April 13, 2016
Ministry outgrowth of location, sense of mission 
By Rev. Dan Paul

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for the Lord has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. --- Psalm 24
 
The Blue Theology Mission Station operates through The Christian Church of Pacific Grove, California with a simple mission statement: to provide learning/serving experiences in Ocean stewardship. With floor space for 30 air mattresses, two showers, four restrooms, plenary spaces, and a functional kitchen the program runs 8-10 youth groups per year through a five-day program.
 
Ten years ago, after reading Dick Hamm's book 20/20 Vision which encouraged congregations to move from a parish to mission station model, the church elders launched a program that allowed the church's coastal location to provide ministry for the wider church.
 
The program expands a little every year because of the life-changing experiences Blue Theology groups have reported and because of the growing participation by the congregation. Most visiting groups are treated to an intergenerational BBQ potluck with the congregation. February is now "Blue Theology Month" when members of the congregation get to do some of the hands on events that the youth groups enjoy like sand crab data collection and a meditative tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
 
There are still a few openings for the summer of 2016. Visit bluetheology.com for more information about bringing your youth group for a five-day learning/serving experience or your adult/family group for a one- or two-day pilgrimage.

For Earth Day worship materials (April 17 or 24) go to Creation Justice Ministries' website.


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. 
 
mens baseball jersey
April special T  
order by Friday, April 15

Add to your Disciple wardrobe with April's T-shirt offer. Ten percent of the purchase price is returned to Disciples Mission Fund. Order together to get the best deal on shipping. Several colors of sleeves are available. These will be produced the third week of April - just in time for your softball league games in May! You can also take a selfie and tag it #DOCWeAreOne.

Standard polos and sweatshirts are also available. If your congregation would like to customize your order, those will also benefit Disciples Mission Fund.

Canada names new regional minister 
The Christian Church in Canada welcomes the Rev. Dr. Jen Garbin as the new regional minister. Garbin will begin June 1, 2016. She comes from her current position as senior pastor of one of Canada's new congregations in formation, Sugarbush Christian Church (DOC), located in Guelph, Ontario.

Garbin has served on area and regional boards and committees as well as the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She is actively involved in the Ontario Area's camping program and OCYF as a director and adult advisor. Ordained 10 years ago, Garbin has served congregations in Nova Scotia and Ontario. She earned her MDiv and DMin from Emmanuel College (Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto).

Garbin says, "I'm a total church nerd and I believe whole-heartedly that although the church in Canada is changing, we are on the edge of something incredible, an opportunity to not only transform the world around us, but be ourselves transformed."

Garbin is married to Gianni Garbin and they have two children, Rita and Victor.
News in the Church                                    Other News                          
Pre-event features learning for lay, clergy
The Pre-Convocation Lay and Clergy Leadership Institute will take place on Thursday, July 21,  from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. It is an opportunity for leadership development for both clergy and lay leaders. 
 
The clergy session will be led by Dr. Brad R. Braxton, "Preaching and 'Public Health': Serious Preaching in Dangerous Times"
 
The Lay Leadership Track will offer a variety of sessions that serve to inspire and strengthen  gifts, passions and leadership. All are led by presenters who have prayed over this time.
 
The cost of the pre-event is $50 which covers breakfast, lunch and materials. It is co-sponsored by The Institute for African American Faith and Life, Black Disciples Endowment Fund and The African American Clergy Institute Development Office. Click here to see a partial listing of the workshops that will be offered.
 
If you have already registered for the 24th Biennial Session of the National Convocation, contact Kimberly Caudle at: (317) 713-2406 or by e-mail: [email protected]. Please leave a message if no answer.

If you have not registered yet for the Biennial Session, you can register for both online
________

Legacy scholarships available for seminarians
Phillips University, Inc. (PU) is pleased to offer a Seminary scholarship program to full-time, first year students who are pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree, are committed to pastoral ministry and will attend one of the following Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliated seminaries. Applications are due by USPS on April 29.  



NAPAD opens search for executive
From Dr. Tim Lee, search committee chair
We invite applications for the position of Interim Executive Pastor (IEP) for North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD) Ministries.
 
The successful candidate will serve as IEP till the time of the NAPAD Convocation in 2018. To be eligible, a candidate must be an ordained minister with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples). The deadline for submitting required application materials is June 1, 2016.
 
For queries about the position, please contact the chair of the NAPAD IEP Search Committee, Tim Lee: [email protected].

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Events, Resources and Ministry in Action                                                   
Events

Apr. 15-16

Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Washington DC, April 15-18
Apr. 21


Apr. 29-30


Lay School of Theology, May 7, 14, 21 Lexington Theological Seminary

Trauma And Its Aftermath: Moral Injury and MoralMeaning-Making, First Christian Church, Minneapolis, May 13-14

Walking the Labyrinth, Christmount, May 16-19

May 20-21



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

Pre-Convocation Lay and Clergy Leadership Institute July 21

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
Mid-America History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ April 26-June 20

Mid-America Mission of the Church April 26 to June 20
  
Pacific School of Religion
Text and Culture I: A Survey of the Old Testament May 3-10
Mid-America Center Online Courses: History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ, June 21-August 15
Communications, June 21 - August 15
Spiritual Development, June 21 - August 15




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

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

Building an Inclusive Church toolkit




Ministry in Action
Money for Mission 
 
 
You can find ways to plug into mission and more through these ministries.....
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
logo
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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