CURRENTS

January 5, 2007

1st Weekly Edition                                             2007 GRR CURRENTS

 

 

RETURN OF THE CURRENTS

GRR CURRENTS will be published every Friday and an email with the link will be sent to all clergy, congregations, and leadership lists that we have in the office.  It is our hope that those receiving the CURRENTS will forward the link to church lists and friends, or print it to share at church.

 

If you would like to send us email addresses of those who should receive the CURRENTS, send an email  to currents@grrcc.org with the addresses to add. No one beyond staff in the regional office has access to these email addresses, and we send them as a blind copy so that addresses do not show.

 

To submit news or information of interest to Disciples in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, send the information or attach it to the same email address:  currents@grrcc.org.

 

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

 

 
  • Rev. Don White, Min. Emeritus of FCC Bentonville AR -- receiving Hospice Care.
  • Rev. Jerry Young, Pastor of Elm Tree CC Bentonville AR -- full disability as a result of a shattered ankle last year.
  • Rev. Ann Pickett, FCC Moss Point -- following death of her daughter, Prudayne.
  • Mary Nirschl, wife of Rev. Lee Nirschl (Mt. Home AR) – following the death of her mother just before Christmas
  • Rev. Bill Eubanks, Pastor of FCC Hammond -- upon death of his oldest daughter last week.
  • Jeannie Moore, wife of Rev. Vance Moore (Westside in New Orleans) had an ambulance ride and emergency visit to the hospital Sunday morning 12/31.  Praise God it was a seizure and not any further involvement of the tumor which was removed earlier this year.
  • Our Mission stations that continue recovery efforts from Katrina and Rita: FCC Gulfport, Grace DOC, FCC Slidell, FCC Greater New Orleans and FCC Lake Charles
  • Our Mission on the West Bank and Westside Christian Church
  • Adonna Bowman’s grandson, Matthew – recent seizure. Adonna is the Executive for the Office of Disciples Women in Indianapolis.

 

 

JOYS
  • Rev. Donna Rountree was ordained at First CC in Conway December 16.
  • National Park CC and Spring Valley CC in Hot Springs AR are merging.  A new name will be decided soon.
  • Laura Whitaker of FCC Bentonville has completed her MDiv at Phillips.  She will be ordained in March.
  • Rev. Miles Cook and family are in the process of moving into their new home in northern Pulaski County, AR. David will graduate next year and head for college, but Laura will continue to live at home for the long term.  For those of you who do not know Laura, she is a delightful young woman how has had autoimmune and developmental challenges from birth.  At 20, she will graduate from the special support provided through the school systems this May.  This move gives Trela and Miles a lovely home and space for Laura and her horses.  All this is only 11 miles from Park Hill Christian Church!

 

 

NEWS & ACTIVITIES

From Barbara Jones:  I’m excited about the return of the CURRENTS.  I really hope this is a tool to help you connect with everything going on in the region.  I’m also in the process of revamping our webpage.  It looks different, and is “almost” there, but I’m still adding features and checking links.  This month I’ll be out and about quite a bit.  You may know that I’m chair for the Committee on Renewal and Structural Reform for the CCDOC, and next week we will be working with final proposals on the future of Church Finance Council, anticipating that its ministries will be rolled into other existing ministries of the church.  This, and our revision of the Standing Rules of the Administrative Committee of the General Board, the Special Rules of Procedure for the General Assembly, and the Standing Rules for the General Board all have to be revised and in accord with the new DESIGN by the end of this month in order to be presented to the General Assembly in July. 

 

From Rick Hamilton:  There is renewal and revision activity going on all around us. In the last three weeks, I have heard from and or have been actively working with the following churches on a new vision for their operating structures:  Hot Springs First; Monroe First; Russellville First; and National Park/Spring Valley in Hot Springs.  This is a renewal of the Holy Spirit’s doing.  Churches opening themselves to new and exciting ways of doing mission and ministry are all around us.  “Behold, God IS doing a new thing – do you perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)

Congregations in Search Process working with Rick Hamilton:

  • Bentonville, AR:  Elm Tree CC - Pastor
  • Jackson, MS:  First CC – Pastor
  • Shreveport, LA:  Kings Highway CC – Youth Minister
  • Weiner, AR:  First CC – Interim Pastor
  • Westpoint, MS:  First CC – Pastor

(Inquiries should be directed to Rick in Confidence)

 

From Michael Elmore:  FCC Slidell, Minister Rev. Susan Lassalle, has begun a Church "Re-Formation Process" under the leadership of Rev. Frank Johnson and Rev. Michael Elmore.

December issue of Disciple World had an article about Rev. Laura Baird, Pastor of Grace DOC and her husband Rev. Josh Baird, Mission Station Manager for ODV.

 

From Vivian Bryant:  The International Disciples Women Cabinet is looking at introducing some new fresh ideas, many of which will be addressed in North Carolina at the Women’s Staff Fellowship meeting on January 24th.

 

From Lara Blackwood:  The year 2007 brings with it a full slate of Regional Youth Activities beginning with the MidWinter Mission Weekend in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  This 7th-12th grade event will take place over Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend (January 12-15) and will bring youth from around the region to an area of the Louisiana coast that was severely hit by Hurricane Rita.  Youth

will participate in rebuilding work over the long weekend and will also have the opportunity to share in fellowship, worship, a cajun feast/banquet, a stroll on the boardwalk and much more!!!  THE DEADLINE FOR THIS EVENT IS TODAY (FRIDAY, JAN 5TH).  IF YOU HAVE YOUTH THAT PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE CALL

THE REGIONAL OFFICE TODAY AND LET US KNOW THAT YOUR FORMS/$50 REGISTRATION FEES ARE ON THE WAY!!!!

COMING SOON:  REGISTRATION FORMS FOR CYF MIDWINTER (CAMP COUCHDALE, FEB 23-25) AND THE 2007 CAMP & CONFERENCE BROCHURE!!!!  WATCH YOUR MAILBOXES AND

INBOXES FOR THESE IMPORTANT MAILINGS!!!!

 

From Vance Moore:  Check out our webpage for updates on work at Westside Christian Church:  www.westsidemission.org.  We are beginning to reach out into the community and build our congregation as well as the buildings on campus.

 

 

ANDRA MORAN  -  WORSHIP & CONCERT

 

Invitation From Will Feland:  You and your congregation are invited to a Praise & Worship Workshop and Concert by Andra Moran.  Those of you who attended Regional Assembly will recall Andra's amazing talent in music made even more powerful by the grace with which she shares her gifts. (see her website andramoran.com)

 

Next Saturday, January 13th, from 2:30pm to 5:00pm at First Christian Church in Sherwood (in the sanctuary).   Andra will lead a workshop on praise and worship.  (no charge).  Our youth are selling tickets to a nice catered meal at 6:00 that evening.  (call Joy at our church @835-5505 to sign up for meal tickets:  $7.50 adults; $5.00 children; $22.00 for family)

 

At 7:30 p.m. on the same day, (Sat. Jan. 13th) Andra will be in concert

In Chalice Hall at FCC Sherwood. (no charge)

 

Please get the word out to your folks who might like to attend.  We hope we can have a great time of fellowship together along with the opportunity to learn more about meaningful experiences in contemporary worship.  Then, a nice evening of fine food and outstanding music.

 

I hope to see you all!
Blessings your way, Will Feland