January 11^th, 2008	44^th   Weekly Edition                                                      2008 GRR CURRENTS
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS	Rev. Joe Garkovich, Pastor at FCC Pine Bluff, AR. His wife, Debbie, was diagnosed with Fibro Muscular Dysplasia or FMD. Click here for details. The family of Rev. Walter Robert Bell, Mountain Home Arkansas, retired pastor. Reverend Bell’s memorial service took place on Thursday, January 10^th at FCC Mountain Home. The family of Dr. Lester McAllister, formerly of First CC Little Rock, AR and noted Disciples Historian. McAllister passed away last week in Pomona, California. Burial will be in Little Rock, AR and is expected to take place on Friday, January 18^th. Lucian George Lee III, son of Rev. Lucian Lee.  Lucian III was injured in a devastating fall on Thursday evening January 10.  Currently, he remains in the hospital in an induced coma.  Since Thursday, Lucian III has been taken off his feeding tubes and is breathing on his own.  He seems to be responding well to test given so far. Eugene Sharp, husband of Polly Sharp, AR Disciples Women District Coordinator, died after a long illness. The funeral was held Monday, January 7, 2008 in Newport, AR.  Cards may be sent to Polly at 419 Main Street in Newport, AR 72212. Julliette Moore, sister of Vivian Woods MS Disciples Women's Stewardship Director, has had to be re-hospitalized with heart valve problems/complications.  Vivian is the sole care-giver for her sister.
NEWS	Parkview CC, Little Rock, AR. On Sunday, January 20, we will celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with "In His Own Words" by Carol Silverstrom. Pastor Dan R. Thornhill. Shirt Sale. We have a very limited number of Great River Region Logo shirts left and ON SALE! Yellow, Green, and Light Blue Polo style shirts in Men’s XL and Women’s XL and XXL sizes are available in limited quantities at the bargain price of $20 each! Please call the office for color availability as quantities ARE limited. (501) 562-6053 Program Director / Merger Staff for the National Convocation named for the Office of Disciples Women, Disciples Home Missions.  Sheila P. Spencer, laywoman from Los Angeles, California, has been called to the position of Program Director and Merger Staff in the Office of Disciples Women, reported Adonna Bowman, Executive Director of the Office.  Sheila will begin her new position April 1, stepping in to the position being vacated by Lonnie Graves on January 31. Congratulations and well wishes may be sent to Sheila at shespenc@aol.com. To preview the official press release click here. Member Care/Contact from WALLACE SC&W Pastors, Communication is a vital need in congregations. There is a need to keep people in the loop with activities in the church, there is the need to share hurts and joys of those in the community, there is a need for members to feel like the church is interested in them and there are announcements and changes that need to be relayed as soon as possible. Here are three avenues to communicate with the congregation: 1. Group E-Mail: Send out short, weekly emails to members with information on surgeries, illnesses, events and such. 2. Tele-Care: A program where every member family of the congregation is contacted by phone once every three months. During the phoning elders and other members are formed into prayer groups to pray for the congregation and any specific requests that arise in the phone calls. 3. Absentee Follow-Up: This program is a systematic way to follow members in worship. After 3-5 weeks of absence a card is sent recognizing that they haven’t been present (“We missed you and hope you are all right”). If you are interested in finding out more about any of these programs or would like help in developing them for your congregation please contact me at swallacegs@aol.com. Steve Wallace.
EVENTS	First Christian Church Hermanville, MS will be celebrating their pastor and wife anniversary on Sunday January 20, 2008 at 3 o'clock pm. GRR Disciples Men Retreat will be January 25-26, 2008 at Westside Mission Center in New Orleans, LA. Rev. Steve Wallace will be our leader. The theme will be "Spirituality for Men." Cost will be $50.00 a person. Registration forms have been sent to your congregation. SESSIONS 2008. Disciples Men…don’t forget to plan now for next year’s SESSIONS 2008 event to be held July 17-20, 2008 in Oklahoma City, OK.  Our General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, Rev. Dr. Rick Lowery, Mark Briley and Rev. Bill Lee will be the featured speakers.  What a wonderful Christmas/birthday gift for the man in your life.  There is also a discounted registration fee for young adult men. International Affairs Seminar:  Now is the time to begin fundraising for IAS 2008.  The weeklong trip to Washington D.C. and New York City will take place March 15-22 and will cost approximately $1500.  The trip is open to High School Juniors and Seniors and is a powerful way to help older teenagers connect their faith with major issues in the world.  If you are interested, know of a youth who should attend, need fundraising ideas or would like more information, please contact IAS Director Ronny Nowell (ronny@arkansas.net) or visit the website:  www.iasdisciples.com.
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: Will be on Study Leave January – March 2008. Rick Hamilton: After Ministry Committee on Thursday and Friday, I will be out on family business this weekend. Next week is Regional Board Meeting in Covington, LA. Search Committees I am currently working with: Lakeshore Drive CC, Hot Springs, AR FCC Jackson, MS FCC Mountain Home, AR (Assoc) FCC Rogers, AR FCC Stuttgart, AR FCC West Memphis, AR From Vivian Bryant: I will be preaching at Bethel CC in Coila, MS on Sunday, January 13^th. From Michael Elmore: I will be attending the Regional Committee on Ministry meeting this Thursday and Friday at Kings Highway CC in Shreveport, LA with the rest of the pastoral Staff. Sunday I will be preaching at FCC Rogers, AR and installing Dr. Bob Schomp as their Transitional Minister. Disciple Men's Retreat will be January 25-26 at Westside CC in New Orleans. Registration deadline is January 15^th, 2008. Cost is $50.00 if staying overnight $25.00 if driving in. We will begin with dinner on Friday night at 6:00 and conclude by 3:00pm on Saturday. If you want to stay until Sunday you can do so but you are on your on for meals. Let me know if you have any questions. From Lara Blackwood Pickrel: MIDWINTER MISSION WEEKEND:  Over Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend (January 18-21) youth and adults from around the region will come together at Westside Mission in New Orleans, LA for the purpose of mission work, worship and fellowship.  Please keep these youth and adults in your prayers as they travel to and from New Orleans! SNOASIS:  This event for CYF-aged youth (formerly named CYF Midwinter) will take place at Camp Couchdale in Hot Springs, AR over the weekend of February 22-24.  Forms will be mailed to your congregation soon so that all are able to meet the registration deadline of February 11.  The theme for the weekend focuses on transformation and our keynoter is Randy Kuss!!  Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this exciting event! Youth Workers, Mark Your Calendars!!!  In May (2-4), the Great River Region will host our second F.E.A.S.T. event.  This weekend retreat for adult youth workers will be keynoted by Randy Kuss and is a great opportunity to renew your spirits and energies for youth ministry!!!  Be on the lookout for registration materials! Camp & Conference 2008 brochures are heading your way soon!  Keep an eye out for these important registration materials. Deadlines for Counselor/Steward/Youth Commissioner/Intern applications is April 14th.  Deadlines for camper registrations is May 19th. Check out the youth page on the regional website (www.grrcc.org).  We have added the new youth event calendar, information on a great retreat for adult youth workers and links to many youth ministry resources!