• School for Congregational Learning - August 27th
• Our Idols
• Summer Camps Finish; Fall Camps for Adults Upcoming
• Dayna Kinkade Celebrates 20 Years Directing
• Upper Midwest at General Assembly in Nashville
• A Life of Service - Doris Wolf Died
• Silent Retreat: "be still and know I AM" - a retreat of simple silent living
• Senior Adult Retreat
• Fall Women's Retreat
• First Class for UMWCC School for Ministry - week of September 12th
• Mission Trips Around the Region
• Rock the Block Habitat Build for Des Moines Area Churches
• Global Missions
• Listening at the Campfire
• God Sighting at Broadway Christian Church
• Where to Find Disciples News
• Workshops at 2011 School for Congregational Learning

One of our region's signature events - School for Congregational Learning - takes place at West Des Moines Christian Church on Saturday, August 27th.

Schedule
Map to West Des Moines CC
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Form
List of Workshops

School for Congregational Learning is our region's largest event of the year. And it's happening in two weeks. So, read the bottom of this email to see the complete workshop menu. and register soon!

Bill Mitchell
Partner Regional Minister

"Our community is shrinking." "We do not have any young families in the church." "The economy is bad." "Our congregation is smaller than it used to be." "People don’t seem interested in our style of worship." "We’ve never done it that way." "We’ve always done it that way."

Do you ever hear any of these sentences offered to describe your church? They can be sentences of fact but most often they are sentences of defeat. They become idols which prevent us from becoming a growing, dynamic, witnessing, serving church for Jesus Christ. They are sentences we believe in more than we believe in the power of God. Maybe therein lies our real problem.

Camps for youth are finishing as the summer ends. In total, we had 936 campers experience Holy Ground at the Christian Conference Center in 2011. And those experiences could not have happened without the 156 adult counselors and directors who volunteered a week of their time to create the safe, rich, blessing experience for every camper. (Although, most counselors will be quick to admit that it's a two-way blessing that happens!)

And those campers and counselors couldn't have such good experiences without the financial support by all of the congregations, supporting this ministry as Disciples Together.

Special thanks also goes to our top-notch team of interns:

• Mark Ehrhardt from West Des Moines Christian Church
• Luke Ehrhardt from West Des Moines Christian Church
• Patrick Alland from University Christian Church, Fort Worth, TX
• Alison Nicoll from West Des Moines Christian Church
• Natalie Couch from Central Christian Church, Weatherford, TX

Camp can be a scary place. For some kids, it's their first extended time away from their parents, family and friends. "Kristin" (name changed for confidentiality) was one such camper who had a panic attack anticipating the unknown. Her mother wrote to us:

"I wanted to thank you so very much for all your help and your staff's help in working with Kristin to encourage her to stay and try camp. She talked for days about the new friends she made, what nice counselors there were, and how much fun she had. An interesting note - she mentioned how several of the girls (and perhaps her counselor - I'm not sure) had a discussion about fears and learned others have fears also, even some anxious times too. Hopefully this has helped her know she is not alone and gained some insight in how to cope with them. She does have a [mental health] counselor and is anxious to take her camp photo album that she made to share with her. We also talked about how you can turn to your faith in God to help you through some of these challenging times. Thank you again!

But wait, there's more. Camp isn't done for everyone. Family Camp happens next week. Also, read below for information on the Senior Adult Retreat and a Silent Retreat, both happening at the Christian Conference Center.

Dayna Kinkade, Senior Pastor of Norwalk Christian Church, directed her 20th year of church camp in June. Dayna's service hasn't just helped improve the campers, counselors and interns at her specific camps. For several years, Dayna has also been the primary curriculum writer for the region's homegrown Junior Camp curriculum. See the links for curriculum that Dayna humbly submits, year after year: Table Matters, God is Bigger, The Amazing Disciple Producing Machine, Bible

Thank you, Dayna, for all of the ways you've made camp and other regional ministries better - and especially your work helping articulate the Disciples Together vision.

Over 100 people from Disciples congregations in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota traveled to Nashville, TN in July for worship, worshipful work, and all of the connections with other Disciples that we value as Disciples Together. General Assembly is often a reunion for Disciples pastors to see friends from seminary and congregations they formerly served. It happens every two years -- which can seem both too often and too far apart between gatherings.

Thankfully, this year General Assembly worship services and special sessions were broadcast on both the General Assembly's website and the region's website (http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/). If you missed them, or if you want to watch again, many of the sermons and musical clips are available at: http://umw.cc/ga11vids

The Upper Midwest didn't have an "official gathering" at Assembly, but pastors Alan Berneman and Doug Burton organized an informal ice cream social at Mike's ice cream shop, close to the convention center.

Highlights from General Assembly include:

• Hope Partnership, a new combined ministry of Disciples Home Missions, Church Extension, and Higher Education and Leadership Ministries launched to focus on congregational transformation.
• The re-election of Sharon Watkins as General Minister and President.
• The Tuesday assembly business session held an assembly-wide small group discussion on issues with immigration and gave a model for congregations to use in discerning how to respond to divisive social issues. The assembly
• Youth groups competed in a dodgeball tournament to raise money for Week of Compassion disaster relief and development assistance
• The General Assembly committed to pray and research for the next two years the issue of "Moral Injury and Spiritual Care in a Time of War" as congregations have a new wave of veterans returning home who have experienced combat. The assembly unanimously moved to make this healing ministry a priority.
• Fred Craddock artfully wove together three congregations' stories of transformation during a worship service.
• Lexington Theological Seminary announced their new President, Charisse Gillett

Doris Wolf died July 21st from a fight with cancer. Doris served in many positions in the more than 25 years she served the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest. At one point, she was Associate Regional Minister for Administration. In all of those years, she served with four different Regional Ministers.

Richard Guentert, former Regional Minister, shared a eulogy at her memorial service. He described Doris' work with gratitude: "As an Associate Regional Minister for Administration, Doris was a team player – She had a mature sense of what it meant to be a collaborative co-worker, a person who could be counted on to carry her fair share of the effort." But that fair share came with some other virtues: "Part of Doris’ effectiveness was because of her frankness – You always knew where she stood on any matter. You never had to wonder if she’d say one thing in one setting, and say something different in another. How refreshing in an age of "people pleasers," to be able to count on a person’s authenticity and integrity."

Doris was a member of Ankeny Christian Church when she died (and it is there where her husband Clint still worships). Over the years, Doris also worshipped at Runnels and Grimes while serving on regional staff. "She was always willing to be of service wherever she was – at Runnels, at Grimes, at Ankeny – wherever. It mattered not where she worshipped, you could always count on the fact that she would be one of the volunteers in the mission and ministry of that fellowship. She was never just a "joiner" – but always a "selfless servant worker," deeply invested – a "get-er-done" kind of individual in the church."

Rev. Guentert closed her eulogy with a good theology of death from the Apostle Paul: "No tribulation that forms against us shall prosper – for "greater is the One that is in us," than is the presence of death in the world. This enemy will have no dominion and no victory. For we "put on the whole armor of God." Then all of life is changed and rearranged by the reign of God. We have "the name which is above every name," because we are followers of Christ Jesus.

So across that label with the word "Death" on it, God stamps the word, "Cancelled." And because of Jesus who has overcome the fears of life, and the dread of death, we can thank God for the victory, and we can say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Doris has fought the good fight. She has finished the race. She has kept the faith. So there is reserved for her the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to her on that day, and not only to her, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O Death is your victory? Where, O Death is your sting? But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! (I Cor. 15:55 & 57)

Editor's note: Special thank you to Richard for sharing his eulogy both at her memorial service and with the rest of the region through the DT Express. Thank you also to Clint and Doris' family for sharing her with the region during the part of her lifetime of service we benefitted from.

Senior Adult Retreat, Christian Conference Center, Newton, IA - Sunday, September 11– Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The retreat theme is "Renew Your Mind", and we will be learning a great deal from our keynote speakers (Roslyn Gunnick, Sue Woods, Adam Frieberg, and Julie Gibson). Thanks to medical advances we live longer and healthier. As we live longer lives, how do we keep our minds fresh? Join us as we learn together about the brain and aging, life long learning, spiritual practices, and the tools of technology we can use today.

We’ll have interesting keynotes, meaningful worship, and great singing. Add to that, lots of fellowship activities, leisure activities, wonderful food, comfortable lodging, and an optional work project to benefit the Conference Center. What a grand 48 hours!

Cost is $100 to stay in the Lodge at the Conference Center (2 nights & 6 meals).

We will be collecting an offering at our closing worship to help us raise funds for "camperships" (camp scholarships) to help our young people attend church camp next summer. This Holy Ground has been a blessing to many, and we would like to help others experience God in this place.

Registration Form
Peace to you,
Sue Woods (College Ave CC, Des Moines)
Suzanne Stout (First Christian Church, Des Moines)
Karen Fausch (First Christian Church, Nevada, IA)
2011 Retreat Co-Coordinators

Silent Retreat: "be still and know I AM" … a retreat of simple, silent living

Where: Christian Conference Center, Newton, IA: $60 includes private room for 2 nights & 4 meals.

Leaders: Janet Lott is a retreat setting designer and leader and a licensed minister in the UMWCC Region. She has planned and led several retreats for the Region. Sue Prins is a freelance artist and has also designed and led retreats for this Region. Janet and Sue, both living in Ames, IA, have been co-creating worship and retreat settings together for nearly 20 years and would delight in sharing this experience with you. Questions?: Janet ~ jalott@isunet.net / 515-232-3522
Sponsor: The Ministry of Spiritual Nurture of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest was formed in 2010 to provide a diversity of spiritually forming, deepening and nurturing experiences for people in the region.

Silent Retreat Brochure
Silent Retreat Registration
Silent Retreat Information
Silent Retreat Poster

September 30th – October 2nd, 2011
Paynesville, MN

Retreat Leader: Rev. Gail Thiessen
Gail enjoyed a sabbatical to New Zealand early in 2010, and she will share with us from her experiences and things learned as together we see "Through a New Lens"

Retreat Flyer
Retreat Registration Form

Dr. Tim Diebel
Instructor

The first class for the new Upper Midwest School for Ministry begins the week of September 12th.

We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Tim Diebel, pastor of First Christian Church, Des Moines, will teach the first course in the new Upper Midwest School for Ministry. This will also be the first class for the new Commissioned Ministry Education Program (CMEP). The class subject is Church History: From Jesus To The Reformation. The text will be The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation (Vol. 1) by Justo Gonzalez. The class will be a ten week online course with students and teacher meeting in person for the first and last sessions. The cost is $250 for those who enter the CMEP (seeking commissioning), and $50 for those who wish to audit the class for continuing ed credits for their UMWCC standing (this class will provide 10 hours of credit for the 10 sessions). There will be two in-person meetings of this class, with those dates set by group consensus. This course is open to everyone, clergy and laity.

Class Registration Form

Dr. Jan Linn
Dean

To register for this class, please fill out the registration sheet. Questions? Email: Jan Linn, Dean of the UMW School for Ministry at spiritofjoy@spiritofjoymn.org or Contact Connie Derby Dicks at the Regional office: cddumw@gmail.com, (515) 255-3168.

Editor's Note: Many youth groups and congregations go on mission trips during the summer. This small collection of stories / reflections comes from those shared on Facebook or emailed to regional staff. If you want your mission work mentioned in the September issue, email it to Adam Frieberg, adam@uppermidwestcc.org. And thank you, in advance, for the work you have done!

From Jim Wakelin and Davis Street Christian Church:
We were up to our chins in mission opportunity in Joplin, Mo. People told us in advance that we should wait and come work once they were more organized in Joplin. When I called ground zero I heard a different story from both South Joplin Christian Church and First Christian Church. Help would be welcome and appreciated. As we entered Joplin, we drove along the six mile long patch of devastation. Our first stop: a local Kum & Go convenience store to ask directions to see for ourselves all that had happened. I approached the clerk a bit reluctant, wondering if she would think me shallow because of my curiosity. What I found was just the opposite... a thoughtful pause, a deep look into my eyes, and a heart-felt "Thank You" the likes of which I hadn't experienced in a long, long time. We were two strangers that had been brought together by this horrendous disaster. Yet we connected! … Since that first stop, any of the locals we've talked to have all shared the same deep appreciation for our coming. It's sad that it takes a disaster or something like this to draw us together in such ways, but then again, this is part of the beauty of who we are as children of God. I know we, as region will keep our prayers heaven bound for all the folks down here. Yet another element that causes us to be.... Disciples together!

From Jerry and Gladys Sawyer:
A call came out from JoAnn Thomas and several people from Southwestern Iowa to help fill sandbags for the region under threat of flooding. We were good at filling and tying the bags in Mills County. (We're the ones on the right!)

From Nancy Jensen and United Church of Christ in Atlantic, IA:
We went to Haiti from June 8th - 17th. Six people from the United Church of Christ of Atlantic, IA, along with others from Stickney, SD, Sibley, Pella, and Des Moines, IA, made the journey to Caiman, Haiti to become partners with the United Christians International mission project there. We went as mission helpers, but the blessings received are innumerable!

The Atlantic congregation, along with the Exira Christian Church and the Council Bluffs Broadway Christian Church, collected hundreds of pounds of school supplies to take to the young school in Caiman. The school was built following the earthquake in southern Haiti. A thousand plus people came north into the Caiman area and many people took in others, sometimes having 30-40 people living in their already crowded, small homes. Many of the displaced were children and teachers, so the mission built a Christian school where 130 pre-schoolers through first graders now study. Each year, they will add a grade and expand as the students move on to the next grade. The prayer is also to begin a trade school at the same location in the mission so that those in their late teens on up can gain skills that will give them a lifetime of employment.

Two things that readily come to mind are the graciousness and spiritual joy that you see in Haitian Christians. The people are incredibly open to others and so willing to share what they have. They may not have material possessions, but they have a song to share with you, or a piece of bread and a smile from the heart. They are so very proud of the strides they have made, but it isn’t a pride that centers on self achievement. It is an acknowledgement of what God has blessed them with that they have taken and used to improve life for the many.

The Des Moines cluster of Disciples congregations is joining together to help build a house with Habitat for Humanity on October 1st, 2011.

Flyer
Summary
Sign Up Sheet
See the regional website for waivers of liability and other documents.

Julie Gibson
Partner Regional Minister

"Who is your Jesus?" - A Holy Ground conversation with Liz and Doug Searles

One of the loveliest moments of the summer so far is my lunch with the Searles, our Global Ministries missionaries in Poland!  We met at Holy Ground, our Christian Conference Center in Newton. Together, we discovered that churches in the Upper Midwest Region and those in Poland face similar challenges.

Like folks in our partner congregations of The Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland (the "KER"), we too wonder: "How might we share our faith with our neighbors?"" We look at our small congregations and ask: "How might we reach out to our communities?" We look at how we worship, and wonder: "How might we expand our welcome to a broader group of seekers and believers?"

I learned that the Searles often are moved to ask: "Who is your Jesus?" or "What does your Jesus care about?" They ask congregations to picture Jesus walking alongside us in the Way, asking: "Am I not worthy of following?"

Such challenging queries most certainly influence the responses we are moved to articulate! We might all be encouraged to pray, discern and wrestle with how we might answer these very questions.

Doug and Liz bring good hearts and willing hands to international ministry. We are blessed to be in conversation with them as they serve in Poland.

When I asked how we in Iowa might support their work with our partners in Poland, they responded with a few ideas for us to consider prayerfully:

• SUMMER CAMP 2012: The KER would love to encourage 2 or 3 young adults (ages 22-30 or so) to come help with a camp for ages 16-22 near the Czech border (think Prague, then mountains). In 2010, 35 youth attended camp.
• WORK CAMP 2013: The KER would welcome a mission group willing to do some light work and outreach, like the one Don Hiscox led last year.
• PASTOR EXCHANGE: Iowa pastors could to travel to Poland, or KER pastors could come to Iowa to work together for a few weeks. Perhaps your congregation would welcome a "shadow pastor." Most communicate well in English, although few in the congregations speak English.
• PRAYER AS RELATIONSHIP: Most of all, the Searles and congregations in Poland would treasure our prayers--an important aspect of our relationship.

Do you sense God's holy spirit whispering in your ear about any of these possibilities?  If so, contact Connie Derby Dicks and share your early interest. (515) 255-3168 or cddumw@gmail.com

The fire was still glowing brightly after our evening campfire. The smell of smoke filled the air. I sat on one of the benches surrounding the fire and watched the high school youth and counselors huddle together in small groups. Some were laughing and obviously happy. Others looked concerned and pensive. A few of them sat alone as I did looking lost in thought.

Their combined voices filled my mind when suddenly another voice spoke to my heart and spirit. The words were both comforting and challenging. They seemed to share a special message to me, but soon I realized they were for all of us. I rushed back to my room and wrote them down. When I shared them with the whole camp the next morning, many told me they knew those words were a message from God for them. Here is what I heard:

"Listen to me. You are not here by accident. You are not alone. I am with you. I love you and I am pleased with you. Yes! You can do it! I know you don’t feel okay, but you are. You are special. I know because I made you. I am calling you to do ministry so don’t ignore or argue with me. There is hope. Your weakness is my strength. Stop that! It is hurting you and others around you. Let it go. I will take care of it. Forgive them, I have. Forgive yourself, I have. Be still and know that I am God. Let me bless you and use you to bless others."

In the days after my sharing I saw God's message begin to sink in. God's words lifted their hearts and their spirits soared. At the last campfire three youth stepped forward for prayer as they pursue God's call into ministry.

I know that God is everywhere, but camp has always been a sacred and holy place for me. I saw and heard God there and I came home filled with God's Spirit of hope, joy, peace and love. And those words I heard at the campfire still echo in my heart and mind. I share those words with you in case they have meaning for you as well.

As we look to our future we need to listen and follow God's lead. Let’s not get distracted or discouraged. God challenges us to stay focused and faithful. God has a powerful purpose in mind for us. Paul’s words in Romans 12:9-18 come to mind:

"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Some background: Every Wednesday night the church offers supper to anyone who shows up. That's usually about 80-125 people. The supper is advertised word of mouth and by a simple wooden sign in the church yard. That's all. Food is provided by church members, folks who attend and by a local grocery store who offers us their day-old bread and soon-to-expire produce and deli foods. The cooking, serving and clean-up is mostly done by a core group of church members. The two folks who dedicate the most time and effort to this event are Garry and Justina. On Tuesday, Garry went to the doctor and ended up in the hospital.

So at the church, pastor Jann Osborn and the church secretary Bev made some fast and furious plans to cover the tasks that Garry would normally do. David was enlisted to gather the food from the grocery store. Connie took charge of the kitchen prep. Joan came in the early afternoon so that someone would be here when one of the group homes came to make their dish for the evening meal. Rev Jann decided that she'd make a casserole for the meal. I couldn't figure out how to help in person because I was without transportation, so I helped in the only way I knew how. I prayed that God would provide.

Well, I talked with Rev Jann by phone early afternoon. She told me that she was coming into the church building, trying to carry four bags of groceries, a soft drink and open the door when a young man came up and asked if she needed help. She accepted his offer of help. He said that he was riding his bicycle past the church, saw the sign and saw her struggling with the door so he stopped. He asked if we needed help later and she told him to return at 4:45. He could help as he was able and he'd have a free meal.

He returned! I visited with Thad, a very nice young man. He had prayed with the kitchen crew, helped serve the food, and was washing dishes when I met him. I asked if he could help with the vacuuming too, and he said "Sure." I tried several times to thank him for his help, but he kept saying, "Don't thank me. All the glory goes to God. I rode past the church, but I could feel God calling me back. I knew that I was supposed to be here." I invited Thad to return next week and he said that he would.

So -- that's my story. Thad was God with skin on for us at Broadway Christian who are trying our best to be God's hands and feet in this world. Tell me, where have YOU seen God at work lately?

Many ministers have asked, "could the DT Express also share Disciples news from outside of our region?" It's a good question and a tricky one. Not all news is relevant to all readers. We'll try to share "general interest" news (such as the latest Week of Compassion responses); however, a better goal is to serve as curators rather than regurgitating much of the announcements that come from General Ministries and other regions.

To see current conversations happening over Twitter, the #ccdoc hashtag is good to follow:

#ccdoc
If you're interested in subscribing to the many email newsletters that come out weekly, bi-monthly, quarterly and yearly, here is a list of where to find General Units' news:

AM 1 - Personal Transformation - Robert Pickerell

AM 2 - "Faith Practices" Curriculum - Daniel Mayes

AM 3 - "Two by Two", Free Bible School Curriculum for Your Church - Debbie Griffin

AM 4 - Basic Music Reading - Tim Butler

AM 5 - Beyond Alligator Wrestling - Bill Spangler-Dunning

AM 6 - Communication in the Small Congregation - Dennis Sanders

AM 7 - Congregation Finances - Andy Hughes

AM 8 - Congregational Energy Efficiency - Susan Guy

Making the Shift Learning Track - Congregational Transformation Task Group

AM 9a - Music & Message Shift - Mary Jane Button Harrison

AM 9b - Missional Shift - Bill Kerns

AM 9c - Spiritual Shift - Paul Witmer and Julie Bishop Gibson

AM 9d - Directional Shift - Tom Webster and Sue Woods

AM 10 - Honoring the Taste of Place-Part 1 - Tim Diebel, Dave Clark

AM 11 - Death and Dying - Bob Haskin

AM 12 - Having "the Talk": Youth, Technology, Limits, and the Church - Adam Frieberg

AM 13 - Elders & Pastor As a Team - CJ Latham and Larry Michael

AM 14 - Empowering Youth Leaders - Melanie Van Weelden

AM 15 - Ministry in Rural Communities - Wendy Todd

AM 16 - Mission Trip Planning - Earlin Shanno and JoAnn Thomas

AM 17 - The Real Reason Young Adults Don't Come to Church - Peter Mitchell

AM FUN - Bethany Village!! - Bert Burns

AM TECH - Creative Use of Audio-Visuals for the Futuristic Church - Ken Briggs and IRMS

PM 18 - Ministry to Persons with Dementia, their families, and their churches - Dennis McKee

PM 19 - News! Share! Tips! Office ideas for Church Secretaries & Administrative Assistants - Amber Elliott

PM 20 - Praying Your Church Alive - Dale O'Connell

PM 21 - Reimagining Church by Frank Viola: Book Discussion - Alan Finestead

PM 22 - Church 2.0 - Christian Piatt

PM 23 - "Doing the Best With What You Have" - Scott Stillwell and Bette Klein

PM 24 - Technology; Working Together - Stephen Haney

PM 25 - Transformation: Are we Imitating the Radical Christ? - Pasha Buck

Making the Shift Learning Track - Congregational Transformation Task Group

PM 26a - Music & Message Shift - Mary Jane Button Harrison

PM 26b - Missional Shift - Bill Kerns

PM 26c - Spiritual Shift - Paul Witmer

PM 26d - Directional Shift - Tom Webster and Sue Woods

PM 27 - Honoring the Taste of Place-Part 2 - Tim Diebel, Dave Clark

PM 28 - Kids Against Hunger - Frosty VanVoorst & Don Fields

PM 29 - Talkin' Turkey, Woman to Woman Trip - Linda Lighthall

PM 30 - Disciples Working Together for International Mission Trips - Jerry Sawyer, Karla Rice, Ann Hansen

PM 31 - Finding God in Our Differences - Julie Bishop Gibson

PM 32 - Supercharged Worship Services: The Workings of a Worship Team - Nancy Jensen & Atlantic

PM 33 - Right Now Lead Beyond These Walls - Faith In Action - Gail Theissen

PM 34 - Transforming Education for Growing Church - Linda Ford, PTS

PM FUN - Bethany Village!! And Rap it Up! - Bert Burns & Margaret Hutchens