April 6^th, 2007	14^th  Weekly Edition                                                                   2007 GRR CURRENTS
PRAYER CONCERNS	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 wrenchvillecc@yahoo.com> CLICK HERE FOR A GREETING FROM TIM TO THE GRR!! Several GRR Congregations concerned about their future ministries Rev. Carolyn Roper-Fowlkes, wife of Rev. Bruce Fowlkes (grew up at Parkview CC in Little Rock, served FCC Conway in 90’s) is recovering at UAMS from success neurosurgery Thursday. She had a tumor removed from the base of her skull. Bruce is the Chaplain at Eureka College in Illinois and Carolyn chose UAMS in Little Rock as the chief of neurosurgery is the best in the world with this particular surgery. Rev. Nancy Copin, minister in Snow Creek VA, was murdered in the parsonage on Wednesday. Regional Minister Lee Parker was with the congregation on Maundy Thursday. Details have not been released.
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 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). The cost for this event is $15 (to cover printing costs of the curriculum). Saturday's lunch and snacks will be provided and participants are encouraged to find rooms at local hotels.  If you need assistance in arranging for lodging, please contact Lara Blackwood at lara@grrcc.org.  For more information on CLER Ministries, please go to:  www.clerministries.org CAMP DEADLINES APPROACHING!!! Don't forget that the regular registration deadline for all camps/conferences is May 4th!!  After this date, each participant must pay a $50 late fee.  If you need ideas to help advertise for camps in your congregation, please check out the ideas listed in the Camp and Conference Catalog.  Also, please note the registration deadline of April 16th for all Camp Counselor, Camp Steward and Youth Commission applications!!!  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 9^TH 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.
NEWS	Disciples Home Missions (DHM) is planning to redesign its Web site, www.discipleshomemissions.org, and is interested in hearing from Disciples Regional and congregational staff. DHM staff want to know how how well its Web site has served visitors. You are invited to participate in the survey to help shape the evolution of the DHM site. To participate, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=365063398362 . Estimated time of completion is about 10 minutes.
STAFF UPDATES	From Barb:  I’ll be celebrating with Park Hill Christian Church this Holy Week, and headed to Monroe with everyone for the Preaching for Transformation workshop Monday – Wednesday. From Vivian Bryant: Arkansas Disciples Women met on Last week and did an awesome job in planning this year’s Workshop.  Here are those dates: April 21       Jonesboro, AR April 28       Fort Smith, AR May 5         Sherwood, AR Mississippi April 21       Byram, MS Louisiana April 26      Lake Charles, LA April 28       New Orleans, LA May 5         Shreveport, LA Have a blessed Holy Week!!!!! From Rick Hamilton: Most of Holy Week was spent “at home” with my family in Fayetteville and Rogers. I spent two days in the Little Rock office updating the search and call system. Paul Elliott, currently pastor of FCC Berryville, AR has accepted the call of Elm Tree CC in Bentonville, AR, to be effective in late May. As both of these congregations are in transition, please keep them in your prayers and concern. Congregations in I’m working with in Search and Call: · Jackson MS:      First – Pastor · West Point MS:  First – Pastor (Direct any inquiries to me in confidence.) From Michael Elmore: FCC Gulfport Sanctuary Rededication. The congregation will rededicate the restored sanctuary at 2111 15^th St., Gulfport, MS, at 11:00 A.M. on April 29, 2007. Representatives from The Great River Region, Disciple Volunteering, and Flores Contracting will participate in the congregation’s joy and thanksgiving for a beautiful place to worship. A fellowship dinner will follow the service - Nick Nickerson. Rev. Dana Hoover has resigned as Pastor of FCC Sulphur effective May 20th. Keep him and the church in your prayers. Rick Morse from Board of Church Extension will lead FCC Lake Charles through their New Beginnings process beginning on April 18, 2007. This is a new program for BCE to help churches look at where they are and where God may be leading them.