CURRENTS

January 12, 2007

2nd  Weekly Edition                                                                2007 GRR CURRENTS

 

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

 

 
  • Rev. Bob Parks (Pastor- National Park CC, Hot Springs AR) - had multiple bypass surgery yesterday (11th).
  • Rev. Don White, Minister 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
  • Rev. Jim Mattson, Pastor of First CC West Memphis AR – sinus infection

(Contact information can be found at http://www.grrcc.org/Congregations.html - give the grid time to load!)

 

 

JOYS

National Park CC and Spring Valley CC in Hot Springs AR are merging!  A critical meeting and vote will take place Sunday.

 

 

NEWS & ACTIVITIES

From Barb:  Greetings from Indianapolis!  I’m leaving for New Orleans and Lake Charles in the morning, after several days of meetings here in the heart of Indiana.

Why am I here for back to back meetings you ask?  Monday and Tuesday the “Ministry and Money Task Force” met to work on efficiency in financial operations of the church’s treasury services.  The proposals coming out of that meeting were presented to our “Standing Committee on Renewal and Structural Reform” meeting Wednesday and Thursday.  I think we will all be served well by the improvements being recommended to the General Board in April and General Assembly in July.  They are not ready for public dissemination yet, but I’m pleased with the progress we are making on “tightening up” these services.  This weekend I’ll be at the Youth Mission Weekend in Lake Charles, and then will work with Westside CC in New Orleans on drafting new organizational documents more appropriate for a small congregation.

 

From Rick Hamilton:  This week I will be traveling to First CC in Westpoint, MS to preach, teach a course on Disciple history and polity, and what it means for today, and meet with their Search Committee.  Then, it’s off to Mansfield, LA to finally close on the sale of the church building.  Proceeds from the sale will create an endowed fund for Ministerial education programs.  FCC in Russellville, AR will celebrate its 125th Anniversary on January 28th.

Congregations in I’m working with in Search and Call:

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

(Direct any inquiries to me in confidence.)

 

From Michael Elmore:  On Feburary 3, Central Christian Church in Hattiesburg, MS., Pastor Dr. Norman Sanders, along with Disciple Institute is hosting a seminar on "Disciples Today".  I’ll be leading the seminar.  Contact Deitra Blackwell if interested in attending.  Some scholarship funds are available.  Southern District Ministers Meeting will be held at FCC Baton Rouge on February 13th, 11:30 am.

 

From Vivian Bryant:  East Percy Street Christian Church will present their first Leadership Banquet on this Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Leflore Civic Center on Highway 7.  The theme is “Equipping God’s People to Lead.  (Ephesians 4:12)”  I’m honored to be the speaker for this event. This coming Sunday East Percy Street CC will begin having Sunday worship every week!  Isn’t God good!  Their pastor is Elder Patricia Parker.  (Some congregations in Mississippi only meet once or twice a month, so moving to every week is a huge step!)

 

From Louisiana Interfaith:  “LA Speaks”  As part of the Hurricane Recovery Program, residents of Louisiana are encouraged to learn about the different scenarios being considered as future directions for the state through TV presentations, newspapers, online and at your local library.  Click here to find out about your opportunity to SPEAK UP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO JOIN YOU!

 

From Joe Wilson:   The membership of Antioch Christian Church in Tull, AR is looking forward to their coming Pre-Easter revival.  Joe Wilson has been serving the Church part time for the past several years and will preach revival, beginning on Palm Sunday and continuing through April 4th.  Mr. Wilson has held revivals through out the nation but has not held one in the last 25 years.  The Gospel Group, Hawkins Family Singers, will bring the special music.  The Antioch Christian Church has sent several of its members into the full time Christian Ministries.  More details of the revival will follow.

 

From Lara Blackwood:  This weekend 45 youth and adult sponsors will come together in Lake Charles, Louisiana for three days of hurricane rebuilding, fellowship and worship.  Please keep this group of young people in your hearts and prayers as they dedicate their Martin Luther King Jr. weekend to serving others!

 

Coming up in February:  CYF Midwinter @ Camp Couchdale!!!  This year's theme is "Move Along" and keynoter Joe Garkovich (FCC Pine Bluff) will challenge participants to find ways to walk the line between living in the NOW and learning from the past while looking towards the future.  Registration forms will be available online next week and will arrive in church mailboxes soon.

 

From Sharon Coote:  Central Arkansas area Disciples are invited to the Pulaski Heights Christian Church (4724 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205, 501-258-2091, www.phcc-lr.org) for their study sessions on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m.  The group is studying "A Handbook for Today's Disciples" by Dr. Duane Cummins, and each chapter is being presented by a different area pastor.  The schedule is as follows:

January 3     --Book distribution & Introduction, The Rev. Shari Coote

January 10   --"The Disciples: A Historical Sketch" The Rev. Will Feland

January 17   --"Disciples and Christian Thought" The Rev. Barb Jones

January 24   --"Disciples and the Sacraments The Rev. Dan Thornhill

January 31   --"Disciples at Worship" The Rev. Miles Cook

February 7   --"Disciples and Mission The Rev. Rebecca Frankford

February 14  --"Disciples and Moral-Ethical Issues The Rev. Vivian Bryant
February 21  --Ash Wednesday Service. No study session.

February 28  --"Disciples as Church Members" The Rev. Holly Patton

March 7        --"Disciples and Church Structure" The Rev. Bill Hale

You are welcome to come with or without the book.

 

 

 

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 http://www.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!