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TRAGEDY AT VA TECH
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We have
all been impacted by the violent killings at Virginia Tech this week. Many of you have posted pastoral notes to
your own congregations. Barb has kept in
touch with Lee Parker, the Regional Minister in Virginia to let him know that we hold them
in prayer.
According
to Lee, no Disicples students who attend VA Tech
were injured. However, their youth and
young adult staff person is reaching out to those students on behalf of the
church. DisciplesWorld
summarizes the situation.
Rev. Sharon Watkins has sent a pastoral
letter to the church, as has Rev. Guenhee Yu, Executive Pastor for NAPAD (North
American Pacific Asian Disciples).
More resources are available at Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ).
Communities
in our region know the effect of this tragedy. Over the last decade we have suffered 5
incidents that have made the news, and likely many that never go beyond local
awareness. Our three states have a
higher than normal incidence of school violence, which speaks to issues in our
communities to which we need to bring a Christian response with God’s
presence and healing.
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March 24,
1998
Jonesboro, Ark.
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Four
students and one teacher killed, ten others wounded outside as Westside Middle School emptied during a false
fire alarm. Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, shot at their
classmates and teachers from the woods.
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Dec. 15,
1997
Stamps, Ark.
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Two
students wounded. Colt Todd, 14, was hiding in the woods when he shot the
students as they stood in the parking lot.
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Oct. 1,
1997
Pearl, Miss.
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Two
students killed and seven wounded by Luke Woodham,
16, who was also accused of killing his mother. He and his friends were
said to be outcasts who worshiped Satan.
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Sept. 26,
2000
New Orleans, La.
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Two
students wounded with the same gun during a fight at Woodson Middle School.
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April 14,
2003
New Orleans, La.
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One
15-year-old killed, and three students wounded at John McDonogh High
School by gunfire from four teenagers (none
were students at the school). The motive was gang-related.
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Many of
us feel overwhelmed in the face of such evil and violence. What we must remember is that WE are
Christ’s presence in the places we live and work and have our being. Let us be engaged with our communities and
create an atmosphere of respect and trust.
Rev. Robert Cox, Madison MS, wrote
in a note responding to the VA Tech violence “their is a stronge
need for churches,
synagogues, temples; all religious groups to come togather
to reemphasize the importance of "Respect For Life." We as leaders should surface the issue of
being proactive rather than reactive. Voilence has occured in all
sectors of our society. Regardless of
race, creed, status and culture life is precious.”
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EVENTS
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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
From the TCU Alumni website:
Annual Dinner Will Honor Alumni, Friends
Notable and loyal alumni and friends will be honored at the 2007 Alumni
Awards. Dinner April 27 at the Fort
Worth Club downtown. Award-winners will include Vicki Vinson Cantwell '78, Chad
and Brenda Almes Cline '81 '82, Ronald J. "J.J." Henry '98, Janet George
Herald '74, student Neal M. Jackson '07, the Rev. Grady S. "Mack" McCarter '67, and Bill and
Kathleen Mercer. Tickets can be reserved by calling Alumni Relations at
817-257-7803 or 1-800-646-4TCU.
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 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.
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NEWS
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FCC Baton Rouge, LA:
We have changed our email address to churchoffice@fccbrla.org. You
will reach the church office and me (Brenda) at this updated
address. The previous address (angelia@fccbrla.org
) will be taken down in a few weeks -- we hope this will allow a transition
period so we don't miss any information/requests from you. Rev. Michael
Karunas' address remains michael@fccbrla.org. Thanks, Brenda Hilgendorf.
First
Christian Church, 8484 Old
Hammond Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
FCC Fort Smith, AR: Church Address Change. Our church now has a new official
address... 3501 Rogers Avenue,
Fort Smith, AR 72903.
Corrected
Dates for Disciples Women's Workshops:
April 21st
Jonesboro,
AR &
Byram, MS
April 26th
Lake Charles, LA
April 28th
Sherwood, AR & Metairie, LA
May 5th
Fort Smith,
AR &
Shreveport, LA
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STAFF UPDATES
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From
Barb: I spent Easter as worship leader at my home
congregation, Park Hill Christian Church, and enjoyed having family
home. Last week we were all at the
“Preaching for Transformation” workshop in Monroe.
This week I’ve been in the office, and leave today for three weeks on
the road which includes a personal weekend to work on Kim’s wedding, General
Board, College of Regional Ministers, a quick visit to meet with FCC
Greater New Orleans and finally a spiritual retreat in Pennsylvania with my Bethany Project team
members. I will remain available by
email and cellphone.
From
Vivian Bryant:
AR Disciples Women will present their Spring Workshop Saturday, April 21 in Jonesboro, AR. I will be the preacher at Highland Drive
Christian Church in Jonesboro,
AR Sunday, April 22. Robert Cox will be installed as Pastor at
FCC in Hermanville,
MS on Sunday, April 29 at 3
p.m. I’m honored to deliver the sermon at this event.
From
Rick Hamilton: CHRIST IS RISEN!
Easter
celebration at FCC Fayetteville was such a blessing. The chancel area was so full during
children’s moment that there was no room to walk! On Monday I went immediately to the
Preaching for Transformation workshop in Monroe.
Learning the resources, systems and models in place, was both exciting
and refreshing. First Christian
Church of Harrison, Arkansas
has announced the Celebration of Covenant of Call for Rev. Dr. David Artman, AND Rev. Patty Methvin will be Sunday, April 22nd
at 4:00 p.m. All are welcomed and encouraged to join in
this celebration.
This week
was spent upgrading the search and call system for the region. Now that the
now denominational system is up and running, ministers entering search and
call will need to expect to do all of their submissions online. This change creates a much more fluid
system for the churches in search.
Sunday I will be at Fayetteville FCC teaching children’s church, then
off to Harrison for the Celebration of
Covenant of Call for Dr. David Artman, and Rev.
Patty Methvin. We were saddened to
receive the news that Rev. Bernie Fielder will end his ministry with First
Christian Church of Ozark, Arkansas
at the end of the month. Also, Allen
Mayo is ending his service to First Christian Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Congregations in I’m working with in Search and Call:
- Jackson, MS:
First Christian – Pastor
- West Point, MS: First Christian –
Pastor
- Berryville, AR: First Christian
- Ozark, AR: First Christian
All
inquiries should be directed to me in confidence: rick@grrcc.org
From Michael
Elmore: FCC Gulfport Sanctuary
Rededication. The
congregation will rededicate the restored sanctuary at 2111 15th 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.
I joined
Rev. Dr. Rick Morse, BCE as we met with FCC Lake Charles and began the New
Beginnings Assessment. Follow up session will be on May 2nd &
3rd.
I am
attending Juliette Fowler Homes Board meeting in Dallas through Saturday.
From Lara Blackwood:
This weekend I will be at Park Hill Christian Church in North Little Rock for
the CLER Ministries "Just Say Know" workshop/training. This
training is designed to prepare youth leaders, ministers, parents and other
adults to use and teach the "Just Say Know" curriculum (a
Biblically-based human spirituality & sexuality curriculum for youth of
all ages). The workshop will take place from Friday at 7 pm to Saturday at 4:30 pm. If you will be in
the Little Rock area, have not registered for the workshop, and would like to
attend, please come to Park Hill Christian Church at 7 pm with your $15
registration fee. We will make room for you!!
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