Show up, speak up and stand up | | Please note: no printed materials will be mailed for this offering in 2020. | | by Rev. April Johnson
It has been 20 years since we proclaimed our anti-racist and pro-reconciliation identity. We keep trying it on to see if it fits. Over and over again, we find that it does. On September 27th and October 4th, we will receive the special offering for Reconciliation Ministry in congregations.
This year’s theme is fitting for our response to the sustained unrest that has propelled the many to engage in social activism in small towns and major cities. The Rocks Are Crying Out: Show Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, based in Luke 19:36 -40, reminds us, that like those first century disciples following Jesus into Jerusalem, we must lift our voices to acknowledge the divine message and the divine messenger that is Christ with us. We are the ones to break the silence of oppression and suppression of human dignity based on the color of a person’s skin or their nation of origin.
The harmful impact of systemic racism has been lain bare in the health disparities of those impacted by the novel coronavirus, compelling us to ‘speak up’ naming the conditions that unjustly impact poor, black, and brown communities.
The extra-judicial treatment of black and brown bodies has compelled many to ‘show up’ in peaceful protests to affirm equitable treatment by law enforcement and to affirm human dignity for ALL.
We, too, are compelled to ‘stand up’ to witness to Christ’s profound love on behalf of those who are without hope because of historic economic oppression and wealth disparities in our communities.
Your generosity to Reconciliation Ministry strengthens the work and witness of congregations to be the vicarious presence of Christ where we serve.
Your giving promotes programs that provide anti-racism and pro-reconciliation education and resources such as our “Choose Your Own Adventure” online bible study created by Disciples Peace Interns.
Your giving promotes inclusive worship and relationship-building through programs such as One Bag of Tea conversation starter program.
As well, your generosity funds grants that fuel advocacy like the Beloved Community mapping project of Greater Kansas City that connects congregations to community needs.
Your generosity strengthens our voice to shout “Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed are WE, the ones who come in the name of Lord!” We thank you in advance for your generous giving on Sunday, September 27th and Sunday, October 4th to Reconciliation Ministry! | | ICYMI - Anti-racism town hall recordings available
The anti-racism town halls, Love is an Action Word, presented over the summer and fall are recorded and collated in a playlist on the Disciples YouTube channel. The next live session is Sept. 24.
These would be great background and discussion starters for your congregation's small group studies, Sunday School or youth group. You could watch together or assign them as homework before your group meets.
| | Note: You can register for each of the remaining town halls by going to the event calendar on disciples.org. Search for "Love is an Action Word" and click on the event to reach the registration link. | | Give your pastor a break for Week of the Ministry in October! Phillips offers ready-to-stream worship service
Phillips Theological Seminary is providing churches meeting online an opportunity to take a break from the weekly creation of worship by providing a ready-to-stream downloadable service.
The seminary has created the complete digital service as a gift to pastors, congregational leaders and musicians needing a break after months of being out of their church buildings.
“The Advancement Office staff felt that our friends and colleagues across the nation might need a respite from the weekly work of crafting remote worship,” said Phillips Vice President of Advancement Terry Ewing. “When we shared this idea with others at the seminary, they were eager to contribute to the digital service.”
Members of the Phillips community contributed to the service, with President Nancy Claire Pittman preaching the sermon on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26.
In addition to offering the full service, each component of worship is available for download as its own file. This means congregations in need of a specific part of worship can pick and choose what they need.
The worship components include: Welcome and Introduction, Prelude Music, Morning Prayer, Words of Confession and Assurance, Special Music, Scripture Reading, Sermon, Mission Moment & Offering, Prayers of the People, Communion, Doxology, Benediction, and Postlude.
Registration to receive a link to the worship service download is available now on the Phillips website. A link to the files will be sent Sept. 17 to everyone who signs up. Technical questions about the video files or downloading should be emailed to Kurt Gwartney, senior director of communications at Phillips.
CLICK HERE to register for the worship files download. CLICK HERE for technical questions or download issues. | | Applications are being accepted to serve on the General Youth Council
If you are a youth or adult who is interested in serving on the General Youth Council please visit the GYC website to get information and fill out an application. Applications are being accepted from now through Sept. 30, 2020, for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2021, and ending Dec. 31, 2022. | | Young Adult Commission applications are being accepted
If you are interested in connecting and empowering Young Adults to engage in the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), you can fill out an application to serve on the Young Adult Commission. The next term of service begins January of 2021 through December of 2023 and applications are being accepted until October 30, 2020. Go here to see the expectations for those who serve on the committee. Come serve with us! | | | | Church the new way
Leadership Academy gathers Disciples every fall to share leadership experiences, wisdom, and training. This year, they can still expect to learn together, and for the first time, register core teams of up to five people for $500. (We encourage the lead pastor to register for everyone.) From Sept. 29 to Oct.1 (11AM to 6PM EST), New Church Ministry will host a virtual Academy featuring Start and Sustain Tracks to empower leaders, DOCTalks to address missional transformation, and LEADLabs to help leaders with missional concepts. Speakers include: - Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is sought after as a preacher, speaker, and workshop facilitator.
- Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Founding Director of TryTank, a laboratory for church growth and innovation. He speaks to groups about development, community involvement, the arts, business strategy, and marketing.
- Christiana Rice, Director of the Parish Collective. She is a trainer, writer, and convener, helping to reorganize the church around God’s dreams in the neighborhood.
- Tim Soerens, pastor, social entrepreneur, and co-founding Director of the Parish Collective. He is the author of Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church, Right Where You Are, and the co-author of The New Parish.
| | 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. (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. | | | | 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!
| | | | 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.
| | 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.
| | Advocacy Toolkit from Disciples Justice Ministries
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. | | More opportunities to put ministry into action
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