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August 17^th,  2007	27^th   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. 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. Sonny Fountain, former Board Chair of NBA and member of Covenant Christian Church in Byram, MS has been battling cancer for more than a year.  He is currently hospitalized in Jackson, MS. Gwen Chambliss, Service Director for the MS Disciples Women was dismissed from hospital on Tuesday, August 14. Rocky Richardson, sister of Rev. Rita Richardson (Central Christian in Russellville AR), was in ICU at St. Mary's in Russellville, AR. Eric Brown, nephew of Pastor and Mrs. R.L. Williams (Cephas Chapel CC Wrightsville, AR) Karen Williams, wife of Rev. Mark Williams (FCC Camden, AR) First Congregational Church, Neosho and the Micronesian Congregation where the deaths and injuries occurred from yesterday’s tragic shooting.  More information about visitations, services, and arrangements will be shared as they come available. Additional information about the tragedy can be found at www.neoshodailynews.com.  Please pray for all of the members of this congregation.  They do need our love, support and prayers. Reverend Lester H. Beaman passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska in July.  Lester served student pastorates in Oregon and Kansas.  He served as pastor at churches in Forest City, Searcy, Pine Bluff and Russellville, Arkansas before serving Havelock Christian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Les also served churches in Missouri and Illinois.  He is survived by his wife Margery,  5155 Vine Street Apt. 614, Lincoln, NE 68504
NEWS	Pastor Gene Lawson and Real Faith CC are celebrating the building and dedication of five homes in the Community of Clarksdale, MS.  What a faith and evangelism witness to the community!!! 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 Disciples Home Missions Makes Interim Appointments.  (click on link) Our Executive Regional Minister, Barb Jones, began her 13th year in Little Rock as Regional Minister on August 16.  The first 7 were with the Christian Church in Arkansas, and the last 5 have been with the Great River Region.  Pray that year 13 will be full of blessings for this region and our regional ministry team.  The Christian Church in Kansas has openings for 2 Associate Regional Ministers.  If you would like Barb to give their Regional Minister your name, contact her directly and privately at barb@grrcc.org. Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth held their 3^rd Annual Mayor’s Cup Classic Golf Tournament at the Fulton Country Club in Jackson, MS on July 30.  Proceeds from this tournament went to the Harden House Therapeutic Group Home for Girls.  This project raised over $17,000.  SCSCY is doing a magnificent job in ministering to the needs of adoptive children and youth and adoptive parents in MS and surrounding states.
EVENTS	WOMEN’S RETREAT:  MS disciples Women would like to invite all women to their Fall Retreat September 22-23, 2007 at Duncan Gray Retreat Center in Canton, MS.  Applications and scholarship applications are available at www.grrcc.org.  Don’t miss the deadline of Sept. 14, 2007!!!  Keynoter is Ms. Deitra Blackwell, Executive Director of Disciples Institute.  Little Rock, AR. Disciples Men Retreat is being planned for January 25-26, 2008 at Duncan Gray Conference Center, more information later. 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.  Michael Elmore 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 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. Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth is now planning for their annual benefit dinner—BottomLine for Kids.  Tickets can be purchased through SCSCY.  The Event will be held on Thursday Sept. 20, 2007 at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, MS.
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: Your regional ministry staff team met with the ministry committee on Thursday and Friday.  My son Kristopher’s wedding is on Saturday this week. From Vivian Bryant:  Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth presented one of the best continuing education events I have ever attended.  2007 Lookin’ to the Future conference was held on July 11-13 at the Riley Center in Meridian, MS .  The conference was held in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Mississippi Permanency Partnership Network.  The Presenters were top-notch, the workshops were professional and relevant and the Friday lunch keynoter was exceptional to say the least!!!!!  This is one educational event that everyone would do well to attend—it’s held every year! I will worship with the United Christian Church family in Jackson, MS on Sunday August 19, 2007.  The Rev. Russell Myers is the Pastor. From Michael Elmore:  Sunday I preached at FCC Moss Point, MS. From Lara Blackwood:  Vacation. 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. Rick Hamilton is on Sabbatical through October.