COVID-19 resources available
The Office of the General Minister and President has compiled a collection of resources and statements from Church leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in partnership with Week of Compassion, National Benevolent Association, and others. We are updating this page with more resources as available. | | Creating sacred spaces and planting seeds of possibilities | |
Urban Mission Community Partners, an Incubate partner with the National Benevolent Association, is creating a space within the chaos where they can plant and grow, even if it is only the seed of possibility.
In the midst of our national pandemic, Urban Mission’s South Pomona Farm continues to provide fresh produce from their gardens to the community, serving families, immigrants, and students alike.
Another seed of possibility that they’ve sown is Down to Earth, a 10-week certificate program in “Restorative Gardening” for a cohort of formerly incarcerated men and women now on parole. This program is the first of its kind, as far as we know. It seeks to use their farming practices to teach basic farming skills, introduce basic horticulture, and explore restorative practices such as mindfulness and self-reflection.
Like the National Benevolent Association, UrbanMission Community Partners knows they do not plant these seeds alone. Together we are questioning corrupt, broken systems, and we’re finding the cracks, driving wedges, and creating holy spaces where seeds of possibility can be sown.
The National Benevolent Association is one of many general ministries supported by your gifts to the Easter special offering, received in many congregations on April 5 and 12. | | Easter offering received Sunday
As congregations look for ways to worship together virtually, the Easter special offering can still be part of your celebrations together. A variety of resources are available to share in your congregation, like videos, PowerPoint slides, children's activities, and more. Individuals and congregations can also easily give online to support this offering. | | | | Invitation to join in prayer
Creator God who makes all things new, we thank you for the new Northern Lights region that stretches from Montana to Alaska. Bless their new life together as they may grieve some old traditions but rejoice in new partnerships and new life in a region full of the contrasts of dense urban life and wide open spaces. | | | | Witnessing in the time of COVID-19: An update on Global Ministries mission co-workers
The COVID-19 public health emergency continues to change and evolve each day, impacting many of our lives. It has disrupted plans, regular programming, and routines, leaving many feeling uncertain. In the midst of this, Global Ministries, mission co-workers, and global partners are doing our best to contribute to the health and safety of our fellow global citizens while remaining committed to our mission of presence.
This week, Area Executives shared updates on the status of all mission co-workers. Every mission co-worker is in contact and discerning their best course of action in consultation with the Area Executive, global partner, and their families. Area Executives and global partners have been most focused on our young adults in this changing situation. As of the publishing of this letter, five Global Mission Interns have returned home and four remain in place. Other mission co-workers have made the decision to stay and accompany our partners during these challenging days. These situations continue to be evaluated as conditions evolve. Communications between Area Executives, partners, and mission co-workers remain open. | | | | Save the date for online Easter service
Disciples, we can all join in worship together on Easter Sunday ( April 12). An Easter service featuring a message by General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens, music (with lyrics), a children’s moment and more will be available Easter Sunday morning to enjoy via YouTube. Stay tuned for more details. | | | | Applications open for HELM scholarships
The Leadership Fellows program is a leadership development program for Disciples undergraduate students. Each of the four years of undergraduate education has a different focus: Community, Transformation, Global Awareness, and Mentoring. Click here to learn more about the Leadership Fellows program and to access the online application.
For Disciples students pursuing a PhD in the field of religion, HELM offers two scholarships, the William Gilbert and Florence Leonard Jones Scholarship and the Ann E. Dickerson Scholarship. Click here for more information on these scholarships and to access the online application.
All application materials for both the Leadership Fellows Program and PhD scholarships must be received by April 30. If you have questions, please contact Jon Barnes. | | | | What does it mean to “love your neighbor” in the midst of a pandemic and shutdown?
Faith leaders have their hands full trying to figure out new ways of being church together in this season of social distancing. Churches may also be looking for safe, innovative ways to respond to unprecedented needs in the community. “Create and Continue Community Connection from your Couch,” the latest episode from the New Church Hacks webinar series, offers suggestions for how churches can care for people when they literally can’t be close to them. Together with a panel of featured guests, New Church Ministry will help participants: - Learn to build a response team, identify assets in their congregations, assess community resources and needs
- Explore options for community ministry
- Inform and organize the congregation for their community care ministry
- Conduct worship online but also connect the dots in between worship services
Joining us on the webinar will be Heidi Unruh (Coauthor of Churches That Make a Difference; Hope for Children in Poverty; and The Salt & Light Guidebook), Joy Skjegstad (Author of Seven Creative Models for Community Ministry, Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church, and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry) and Katy E. Valentine (Coach at katyvalentine.com and founder of Creative Christian Spirituality, LLC). | | Additional resources and opportunities
| | | | National Benevolent Association extends XPLOR 2020-21 application deadline
The NBA initiates ministries designed to establish and grow partnerships with health and social service supporters and providers. Drawing upon this rich history, NBA continues to assist Disciples to join systemic justice work with direct care and action. In 2014, we launched NBA XPLOR, a prophetic movement of young adults who are considering lives of care and service. The Residency provides 10-month professional development and vocational discernment opportunities for 21- to 30-year-olds to live simply in community and engage in direct service and justice work. Through NBA XPLOR, we partner young adults with Disciples congregations, regional and general ministries, and wider communities—positively engaging neighborhoods, the congregations, and the young adults. We are currently accepting applications for our 2020-21 cohort. Applications for this XPLOR cohort will be received until all spaces are full. Your applications are welcome and you will be contacted immediately with updated news on openings. For questions and more information, contact Rev. Ben Bohren. To learn more about the XPLOR program, visit nbacares.org/xplor. | | More opportunities to put ministry into action
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