Thanksgiving offering received Nov. 22 | | Video provided by Chapman University. | | In their voices: three undergrads share how Disciple institutions are shaping their experience | This community is an amazing safety net for anybody who needs it. My older brother is a part of DOC at Texas Christian University, and he encouraged me to be active because he knew how supportive it would be. - Emma Drake, Chapman University
It is difficult being a young adult attending college for the first time. However, attending an institution where I can openly connect to my faith has reminded me just how important it is to lean on those around me when things get stressful. - Marci Mazza-Fredley, Bethany College
Entering the Chapman family, I knew I would be involved with this group of people and it was a significant factor in my college decision – knowing I would have a community I could become a part of that I had already been exposed to through participation in PSWR events. - Sarah Sandoval, Chapman University
| | Insurance Board offers webcast on security tomorrow
The Insurance Board is offering a webcast Nov. 19 at 2 pm ET in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security/ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on concerns such as civil unrest, active shooters, cybersecurity and more. An assessment tool designed for houses of worship will be introduced. | | | | Congregations offered bulk rate on Advent devotional, variety of formats available
Advent’s scripture passages call us to imagine a new world, one free from fear, not one based on a “return to normal.” In Chalice Press’ 2020 Advent devotional, Imagining a New World, General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens delves into Advent lectionary texts to reflect on God’s vision for the world and how we might find the courage to imagine, the permission to change, and the freedom to fear no more. A prayer round outs each daily devotion.
Imagining a New World offers an inspiring pause during the day to reflect more prayerfully on what the season of Advent inspires in you and your community. Owens will be addressing the themes of the devotion during her regular weekly video messages during Advent (posted on Facebook and YouTube). You can order your individual copy at ChalicePress.com or wherever you buy books. Purchasing directly from Chalice Press is the best way to support your denominational publisher, even on a purchase as small as $3.99 each. If you prefer to read on your Kindle, Nook or other e-reader, digital books are available for download from your device’s bookstore.
Congregations taking advantage of bulk discounts can receive a matching number of free subscriptions to a weekly email that will include all the content from the devotional. (See ChalicePress.com or the November 16 Disciples Together email for details.) | | | | Thanksgiving offering received Nov. 22
Higher education has been an important focus for Disciples since the very beginning of the movement. Throughout our history, Disciples have founded institutions of higher learning to educate students and form leaders to make a difference in the world. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is still committed to higher education.
This year’s offering will be received Nov. 22. You can also give online (please choose “Thanksgiving Special Offering” on the Designation Dropdown List). Your gift to the Thanksgiving Offering helps support the education of thousands of students at our fifteen colleges and universities as well as our seven seminaries and divinity houses. In addition, it helps continue the ongoing collaborative work of church and higher education that is such a foundational part of the heritage of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Please give generously to this offering. You gift makes a difference in the lives of our students and it makes a difference in the world. | | | | Ohio regional pastor and president position open
The Regional Pastor and President provides executive and visionary leadership for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio.
Applications due Nov. 30, 2020. | | | | Kentucky regional minister position open All applicants are required to provide updated search and call paperwork in order to be considered. Furthermore, all applicants are required to submit a Letter of Interest to the Search Committee Chairperson: Rev. Kory Wilcoxson, c/o Crestwood Christian Church, 1882 Bellefonte Dr., Lexington, KY, 40502. The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2020. | | | | Is your church building winter-ready? Protect your facilities against damaging, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures by following these tips: 1. Have your HVAC checked by professionals experienced with your system. Ask them to install the best filtration. 2. Replace furnace filters according to manufacturer’s recommendations. 3. Keep combustible material at least 36 inches (91 centimeters) from heaters. 4. Know where your church’s main water shut off valve is. 5. Wrap water pipes exposed to freezing temperatures with pipe insulation. 6. Ensure that external water pipes are drained and disconnected from any hoses before the winter freeze arrives. 7. When the temperatures drop, turn interior faucets to a slow drip. 8. Examine your roofing system for cracking, cupping, or peeling. 9. Inspect downspouts for debris and ensure roof runoff is led away from the building’s foundation. 10. Prune trees close to your exterior. 11. Don’t forget about your parking lot and walkways. 12. In a Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) first, skip using a smoke tube to check around windows and doors for tight seals. This year is different in that we are looking for ways to bring fresh air in. | | | | Disciples Peace Fellowship accepting intern applications Disciples Peace Fellowship is now accepting applications for our 2021 Peace Interns! This 12-week, paid internship allows young adults to live out the Gospel imperative for peace and justice by working with camps and conferences, partnering with Disciples Justice ministries, teaming up with ecumenical and interfaith peace movements, and advocating for peace for justice.
Information about this life-changing summer internship, the application process and all online application materials can be found at DisciplesPeace.org/Apply All applications and references must be completed and submitted by Jan. 31, 2021.
If you have any questions about the internship or the application process, please do not hesitate to contact DPF's Mission Director, Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, at MissionDirector@DisciplesPeace.org. | | | | Faith, Compassion, and Healing Our National Divides
Listen in Friday as Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and Dr. Russell Moore, two of the country’s best known faith leaders, explore how we can engage differences with dignity, heal the divides and find ways to move forward together. These two Christian leaders represent denominations with largely different theological and cultural perspectives.
Just days before Thanksgiving, and shortly after a very difficult national election, they will share their wisdom about the Golden Rule and other qualities of faith that could lead to transformation of both our local communities and our national politics.
| | In Memoriam
Other News
Missing piece for 2020 yearbook
The editors of the 2020 Yearbook & Directory apologize for a recently discovered error. The report of the National Benevolent Association, as submitted to the General Board in February of this year, was inadvertenly omitted from the printed yearbook published this summer.
| Join the NBA for a webinar focusing on Spiritual Care is the Midst of Crisis tomorrow
Come with us as we explore the psychological, emotional, and practical skills necessary to lead well during a time of crisis, with particular attention to the pandemic. Together we will explore both the obvious and hidden factors that make times of crisis more difficult to maneuver as well as discuss common pitfalls and behaviors to avoid. You will hear practical tips, tools, and resources to navigate high expectations of spiritual care with minimal resources. Our presentation includes some pre-recorded video as well as live Q&A with members of our NBA Mental Health & Wellness program. Save your seat and register here! | | | | Year-end tax strategies for U.S. givers
As Dec. 31 approaches, taxpayers are organizing their finances to prepare for filing their income taxes. This year, Congress passed the CARES Act to provide taxpayers economic relief during the pandemic. This relief may increase your ability to support church and other charitable causes, helping others through this difficult time.
The three key tax-wise strategies for charitable giving include:
- Persons over the age of 70 ½ may still use qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) for their charitable giving, despite Congress ‘permanently’ raising the age for RMDs to 72 and suspending RMDs for 2020. For eligible seniors, this is often the most tax-effective way to give.
- Donating appreciated stock can save the capital gains tax, allowing donors to reduce the net cost of their giving.
- Non-itemizers can take a tax deduction for up to $300 of cash charitable contributions (called an “above the line” deduction) in 2020.
The CARES Act temporarily increased the limit for cash contributions from 60 percent to 100 percent of adjusted gross income.
Senior donors eligible to make qualified charitable distributions should be aware that, if using an “IRA Checkbook”, those gifts must be deposited by the charity no later than Dec. 31 in order to count as a current year gift. Distributions made through your IRA administrator do not have this same requirement.
The Christian Church Foundation is here to help with your questions. Call us at 800-668-8016. Please also consult with your investment, legal, or tax advisers. | | Information from Capin and Krause: A $300 “above-the-line” charitable contribution deduction is available for non-itemizers in the U.S. in 2020
Donors could receive a $300 charitable contribution deduction this year.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) enacted in March 2020 includes an incentive for charitable donations. For 2020 only, taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions may claim a charitable contribution deduction of up to $300 for the taxable year for cash contributions made to a public charity that is not a supporting organization or donor-advised fund. This new provision does not permit an above-the-line deduction for unused charitable contributions carried forward from a prior year.
The CARES Act does not explicitly address whether couples filing a joint return may claim $300 each. We are not likely to have an answer until the instructions for the 2020 Form 1040 are published. | | Trans + Gender Expansive Worship Materials
Disciples AllianceQ offers liturgical resources to help worship leaders with inclusive use of pronouns for all. Included is a call-and-response liturgy exploring pronouns as well as other resources.
ALSO - Join AllianceQ for the final installment of the RIOT series featuring Rev. Terri Hord Owens speaking on Transformation. Join on the AllianceQ Facebook page, Monday, Nov. 23, at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. | | Teaching justice 2020 style
Elementary-age youth are curious and ready to learn. Taking advantage of what they are hearing in the culture about social justice and inequities, the time is ripe for introducing concepts about poverty.
Rev. Kate Epperly, staff in Disciples Home Missions’ Ministries Across Generations who specializes in justice and advocacy for families and children, gathered a faith formation team in response to the Poor People’s Campaign June 20 event. Her grandsons were deeply interested in the broadcast.
“Jack (aged 10) not only watched the whole event, but also had a lot of questions. He immediately made a tagboard sign saying, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and posted it on the front door, but he wanted more,” she said.
Epperly got to work gathering materials and her colleague, Rev. Olivia Updegrove, collaborated. They consulted colleagues of color within the Disciples and the United Church of Christ to vet their work.
Based on an intergenerational model of learning, the web-based curriculum highlights the Poor People’s Campaign five “jubilee justice” principles around communities, inclusion, voice, lifting all, and the concept that there is enough for all.
The Poor People’s Campaign leadership has agreed to present and promote the new website produced by Ministries Across Generations.
“I have been so excited to share this journey with my grandsons Jack and James (aged 8 ) over the summer. I hope others can connect to this faith-based intergenerational, reflection-action education tool.” | | | | 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. | | | | 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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