FCC-Troy Youth Mission Trip to Winchester, KY

On July 11, 2021, 22 high school youth and 6 adults from First Christian Church-Troy, MO made the 6-hour drive Winchester, KY to serve alongside 220 other youth and adults from 7 different states. The trip was planned and operated by Group Mission Trips, a non-profit company that organizes mission trips around the globe. The youth and adults from FCC split up into smaller crews to work on 5 homes. They worked on home repair projects that ranged from rebuilding a front deck to painting an entire home. All the projects were outdoor projects this year to allow social distancing, so the crews worked tirelessly in the July heat. All the worksites had their projects completed by the end of the week, which does not always happen.

Beyond working on houses, the youth and adults from FCC Troy bonded through nightly worship and youth group discussions. Mission Trips are a great way for youth to grow closer together, and the FCC youth experienced a lot of that this summer. Group Mission Trips has a theme for each year, and this year’s theme was “Worth It.” Using the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the worships and devotions worked to show each youth that they are “Worth It” to God. This is an extremely important message for teenagers to receive in a culture that cheapens one’s worth more than enriching it.

It’s not all work and devotions during mission trip. FCC Youth enjoyed cooling off mid-week at Kentucky Kingdom Amusement and Waterpark. They rode water rides, roller coasters, and enjoyed concession stand snacks. The adults found a nice, air-conditioned restaurant inside the park. It was an enjoyable afternoon for everybody!

Mission Trips have long been a central focus of the Family and Youth Ministry at FCC Troy, and this year’s trip continues that tradition. Next year’s trip has already been scheduled to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. All are excited to serve God, eat bratwursts (Sheboygan is the home of the bratwurst), and swim in Lake Michigan!

Thanks to Rev. Seth Rash, Associate Minister of Family & Youth,
for this story and photos.

Springfield Churches Caring for the Unsheltered This Winter

Three Disciples churches in Springfield have partnered with three other local churches to embark on an ambitious ecumenical outreach project for this winter.

The Connecting Grounds (TCG), National Avenue CC, and Brentwood CC are planning a program by which unsheltered people will have someplace warm and safe to sleep each night of the winter season, no matter the outside temperature. The current shelter possibilities in town are only available if the temperature is predicted to fall below 32 degrees. This policy leaves people to brave elements that are still potentially dangerous. Another deliberate distinction for their plan is that it is inclusive with regard to gender identity. Elsewhere, couples are sometimes separated based on gender restrictions.

In addition, the group plans to continue TCG’s practice of delivering food and supplies to people staying outside whenever it’s 45 degrees or colder.

People wanting to get involved are invited to an informational session on September 28. The project will be needing volunteers to staff both aspects of the outreach, as well as donations to help cover the estimated $175,000 worth of expenses. All churches are asked to consider their Special Offering Challenge during the last weekend of September. Learn more through local news here and here>

Exciting New Ministry in Northwest Missouri

(… well, it’s actually a stone’s throw over the border into southwest Iowa!)

Founded by the Families of Faith of the Hopkins First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the “Homebounders,” listeners of daily Facebook devotions sponsored by Hopkins First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Camp Appleseed is available to any church that accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior for family gatherings, weddings, retreats, etc. Cost is a free will donation.

They have it all – tents, outdoor kitchen, canoes and kayaks, orchard, beach, fishing, shelter house – and, God willing, the Holy Spirit!

Recently they hosted a week of day camp for first through fifth graders. About 25 youngsters participated and had a wonderful time exploring their theme for the week – Psalm 23. One of their daily activities was to find something in the surrounding nature to represent one of the verses.

Come check it out! Fall is a wonderful time of year at the on-site 1,000-tree apple orchard. All are welcome to the Apple Butter Festival coming up on October 16. The day will include worship and prayer, in addition to apple picking, cider tasting, and of course lots of apple butter!

See their brochure for more information, photos, and history of the property. If you’d like more information about this facility and ministry, contact Steven Wainwright at jaetc@myfmtc.com. Steven is the Camp Director and pastor of FCC in Hopkins.

Six Weeks of Compassion 2021: Let Love Flow

Each year since 2013, we at Compton Heights Christian Church have dedicated six weeks in late summer to concentrate on several of our outreach missions, and to learn more about some of the organizations we are supporting. This year, due to Rev. Jacque Foster’s upcoming retirement, our Six Weeks of Compassion will take place in two separate parts:  August (1,8,15, 22) and September (12,19).

During August, we learned about how our Week of Compassion Offering collected in the winter is helping in disaster response and long-term recovery, as well as aid to refugees in camps around the world. 

We also heard a great progress report from our local resident ministry, Isaiah 58 Ministries. We surpassed our goal of 250 highlighters collected for their annual back to school drive.

One of our members shared memories of the first person-to-person visit in 2009 to Family Village Farm in India. Donations have been coming in for our support of children there.

During the two-week break, we will follow a gratitude calendar and prayerfully consider an additional gift to Week of Compassion.

In September we will learn about the work of Church World Service and receive items for CWS hygiene kits.  We also will learn about the unique Missouri Festival of Sharing that is an umbrella not only for Church World Service, but many organizations helping in our state.

Our theme for this year’s Six Weeks of Compassion is Let Love Flow. Our congregation is full of generous and loving people, who seriously believe that God’s Love is for All people, ourselves, our neighbors in the city and country, and around the world. We believe that God is present in every place that needs healing, compassion, and justice. For these 6 weeks we will focus on outreach, but we engage in this giving all through the year.

Thanks to Compton Heights Christian Church’s Judi Linville for this information.

SJCC Youth Participate in Disciple Summer Mission

In 2019 the youth of South Joplin Christian Church participated for the first time in the week long Disciple Summer Mission event which was held in Springfield, MO. It was a wonderful experience serving alongside other Disciples youth from other regions across the country. The youth were looking forward to the next event to be held in Memphis, TN in 2020. However, as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic the event was canceled and rescheduled for 2021. Needless to say, the SJCC youth were disappointed upon learning that the DSM event in Memphis was once again being rescheduled for 2022.

It was exciting news to hear that rather than totally cancel the 2021 Disciple Summer Mission, the DSM Planning Team re-envisioned the event and issued the call and challenge for Disciples youth to do mission and service work in their own communities. “DMS in our own backyards!”  What a novel idea and great opportunity to make ourselves visible in our own communities. South Joplin jumped on board and a small group of youth participated in the DSM week of service, worship and fellowship in Joplin, June 21-25. It turned out to be a great week and a wonderful mission experience.

Although small in number, the SJCC youth made an impact in the Joplin community. During the week the youth served at Crosslines Ministries, Inc., the local food panty and free store of which South Joplin has been a faithful partner since its inception 39 years ago. The youth provided some much needed cleaning of areas in the pantry, bagged 300 bags of commodities for distribution and sorted and re-organized a large donation of housewares that had accumulated over time. On an additional day the youth were part of SJCC’s volunteer team at Crosslines and had the opportunity to serve clients directly through food distribution and filling the clothing racks, etc. in the free store. Other service included tending the community garden at Soaring Heights Elementary School and the weeding of SJCC’s playground and park area that serves our local neighborhood. Mid-week the youth had the opportunity to assist in cataloging books and organizing the library at the Freedom of Flight Museum, a local non-profit located on the grounds of the Joplin Regional Airport, that provides the opportunity for children and youth to learn about and initiate interest in the field of aviation. 

The week’s activities also included a time for worship and fellowship. Although not gathered as one group of Disciples worshipping together, the DSM Team provided virtual resources via Facebook that we were able to incorporate into our own worship. Our time of fellowship during the week included an “All About Town” Scavenger hunt created by Pastor Kathryn which landed the group in the middle of the “Great Race” which was passing through Joplin and concluded with a stop at Sonic. Our week ended with a fun time of miniature golf and old fashioned snowballs.

Each day of the week the youth were challenged to reflect on the question, “Where did you see God at work today?” As we shared it was amazing to hear their answers and insights. Although we were not able to travel to Memphis and serve alongside other Disciples youth, we appreciate that we had the opportunity to serve in our own backyard. 

Submitted by Rev. Kathryn Wilson,
Minister of Mission and Outreach

Wyatt Park Christian Church Mission Trip to Arkansas

The Wyatt Park Christian Church youth and sponsors recently returned home from a week-long mission trip to Eureka Springs, AR.  They had the opportunity to paint cabins at the campground where they were staying.

The latter part of the week was helping to restore a little country church that had its beginnings pre-civil war. Much work was needed on the church but on our last day there, family members whose grandparents once served as pastors of the church showed up to share stories about the church with our youth.  We learned it had also been a one-room school house. Once it’s finished, they plan to have Bible Studies, weddings, funerals and possibly Sunday services once again. They also thanked us by feeding us pizza!  We finished our week with a fun day filled with kayaking and seeing “The Passion Play.”

Thank you to WPCC Associate Pastor Cindy Crouse for this story and photos.

All Aboard the Diaper Train at Florissant Valley Christian Church

Florissant Valley Christian Church partners with TEAM in collecting food and other items for those in need from Hazelwood and Florissant in North St Louis County. Team (The Emergency Assistance Ministry) is sponsored by a number of congregations in North County as well as other groups.

Florissant Valley Christian Church contributes regularly to TEAM by having an emphasis that may run a month or two. Having a focus for the contributions seems to work well. Recently we had a fun emphasis called "The Diaper Train.” When the FVCC’s volunteers delivered the previous van load of food, they had been told of the need for diapers. In response, we came up with the fun idea of making a diaper train. The challenge was to make a train of diaper packages from one door down the hall to the nursery. We placed the “locomotive” on the wall at one end; the “caboose” at the other. Boxcars (pictures of diaper boxes with wheels) were placed along the hallway wall, with large letters spelling out “Diaper Train.” 

 On July 25, the collection ended with close to 100 boxes/packages of diapers, wipes, and adult diapers. We dedicated them in worship with this prayer: God, We give you thanks for all you have given us especially your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. You have given us so many material things including the financial means to be generous as you have taught us. Thank you that we have learned from Jesus to share what we have with others.

We thank you for agencies—their staff , volunteers and sponsors such as TEAM that put your teachings into action by helping others. We pray that those who may receive our offerings of diapers may be blessed and that their needs will be lessened by the donations of others.

Amen.

On Monday July 26, FVCC’s volunteers  delivered the carloads of diapers to TEAM.

Thanks to Rev. Mike and Sandy Dixon for this story and photo.

Vaccines at South Street Christian Church

In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and low vaccination rates in southwest Missouri, six Springfield churches, led by South Street Christian Church, hosted two vaccination clinics, on Thursday, June 10, with a follow-up event on Thursday, July 1. The clinics were held at South Street in Myers Fellowship Hall. Other supporting churches in this ecumenical effort were St. Agnes Catholic Church, First Baptist Church, Grace United Methodist Church, the Downtown Church, and Southside Baptist Church.

Local station KY3 was there to cover the event.

The vaccines and personnel were furnished by the Jordan Valley Community Health Center in partnership with the Greene County Health Department, Greene County Medical Society, the City of Springfield, and the United Way of the Ozarks' Give5 program. First and second shots of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and one-time Johnson & Johnson shots were available.

Among those vaccinated were several teenagers (aged 12-17), including two children of South Street's new Associate Minister, Rev. David Nordyke. Pictured are Kyleigh and Garrison Nordyke receiving the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

South Street has been having in-person worship since Easter, but they are still requiring masks and social distancing in the sanctuary. Senior Minister Rev. Janet Given said, "We are in a critical situation in the Springfield area, with a very low vaccination rate and the Delta variant spreading rapidly. We encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to do so as soon as possible, for your protection and the safety of others."

Thanks to Rev. Janet Given, Senior Minister
for this story and photos.

Windsor Summer Lunch Program

First Christian Church in Windsor is participating in the community Summer Lunch Program for the fourth year in a row, and the need is higher than ever.

As a way to fill the gap of no free meals being served by the local school district between the time that summer school ends and the fall semester begins, FCC began the program themselves by serving lunch two days per week. Outreach Chair Melody Wilson says that she wasn’t looking for a job, but God put this need on her heart and she just had to fill it.

Volunteers from First Baptist Church

Since then, the program has become an ecumenical effort supported by the Windsor Ministerial Alliance. Volunteers from neighboring churches now join the folks at FCC five days per week for seven weeks to pack and distribute the sack lunches. The meals usually consist of a sandwich or hot dog, fruit, side item, and dessert – though Friday is grilled hamburger day!

Funding for the project comes from individual donations, church contributions, and other organizations such as the local Masonic Lodge and DAR Chapter. This summer they also received a grant from the Truman Lake Community Foundation, which has been a tremendous help as expenses continue to rise.

Volunteers from St. Bartholomew Catholic Church

The program exists as a ‘no judgment zone’ and feeds anyone in the community who comes, regardless of church affiliation or age. One day last week, volunteers served a record number of 142 meals. The process of serving this many meals in just 60 minutes was actually improved out of pandemic necessity last year, when they converted the pick-up process to drive-through in the parking lot rather than having people coming into the building.

With the process now honed like a well-oiled machine, these dedicated volunteers continue their mission of service – one meal at a time.

Thank you to Melody Wilson for this information and photos.

The Return of Youth Mission Trips

The blue sky and mild temperatures of early summer break were just the most perfect backdrop for summer youth mission trips to return for 2021. After a year of Zoom, City Park youth group, and much social distance, this year’s hybrid approach to the annual trips was well received. The CYF and Chi-Rho youth groups of First Christian Church in Columbia, MO each took a shorter three-day mission experience to rural Canton, MO. Staying at Canton Christian Church and serving behind the scenes for local organizations without crowds was just the right post-pandemic option. Since trips in 2020 were canceled, the groups also wanted to get in one more shared mission trip with Rev. Jimmy Spear before he left Columbia FCC for a new call in Edwardsville, IL.

The three-day CYF Mission Trip was over Memorial Day weekend. The mission team packed hundreds of bags for the local food pantry and children’s summer feeding program, helped organize and clean the food pantry and church, laid flags on veterans’ graves in the local cemetery honoring Memorial Day, and on the way home stopped in Paris, MO to weed/mulch/wheelchair wash at a local nursing home. For the middle school Chi-Rho group, the three-day trip a week later included making the several hundred take home food bags for local children, caring for kittens at a local animal shelter, painting fun summer scenes on the windows of a local nursing home, and assisting the local food pantry with a major move of supplies.

Each evening the stories of Jesus feeding the 4000/5000 were the basis for devotion and conversation about the miracle found in faith and serving others food. Wise and faithful the conversations became as the youth reflected on their experiences. The CYF group had the Sunday morning chance to worship at Canton CC. The groups cooked food, shared in the tradition of lots of ice cream and even spent a little time on “The Hill” at Culver-Stockton College. A mission trip always includes some mini-golf which was found along with good local pizza in Quincy, IL. With the quiet town as a backdrop, the group created their own entertainment with hours of kickball, ice cream in fun locations, walkabouts in a rural river town, van riding, and lots of laughter. The kids just loved being together again. They talked non-stop, played hard, served well, and were just the best group of friends throughout. It was church youth group at its very best. It was a perfect post-pandemic mission experience. The Chi-Rho crew had a much warmer weekend and so experienced two different local pools — Moberly on the way, Hannibal on the way home.  Hannibal had the better slides!

The Chi-Rho trip was a last hurrah under the leadership team of Jimmy Spear and Holly Gieseke.  This trip marked their 14th year of co-leading Chi-Rho. What a fantastic group to end such an adventure. Thank you Holly! Many thanks to Canton Christian Church and Pastor, Rev. Mandy Gosik for the abundant hospitality both weekends along with helping arrange the serving projects.  Culver-Stockton College provided showers for each group along with some CSC admissions swag for the CYF. The town of Canton was the perfect place to serve, and being together as two small groups of disciples returned to learning and serving in the way of Jesus.

Thanks to Rev. Jimmy Spear for this story and photos.

FCC Dexter Helping to Feed Hungry Kids

Like children across the country, low income students in Stoddard County often rely on school meals to get enough to eat. In 2013 the elders of First Christian Church in Dexter asked what happens to those kids in the summer when hot lunches are not available. That first year Tommy Horton led the elders in distributing food in partnership with the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. The mission was chosen because it was a trusted agency which already had an ongoing relationship with the children's families.

In 2014 Feeding Christ's Children grew to become a county-wide ecumenical ministry. Tommy coordinated the efforts of area churches for several years before turning over leadership to Kellie Reese two years ago. Food items are stored in First Christian Church's Disciple Center before being packed by volunteers. SEMO electric cooperative trucks provide transportation. Completed food bags are distributed at each of the mission's three locations throughout the county including Puxico, Advance, and Dexter. Efforts continued even in the midst of last year's coronavirus pandemic.

This year, Feeding Christ's Children is providing supplemental food bags for 170 area kids. Students receive one bag each week that provides enough for one breakfast, two lunches, and two snacks. Deliberate efforts were made to provide more variety this year. Every bag includes a different fruit, vegetable, and beverages. Total costs of this year's ministry was $4185. Purchasing staples from the SEMO food bank allowed that money to stretch a lot further.

Kim Slavings, the director of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission, reports that the kids are sometimes overwhelmed by what they receive. One student disbelievingly asked, "is this all mine?" It took some effort to reassure them that area churches cared that much about them and wanted them to have enough to eat. 

Kellie Reese says thank you to everyone who makes this summer food program possible, including the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and SEMO Electric Cooperative. Feeding Christ's Children is not just a ministry of First Christian Church. It is an example of what Christians can do when they come together across denominational lines to work together for the good of everyone in the community. 

Thanks to FCC’s Rev. Mike Williams and Kellie Reese for this information and photos.

Fish Fry for Mission

Orrick Christian Church recently held a fish fry featuring fried fish with all the fixins and plenty of live music. Jenny Gordon played and sang contemporary Christian music, and Pastor Art Endsley and the Gorsettes brought the Gospel Bluegrass! The event was free but donations were collected for the Migrant Farmworkers Association.

The congregation has focused on this underserved population in its outreach ministry for years:

The migrants in our area work mainly in the peach and apple orchards, plus some vegetable farms.  There are about 50 permanent families that live in the area and find other work in the winter time.  About 400-600 travel to our area every year to work in the orchards from August - October.  Migrant farmworkers are an unseen population for the most part, because they don't have transportation and they live in housing in the orchards. When they get here they have to depend upon their crew leaders, other migrants in the area or landowners to get them places to do grocery shopping, laundry etc.

Our church collects beans, rice, and clothing for them once a year.  When they arrive here they have very little because they are not able to take much with them from place to place.  They usually travel in large vans that are full.  They can come to Lexington every Monday from Aug - Oct to the Migrant Head Start Center from 5pm - 8pm for food, clothing and other essentials. Usually one or two will come and get food for several in their orchard.  Our church has a cookout for them once a year during this time. The migrants that come to our area are mainly families.  They are very family oriented and are a joy to serve.  They move about every 3 months to different parts of the country, so education for their children is very challenging.  The rural public schools do a great job in educating them for the time that they are here.  Suzanne Gladney, immigration attorney, has done an amazing job at organizing services for these families while they are in our area.  She worked tirelessly to start a Head Start center for the kids under the age of 5 in Lexington, MO.  They usually get on a bus at 6 in the morning from the orchard and go back to their families in the orchard around 5:00pm, even tiny babies are bussed to the Head Start for childcare.  Before having the Head Start center the kids care, while parents worked, was not good. They were mainly watched by an elderly person and that person would watch up to 20 kids at a time.

Thank you to Missions Team Chair Deanne Townsend for this information and photos!

The Amazing Grace Race

On June 13, St. Charles Christian Church held its first Amazing Grace Race. The day was filled with lots of teamwork, grace, faith, fun, and HEAT as it was all out in the great outdoors!

Twenty-seven teams participated and '“raced” around New Town for two hours. Activities included catching fish, picking up trash, packing an Operation Christmas Child box, completing a Bible photo scavenger hunt, making handmade cards, and creating a family mission statement.

Each team had a team gnome, which most had named and decorated, that traveled the race course along with the team. Upon completion, everyone was treated to a prize gift bag, sno cone coupons, food, and the Bubble Bus.

The event was funded by the congregation’s annual Duck Race, and may become a yearly addition to their calendar as well!

Thanks to Rev. Chris Franklin for this information and photos.

Shelter from a Storm - Pantry of Blessings

Lake Ozark Christian Church is pleased to announce that they have created a new Community Ministry--Shelter from a Storm. The impetus came from a homeless man who entered the church while a Bible Study group was meeting and asked if he could sit for a few moments to get out of the cold. His request touched many members who witnessed those few moments, and they began to investigate the needs in their local community for emergency food and shelter.

On Sunday, June 6, the Pantry of Blessings, opened with a blessing and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Pantry of Blessings will provide non-perishable food and hygiene items on an emergency basis, 24 hours a day. The pantry is located on the west side of the church at 1560 Bagnell Dam Blvd. In addition to church members, local businesses (Dierbergs, HyVee, Smart Postal Center, Target, UPS Store, Woods) and Hope House of Miller County are providing pantry items and printing services.

Meanwhile the congregation is working to address the needs of the homeless and those with emergency need for shelter. In one week they were able to provide shelter for one person in a local hotel and for another person they were able to provide a shower and breakfast in the church building so that he could be better prepared for a job interview.

Thank you to Lake Ozark Christian Church’s Jane Daniels for this story and photos.

Servants at the Table

Five St. Louis area Disciples congregations - Centennial Christian Church, New Hope Community Christian Church, Memorial Boulevard Christian Church, Union Avenue Christian Church, and Webster Groves Christian Church - are worshipping together online for Maundy Thursday.  Their combined worship Thursday evening will be just one of many shared acts of worship for these congregations for Holy Week. 

On Palm Sunday the five congregations served meals and safety items to 100 unhoused residents of St. Louis. Dozens of participants from the congregations planned, prepared, and distributed boxes filled with a hot meal, nonperishable meal and snack items, water and juice, and reusable facemasks, along with words of welcome and encouragement to people in parks, alleys, and along the river wall in downtown St. Louis. This was, Rev. Derrick Perkins, pastor of Centennial Christian Church, reminded the gathered Disciples, “an act of service” flowing directly from our call to follow Jesus.

The five congregations are excited about their shared worship, outreach, and service, and are already discussing ways to stay engaged together around community concerns into the future.  The congregations have also expressed a strong sense of call to learn about and respond to the structural and systemic issues contributing to homelessness for so many in St. Louis. 

Thank you to Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore of Webster Groves CC
for this information and photos.

Hope Food Ministry of Centennial Christian Church

Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis has compiled a wonderful summary of its Hope Food Ministry. Through the four separate facets of the program, this ministry has served thousands of meals to hundreds of people who may have otherwise remained hungry. The report includes their vision, statistics, photos, and even testimonials from grateful clients. It was compiled at the request of the Pension Fund to help represent the vital contributions that churches make to our society, which may not be possible should they no longer be tax-exempt.

Find the whole report here>

The congregation also supports Hylton Point II Apartments, affordable senior housing named in honor of their Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Hylton, Jr.

Raising Funds for the Colvins' Ministry in Ghana

The Disciples Women at First Christian Church in Festus recently sponsored a raffle for our mission co-workers Larry and Debbie Colvin. Two beautiful handmade items were donated to the project. A large afghan was crocheted by member Margaret Means, and a quilt was donated by Barb Cobion, sister of one of our members. The drawing for the two items was held on November 15th. The winner of the afghan was Tom Anderson from FCC Festus. The winner of the quilt was Ellen, a friend of Barb Cobion. This year a total of three hundred dollars ($300) was raised for the Colvins. This is the third year that various ladies have shared their wonderful talents and donated the beautiful handmade items to raise money for the Colvins.

Quilter Barb Coibion was moved to action by the daily devotion of her sister Bernadette. The devotion suggested making something for someone for good. With her extra free time during pandemic shut downs, she made this beautiful quilt to raise money for mission.

Thanks to Betty Aders for this
information and photos.

Story Walk at South Joplin Christian Church

In the aftermath of the 2011 tornado in Joplin, South Joplin Christian Church sought ways to be of service to our surrounding neighborhood. With the loss of rental properties owned by the church, the question became what to do with the vacant land. This question gave birth to the idea of creating a park for the surrounding neighborhood, since there was no park in the immediate area or a safe place for neighborhood children to play. With the aid of volunteers that came to Joplin, as well as financial donations, “Friendship Park” was created, which included the installation of play equipment and a gazebo for use by our neighbors. Since 2012, South Joplin has hosted movies in the park and other activities as part of our outreach ministry.

This holiday season, South Joplin's Faith Formation Team was looking for a way to provide some enrichment to both the children in our congregation and to minister to our local community. We, of course, also wanted to do so safely in the midst of the pandemic. Therefore, we decided to create a Story Walk in our church’s Friendship Park which is open to the public. 

We have seen Story Walks created by our local library and our city's parks and recreation department. The concept is simple: purchase two copies of a book that you want to share with families. Cut the books apart, laminate the pages, and mount them onto yard signs. We also created activities to engage kids and keep them moving and thinking as they hear the story. Since we are NOT photocopying the book (simply cutting apart books that we purchased) there is not an issue with Copyright law. We also purchased a third copy to keep in our church library (and, to be honest, in case we made a mistake in our cutting!).

All the Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner was selected since it celebrates diversity, has beautiful illustrations, and shares the nativity. It is now up and available to our community and is our gift to the community during this holiday season.  We are hopeful that the signs will hold up and can be used for advent seasons in the future as well! 

Submitted by Rev. Kathryn Wilson, Minister of Mission and Outreach

Older Adults Ministries and YOU

A new video is available through our NBA Grant!

Are you seeing more and more gray heads in worship at your church? This is the opening line of our newly-released Older Adult Ministries and YOU video. While we are especially challenged in these changing times, even our virtual worship services may reveal many gray-headed participants. Yet, there are exciting opportunities for expanding and growing faith experiences with older adults. This video is an introduction to ideas for ministry and aging awareness. It offers ways to discover creative solutions for ministry and develop programs with older adults.
The video names some of the ways that churches can learn and grow together, including our Region's Older Adult Ministries webpage. There are many resources, links, and helpful articles about caregiving; myths and realities; biblical perspectives; and spiritual outlooks on decision-making, loss and resiliency, and more. The helpful study guide, "Age-Friendly Congregations" is available free to churches.A new series of discussion starter videos will be coming soon. The series is for individuals or groups to view, then explore various topics related to aging such as loneliness, caregiving, and how churches can be better equipped to offer programs with older adults. The brief commentary invites dialog with provocative leading questions and ends with a Bible passage relating biblical times to this current situation.This is the second NBA Older Adult Ministries grant our Region has received. It has made possible our ministry and the video. Please view the Older Adult Ministries and YOU video and be sure to share it with your congregation and friends.For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Paul Koch   paul.ccma@sbcglobal.net or Jan Aerie aeriej@gmail.com.

Mission and Transformation

What a week we had! We had the opportunity to work with our three local mission partners in Show-Me Christian Youth Home, Retrieving Freedom, and Washington Elementary. Along with these partners we served alongside with Open Door Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, Read Center Apartments, The Embassy, and the Summer Lunch Program. We had over 70 of our members involved and serving in the name of Christ throughout Sedalia. In fact, we heard one woman say, “This is just a First Christian kind of week!”

When we showed up to Washington Elementary we saw a huge 30 by 15 foot wall. This wall was painted black with wood splintering out of it, and paint chipping away. Being able to reflect upon this wall now shows me that this what many of our spirits have been like throughout COVID-19. Many of our spirits have been overcome with the darkness of depression and anxiety as we are forced to distance ourselves from one another. Many of us have seen our relationships splintered by the overwhelming amount of negativity we allow into our thoughts. Many of us can feel the darkness pulling us away from others leaving us alone – overcome by the darkness. However, as we began to serve in the community the grim darkness began to fade. The depression began to rise, and the joy of the Lord radiated throughout our community. The darkness was overcome by the beautiful light of God, and I found that much like our painting which was transformed from darkness to a rainbow, our spirits were transformed by the radiant light of Christ as we served. Therefore, I challenge you to go out and take Christ’s light into the darkness. Chances are… you will find yourself transformed as well.

Thanks to Chance McMullin for this story and photos.