Giving hearts grow during pandemic | | In a year of upheaval, when economic times are particularly tough, churches might be tempted to hold on tightly to their financial resources. Contributing to ministries beyond the congregation, much less making extra gifts, may not be a very high priority.
But recently, two Disciples congregations did just that.
Full Gospel Christian Church in Detroit, MI, is a small congregation, part of a church plant 15 years ago. The congregation has lived through lots of changes in those 15 years and has seen its share of ups and downs, says pastor Dr. Gwendolyn Pettway, but “this year, we’ve experienced a bit of stability and our financial health has improved.” When DMF Day rolled around last month, Pettway saw the invitation to the online giving day, and Full Gospel sent a contribution to Disciples Mission Fund, an offering made in gratitude in the midst of an uncertain time.
First Christian Church in Jefferson City, MO, also made an extra gift to the Disciples Mission Fund this summer at a time when they knew budgets were stretched. A surplus from 2019 gave them a little extra, and they decided to pass it on to the denomination.
"Our congregation is committed to tithing our budget," said John Blosser, the congregation's Mission Team chair, "which means that 10 percent of what we take in has to be shared beyond our walls. Supporting DMF is a major part of our mission giving because we know the lives touched and transformed through our collective witness as Disciples."
Both congregations could have tucked that money away, saving it up for an uncertain future. Instead, they chose to think beyond their own survival and to be part of the work God is doing through the whole church. Their contributions to Disciples Mission Fund will support over 70 ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), from virtual regional assemblies to support groups for pastors, from congregational resources to global mission partners. Contributions to DMF make it possible for Disciples to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
Congregational giving reports likely have landed in church mailboxes. Be sure to review your congregation’s DMF year-to-date contributions. You can also visit www.disciplesmissionfund.org, where you can find shareable DMF graphics to use in your e-newsletters, social media, or virtual worship. Questions about DMF or your church’s giving? Email contributions@disciples.org. | | Global Ministries excited to share new resources
1. Virtual Pilgrimage to Cuba –Let’s (virtually) go to Cuba! Eight videos take you on a journey to meet partners, engage in worship, and explore the beauty of Cuba. This resource is particularly well suited for small groups or individual exploration.
2. Congo Week – Mark your calendars and make plans to participate in Congo Week, October 18-24. This week is an annual opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating legacy of conflict in the Congo and share in advocacy with Congolese siblings. Some resources are already available and more will become available in the weeks to come.
| | 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. | | 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! | | | | 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 Oct. 8.
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. | | Additional resources and opportunities
| | | | 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. | | | | Ministries Across Generations
Family Faith Boxes - Advent at Home Includes the following stories: How the Church Tells Time, Prophets, Elizabeth, Mary & Joseph, The Shepherds, Christmas, and The Magi. The stories will include felt, cardstock, and activities and manipulatives to prepare for Advent, celebrate Christmas, and move into Epiphany! Each set is $40.00. Please order by Oct. 14 by emailing wshuffitt@dhm.disciples.org or find more products here. Join now - Light a Candle with Campers: “Love Letters to Camp” This year's Children's Sabbath celebration will be Sunday October 18, 2020. The Light a Candle Prayer Vigil, held September 21 – October 16, 2020, uses a different focus scripture each week related to the overall theme as we prepare for Children's Sabbath. Follow along as daily reflections are posted. Virtual Solidarity 7K Challenge –Thank you! $1500 raised! The Virtual Solidarity 7K Challenge invited your family to engage in 7 challenges to learn more about justice and reconciliation ministries as we claim faithfully that the voices of black lives do matter. Thanks for your generosity and support!
| | | | 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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