February 2^nd, 2007	5^th  Weekly Edition                                                                2007 GRR CURRENTS
Who are Disciples today? The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A Community of Faith for the 21^st Century Saturday, February 3, 2007 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM Central Christian Church, Hattiesburg, MS Dr. Michael Elmore, Instructor Registration Fee - $35.00 (Includes Lunch) Much is happening in Disciple churches across the nation as we approach church transformation with renewed enthusiasm and determination.  Congregations in the Great River Region have found new mission focus in helping sister congregations get back on their feet following the devastation of Katrina and Rita.  Congregations are realizing that evangelism is more than just being friendly. Central Christian Church in Hattiesburg, MS is sponsoring a workshop on this vital topic, led by Michael Elmore, Great River Regional Pastor for the Southern District.  He will provide unique insights from his leadership in assisting churches to recover from hurricane damage and to find new mission and ministry, and his research of the organizations that are helping congregations transform and grow into the ministries that God desires them to fulfill.
PRAYER CONCERNS	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 last week at Methodist Hospital South in Memphis.  She was released from the hospital and is recovering for two weeks at her mother's home in Memphis.  Her leg is healing nicely and it does not look like she is going to need rehab or physical therapy.  She is grateful for the cards and flowers she received while in the hospital, and sounds much more like herself!  This time last week she was hurting pretty badly.  Continue to pray for healing. Please include our pastor, Fred Rohlfs, in your prayers.  As many of you know, he has been experiencing dizzy spells, and on Tuesday morning he fell at home and was taken by ambulance to St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson, MS.  At present, Carole has requested no visitors, as he is still extremely dizzy whenever he moves his head.  He is in room 4507, should you care to send a card or flowers.
AGMP POSITION	Brothers and Sisters in Christ,      The church has entrusted us to call forth the brightest and the best to serve God and to ensure that all who work for the realm of God in this place and time do so in a nurturing environment geared toward enabling us all to do our best.  We call upon you now, the leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), to call forth the brightest and best to serve as Associate General Minister and Vice President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  With particular emphasis in the areas of budget development and management, staff development and management, visionary leadership, we know that there are persons within our body eager for the challenge of working in partnership with the GMP and staff helping us to grow this body of Christ.      Although experience in ordained ministry is preferred, exceptional candidates with relevant knowledge, skills, and experience will all be considered.      Candidate profiles and completed essay questions should be submitted through the Office of Search and Call, Indianapolis, no later than February 28, 2007. Holly McKissick, Chair, Pastor, St. Andrew Christian Church Marshall Dunn, Retired Pastor John Lacey, Acting Regional Minister, Christian Church in Michigan Terry Owens, Dean of Students, Univ. of Chicago Divinity School Jessica Vazquez, Coordinator, National Religious Outreach, Interfaith Worker Justice Sharon Watkins,  General Minister and President Charles Webb, Director, Church and Alumni Relations, Christian Theological Seminary Geunhee Yu, Executive Pastor, North American Pacific/Asian Disciples
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 is online as well. Preaching for Transformation workshop to be held on April 9-11, 2007 at FCC Monroe, LA.  Nationally recognized Pablo Jimenez will be the keynote speaker.  You will also have a chance to compare the three most popular organizations that are helping Disciple congregations across our denomination to be transformed into thriving, vibrant forces in their communities.
NEWS AND ACTIVITES	From Barb:  Last week I told about the presentations I would give to the ministers in West Virginia, and it is so powerful to talk with people about the realities, challenges, and changes brought to life on our part of the gulf coast.  People continue to care across the church, are very interested to hear first hand how things are going, and continue to want to know ways they can help.   From that meeting I came to Indianapolis to report to the Administrative Committee of the General Board the work of our Standing Committee.  I sat next to John Johnson, who has also lived through all these changes.  This is the first meeting of the new, small, administrative committee (from 70 members to 20) and it is truly a blessing to see the church implementing Ephesians 4:11-16.  (You may know that to be my key scripture through out my faith journey ) These are the moments that feed my faith and bring joy to the hard work!  "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is taking this seriously and living faithfully into new ways of being *church*. From Rick Hamilton: à Sunday was spent with Vance Moore at First Christian in Fayetteville. Look for reports on this and the Westside Mission in the Northwest Arkansas Morning News Religion section Saturday.  à Northern District Ministry Committee meets Saturday in Little Rock. à Monday begins TCU Ministers Week in Fort Worth. Great River Region Ministers and Spouses will meet for lunch on Wednesday, February 7^th. Please contact Rick via email to let him know that you will be attending and joining us for lunch.  àMillwood Christian Church (Rogers) will celebrate it’s 7^th anniversary on Sunday, February 4. Congregations in I’m working with in Search and Call: Bentonville AR:  Elm Tree  - Pastor Jackson MS:      First – Pastor Weiner AR:        First – Interim Pastor West Point MS:   First – Pastor (Direct any inquiries to me in confidence.) From Michael Elmore:  Louisiana Inter Church Conference will hold its third Interfaith Long Term Disaster Summit on February 8^th and 9^th. 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 Disciples Institute: Save this Date:  April 9-11!  Mark your calendars now for the Preaching for Transformation workshop to be held on April 9-11, 2007 at FCC Monroe, LA.  Nationally recognized Pablo Jimenez will be the keynote speaker.  You will also have a chance to compare the three most popular organizations that are helping Disciple congregations across our denomination to be transformed into thriving, vibrant forces in their communities.  Alan Roxburgh from Allelon Missional Leadership Network will be there via live video and/or audio feed, a representative of the Columbia Partnership will attend and our own Michael Elmore will present information about the Jesus Connection.  Our Regional Ministers will also lead breakout sessions.  Look for a brochure coming soon - for now, just reserve the date! 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: 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.