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June 15^th, 2007	22^nd  Weekly Edition                                                      2007 GRR CURRENTS
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS	The GRR Camp and Conference season has begun! Please pray for all working with and attending camp: safe travels, deepening faith, renewed relationships with friends across the region. Sunday June 17 is RONNY GRAY DAY at Broadmoor Christian Church in Shreveport, LA. Ronny is celebrating 50 years in music ministry at Broadmoor. Elm Tree Christian Church in Bentonville, AR has welcomed Paul Elliott as their new pastor. Paul and Mary have moved from Berryville FCC to Elm Tree, and he will continue his studies at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK Bro. Bob Parks has announced his plans to retire from Lakeshore Drive Christian Church (formerly National Park) at the end of June. Bob has faithfully served the congregation for more than a decade. Jeannie Moore, wife of Rev. Vance Moore is now at home, receiving Hospice care there. Ministers and volunteers from across the Great River Region joined First Christian Church of Kokomo, IN in a service of dedication on Thursday for the parsonage, mission center and sanctuary. It was a special moment when Vance gathered all clergy present around Jeannie’s bed and allowed us to pray with her. A formal service of dedication will be held August 5. Cards can be sent to PO Box 740423, New Orleans LA 70174. Carole and Jeff Murphy. Just a quick note to let everyone know that Carol and I are fine.  We were in a rather severe car wreck and are bruised, but a nurse one the scene checked us out and sent us on.  We were on our way to attend Chriss' MA graduation in Chicago - which thanks to insurance and rental cars we are in Chicago safely now.  Just north of St. Louis this morning a beer truck pulled out into our lane forcing us into the medium.  Our PT Cruiser spun, then flipped twice, totaling it.  The truck never stopped and no one could identify the brewery, but the slogan on the side was something about "One Kettle, One drink" and was from Bellesville, IL.  State Farm is trying to identify the brewery.  Does that slogan ring a bell with anyone? Again, Carol and I were very, very blessed, and all witnesses were surprised that we were able to walk from the scene.  Thanks for all the prayers.
EVENTS	This week Mississippi Christian Missionary Convention (MCMC) convened in Moss Point, MS at First Christian Church.  Rev. Lester Brooks is the Pastor.  The convention will meet on June 13-15, 2007. =============================================================== Great River Region Logo Wear, Just in time for General Assembly. Due to popular demand, we are putting together an order for Great River Region Logo Polo and Short Sleeve Poplin Shirts. Orders can be made on our Logo Wear site at www.grrcc.org/logoshirts.htm Orders must be received by June 15, 2007 in order to be shipped in time for General Assembly. =============================================================== SUMMER CAMP AND CONFERENCE (click for details) Completed 3 thru 5 — Junior Youth Fellowship (JYF) Camp June 17-20 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR Completed 6 thru 8 — Chi-Rho Camp  June 20-24 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR  Completed 9^thGrade – F.I.S2H. Camp  (Fundamental Intro to Spiritual & Sexual Health) F.I.S2H. Camp June 24-30 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR Completed 10 thru 12 — Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) Conference July 1-7 at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR ALL AGES - Magnolia Conference  June 25-30 at Roosevelt State Park in Morton, MS =============================================================== WOMEN’S RETREATS: The Great River Region is now accepting registrations for Fall Retreats.  The registration form is available here, as is an application for the Pickering Scholarship Fund. PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATIONS. =============================================================== 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. =============================================================== GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2007 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 General Assembly Bible Study: This is the link to the GA Bible Study and I am hearing lots of good comments about it. www.disciples.org/ga/biblestudy
NEWS	A reminder to congregations who send their Disciples Mission Fund checks to Little Rock first: Please make sure your DMF checks are made out to Great River Region and not CFC. Thank you so much for your cooperation. ============================================= There is an excellent article about FCC Slidell on the Disciple World web page, http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=11505 ===================================================== GMP Sharon Watkins was on CNN’s Situation Room this week as one of a panel of church leaders interviewing Presidential Candidates. Click here for the transcript. ===================================================== Chaplaincy Positions in Mississippi Just FYI - We have several positions for clinically trained chaplains (4 units of CPE) now open in Mississippi - in the Jackson area, in Hattiesburg, and in Gulfport.  Descriptions and contact info are on our website, www.mschaplains.org Most of these are newly created or re-created positions. There are several very good chaplain candidates looking at coming to Mississippi, but I want to make sure that the info reaches any qualified Disciple folks who might be interested. Thanks, Jeffery Murphy ======================================================= General Youth Council: Click here for a flier to promote the need for new members of the General Youth Council.  The applications are due July 1, 2007.  The candidates will be elected at General Assembly in Fort Worth, TX.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tod Iseminger at tiseming@dhm.disciples.org
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: After a busy week last week, I’m taking some personal time off and on as weddings near. I’ll be in and out of the office between now and July 1. This weekend is wedding planning in Denver/Boulder for Kim and Dave, and next weekend is a shower at Park Hill for Kris and Brooke. From Vivian Bryant:  The MCMC Educational Pre-Event was held on Wednesday, June 12, 2007 at First Christian Church in Moss Point, MS.  All of the Regional Staff was there conducting workshops.  Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont from Christian Church Foundation was also a guest presenter. From Rick Hamilton:  This Sunday I will be directing Discovery Camp at Couchdale. Then, I will be off to Shreveport to meet with Central Christian Church. Search Committees I am working with:  Berryville First Jackson First Little Rock First Ozark First West Point First  All inquiries should be directed to me in confidence: rick@grrcc.org From Michael Elmore: Thanks to everyone who came to Westside Christian Church this week to share in the dedication of the parsonage, mission center and sanctuary. Mark August 5 as the date for our formal dedication in worship. From Lara Blackwood: Currently we have over 260 registrations turned in for the 2007 Camp and Conference season!!  Please note that although the deadline has passed, you can still register children/youth for camp. If you have any questions or a special situation that needs to be addressed, please do not hesitate to contact me at lara@grrcc.org or the regional office. It is not too early to begin thinking about International Affairs Seminar 2008.  If you have a youth who will be in 11th or 12th grade next year and you think they would benefit from this amazing experience, encourage them to begin fundraising now.  IAS will occur in March and will cost roughly $1500 per youth.  Exact dates and costs will be announced at a later date.