May 4^th, 2007	18^th  Weekly Edition                                                      2007 GRR CURRENTS
PRAYER CONCERNS	Rev. Mona Lisa Garrett, FCC Lake Charles - health concerns Karen Williams, wife of Rev. Mark Williams, FCC Camden AR Elder Patricia Parker’s mom is in St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, MS Byron Lasater's (FCC Paris) son is in Baghdad as a chaplain for the Marines From Rev. Jim Roberts, FCC Osceola AR: My beloved wife of 27 years has passed from this life into the arms of Jesus. On Monday April 30, Bonnie went home to heaven after a 15 year battle with a horrible disease. Visitation will be Friday at the First Christian Church in Osceola from 5-9. The funeral services will be Saturday morning at 10am at the First Christian Church. She was my soul mate, the love of my life. Please keep us in your prayers. From Rev. Vance Moore, FCC Westside:  Eight years ago today, Jeannie and I sat in a Doctor's office and heard the news no one wants to hear--cancer. That day Jeannie cast her faith with our Father and she's never looked back, never complained. Today, 6 major surgeries later, she's even stronger. Last Thursday I had to sit at her bedside and tell her that the cancer has returned to her brain and this time the Doctors tell us there is no hope of stopping it from spreading. No more chemo, no more radiation, no more steroids, no more pain. Today, Jeannie is in a Hospice facility in New Orleans .  Her faith is strong and simple; if God wants her here, He'll stop the spread of the cancer. If He wants her home, in her words, "Let's GO!"  She even told me it's ok if I come too!  I told her about needing to write this note to ya'll. She asked that I tell each of you how much she loves you and that she'll see you in heaven. I can only think of one way to end this note. Please know that we both love all of you and that we wish for each of you the blessings that come from serving an awesome God.  Oh, by the way, where did I see God today? Sitting with one of his children, in a hospice center in New Orleans , reading His word, Praying, and Praising Him.
EVENTS	CAMP DEADLINE IS HERE! 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.  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. Share the Feast:  Dear Friends, I am writing to invite your congregation to be a part of General Assembly in a unique way.  I hope you have already heard about this - if not – Attached is a letter from the group organizing the Chapel for General Assembly.  They have come up with a great way for every Disciple congregation to be 'present' at Assembly, even if you can't physically come.  I know you get a lot of mail about Assembly - and I hope you will take time to read this and send a chalice.  It is another means for us to connect as part of the Body of Christ and the CC(DoC). Thanks for your attention - I hope you can come to Assembly and send a Chalice. Please share this with any congregation - the more that participate – the more we have to share.  Peace, Dottie Cook
NEWS	THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINS HONORS MISSISSIPPI CHAPLAIN JEFFREY MURPHY FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP (Click here) The Regional Board will meet at First Christian Church in Vicksburg, MS, May 18-19.
STAFF UPDATES	From Barb:  Our time at General Board was very productive.  The work of the Ministry and Money Task Force I was on was approved, an Associate General Minister and Vice President was introduced, and assembly items were discussed and prepared for General Assembly.  I’m going to preach at FCC Greater New Orleans this week and head out on spiritual retreat with my Bethany Project partners T-Th.  Next weekend I’ll be doing wedding planning with my daughter in Denver. From Vivian Bryant:  Attending the AR Disciples Women’s final Spring Workshop at FCC Fort Smith, AR on Saturday, May 5^th. From Rick Hamilton:  This weekend, I will be in Shreveport, Bossier City, Mansfield, Louisiana. I will celebrate worship with the First Christian Church of Mansfield (yes, the building has been sold, but the ministry lives on!). Then on Monday evening, the Greater Bossier City/Shreveport ministers will gather for dinner and fellowship. 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: I was part of the rededication service for FCC Gulfport's sanctuary last Sunday. They expressed thanks to the many people who helped and recognized them during the service. Rev. Nic Nickerson is their pastor. Monday I traveled to Westside CC and visited with volunteers from Kentucky and with pastor Vance Moore. Wednesday and Thursday I joined FCC Lake Charles and staff from BCE and they continued the New Beginnings Process. Sunday I will join Barb at FCC Greater New Orleans for worship and meetings.