CURRENTS

January 26, 2007

4th  Weekly Edition                                                                2007 GRR CURRENTS

 

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

 

 
  • Rev. Bob Parks, pastor of National Park CC in Hot Spings AR reports:  “Just a note to say I had quadruple by-pass surgery and all went very well.  I was dismissed from the hospital yesterday evening and will be home now for several weeks.  Thanks to all for your continued prayers.”   
  • Rev. Don White, Minister Emeritus of FCC Bentonville AR - receiving Hospice Care, condition weakening.   Visits and calls to the room are probably not helpful. Cards to the home: Don and Dolores White 911 Lafayette, Rogers, AR 72758
  • Rev. Vivian Bryant had surgery on her leg this week at Methodist Hospital South in Memphis. She will be recovering at her mother’s home in Memphis for several weeks after release.  Cards can come to the office.
  • William Polk, 3 year old, FCC Conway AR, very seriously ill in Arkansas Children's Hospital.  He is having severe seizures - this just came on suddenly.  Our congregation is asking everyone we know to pray for William, his family and the Doctors.  We're making posters with names of everyone we're contacting, so that he and his parents will know that they are surrounded by loving people who are praying for William.

 

 

JOYS
  • From Jeff Murphy:  We got word this morning that Carol was accepted into the Masters of Direction program at Roosevelt University.  She'll send 6 weeks in Chicago each summer over the next 3 summers completing this.  This is very prestigious since they take only 10 out of 200 applicants each year, and Carol will be the first Southerner in the program.    
  • David Lofton Roach, new grandson of Cheryl Roach, Minister of Music, FCC, Monroe, was born Tuesday January 16th, p.m. at St. Francis Medical Center, weighing in at 7 lb 13 oz and at a height of 20 inches.

 

 

EVENTS

TCU Ministers Week is February 5 -8 in Fort Worth, Texas.  Information and registration at:

http://www.brite.tcu.edu/news/mw-default.asp.  Rick and Lara will be present and will offer lunch with the Great River Region on Wednesday, February 7.  Please email Rick to let him know if you will join us for lunch: rick@grrcc.org

 

Midwinter Retreat for Youth:  “MOVE ALONG”

(For 9-12th Grade Youth and Adult Sponsors)

CAMP COUCHDALE – HOT SPRINGS, AR

FEBRUARY 23-25th, 2007

Registration form

 

 

 

NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

From Barbara Jones:  I took last weekend off in order to travel to Denver and plan for my daughter Kim’s wedding which will be 070707!  I was in the office most of the week catching up and am on my way today to West Virginia to keynote their Ministers and Mates retreat.  I’m using our Assembly theme, “Forward in Faith”, and will be sharing some of our journey of becoming a new region, some of the challenges our congregations have faced, and some of the personal challenges we face as clergy.  From there I go to Indianapolis for Administrative Committee and will be home next Friday!

 

From Rick Hamilton:  I spent the weekend with Russellville First Christian Church in preparation for their 125 Anniversary Celebration this weekend. Sunday, I will be at Fayetteville with Vance Moore as he talks about the Westside Mission.  If you’ve not heard this story, make a point to be there. We will repeat the presentation on Wednesday Evening at FCC Harrison.

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

  • Bentonville AR:   Elm Tree  - Pastor
  • Jackson MS:      First – Pastor
  • Weiner AR:        First – Interim Pastor
  • Westpoint MS:   First – Pastor

(Direct any inquiries to me in confidence.)

 

From Michael Elmore:  I will be attending the Juliette Fowler Board Meeting January 25th -27th, and will be preaching at Westside CC while Vance and Jeannie travel to NW Arkansas to share their stories of our ministry in the Gulf Coast.  Louisiana Inter Church Conference will hold its third Interfaith Long Term Disaster Summit on February 8th and 9th.

 

From Deitra Blackwell:  The Disciples Institute along with Michael Elmore will be presenting a workshop at Central Christian Church in Hattiesburg, MS on Saturday, February 3rd titled ‘Who Are Disciples Today’.

 

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 Lara Blackwood:  Mark your calendars!!!  The registration deadline for CYF Midwinter is February 9th.  If registrations are received by this date, each participant will pay $95; after the February 9th deadline, the registration fee becomes $190.  This event, which will take place at Camp Couchdale, will focus on the theme "Move Along."  Keynoter Joe Garkovich (FCC - Pine Bluff) will help 9th-12th grade youth explore ways to balance living in the now with learning from the past/hoping for the future God has planned for us.  Bible Study will be led by Lara Blackwood and worship/fellowship experiences will be facilitated by the Great River Regional Youth Commission.  This retreat is sure to be memorable and valuable for both youth and adults...so spread the word to those in your congregation who are eligible.

 

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 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.