CURRENTS

March 23rd, 2007

12th  Weekly Edition                                               2007 GRR CURRENTS

 

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

 

 
  • Myrna Richardson’s husband Wayne had colon surgery this week.  He is in room 607 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, AR.  The great news is that the pathology report came back today confirming that the mass they found was benign.  Myrna retired from regional staff 12/31/06.
  • Rev. Tim Colvin, formerly pastor of the Wrenchville Congregational Church in South Africa.  Her current address is 12370 Alameda Trace Circle, #223, Austin, Texas 78727.  We had a long visit this week and she wants me to thank you for the way you have surrounded her by prayer and cards.  Her bone cancer will never be cured, but the advances in treatment are such that it is now treated like a chronic illness.  She has tolerated the monthly treatments pretty well and has not lost her hair!  She will write an update for us before Easter of ways we can continue to be supportive of her, but also those she left behind in South Africa.  I have also talked to Global Ministries and we are working on ideas that I’ll share when they shape up. +Barb
  • Rev. Linda White, Associate at Park Hill CC in NLR and Mike White, director of music at Park Hill CC in NLR extend there thanks for your continuing prayers and support.  Daughter  Laura has preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition for both her and the baby, but she has improved greatly since last night when she was admitted to Baptist Springhill. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby, so there is little chance she will carry him to full-term, but hopefully she will be able to go another few weeks. He is only a little over a pound in weight now, so every week will give him more of a chance. Please continue to pray for Laura, Mike, and Taylor (the baby), whom Mike and I already love as our precious grandson.  Daughter Wendy is at this moment receiving the third IV dose of a new medicine that already seems to be helping the autoimmune problem causing the loss of her eyesight  Mike's dad, Clarence, had another fall at Robinson Healthcare and is sore, but no bones broken. We're hopeful he will be able to return to his home before too long.  Again, thank you for your support and your prayers. We are so grateful for the strength, encouragement, and hope we receive from our wonderful church family.  Sincerely, Mike and Linda White

 

 

 

JOYS

H.C. Varnadore:   Sylvia and I plan to leave early Fri morning for Decatur,ILL for our grandsons wedding on Saturday and then fly out from St Louis Sunday evening to Las Vegas for a Mental Health Association National meeting. I serve on the board of directors for the Western Ark Counseling and Guidance Center and try to attend the National Conference every other year.  What Better Place for a mental Health conference than in Las Vegas!!!  We will be back in Ft Smith Wed afternoon on the 28th...  Rick Hamilton will be preaching and I know he will be a blessing to our congregation... Keep us in your prayers for safe travels... H.C.

 

 

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 Jan Linn 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:  http://www.disciplesinstitute.org

 

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

 

SUMMER CAMP AND CONFERENCE (click for details)

 

COMPLETED K thru 2 — Discovery Camp
(June 16-17 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR)    $75 before 5/4

For Discovery Camp, all churches are required to send adult sponsors with campers.  If a church sends both male & female Discovery Campers, both male and female adult sponsors are required. 

COMPLETED 3 thru 5 — Junior Youth Fellowship (JYF) Camp
(June 17-20 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR)    $185 before 5/4

COMPLETED 6 thru 8 — Chi-Rho Camp
 (June 20-24 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR)   $195 before 5/4

COMPLETED 9TH GRADE – F.I.S2H. CAMP  (Fundamental Intro to Spiritual & Sexual Health)

      F.I.S2H. Camp (June 24-30 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR)          $245 before 5/4

COMPLETED 10 thru 12 — Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) Conference
(July 1-7 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR)         $245 before 5/4

ALL AGES - Magnolia Conference
 (June 25-30 at Roosevelt State Park in Morton, MS)

 

NEW 07

This year's NEW will be a joint venture of the NEA, The Columbia Partnership and the New Church Ministry Team of Church Extension.  It has some top-notch speakers and presenters in three tracks...church growth, coaching, and new church establishment.  Dick Hamm is the coordinator for the event as the President of The Columbia Partnership. The website www.new07.org is the best place for registration information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAFF UPDATES

 

From Barb:  I’m headed for Utica, MS this weekend.  Lucian Lee and I will represent the region in the installation of  Brad Hartzog as the called pastor of Utica Christian Church.  They are also exploring the licensing of a parish nurse following Kings Highway CC’s lead.   Last Sunday I preached at Elm Tree CC in Bentonville and was very impressed with the number of children and youth.  I even got to hold Eli, the couple’s baby who led music in worship. 

 

From Vivian Bryant:  This week I was at a training event with John Kirby in Texas where we were credentialed to lead the Clergy Sexual Ethics seminars.  Rick joined us for the last section which was Investigator Training.  This weekend I am with the LA Disciples Women Cabinet Meeting at Bettie Duhon’s home in Crowley.

 

From Rick Hamilton:  Last Week I was privileged to preach the merger celebration of National Park and Spring Valley Christian Churches in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  They are now Lakeshore Drive Christian Church.  Then I met with Parkview Christian Church in Little Rock, and their nested Spanish language congregation, "Mundo de Fe".  Last week I was in Fort Worth for Misconduct Investigator training, then off to Harrison and Berryville for congregational visits.  Sunday I will worship in Paris, Arkansas, then make a trip to Greater New Orleans Area to meet with a Spanish Language congregation there, and work a day or two with the Mission on OUR West Bank at Westside Christian Church.
Congregations in I’m working with in Search and Call:

  • Bentonville AR:  Elm Tree  - Call extended and accepted
  • Jackson MS:      First – Pastor
  • West Point MS:  First – Pastor

(Direct any inquiries to me in confidence.)

 

From Michael Elmore:  On April 29, 2007 during morning worship FCC Gulfport will have a re-dedication service for their sanctuary.  There was much damage done to their building and repairs have been made.  Rev. Nic Nickerson, Pastor will host the service and folks from Disciples Volunteering will participate as well as Regional Pastor, Michael Elmore. We celebrate with them.  FCC Gulfport continues to be a Mission Station.

Sunday I will be worshiping at FCC Lafayette.

 

Lara Blackwood:  Lara, Hannah Arambel and two other IAS participants had an adventure getting home from New York.  Luckily Ryan Pfeiffer got home to NW Arkansas through the snowstorm in time for Sunday worship, but Lara and the others got bumped and had to figure out how to work through the confusion created by cancelled flights at Laguardia Airport in New York City.  They finally got home late Sunday, and we are grateful that Lara and the adult from TX were with the two youth.  Though inconvenient and stressful, it gave an exciting end to a tremendous event and week of growth.