CURRENTS

February 23rd, 2007

8th  Weekly Edition                                               2007 GRR CURRENTS

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

 

 
  • Rev. Fred Rohlfs, Pastor of Northeast CC in Madison, MS
  • Rev. Byron Singleton, Chaplain at VA Hospital in Pineville, LA
  • Rev. Mona Lisa Garrett, Pastor of FCC Lake Charles, LA
  • Rev. Dana Hoover, Pastor of FCC Sulphur, LA
  • Rev. Tim Colvin, Mission in South Africa and the Wrenchville congregation.  Her address in Austin, Texas is 12370 Alameda Trace Circle, #223, Austin, Texas 78727.  Her cell phone number is (512) 769-5450.  We do not have an update yet to share regarding her treatments or the situation with the congregation in South Africa.  As soon as we do, we will let you know.
  • CYF Midwinter,  Please be in prayer this weekend for the eighty youth and adult sponsors who will gather at Camp Couchdale for CYF Midwinter.  Many will travel long distances in order to participate in this event which focuses on the theme: Move Along (Matthew 6:34 & Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

 

 

JOYS 

 

Engagement of Chuck Pickrel & Lara Blackwood.  The wedding date is August 11th, 2007 and it will take place at First Christian Church in Rogers, AR.  Time will be announced later.  Loy Hoskins will preside, along with a smattering of other ministers who "claim" us!

 

 

EVENTS

 

Midwinter Retreat for Youth:  “MOVE ALONG”

(For 9-12th Grade Youth and Adult Sponsors)

CAMP COUCHDALE – HOT SPRINGS, AR

FEBRUARY 23-25th, 2007

Registration form is online as well.

 

Preaching for Transformation workshop to be held on April 9-11, 2007 at FCC Monroe, LA.  Cost per person will be $100 and includes all meals and program.  Nationally recognized Pablo Jimenez will be the keynote speaker.  You will also have a chance to compare the three most popular organizations that are helping Disciple congregations across our denomination to be transformed into thriving, vibrant forces in their communities.  Alan Roxburgh from Allelon Missional Leadership Network will be there via live video and/or audio feed, George Bullard of  the Columbia Partnership will be with us and own Michael Elmore will present information about the Jesus Connection.  Barb Jones and Rick Hamilton will lead breakout sessions and Vivian Bryant will participate in a panel on cultural context for transformation issues.  Brochure and Registration forms will be mailed to all clergy next week.

 

JUST SAY KNOW:  Biblically Based Human Sexuality

April 20-21  Park Hill Christian Church, North Little Rock AR

Attention all Ministers, Youth Directors, Youth Workers and Parents of teens/tweens:  The Great River Region is hosting a two day workshop in coordination with CLER Ministries that will train adults to lead the JUST SAY KNOW biblically-based sexuality course. The 10 hour training event will consist of Richard and Linda Goddard taking participants through the 10-session high school sexuality course. Having completed this training, participants will be qualified, with the help of CLER Ministries' resources to conduct elementary through adult classes at their respective churches and will receive a Certificate of Completion from CLER Ministries. The workshop will take place at Park Hill Christian Church in North Little Rock on April 20-21 (Friday evening through Saturday afternoon). Registration Materials and cost will arrive shortly. Cost TBA. For more information on CLER Ministries, please go to: www.clerministries.org

 

 

 

NEWS AND ACTIVITES

 

 

From Barb:  I’ll be meeting with the Executive Committee of the Great River Region Disciples Women Cabinet today and tomorrow, and then worshipping at Covenant CC in Byram MS this Sunday.  Next week we have staff meeting followed by the Regional Ministry Committee meeting and I go from there to lead a retreat with the women of Kings Highway CC in Shreveport.  

 

From Vivian Bryant:  Executive Committee of the Disciples Women Cabinet will be meeting Friday and Saturday at Duncan Gray to make plans for the year.  The joint cabinet meeting normally held this weekend will be planned for another time this year.  Sunday worship will be with Northeast CC (Madison, MS) and Dentville CC (Hazelhurst, MS) where Pastor Fred Rohlfs serves as Pastor.

 

From Rick Hamilton:  Last week I preached at Elm Tree CC in Bentonville, AR.  Then came in second at the Fayetteville FCC Chili Cook-off.   This week I am looking forward to being in worship with FCC Fort Smith, and meeting with their church growth/evangelism team.

Congregations in I’m working with in Search and Call:

  • Bentonville AR:  Elm Tree  - Pastor  (In Negotiation)
  • Jackson MS:      First – Pastor
  • Weiner AR:         First – Interim Pastor
  • West Point MS:   First – Pastor

(Direct any inquiries to me in confidence.)

 

From Michael Elmore:  Ash Wednesday is the beginning of our spiritual journey together for Lent. I have attached the Spiritual Formation form I gave those who were at our Southern District minister’s luncheon and have also attached an excellent article about Ash Wednesday.  Let us keep in touch through out this journey sharing what happens to us during this time.  For those of you who have not joined our yahoo group I hope you will do so. May God bless us and our ministries during this Lenten Season.

Articles:  Spiritual Formation

               Crossing the Threshold into Lent

 

 

From Lara Blackwood:  The Regional Camp and Conference Brochure is on its way!  This document contains dates, prices, registration forms and descriptions for each of the camp/conference opportunities available for our youth during the summer of 2007.  This document also contains Camp Counselor/Steward application forms, Youth Commission application forms and great ideas to help you promote the summer camping program in your congregation!  Be on the lookout for this packet in your mailboxes soon!

 

From Sharon Coote:  Central Arkansas area Disciples are invited to the Pulaski Heights Christian Church (4724 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205, 501-258-2091, www.phcc-lr.org) for their study sessions on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m.  The group is studying "A Handbook for Today's Disciples" by Dr. Duane Cummins, and each chapter is being presented by a different area pastor.  

The last two sessions are as follows:

February 28   "Disciples as Church Members" The Rev. Holly Patton

March 7          "Disciples and Church Structure" The Rev. Bill Hale

You are welcome to come with or without the book.

 

The Central Arkansas-area Public Relations Campaign Ad-Hoc Committee is sponsoring a Banner-Making Workshop from 10:00 a.m. to noon, on Sat., Feb. 24, at the Pulaski Heights Christian Church, 4724 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock 72205.   We will be making vinyl banners to display outside your church.   Churches participating in the public relations campaign may participate without cost.  Churches which are not participating in the campaign may still send members at a cost of $25 per congregation to cover the cost of banner materials. Contact Shari Coote (smcoote@comcast.net or 501-258-2091)