Click here for MS Word document
September 21^st, 2007	32^nd   Weekly Edition                                                      2007 GRR CURRENTS
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS	The family of Rev. Eugene Randall in the loss of their son, Derek.  Derek died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  Rev. Randall is Vice President for Congregational Services in Church Extension in Indianapolis, IN. The Homegoing Service will be held Friday, September 21^st, at 11:00 a.m., Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 3013 F.L. Shuttlesworth Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35207, with burial at Zion Memorial Gardens. Cards may be sent to Eugene and family at their home, 233 Green Meadow Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46229. Rev. Byron Singleton, VA Chaplain in Alexandria LA, is requesting prayers for his father Joseph Singleton, who has been wrestling with pulmonary problems and a recent diagnosis of cancer of the esophagus.  Byron is asking for prayers for his mom’s emotional health, as well, as she continues to care for her loved one.  Bonnie Gearlds, Administrative Assistant in the Office of Disciples Women in Indianapolis, IN.  She is receiving treatment for recurring lymphoma with multiple nodules on lymph nodes (cancer).  Cards may be sent to her at 4911 Young Avenue; Indianapolis, IN 46201.  Her email address is bleebunny@sbcglobal.net.
NEWS	Rev. Steve Wallace, Little Rock AR, is the recipient of a grant to enable him to spend this program year (9/1/07-8/31/08) serving our region as a consultant and resource specialist. His hope is to create a ministry of coaching and resourcing congregations beyond the GRR after this year, and the grant allows him time to explore this new kind of ministry and gives us another valuable resource for congregations, which is in addition to our usual ministry with congregations. Look for a mailing from him and a link from our webpage to his in the near future. Jim & Jo Lynn Robinson, retired minister from FCC Harrison is returning back to Arkansas after an interim ministry in Carrollton, MO. Although their move is far from complete, they do have a new address and phone: 306 S. Hampton Drive, Conway, AR 72034. Home phone: 501-336-8158, Jim's cell: 501-514-5239, Jo Lynn's cell: 501-514-5172. New email address to come. Disciples Women New Day Curriculum and materials for 2008-2009 are now available.  Download your order form now! (click on link) The Disciples Women Fellowship of Highland Drive CC held its Northeast Arkansas Annual Salad Supper Monday evening, Sept 17, at the church.  In addition to the host church, churches represented included women from Blytheville, Trumann, Weiner, Newport and FCC Jonesboro.  Dinner music was provided by Rick Burns, guitar, and Marchia Burns, on violin.  Following the meal, the program was presented by Majors Stephanie and Craig Greenham of the Jonesboro Salvation Army. The Majors gave an overview of the work they do in a multi-county district in Northeast Arkansas. Special guests included Helen Senteney, Arkansas Disciples Women President, and Vivian Bryant, Regional Pastor.  The church is located at 501 West Highland and the minister is Pastor Brad Clark.
EVENTS	Mississippi Disciples Women’s Retreat will be held this weekend September 22-23, 2007 at Duncan Gray Retreat Center in Canton, MS.  Keynote speaker for this retreat will be Deitra Blackwell, Executive Director of Disciples Institute in Little Rock, AR.  Artistic presentations will be performed on Saturday by Greg Johnson and Dasha Teelin-Johnson of Oxford, MS. Louisiana Disciples Women’s Retreat will be October 20-21, 2007 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, LA. Keynote speaker for the Louisiana Retreat is Rev. Lucy Maier, former minister at FCC, Lake Charles.  This will also be the retirement celebration for Bettie Duhon. Registration forms and Pickering scholarship application may be downloaded at www.grrcc.org. Registration deadline is October 10, 2007! Disciples Men Retreat is being planned for January 25-26, 2008 at Duncan Gray Conference Center, more information later. Also, the SESSIONS 2008 brochure can be downloaded. 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 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. Arkansas Disciples Women Cabinet will be meeting September 28-29, 2007 at the Regional Office.  Cabinet please watch your mail for your letter and reply card.  We look forward to hearing from you! Dedication Service for Westside CC in New Orleans, LA will be held on October 7, 2007. More information to come later. Jesus Connection Seminar for Ministers in Kansas City, October 12-13, 2007. If interested contact Michael Elmore at michael@grrcc.org The Office of Disciples Women is sponsoring the first ever Women’s Blitz Build.  Partnering with the Office of Disciples Volunteering and Habitat for Humanity the women of CCDOC will help build a house in Beaumont Texas. Click here for Flyer and application.  The dates for this event are January 20-24, 2008 in Beaumont, TX.  The event is open to any woman interested in attending. SESSIONS 2008. Disciples Men…don’t forget to plan now for next year’s SESSIONS 2008 event to be held July 17-20, 2008 in Oklahoma City, OK.  Our General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, Rev. Dr. Rick Lowery, Mark Briley and Rev. Bill Lee will be the featured speakers.  What a wonderful Christmas/birthday gift for the man in your life.  There is also a discounted registration fee for young adult men.  Check out the brochure!
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: The week has gone well, and as I shared on Monday sending the note about the CURRENTS, I’ve been to the Clergy Retreat, SCSCY “Bottom Line for Kids” event in Jackson, and tonight will be with the MS Disciples Women. From Vivian Bryant:  Attended the Disciples Women’s at Highland Drive CC in Jonesboro, AR annual Salad Supper on this past Monday September 17, 2007.  Highland Drive CC sponsors the Christy Pickering Scholarship Fund.  This fund provides scholarship assistance for women all over the region to attend fall retreats. Also attended the Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth’s annual “Bottom Line for Kids” benefit dinner on September 20, 2007 at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, MS.  From Michael Elmore: We had 19 clergy attend our Spiritual Life Retreat at St. Mary of the Pines this week. It was a good time of learning, fellowship and relaxing. I will be on vacation until October 7^th. From Lara Blackwood Pickrel: Please take a look at the two attached documents (flyer and registration form) and circulate them widely with your 7th-9th grade youth.  Fall Fandango will take place at Camp Couchdale on October 6th & 7th and will focus on the following theme:  "Fruit of God's Loom: Bearing Good Fruit in a Rotten World."  The central scriptures for this retreat are John 15: 16-17 and Galatians 5: 22-23.  The event will be a wonderful opportunity for our young people to come together in faith, fellowship, worship and study and I hope to greet a large group of people on the 6th! Please note as you promote this event that all registration forms are due in the Regional Office by Wednesday, September 26th.  Though registrations can be accepted a few days after that date, they will require a late fee of $55 (on top of the $55 registration fee).  We discourage late registrations because we need to know a solid number of participants in advance so that t-shirts and food can be ordered ahead of time!  If you know that your registrations are going to arrive late, please call the regional office and give us your numbers so that we at least know they are coming (and be sure to include your late fees!). If you have any questions regarding this or any other Regional Youth Event, please do not hesitate to contact me!  I hope to see you and your 7th-9th grade youth in October! 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.