• Special Called Regional Assembly - April 9th
• Listening Conferences for Called Regional Assembly
• 2011 Summer Camp Information
• Don Hiscox, Associate Regional Minister, Announces Retirement
• FCC Minneapolis Charts Future
• Pastors' Class Retreat at Norwalk CC, April 1-2
• From Around the Region
• "Call for Workshop Presenters" for School for Congregational Learning (August 27th, 2011)
• Announcing "The Jubilee Fund" (Clergy Debt Relief)
• Update from The Patricks (Missionaries in Zimbabwe)

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".

To register for the event (or for more information), go to: http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/2011/03/02/called-assembly/

Bill Spangler-Dunning
Lead Transitional Regional Minister and President

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:

• First Christian Church, Des Moines IA, March 6th 3:30 PM
• 2 Webinar sessions: March 3rd and 10th at 6:30 PM. 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
• Fort Dodge (TBA)

If you would like a listening conference in your area please contact Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning at bsdumw@gmail.com.

Blessings,
BSD

Are you between the ages of 7 and 90? Do you dream of going to summer camp? Over 1000 campers will attend at least one of our 24 summer camps in 2011. Most of the camps take place at the Christian Conference Center, our Region's foremost symbol of our churches' ministry as Disciples Together. Don't miss out.

The camp theme this year is "Potluck" - get ready for the deep spiritual lessons that come when we say "please" and "thank you."

Camper Registration forms are at http://www.christianconferencecenter.org/camps/
Counselor Registration forms are at http://www.christianconferencecenter.org/camps/camp-counselors/

Questions? Please contact Bert Berns, our Regional Minister for Camp and Conference Center Ministries at bb@uppermidwestcc.org or (641) 792-1266.

Don Hiscox
Regional Minister for Congregational and Clergy Care

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

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!

Many congregations offer a "Pastor's class" for baptism preparation. Because Disciples practice "believer's baptism," this class is for those new to and growing up in faith (rather than for their parents or others shepherding and guiding new believers). Often, Pastor's classes are youth between 10 and 14 years old. Several ministers and youth group leaders in Central Iowa are holding a joint retreat at Norwalk Christian Church to fit into their baptism preparation schedules. Here is the information for the upcoming retreat.

Location:
Norwalk Christian Church is located at 701 Main Street in Norwalk.  Highway 28 is the highway that runs north/south through town and connects to the bypass.  Head south on 28 and turn east (left if coming from the north) on North Street (this is the stoplight by the old Kum and Go)  Proceed to the 4-way stop, turn right and you will see the church.  The church phone number is 515-981-0176 if you get lost.

Items to Bring:

• $3.00 and a snack to share
• Bible and pencil/pen
• Sleeping bag/pillow
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Hand towel for face and hand washing
• Pajamas and/or sweats appropriate for a mixed crowd
• Air mattress, if desired

For a schedule of the weekend, visit http://www.uppermidwestcc.org/2011/02/23/pastors-class-retreat-at-norwalk-christian-church/

Other Questions:
Contact -  Dayna Kinkade at 515-981-0176 (church)  515-491-2076 (cell)

February was a time of cars not starting, red stuffy noises, and arms that ache from scooping all the snow.!! This February there were so many churches doing different activities to warm up the season! Congregations are forgetting the snow and ice and warming it up with love, laughter, meals and coffee!! Please be sure the Regional Office is receiving your newsletters by forwarding them to Amber Elliott (adeumw@gmail.com), Adam Frieberg (amfumw@gmail.com) or Connie Derby Dicks (cddumw@gmail.com).

Warming up with Soup:

• Souper Bowl of Caring – On Super Bowl Sunday First Christian Church, Ottumwa & United Protestant Church Silver Bay, MN have an annual Souper Bowl of Caring luncheon. They enjoy 4-6 different soups and dessert. They make aware that even in the enjoyment of the Super Bowl football game, we need to be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat. The church members eat a bowl of soup and come together to collect money and canned goods to donated to food pantries.
• Super Sunday of Giving – One in six Americans struggle with the reality of hunger and food insecurity. On Super Bowl Sunday First Christian Church, Fort Madison brings items to be placed in a grocery cart or money in a  soup pot to donate to their local Food Pantry.

Warming up with Coffee:

• Pie with the Pastor – A group of 8-12 members of Park Avenue Christian Church, Des Moines get together for pie and coffee with the pastor. This is a great chance for people to share in fellowship and to get to know one another.
• Coffee Fellowship – First Christian Church, Creston is in need of more coffee! Fellowship time is used for laughter and fun  and their coffee supply is running low. Members of the church have been asked to donate coffee to continue this great fellowship time!
• Coffee Coffee Coffee – Sunday morning fellowship hosts are needed to bring treats and host the coffee at Lake Harriet Christian Church, Minneapolis MN. A tasty treat and warm coffee with fellowship to warm up!
• Coffees with Pastor Suzy – Members of First Christian Church, Fairfield are invited to join Pastor Suzy for coffee every Monday morning for warmth, coffee and discussions.
• Coffee Shop – A cute coffee shop was added to First Christian Church, Newton for their coffee fellowship time.
• Fellowship Breakfast – The Social Life Committee of Ankeny Christian Church is hosting coffee and breakfast! What a great time to meet new members, see old friends, and enjoy a hot breakfast that you don’t have to prepare!

Warming up with Friends:

• 50^th Anniversary - Jerry Zanker, a former member and Timothy of Central Christian Church, Boone is celebrating his 50^th Anniversary as a pastor. He is currently pastor of First Christian Church Marysville, Kansas. A 50^th Anniversary Celebration and cards are welcome at FCC 209 N. 9^th St, Marysville, KS 66508.
• Sledding Party – An all church sledding party will be held by First Christian Church, Hampton. An open invitation for anyone who would like to attend! Bring kids, grandkids, grandparents and friends! Hot drinks will be provided to warm up!
• Stitch and Chatter – First Christian Church, Panora has made and donated 32 quilts for the Panora 3C’s – Children’s Clothes Closet. The group needs more thread, fabric, and flat sheets and blankets to continue with the service. This group laughs together and shares lots of chatter while creating blankets for a great cause!

Warming up with Love:

• Spaghetti Dinner – Tables were decorated, cookies were made and gifts were prepared for Drake Avenue Christian Church, Centerville annual Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner.
• Valentine’s Dinner – Marinated Baked Chicken Breasts or Roast Pork Loin with party potatoes, salad, green beans, roll, dessert and a drink were prepared for First Christian Church, Keokuk Valentine’s Dinner.
• Sunday School ‘Cover-up” – The 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday School class of Runnells Christian Church has been reading about helping others who don’t have anything. They made a trip to the homeless shelter. They made fleece scarves and hats in hopes this will help those in need “cover-up.:
• Mending Hearts – A special Valentine Dinner was held at Peaches Restaurant. Members of First Christian Church, Burlington were looking forward to this special evening for everyone!
• Let me call you Sweetheart – United Church of Christ, Atlantic held their first Valentine’s Dinner in their new Fellowship Hall! This annual event is not only for your sweetheart but also bring a co-worker, neighbor or friend to have a great dinner for two!
• Valentine Party – Bring your sweetheart, spouse, children, friend or neighbor to First Christian Church, Chariton’s Lasagna Dinner. All food was be furnished and laughter was heard!
• Open your curtains – First Christian Church Nevada pastor, Karen Fausch tells the story about opening the curtains and letting the light shine in, really needing the sunlight. Karen writes “When the days of winter seem shadowy and long, may we turn to the upmost light ever born and ask relief from the gloom.”

Planning has begun for this year's School for Congregational Learning.

Date: August 27, 2011
Location: West Des Moines Christian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Worship Preacher: Christian Piatt
Theme: "Great Awakenings"

We are now accepting proposals from those who feel they have teaching to offer congregations. Workshop presenters are volunteers and not paid ... except with gratitude.

If you think you have skills to offer, please tell us more ...

Visit HERE to submit electronically or e-mail Adam Frieberg amfumw@gmail.com with your answers to these questions:

• Your Contact Information
• Proposed Workshop Title
• Proposed Workshop Description
• What makes you qualified to talk about this?
• What will participants gain from coming to your workshop?
• Anything else we need to know about this workshop? (Such as special media needs, space issues, internet access, etc. ...)

Disclaimer
Space is limited for speakers and topics. The region's "Congregational Vitality Unit" has the final say on which workshops are offered in the time and space we have.

Please direct any questions to the unit's chair, Brent Cantrell (brent@centralchristianwaterloo.org or Bill Spangler-Dunning (bsd@uppermidwestcc.org).

And thank you again for your willingness to share your skills and gifts.

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.

"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

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.

The following letter has been received from Dale and Mary Patrick, members of Glen Echo Christian Church in Des Moines, who are experiencing a two-year ministry in Zimbabwe.  Please read and enjoy!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

We just finished our first week of classes.  I am teaching Hebrew and Reading Genesis.  Not a full load, but all that I have been allotted for this semester.  I do have enthusiastic students (so far).  Not much else to say about school right now.

We have been listening to BBC and VOA seriously to pick up whatever news we can get (and it's a lot) about the peaceful overthrow of Mubarek in Egypt (and before that, Tunisia).  There is a democratic tide sweeping through the Middle East, and those of us south of the Muslim world are also feeling the pressure.  This doesn't mean that much will come of it.  Not many of these "new democrats" know that democracy won't work unless you limit the power of rulers, indeed, set up all sorts of checks and balances.  That's certainly true in Zw.

There are fears among my colleagues that Zw entering a repressive, violent time.  Z. PF is engaging in beating up people, driving them from their farms and houses, burning the houses of prominent MDC members, attacking foreigner-owned businesses, etc.  You evidently can read about such activities on expat blogs.  The churches have to house, feed and protect the victims.  The German government has just pledged a 100,000 euros to these emergency efforts.

We ourselves avoid downtown areas during the evening and on weekends, just in case that we would make good victims because we are white.  But we are not giving up on our Saturday night meals out and things like this visit to the Internet Cafe.  I am at a suburban shopping center frequented by whites as well as blacks.

Well, that is the news for now.  Hope to hear from you.  That way I can know that I am making contact.  One of the worst things about living where we do is that we feel isolated and vulnerable.

Shalom, Dale dalepatrick95@yahoo.com

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.