Trails of Tears Pilgrimage

Our group at Old Baptist Mission Church.

The purpose of this year’s pilgrimage was to trace and understand the historic forced relocations (1831-1839) of the Five Civilized Tribes. Thirty-three people participated. Nine of these are members of Broadway Christian Church. We travelled through eight states in eight days. 

Our thanks go out to Larry Brown for lining up the sites we visited. He also prepared a Travel Guidebook for us. This gave us scriptures related to what we would see each day and questions to ponder as we travelled.

From the time Europeans arrived in the new world, they struggled with how to live near native people.  Thomas Jefferson was the first president to support removal of native people. Congress passed the Indian Removal act in 1830. Even though the Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee had sovereign land rights, Andrew Jackson dismissed the ruling, leading to removal of the tribes to Indian country along what is known as the Trails of Tears.

Broadway group at Chickasaw Cultural Center.

On our pilgrimage, we learned of what the Indians experienced as they were forced to walk from their native lands to Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. They walked about ten miles per day, often in terrible conditions without adequate protection from the weather. Many died along the way.

There is no substitute for seeing sites where these events took place. We were greeted by wonderful people along the way. On Sunday, July 16, we worshipped in the Old Baptist Mission Church near Westville, OK. They treated us to a meal of Indian tacos and desserts.

Our pilgrims have many stories to tell and we will be scheduling educational events to tell those stories.  We will be looking at current events affecting Native Americans. 

Race Onward sponsored the pilgrimage. They are also looking at other activities to help heal the racial divides many people still face. Watch for these events. Events will include book studies and local events like setting a marker at the courthouse to commemorate the lynching of George Bush in 1889.

Thank you to Broadway CC’s Don Day for this information and photos.

Mid-Americans at Disciple Summer Mission

Two Mid-America youth groups participated in this year's Disciple Summer Mission held the last week of June in Kansas City.

Groups from First Christian Church of Fulton and First Christian Church of Edwardsville (IL) joined other DOC youth from around the US for a week of serving and learning. Staying at Rockhurst University and worshipping at Crossroads Christian Church, the ninety-six person mission group spread out across the city serving with local organizations to serve food to those in need, understand homelessness, pack for a regional food bank, do yard work, and clean. There was also time spent learning the history of segregation in Kansas City. Evenings included worship, a Royals game, good BBQ, indoor putt-putt and more. The entire group filled a small cinema for a viewing of the new Pixar movie Elemental. Pictured are the Fulton and Edwardsville groups when they were on the same project one hot afternoon.  

Thank you to Rev. Jimmy Spear, pastor of FCC in Edwardsville,
for this information and photo.

Connecting at the Fair

Savannah First Christian Church had a booth at the Andrew County Fair on the Square, June 24.  It was a fantastic opportunity for us to get our name out there as we gave away bottles of water - and welcome that was as it was hot!  In addition, we sold raffle tickets to win a dozen homemade cookies a month from one of our premium bakers, raising money for the local food pantry.  We also sold some of the cookbooks we put together for our 175th Birthday.  We had a great time!

Thanks to FCC pastor Rev. Kate Titsworth
for this information and photo.

Community CC Partners with UrbanReachSTL

Located in downtown St. Louis, UrbanReachSTL is committed to breaking the generational cycle of poverty and violence in the Columbus Square Neighborhood.  Each Thursday during the months of June and July, funded in part through a grant from the Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministry of Mid-America, Community Christian Church in Manchester has been delivering sack lunches for the children and youth who attend a daily Vacation Bible School led by UrbanReachSTL. 

Community also provided supper recently for one of the weekly gatherings held in the neighborhood.  More than two hundred hamburgers and hot dogs were served.  A highlight of the evening was watching individuals from all generations and walks of life sit on the grass in the local field and simply engage in conversation with one another.

And perhaps the best part of this ongoing relationship is the look on children’s faces from UrbanReachSTL when they have visited the Bremer Community Garden at Community and tasted fresh red raspberries and sugar snap peas right off the bush and vine (another grant-funded ministry from the National Benevolent Association).  Together, Community and UrbanReachSTL are working together to grow a brighter future for the children and youth of St. Louis.

Thanks to Rev. Jacob Thorne, pastor of Community Christian Church in Manchester for this story and photos.

Reconciliation Grants Awarded

This year's Spring Reconciliation Grants have been awarded to First Christian Church in St. Joseph and Isaiah 58 Ministries.

First Christian Church in St. Joseph will convene and host a series of community conversations under the name “All Voices St. Joe”. These will be designed to reach populations - and specifically minority populations -- that aren’t being reached by city-sponsored efforts like the 2040 visioning process. Then we would bring the thoughts and ideas expressed into other political channels, including the visioning process. In these conversations we would be using well-tested dialogue structures like the World Cafe or Conversation Cafes to promote connection, interaction and deep engagement.

Isaiah 58 Ministries is hosting its 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration this year. It is an event that brings individuals and families from all walks of life together for a day of food, fun, and education. It is important to provide safe space for the community to celebrate the day alongside people they know and trust. This is also an opportunity to bring in artists whose voices are too often silenced, so that they may share their talent. All of the activities work to unite the community across racial and socio-economic divides, celebrating the human race and combating policies and attitudes that seek to divide us.

These grants are made possible through our Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministries. Team members invite and assess applications semi-annually. Grants are funded primarily through the Reconciliation Special Offering.

Applications for next cycle are due August 1. Learn more>

Because Everyone Should Have a Bed...

On April 29, more than 85 volunteers from Wyatt Park Christian Church (WPCC), Youth Alliance and other churches, agencies and groups from throughout St. Joseph came together to help build beds through the organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). 

This event always brings an outpouring of support from church members that can’t attend but want to help provide bedding and pillows. This is our 3rd annual build since 2021 and each time we try to build between 40-50 beds, which stay in our community and are delivered to children that currently do not have a bed. The SHP Chapter that we work with is from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and their team, headed by Chapter President Patrick O’Malley, has been amazing in sharing their knowledge, tools and insight.

When a child receives a bed, they not only get the bed frame but also a new mattress, sheets, pillow and comforter. Our local quilters guild has also gotten involved and are making and donating twin sized quilts for some of our deliveries. (The bunk bed photo has two quilts from that group.) 

WPCC first learned about the need through social workers who we partner with and knew there had to be a way to help. In the last two years over 100 beds have been delivered by the amazing volunteers. SHP’s motto is “No Child Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town” and while we aren’t there yet, each time we build that means more children are off the floor. Then, they are hopefully sleeping a little better, hopefully doing better in school and knowing that there is someone that cares about them enough to provide such a simple item like a bed for them. It is humbling to realize there are so many that don’t have a bed.

Some recipient families are just getting into a new home after a time of being unsheltered. Since the state requires that every child has a bed or they can be removed from the home, we do see referrals from the school district, and we work closely with Children's Division through another nonprofit organization which is a technology platform called CarePortal. CarePortal is how we first learned about the need for beds and by helping with SHP we are able to step in before it gets to Children's Division. 

 Thank you to Tonya Ball, WPCC Children’s Ministry Director for this story and photos.

Beloved Bundles & More

Our Disciples Women had a fantastic event at Lake Ozark Christian Church this past Saturday! About forty were gathered and had a wonderful time together. The ladies really enjoyed being together and the Spirit was present! 

Those gathered were blessed to be a blessing for others! Sue Frick gave a great talk and led the mission activity beautifully. Patty Martin from the CADV gave a wonderful talk and provided lots of information. They had a lovely worship service and Ruby from Cameron gave the words of institution. 

The group was happy for the learning opportunity, and the chance to pack some Beloved Bundles with clothes, hygiene items, and prayers, which will be distributed to sexual assault survivors.

Thank you to Rev. Jennifer Long, Associate Regional Minister for Disciples Women for this information and photos.

Missions in the Middle

Every 15th of the month, Community Christian Church in Camdenton does something mission-oriented. They have found that more people can participate with this scheduling, as opposed to something like every first Monday, since the 15th falls on a different day of the week each month.

For April, they commemorated the start of baseball season by playing wiffle ball for mission! They also talked/learned about nine of their mission partners - one for each inning! Each player/spectator was invited to bring $1 (or more!) to vote for their favorite partner, and the winning organization received not only their vote money, but a $150 bonus donation from the congregation.

Twelve people of all abilities and ages participated and had a wonderful time playing and learning. A total of $173 was raised at the event and will be distributed, with some additional congregational funds, to each of the organizations. LAMB House Food Pantry and Thrift Store received the most votes! Learn more about each of the featured agencies on their websites.

LAMB House - https://lambhouse.org/
Kids’ Harbor Child Advocacy Center - https://kidsharbormo.org/
Citizens Against Domestic Violence (CADV) - https://www.cadv-voc.org/
Share the Harvest Food Pantry - http://sharetheharvestfoodpantry.org/
Local Area Needs Initiative (LANI) - https://www.facebook.com/localareaneedsinitiative/
Medical Missions for Christ - https://mm4c.org/
Raising Hope Free Store - https://www.facebook.com/groups/280794492284464/
Pregnancy Help Center Lake of the Ozarks - https://phc-lake-of-the-ozarks.business.site/
The Changing Table - https://changingtable.org/

Thank you to CCC Senior Minister Rev. William Brown for this information and photos.

United Christian Presbyterian Church Mission Projects

The Friendship Committee of United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond has focused on building relationships with people in their community, and has organized a series of small community service projects.

In October and November, they distributed light bulbs to low-income families. To each package they affixed a label with the message “Jesus is the Light of the World.”

In January, they visited a local laundromat and supplied quarters for the washing machines and dryers.

Right before the time changed in March, they distributed 9-volt batteries for people’s home smoke detectors.

In May, they plan to give carnations to the women of the community.

For each individual project, the committee invites the congregation to participate by donating the current item to be given away and/or helping distribute them. On distribution day, volunteers also have church brochures and business cards at the ready for anyone wanting more information about the congregation. Going forward they also plan to have index cards available so people can leave their contact information if they so desire.

Some have expressed gratitude for the help. At the laundromat, one person told the volunteers that he was very impressed by what they were doing.  He said it was kind of like washing people's feet, except that they were washing people's dirty clothes. He even donated some quarters to help them help more people.  

Thank you to UCPC Pastor Randy Schreurs for this information.

Earth Stewardship Ministry

Last week Regional Minister Ron Routledge hosted a discussion about earth stewardship and invited all Green Chalice congregations, as well as anyone wishing to learn more about this ministry. A wonderful sharing of ideas took place and a recording is available for those who couldn't make it on that day.

This is a good continuing education opportunity for Mid-America clergy, and a great resource for any congregations interested in becoming more intentional in creation stewardship.

Rev. John Bennett has authored a Biblical/theological foundations document and Rev. Ron Routledge has authored a study book to help people advocate, educate, and create an alternative model for creation stewardship. Please contact the Regional office in St. Louis to obtain either of these resources.

We will have a follow-up meeting on World Environment Day, Monday, June 5th at 1:00pm via Zoom. Registration/login information will be posted as that date draws nearer.

Putting the Fun in Fundraiser

The Christian Women’s Fellowship of West Lake Christian Church helped raise over $1,600 for Week of Compassion through their congregational White Elephant Gift Exchange. The event was part of the monthly fellowship dinner held after worship.

Retired auctioneer and church member Terry Mathena pitched in, auctioning off each of the gifts. After winning a bid, lucky participants had the opportunity to either open the package they had just purchased, or trade it in for a different one.

They helped put the fun in fundraiser, and are excited to see these funds go forth and create transformation in the world.

Thanks to WLCC pastor Rev. Chance McMullin for this information and photo.

Exciting News from The Connecting Grounds

Rev. Christie Love of The Connecting Grounds and Rev. Dr. Phil Snider of Brentwood Christian Church share their exciting news via Facebook video.

As Spring has now sprung, the cold weather shelter program that The Connecting Grounds, as well as other Springfield congregations, participates in will be drawing to a close. Unfortunately, the needs remain for Springfield’s unsheltered population even when the temperature surpasses 32 degrees.

In response to this ongoing need, The Connecting Grounds has determined that the best way for them to be faithful stewards of their building is to make it available as a year-round shelter. They are in the process of obtaining permission from the city for such use, and they are very excited to serve the community in this way.

This new ministry, however, will leave the congregation without a place to worship on Saturday evenings. Luckily Brentwood Christian Church has a fellowship hall that isn’t used on Saturday evenings, a minister that thinks outside the box, and a leadership team that is enthusiastic about supporting such a vital undertaking.

So, beginning this weekend (March 25), The Connecting Grounds will share space at Brentwood Christian Church for their Saturday evening activity. Dinner begins at 5:00 and worship is at 6:00. Shuttles will run from the Outreach Center to the church.

In explaining the evolution of these new plans and partnership, Rev. Christie Love of The Connecting Grounds says, “We need to learn how to take the walls down and find ways to collaborate and partner together more to really, genuinely be the Body of Christ that’s loving out loud.”

Brentwood CC’s Rev. Dr. Phil Snider maintains, “It’s the kind of work Jesus was about” and is excited to participate in this “hands-on response to the Gospel.”

Toddler-Time with Pastor Scott

Toddler-Time with Pastor Scott is an outreach of Lathrop First Christian Church. Each Wednesday that school is in session, children who are not yet in school and their parents/grandparents come to the church at 10am. They sing songs, read a story, play a game, do a craft, and have a snack. In many ways, this is a Sunday School class for these children, just not on Sunday mornings! It also allows some of the church volunteers to interact with the parents, and gives parents time to talk with one another. Each session runs about 45 minutes to an hour.

Toddler-Time with Pastor Scott began in the fall of 2021 as a way to reach out to the community. Lathrop does not have a public library, but often public libraries have “story times” and other things for children to do. So, on a trial basis, Pastor Scott reached out to the local Parents-As-Teachers organization and told them his idea. Initially, they met in the local coffee shop (Gentry’s) and used a small room. It was initially just for the month of September, but then quickly expanded to include special holiday times as well. In the fall of 2022 it expanded even more, now having a Toddler-Time weekly as long as the school is in session (we did take January off). Because of the amount of interest, it had to be moved to the church’s fellowship hall. By moving it to the church building it has also allowed more room to do an activity and more space for craft time. It has been wonderful to see the congregation get involved in Toddler-Time by volunteering to help put craft packets together and come to talk with the parents and help children do their crafts.

Thank you to FCC Pastor Scott Archdekin for this story and photo.

PGCC Helps Phil the Peacock

Prairie Grove CC partnered with Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) of Dallas County to help Phil (fill) the Peacock for their local food bank.

PGCC pastor Rev. Jennifer Long is pictured here (on right) with Kathy Banks, Supervisor of the Dallas County OACAC Neighborhood Center in Buffalo. Banks was thrilled that such a small congregation had so much non-perishable food for her to pick up!

The People's Pantry is a 24/7 accessible food source for those in need in Dallas County. There are no income requirements, no questions to answer, and no appointment needed. Phil the Peacock became the mascot for the Dallas County pantry to help promote food drives within the county. Since October of 2022, they have partnered with thirteen different churches, businesses, or organizations for food drives to help feed the hungry in Dallas county as food prices go higher and higher.  

Wednesday Night Meals at Community CC in Camdenton

Wednesday Night Meals at Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Camdenton, Missouri are SO MUCH FUN!  Nearly every Wednesday evening at 5:00 pm, we gather for serving, food, and fellowship. Prior to COVID, Wednesday nights included a dine-in 5:00 pm meal with no RSVP. Youth Groups and choirs would also meet around this meal time. In 2023, there are some similarities to the past, but also some adjustments.

Every Wednesday, we now offer home delivery, pick-up in the parking lot, or dine-in. This is possible due to an enormous number of people working together. It all starts with the generosity of the cooking teams. Each team has their Wednesday of the month to design and prepare the menu. Some of these cooking teams are as small as a married couple, or as large as five individuals working together. In addition to these cooking teams, there are multiple individuals that just show up between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm to finish preparing the food, wash dishes, and organize the to-go orders. Conversation, support, hard work, and love abound in the kitchen. In concert with this process, three individuals work together “behind the scenes” throughout the week to organize the RSVPs for home delivery, pick-up, and dine-in. There are currently two delivery teams, of two people each, that deliver food throughout the community at 4:45 pm. Also at 4:45 pm, our pick-up individuals pull into our parking lot, and food is handed to them through their car windows. For the delivery and pick-up individuals, food is presented in reusable containers and carried in reusable cloth bags. A printed meal prayer is included in the cloth bag as well. These containers and cloth bags are usually exchanged each week.

At 5:00 pm in the fellowship hall, a blessing is offered and the cooks serve anyone who walks in our door. It is always a surprise who will come, and who we serve. There is no charge for the meal. CCC is proud to have a servant’s heart, and to build discipleship through this weekly meal process. 

By 5:30 pm every Wednesday, the three youth groups head in different directions in the building, and many people pitch in to support one another, to clean up tables, and to wash dishes. CCC is grateful to our custodian Jenny who mops and cleans after the mission and ministry of Wednesday nights.  

Wednesday Night Meals are SO MUCH FUN, but it takes a community-minded attitude and a lot of work every single week.  If you have any more questions, please contact Senior Pastor William R. Brown.

Thank you to Rev. William Brown for this story and photos.

Community CC Chili Cook-Off

Despite the cold and icy weather the chili cook-off at Community Christian Church, hosted by the elders of the church (pictured at right) on January 29th, was a huge success.  With nine different entries, and more than 125 people in attendance, tasters could choose which chili was best—from spicy to sweet, white chicken or sausage. 

The champion (Brian Degitz-Fries) and runner-up (Betty Rega) are pictured below.  In addition to the wonderful time of fellowship, over $1,600 (through ticket sales and a silent auction) was donated to UrbanReachSTL, CVPA (Central Vision Performing Arts High School), and the orchestra students of Parkway Central High School who helped serve the chili!

Second CC in New London Reaching Out

The Disciples Women of Second Christian Church in New London recently visited their local laundromat to evangelize. They greeted everyone there and distributed quart-sized plastic bags containing a dryer sheet, a small bag with a capful of Downy Unstopables beads, four Tide pods, and $5.00 in quarters. Also inside was a postcard that read on one side "THERE'S HOPE!" and on the other side an invitation to come worship with them, listing the church’s location, time of worship, Facebook page, etc. The group was happy to connect with some of their neighbors, who were surprised and thankful for the gift.

GriefShare at West Lake Christian Church

Over the past year, West Lake Christian Church has been reaching out and serving those struggling through grief by offering a ministry called GriefShare. Lay leadership has recognized the grief present throughout the community and have been reaching out to try and offer Biblical ways of journeying through grief. They have had 66 people impacted by the ministry, 27 of which are not members of the church. We celebrate the effective ministry of Jesus Christ and pray for those have partnered with people as they journey through the valley of the shadow of death.
Learn more about this ministry on the congregation’s website here>

Thank you to pastor Chance McMullin for this information.

St. Charles Christian Church Started 2023 with a SPLASH! 

The Faith Family at St. Charles Christian Church in St. Charles, MO frequently partners with their friends and neighbors in the Orchard Farm School District to serve and play. Again this year, SCCC jumped in to sponsor the New Town Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day. 

Following Sunday services, their new Pastor, Matthew Ricks, several of the church member families, and hundreds of neighbors gathered at the neighborhood beach to plunge into the New Year and raise funds for Special Olympics. 

The temperature was nearly 60 degrees, so there were large crowds of supporters cheering on over 70 “Plungers” who scurried into the still icy waters. Local first responders suited up in their dive gear and joined those in the water - and monitored the event from the shore - to ensure that the fun and frivolity went smoothly. In all, over $1,400 was raised for Special Olympics.  

The congregation sends a huge thanks to the Robbers family who champion this event and invite them to play a little role in this annual activity. 

Thank you to SCCC’s Susie Pundmann and Matthew Ricks for this information and photos.

Outreach of FCC in Savannah

Savannah FCC's Women ReJoyce has a ministry called Campus Cupboards where they fix and freeze casseroles, soup, burritos or other meals for high school kids/families that are food insecure. Recently they made over 40 quarts of chili to stock the freezer. The ground beef for the cook-off was on hand from a donation of 50 pounds of ground beef by the Missouri Cattlewomen, thanks to one of their members.

 

Also their Sew Time group, in conjunction with the outreach team and the entire SFCC congregation, made quilts and blankets for high school and middle school children, as well as making "stockings" filled with personal care items. These were gifted to students just before their holiday break.

 

Savannah Christian Church is proud to be 175 years old, and going strong!

Thank you to Rev. Kate Titsworth, FCC pastor for this information and photos.