March 2^nd, 2007	9^th  Weekly Edition                                               2007 GRR CURRENTS
PRAYER CONCERNS	Rev. Fred Rohlfs, Pastor Northeast Christian Church in Madison, MS and Dentville Christian Church in Hazelhurst, 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. Dumas, AR, A tornado wiped out 2/3 of Dumas, AR Saturday. Though we don't have a church in the community, I have had questions as to ways our congregations can respond. Tina from our office went down to Dumas Monday at my request and visited with the Sheriff, the Red Cross, and the church community. There is no water, no electricity in any of the towns nearby. Most people are staying with families and friends so there isn't a huge additional need for shelter. The Methodists and Baptists, along with the Red Cross, are heading up recovery work. Churches/individuals willing to make donations of supplies/resources to assist in the recovery efforts are encouraged to do so through the Red Cross or Rev. Ross Woodberry of First Baptist Church, Waterman Street, Dumas, AR 71639. His cell phone is 870-377-2478. Immediate needs are water, Bibles, paper towels, hand sanitizer and soap, diapers, batteries, and flashlights. No clothes at this time, please. May God's grace and mercy reach all in need in Dumas, Spiro OK, and other communities affected by this weekend's storms. Barb
JOYS	Engagement of Chuck Pickrel & Lara Blackwood. The wedding date is August 11^th, 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	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 can be obtained online at: Preaching For Transformation. 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’m headed to retreat with the women of Kings Highway Christian Church this weekend. Ministry Committee met this week and the members are: Northern – Jim Mattson, Don Morrow, Donna Rountree and Miles Cook; Central – David Brice, Lucian Lee, vacancy; MCMC – Russell Myers; Southern – Frank Johnson and Michael Karanus. The chair is Randy Jay. From Vivian Bryant: Black Minister’s Retreat in Dallas, Texas will be held on March 5-8, 2007. Vivian Bass Bryant will be the guest preacher for the Tuesday, March 6 evening worship service. The GRR Disciples Women raised $2,423.97 last year to help women in Disciples congregations replace household items lost in the 2005 hurricanes. Bettie Duhon, Judy Parker, Evelyn Nickerson and Ann Pickett will work together to disburse the funds. If you know of women who are still replacing items in their homes and could use a little assistance, please contact bettie@grrcc.org and let her know. From Rick Hamilton:  Two Lay People from First Christian Church, Fayetteville Arkansas are attending the dedication and celebration service of Wrenchville CC in South Africa. Wrenchville is the congregational Ministry of our Global Mission Partner, Tim Colvin. Cheryl Sybrant and Tammy Bubniak will be returning in mid March and reports to the congregation and the region will follow. Last Sunday I was in worship with First Christian Church in Fort Smith, AR, where I met with the Church Growth committee. This week is Pastoral Staff and Ministry Committee in Monroe, followed by a trip to the Disciples of Christ Historical Society early next week. 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. 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 session is: March 7         "Disciples and Church Structure" The Rev. Bill Hale You are welcome to come with or without the book. From Dan Thornhill: Central Arkansas area Disciples are invited to Parkview Christian Church (9300 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, AR, 501-565-5005) for their study sessions on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. The group will be studying “A Handbook for Today’s Disciples” by Dr. Duane Cummins, and a different area pastor will present each chapter. The schedule is as follows: March 7 – Book distribution & Intro The Rev. Dan Thornhill March 14 – “The Disciples: A Historical Sketch” The Rev. Will Feland March 21 – “Disciples and Church Structure” The Rev. Barb Jones March 28 – “Disciples and the Sacraments” The Rev. Dan Thornhill April 4 – Holy Week. No study session. April 11 – “Disciples at Worship” The Rev. Miles Cook April 18 – “Disciples and Mission” The Rev. Rebecca Frankford April 25 – “Disciples and Moral-Ethical Issues” The Rev. Vivian Bryant May 2 – “Disciples and Christian Thought” The Rev. Bill Hale May 9 – “Disciples as Church Members” The Rev. Holly Patton You are welcome to come with or without the book.