• IT IS TIME! (A Note from Bill Spangler-Dunning)
• Regional Board Meeting Highlights (July 2010)
• School for Congregational Learning - August 28, 2010
• Disciples Network Gathering - October 9, 2010
• Summer Camps Continue
• Midwest Youth Worker Interchange
• Announcing UMwYC 2010-2011
• What's possible? The Spiritual Journey in a Pastor's Sabbatical
• Christian Womens' Fall Retreat (Oct. 1-3, 2010)
• Re-Imagining the Church Together (October 26, 2010)
• Adel Sweet Corn Festival / 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
• CTS Lifelong Theological Education Events Fall 2010
• A Pastor's/Camp Director's Reflection on "God is Bigger"

Bill Spangler-Dunning
Lead Transitional Regional Minister and President

19 months ago we entered into a time of transition for the Region. As per normal when we use words like “Transition,” “Transformation,” or other words that suggest some sort of promised change or more enthusiastic future, people often enter in one of three ways. First, there are those who get extremely excited about something new, no matter what it might be. Second, there are those who react out of fear and trembling with the belief that what we have might not be working but at least we know what it is. Third, there are those who don't really react at all. These people have lived through too many promises of change that never came to be and are convinced that nothing new will really happen.

We can imagine all three reactions in the people Moses led into the wilderness. Perhaps there is a little of these three reactions in each of us. Part of us rejoices in the promise and potential of what might be; but the unknowns of the wilderness and what remains to be done could easily scare any of us to point of being willing to stay right where we were. And in most of us there is that part that wants to, and even needs to, be skeptical about promised change. It is that part that says, "I believe, but it would help to see some signs that things are really changing before I will let myself be fully invested in this change."

Well, its time to lift up some signs:

19 months ago we began the transition with an accumulated line of credit debt of $190,000 and a previous spending pattern that had added about 60,000 to that debt each year.

By July 31, 2010 the Region, we as "Disciples Together,” have not only paid off that line of credit debt but we stopped over-spending our budget, thereby eliminating our need to borrow more money.

Now that would be enough to celebrate a sign that we are in a time of positive change. But wait there is more: we accomplished all this during an economic down-turn and we absorbed the total cost of starting a new church (about $40,000, much of which will be reimbursed to the Region from the Rochester fund later this year); and we had to purchase two vehicles that were not budgeted. It was a time that, in some way, felt like the wilderness. And God walked with us all the way.

Since we have accomplished our first priority of regaining financial stability, this article serves as the official announcement that IT IS TIME for the next stage of the journey to begin. The members of the vision task group are: Randy Ehrhardt, Dave Clark, Tim Diebel, Lynda Carlson, Earlin Shanno, Jim Wakelin and John Claussen . We will be attending every clergy cluster meeting in September and October, setting up several town-hall meetings across the region and looking for feedback. We will be bringing some ideas and gathered wisdom to these meetings but your input is critical to where we are headed. It is time to look for signs for our further journey together!

Your partner in ministry,
Bill Spangler-Dunning
BSD

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 28^th.

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 24-26^th 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 9^th.  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.

Registration Forms and Workshop listings are now online for the 2010 School for Congregational Learning

	Biography – Jose Morales, Keynoter		Registration Form
	Biography – Jose Morales, Keynoter		Registration Form
	Bulletin Insert – Registration Form		Workshop Descriptions
	Bulletin Insert – Registration Form		Workshop Descriptions
	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)		8.5×11″ Workshops Poster
	Map		8.5×11″ Workshops Poster
	Promotional Ideas and Information
	Promotional Ideas and Information

Where: West Des Moines Christian Church (map)
When:

What workshops? Over 35 topics (36 to be exact) -- read more in the descriptions above.

How much: $20 (which includes breakfast, lunch, workshops, materials, worship, fellowship and more!)

How to register Fill out this form, preferably by August 9th.

Questions? Contact Connie Derby Dicks (Administrative Coordinator for Ministries) at (515) 255-3168 or cddumw@gmail.com

 

P.S. - A special thank you to Shelly Van Weelden at Drake Avenue Christian Church in Centerville, IA for crafting a "press release" for use in congregations' newsletters around the region.

	2010 SCL Press Release
	2010 SCL Press Release

We need congregations' help in hosting food booths for the "Disciples Network Gathering." Looking for a fundraising opportunity? Wanting to show off your cooking skills? Visit the regional website and download the food booth form and submit it.

The deadline for registering to host a food booth was previously June 1st, but was recently extended. If you have questions, please call Connie Derby Dicks at 515.255.3168

The assembly will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Christian Conference Center (located just outside of Newton, IA).

In the Spirit of Disciples Together, we've planned a day of fun activities. Some of the fun activities include:

• Food booths hosted by various congregations around the Region
• Tours of the Christian Conference Center grounds
• Outdoor games & activities for adults, youth & children
• Live music all day
• Team Competitions (get your team together!) such as these races:
• Communion cup filling
• Setting up & taking down chairs & tables
• Lawn mower
• Worship in the Outdoor Chapel
• Workshops & demonstrations
• The annual Region-wide business meeting

PS - Click on the image above to watch a YouTube clip put together by the organizers of the event!

Please see the Shared Spirit story below for how young and old people (alike!) are experiencing God this summer.

On June 29th we passed the 1000 camper registration mark!!! We're thrilled to help this many campers experience camp. Thank you for all you have done to assist campers in getting to Holy Ground this summer!! And it is still not too late to sign up. All camps still have space and we would love to see you or youth from your church this summer.

Please pray for the campers at:

Aug. 2-7, 2010     CYF Camp #17
Aug. 9-14, 2010     ChiRho Camp #13, non-rustic
Aug. 12-15, 2010     Family Camp
Sep. 12-14, 2010     Golden Years Camp (over 55 years old)

Also, "Golden Years" camp forms have been posted. Golden Years camp is for anyone who considers themselves sages after their wisdom-producing decades of life experience. The camp theme is "Faith Journey." With age-extending medical practices now common for people to live healthier and longer, the retreat will explore the question of "to what purpose?" Download the Registration form, flyer, and invitation.

Do you want affordable youth worker training? What if it was friendly and appropriate for volunteers, lay leaders, casual youth leaders, or anyone else who even talk with youth?

Midwest Youth Worker Event

Who: Mark Riddle (http://www.markriddle.net/) speaking, ANY youth worker should attend
When: September 10-11, 2010 (Friday, Saturday)
Where: Christian Conference Center in Newton, IA
How much does it cost?:

• $20 if you just want to attend Saturday’s sessions ($20 includes meals)
• $45 (for Friday night extended learning time, hotel room, meals, event registration)

Mark Riddle is author of "Inside the Mind of Youth Pastors" and "The (un) Official Church Staff Manual: Youth Pastor Edition."

Please direct questions to Dan Mayes (dan@spencerdisciples.org), pastor of First Christian Church, Spencer, IA and member of regional youth unit; or, Melanie Van Weelden (melanie4399@gmail.com), Regional Minister for Youth Ministry.

Youth events in the Upper Midwest are led by some very committed and generous adults; but several self-giving youth help lead them as well. These youth are part of the Upper Midwest Youth Council (UMwYC).

For 2010-2011 they include:

• Alex Nicoll (West Des Moines Christian Church)
• Cassandra Dietrich (First Christian Church – Keokuk)
• Jessica Sundstrom (Noelridge Christian Church)
• Kathleen Fox (Wakonda Christian Church)
• Alexis Miller (Central Christian Church – Waterloo)
• Kyra Fry (West Des Moines Christian Church)
• Lucas Nordyke (Runnells Christian Church)
• Leah Reeve (Runnells Christian Church)
• Amanda Wakelin (Davis Street Christian Church)
• Kelsey Edwards (Wakonda Christian Church)
• Mattie Schaffer (Noelridge Christian Church)
• Jacob Kingland (North English Christian Church)
• Allison Babberl (Wakonda Christian Church)
• Annie Brown (Howard Street Christian Church)
• Jordan Hagedon (Davis Street Christian Church)

We look forward to seeing their creativity and gifts for ministry at this year's upcoming youth events.

Pastor Gail Thiessen spent the months of January through March (2010) enjoying a sabbatical experience.  She rested (keeping true to the Biblical sabbath roots of sabbaticals) and she also went to the remotest place she could imagine that still spoke the English language: New Zealand.

Thiessen is the pastor of Central Christian Church in Marshalltown, IA.  While she tried to give shape to her "time away," she took to heart the recent experiences of her congregation.  The church had spent the last 14 years trying to decide how to re-orient its way of life.  The church discerned that their mission, their calling in the community, even their worship space would be different.  They had completely turned around and renovated their sanctuary.  It was an 180-degree change.  And as the congregation's leaders reflected on their recent mission trips, they realized that the trips involved caring for God's creation.  They'd built wells; they'd helped sustainable agriculture.  They knew their calling was tightly woven with the calling to tend  human-to-human relationships and the human-to-creation relationship.

So Thiessen went exploring. Her question: "If my congregation is moving away from a dominion relationship with God's creation to a 'tending' relationship; and, if they're wanting to avoid the polarizing effect that politics and religion have on their environmental stances, then I want to join them by asking 'what's possible?'"

Her answer sounds enormous: a change of heart.

Thiessen is not naive to the paralysis people feel when struggling with questions of how to care. "Changes of heart do not happen with logical or reasoned arguments.  It does little good to point fingers or to give all of the reasons supporting or denying global warming, environmental change, or the reasons to use CFL light bulbs.  Changes of heart happen with personal experience, and when people believe that change is possible, that it is good, and that it is bigger than themselves."

Thiessen's sabbatical journey was underwritten by the Lilly Foundation and was generously supported by her congregation.  Thiessen has already led the Central CC leaders in some reflections and shared experiences from her time in New Zealand.  "The people who are the most excited about it are not the ones I expected.  They're not the environmentalists.  The people with the most energy are the fence-riders, the ones are are committed to being stewards of God's creation, but do not buy all of the political stances that have accompanied this conviction."

Thiessen sounds like an evangelist, even though she's the first to admit that it was her host culture in New Zealand who shared it with her.  The diverse, almost completely "unchurched" culture in New Zealand whole-heartedly lived a more conscious lifestyle.  "They were aware that every decision they made would have some impact on their neighbor.  The human-to-human relationship intertwines with the human-to-creation relationship."

Thiessen developed a nine-week small group curriculum as well as a "teaser" version for her upcoming workshop at School for Congregational Learning on August 28th.  She looks forward to seeing it offered in school groups, civic organizations, and in churches across the country.

Are you:

• not sure how you can fit into all of this?
• a "fence-sitter" who cares, but is skeptical of the political stances?
• afraid that any personal changes will be overwhelming or paralyzing?

If so, please attend the worship on August 28th

Ask Pastor Gail questions at pastor.gail@centraldoc.org

Koronis Ministries Conference & Retreat Center
Paynesville, MN

Sanctuary in the Stories
**Telling stories of women throughout the Bible**
**Telling stories of women throughout our lives**

Women of all ages are invited to gather in a beautiful retreat setting to explore and experience ways in which extending a sense of sanctuary can be an intentional part of how we relate to each other, and to God’s world around us.

Cost: $100 - $150 (double occupancy)
Includes 2 nights lodging, program, 5 meals
Full & partial scholarships (at Retreat Center rate) are available through the Beth MacWhorter Fund.

* * *
Retreat Leader: Marti Stuessy
She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and MacAllister-Petticrew Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, where she has been teaching—and storytelling!—since 1988.

Retreat Chaplain: Deborah Lewis
Retreat Coordinators: Alison Phillips Robuck and Tammy Rottschaefer

	Retreat Flyer
	Retreat Flyer
	Registration Form
	Registration Form

Upper Midwest Clergy are invited to “Re-Imagining the Church Together”, an opportunity to share congregational stories of change and transformation, as well as struggles and conflicts.

Event organizers write: “In sharing stories we hope to create an open and Spirit-led atmosphere where relationships, support, networking and ideas on congregational transformation can occur. Throughout the day there will be singing, prayer, reflection, food, fellowship, encouragement, networking, and sharing of resources.”

When: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Who: Upper Midwest Clergy
Where:

• Des Moines (Highland Park Christian Church)
• Cedar Rapids, IA (Marion Christian Church)
• Laurens, IA
• Muscatine, IA
• Ottumwa, IA (Davis Street Christian Church)
• Red Oak, IA
• Lakeville, MN (Spirit of Joy Christian Church)

Visit the regional website in coming months for registration forms. Please direct any questions to Mary Jane Button-Harrison (maryjane@fccames.org). The Congregational Transformation Task Group is creating and planning this event.

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
Questions? Call (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)

From Don Hiscox:
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).

Registration PDF

Event Listing - Word File

Promotional Materials

Editor's Note: This story comes from a minister at First Christian Church in Adel, Iowa. Look for more stories in future issues of the DT Express or on our Shared Spirit page -- and, please submit your own stories

From Tony Thurston, Pastor at First Christian Church, Adel, IA (and co-director of Junior Camp 4):