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Everything old is new again
New congregation meets where people are
by Rev. Debbie Griffith
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Downtown Disciples began with a few progressive urbanites, a small grant from the Upper Midwest Region, and a book called Saving Jesus From the Church by Robin Meyers. Debbie Griffin hoped to create safe gathering spaces for people who gave up on Church, were wounded by Church, or just longed for meaningful community.  They gathered in the Downtown Des Moines Social Club, a historic firehouse renovated into a funky urban social space (and it was free!) From the beginning they called themselves Downtown Disciples: Unapologetically Progressive, hoping the name would appeal to people who don't fit into mainstream church, but are passionate about social justice and curious about Jesus. In true Disciple fashion, Pastor Debbie wanted the community to create itself organically but she established a few core values as their foundation.
- DD is an LGBTQ affirming community.
- DD is a Christian community that boldly proclaims progressive theology.
- DD invests in relationships not buildings, meeting people where they live. (You'll find them at community centers, laundromats, wine bars, social clubs, sculpture parks. Their first Christmas Eve worship was in a nursing home.)
- DD's mission statement is "do justice, love kindness and walk humbly together" Half of all offerings go out into their urban community and world in acts of social justice. They are small but mighty! In their first fourteen months they've been blessed to contribute $12,000 to their urban community in the fight against homelessness, human trafficking, racial justice, LGBTQ equality, and refugee ministry.
 Every week you'll find them rallying for fair wages, serving the homeless and elderly, holding their elected officials accountable, proclaiming #BlackLivesMatter and worshiping with body, mind and soul.
The one place you won't find these unapologetically progressive Disciples is in a building they've built or purchased. You can partner with them in ministry and learn more about this old new way of being church at www.downtowndisciples.org
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Find out about ways to honor your pastor or for pastors to share the uniqueness of their own ministries. |
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Reconciliation Ministry
Special Offering
received in most congregations
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THIS JUST IN:
Help needed in Louisiana
Disciples Volunteering has issued a call for help in Louisiana to assist with flood clean up. Work opportunities are only open until the end of October. Read more
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Get ready for YOUR
Mission Gathering!
Use the videos and other materials online to brush up on the identity statement. Global Ministries also offers 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. |
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| News in the Church Other News |
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Bethany Fellows, Chalice Press team up
by Rev. Kim Gage Ryan
The first book from a partnership between Bethany Fellows and the Christian Board of Publication, two ministries associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will be released this fall.
CBP and Bethany Fellows have crafted a publishing partnership that will showcase the gifts of emerging pastoral leaders in the church and will provide a vision for what church and Christianity will look like over the next 50 years. Through this cooperative effort, the CBP and Chalice Press imprints will publish print, digital, and multimedia resources. Bethany Fellows will guide the selection of authors and projects offered through this new series. The potential author pool includes participants, alumni, and leaders who have worked up-close with these transformative leaders. Bethany Fellows was born from a concern that many pastors were leaving parish ministry very soon after beginning. Read more
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Community Navigator Webinars
 Refugee & Immigration Ministries and Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel are teaming up to offer training for Disciples who wish to support immigrants by becoming community navigators. Participants are equipped to provide reliable information about the immigration system, help protect others from scams, and empower their own communities.
The first webinar, which is the foundation of all subsequent sessions, will be Oct.12 at 7:30 pm EDT. Register today!
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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
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Election eve prayer serviceThe 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.________
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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, Disciples Home Missions General Youth Council, Disciples Volunteering, Family & Children Ministries, Council on Christian Unity, Refugee & Immigration Ministries and Communication Ministries (publisher of this newsletter). You can give online or through your congregation.
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Mini pantry follows trend - First Christian Church in Vincennes, IN, opened a tiny pantry in late September that is open for those in need 24/7. It is modeled on the popular "free library" concept.
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Applications open for the General Youth Council
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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.
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If you are interested in advertising in future issues of the Disciples News Service, please contact Fred Jones
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| Events, Resources and Ministry in Action |
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 Events |
Find more events on the calendar hosted by Chalice Press
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 Resources |
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 Ministry in Action |
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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.
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You can find ways to plug into mission and more through these ministries.....
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The Disciples News Service, also known as The DiscipleŽ, 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/
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The next deadline to submit news for consideration
in the Disciples News Service:
Friday, September 30, 2016
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Registration deadlines coming soon in many states in the U.S.
