Ready for Sanctuary at Rock Bridge Christian Church

"As people of faith, it is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with undocumented people living in fear of being separated from their families." This is the idea that, back in September, led Rock Bridge CC in Columbia to become a sanctuary church. The vote took place after a four-month discernment process. Read their complete announcement and learn more about this national interfaith sanctuary movement.

Being only the second church to make such a statement in the Columbia area, RBCC's decision was covered by local news agencies KOMU and the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Now the congregation has one final project to complete in order to be ready to host someone in their building. They plan to upgrade their accessible bathroom with a shower and washer. With a price tag of $4,800, this last improvement will enable them to host someone under threat of immediate deportation because of their immigration status. Learn more about their short-term fundraiser challenge.

Faith Adventures Pre-Camp Rally

Large group singing led by Mark Houser, Hermitage CC and Jack Daniel, El Dorado Springs FCC

Even with the mixture of snow, sleet, and rain, Faith Adventures Camp held its 4th Annual Pre-Camp Rally on Sunday afternoon, April 8th at Hermitage Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Activities for the afternoon included fun ice breakers, crazy camp songs, fun games with M&Ms, and watching videos from past camps.  Nearly 80 youth, adults, and pastors from DOC Churches in Appleton City, Butler, Clinton, El Dorado Springs, Hermitage, Nevada, and Springfield South Street were in attendance. Despite the cold, dreary weather, the Son was shining inside.

The afternoon started out with introductions by Rev. Jack Daniel, coordinator of Faith Adventures Camp, and then moved on to ice breakers for the whole group, along with some singing and magic tricks by Mark Houser. The theme for Faith Adventures 2018 Camp will be “Beyond Belief.” Rev. Daniel gave examples from real life and from the Bible where things were beyond belief.

After the ice breakers, everyone divided into breakout groups of JYF youth, Chi Rho, and CYF. Students in the older group played Never Have I Ever and did some acting with Skits in a Bag. The younger group did get to know you with tennis balls and played Minute to Win It games. The event concluded with more singing and a meal of hot dogs, chips, and homemade cookies served and grilled by the men and women from the Hermitage Christian Church.     

Some of the youth attending the rally had been to camp every year since the first year of Faith Adventures Camp in 2014. Others had never been to camp, but plan on attending for the first time this summer. Faith Adventures Camp for 2018 will be held July 23-27th at Camp Hebron in Pittsburg, MO. For more information about Faith Adventures Camp, visit www.faithadventurescamp.com.

Thanks to FCC El Dorado's Barb Walsh for this information and photos. 

Find information about all of our other summer programs here.

Florissant Valley CC Commissions Short-Term Missioners

On Easter Sunday, April 1, Pastor Michael Dixon led a commissioning service at Florissant Valley Christian Church for four of its members to go on an eight-day mission trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. For the last several years, Jim and Kay Christian and David and Janet Camarota have made this trip for Wheels for the World, which provides wheelchairs and other mobility aids for people who need but can’t afford them. Wheels for the World is a mission of Joni and Friends. Wheelchairs are collected, repaired, and sent to the sponsoring congregation in Guadalajara, and the team from the US works with a local team to fit the wheelchairs to people’s needs. People come from many miles around to gain mobility for children, youth, adults and seniors. Each year the Christians and Camarotas come back with beautiful stories of their opportunities to work and witness for Jesus Christ.

The congregation supports the mission by collecting free-will offerings that go for the purchase of supplies and orthopedic equipment, and through prayer.

Thanks to Michael Dixon for this information and photo.

Now THAT'S Neighborhood!

On March 17th, Friendship Christian Church was destroyed by fire. On March 22nd, neighboring Tulip Christian Church raised over $5,000 to help. What an amazing (and fast!) response to this tragedy. Here's how one of the organizers describes the event, which took place at the Centralia Fairgrounds.

Tulip Christian Church and Friendship Christian Church are located 2 miles apart in a rural community. After the fire on Saturday, our minister asked us to all think about what we could do for the Friendship congregation. Some of us talked about doing a free will donation lunch. We put it together in four days because we wanted to get it done before farming season. The food and supplies were mostly all donated by church members, so it did not cost Tulip much in expenses. We used social media as the primary source of advertisement as well as a few fliers placed around town. 

The outpouring of generosity from the community was surprising and a humbling experience. This was a great faith and community building experience for Tulip. We were able to raise a little over $5100, that will be donated to Friendship Christian Church, to use as they wish.

Thank you to Robin Reynolds and Rev. Fran Schnarre
for sharing this story and photos.

Community Socials at Wheeling Christian Church

Members of Wheeling Christian Church welcome their whole community to a ‘senior dinner’ twice a month. This ministry, which is in its third year, began as the congregation no longer had participants in a children/youth ministry program, but had more elderly members.

As the idea for a new meal/fellowship time began to take shape, members were surveyed and it became clear that the best time for such a gathering would be mid-day due to the fact that many potential attendees did not drive at night. The hope for that very first meeting was maybe 15 participants, but 35 came and had a wonderful time!

Now the dinners take place every first and third Tuesday of the month, from April to November. Volunteers plan, prepare, and serve the meals. Each meeting has about 45 participants who are not all church members, but from the wider community as well. This special fellowship time offers a good meal, bingo and other games with prizes, a celebration of birthdays and anniversaries, and a true sense of support and belonging for all.

Funded by the church initially, this program is now self-sustaining, with participants often making donations.

Thank you to pastor Leon Bryant and coordination team member
Paula Grozinger for this information and photos.

Ecumenical Mission Trip

The youth group from First Christian Church of Edwardsville, IL and the youth group from Mt. Joy Missionary Baptist Church of Edwardsville, IL just returned from a mission trip to Nashville, TN.  This mission trip served as a wonderful ecumenical opportunity for two youth groups from the same community to not only serve together but also to enhance our relationship with God and one another.  

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While in Nashville, the youth and adults who attended served at three different organizations.  Some of our volunteers spent one-on-one time with shoppers assuring them they are cared for and that they are important at The Little Pantry that Could.  Others spent the majority of their time doing some much-needed cleaning and organizing at the domestic violence shelter, Morning Star Sanctuary.  Our third group who volunteered at End Slavery Tennessee learned about the very real problem of labor and human trafficking while assisting with an annual fundraiser to promote the healing of survivors and to confront slavery in Tennessee.  

These service projects helped us to open our eyes and see the many struggles that individuals are facing on a daily basis.  It is easy for us to get wrapped up in our own problems which can often overshadow the problems and needs of others.  It is our hope that we can share our mission trip experiences with others while highlighting the importance of caring for and serving those who need to experience God’s love throughout the world.  

Thanks to Rev. Jeff Wrigley,
Associate Minister at FCC Edwardsville,
for this story and photos.

Mid-Americans Headed to Mexico - & You Can Help!

Three people from CCMA will be participating in a Spiritual People-to-People Pilgrimage to Chiapas, Mexico April 17-26. Regional Minister Larry Colvin; Kathryn Wilson, Mission/Outreach Minister at South Joplin Christian Church; and Tim Carson, Senior Minister at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia, will be visiting our mission partners and sharing with Mission Co-Worker Elena Huegel. In addition, time will be spent sharing culturally different times of worship and prayer as they relate with indigenous persons, as well as immigrants and refugees from Central and South America.

A link from Chiapas will be part of the mission sharing at the CCMA Regional Assembly in Hannibal on day 2 of the April 20-21 event.

Parts of Chiapas were devastated last year by a series of earthquakes, and the team will join those who have lost homes and loved ones. In 2017 a challenge was made to Disciples Women of CCMA to contribute $4,000 for the purchase of relief kits for immigrants and refugees. Later CCMA DW adopted the Global Ministries' request to redirect those funds to the Roots in the Ruins relief effort. Now, because of the severe need of assistance by victims as earthquakes continue to strike, we are again inviting donations to purchase the relief kits. 

Although the original challenge was for Disciples Women, anyone who wishes may contribute to the purchase of kits. A check made out to CCMA and noted for Chiapas Kits may be sent to CCMA at 475 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119. Please send no later than April 2. The money will be sent to Global Ministries for the purchase of kits. As with all designated gifts to Global Ministries, 100% of the gift will be used as designated.

Story by Rev. Dr. Larry Colvin.

First Christian Church in Seymour Opens Diaper Pantry

In January, First Christian Church in Seymour opened its new diaper pantry and helped nine local families on its first day. The idea came to Maggie Daugherty at the 2016 Regional Assembly in Springfield. She learned that many families struggle to afford diapers, and that government supplemental assistance programs don’t provide them.

Describing herself as just somebody who saw a need and jumped in, she got the project rolling and now many members of the church are involved. Shelves have been built at the church to store the infant, toddler, and adult diapers, as well as additional personal care items like toilet paper and soap, which are also not covered by assistance programs. Volunteers will staff the space on the third Saturday morning of each month. Even more volunteers package the diapers into bundles of 18 each for distribution. They’ve also been in contact with the Ozark Diaper Bank and have cloth diapers available for loan.

The new program has been highlighted by the local newspaper and television. Maggie says she is amazed with the response and looks to the future saying, “We’ll see what God does with this!”

Mission at First Christian Church in Kennett

Where to begin? In choosing to be a missional church without borders- First Christian of Kennett is a hard congregation to nail down when trying to determine the types and numbers of mission projects that they are engaged in. That being said, that doesn’t mean that they are not fully engaged- because they are. However, by choice- they have chosen a path less focused on specific projects- earmarked and done annually; and more directed on meaningful service in the community- in whatever way that should be manifested.

One such community based organization that they are currently working in partnership with is Helping Hands. It is a group administered by the local Ministerial Alliance. They provide emergency food boxes, clothing, housewares, and other items to families in need. One of the food items most requested by the director of Helping Hands has been- a continuous need for peanut butter. Thus, in the month of December 2017 alone, First Christian Church collected over 130 jars of peanut butter and 40 boxes of crackers. The church is doing the same this month (January 2018), along with its monthly financial commitment to the organization. One person at Helping Hands has affectionately called First Christian “the peanut butter Church.”

Another organization the Church has partnered with is The Delta Children’s Home- which operates two foster homes in Kennett and which has been changing the lives of children in Southeast Missouri for many years. Back in October of last year, the youth created a piece of art which was auctioned at their Delta Children’s Home Bake Sale and Auction. A month later, the Church women collected crib sheets for the same group.

And in cooperation with the local high school, the Church has been a regular supplier of toiletry items for a project called “Indian In-N-Out,” which allows students come and take whatever they need from a caring cabinet, without the embarrassment of having to tell others about their predicament and enable them to focus on their studies.

As was said earlier- where to begin! Over the last several months- First Christian of Kennett have helped both financially and materially to NightLight, which addresses the issue of commercial sexual exploitation- especially in the Tri-Lakes area; a Chemo Care-Kit Drive (the collection of fuzzy socks for those individuals undergoing chemotherapy);  collecting baby supplies (diapers and baby wipes) for Virgie’s Place- a community based organization helping new mothers; conducted a Children’s Sabbath worship service- conducted by the youth of the Church (centered on empowering young people), varied Christmas outreach endeavors as well as….countless other projects both locally and beyond.

In 2017, the First Christian Church also saw its giving to denominational special offerings- Week of Compassion, Pentecost, Reconciliation, and Christmas grow dramatically- in many cases, more than 100 percent. One of the things shared by many of the Church’s members- is the fact that the greatest percentage of mission dollars, donated for mission is used for mission by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our national organization already has the infrastructure to both administrate and distribute, and doesn’t spend a large amounts of mission dollars for the advertisement of mission programs.

Sometimes, at First Christian they can say "we sometimes know what God is like" ....in seeing the Good News…..of lives being changed through mission…God mission.

Please check the following web-link for additional information:http://www.kennettchristianchurch.org/outreach.html

Thanks to Interim Pastor Rev. Jim Wilson
for this story and photos.
Edited from original version 1/22 8:40pm.

FCC Odessa Reaching Out

Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, First Christian Church of Odessa, MO desired to help. Naturally we promoted the Week of Compassion (of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as an agency prepared to assist. Donations could be sent with the assurance the gifts would be used for direct relief.

Elder Billy Smith with the check for University CC.

A few weeks later a member inquired regarding directly assisting a sister congregation in the Houston area. The inquiry led to a contact with a former pastor who had served in Houston for 16 years. His suggestion was to contact Peggy Edge, Coastal Plains Area Minister. The Reverend Edge then put us in contact with the University Christian Church, a smaller transforming church, who had sustained damage.

FCC made contact with The Reverend Darnell Fennell learning more about the congregation's needs. On December 3, 2017 a check exceeding $2200 was blessed during worship at FCC. It was mailed to University Christian Church the next day.

Of the $2200, a portion represented a gift from Outreach. But the majority of the gift came from individual members' contributions. We want to remain in contact with our sister congregation to learn of other ways we might be of support and assistance.

Thanks to Interim Minister Rick Butler
for this story and photo.

World’s Largest Christmas Stocking

First Christian Church in Sedalia’s team has the new world record stocking!! We unveiled the worlds largest stocking to a crowd of over 300 people at the Mathewson center on December 19th. Official measurements were taken by a certified agent and results are being sent to Guinness book. 

The Guinness World Record’s largest Christmas stocking was held in Carrara, Tuscany, Italy since 2015. To win the title back to the USA and small town America, Sedalia, MO, the stocking needed to measure more than 168 feet 4.65 inches in length and 70 feet 11.57 inches in width (heel to toe). When I was approached by Charlie Thomas, radio host from our local radio station KDRO about this project, I immediately became very excited about being involved. Mr. Thomas knew the reputation of our congregation as being very involved in outreach and leadership in our community. He reached out to the Outreach Team of First Christian Church to be the design and sewing team for the project.

The stocking was made in conjunction with the Community Santa project that has been in existence approximately 35 years in Pettis County. The Community Santa provides toys, books and games, donated by individuals from Sedalia and surrounding area, for more than 1200 children, elderly and the disabled every year. Persons receiving assistance fall below the poverty level guidelines designed by the Department of Family Services. Community Santa, KDRO and the Sedalia Democrat (our local newspaper) used the production of the stocking to help stimulate more participation from the community in giving toys so that every child in our community has the promise of a magical day.

First Christian Church, Sedalia, MO (Disciples of Christ) has adopted a vision, “Spirit Guided, Mission Minded.” We are encouraged to develop ministries that enhance relationships with our community, whether it be within our church or beyond our doors. This project has provided opportunity for our church to work with businesses, individuals and media in our community and develop new relationships between our own members. New relationships have developed between intergenerational persons ranging from 94 years old to 8 years old.

JoDee Buso
Outreach Team Leader
First Christian Church
Sedalia, MO

Extreme Dome Makeover at Culver-Stockton College

Each fall, first year students at Culver-Stockton College kick off their college experience by immersing themselves in the community through service projects during our Extreme Dome Makeover event. Students gather in the morning to hear from their peers and professors about the importance of service learning and giving back to the community before gathering in groups to actually participate in service projects.

Extreme Dome Makeover began in 2010 as a way to help individuals and families within the Canton community who have faced either physical or financial hardship, yet still find ways to make a positive impact on the community. It also helps connect the college and the town and provides first year students with a service learning opportunity their first weekend on campus. EDM goes a long way in filling the needs of both the community and our student body.  Service is also part of who we are within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. When we serve the local community and work with our neighbors, we become part of the “movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”

In fall 2017, students, faculty, staff, and Canton community members worked together at 17 different locations completing a variety of projects. Some groups participated in landscaping work at private residences for people who could not do the work themselves. Others painted the building exterior for the local American Legion building and front porches for senior Canton residents. Another group went to the local nursing home to spend time with the residents. There were groups that worked at local community organizations or non profit businesses such as the library and community center helping them to prepare for the fall season. One group worked at Canton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to set up a back to school clothing give away.

This event would not be possible without the city of Canton and our community volunteers working with C-SC and our sponsors. This EDM, as in years before, was a great day of celebrating, making connections and bringing the local community and the college together.

Thank you to Rev. Amanda Sorenson,
Chaplain at Culver-Stockton, for this story and photos.

Free Community Breakfast in Troy

On the second Saturday of each month, First Christian Church in Troy hosts a free community breakfast. On that day, around 50 people from Lincoln County join together for a hot breakfast and warm fellowship. More than 15 volunteers make it happen by setting up, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. 

It all started just over a year ago when Naomi Uy-Moore had the idea. Naomi is Senior Minister Jeff Moore's wife, who started a similar program at Central Christian Church in Hermitage, PA. She presented her idea to the Board for their approval and they were behind it immediately. In fact a number of gifts came in as seed money for her to begin the program. She continues to head up the effort by preparing menus, buying supplies, and organizing volunteers.

A typical breakfast starts with set-up on the preceding Friday night. About 12 individuals will show up to set tables, organize serving tables, prepare decorations (ie: Veterans Day weekend we had flags and red/white/blue balloons). Then on Saturday the volunteers start at 7 am with prayer and cooking begins. Our doors open at 8 am and we cook and serve right through 11:00 am. We do not begin clean-up until the 11:00 hour because we don't want anyone to feel rushed. A separate cleaning crew comes to break down tables and wash dishes.

The breakfast is promoted through our front marquee, newspaper press releases, the local ministerial alliance, and word of mouth now... as it is a year old and doing well. The program continues to change as the population continues to change. But consistently we have seen veterans and young families attend, both of whom are seeking fellowship, as well as a hot breakfast. We consistently have between 40-60 each month. Many are the same people, but each time we gain a few new ones. This program is entirely outreach oriented, supported by donations which come from church members. We do not ask for anything from those who come to the breakfast. The program costs us about $70 per month, but everyone agrees is well worth it!

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore
for this story and photos.

Continuing Education in the Northwest

On November 4, a dreary Saturday morning, twelve ministers and a facilitator gathered at the First Christian Church in Cameron to participate in a workshop entitled A Training Workshop on Spiritual Response to Domestic and Sexual Violence. It is not a topic very many people know much about. It is also a topic people don’t want to talk about. All the more reason to present the workshop.

The facilitator was Meghann Kosman, a Court/Victim Advocate at the Maryville Children and Family Center. One by one, Meghann led the group through the different kinds of domestic and sexual abuse that exist; what the signs of abuse were that they needed to watch for; where the individuals caught in this environment could go for help if they needed it. She challenged the participants' preconceptions and stereotypes and provided alternative understanding to why and how an individual finds themselves in an abusive and violent situation.  

The group participated in some simulation based training, putting themselves “In The Shoes” of the different people who find themselves victims of domestic and/or sexual violence. The participants learned that it is not unusual for a person caught in this situation to be experiencing both kinds of violence, domestic and sexual. That presents challenges for helping them find a way out, especially the teenagers. This was an intensive workshop experience that challenged everyone in the room to not only look at these issues with a new perspective, but to make sure this new perspective focused on finding ways to develop a viable, healing, spiritual response to a situation in which people often find themselves feeling hopeless.

What did the participants learn? Well, according to the evaluations they turned in, the workshop exceeded their expectations. They learned that as long as this subject remains hidden, tucked away from our day-to-day lives, there will be more and more victims. They learned that domestic and sexual abuse are often connected and are a manifestation of misusing power and control. They learned that economic abuse, emotional abuse, and using isolation and intimidation of the victims all contribute to what is called a cycle of violence.

The event was organized by Rev. Terry Robison, pastor of First Christian Church in Burlington Junction and Pickering Christian Church. Terry also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Northwest Office Commissioning Ministry Team (CMT), which was challenged by the Chair to develop local continuing education opportunities. Because of the success of this workshop, plans are being made to present it again after the first of the year, possibly early Spring. Watch the News Update for information on time and place.

November 4th was a dreary day in Cameron Missouri. But, the opportunity to participate in this workshop may help the participants make someone’s life brighter. And that is what continuing education is supposed to be about, not just getting the necessary hours to meet a requirement but to continue to learn how to be a good, caring, helpful minister. The twelve participants in this workshop learned skills they might not otherwise have. And perhaps, one day, in some place, someone’s life may end up being changed because someone heard their cry for help and reached out to them. This is the power of education.

This story is a portion of the complete report submitted by Rev. Patrick Overton,
pastor of Arrow Rock Federated Church and chair of the NW CMT.
See his original document for more details on the planning, execution,
and evaluation of this event.

South Joplin Christian Church Assists with Utility Aid

Minister of Mission & Outreach Rev. Kathryn Wilson was interviewed recently by local news about the growing number of utility assistance requests.

South Joplin Christian Church is sincere in its efforts to meet the needs of those seeking help in the local Joplin community.  Sometimes that assistance extends beyond the city limits to smaller surrounding communities in Jasper and Newton counties.  Although assisting others in this manner has always been part of South Joplin’s outreach efforts, in 2012 the congregation decided to make changes in their approach to outreach and mission and added the position of a Minister of Mission and Outreach to the staff.  Having a staff person in place with the responsibility of administering outreach assistance, among other mission responsibilities. has proven to be an asset for the church.  Now the church is better able to manage how outreach assistance is provided and make best use of its available resources to meet more needs.  This has become possible through the building of relationships and collaboration with other helping agencies and churches.  Working together with others means needs are being met especially during times when the resources of larger helping agencies are running low or have been depleted.

It is impossible for the congregation to know from one year to the next the number of people it will assist.  A review of the Outreach records during the past three years reflects the following number of families were assisted with utilities, rent, gas, medical, lodging and auto repair: 2015 – 30 families; 2016 – 39 families and 2017 – 41 families to date.  The Outreach Minister monitors available funds regularly to avoid as much as possible depleting funds.  There is a maximum amount established for all types of assistance and “guidelines are in place to serve people as best we can and to not enable them – not become a revolving door.”  Assistance is provided once in a twelve month period which is explained at the time of the request, realizing that occasionally there are exceptions.  Participating in a community data base, Charity Tracker, further helps identify how those who come to the church have been served by other community entities.  When unable to help, referrals are made to other known agencies, non-profits and churches that may be able to assist, which involves being knowledgeable of other resources in the community.  This helps tremendously in stretching the church’s dollars. 

Funding for our Outreach budget is provided by an established percentage of the weekly offerings being funneled to the Outreach budget weekly.  A portion of that percentage is then specifically earmarked for local outreach.  Additional funds are raised throughout the year through events such as our Annual Alternative Christmas Gift Fair, gifts from the church such as our permanent fund and the sale of Equal Exchange products.  Utility assistance is only one of many outreach and mission endeavors of South Joplin.  The church is a faith-based partner with Irving Elementary School and throughout the year provides funding for some of their educational initiatives and other activities, emergency requests from the counselor and Christmas needs for families.  South Joplin has also been a supporting partner with Crosslines Ministries, a local pantry since its inception 35 years ago with regularly monthly contributions and a food donation challenge to the congregation monthly. 

The South Joplin congregation strives to live into their five faith practices of Genuine Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service and Spirit-led Generosity.  Our motto for mission: “Mission in Action – Being the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Submitted by Rev. Kathryn Wilson
Minister of Mission and Outreach

Izola Jones Lectureship Series at Boonville FCC

There is an expression that says, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” That certainly holds true for Izola Jones, former Boonville Elementary School 6th Grade Teacher and member and Sunday School Teacher for the First Christian Church in Boonville, Missouri. In fact, Jones continues to influence many of her former students many years after her death. This was especially true on Saturday, October 14th as the Boonville First Christian Church presented the inaugural Izola Jones Annual Lectureship Series featuring Dr. M. Eugene Boring, one of our nation’s most respected theologians and scholars.

The first program in this first lectureship series was held on Saturday, October 14th and presented three lectures by Dr. Boring that addressed the change and transition the contemporary church is experiencing today by exploring the vision for the church shared in the New Testament. The theme of the event was Revealing A Future Vision From The Past.  Approximately 74 clergy and lay persons from around the state attended the event. Roger McMurry, minister at the Boonville FCC says this first event in the lectureship exceeded all of our expectations. “We couldn’t be more pleased,” he said with no effort to hide his very large smile.

This event was made possible by the Izola Jones Annual Lectureship Series at the Boonville First Christian Church. The lectureship Series was established this year by Izola Jones’ daughter, Joyce Lake, to honor her mother’s legacy as a public school and Sunday School teacher. It is unusual for churches in small communities to present this kind of programming, especially with it being open free of charge to church members and all clergy and laity in Boonville and across the state. But, being unusual has always been a badge the Boonville First Christian Church has worn with honor. This Lectureship Series carries on this tradition. This event was designed for clergy, lay people, and church leaders in Boonville and around the state, promoting interaction among the leadership of the whole church. An after session followed the lectures for clergy, teachers, and church leaders to enhance their ability to listen to what the writings of John say to the Church. 

Izola Jones is not giving the lectures herself, she passed away many years ago. But, her commitment to excellence in teaching and learning was present during the event. This newly established Lectureship Series celebrates her commitment to learning and her core value as a teacher that we should be learning our entire life, not just in school. Those who knew Izola Jones knew she was a force to behold. And so was her life’s vision.

Whether teaching sixth grade students or Adult Sunday School class – her expectations as a teacher were the same – do your homework, show up on time, and be prepared to learn. For those students who learned early on that these were her expectations, they maximized their learning from a very good teacher. For those who didn’t, well. . . thanks to the Lectureship Series named after her, these students had one more opportunity to get extra credit for turning in missed assignments by attending this program on October 14th. That may not make up for all the lost assignments, but it is never too late to learn.

As Izola Jones would say, “Do your homework, show up on time, and be prepared to learn.”  The Izola Jones Annual Lectureship Series is just what the Boonville First Christian Church needed to do to make this happen.

Thank you to Roger McMurry and Patrick Overton for this story.

Practicing Hope at Compton Heights CC

On Saturday, November 4, members of seven Mid-America Disciples congregations, in addition to several from United Church of Christ congregations, and members of our Disciples of Christ LGBTQ+ Council gathered at Compton Heights Christian Church in St. Louis for a “Building An Inclusive Church Training.”

It was a faith-filled, hope-filled day as we talked about what it means to be the Church of Jesus Christ which fully includes everyone God welcomes at the Table of Christ.   Those present were people wanting to help their congregations have faithful study and discussion of what it means to be Open and Affirming communities of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 

The training was led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Johnston, Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Ministries program of the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance (formerly called GLAD Alliance).  Congregations represented were at many places in the process; from those “just thinking about starting a conversation” to those who understand themselves as welcoming of LGBTQ+ people but have not done a congregation-wide study taken the step to declare themselves “Open  & Affirming” to one congregation that has been officially “O & A” for a long time and is always exploring how to deepen their ministry.

The material introduced and explored is the “Building An Inclusive Church Toolkit.”  What is wonderful about this resource is that it is not just a curriculum.  Rather it recognizes that every congregation is different, with different needs, different starting places, different contexts.  The ‘Toolkit’ gives congregations the tools to assess where the congregation is beginning, and to create the journey, with a variety of suggested resources.  Most of all, we are called to connect with our heart, to listen to each other, and to be open to the life experience and spiritual journey of God’s people!

Hosting this event was the culmination of a week of involvement for Compton Heights Christian Church.  Some of us were involved in the 3 day Ecumenical Christian conference “Rolling the Stone Away” which was held in St. Louis, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.  At this conference, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Affirming Christians from across the United States worshiped, remembered the Saints who have gone before us, gathered in workshops, and celebrated the movement of the Spirit in the Church and society. Disciples leaders in the movement spoke with such faith, power, and grace!

Then on Friday, Nov. 3, our Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance Council met for retreat at Compton Heights CC and had a wonderful day identifying priorities, such as Anti-Racism work. 

So by the time we hosted the training on Saturday, we were full!  Then on Sunday, Rev. Jacque Foster, pastor of CHCC, and the Rev. Dan Adolphson, Moderator of Alliance Q (the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance’s nickname!), did a ‘sermon duet’ and the Rev. Dr. Mark Johnston shared a Mission moment in worship.  Worship on that All Saints Sunday celebrated how we “practice hope” at the Table of Christ; a perfect way to lead us forward surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.

Read more about Compton Heights CC history of open and affirming ministry in Jacque's reflection "How did we get here?"

Thank you to CHCC pastor Jacque Foster for this story and
to WGCC pastor Jeff Moore for the photos.

Wyatt Park Christian Church Hosts Mission Partners

Over the span of three weekends, Wyatt Park Christian Church in St. Joseph is welcoming two of its global mission partners. Brother Henry Bhasker from the Good Shepherd Mission in Puttur, India visited with Pastor Scott Killgore during the 9:15 Service October 22. Wyatt Park has partnered with Good Shepherd since 1998, has sent monthly financial support since 2000, and periodically sends mission teams there. Good Shepherd operates orphanages, a school, three hospitals, an HIV/Aids facility, an elderly care facility, and supports 15 village churches, all in southeastern India.

On November 4-5, Wyatt Park will welcome Gerald Emmanuel, pastor of churches in Cambridge and Holland, Jamaica. For 15 years, Wyatt Park members Dr. Tom & Susie Alderson have partnered with those two congregations to organize medical and dental mission trips to southwestern, rural Jamaica. A 35-member medical and dental team will travel to Jamaica in late January 2018, to serve in Jesus' name in a part of Jamaica that tourists don't see. 

Story and photo courtesy of Rev. Scott Killgore,
Senior Pastor Wyatt Park Christian Church.
Scott has recently published a book about the congregation,
"Beyond the Window: A Faith Community in America's Heartland."

Brentwood CC Raises $7,000 for Local Students through Concert

Musicians from the Springfield area joined forces at Brentwood Christian Church on Oct. 1 in order to raise money for local students who would like to participate in musical programs at their schools, but lack the financial resources for doing so.

The event -- known as "NeuroJam" -- featured Dr. Gray Matter and the Zone Blitzers, a group of musicians, music therapists, scientists and dreamers from Brentwood Christian Church and the local community who came together to make this fundraiser possible. 

Why NeuroJam? It's because the opportunity to participate in music education directly impacts opportunities for children to learn and grow. From a scientific viewpoint, children’s brains develop differently if they learn to play an instrument. Many of the members of the band are scientists, doctors, and music therapists who work with patients and clients daily, using music to bring about transformation. Brain development, the sense of belonging to a group, and the sheer joy of playing and learning something new all support children as they move forward both educationally and socially.

The idea for the concert emerged out of Springfield's "Zone Blitz" initiative, which is a city-wide effort aimed at reducing the rate of poverty in Springfield, which is currently double the average in the state of Missouri. Brentwood Christian Church has worked closely with Central Assembly of God in a partnership designed to bring two very different churches together in order to focus on Jesus' call to care for the poor. The NeuroJam concert gave Brentwood the opportunity to raise $7,000 that can go directly to this initiative. Funds will be used to repair instruments, purchase instruments, and cover costs and fees incurred for families in need of financial support so their children can participate in musical programs and activities.

Story and photos courtesy of Rev. Dr. Phil Snider,
Brentwood CC Sr. Minister.
The concert was also covered by a local newspaper.

Eat, Praise, Love

World Communion Sunday is a special day in the life of mainline churches. Celebrated the first Sunday in October, congregations throughout the United States celebrate communion while conscious that other congregations are breaking the bread and drinking the cup. The practice has, for the most part, been done in the isolation of the local congregation. World Communion Sunday became a little more global this year in Bowling Green, MO. The congregations of the local Presbyterian, Methodist, and Disciple churches celebrated together. Members of the three congregations gathered at the Methodist church for breakfast. Participants also wrote simple prayers on strips of cloth that were tied to tree branches that were placed on the chancel area for worship.

Members then gathered for the worship hour at First Christian, DOC. The service featured a choir comprised of members from the three congregations. Communion was shared. The worship became a World Communion experience.

Worship was followed with a carry-in lunch at the Presbyterian church to conclude the day.

The Bowling Green Ministerial Association is comprised of these three faith families as well as several others that have never heard of World Communion Sunday. Information was shared concerning the plan for the special observance. The larger Baptist congregation, located across the street from the Methodist and DOC churches chose to combine their two services into one to celebrate “World Communion” in a single service and share a potluck afterwards. Perhaps the community effort will expand in the future and World Communion will be experienced as World Communion. Meanwhile three churches in Bowling Green are discussing what more will be done together.

Submitted by:
Rev. Bruce Moeller
Interim Pastor First Christian Church
Bowling Green, MO