DTE: Disciples Together Express Newsletter for November 2011
November 4, 2011 By
Below are the links to the November Regional Newsletter, the DTExpress, and the link to the listing of all Regional Ministries for the year 2012. Read these to find ways to help your congregation or become involved in your geographical area or the whole Region!
October Disciples Together Express
October 7, 2011 By
Upper Midwest Region’s Women’s Ministries
September 23, 2011 By
Click on the link above for the Disciples Women’s Fall 2011 Newsletter!
A Message from the Women’s Ministries Board!
Hi, we wanted to introduce ourselves to you. You have probably passed us on the street and didn’t recognize us. We are women just like you who feel called to empower women. We are a strictly volunteer group from all around the region. If you feel similarly called, we want to hear from you! Ideas for women in the region- or future articles, concerns, questions, mission trips and opportunities, whatever. You can email Wende at jwbarrett@q.com. If you would like to be in a leadership role in the region, we would also like to hear from you! We just want to hear Your voice and share the Good News from your area!
July Disciples Together Express
July 15, 2011 By
Check out the latest Disciples Together Express that was sent out to all congergations. Click the link below to see what’s new!
Fall launch planned for Upper Midwest School for Ministry
June 10, 2011 By
In July 2009, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) adopted a new “Order of Ministry” to help identify and form new ministers for our many different types of congregations. One of the direct impacts from that decision was to change the word for non-ordained ministers from “licensed” to “commissioned.” Like much legislation, this document described this wider understanding of ministry, but left out the specifics of how it would work. With General Assembly quickly approaching, the region has changed its program for these ministers’ training.
Up to this point, the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest called these ministers “licensed ministers” and trained students by offering occasional workshops, a self-guided reading program, and an intentional relationship with a mentor.
We’re now structuring a curriculum to help commissioned ministers gain some foundational theological training that will help them in the congregations they are commissioned to serve. The curriculum is non-accredited (so students aren’t promised seminary credit for work done in these courses).
We know there will be many questions on the program, so look for information in the coming months (or email Jan Linn, the “Dean,” at spiritofjoy@spiritofjoymn.org). Here are the highlights:
- Curriculum will be offered in a 3-year sequence.
- One year will be Church History (2 courses)
- One year will be Bible (2 courses)
- One year will be Theology (2 courses)
- These courses will be offered as an online 10-week course with the first and last classes of each course being “in-person” in the best central location for the participants. Courses will be “pass/fail” and not for grades.
- There will also be a Practice of Ministry course taught by intensive Friday/Saturday retreats.
- The retreats will primarily be for Commissioned Ministry students; courses will be open to all clergy for continuing education credits.
So ideally a student in the Commissioned Minister program will have flexible scheduling during five years to take the six courses and to attend six of the Practice of Ministry retreats. They will also have more intentional activities with their mentors during their training.
All of these changes were decided by a team from the region’s Commission on Ministry. Jan Linn, currently co-pastor at Spirit of Joy Christian Church in Lakeville, MN, is serving as the program coordinator for this new curriculum. He can be reached at spiritofjoy@spiritofjoymn.org or at 952.406.2193.
Also, the first course will start in September — “Church History: New Testament to Reformation”, taught by Tim Diebel (Senior Minister of First Christian Church in Des Moines, IA).
Bob Green, CPE Director, Honored
June 9, 2011 By
Editor’s Note: Last month we discovered one of our region’s hospital chaplians was honored for the work he does teaching other chaplains and ministers. Congratulations to Bob and to all of the Iowa Health System chaplains. And thank you also to all of our non-congregational ministers serving throughout the region.
Bob Green, Iowa Health System
Bob Green, Associate Director of Clinical Pastoral Education at Iowa Health System – Des Moines, was named at the Presidential luncheon of the national meeting of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education,inc. last week, as an Emerging Leader in the Organization. ACPE is the only HEW recogonized interfaith educational program in Clincal Pastoral Education. The program at IHS-Des Moines is the only program in the state of Iowa which currently offers all levels of education in CPE, including residencies. There are about 400 centers around the country and about 600 certified Chaplain Educators. Bob recieved this prestigious award for his work as Chair of the North Central Region Accreditation Committee (Seven midwestern States, 85 centers) and for his work on the National Accreditation Commission. He has been at Iowa Health System – DSM for five years and has greatly contributed to its residency program for chaplains.
Pentecost!
June 8, 2011 By
Pentecost — the Church’s celebration of the start of new communities of Christ-followers. This Sunday, June 12th, many churches collect a special offering for the New Church movement among Disciples. In the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the early church is described with a few crisp qualities:
- They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
- Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.
- All who believed were together and had all things in common;
- they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
- Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
New churches don’t just form out of nothing. Lots of love, care, and gifts go into these new communities. Gifts of money, prayer and energy that other congregations can often share. One of these new communities in our region is Open Source Rochester in Rochester, MN.
Feel free to use this video when talking about new churches forming in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2smJD0K0An8
Thanks to Rebecca Haney of Open Source Rochester for the video. And extra-special thanks to Amy Spangler-Dunning for creating this video. (Amy is a member of the New Church Unit for the region.)
May 2011
May 8, 2011 By
She smiled and jumped up and down when I told her that she could go to camp! It touched my heart because it reminded me of a similar moment when I was 12 and my home church paid for my camp registration so that I could go to camp for the first time too. I am forever thankful for that moment because it helped set me on a path that totally changed my life. May all the campers who go to camp this summer experience nothing sort of a change in life while on our Holy Ground in Newton IA.
A few weeks ago we, as Disciples Together, also had a life changing moment together. I don’t know that anyone jumped up and down, but there were a lot of smiles and excitement in the sanctuary at Highland Park CC. I hope that you will seriously plan to attend as we prepare to gather together on October 15th to discern what God might be calling us to do together as Disciple congregations in the Upper Midwest. Every church is essential to this process. I pray, as your new Regional Minister and President, that God will make visible all the ways God wants us to do ministry together.
Bill Spangler-Dunning called as Regional Minister and President
April 15, 2011 By
At 9:30, before the Assembly, the Regional Board met to respond to a recommendation from the region’s Personnel unit.
In January a survey went out to all clergy, was mailed to congregations, and was available on the regional website – asking for opinions and feedback on Bill Spangler-Dunning’s leadership and the region’s transition time. Based on the survey results, the Personnel unit recommended the board immediately call Bill as the “settled” regional minister.
Tim Diebel, current regional moderator and pastor of FCC Des Moines, noted to the assembly that Bill is owed sabbatical time and the Personnel unit prefers he take that time sooner rather than later.
With Don Hiscox’s retirement, and with Bill Spangler-Dunning’s upcoming sabbatical, the region is short-staffed. So beginning with this assembly (on April 9th), four current regional members are being raised up as Partner Regional Ministers.
- Bill Mitchell – Keokuk, Iowa
- Julie Gibson – Newton, Iowa
- Jim Wakelin – Ottumwa, Iowa
- Tammy Rottschaefer – Minneapolis, Minnesota
will be serving as regional staff part-time. They’ll be serving in whatever capacity is needed; but specifically, they’ll work with congregations in “search and call,” and pastoral and congregational care.
These four will still continue to work in their congregations, but the region will be “renting” some of their time, hence why their titles will be Partner Regional Ministers. The regional “office” will still function normally. Connie Derby Dicks will still be fielding calls and directing our staff best suited to handle your needs.
Camp Work Day
April 15, 2011 By
A note from Bert Burns:
Just wanted to send out a quick reminder that Work Day at the Camp is coming fast. Saturday morning, April 30th, at 9:00 a.m. we will get to work. Lunch will be provided and we plan to be done at 4:00 p.m. Bring everyone you can think of 
More hands make light work, or something like that Thank you for all support, be it labors of love, thoughts, or prayers. If you have a group who would like a special project, contact me and we will get you one Have a great weekend and a very blessed Holy Week.
Tenants Fix Up Former Regional Office
April 14, 2011 By
When the region started our transition process, one of the board’s decisions was to quit using the building at 3300 University Avenue in Des Moines and instead to deploy staff throughout the region. Office equipment was moved to the Christian Conference Center in Newton where there was space for storage and networking.
Once the transition began, the region looked to sell the office building. Even though that has not happened (yet), a newly-forming church started renting the building. The Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community (http://dmiec.org), a group growing from their Roman Catholic roots, worships and meets in the space. Many of their church’s commitments (prayer, an open communion table, generosity, social justice) sound quite like Disciples, don’t they?!?
The region is lucky to have them as tenants, particularly because they’ve taken out two of the offices, expanded worship space, done other maintenance. This new church is taking good care of the building; they are blessing the space.
News Flash: Assembly Potluck Had Too Much Food!
April 14, 2011 By
Shocking! (We know!)
This uplifting note comes from Cheryl Barclay, Highland Park CC
I think we need to lift up the first miracle and mission that occurred Saturday under the new regional structure. I was one of the last to go through the potluck line and amazed at the selection of food that remained. My thought was the feeding of the 5000 and extras we had. And that leads to the mission. Most people brought their food in disposable containers and didn’t come to pick up after the Assembly. What was left was gathered up and taken to the homeless shelter — thus a mission. And since it was a weekend that was even more important since they had no one scheduled to bring in food. Just one more way we could join our mission to God’s.
Something old, something new … (Called Assembly Summary)
April 14, 2011 By
The Resolution brought by the Vision Task Force, and forwarded by the Regional Board, aims to restructure regional decision making. After presentations, a 90-minute question and answer period, the voting church representatives voted 195 in favor, 4 opposing, and 2 abstaining (blank ballots) to adopt this new structure.
Randy Ehrhardt, minister of West Des Moines Christian Church, presented the resolution in a presentation/lecture/sermon/pep-talk/story/confession.
“It’s so easy for preachers, for all of us really, to lose our voices. Often to things completely out of our control.
We use them too much; or our listening skills have been in hiatus. Sometimes we’re no longer heard because what we have to say is no longer relevant.
For many reasons, the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest found itself not being heard as much.
It wasn’t that vast numbers of people were upset with the region. In many ways, that would have been easier to deal with. Because during this time, there was some absolutely amazing ministry happening. We need to be grateful for all the faithful decisions made during those years and all the hope that was proclaimed!
We’re here to move on today. The average person sitting in the pew is no longer feeling connected. In many ways, apathy is tougher to deal with than negativity.
The region needed to do something before its voice was down to a whisper.
When “Disciples Together” spread throughout the region, it found our vocal cords. It was a movement toward a new way, and … also an old way, of being church. A powerful reminder of how the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) started in the first place. And how we flourished across the great frontier.
Our charge: what new structure would complement our new vision? We unite around God-inspired calls. Ministries are developed around relationships, passion, discernment. Finding out our passions for ministry and exploring ways to do them. People who feel a call, to do something together in God’s name — I think I can get excited about that.
Earlin Shanno, minister of Oakland Christian Church, offered the benefits as he saw them as a pastor of a small church:
“Small churches are going to have equal representation! I don’t have to get a letter anymore that says “if you have less than 100 people in your church, you only get this …” We can come to an event, vote, be heard, and enjoy being church. So for me, this new vision is about carrying us all together in God’s name.
Dave Clark, minister of Ankeny Christian Church, pointed out that :
How do we get laity more involved in the church? We’ve all read Acts, chapter 2, and we know that when the Disciples come together, what happened? Fire! We wanted fire, energy, passion. And we wanted to build a structure that wasn’t clergy-dominated. We looked at our history and said “you know what? No one ever thought it was a good idea to have a Disciples pope!” Nobody ever said “let’s have a church run by the clergy because they’re so wonderful!”
So how do we transition? How do we have it so laity are coming up with the ideas and the agenda for our region? How does it become something that’s not top-down like every other bureaucracy? We do it with the people gathered together, sensing what God is doing in their midst – connecting.
Our vision is based on a fundamental idea: when people get together, there’s passion, there’s fire, and the world can change. We’ve read the book. We know the story. Now we have to re-align our history, our agenda, with what we know we’re supposed to be about. So this structure liberates the laity and puts them in charge. And we made it hard for the clergy to take over.
Jason Grow Ordained, January 2nd, 2011
March 4, 2011 By
The Rev. Jason Grow was ordained to Christian Ministry on January 2nd, 2011 at Waukee Christian Church. Rev. Larry Squier preached, Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning presided over Jason’s ordination vows, and Rev. Phil Webb (a childhood mentor of Jason’s) and Rev. Nancy Thomas read scripture.
Oh, and the newly minted Rev. Grow officiated at the Lord’s Supper!
Congratulations to Jason, his family, Waukee Christian Church, and all whose ministries have connected and will connect with Jason’s ministry.
A Note from Don Hiscox Re: Retirement
March 4, 2011 By
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
This will likely be my final opportunity to communicate with you through the DT Express as your Regional Minister for Congregational and Clergy Care. My last day of ministry with the Region as a member of the staff will be March 31, 2011.
It has been my privilege…and certainly a blessing…to serve the Kingdom with you in this way. I do hope that we can maintain our friendships and collegiality as clergy, as that is appropriate. Obviously, I will be able to celebrate with you the exciting opportunities for ministry and growth within this Region, as it continues to be an instrument of God’s peace. But, know that I will maintain and abide by my understanding of the Ministerial Code of Ethics.
Please express my warmest greetings to the persons in the congregation where you attend or serve. I have learned much from them and have appreciated the opportunity to walk with them, albeit ever so briefly, on our mutual journey of faith.
And now, I move into a new realm of ministry…some call it retirement. I really don’t have any idea what shape or form my ministry will take in the future…but one thing is clear – I will be ministering, some how, in some fashion. Who knows where God is leading?
I have enjoyed the warm, personal relationships we have been able to craft over the past decade. You have been a blessing to me and you are deeply appreciated. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and may God’s blessings be yours.
Go in peace!
Don Hiscox
PS – My e-mail address will change to don.b.hiscox@gmail.com on March 31st.
Called Assembly
March 2, 2011 By
The “Called Assembly” will gather to ask questions about, and ultimately vote on, new ways to do ministry as Disciples Together. Some of those ways are outlined in the Vision Task Group’s “Proposed Regional Redesign”.
Saturday, April 9th, 2011
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Highland Park Christian Church
4260 Northwest 6th Drive
Des Moines, IA
You may register online (here), or submit the PDF by email: cddumw@gmail.com, or mail to: Christian Church in the Upper Midwest, Regional Assembly, 5064 Lincoln Street, Newton, Iowa 50208
FCC Minneapolis Charts Future
February 23, 2011 By
First Christian Church in Minneapolis sold their building to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
(Actually, that’s old news — from August, 2008).
Since then, First Christian Church in Minneapolis has been asking a lot of questions. Under the guidance of Interim minister Bob Brite, Associate Minister for Diversity and Communications, Dennis Sanders, and a very committed group of lay leaders, FCC Minneapolis has wrestled with what it means to be church in their place and time.
Dennis has done a great job chronicling their faithful work leading them to this decision:
- Transition Team Update, Points of Agreement
- Whose Initiatives Determine the Church’s Direction?
- Living Into God’s Future
- By the Numbers
- A Disciples Presence in the Twin Cities
- Summary of Survey Results
- A Service of Reflection, Closure and Healing
- A chance to get acquainted with options for FCC’s future
- Congregation to vote January 23rd on Partnership
By a margin of 85.4%, members of First Christian voted on January 23 to join the ecumenical Ministry Partnership of Lyndale United Church of Christ and Salem English Lutheran Church. The vote was 82 for and 14 against. The total votes included 44 absentee ballots.
The next step will be to rewrite the Ministry Center Covenant to include all three churches. An Interim Ministry Council will also be formed, made up of representatives from all three churches, and will begin working on all the decisions, big and small, that will have to be made as the three churches prepare to move into one space at the renovated Salem Church on 28th Street and Garfield Ave. Stay tuned!
Bob Brite offered a great pastoral reflection this week on this transition:
God wants life for us to be celebratory; we are called to joy in the grace and forgiveness God offers us in love. I define joy as the art of being fully alive; it’s something deeper than happiness, as some-times pain and loss are part of being fully alive. It is my hope that as we move through this next year of accomplishment, leave taking, and ministry that joy accompanies us every step of the way. That is at the heart of being authentically Christian.
Read more at On the way to many changes – and celebrating every step of the way.
Thank you to everyone in the past, present, and future of FCC Minneapolis and your witness as you’ve worked through these tough questions!
Listening Conferences for Called Regional Assembly
February 19, 2011 By
Deuteronomy 30:11: Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away.
While listening to my wife prepare for her Sunday message, I was reminded again of why I have such passion for where we are headed as churches in this region, as Disciples Together! Amy was working with the text from Deuteronomy in which the people of God are at a crossroads and must make a decision that is truly one about life or death. Though preachers can often exaggerate these dire situations, I believe life and culture often minimize these critical moments. We in this region, in our local churches and as Christians in general have seen in the last decades a decline in numbers, resources, and more importantly, in passion, purpose and direction for our ministry as Church!
We have every reason to believe that we too, are at a crossroads and must begin to take seriously the decision of life or death. We must wrestle deeply with who, what and why we are church. As we stand and look towards the future we have to be willing to ask basic questions about our most foundational assumptions of how we structure our church life together.
Like the community talked about in Deuteronomy, life and death decisions must be made together as one people of God, and one region. As you know we have scheduled a specially called regional assembly to make such a decision around how we understand ourselves as region, and how we do ministry as Disciples Together. The meeting is scheduled for April 9, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM, at Highland Park Christian Church, Des Moines IA. However, before that we have set up a few listening sessions on the proposed resolution:
- Oakland Christian Church, Oakland IA, February, 20th 2:30 PM
- First Christian Church, Des Moines IA, March 6th 3:30 PM
- 2 Webinar sessions: March 3rd and 10th at 6:30 PM. Simply go to the following link at the designated time (https://my.dimdim.com/bsdumw/)
- Noelridge Christian Church, Cedar Rapids IA, March 20th 3:30pm
- Chariton Christian Church, March 28th Chariton IA, 7pm
- First Christian Church, Fort Dodge,IA April 4th, 7pm
If you would like a listening conference in your area please contact Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning at bsdumw@gmail.com.
Blessings,
BSD
Lead Transitional Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest
Don Hiscox, Associate Regional Minister, Announces Retirement
January 26, 2011 By
Dear Clergy of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest,
In May of this year, Rev. Don Hiscox will turn 65, and along with that milestone has announced plans to retire from active ministry. After a long ministry with the National Benevolent Association, Don began his service as Associate Regional Minister in May of 2002 and has served this region faithfully through a significant time of transition and staff realignment. Most recently that continuing shift has recognized his passion for clergy and congregational care. During the past two years, Don has not only continued his work with congregations and pastors in their own seasons of transition, but has drawn upon his long years of relationships as our Region’s primary representative to the General Church.
It is, then, with a profound sense of gratitude that we prepare for the completion of Don’s formal ministry among us. Don’s last day in the office will be March 31, though with granted leave-time his first official day of retirement will be July 1, 2011.
The Personnel and Executive Committees of the Region will be planning a more formal way of appreciating Don’s ministry among us, but we wanted you to hear directly of this announcement in the hope that you will communicate this word to the congregation you serve, and offer your personal expressions of gratitude to Don.
In Christ’s love,
John Holcombe – Chair, Personnel Unit
Tim Diebel – Regional Moderator
Disciples Network Gathering Recap
November 23, 2010 By
As promised, the Disciples Network Gathering was not a typical Regional Assembly. We gathered at the Christian Conference Center, the region’s camp and conference facility. Holding it on Holy Ground not only connected attendees to one of our region’s spiritual roots, but it also let us assemble without charging a fee. (Some ministers have even reported that they can now attend General Assembly in Nashville, TN because they did not have to use their church budgets for the Regional Assembly).
Here are two anecdotes from the gathering:
Tony Thurston, a member of the Ministers’ Institute planning team, was tasked to “make it fun” when he promoted the upcoming institute. Anyone who knows Tony knows that he’s a character, and that he can dress the part. Tony wore his “Yosemite Sam” hat and offered ministers $20 off their registrations if they (or one of their church members, by proxy) could pull an apple out of a bucket of water without using their hands. It was fun to try and even better to watch.
General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins, did not even need to fly in to join us for our assembly. “Live from New York!,” she joined us at the Conference Center’s great hall through the videoconferencing technology, Skype. She blessed us with our new style of gathering and, even more importantly, let us bless her. Attendees thanked her for her witness at President Obama’s inauguration and then pushed her for ways General Assembly will be offering practical resources for congregations. While we would have loved to haver her with us, for most of our talk, her “virtual” presence wasn’t so virtual.
Bill Spangler-Dunning, Lead Transitional Regional Minister and President, preached at the all-Assembly worship service. Click below to see and hear his words:
Christmas Special Offering
November 22, 2010 By
Bill Spangler-Dunning’s letter:
Dear Congregations and Clergy,
I know you are likely very busy during this time of year and don’t have time to read long and wordy letters about why you and your congregation should care about and even more importantly give to the Christmas Offering. With this in mind I have provided a video with my own personal story about how Christmas Offering made a difference in my life. It’s less than 3 minutes and if the story makes sense to you, I hope you will share it in some way with others in your congregation. 100% of this special offering supports many ministries from Camp to Transformation AND New Church to Finding Ministers for Congregations AND Pastoral Support for Ministers to the School for Congregational Learning AND Youth, Men and Women Ministries AND the Christian Conference Center AND more.
The Short answer is that Christmas Offering supports the ministry we in this Region call:
“Disciples Together”
Video on the DVD
To download the Bulletin Inserts:
To download the Poster:
Transition Update
November 21, 2010 By
Two years ago we began this transition in the midst of chaos, uncertain that we could find our way. So now that we can look back at this time of transition what can we say has been accomplished?
- We have restructured our budget and ministry ensuring that we do not overspend.
- Fully paid off the $190,000 line of credit debt.
- Started a new church in Rochester, Minnesota.
- Redesigned School for Congregational Learning and increased attendance by more than one hundred people.
- Consolidated our offices to the Christian Conference Center.
- Experienced a surge of individuals organically desiring to come together around the ministry they feel called to by God. (Ministries that are not prescribed by a committee or have any sense of asking someone to fill a slot or carry out this ministry because of duty.)
- Explored and developed any and all ways of connecting Disciples across the Upper Midwest. Some ways have been via a technology such as video conferencing; others, for example, by simply determining the meeting location (ie. a church) by assessing the geographic center of those serving on that ministry unit.
- Put forth an intense effort for regional staff to visit and worship with every congregation in the Upper Midwest in the two year transition period.
- Began partnering with seminaries so we and our students can experience teaching congregations in this region while the students attend seminary in Oklahoma by distance.
- Begin to experience a sense of energy and passion in the midst of that chaos that gives us that deep understanding that we are not only not dying – we are at the beginning of something new and wonderful.
There is still much chaos and uncertainty that likely will be in our near future; however, we are beginning to feel the Christmas-like experience that occurs at the darkest time of year. The dark shadows are still all around us but we now have the choice of what we focus on as people of faith. As we come to an end of our transition time and head into the wondrous Christmas time, I believe that God is helping us as “Disciples Together ” find new strength and purpose in our ministry. I believe God is calling to us once again to do ministry together. I deeply hope you will join me in that belief!
From Congregations’ Newsletters
November 19, 2010 By
(Assembled by Amber Elliott)
Youth
| Y | You will need one soon! Come get a 2011 calendar from the youth for $8.00. Also continue to bring in your pop cans to help support the youth fund raisers! Park Avenue CC, Des Moines, IA. |
| O | OOHH Chocoholics! Feed your fetish & help our youth go to work camp in Ripley TN summer 2010. First Christian Church, Burlington, IA. |
| U | Under the stars! Colfax, Osceola, Glen Echo & Adel youth spent the night outside Drake Stadium to raise awareness & money for the homeless youth of Iowa. Together over 27 DOC youth assisted the total 1360 campers to raise over $169,000! Reggie’s Sleep Out brings awareness to homeless youth living in Iowa & gave all the campers a night to reflect & chill. (Brrr) |
| T | “The Red, White & Blue” was sang proud when CYF spent an enjoyable evening with veterans. Over cookies & karaoke, friendships were made & stories were told at the VA Domiciliary. Highland Park CC, Des Moines, IA. |
| H | Help your youth today! Chi Rho & CYF will be selling calendars & card sets for this years fund raiser. Youth are also helping this month serve Meals on Wheels & auctioning off their talents at Thanksgiving Dinner. FCC Newton, IA. |
Fall Fundraisers
| F | Fun craft stations & a fund raiser for Kloths for Kids! Kloths for Kids provides gently used or new clothes for children in the Waukee area. Waukee CC, IA. |
| A | Annual Fall Dinner & Quilt Drawing! CWF is serving a roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad & pie dinner. Quilt made by Jean Bean is a “Vintage Basket” pattern, in pastels. Donations are $1.00 per quilt ticket. Elkhart, IA. |
| L | Lead the way to the Annual Bazaar & Harvest Dinner! There will be lots of craft items & bake goods for sale. Homemade pies will also be available for dinner & the bake sale! Runnells CC, IA. |
| L | Laughter was in the air during a successful rummage sale! There was an abundant supply of goods & great deals! Sales totaled $2133.33 to go towards the Scholarship Fund. Noelridge CC, Cedar Rapids, IA. |
| F | Fun filled Treasure Sale! Volunteers have gone through the storage areas of the church & found items that are no longer in use. Come and see! You never know what you could find! Drake Avenue CC, Centerville, IA. |
| U | Unite together for a breakfast buffet & bazaar! Start your Christmas shopping at the Bazaar with a beautiful hand-made quilt & more! St. Charles Parish, IA. |
| N | Numbers were great for the Annual Fall Festival. 289 meals were served & baked goods were sold! A total income of $3045.11 was raised for Basic Mission & church savings! FCC Mason City, IA. |
| D | Daughters of Dorcas Fund Raisers! They will be making enchiladas to pick up & freeze for later or cook & eat now! Last year they used the funds to help families with school supplies, school wardrobes, knit blanket for newborns & supplies for Christmas & Easter dinners. FCC Fort Madison, IA. |
| R | Run, Walk, or Jog! All expectations were exceeded this year at the Crop Walk! There were 18 walkers who raised nearly $1700.00. Thanks to all for helping end hunger! Central CC, Jefferson, IA. |
| A | An assortment of hand-made jewelry made by Suzie Butler is for sale! Her handiwork will help as a fund raiser for next summer’s youth work camp trip. Come buy Christmas gifts & support the youth camp trip! Burlington FCC. |
| I | It is that time of year for Holiday Pantry & Creative Crafts! Admission will be 1 non-perishable item or $1.00 donated to the Food Pantry. This craft sale includes door prizes, food & baked items! Highland Park, Des Moines, IA. |
| S | Supper & Bazaar, tickets for adults $9.00 & children under 12 $5.00. Harvest Dinner to enjoy! Davenport, IA. |
| E | Each One Reach One! Over 350 people came to an enjoyable bazaar event. Raising over $9,000 & more than 100 volunteers to greet, serve & help. A success in outreach & fundraising! Central CC, Waterloo, IA. |
| R | Reach out with your creativity for the Talent Auction! Items to be auctioned will focus on the talents of the congregation. Give lessons in dance, glass blowing or create a painting, carving, or craft to bring. FCC Nevada, IA. |
| S | “Scentsy” flameless candles fund raiser. Chaille Reynolds is donating her commission to church. There will also be a vegetable soup, chili soup & sandwich meal served for free-will donation. Panora, IA. |
Moderator’s Update
November 19, 2010 By
The Regional Board, gathered with a quorum, took a major step forward into a new era of regional ministry at its meeting on November 13 by endorsing a proposed redesign drafted and recommended by a Vision Task Group charged with developing the plan. For the past year, the group has been praying, listening, exploring, imagining and facilitating conversations across the Region. The resulting plan, significantly shaped by that wider input, attempts to formalize the “Disciples Together” web approach to ministry that has been emerging over the past several years. The proposed design, which will be more carefully explained in the coming weeks, involves every congregation more directly in the ministries of the Region, and seeks to honor the movement of the Spirit wherever it appears, while still maintaining careful oversight of core functions like Ministry Commission, Personnel, Property management and investments.
In the coming months, congregations will be equipped with interpretive tools to help them fully understand the proposal with all its opportunities and responsibilities. Then, at a called Regional Assembly in February, we will come together at Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines to both experience something of the flavor of this new model for ministry, and vote on the recommended plan.
Please be watching for explanatory details about the proposal, and event details about the called February Assembly and plan to bring a delegation from your congregation. These are important and exciting days for the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest.
- Rev. Tim Diebel, Regional Moderator (tdiebel@fccdm.org)
Reconciliation Grant Applications
October 14, 2010 By
Demoninational Mission of Reconciliation Ministry
Reconciliation Ministry is a ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The mission of Reconciliation is to nurture the wholeness of the church by dismantling systemic poverty, racism and other oppressive structures and move toward becoming a church that demonstrates True Community, Deep Christian Spirituality, and Passion for Justice. This ministry is accomplished through organizing, education, and advocacy.
Upper Midwest region Reconciliation Ministry grants
Purpose
To encourage congregations to engage in Reconciliation Ministries, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest has a reconciliation grants program.
The Upper Midwest Region’s Reconciliation Grant program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the Reconciliation Ministry’s mission of reducing poverty, racism, and other oppressive structures. Proposals will be accepted from congregations and/or organizations with the capacity, competence and experience to accomplish project goals and objectives.
Prioritization of Applicants
Applicants will be prioritized in the following descending order. Proposals that are
- sponsored by an ecumenical group in which a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation or other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) organization is actively involved;
- sponsored by a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation;
- sponsored by an ecumenical group in which a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation is not involved, but which is endorsed by a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation;
- supported by a number of churches, including at least one Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation;
- supported by a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation;
- endorsed (but not funded) by a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation, or a United Church of Christ congregation;
- endorsed by members of the Regional staff of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest.
Funding Priority Areas
All proposals must address at least one of the following reconciliation priorities:
- Strike at the root causes of poverty and racism;
- Seek to change unjust systems (e.g. laws, institutions, company practices);
- Seek to overcome the injustices faced by racial minorities and the poor;
- Seek to address the empowerment of minority and/or poverty groups through opportunities for self-development.
Project interventions may be provider and/or consumer focused.
Funding
The Upper Midwest Region’s Reconciliation Ministry Grants fund for 2011 is approximately $15,000. It is anticipated that projects will be funded with awards ranging from approximately $1, 000 to $3,000 each.
Upper Midwest Region’s Reconciliation Ministry Grants are typically approved for one year. No program will be funded for more than three consecutive years with the exception of those projects which are so focused on systemic change that they are deemed to justify longer term funding to effect that change. Programs must reapply and be reevaluated annually to insure that continued funding is appropriate. Under no circumstance will a project be funded more than five consecutive years.
Consideration of continued support in subsequent years requires resubmission of a proposal or planned activities for the next year, and is based on review of progress and expenditure exports, and the availability of funding.
Reconciliation funds not distributed in any given year shall be available:
- as emergency funds;
- as carry-over for the next calendar year.
Eligibility
1) In order to be eligible to receive an Upper Midwest Region’s Reconciliation Ministry grant, proposals must be sponsored, supported, or endorsed by a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) church in the Upper Midwest. The Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) includes the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
2) Other churches or organizations named in the proposals must meet the criteria listed in the above section: “Prioritization of Proposal Applicants”.
3) Projects should have a chance at continuity and of making an impact beyond the life of the grant.
4) Normally, proposals will be designed to serve persons in the Upper Midwest Region’s geographical boundaries.
5) The Upper Midwest Region does not award grants to individuals.
6) Consideration will not normally be given to requests for:
- Capital expenditures: buildings, fixtures, equipment, grounds, or their maintenance;
- Loans for business ventures or to liquidate indebtedness.
7) Grants will not be made to organizations which use or advocate the use of violence as a means of achieving their purpose.
2011 GRANT SCHEDULE
Applications due January 14, 2011
Late applications will not be considered. Emergency funding may be made at the discretion of the Region’s Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Unit.
Notification of awards March, 2011
Grant period March 2011 – March 2012
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR Reconciliation GRANTS
Organizations interested in submitting an application that meets at least one of the listed funding priorities may apply for a grant. Funds may be applied to support new or existing projects.
- Applications must be typed. Hand written applications will not be accepted.
- Required Components: All applications must include a
- Cover Sheet
- Narrative describing the program
- Budget
- Objective and Method Activities
- Attachments may be included; however, all information requested under each of the required components must be provided within the formal proposal.
- Applications may be mailed or sent electronically but must be received by the deadline date. Electronic versions should be emailed to dh@uppermidwestcc.org.
- Applications may not be faxed.
Review and Announcement Information
The Stewardship & Mission Interpretation Unit will review the applications and make recommendations for funding to the Regional Board of the Christian church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest. Applicants will be notified of their application’s status in March, 2011.
Regional Board Highlights (July 2010)
August 3, 2010 By
Submitted by Regional Moderator Tim Diebel
Vision Task Group: Presented a vision and process to lead us to a new structure that fully reflects the energy and spirit of what we have been experiencing as “Disciples Together.” This is possible now that our Line of Credit Debt is fully paid off. Will be listening and presenting with groups throughout the region with hopes to bring a proposal to the February regional board meeting.
Budget Management Task Group: Reported the exciting news that the 192,000 line of credit has been paid off. They continue to meet once a month with the task on continuing the responsible watch of our finances.
Camp Ministry: Registrations reach 1042 a decade high! A.D.a.M (Art, Drama and Music a major success in its premier outing.
Youth Unit: UmwYC (Regional Youth Council) coming together and beginning planning for the High School Youth Assembly in November and Youth events at the Disciples Network Gathering in October. Unit is also hosting the Youth Worker Interchange on September 10-11 with Mark Riddle.
Congregational Transformation: Sponsoring Clergy Sharing events in 8 different locations in the region in late October.
School for Congregational Learning: Shared that the event this year will be $10 less then last year, will move to West Des Moines Christian Church, has exciting practical workshops for all and will feature Jose Morales as the keynoter. All takes place on August 28th.
Commission on Ministry: Reported that they had a very productive meeting and continue to encourage and nurture people in and during ministry.
Ministers’ Institute: Planning the next gathering for January 24-26th with the theme of “Coaching in Congregations” with Tom Clegg as the keynote speaker.
New Church Unit: Shared that the new church in Rochester continues to grow in strength and that many churches in the region have chosen to support through above and beyond giving. Looking for new ways to use New Church funds to encourage congregations to explore new church ministries through a grant process.
Personnel Unit: Requested action to help modify the membership of the unit to make it more reflective of the diversity of the region particularly as it relates to age. The board gave authority to the moderator of the board to appoint some additional members. This was requested as they begin to prepare to initiate a search for the next settled Regional Minister and President.
Property Unit: Working on plans to update and replace buildings at the conference center and continue with the sale of the regional church center.
Regional Assembly Presents: Disciples Network Gathering: Continue to work on plans for the gathering on October 9th. There will be no charge for the event and the food booths will be sponsored by congregations with money going back to local mission. This will be an event that is a mix of a state fair and a family reunion with lots of fun for all.
Stewardship & Mission Interpretation: Preparing for final plans for the mission trip to Poland with another possible mission trip to Haiti being planned for next fall.
Regional Prayer Calendar (2010-2011)
June 1, 2010 By
2010 – 2011 Upper Midwest Regional Prayer Calendar
The Congregational Vitality Unit would like to invite you to join us in praying for different congregations, Pastors, General Units, and Regions each week during the next year. We have prepared a schedule which includes one Region or General Unit and two or three congregations and Pastors in our Region each week. We hope you will print these prayer requests in your weekly bulletins and church newsletters.
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Regional Prayer Calendar |
Special thanks to JoAnn Thomas for organizing and publishing the calendar for you and your congregations to use in your weekly and daily prayer life.
| Date | Congregation | Pastor | Other Pastor’s in the Region | General Church and Regional Ministries |
| May 2, 2010 | First Christian Church, Adel, Iowa
Minnesota Korean Dordom Church, Crystal, MN (emerging Congregation) Woodward Christian Church, Woodward, Iowa |
Tony Thurston
Henkug Choi Kyle Dredge |
Elmer Baker
Charles Bare |
Office of General Minister and President- is responsible for the pastoral care and nurture of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). |
| May 9, 2010 | First Christian Church, Albia, Iowa
Bethel Christian Church, Eddyville, Iowa Oakland Christian Church, Oakland, Iowa |
Lynda Carlson
Earlin Shanno |
Raymond Barnett
Shirley Bliven |
Christian Church in Michigan |
| May 16, 2010 | Altoona Christian Church, Altoona, Iowa
First Christian Church, Eddyville, Iowa Woodburn Christian Church, Woodburn, Iowa |
Tom Felts, Interim & Natalie Ervin
Willa Heaberlin |
Bob Bromley
Tom Carpe |
The Northwest Regional Christian Church – includes congregations in Washington, North Idaho, and Alaska |
| May 23, 2010 | First Christian Church, Ames, Iowa
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Estherville, Iowa Open Source, New Church Start, Rochester, MN |
Mary Jane Button-Harrison
Doug Burton Stephen & Rebecca Haney |
Pat Carter
Keith Clark |
New Church Starts – Pentecost Offering collected today goes toward our Denominational goal of starting 1,000 new churches by 2010.. Currently we have 657 new churches |
| May 30, 2010 | Ankeny Christian Church, Ankeny, Iowa
Elkhart Christian Church, Elkhart, Iowa First Christian Church, Winterset, Iowa |
David J. Clark
Anne Gregory Kevin & Sue Blader |
John Clark
Neville Clayton |
Christian Church Foundation – works with congregations or individuals managing funds benefiting various ministries of the church. |
| June 6, 2010 | United Church of Christ, Atlantic, Iowa
Exira Christian Church, Exira, Iowa Urbana Christian Church, Urbana, Iowa |
Nancy Jensen
Alan Finestead, Interim Bob Kunz, Interim |
Phil Coe
Bob Dally Elizabeth Klein Kenneth Kline |
Disciples Home Missions – assists in strengthening congregations and leaders in ministry and home mission sites. |
| June 13, 2010 | United Christian Presbyterian Church, Bedford, Iowa
First Christian Church, Fairfield, Iowa Whitten Community Church, Whitten, Iowa |
Randy Allman
Suzanne Swahn Jim Hartman |
Paul Davidson
Gaylon Decious Benjamin Vanegas |
Disciples Benevolent Services (formerly NBA) – is the Disciples’ social and health services arm of the church. |
| June 20, 2010 | Blakesburg Christian Church, Blakesburg, Iowa
First Christian Church, Fort Dodge, Iowa What Cheer Church of Christ, What Cheer, Iowa |
Raymond Lyon
Bill Kerns Frances Baumert |
Howard Dentler
David Digby Pamela Kunkle Bill Spangler Dunning Donald Walton |
Quadrennial Women’s Assembly meeting in Greensboro, NC June 23-27 |
| June 27, 2010 | Bloomfield Christian Church, Bloomfield, Iowa
First Christian Church, Fort Madison, Iowa First Church United, West Liberty, Iowa |
Steven Bowie, Interim
John Simpson Marian Hart |
Will Dilsaver
Elmer Earley Sylvia Larssen Diana Leaf Roger Weid |
Pension Fund – provides a pension plan, health insurance, savings programs and tax information for church employees. |
| July 4, 2010 | Bondurant Christian Church, Bondurant, Iowa
Garden City Christian Church, Garden City, Minnesota West Des Moines Christian Church, West Des Moines, Iowa |
Peter Mitchell
Thomas Johnson Randy Ehrhardt, Jim Kratz, Allison Robuck |
Jean Eichhorn
Paul Ficzeri Carol Archer Katherine West |
Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries – facilitates, promotes, supports & coordinates the work of Hispanic ministries National Hispanic and Bilingual Assembly meeting July 8-11 in Orlando, FL |
| July 11, 2010 | Central Christian Church, Boone, Iowa
Garwin Christian Church, Garwin, Iowa Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, Iowa |
Paul Fraser
Harry Wach David K. Clark |
Marvin Fortune
Paul Frahm Darla Arends Lynda Lee Joan White |
Disciples of Christ Historical Society – maintains historical materials related to the Stone-Campbell movement,. |
| July 18, 2010 | Braddyville Christian Church, Braddyville, Iowa
Waukee Christian Church, Waukee, Iowa Covenant Christian Church, Urbandale, Iowa |
Terry Major
Larry Squier & Nancy Thomas Paul Witmer |
Ron Franklin
Charles Fry Dennis Arnold Deborah Lewis |
Christian Board of Publication – the Disciples publishing house producing Christian Education and Congregational resources and books. |
| July 25, 2010 | First Christian Church, Guthrie Center, Iowa
Central Christian Church, Waterloo, Iowa First Christian Church, Hampton, Iowa |
Denis James
Brent Cantrell |
Ivan Fuller
Bill Gardner Deborah Bandel Jeanne Williamson |
National Convocation – supports and strengthens the involvement of predominantly African American congregations. National Convocation meeting July 29- Aug. 1, 2010 in Oklahoma City, OK |
| August 1, 2010 | First Christian Church, Burlington, Iowa
Pleasant Hill Christian Church, Washington, Iowa Iglesia Christiana Nueva Jerusalem, Alpine, SD (emerging congregation) |
Tom Smith | Fred Gee
Cheri Gelner Dean Benton John Beran Christine Wilson |
North American Pacific Asian Disciples - serves the growing American Asian church by coordinating the needs of the diverse group 2010 NAPAD Convocation meeting August 4-7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington |
| August 8, 2010 | Carlisle Christian Church, Carlisle, Iowa
First Christian Church, Hedrick, Iowa Washington Christian Church, Washington, Iowa |
Karen Moore
Carla Nelson Linda Foor |
David Goin
Walt Grimes Alan Berneman Linda Lighthall |
Christian Church in South Carolina |
| August 15, 2010 | First Christian Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Humeston Christian United Methodist Church, Humeston, Iowa First Christian Church, Vinton, Iowa |
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Woodward
Dale O’Connell Connie Wacht |
Jeanne Groom
Joseph Grubbs Michael Brady Mark MacWhorter Mark Woldruff |
Higher Education and Leadership Ministries – work in partnership with 17 colleges, 10 seminaries, and 80 campus ministry programs.. |
| August 22, 2010 | Cedar Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
First Christian Church, Iowa Falls, Iowa |
Fred Darbonne
Terry J. Norman |
Emily Guentert
Richard Guentert |
School for Congregational Learning – August 28, 2010 |
| August 29, 2010 | First Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The Ira United Church, Ira, Iowa First Christian Church, Osceola, Iowa |
Fred Darbonne
Tenny Hinshaw Robert (Bob) Miner |
Terry Halsted
George Harrison Ron Brandow Richard Mark |
Christian Church in Kentucky
Christian Church in Canada |
| September 5, 2010 | Noelridge Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Central Christian Church, Jefferson, Iowa Troy Mills Christian Church, Troy Mills, Iowa |
James Cotton, Interim
Debbie Griffin Jamie Wolf |
Traverce Harrison
Eric Brown Mary Mason |
Christian Church in Nebraska |
| September 12, 2010 | First Christian Church, Center Point, Iowa
United Christian and Baptist Church of Kalona, Kalona, Iowa Tingly Christian Church, Tingly, Iowa |
John Caughron
Al Rusk |
Darrell Hopp
Roy Ives Gene Bryant Jane McGhee |
Christian Church in Alabama Northwest-Florida – includes Alabama and the Florida panhandle |
| September 19, 2010 | Drake Avenue Christian Church, Centerville, Iowa
Stanhope Parish, Stanhope, Iowa Iglesia Christiana Nueva Jerusalem, Huron, SD (emerging congregation) |
Ken Mehrhoff
Suzie Moore |
Eldon Jandebeur
Joe Jones Pasha Buck Dennis McKee |
General Minister and President’s Pastor’s Conference meeting in San Diego, CA September 21-23, 2010 |
| September 26, 2010 | Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Chariton, Iowa
Kellogg Christian Church, Kellogg, Iowa St. Charles Parish, St. Charles, Iowa |
C.J. Latham
Wendy Todd, Interim John Lewis |
Ron Keith
Doris Kinton Mary Butler Dyer EvaLyn Carlson |
Reconciliation Ministries – fights against the primary causes of racism in North America. It funds programs at local and regional levels. An Offering for this ministry will be received today. |
| October 3, 2010 | First Christian Church, Charles City, Iowa
First Christian Church, Winner, South Dakota First Christian Church, Keokuk, Iowa |
Margaret Hutchens
Fritz Zimbelman Geoff Mitchell, Matt Hunt, Bill Mitchell, Cathleen Courtois |
Lyle La Favor
Mary Ellen La Rue Michael Carlson Dianna Clark |
Christian Church in Florida
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest Regional Assembly meeting at the Christian Conference Center in Newton October 9, 2010 |
| October 10, 2010 | First Christian Church, Clarinda, Iowa
Kinross Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) Kinross, Iowa First Christian Church, Spencer, Iowa |
James Stout
Dan Mayes |
Laverne Leigh
Herb Lewellaen Julie Cornelius Douglas Miller |
Church Extension – works directly with congregations, with building needs, fund raising, and resources new church starts. |
| October 17, 2010 | Community Church of Christ, Sloan, Iowa
United Baptist-Christian Church, Duluth, Minnesota |
Emery Killian
Tab Baumgartner |
Bev Lillie
Shirley Lockard Wade Miller Jay Mitchell |
Central Rocky Mountain Region – includes Colorado Wyoming, and Utah |
| October 24, 2010 | Clearfield Christian Church, Clearfield, Iowa
Lacona Christian Church, Lacona, Iowa Iglesia Evangelica Nueva Jerusalem, Pentecost, Sioux Falls, SD |
Brian Kleinschrodt
Salomon Garcia |
Velman Luse
John McCaw James Crapson Gary Moles |
Christian Church in Arizona
Woman to Woman World Wide trip to Turkey in October, 2010 |
| October 31, 2010 | Cleghorn Christian Church, Cleghorn, Iowa
Woodlawn Christian Church, Lake City, Iowa First Christian Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
Robert Blair
Carla Hillyer Dennis Lake |
Pat Oberbillig
Lynn Crenshaw |
Division of Overseas Ministries – Our overseas mission work which we do jointly with the United Church of Christ. |
| November 7, 2010 | United Parish, Coggon, Iowa
Spirit of Joy Christian Church, Lakeville, Minnesota First Christian Church, Sioux City, Iowa |
Jennifer Filter
Jan & Joy Linn Andy Anderson, Interim |
Dale Patrick
Lester Pearson Marlene Darling Keela Neumann |
Gulf Coast Mission Stations
The Great River Region – includes congregations in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi |
| November 14, 2010 | Howard Street Christian Church, Colfax, Iowa
First Christian Church, Laurens, Iowa United Protestant Church, Silver Bay, Minnesota |
Thomas Burns
Sara Galindo Paul Scaringi |
Rob Potts
Nancy Prall |
Christian Church in Georgia
Christian Church of Northern California– Nevada |
| November 21, 2010 | Primera Iglesia Cristiana Agape, Ames, Iowa (in Formation)
First Christian Church, Newton, Iowa Sigourney Christian Church, Sigourney, Iowa |
Juan Sing
Mark Young James Bringman |
Keith Purscell
Thomas Davis, Jr. Bob Price |
Christian Church in Illinois – Wisconsin |
| November 28, 2010 | First Christian Church, Coon Rapids, Iowa
Lenox Christian Church, Lenox, Iowa First Christian Church, Shenandoah, Iowa |
Ben Ramirez
Steve Wainwright Karen Bash |
Bob Ricks
Dan Sanford Cheri Doane Matt Reisetter |
Christian Church in Indiana |
| December 5, 2010 | First Christian Church, Coralville, Iowa
Lohrville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Lohrville, Iowa First Christian Church, Seymour, Iowa |
John McKinstry
Philip Cline DeWayne Lawson |
Jerry Sawyer
Kay Scott Angela Doty |
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest - includes congregations in Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota |
| December 12, 2010 | Corning Christian Church, Corning, Iowa
Long Grove Christian Church, Long Grove, Iowa First Christian Church, Sac City, Iowa |
Scott Tooley
Sharla Hulsey |
Cecil Simonton
Don Slaughgter James Dunston Diana Robertson |
Christian Church in Greater Kansas City – includes congregations in Missouri and Kansas in the Greater Kansas City area. |
| December 19, 2010 | First Christian Church, Corydon, Iowa
Luther Christian Church, Luther, Iowa Runnells Christian Church, Runnells, Iowa |
Dave Neas
Gary Cummings Alice Bolen |
David Stout
Bob Stuart Dennis Durst |
Christian Church in West Virginia |
| December 26, 2010 | Broadway Christian Church, Council Bluffs, Iowa
First Christian Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota Christian Church Disciples, Rock Rapids, Iowa |
Jann Osborn
John Johnson Carolyn Salberg, pulpit supply |
Mike Thiel
Jerry Thordsen |
Christian Church of Mid-America – includes churches in Missouri and the Greater St. Louis area in Illinois. |
| January 2, 2011 | First Christian Church, Creston, Iowa
First Christian Church, Mankato, Minnesota |
Phil Coe, Interim
Nancy Giese, Interim |
Dick Walters
Gregory Ellcey Dennis Sanders Art Satoff |
Christian Church in South Idaho |
| January 9, 2011 | Cedar Memorial Christian Church, Davenport, Iowa
Marion Christian Church, Marion, Iowa Redfield Christian Church, Redfield, Iowa |
Clair Odell
Brice Hughes, Interim Neal Hanley |
Dale Webster
Bob Welsh Darla Ewalt Juanita Scriven |
Christian Church of the Pacific Southwest
includes southern California, Nevada, and Hawaii |
| January 16, 2011 | First Christian Church, Davenport, Iowa
Central Christian Church, Marshalltown, Iowa First Christian Church, Red Oak, Iowa |
Michael Armstrong
Gail Thiessen, Janet Lott JoAnn Thomas |
Merlin Wilkins
Doris Wolf Darin Feikema |
Christian Church in South Idaho |
| January 23, 2011 | The Deep River Christian Church, Deep River, Iowa
First Christian Church, Mason City, Iowa Prescott United Church, Prescott, Iowa |
Larry Naylor, Interim
Steve Wainwright |
Clint Wolf
Claude Wood Stasia Fine Sally Smith |
Christian Church, Northeastern Region – includes churches in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York |
| January 30, 2011 | Delta Christian Church, Delta, Iowa
Maxwell Christian Church, Maxwell, Iowa Prairie City Christian Church, Prairie City, Iowa |
James Bringman
Thomas Lee John Eilers, Interim |
Fritz Zimbelman
Steve Agan Amy Spangler Dunning |
Christian Church in North Carolina
Christian Church in Ohio |
| February 6, 2011 | Capitol Hill Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
First Christian Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota First Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa |
Candice Brown
Bob Brite, Interim Tim Diebel, Sondra Eddings, Suzanne Stout |
Sheryl Butler Dyer
Adam Frieberg Charles Gilbert Thomas Graham |
Week of Compassion- The channel for providing a compassionate response to severe human distress caused by natural disaster or political or economic crisis. |
| February 13, 2011 | College Avenue Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Lake Harriet Christian Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota Pleasantville Christian Church, Pleasantville, Iowa |
Susan Woods
Tammy Rottschaefer Sheldon Henderson |
Kay Mennick
John Bolen David Grant Terry Steeden |
Christian Church in Oklahoma |
| February 20, 2011 | Mitchellville Christian Church, Mitchellville, Iowa
Fairview Christian Church, Pleasantville, Iowa Plymouth Creek Christian Church, Plymouth, Minnesota |
Julie Gibson, Transitional Minister
Sheldon Henderson Shane Isner |
Alan Bash
Pasha Buck Robert Green Eydie Stephens |
Christian Church in Oregon |
| February 27, 2011 | Glen Echo Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Moorhead Christian Church, Moorhead, Iowa Plano Christian Church, Plano, Iowa |
Tom Burkhardt
William Kanne, interim David Welch |
Jim Cord
Jason Grow Thomas Stone |
Christian Church in Pennsylvania |
| March 6, 2011 | Grant Park Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Peosta Worship Center, Peosta, Iowa (emerging Congregation) Pierson Christian Church, Pierson, Iowa |
Craig Robertson
David Minnihan Kay Galm |
Susan Guy
Mark Hall Mary Alyce Hansen Peggy Stott |
Communication Ministries – interprets the vision and mission of our General Church through media and print resources. |
| March 13, 2011 | Highland Park Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
First Christian Church, Mt. Ayr, Iowa First Christian Church, Perry, Iowa |
John Holcombe
Chris Conklin George Lair, Interim |
George Harrison
Jayme Harvey Robert Haskin Linda Swanson |
Christian Church in Tennessee |
| March 20, 2011 | Indianola Heights Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
First Christian Church, Muscatine, Iowa First Christian Church, Panora, Iowa |
Robert Pickerell
Gary Freeland |
Garry Hesser
Jay Hillestad Don Hiscox Kathleen Ann Thomas |
Christian Church in the Southwest – includes congregations in Texas and New Mexico |
| March 27, 2011 | Park Avenue Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
First Christian Church, Woodbine, Iowa First Christian Church, Packwood, Iowa |
John Claussen
William Kanne, interim Harlan (Frosty) VanVoorst |
Jane Hochstein
Gail Holcombe Gordon Horgen Sue Thompson |
Christian Church in Virginia
Christian Church in Ohio |
| April 3, 2011 | Wakonda Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
First Christian Church, Nevada, Iowa First Christian Church, Ottumwa, Iowa |
Tom Webster, Gene Kelsey, Lisa Kelsey
Karen Fausch, Interim Gary Sneller |
Dennis Huffman
Sheila Hunter Mary Hurlocker |
Council on Christian Unity – represents the Disciples in key ecumenical activities around the world. |
| April 10, 2011 | United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal, Iowa
Davis Street Christian Church, Ottumwa, Iowa |
Bruce Geise
Jim Wakelin |
Tabitha Isner
Michael Jackson Patty Tilton Jared Trullinger |
Christian Church in Montana |
| April 17, 2011 | New Virginia Christian Church, New Virginia, Iowa
Bladensburg Christian Church, Ottumwa, Iowa Norwalk Christian Church, Norwalk, Iowa |
Larry Smith
Dayna Kinkade, Kara Courtney |
Brandon Johnson
Eric Johnson Doug Jones |
Christian Church in the Capital Area – includes congregations in Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia. |
| April 24, 2011 | Nichols Christian Church, Nichols, Iowa
First Christian Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa Christian Church (Disciples) of North English, Iowa |
Corrine Welsch
Michael Omundson Kirk Statler |
Phil Jorgensen
Grayce Keller Richard Kent Melainie Van Weelden |
Christian Church in Kansas |
Regional Prayer Calendar
April 28, 2010 By
 |
Regional Prayer Calendar |
Special thanks to JoAnn Thomas for organizing and publishing the calendar for you and your congregations to use in your weekly and daily prayer life.