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November 30^th, 2007	39^th   Weekly Edition                                                      2007 GRR CURRENTS
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS	Rev. Byron Singleton, Chaplain at VA Hospital in Pineville, LA, and his family. Some family members have health issues.
NEWS	Jones on Study Leave January – March: The Regional Board voted this week to approve study leave for Executive Regional Minister Barbara Jones. To read the request approved by the board, click here. She will be taking three courses through Capella University: Diversity in the Workplace, Roles of Nonprofit Board and CEO, and Marketing and Strategy for the Nonprofit. Shirt Sale. We have a very limited number of Great River Region Logo shirts left and ON SALE! Yellow, Green, and Light Blue Polo style shirts in Men’s XL and Women’s XL and XXL sizes are available in limited quantities at the bargain price of $20 each! Please call the office for color availability as quantities ARE limited. (501)562-6053 First Christian Church in Jackson, MS has church pews that they can no longer use.  Any congregation interested can contact the church for more information.  601-977-9477. Click on this link for an article in Disciple World about re-building efforts taking place through Grace DOC in Covington, LA http://www.disciplesworld.com/article.html?v=6&i=10&s=Living%20Faith&id=946 Need a Robe & Cap? Charles Poole in Shreveport, LA has a black and white clergy robe and cap to donate. He can be reached at 318-868-2860 or charlesmpoole@bellsouth.net.
EVENTS	The Central Arkansas Minister/Spouse Fellowship held their annual Minister’s Dinner on November 30 at First Christian Church in Maumelle, AR. Southern District Minister/Spouse Christmas Luncheon will be December 1, 2008 at FCC Baton Rouge, LA. Contact Rev. Michael Elmore for information and reservations. Parkview Christian Church invites you to hear Rusty Jackson. If you are a Hog Fan, you will remember that for five years, he was the sports anchor for the Hogs in Fayetteville on KATV Channel 7. Rusty is now home after a year in the mission field with Adventures In Missions (AIM). AIM is an interdenominational mission organization that focuses on disciplining. It emphasizes prayer and relationships in working among the poor around the world. Rusty will be the guest preacher at Parkview Christian Church in Little Rock, AR on Sunday, December 9, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. sharing his adventures and faith in Jesus Christ. Rev. Dan Thornhill is the Pastor. GRR Disciples Men Retreat will be January 25-26, 2008 at Westside Mission Center in New Orleans, LA. Rev. Steve Wallace will be our leader. The theme will be "Spirituality for Men." Cost will be $50.00 a person. We will be sending out registration forms after Thanksgiving. 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. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SEMINAR:  Now is the time to begin fundraising for IAS 2008.  The weeklong trip to Washington D.C. and New York City will take place March 15-22 and will cost approximately $1500.  The trip is open to High School Juniors and Seniors and is a powerful way to help older teenagers connect their faith with major issues in the world.  If you are interested, know of a youth who should attend, need fundraising ideas or would like more information, please contact IAS Director Ronny Nowell (ronny@arkansas.net) or visit the website:  www.iasdisciples.com. THE NEW DEADLINE FOR $500 DEPOSIT IS DECEMBER 1ST!!!
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: I enjoyed an evening with the Central Arkansas clergy and their spouses and will be attending the conference of regional ministers all next week. Rick Hamilton: After the Central Arkansas Ministers Christmas dinner tonight, I will be meeting with Churches in Springdale and Fayetteville this weekend. Search Committees I am currently working with: Lakeshore Drive CC, Hot Springs, AR FCC Jackson, MS FCC Mountain Home, AR (Assoc) FCC Rogers, AR FCC Stuttgart, AR FCC West Memphis, AR From Vivian Bryant:  I will return from vacation December 3, 2008. From Michael Elmore: Southern District Minister/Spouse Christmas Party is this Saturday, December 1^st at FCC Baton Rouge, LA. Registration forms of Disciple Men's Retreat at Westside CC on January 25-26, 2008 were mailed this week. I will be preaching this Sunday at FCC Slidell, LA. From Lara Blackwood Pickrel: LOCATION PICKED FOR MIDWINTER MISSION WEEKEND 2008:  This mission event for youth in grades 7-12 will take place in New Orleans at the Westside Mission. During the Martin Luther King Jr. long-weekend (January 18-21, 2008), youth will stay at Westside and work on various ongoing hurricane recovery projects while also coming together for worship and fellowship.  Please keep this event on your youth calendar and keep an eye out for registration materials/costs! CYF MIDWINTER: will take place February 22-24 at Camp Couchdale.  This retreat for 9-12th graders is a wonderful opportunity to come together in a new semester and regain our focus on God!  Please keep an eye out for registration materials and be sure to mark your calendars! FEAST:  This event for adult youth ministers/youth workers will take place at the Lutheran Camp at Petit Jean Mountain, May 2-4 and will feature keynotes by Randy Kuss! Please mark your calendars! CHECK OUT THE REGIONAL WEBSITE FOR YOUTH EVENT DATES AND INFORMATION! The dates for retreats and camps are already posted!!!  Also, be sure to check this site periodically for updates, links and useful information for everyone involved with youth ministry!