Click here to download .doc file
May 23^rd, 2008	61^st   Weekly Edition                                                      2008 GRR CURRENTS
JOYS and PRAYER CONCERNS	Rev. Rita Richardson, Pastor at Central Christian Church in Russellville, AR, requests prayers for her Brother, Clyde Richard Brown who is recovering from a stroke, and for her sister Rockie Richardson who continues to struggle with cancer. Continue in prayer for the infant grandson of Rev. Jim and Linda Looney in Covington, LA, Marcel who is in the hospital. They are hopeful he will go home this week. Carol Murphy, wife of Chaplain Jeff Murphy in Jackson, MS, as she continues to recuperate from gall bladder surgery.  Carol is at home and although still in much pain has begun to resume some of her normal activities.  Jeff reports that her appetite has returned and she has even returned to work for short periods. Revs. Josh and Laura Fitt-Baird at Grace DOC in Covington, LA are expecting twins in December. Rev. Hancell Bankester, Pastor at First Christian Church in Vicksburg, MS has returned to the pulpit after surviving a stroke.  Thank you for your continued prayers Rev. Curt Burge, in Pass Christian, MS receiving treatment for his vocal cords.
NEWS	Disciples Women E-Newsletter. If there are suggestions for the name of the upcoming Disciples Women E-Newsletter.  Please submit suggestions to us at the Regional office before May 29. Also Congregations, please remember to send in updated copies of your membership directories.  By doing so, our data bases and mailing lists are kept current. Reconciliation Grants have been awarded to the following projects submitted by GRR congregations: · Resource Group for Jacob’s Homeless Mission, Searcy, AR - Rev. Rebecca Frankford, Director · Cross Street CHRIST Program, Little Rock, AR -- Barbara Smith, Board Chair Cross Street CC · “Who is our Neighbor” Project -- Rev. Shari Coote, Pulaski Heights CC Congratulations on the ministry you do and the people you bless! In Celebration of Brother Vance, Pastor Vance Moore of Westside CC, New Orleans, LA host volunteers on mission trip. Article published in Disciples World Magazine. Click here to view. FCC Lake Charles, LA. Also in the same issue of Disciples World Magazine, there is an article on the Disciples’ mission station in FCC Lake Charles, LA. Click here to view. Spiritual Growth Aid. What does it mean to mature spiritually?  What are the key elements that we are to focus upon in order to shine more of Christ through our lives?  Certainly there are certain actions that we are to do in order to mature spiritual, but doing isn’t enough.  We also need to have more of Christ’s character.  We also need to “be” more like our Lord.  At www.wallaceresources.us you are invited to use a tool (“spirituality” tab) to help you reflect on how you are shining like Christ and where there are areas needing attention.  By reflecting on 4-10 questions on each of 18 areas individuals are challenged to identify successes, weaknesses and opportunities to shine brighter.  There are also suggestions for what to do to grow in each of the areas. Check out this resource and see if it can help you “do” and “be” more of what Jesus desires. Thanks, Steve Wallace St. Charles Ave Christian Church, New Orleans, LA. Our Minister, Rev. Frank Sherard will be celebrating his Covenant of Calling with Rev. Dr. Michael Elmore June 22^nd at 3pm in our sanctuary. All are welcome! Ashley Sherard, Secretary scacc@bellsouth,net Christian Church Foundation is responsible for assisting individuals, congregations, regions and other entities of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to discover the joy of sharing their resources to further the work of Jesus Christ in the world. At this time, the Foundation is responsible for over $436 million of the church’s money. Distributions from permanent funds held by the Foundation benefit local congregations, regional ministries and general units of the church. Bobby Hawley, Vice President, Christian Church Foundation, bhawley@ccf.disciples.org  and Marilyn Fiddmont mfiddmon@ccf.disciples.org are available to consult with donors privately and confidentially about ways to make gifts that will benefit themselves, their heirs, and the church causes they care about.  In addition, they are available to preach on the stewardship of accumulated resources and do workshops on the following topics: -     providing seminars on inheritance planning, tax laws and charitable giving; -     training clergy about the role of planned giving & the need for sound permanent fund policies; -     working with congregational leaders and trustees in developing permanent fund policies; -     helping congregations manage their permanent funds over the long haul, providing an opportunity for growth of principal while distributing dollars for ministry. Bobby Hawley recently consulted with congregational leaders at FCC, Camden. 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. Doctorate Program beginning at Columbia Theological Seminary: Decatur, GA— Beginning in fall 2008, Columbia Theological Seminary will offer required introductory seminars for its Church and Ministry Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program in Atlanta, GA and Montreat, NC. At each location, degree candidates can take the introductory seminar and three elective courses toward the completion of their D.Min. in Church and Ministry. The Doctor of Ministry Degree program is open to experienced pastors of all denominations and backgrounds. The program gives pastors the opportunity to reshape their ministry for more effective leadership for God’s people. For more details and application materials, go to www.ctsnet.edu. Then click Degree Programs, then Advanced Degrees, then Doctor of Ministry. OGMP Announces New Minister of Faith and Giving Position. The Office of the General Minister and President is seeking a Minister of Faith and Giving who will lead the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in creating a stewardship movement and a culture of generosity. The Minister of Faith and Giving will work with regional and general ministry partners to create culturally diverse resources for congregations related to giving, annual stewardship campaigns, personal wealth management, and congregational financial management. To read the full ministry description, please: www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2008/05/20a-mfg.pdf. Interested candidates can contact Dr. Todd Adams, Assoc. General Minister and VP 317-713-2414 or tadams@ogmp.disciples.org. Please submit resumes by July 10, 2008 to: Dr. Todd Adams, c/o Office of the General Minister and President, 130 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
EVENTS	GRRCC Disciples Women. The last DW Spring Workshop will be held on June 7 at FCC in Fort Smith, AR.  Registration will begin at 9:30am and the workshop will begin at 10am.  Look forward to seeing you there. Youth Worker F.E.A.S.T. Rescheduled! (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. 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. Our theme this year is “Strength for Today; Hope for Tomorrow”. Building a Gifts-Based Church. Sign up now for the Spiritual Gifts workshop taught by Rev. Frank Johnson on June 6-7 at FCC Baton Rouge, LA! This is definitely not an attempt to fit people into pre-arranged church board slots! It is a process designed to honor the integrity of congregation members’ abilities and commitments to God’s work in their congregations. This is a train-the-trainer format class. Ministers and church leaders who attend will learn how to administer a spiritual gifts inventory, along with ways to identify leadership styles, interaction styles, types of tasks that people enjoy doing, and the ways they experience and approach God. With this information in hand, ministers and leaders can help congregation members honor their gifts and serve God. It is a process that has been tested and has evolved within real congregations in real churches since 1988. Identifying spiritual gifts can help to transform your congregation with the energy of people who know they are bringing the first fruits of their lives to God each week and making a difference in their communities with the gifts God has given them. Thank you! Deitra Blackwell, Executive Director Disciples Institute, 501-517-2474, deitra.d.blackwell@comcast.net or www.disciplesinstitute.org. A Brochure, Registration Form, and Map are attached.  Also attached is the Spiritual Gifts Assessment Form that you need to fill out prior to coming to the class. 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.  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 http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08025.pdf. 2009 General Assembly. Please find the attached information about the 2009 General Assembly resource groups which includes your Invitation, Workshop Criteria and Application. Please note that the deadline for submitting applications for workshops is July 1, 2008.
STAFF UPDATES	From Barbara Jones: I enjoyed worshipping with Park Hill Christian Church last Sunday and being able to extend thanks on behalf of the region for their continued support to Disciples Mission Fund in their congregational meeting. David Cook, son of Miles and Trela Cook (not the winner of American Idol) graduated from North Little Rock High School this year with honors, winning community and school awards. David has been on the GRR Youth Commission for two years and is well known across the region. He plans to attend the U of A in Fayetteville this fall. This week has been delightfully full with consultations, challenging ideas, and administration. I look forward to a quiet Memorial Day weekend. From Rick Hamilton: I am halfway through a six week sermon series in the transition period for Elm Tree Christian Church in Bentonville, AR. This week’s sermon in the series “Coloring Outside the Lines” is called “Getting New Crayons.” 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 look forward to preaching at FCC West Memphis, AR this Sunday, May 25, 2008. From Michael Elmore: Southern District Ministers had an excellent lunch meeting at FCC McComb, MS. Rev. Donald Dick was head chef. Rev. Michael Karunas shared with us about his trip to the Holy Land. Sixteen of our ministers attended. Next Tuesday I will be meeting with FCC Pineville, LA to share with them results from Re-Formation Assessment that was done a few weeks ago. From Lara Blackwood Pickrel: CAMP DEADLINE HAS PASSED!!  Camp registrations will still be accepted but will require a $50 late fee.  If you still have registrations to turn in, please contact the regional office and let us know they are on their way! 2008 Summer Camp Dates/Locations/Directors/Costs: CYF Conference             June 15-21        Camp Couchdale          Jennifer Mikesell                    $250 ($300 after 5/21 deadline) Magnolia Conference      June 15-21         Roosevelt State Park     Josie McClorine                     $110 Discovery Camp             June 21-22         Camp Couchdale           Brian & Wendi Phillips             $80 ($130 after 5/21 deadline) JYF Camp                     June 22-25         Camp Couchdale            Marilyn Pickrel                      $190 ($240 after 5/21 deadline) Chi Rho Camp                June 25-29         Camp Couchdale         Loy Hoskins & Chuck Pickrel     $200 ($250 after 5/21 deadline) FISSH Camp                  July 6-12            Ferncliff Camp              Carol Renee Eakin                  $260 (310 after 5/21 deadline) CALLING ALL PASTORS!!!  Although the official selection process for the Great River Region Youth Commission has concluded, we are still in need of more youth/adult leaders!  If you know of a youth in your congregation who is entering their junior or senior year of high school and has gifts for servant leadership, please encourage them to apply for the GRRYC.  While all applications will be reviewed equally, we are in particular need of applicants from Louisiana and Mississippi. The deadline for applications is June 11.  If you have questions regarding the process or need an application, please contact me at 479-236-8295 or lara@grrcc.org GRR SUMMER INTERNS SELECTED!!  This year we had a number of excited and qualified candidates for our two Regional Summer Intern positions.  Thanks to cooperation between the Region and First Christian Church in Sherwood, AR, we were able to place three applicants rather than two!  The GRR Summer Interns for 2008 are Jacob Wilson from FCC Bentonville and Leah Vest from FCC Sherwood.  FCC Sherwood will enjoy the service of Katie Taylor (FCC Baton Rouge) as their first-ever summer intern.  While Jacob and Leah will spend 8 weeks of the summer helping with our regional camping program, Katie will spend 8 weeks working with the children and youth at FCC Sherwood.  Many thanks to FCC Sherwood and Will Feland for being so willing to partner with  the region!  Next summer, if your congregation needs to find a summer intern, please contact the Regional Youth Coordinator to see if we can partner in similar ways!! 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!