts and hoodies, but every month we will have a special design. Ten percent of the price comes back to Disciples Mission Fund. See all the styles.
Virtual 5K logo
"Moving for Wholeness!" . . . Virtual 5K... Virtual?
Sponsored by: General Youth Council, Family and Children's Ministries, and Disciples Home Missions and Supporting the Disciples Mission Fund Easter offering
This is a fundraiser! It is also a way to celebrate being a Disciple of Christ and all that we can be in an active and fun way - internationally! It is easy to register as an individual or family now. We also want to encourage people to get those youth, college, women's, and other groups out to "move for wholeness!" You will want a t-shirt, but it is more important that we find ways to participate together. Below are a variety of ways that groups can get together and... MOVE! Camp?. . . Retreats?. . . College Groups? . . . a few times around a really big labyrinth? Start moving! Read more
News in the Church                                   Other News                          
Florida Disciples! Calling NYE volunteers
Organizers for the UCC National Youth Event, to be held at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL July 26-30, are looking for local volunteers. The NYE team needs 200 people from Florida
UCC and DOC congregations who would be interested in serving our youth and sharing in this ministry.

A background check is required. NYE organizers are seeking volunteers with a love for God and youth and with demonstrated patience, kindness and hospitality. For more information, or to volunteer, please send an email to [email protected].
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Phillips University Legacy Foundation accepting scholarship applications
For more information contact Tamela Harsha, Scholarship Administrator, at 580.237.4433 or email
[email protected] . Applications can be accessed online at www.pulf.org/scholarshipforms. The application deadline is March 10, 2016.
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Higher Education & Leadership Ministries Leadership Fellows applications available for high school seniors
The postmark deadline for applications is April 15. It also may be filled out online
  
If you have any questions, please contact Eli Rolon, director of programs and technology at [email protected]
 
Interim part-time executive director position available
 
The candidate will average 15 hours per week. The board anticipates the interim period is through December 31, 2017. The candidate shall be available for travel.
Persons who are interested in consideration should present a resume and cover letter, no later than March 31. Read full position description

Great River Region accepting applications for Executive Regional Minister
A Regional Profile and Position Description are posted on the following website www.grrdisciples.org/regional-minister-transition. All applicants are required to provide and/or update search and call profiles through the Office of Christian Vocation and are required to submit a Letter of Interest to the Great River Region Office addressed to:
ERM Search Committee Chairperson
 Great River Region Christian Church (DOC)
9203 Geyer Springs Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72209
 The application deadline is March 31, 2016
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If you are interested in advertising in future issues of the Disciples News Service, please contact Fred Jones 
Events, Resources and Ministry in Action                                                   
Events
Black Ministers Retreat, Jackson, MS, March 8-10

Chapman Founders Day, Orange, CA, March 11-12

Building an Inclusive Church Training, Atlanta GA, Mar. 11-12

Christmount Caregivers Retreat, Mar. 19

DYMN retreat, Athens, TX, March 29-31

Stepping into Stewardship
Orlando, March 30-April 1

Georgia Disciples going to the Holy Land July 9, reservations due April 30


Apr. 8-9, PSR, Berkeley CA

Apr. 15-16

Disciple Men, Fort Worth, July 8-10

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


Religions for Peace offers online lectures to learn about Muslims 
   Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 
  
Interfaith toolkit on human trafficking

NEW Center for Faith and Giving stewardship campaign "Go and Do the Same"

Building an Inclusive Church toolkit




Ministry in Action
NBA XPLOR residents share videos
(click on photo) 
three residents
North Hollywood
three residents
St. Louis
three residents
Golden Gate


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

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