Preparing for the next season | | New devotional prepares Disciples for a new year and a new vision
Where is God leading us in 2021 and beyond?
A new collection of 52 weekly reflections on Isaiah 35, the hallowed passage about finding new life, new faith, and new prophetic vision in challenging times and places, invites you to pray on that question as you walk alongside other Disciples toward a new vision for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Written by leaders of the Disciples general ministries and edited by Disciples historian and Old Testament scholar Rev. Dr. Rick Lowery, Wellsprings of Hope: Prayers for a Prophetic New Vision for Disciples speaks of finding water in the desert, strength and transformation through our faith, and the journey God calls us to undertake as we see a new way of being Disciples, together, for the new year and beyond.
“For Disciples across the country to focus on the same scripture, the same prayer, the same hopes and dreams for what Disciples can be — it’s a powerful idea,” says Lowery, president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society and editor of Wellsprings of Hope, about the devotional.
| | Stay connected in anxious times with more devotionals & books from Chalice Press
Stay connected with your community this fall and Advent season with devotionals and other inspiring resources to help us join together in difficult times. | | Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference hybrid of virtual and onsite
Sunday, Oct. 4 - Wednesday, Oct. 7; no registration deadline
This year at the Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference, participants will tak a deep dive with Rev. Teresa "Terri" Hord Owens, general minister and president, as we explore "Limitless Love." In addition to thought-provoking and soul-stirring conversations with Terri, we have set aside time each day to invite you deeper into the heart of a retreat, away from the crowds, to a quiet place to practice care for your soul, mind, and body.
Although all sessions will be virtual, we are extending an opportunity for some onsite attendees at Christmount. You will have your own room in the guest house, your own table in the dining hall and have access to all other amenities such as hiking trails, meditation areas, rocking chairs, and gardens. Viewing of the plenary sessions will take place on large screens in the conference room with socially-distanced seating or on your own portable device in another location.
The majority of the cost is underwritten by the Oreon E. Scott Fund housed at the Christian Church Foundation. Pricing is based on a sliding scale model. | | Spiritual resilience during pandemic isolation
Developing regular spiritual practices can help revitalize your life. Consider learning about different spiritual practices, and then choosing a couple to regularly use during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, as a way to deepen faith and build resilience. Learn more about various spiritual practices here. | | Connect your congregation to the work of Global Ministries, global partners, and mission co-workers!
1. Join the virtual pilgrimage to Cuba and journey with your congregation to meet Cuban partners from the comfort of your home. This resource is ideally suited for small groups, Sunday Schools, and individuals. | | Bible study from Reconciliation Ministry
Twenty minutes is all it takes to choose your own adventure in this new Bible-study tool, A Parallel Journey. Each decision point illustrates a character’s life may be impacted by their demographic profile.
This resource can be used by an individual or by groups. The rich opportunities for discussion by several learners could be either in person or via electronic means. | | Anti-racism town hall recordings can start conversations
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. .
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.
| | Stewardship planning resources you may have missed
| | Special Day Offerings: Saving some resources
If you are looking for resources for special day offerings this season, they are going to only be a mouse click away. Reconciliation Ministry did not send printed inserts or envelopes since so many congregations are still in remote mode, but they have posted materials on their website. Higher Education & Leadership Ministries will also provide digital materials this year for the Thanksgiving offering (Nov. 15 & 22) linked from the disciplesmissionfund.org website as soon as they are available. There will not be bulk-mailed resources for the Christmas offering, but regions will be providing promotional materials hosted on their own websites and disciplesmissionfund.org. | | Study up on refugees
Disciples have responded to welcome refugees for over 75 years, since near the end of WWII. See stories HERE, that have appeared during RIM’s “#40for40” campaign, in honor of the 40 year anniversary of the US Refugee Act of 1980! | | Join in a do-at-home Christmas project with your kids
Looking for a hands-on project for your children, youth or family to do during this pandemic time of all-too-much time at home or in “virtual reality”?
This project is undertaken in partnership with the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project which provides free legal and social services for adults and children in immigration. FIRRP hopes that every detainee will receive a greeting! They successfully achieved their goal last year. We are blessed to be able to help them make their goal this year! | | Bilingual devotional features Obra Hispana pastor
Bread for the World is offering a bilingual (Spanish/English) devotional this Hispanic Heritage Month. One of the featured writers is National Pastor Lori Tapia of Obra Hispana.
You can download this free resource for your own personal devotional time and pray for those who do not have enough since hunger knows no borders, color or language. | | Disciples Family Faith at Home
We are giving you a chance to order 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!) Contact Wilma Shuffitt. 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. | | 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.
| | 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 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 on the Phillips website. A link to the files will be sent 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. | | 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. | | 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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