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May 2^nd, 2008	59^th   Weekly Edition                                                      2008 GRR CURRENTS
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS	Please continue to pray for communities across the region that have experienced devastating tornados this week. Be in prayer for Rev. Curt Burge, Pass Christian, MS, who will had a heart catheterization done on May 1^st.
NEWS	Disciples Institute Web Site. We have information about Disciples Institute and some of the course offerings and up-coming events.  Also check out the Bi-Vocational Ministers blog.  Link:  www.disciplesinstitute.org Deitra Blackwell, Executive Director.
EVENTS	Disciples Women will host their Spring Workshop on Saturday, May 3^rd at FCC Slidell, LA. Registration will begin at 9:30am and the workshop will start at 10am. GRRCC Disciples Women would like to invite you to attend their annual Disciples Women Spring Workshops.  The Workshop schedule is as follows: MAY May 3                    LA DW Spring Workshop FCC Slidell, LA May 11                  Mother’s Day JUNE June 7                   AR DW Spring Workshop FCC Fort Smith, AR YOUTH WORKER F.E.A.S.T. RESCHEDULED!! - The Youth Worker F.E.A.S.T. (originally scheduled for May 2-4, 2008) has been moved to September 26-28.  This new date will allow more GRR youth workers and youth ministry teams to sign up for a time of Sabbath rest and renewal and will also make it possible for many of our brothers and sisters in the Oklahoma Region to join us for the event.  The Fall event will take place at the Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain (outside Morrilton, AR) and will cost $95.  Registrations are due with payment by September 10th.  Revised registration materials will be sent to all churches, senior ministers and youth ministers in upcoming weeks.  Please mark the dates (September 26-28) on your church/personal calendar and encourage all who minister with Chi Rho/CYF aged youth to attend!!! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Lara Blackwood Pickrel at 479-236-8295. GRR Regional Board will have an online board meeting on May 5^th – 12^th. Camp & Conference 2008. Deadline for camper registrations is May 21^st. Plans are being made for the GRR Regional Assembly that will be held on November 7-9, 2008 at FCC Bentonville, AR. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. “Strength for Today; Hope for Tomorrow” SESSIONS 2008 in Oklahoma City is going to be a huge event for all Disciples Men from around the country.  The event is going to be held July 17-20, 2008 at First Christian Church in Edmond, Oklahoma.  Do you ever feel like your life is like a giant puzzle?  Putting together the pieces of life's puzzle can be a daunting task.  But by surrounding yourself with fellow Disciples all trying to figure it out together, you will find the picture coming into focus.  To find out more about this important gathering of Disciples Men and how your life can come into focus go to: http://sessions2008.org/ or contact Rev Tod Iseminger, Minister of Leader Development at 800-346-2631. The 20^th Biennial Session of the National Convocation will be held in Memphis, TN on July 25-28, 2008.  The theme for the Convocation is God, Our Weapon in Spiritual Warfare.  II Corinthians 10:3-5.  GRRCC clergy interested in attending this event are encouraged to contact the Regional office concerning scholarship assistance. Disciple Home Mission is planning five area church transformation workshops beginning in September of this year. The one for our area is planned for January 16-18, 2009 at Oklahoma City. Michael Elmore, Regional Pastor is working with the area committee and planning the event for our area. A flyer can be found at the following link http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08025.pdf
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: Sunday I’ll worship with FCC Paris, AR. This week I’ll be at a regional minister’s meeting in Georgia and fly from there to Texas for Mother’s Day next weekend. From Rick Hamilton: Sunday I will be at Elm Tree Christian Church in Bentonville, AR. As we continue to prepare for Regional Assembly 2008, watch for announcements by mail and online. Search Committees I am currently supporting: Lakeshore Drive CC, Hot Springs, AR FCC Jackson, MS FCC Little Rock, AR Parkview CC Little Rock, AR FCC Mammoth Spring, AR FCC Mountain Home, AR (Sr. and Assoc.) FCC Rogers, AR FCC Russellville, AR FCC West Memphis, AR Please contact me directly and in confidence to inquire about any of these ministry opportunities. From Vivian Bryant: I will be worshipping at FCC Vicksburg, MS Sunday. From Michael Elmore: I will be worshipping at FCC Slidell, LA Sunday. From Lara Blackwood Pickrel: YOUTH WORKER F.E.A.S.T. RESCHEDULED!! - The Youth Worker F.E.A.S.T. (originally scheduled for May 2-4, 2008) has been moved to September 26-28.  This new date will allow more GRR youth workers and youth ministry teams to sign up for a time of Sabbath rest and renewal and will also make it possible for many of our brothers and sisters in the Oklahoma Region to join us for the event.  The Fall event will take place at the Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain (outside Morrilton, AR) and will cost $95.  Registrations are due with payment by September 10th.  Revised registration materials will be sent to all churches, senior ministers and youth ministers in upcoming weeks.  Please mark the dates (September 26-28) on your church/personal calendar and encourage all who minister with Chi Rho/CYF aged youth to attend!!! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Lara Blackwood Pickrel at 479-236-8295. 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!