COVID-19 didn't stop the peace interns | | By Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, mission director
This has been a summer unlike any other. That is particularly true for this summer’s DPF Peace Interns. In a typical year Disciples Peace Fellowship sends three young adults to church camps all over the United States and Canada to serve as ambassadors for peace and justice. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, that simply wasn’t possible. Instead, 2020 DPF Peace Interns Wendy Davidson, Raphael Guillen, and Jennifer Williams have spent the summer working remotely, partnering with Disciple Justice Ministry groups, and connecting with online camps and conference.
Click on the button below to will find their reflections on a summer unlike any other. In these excerpts taken from the online, intergenerational, peacemakers training event they recently led you’ll get to hear first hand from Raphael, Jennifer, and Wendy on what it was like to be a Peace Intern during the pandemic, the projects they have been working on all summer, and the places where they see hope. | | One more thing to wrap up #DOCjustsummer: Advocacy Toolkit
Hopefully you found a justice ministry this summer that piqued your interest. (Review stories linked from this page.) Well, there's something more you can do and do it right now! Many legislators are listening more closely to their constituents in this election season so it's your opportunity to bring up what matters to you in a virtual legislative visit. You can find out how to make effective visits with this advocacy tool kit that includes a video from our Disciples in Washington who are well-practiced. | | Grow your compassion A global pandemic means that people are in need close to home and around the world. Disciples want to know how to help.
Through Week of Compassion, your congregation can support local and global ministries that are meeting needs and changing lives. Read more about Week of Compassion's COVID-19 Response. We invite you to "Grow Your Compassion," as we receive a designated offering for COVID-19 relief. The gifts that your church shares through this response will extend your mission capacity far beyond the church building, and even beyond your local community. On our website, you will find videos, mission moments, worship resources, children’s activities, sample social media posts and more. During this time when worship has been modified, we’ve made these resources easy to “plug and play” for your remote gatherings. We’re also using a new mobile giving platform that will allow members to easily text their gifts from their phone in just a few clicks. You can create your own "fundraiser page," or even create a team page for a congregation with customizable goals, unique text codes, and more. The needs of our neighbors are great right now, but we are disciples, and our compassion is even greater. Join us as we share the love of Christ--close to home, and around the world. | | | | LTS offers new certificate program
To accommodate busy schedules, students attend synchronous courses online (via Zoom) as well as four-day, in-person intensive courses* at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY, in the summer (these in-person gatherings are dependent upon changing circumstances pertaining to the COVID 19 pandemic). Upon successful completion of all 12 courses, students earn the Certificate in African American Ministry or they may apply them as continuing education (CEU) credits. | | | | Help get out the vote!
On Aug. 13, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner did a Disciple-specific webinar to support efforts for TurnOut Sunday. The National African American Clergy Network and Lawyers and Collars teamed up to provide the resources.
| | | | You count!
Future planning by governments, nonprofits and others is directly affected by the numbers from the census, so in spite of the pandemic and because of the inequities in how communities are resourced, General Minister and President Rev. Teresa Hord Owens reminds us that 2020 is a census year in the United States. Fill out the quick form at 2020census.gov to make a difference for your community for the next 10 years!
| | | | | | Other News
The Christian Church Foundation is pleased to announce Rev. Monica Myers Greenberg will serve as the new Vice President for the Mountain West Zone. Rev. Myers Greenberg is a graduate of Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, and Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. Originally from Ohio, she has served congregations in the Northern Lights Region for the past 21 years. In addition to her ministry with congregations, Rev. Myers Greenberg has been very involved in the life and work of the Northern Lights Region. Rev. Myers Greenberg and her husband reside in Seattle, Washington with their son and dog. Read more....
| | | | RIOT continues
RIOT continues! As a part of June’s Pride worship service, we considered the ways God is inviting us to turn over every table of injustice — through revolution, with intention, taking advantage of all opportunity, opening ourselves to God’s transformation.
| Next Ministries Across Generations Virtual Zoom Gatherings September 14 (2nd Monday due to Labor Day), October 5, November 2, and December 7
Linda Staats has a Masters degree in Human Development and the Family from the University of Nebraska, and minor degrees in Child Development and Gerontology, Linda brings a life-span approach to congregational ministry. She is known for the ability to combine research, resources, and theology and for connecting people’s own holy stories with God’s stories. The process of networking and facilitating groups, small or large, is life giving. My greatest joy is bringing people of all ages, 3-103, together for meaningful interaction. | | Additional resources and opportunities
Disciples Family Faith at Home We are giving you a chance to reorder the Faith at Home parables to use this fall with your families at home. Each story is $10. Extra printouts can be found here. Each story will include cut-outs, felt, and printouts for families to engage in story, scripture, prayer, wondering questions, and worship at home. If you are interested, please e-mail Wilma Shuffitt by Sept. 1st. (As you prepare for Advent, we will be offering at home faith stories too!) The Good Shepherd The Good Shepherd and the Lost Sheep The Mustard Seed The Sower The Great Feast The Good Samaritan The Prodigal Son
| | | | Apply for a grant with the National Benevolent Association
The National Benevolent Association is currently running two grant programs. We invite disciples-affiliated organizations whose ministries have been detrimentally impacted by COVID-19 to apply for a COVID-19 NBA Response Grant. This grant was created to support new and changing projects created in service to those suffering because of the pandemic. Applications for this grant are rolling.
Additionally, the NBA invites congregations, programs, and ministries affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program utilizes purpose-restricted funds to provide grant funding for projects serving older adults and educating disenfranchised youth and young adults. The application deadline is Sept. 1. | | | | Explore the enneagram with eight hacks
The Enneagram, a theory that argues nine different personality types exist, has experienced a surge in popularity among Christians. It’s time to discover why the Enneagram is an effective tool to implement within organizations, ministries, and workplaces, and why using it within your church can improve the quality of communication among your team members.
- Apply the principles to your personal and spiritual growth
- Strengthen successful relationships at home, at church, and in the community
- Develop leaders, build teams, and enhance communication skills
- Integrate into your Bible studies, therapy sessions, retreats, and individual spiritual practice
Hosted by Terrell McTyer (Minister of New Church Strategies), New Church Hacks provides practical prompts for churches from start to restart. This free webinar series is jam-packed with clever solutions to tricky problems and empowers courageous leaders with the tools, tips and how-tos to start, sustain, and strengthen congregations. | | | | Meet our 2020 NBA SENT Seminar Speakers!
Each year, the National Benevolent Association’s Incubate initiative hosts the SENT Seminar. This seminar equips Social ENTrepreneurs with the tools they need to run successful nonprofit organizations and other social enterprises.
The NBA is grateful for our lineup of esteemed presenters who will share their knowledge with our SENT participants this year. Due to the global health crisis, our annual SENT Seminar will happen virtually. We invite Disciples-affiliated leaders and leadership teams who are starting new health and social services ministries to register for this powerful three-day event. | | | | 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. We are updating this page with more resources as available.
| | More opportunities to put ministry into action
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