February 16^th, 2007	7^th  Weekly Edition                                               2007 GRR CURRENTS
PRAYER CONCERNS	Rev. Fred Rohlfs, pastor of Northeast CC in Madison MS, is being released today from inpatient treatment at Methodist Rehabilitation Center. He will continue as an outpatient and his goal is to be “back to work” for the Ash Wednesday service. Thanks again for your continued prayers. I would hate to think where we would be without them, Carole. Rev. Byron Singleton, Chaplain at VA Hospital in Pineville LA Rev. Mona Lisa Garrett, Pastor of FCC Lake Charles Rev. Dana Hoover, Pastor of FCC Sulphur Rev. Tim Colvin flew to the United States this week, but got stranded in New York with flight cancellations and delays. Once she gets to Austin, we will find out what’s next for our relationships with Mission in South Africa and the Wrenchville congregation. Her address in Austin, Texas is 12370 Alameda Trace Circle, #223, Austin, Texas 78727.  Her cell phone number is (512) 769-5450. Rev. Laura Fitt-Baird. My family, Josh's family and most of our friends are buried in a foot or more of snow right now. Roads closed yesterday as the snow piled up on the highways and side roads. Also, many areas are dealing with power outages due to heavy snow and ice build up... 10's of thousands of people have no heat. Let us remember to keep them all in our prayers... prayers for warmth and safety. Blessings and Christian love to you all.
EVENTS	Regional Board meets tonight and tomorrow at Parkview Christian Church in Little Rock. If you would like to download the docket, click here. Be aware that it is a very large pdf file, 6 megs. 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.  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.
NEWS AND ACTIVITES	From Barb: In addition to preparing for the Regional Board meeting this week (and such things as updating the Operating Guidelines to reflect changes made in the Bylaws at the RA) we’ve been getting the office ready for “company”. I am so pleased to say that today is the first day since the summer of 2002 that we have the conference room cleared enough to serve as the conference room once again! It has take 4 years to process all the items that came from the Mississippi and Louisiana offices. Granted, we have a truckload of archives to take to Disciples Historical Society, but I think today is the day I can say “Our GRR Regional Office is fully functional!” Tonight will be orientation for our new board, and I’m thrilled to be working with John Kirby and these leaders from across the GRR. From Rick Hamilton:  Last weekend, after TCU Ministers Week, we celebrated the Covenant of Call for Randy Cook at FCC Monroe. After Regional board, I will be preaching at Elm Tree Christian Church in Bentonville. 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: Southern District Ministers had a lunch meeting at FCC Baton Rouge with 16 ministers present. We plan to meet on a bi-monthly basis for fellowship, support and education. Rev. Johnny Wray, Director of Week of Compassion will be traveling along the Gulf Coast this next week. He will preach at FCC Baton Rouge on Sunday, meet with FCC Slidell Sunday evening and visit our Mission Stations during the week. Following our Regional Board meeting this weekend I will be worshiping at FCC Pineville, Rev. Bill Norton, Minister. From Lara Blackwood: This coming weekend (February 23-25), youth and adults from all over the region will join together for CYF Midwinter. This event, which takes place at Camp Couchdale, will focus on the theme "Move Along" (Matthew 6:34 & Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). 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 please be in prayer for the participants who are readying themselves for this event! The Regional Camp and Conference Brochure is on its way!! This document contains dates, prices, registration forms and descriptions for each of the camp/conference opportunities available for our youth during the summer of 2007. This document also contains Camp Counselor/Steward application forms, Youth Commission application forms and great ideas to help you promote the summer camping program in your congregation! Be on the lookout for this packet in your 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: 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. The Central Arkansas-area Public Relations Campaign Ad-Hoc Committee is sponsoring a Banner-Making Workshop from 10:00 a.m. to noon, on Sat., Feb. 24, at the Pulaski Heights Christian Church, 4724 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock 72205.   We will be making vinyl banners to display outside your church.   Churches participating in the public relations campaign may participate without cost.  Churches which are not participating in the campaign may still send members at a cost of $25 per congregation to cover the cost of banner materials. Contact Shari Coote (smcoote@comcast.net or 501-258-2091 ) by Mon., Feb. 19, if you are planning to attend.