September 14, 2016
Region takes up 'green' challenge
by Stephen Patten

Green Chalice While completing their studies at Claremont School of Theology, Sadie Mizisin-Cullumber, Al Lopez, and Stephen Patten, came to understand the important theological connection between creation care and the present climate dilemma.

It is their understanding that a robust systematic theology must include a prominent place for an ecological spirituality. They were greatly encouraged by the work of Drs. John Cobb and Phillip Clayton as they argued for a spiritual and moral response to our present climate catastrophe. They've discerned that such a response is embedded in Scripture and in our Disciples tradition. We live into this tradition through the efforts of Disciples Home Mission's Green Chalice movement.

Inspired and challenged by this North American movement, Sadie, Al, and Stephen have begun work to promote and encourage churches across the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) to join the other Green Chalice congregations and ministries.

In collaboration with Pacific Beach Christian Church, First Christian Church of Orange, and UrbanMission - and made possible by a Vision Fund Grant from the PSWR - they developed and presented a series of workshops to bring awareness about the Green Chalice movement to the rest of the Pacific Southwest Region.

Their next steps include presenting a workshop and supporting a resolution at the PSWR's upcoming regional assembly. The resolution is titled "Climate Change and the Need for a Green Chalice Movement in the Pacific Southwest Region." Connect on the PSWR Green Chalice Facebook page. 
________ 
From the GMP search committee
The 2017 General Minister and President (GMP) Search Committee met in Dallas, TX, Aug. 17-19, 2016. After prayerful consideration and discernment of God's will for our future, the Committee processed all the applications received for the GMP position and has selected candidates to interview. After the interviews that will take place in October 2016, the Search Committee will further refine the list and forward their names to the Administrative Committee for consideration. The Search Committee asks that you remain in prayer for the candidates and for our continued discernment. They suggest you set aside Wednesday mornings from 6 to 10 am in your time zone for these prayers.


Registration
open now!
Survey open to Sept. 16 only
To better understand behaviors around climate and sustainability for all Disciples, Green Chalice (greenchalice.org) and Blessed Tomorrow (blessedtomorrow.org) are conducting a survey. It will only take 15 minutes of your time but must be completed in one sitting. Answers are confidential.
________

Reconciliation Ministry
Special Offering
received in most congregations
Sept. 25 and Oct. 2
Find out more

________
September 'Preamble' shirt available for order
Order this T-shirt in one of five colors by TOMORROW and it will ship the last week of September. Ten percent of the cost is donated to Disciples Mission Fund. Go to http://store.disciples.org for this and other shirt options.
News in the Church                                        Other News                          
Light a Candle for Children
Prayer vigil now - Oct. 16

Follow on Facebook

Election eve prayer service
The Council on Christian Unity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) believes that Christians still can get together at the places of prayer as one body of Christ no matter what kind of political opinions we hold as citizens. In order to help you organize an ecumenical prayer service for election eve/day, Rev. Kara Markell, Lake Washington Christian Church, Kirkland, WA, has created a liturgy for an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Election Eve/Day.
________

Clergy Continuing Education Grants available
The application period for the 2017 Clergy Continuing Education Grants is now open now to Oct. 31. Applications completed by Disciples clergy with standing (Ordained or Commissioned) over the next two months will be considered for awards to be distributed in 2017. These awards are to help DOC clergy participate in continuing education experiences in 2017 that will enhance their gifts and graces for ministry. You can find out more, and access the application process here.
 _________ 
Applications open for the General Youth Council
If you are a youth who is interested in serving on the General Youth Council you may click here to download a PDF version of the application, or here to download a Word version of the application.  If you are an adult who is interest in serving on the General Youth council you may click here to download a PDF version or here to download a Word version of the application.  Applications are being accepted from now through Sept. 30, 2016 for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2017 and ending Dec. 31, 2018.
________

Did you know?
Disciples Mission Fund provides much of the funding for the ministries mentioned in today's Disciples News Service. Included are ALL the regions, Office of the General Minister and President, Disciples Home Missions' Green Chalice  and General Youth Council, Council on Christian Unity, National Benevolent Association and Communication Ministries (publisher of this newsletter). You can give online or through your congregation.
 
________

Nominations due Nov. 1
The General Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the 2017-2019 General Assembly moderator team and General Board. Other ministries will also have access to this database when looking for people with the passion and skills needed for their own boards. Click here for more info
________ 
Christian Church Homes (CCH) is excited to unveil its newest affordable housing community in Colorado Springs, CO. This three-story property provides 77 new one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors.This newest community crowns six years of development efforts by CCH in order to serve the seniors of Colorado.
WEBINAR: Becoming a Welcoming Church: Safe Sanctuary Protocols
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
1:00 p.m. CST / 2:00 p.m. EST
Live webinar online via Fuze
Presented by National Benevolent Association Prison and Jail Ministries Affinity Group
 
Advertising
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


Find more events on the calendar hosted by Chalice Press

July 8-12 in Indianapolis
Other promotion material available on the General Assembly website

Resources
We are instruments
We are called to action in the face of violence. A page of resources and possible actions has been posted on disciples.org.

You are encouraged to access the Injustice Anywhere documentary hosted by the National Benevolent Association's website and the accompanying study materials specifically for interracial understanding. The film was produced in response to the troubles in Ferguson, MO, that began in August 2014. 


Upcoming Webinars and Lay School of Theology at Lexington Theological Seminary

Reconciliation Ministry grant application, guidelines posted in English, Spanish and Korean; due Jan. 31, 2017 for 2017 projects

Creating Boundaries for Healthy Church Relationships DVD series


   Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 
  
Center for Faith and Giving stewardship campaign "Go and Do the Same"

Building an Inclusive Church toolkit


Ministry in Action
A video invitation
You can find ways to plug into mission and more through these ministries.....
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Get ready for YOUR
Mission Gathering!

 

Use the videos and other materials online to brush up on the identity statement. Global Ministries also offers an adult curriculum called REACH (3 sessions) and a new book about mutuality in mission, Restoring Hope

 

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

 

Find out more and sign up for information on the Mission First! page. You can also share your stories of mission on the Mission First! Facebook group.

 

Stay Connected!

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our videos on YouTubeView our photos on flickr

The Disciples News Service, also known as The Disciple�, is distributed weekly or as needed by Communication Ministries. For changes to your subscription options or to subscribe to this newsletter, please visit:

disciples.org/dns/subscribe-to-dns/   

 

If you are interested in submitting news for distribution in the Disciples News Service, please review our "Guidelines for Submitting News and Information to Disciples News Service":

disciples.org/dns/submitting-news/ 

The next deadline to submit news for consideration
in the Disciples News Service:
Friday, September 16, 2016