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Currents

August 10th, 2007

26th   Weekly Edition                                                      2007 GRR CURRENTS

 

 

JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS

 
  • AR, MS and LA Disciples Women as they plan and attend Fall retreats, Cabinet meetings and our Inter-Regional Event.  These activities will complete our 2007 year.  Please pray for our women’s organization, their families and faith communities.
  • Lara Blackwood and Chuck Pickrel will be joined in marriage on August 11th at FCC Rogers, AR at 3pm.
  • Rev. Paul Elliott (Elm Tree CC in Bentonville AR) is receiving treatment for a thyroid tumor which is malignant.  Prognosis is very good and Paul is in great spirits. 

 

 

 

NEWS & EVENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education for Ministry is a new program that will begin in September with groups in Meridian MS and central Arkansas.  (Click to see details)  This program is perfect for lay leaders and teachers Deitra Blackwell, Executive Director Disciples Institute

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World Council of Churches:  Dear Friends of Christian Unity,

I wanted to pass along information, and encouragement, to you about participating in the International Day of Prayer for Peace that is coming up on September 21.  The news release (click on link) from the World Council of Churches gives some information about this important event that lifts up the concern for peace in our world as part of its program on the Decade to Overcome Violence, and provides a link to worship resources that can be downloaded to help in planning a local celebration either on September 21 or the Sunday preceding or following that date. 

With best wishes,  Robert Welsh

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To the Clergy:  Do you know of any students going to be at Arkansas Tech this year so that we may try to get in touch with them?  Also it would be helpful if we could obtain any addresses (e-mail or snail mail). 
Stan McDougal:  fcchurch@cswnet.com
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Pastor Bob Parks (Lakeshore Drive CC, Hot Springs) retired the end of June and was given a luncheon potluck and many good wishes by the newly combined congregations. Linda LB Pettigrew resigned as Children and Youth Ministry Team Leader as of the end of VBS in July after 6 years+ of serving the Spring Valley and Lakeshore Drive Churches. Her ice cream party will be Aug 11 at 3pm. They will both be missed. Bob will move to El Dorado where he is from and has family. LB will still be working in Hot Springs with Ben in high school there and Marilee going off to college in MO this fall. Rev Susan Miller is remaining as minister to Lakeshore Drive CC, Hot Springs, AR.
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WOMEN’S RETREATS:  Mississippi and Louisiana Disciples Women retreats are coming up in September and October.  The Great River Region is now accepting registrations for these events.  The registration form is available here, as is an application for the Pickering Scholarship Fund. PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATIONS.

 

 

STAFF UPDATES

 

 

From Barbara Jones:  I’m leaving today for NW Arkansas for Lara Blackwood and Chuck Pickrel’s wedding tomorrow.  Sunday I’ll be at both FCC Bentonville and FCC Rogers.  The online board meeting begins Sunday night and runs through the week.

 

From Vivian Bryant:  I will be preaching at FCC, in Stuttgart, AR on Sunday August 12, 2007.

 

From Michael Elmore:  Last Sunday I preached at FCC Baton Rouge, this Sunday I will preach at FCC Moss Point.

 

A retreat for Pastors is scheduled for September 17-19 at St. Mary's of the Pines Retreat Center in Chatawa, Mississippi. Dan Mosley from CTS will be our leader. Let me know if you plan to attend.

 

Disciples Men Retreat is being planned for January 25-26, 2008 at Duncan Gray Conference Center, more information later.

 

Rev. Linda Hopkins is serving as Transitional Minister at FCC Lake Charles. The church is completing the New Beginnings Process with Board of Church Extension.

Rev. Dr. Steve Sanders has begun a CPE program at Veterans Hospital in Pineville, LA.

 

From Lara Blackwood:  The youth page on grrcc.org has been updated to reflect the 2007-2008 youth calendar.  Please take a look and direct parents/youth workers to this page so that we can all prepare for another year of fellowship!

If you know of any youth (juniors and seniors) who are interested (or should be interested) in International Affairs Seminar 2008, please direct them to www.iasdisciples.com where they can find more information on this exciting learning opportunity!  The dates for IAS 2008 are March 15-22, 2008 and the initial deposit of $500 is due on November 1, 2007. 

Finally, on August 11 Chuck Pickrel and I will be married at First Christian Church in Rogers, AR (3 pm).  My two week vacation will begin the following day.  Chuck and I are grateful for the many prayers that have been lifted up for us around the region and thank you all for your continuing support!  If you are able to join us on the 11th, we would be honored by your presence!