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!
October 15 All Congregational Gathering
September 14, 2011 By
Oct. 15, 2011 All Congregational Gathering
The 1st annual Congregational Gathering will be Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the West Des Moines Christian Church. We will experience our new way of doing ministry together in the Upper Midwest Region. Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister & President will be there to share in this new beginning. She will also preside over the installation of Bill Spangler-Dunning. During the day congregations and clergy will share ministry ideas, encourage common ministries to arise in the group, commission ministries for the next year, and choose a representative Operations Council. There will be a potluck lunch (the Region will supply the drinks and meat). To REGISTER: Simply call or email the Regional office at 515-255-3168 or cddumw@gmail.com Click on the link above for a flyer for this event.
3 Boundary Trainings Opportunities in the Region this Fall
September 6, 2011 By
Register Now!
Open to all clergy and lay leadership persons.
Trainings meet clergy Boundary Training requirements for Standing.
One training in IOWA & Two trainings in MINNESOTA:
A Sacred Trust: Healthy Boundaries Training
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest (Disciples of Christ)
Facilitator: Rev. Theresa Gehrke-Herwynen
TO REGISTER for Iowa Training: Call 515-255-3168 or Email cddumw@gmail.comwith your contact information. You may pay when you arrive.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Christian Conference Center, 5064 Lincoln St, Newton, IA 50208
REGISTRATION DUE: September 22, 2011
Cost for lunch and materials: $30
* * * * * * *
Living the Sacred Trust: Boundary and Ethics Trainings
United Church of Christ, Minnesota Conference
Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Facilitator: Rev. M. Lynn Scott
TO REGISTER for both MN Trainings: https://events.minnesotaumc.org
Thursday, October 6, 2011 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
United Theological Seminary, 3000 5th St. NW, New Brighton, MN
REGISTRATION DUE: September 22, 2011
Cost for lunch and materials: $75 before Sept 22; $90 after Sept 22
Thursday, November 3, 2011 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Northfield United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple St., Northfield, MN
REGISTRATION DUE: October 20, 2011
Cost for lunch and materials: $75 before Oct 20; $90 after Oct 20
Chaplain Position Open at Culver Stockton College
August 5, 2011 By
For more information on this position please contact Chris Gill, Dean of Students at cgill@culver.edu. Click on the “Chaplain Opening Announcement” below for other contacts and details.
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.
Member of Central CC Waterloo Appointed Iowa Supreme Court Justice
April 15, 2011 By
On Tuesday, February 23rd, Governor Terry Branstad appointed Iowa District Court Judge Bruce Zager to the Iowa Supreme Court.
Zager and his family have been members of Central Christian Church in Waterloo, IA for years. And Zager’s children, Tara and Zac both went to CYF Camp 17, while Tara also served on the Upper Midwest Youth Council (U.M.w.Y.C.).
Congratulations to the Zager family and the wider church family on this honor and continued service.
Read more about Judge Zager at the Governor’s website: http://umw.cc/f9xilY
Ben Allaway’s Heaven & Earth: Mass on the Celtic Journey
March 4, 2011 By
Famed Northern Ireland troubadour Tommy Sands and band join forces with the 200-voice Celtic Mass Choir, conducted by composer Ben Allaway, for the world premiere of Allaway’s new major work, HEAVEN & EARTH: Mass on the Celtic Journey, set for April 2nd in Des Moines, Iowa at First Christian Church, 7:30 p.m. A touring company including Sands and special guest Kevin Conneff of The Chieftains will then take the work to three cathedrals in Armagh and Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Bangor, Wales in June. Tour information is at www.BenAllaway.com.
Iowa Public Television will film the live concerts to create a two-hour special of the world premiere and UK tour.
Allaway conceived of the work based on his love for two distinct musical traditions from the British Isles, that of the traditional folk music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, and the music of the Anglican cathedrals, which brought music for choir and organ to a new level over the last four centuries.
For more information, including Disciples roots of the composition, read the Press Release.
Announcing “The Jubilee Fund” (Clergy Debt Relief)
March 1, 2011 By
“We’re looking for someone who knows they’re on a bad road, but doesn’t really see a way out.”
Rick Hamilton, a former Regional Minister in the Great River Region, is starting The Jubliee Fund in cooperation with the Great River, Southwest and Oklahoma regions. The Fund will pay off any “unsecured debt” for ministers, at the start of an ongoing, intentional partnership that includes financial coaching and a multi-year accountability plan for re-paying the Fund.
“The Jubilee Fund is a response to the General Assembly’s call for debt free living,” explains Hamilton. “We want ministers to be able to say “Yes!” to their call without being distracted by debt. But we also consider it a justice issue to pay in full all debts and to be repaid. This isn’t about write-downs or settlements.”
The Jubilee Fund plans to open for its for clergy applicants after General Assembly 2011 in Nashville. Applicants will send in basic personal information to the Jubilee Fund. The Fund will then send the minister a form application that will be encoded for security and privacy so they can safely submit their financial information. Once they have the first set of applicants, they will select the maximum number of people they can support. Applicants will also have to provide a statement where they tell how they got into the situation and what steps they’ve already taken to try and resolve it.
It’s about commitment.
Once they’ve agreed to a partnership, Rick Hamilton (or others from the Jubilee Fund) will fly to the minister and his or her family and do financial training. At the end of that meeting, they will have a budget plan along with a strong covenant agreement which serves as an accountability plan for the next 5-7 years. Once everything is agreed to, the Jubilee Fund will write checks to all creditors and pay the minister’s debts in full. Ministers will have 5-7 years to pay back what they owe at 0% interest. Throughout the process, ministers will be able to live manageably, while still tithing, and get out debt free
Still interested? The Jubilee Fund has these three needs:
- Prayers from ministers from around the church for the Jubilee Fund’s emerging ministry
- Subscribers to Stewardship Moments (see below)
- Involvement in the $20 is plenty idea for Lent
$20 is plenty 4 Lent
The idea is for every household to find $20 extra per week and for congregations to select general or local charities to receive those gifts. (So, for example, in one week, those participating in $20 is plenty from one congregation would all donate that gift to Week of Compassion. The next week would be the local food bank, etc.) For more information, go to: http://umw.cc/faTmRp
Stewardship Moments
A subscription service for weekly attachments or bulletin inserts written specifically for strengthening Disciples Identity and encouraging faithful stewardship. Each stewardship moment includes a scriptural reflection, prayer, and two images to use for worship art. To subscribe, go to: http://umw.cc/fT60Me.
Rick Hamilton can be contacted at rick@thejubileefund.com
Wartburg College hosts Rural Ministry Conference
February 23, 2011 By
30th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
Hospitality in Changing Times
March 6-8
The Center for Theology & Land hosts the annual Rural Ministry Conferences that have been held in Dubuque since 1982. Each year’s conference addresses issues and themes pertinent to the wellbeing of rural communities and the ministry of rural churches. This ecumenical conference includes worship, keynote speakers, workshops, and Bible study, and offers participants a unique opportunity to network with others who are active in and concerned about rural ministry.
Keynote Speaker: Tex Sample
“Hospitality as an Agent of Change”
Tex Sample is a noted lecturer and storyteller, who works in the areas of theological ethics, social theory and social change.
Workshops Include:
- Developing a Culture of Hospitality
- Planning and Implementing Change
- Hospitality in a Diverse Community
- Training and Coaching Each Other
- Understanding the People in the Pew
Sponsored by the Center for Theology & Land, Wartburg Theological Seminary
More information at: http://wartburgseminary.edu/template_Centers.asp?id=396
Chariton CC Fundraiser
February 23, 2011 By
With the current economy the Chariton Disciples of Christ Christian Church has decided to hold a raffle to help ends meet. Members of our church have built a very nice little building with new donated materials to raffle off. We also have several other very nice prizes listed below. We would appreciate it if you could pass this along to your congregation and give them the opportunity to participate and help out with a very worthy cause. Proceeds will be used to help us through this difficult economy.
WIN THIS HOUSE!!
THE CHARITON DISCIPLES OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS RAFFLING OFF THIS ADORABLE LITTLE HOUSE. USE IT FOR THE KIDS OR GRANDKIDS FOR A PLAYHOUSE OR USE IT FOR A GARDEN SHED OR WORKSHOP. THE HOUSE IS 6′X10′ AND COMES WITH THE TRAILER SO YOU CAN HAUL IT HOME. 5′ REAR DOOR OPENING AND ALSO SIDE DOOR THAT OPENS. OLD SCHOOL HOUSE CHALKBOARD AND KNOTTY PINE INTERIOR WALLS AND CEILING.
ALSO HAVE OTHER PRIZES OF 4- $25 HY-VEE GIFT CARDS, HANDMADE WOODEN JEWELRY CASE, AND LARGE HANDMADE AFGHAN TO HELP KEEP YOU WARM ON THOSE COLD WINTER NIGHTS. ALL PRIZES WILL BE MAILED OR IN THE CASE OF THE BUILDING, DELIVERED TO ANYWHERE IN THE STATE OF IOWA.
DRAWING WILL BE HELD ON EASTER MORNING 2011. TO PURCHASE TICKETS CALL 641-774-2434 OR VISIT US ON FACEBOOK OR ON OUR BLOGSITE AT http://charitonchristianchurch.blogspot.com/ . TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $1.00 EACH.
ADIIM Webinar for those exploring Intentional Interim Ministry
February 23, 2011 By
ADIIM HOSTS WEBINAR FOR THOSE SEEKING INFORMATION ON BECOMING AN INTENTIONAL INTERIM
One of the most often asked questions we get through the Association of Disciples Intentional Interim Ministers is “how do I become an Intentional Interim Minister?” The second most asked question is “What’s the difference between an Interim and an Intentional Interim?”
On February 28th from 2 to 3:30 pm we will be hosting a Webinar to explore these two questions. Topics will include:
- What is Intentional Interim Ministry, how is it different from ‘Maintenance’ Interims and why would I want to do one or the other? By James Cotten, PTS and chair of ADIIM’s steering committee,
- Training for Intentional Interim Ministers by Terry Foland, PTS and Interim Ministry instructor with Interim Ministry Network, Inc.
- Working with Regions and Areas as an Intentional Interim by Mike Weinman, Ozarks Lakes Area Minister
Followed by Questions and Answers
The Webinar is free of charge but we are limited to only 20 spots so it will be first come first serve. To participate you need a computer with internet access. It is helpful for you to also have a webcam and a microphone on your computer. (you will give a toll phone number that you may use if your computer is dial-up or you have low bandwidth.) To register please send your name, e-mail address, phone number and brief statement of your interest in Intentional Interims to info@adiim.org
HELM Leadership Fellows Applications Available
December 19, 2010 By
If you’re heading to college in the fall and plan to be a leader in your church — as a pastor or as a layperson — you should consider applying for the HELM Leadership Fellows Program. It could change the way you look at the world — and yourself.
“There was a time in college when I felt lost. I questioned my passions, my ambitions, and everything I thought I knew,” says Esther Lee, a 2009 graduate of Texas Christian University and the HELM Leadership Fellows Program. “HELM taught me that successful and world-class leaders were not made overnight and certainly did not always have everything figured out. They are the great leaders that they are because of their failures and mistakes. Today, in the professional world, I still question myself daily, but my attitude is entirely different. I have accepted that the questioning process will never end and I am okay with that. I now know that in order to improve myself and really be the leader God has called me to be at home, at work and in the world, questioning myself is essential.”
College students who want to find out how their leadership skills can help further God’s calling to demonstrate true community, deep Christian spirituality, and a passion for justice can apply now for the program. Eligible students will begin studies in the fall of 2011 at an accredited four-year college; this includes current high school seniors, community college students, or students who have graduated from high school but have not yet started undergraduate studies.
Applications are available on HELM’s web site, www.helmdisciples.org. | Download an application (PDF)
The unique program provides several different ways to help students explore and strengthen their leadership potential:
- Covenants: Students design their own covenant with HELM describing how they plan to work on developing their leadership abilities. Fellows craft their own leadership development project in cooperation with a campus chaplain, director of church relations, ecumenical campus minister or another appropriate mentor. Many participate in planning and leading campus ministry programs or similar activities, while others lead youth groups in local congregations or engage in outreach programs.
- Leadership Conference: Fellows also attend annual leadership conferences, where they learn from Disciples leaders, pastors, and each other while building bonds to support each other as their leadership skills grow. The 2010 conference in Colorado Springs focused on expressing individual faith while building communities with those whose beliefs and opinions differ from our own.
- Summer internships: HELM works with Leadership Fellows to identify internships that will expose students to the wide variety of ways Disciples minister.
- Grant: Fellows receive a $2,000 scholarship at the beginning of each school year for educational use.
- Intangibles: HELM connects students with mentors within the denomination, providing students with networking and insight beyond normal connections. Students maintain regular contact with HELM staff and other denominational leaders via e-mail, denominational meetings, and informal get-togethers. This network of Disciples has helped some find additional financial aid, make decisions about transferring to a new college, or discover God’s call to ministry.
Entering its eleventh year, the Leadership Fellows Program has drawn from all areas of church life. Seventy-eight students have represented 25 regions of the church. They come from large congregations and small, from major cities and small towns. They attend Disciples colleges and universities, public institutions, and private institutions affiliated with other denominations. While many graduates have gone on to ordained ministry, a majority are laypeople. This diversity gives Fellows a new way to look at the church they have grown up in — the church they will serve in many different ways.Applicants must be members of a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation and express a commitment to serve the church as a clergy or lay leader. Participation in the program can be renewed up to three additional years.
The application requires an essay, three references, and official transcripts, and all materials must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2011. All identifying information is redacted before applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee. Students will be notified by April 30 whether they have been named as fellows.
Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded free online at www.helmdisciples.org or may be requested by calling HELM at 314-991-3000.
HELM works to nurture transforming leadership for the church in partnership with Disciples congregations, higher education institutions, campus ministry programs, regions, general ministries, and other parts of the church.
Norwalk CC Artist Profiled for Nativity Scene Sculptures
December 17, 2010 By
KCCI (a Des Moines tv station) recently profiled Norwalk Christian Church member Sarah Pratt for her work on sculpting a Nativity Scene for the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter. Pratt is known to many in Iowa as the “new butter cow lady.” Sarah worked wtih Norma “Duffy” Lyon on the Iowa State Fair butter cow displays for about 15 years before taking over for the 2006 Fair.
To watch KCCI’s interview with Pratt, visit http://www.kcci.com/news/25954491/detail.html
Eureka College accepting applications for full-tuition ministry fellowships
November 19, 2010 By
Eureka College, Eureka, Ill., is accepting applications for two full-tuition Eureka College Ministry Fellowships for students pursuing vocational ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Recipients also receive two on-site mentorships exploring ministry anywhere in the world, upon approval.
For more information or to request an application, contact Chaplain Bruce Fowlkes at bfowlkes@eureka.edu, call (309) 467-6429 or visit www.eureka.edu/admissions/doc.htm. Review of applications begins January 10.
Other Grants for Disciples of Christ Students ($1,000 each, stackable, up to $8000 maximum):
- Active members of any Disciples of Christ congregation.
- Active members who are also dependents of DOC ministers.
- Active members who are youth leaders in the regional or general church.
Eureka College offers academic degrees in a wide area of the sciences, mathematics, business administration, social sciences, fine and performing arts, humanities and education.
FCC Winterset – Covered Bridge Parade Float
October 25, 2010 By
First Christian Church of Winterset, IA wowed the community by putting their praise band, Reliance, on a float in the Covered Bridge Festival parade. With the help of a generator, they broadcast songs like “Blessed be Your Name” and “I’ll Fly Away,” representing the diverse nature of the congregation. Due to double booking on the truck that pulled their float, the band found themselves surrounded by VFW members and were thus saluted the entire length of the route. For more pictures, check out their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winterset-IA/First-Christian-Church-Winterset/48907472155 (you don’t have to log in to see them).
CTS Announces Major Gift
October 25, 2010 By
Christian Theological Seminary Announces Major Gift
Lilly Endowment provides lead gift for CTS Fund for the Future
(October 14, 2010, Indianapolis, IN) – Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) has received a grant of $1,181,500 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to develop creative new approaches for educating pastors, ministers and counselors, according to David Herzog, Chairman of CTS’s Board of Trustees.
The grant comes at an important time in the school’s life and during a time when much is changing for denominational seminaries like CTS. It also comes as the seminary searches for a new president and celebrates the ministry of retiring President Edward L. Wheeler.
“The changing demographics of congregational life, the increasing complexity of pastoral ministry and the emergence of new technologies are changing theological education,” stated Herzog. “Lilly Endowment’s gift to CTS will enable us to build upon our current capabilities and explore new strategies to address these realities.”
One million dollars of the grant will serve as a lead gift for the CTS Fund for the Future providing the seminary with resources to develop and implement programs designed to send into the community a sizable and steady stream of excellent pastors who will lead, minister to and sustain thriving congregations.
“Our charge is to engage in a serious re-thinking of what it takes to prepare men and women to be excellent pastors of congregations in a rapidly changing ecclesial and cultural environment,” said Herzog. “This will require us to collaborate in new ways with congregations to attract the most promising students to produce pastors, ministers and counselors with the skills required to address new and yet unknown challenges.”
The remaining $181,000 will fund the presidential transition at CTS. Earlier this year, President Edward L. Wheeler announced his intention to retire effective June 30, 2012. Herzog stated that Wheeler will be named president emeritus June 30, 2011, after 14 years of leadership. CTS hopes to name a new president in time to begin serving as of July 1, 2011. In the final year of service to CTS, Wheeler will serve as a resource to the new president.
“The generous grant from Lilly Endowment will allow CTS to build upon our strong history as a leader in post-graduate theological education and enhance our legacy of ministerial preparation,” stated Wheeler.
According to Dr. Craig Dykstra, senior vice president for religion at Lilly Endowment, CTS is poised to make good use of the grant. “Talented faculty and staff, a sizable endowment, beautiful facilities and a diverse student body all place CTS in an excellent position to make promising new strategic moves that will extend its important role in strengthening religious life in Indiana and throughout the country,” he said.
CTS is related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is one of the most diverse congregational leadership centers in the nation. It is a fully accredited, ecumenical seminary with a student and alumni base representing nearly 40 different denominational and faith communities.
In addition to offering eight graduate-level degree programs, CTS provides dozens of classes annually through its Lifelong Theological Education and Faith Learning Initiative series. It also offers comprehensive counseling services to the community through its Counseling Center. CTS has a rich history of offering the finest biblical and theological education in a caring, supportive environment.
Commentary from Adam Frieberg: In following up with Chris Varnau, Senior Director of Communications at CTS, I asked for some more clarity on the initiatives this grant will fund. Chris let me know that much of the grant has yet to be designated and is waiting for the new President to chart the course. So congregations will see more of an impact once the new president is “transitioned in” and has had the chance to set a vision for the grant.
CTS Lifelong Theological Education Events Fall 2010
August 1, 2010 By
Christian Theological Seminary offers several Lifelong Theological Education events throughout the year. Attached are the upcoming events for Fall 2010. While most of them are in Indianapolis, I wanted to make them available for lay people, pastors, chaplains (and more).
Adel Sweet Corn Festival / 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
August 1, 2010 By
On Saturday, August 14th, Adel has Sweet Corn Festival. First Christian Church participates and one of the big items is our 3-on-3 Basketball tournament.
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
FCC Adel, Iowa: Nile Kinnick Drive N & Rapids Street
(515) 993-4514
Entry fee: $40.00 per team
Deadline: August 11, 2010
Boys and Girls – grades 6-7, 8-9, 10-12
Adults – over 18, over 30
Tournament Time – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Food booth, homemade ice cream, and pie also available
Other community entertainment and schedule:
- 8:00 Sweet Corn 5K Run
- 9:30-11:00 Parade
- Start serving Free Sweet Corn after Parade
- 11:00-1:00 Richie Lee- 50’s & 60’s Rock-n-Roll
- 1:00-2:00 Let’s Dance
- 2:00-2:30 Adel Tumbling Team
- 2:30-3:00 Adel Dance Club
- 3:00-4:00 Deborah’s School Of Dance
- 4:00-4:30 Curse of Hail (metal)
- 4:30-5:00 Stage DARK
- 5:00-7:30 Douglas Acres (country, southern rock, classic rock)
- 8:00-midnight Gimikk (rock cover band)
Jubilee: Jerry Crenshaw
June 1, 2010 By
After 19 years in ministry at Indianola Heights Christian Church in Des Moines, IA, Jerry Crenshaw is closing his ministry. Sunday, May 30th was his last Sunday preaching and presiding at the Lord’s Table at Indianola Heights.
Such a transition could easily burden a minister with melancholy and sadness. After all, Crenshaw is losing a church family he led for nearly two decades. But while he will definitely grieve in the coming months over this transition, he also prepares for his next step with fervor.
Jerry Crenshaw is starting a “church without walls.” Actually, to call it a church – at this point – is a stretch. Crenshaw wrote to his congregation: “To put it simply, I am going out to relate to other children of God.” He plans a seven-year ministry where he will gather young adults together who are not necessarily affiliated or involved in a congregation.
“I just can’t sit back. I have problems with the “foxhole” mentality: drop in sometime and if you become like us, you’re welcome. We have to go out – and find out their values – and meet them!”
People recommend he find young adults in some of the funniest places: weekend softball leagues, the local bus system in Des Moines, even the Harley Davidson shop. “I didn’t expect that, but apparently the youngest and fastest group of Harley Davidson fans are young women under 35.”
His goal is to get them to work together at service projects and see what the group starts looking like as the fellowship grows.
Crenshaw decided to “get out and go” before he worked out all the details. He doesn’t know if it will just have one group or will have multiple small groups (that he would get to interact somehow). He humbly admits: “this segment of the population is the best at networking and structuring themselves. I’m going to suggest a church without walls and let them build it. We’re not building a building unless it’s in Haiti. We’re not building an institution.”
How financially can this happen? After a lifetime of ministry where churches paid into the Pension Fund, he’s now drawing a pension. “What better way to spend it than on young adults?!?”
This Sunday, June 6th, Crenshaw will receive the “retired ministers pen” at IHCC. (He even offered to sell it to any minister who wanted it at a cheap, bargain price). The afternoon of June 6th there will be a commissioning service and the start of Jubilee.
Where: Indianola Heights Christian Church, 3139 Southeast 8th Street, Des Moines, IA
When: July 6th, 2010 – 2pm
Can’t attend? “Chime in” virtually by clicking at the top of this screen or by sending Jerry an e-mail (jubileelite@gmail.com) with prayers and encouragement. You can also chime in to receive ongoing e-mails about the ministry of Jubilee.
Culver Stockton College: “Here I Am” Conference
May 20, 2010 By
Here I Am: Christian Youth Leadership Experience at Culver Stockton College
June 11-13, 2010
Want to serve the church? Already serving but want to learn how to continue? Come to Here I Am: A Conference in Christian Leadership. High school students completing grades 10, 11, and 12 are invited to come to a weekend of leadership development, worship, food, and fun!
Here I Am begins Friday evening, June 11th, and runs through Sunday morning, June 13th. The keynote speaker is Rev. Todd Adams, Associate Vice-President of the Christian Church (DOC); featured preacher is Rev. Dr. Christal Williams, Associate Regional Minister in IL/WI region; music provided by Paul Svenson, www.dadsongbook.com. To register, go to www.culver.edu/hereIam. The cost is $75. Please register by May 23rd. If you have further questions, please contact Chaplain Brent Reynolds at 573-288-6420 or breynolds@culver.edu
Alan Roxburgh Webinars
April 25, 2010 By
Submitted by Mary Jane Button-Harrison
Alan Roxburgh will present three webinars in 2010. The first two webinars are for pastors and church leaders. Each webinar for pastors and church leaders will be offered one time and not repeated. The webinars are scheduled on the following dates:
Tuesday, May 25 @ 2:30-4:00 pm CST. Title, “Leading in an Unthinkable World”
Monday, June 7 @ 2:30-4:00 pm CST. Title, “Forming Missional Community, Practical Steps”
The connection link for the webinar is http://www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcasts/Roxburgh
The focus of the webinars is on developing leadership in order to transform congregations into missional communities.
No fee for the event.
Bio
Alan Roxburgh is a pastor, teacher, writer and consultant with more than 30 years experience in church leadership, consulting and seminary education. Alan has pastored congregations in a small town, the suburbs, the re-development of a downtown urban church and the planting of other congregations. He has directed an urban training center and served as a seminary professor and the director of a center for mission and evangelism. Alan teaches as an adjunct professor in seminaries in the USA, Australia and Europe. His books include: Reaching a New Generation, Leadership, Liminality and the Missionary Congregation, Crossing the Bridge: Leadership in a Time of Change, The Sky is Falling – Leaders Lost in Transition, The Missional Leader(co-authored with Fred Romanuk), Introducing the Missional Church (Baker, Nov 09) and Missional Map Making (Jossey-Bass, Jan 2010). He was also a member of the writing team that authored Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America.
Alan Roxburgh leads the Roxburgh Missional Network team (RMN), a diverse group of men and women with years of experience in pastoral leadership, teaching, consulting, psychology and publishing. RMN is committed to resourcing missional leaders with the best training, consulting and hands-on resources for innovating missional life in local congregations and communities of faith.
Cedar Rapids Home Repairs
April 24, 2010 By
Excerpted from Spring 2010 issue of “The Voice” Disciples Men Newsletter
Disciples Volunteering is calling for volunteers to serve alongside ecumenical partners in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, repairing homes damaged by the historic flooding of 2008. When more than 5,000 homes were destroyed, it was clear that the recovery would take years. For too many families and individuals, the recovery has only just begun. That is why Church World Service is coordinating the work of at least 10 denominations to bring a focused effort to neighborhoods in need of assistance. Disciples Volunteering and Week of Compassion have joined in this mission to bring hope, healing, and a helping hand to Cedar Rapids.
Please consider serving for a week in May, repairing homes and rebuilding lives damaged nearly two years ago. Volunteers are needed May 2 – May 22. For more information or to register, contact Brenda Tyler at 888-346-2631 or visit website: http://gd4jc.org
United Theological Seminary 2010 Convocation
April 9, 2010 By
Submitted by Mary Jane Button-Harrison
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities – Fall Convocation – September 24, 2010
I received information about this upcoming event at United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities the end of the month. I particularly noted the subject matter because it gets to some of what I have been trying to communicate about the idea of “proclamation” and my interests. This phrase from the UTS website says it this way:
How do we tell the Christian story in a changing landscape?
I think I will be going to this event. Anyone else interested?
Mary Jane Button-Harrison
maryjane@fccames.org
Iowa IPL Cool Congregations Workshops
April 9, 2010 By
Submitted by Sarah Webb
All across Iowa people are caring for God’s creation by starting a Cool Congregations program in their faith community. Cool Congregations is an Earth Stewardship program that invites participants to work in small groups to reduce their impact on the earth by measuring their carbon footprint and taking simple steps towards fulfilling a faith-based pledge to cut their energy use, saving money in the process.
Bring a team from your congregation to a training workshop to learn how to get your faith community involved in a ‘Cool Congregations’ stewardship program. Saturday, April 24 at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Indianola and Saturday, May 15 at Community of Christ Church in Coralville. Register online at iowaipl.org/calendar Cool Congregations is a program of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, gathering people of faith to protect creation.
Contact Sarah Webb at coolcongregations@iowaipl.org for more information:
Sarah Webb
‘Cool Congregations’
An Earth Stewardship Program
A program of
Iowa Interfaith Power and Light
www.iowaipl.org
coolcongregations@iowaipl.org
319-277-0024
319-273-2038