2025 African America Convocation

MISSION OF THIS MINISTRY:

To celebrate and keep alive the African American heritage for the young Christian as well as the whole church and lived out in Jesus’ prayer to be as one that the world may believe that God sent Him. (John 17:21)

Churches making up the Convocation.

  • Fifth Street/ Columbia

  • Centennial/ St. Louis

  • Willow Street/Hannibal

  • Second Christian/ New London

  • Second Christian/ Vandalia

  • Second Christian/ Fulton

  • Restoration Christian Community/ Illinois

  • First Christian/ Frankford

  • Second Christian/ Jefferson City

  • Memorial Blvd/ St. Louis

  • First Christian / Clarksville

  • Hawk Point Christian Church/Hawk Point

Other attending:

  • First Christian Church/Hannibal

  • Broadway CC/ Columbia

  • Affton Christian Church/St. Louis

  • Faith Christian Church/Buffalo

  • General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada 

  •  Compton Heights CC/St. Louis

On April 26, fifty-three adults and Youth came together for the 2025 Mid-America African American Convocation at First Christian Church in Frankford, MO, with host Pastor Rev. M. Faye Vaughn.

The theme for this year’s event was "Transformation: Journey Towards Unity and Hope" and the Scripture text: Romans 12:2.

We opened the morning worship with the We Stand United Puppetry & Dance Team from Hannibal, MO.  The Founder is Marsha Mayfield, Hannibal, MO and a member of Second Christian Church, New London.

Dr. Paul Koch gave greetings, and we were welcomed by Rev. M. Faye Vaughn to her church. We had the roll call of the churches and the parade of their banners.

Workshops

Candy Weems and Toni Rose from Willow Street Christian Church were the youth leaders for Convocation.

Workshop: Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministries

Presenters: Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Paul Koch, Madeline Haraway and Rev. Jeff Moore, Regional Board members and Rev. Angela Williams, Associate Regional Minister-Mid-America Disciples of Christ

Associate Regional Minister, Rev. Jennifer Long supports our Disciples Women’s Ministries.  She spoke on events that were happening with the women.

Rev. Dr. Derrick Perkins -Director for Congregational Vitality & Innovation for Disciples Home Missions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US & Canada shared what his new position instilled and how he can be a service to the churches.

Mrs. Nancy Travis shared about their after-school youth ministry at First Christian.  Every Wednesday they have Bible study and a meal.

 We shared a wonderful lunch catered by First Christian Church.

The afternoon worship was led by the We Stand United Puppetry & Dance Team from Hannibal, MO.

Our keynote speaker Jacqua Brown Williams, Minister of Christian Education Impact Church DFW.   Jacqua is a native of Hannibal, Missouri.  She was born a disciple, bred a disciple, and will die a disciple of Jesus Christ.  She is the daughter of the late Jack and late Vyrle Brown.  Both were elders and strong members of Willow Street Christian Church.

Jacqua’s ministries are music, teaching, spiritual life coaching, disciple making, women’s ministries, and prison life transformational studies.

The Logo you see is for the combination of all she does.  The Logo means I HEAR A CALLING!  

Her ministry creations are: GURLTalk: Gritty, Unfiltered, Real-Life Talk designed just for women.

Generational Conversations: podcast for exploring the differences between generations of women Trauma in the Pews

A program designed to assist God’s people in coping with the trauma of childhood and urban life.

Church Hurt

A program designed to hear the anger of church members for a resolution that glorifies God.

Communion was led by Rev. M. Faye Vaughn.

Rev. Charles Blackmon, pastor and member Restoration Christian Community/Illinois has volunteered to host next year’s event. Possible dates are April 11, 2026, or April 18, 2026.

Convocation co-coordinators: Paula Holliday and Rev. LeWanda Jackson hosted and moderated the celebration. 

Thank you to Coordinator Paula Holliday for this report,
and to Paul Koch and Jennifer Long for photos.

Ten Baptized at Hawk Point Community Church

Thanks to Rev. Rhonda Aldridge for this information and photos.

Hawk Point Community Church has recently been blessed with many beautiful baptisms. On April 21, seven young adults were baptized at the church by Reverend Rhonda Aldridge. Those dedicating their lives to Christ were Cady Kessler, Linzie Kessler, Kaden Justus, Delanie Justus, Henry Wommack, Ella Wommack and Caden Hasekamp.
After seeing these young people profess their faith, several others started talking with Reverend Aldridge about their faith journeys.
On June 9, three others were baptized in Turkey Creek just outside of Hawk Point. After regular morning services, many of the congregation and families and friends went out to watch this beautiful service.
Being baptized in the creek were Tammy Duff, Tera Stout, and Ella Jo McCord. The church rejoices with these new members as they begin their new lives in Christ.
Prior to being baptized, everyone attended several Baptism Classes on Sunday mornings before worship service. Attending these classes sparked a deeper interest in understanding what it means to be a “Disciple of Christ” which has led to an hour Bible Study on Sunday Mornings before Worship Service.

Sojourners CC Celebrates Purchase & Partnership

Last Tuesday, Sojourners Christian Church (formerly South Joplin Christian Church) closed on the purchase of the Peace Lutheran Church property located at 3100 N. Saint Louis Ave. in Joplin where we have been renting for slightly over a year. As part of the negotiations, Peace Lutheran has rent-free access to the property for the duration of 25 years, so our partnership continues in a new way as we assume management of the facility and about ten acres of land. 

To mark the occasion and to pledge ongoing collaboration in ministry and mission, we held a joint worship service on June 16 with Bishop Susan Candea preaching and Rev. Ron Routledge leading the Litany of Unity in Collaboration and presiding at the Table. 

While not a merger, our two congregations are committed to working together to be good stewards of the resources available in this property and to further the mission of radical welcome and acceptance in the Joplin community.

Peace Lutheran Church (ELCA) is pastored by Rev. Rich Gates, now also a part-time synod associate in their Kansas City offices. Their congregation averages about 15 at their 9:30 am Sunday service and Sojourners averages about 60 at our 10:45 am service.

Thanks to Sojourners’ CC Pastor Rev. Dr. Colleen Carroll
for this information and photos.

2024 African American Convocation

This year’s convocation was held Saturday, April 13th at Fifth Street Christian Church in Columbia, with host pastor Rev. Katina Allen-Colon. There were approximately 75 men, women, and children in attendance. The theme for this year’s event was “Standing Strong”, from scripture Isaiah 40:31.

Dr. Paul Koch gave greetings and we were welcomed by Rev Colon to her church. Roll call of churches was combined with the parade of banners. Representatives in attendence:

  • Fifth Street/ Columbia

  • Centennial/ St. Louis

  • Fifth Street/ Columbia

  • Willow Street/Hannibal

  • Second Christian/ New London

  • Second Christian/ Vandalia

  • Restoration Christian Community/ Illinois

  • First Christian/ Frankford

  • First Christian/ Jefferson City

  • Community Christian- Broadway Christian/ Columbia

  • Memorial Blvd/ St. Louis

  • Phillips Seminary

  • Community Christian/ Camdenton

Our primary workshop was presented by Patricia Penelton and Sherill Jackson of Centennial Christian Church, “Serving God Through Mission & Community Initiatives”.  Representing our Indianapolis group was Dr. Chris Dorsey who presented a workshop on” Identifying and Using Your Gifts and Talents.” Rev Robin Terrell and Rev Melvin McCaleb hosted a separate workshop for the clergy on the same topic. Our keynote speaker also came from our Indianapolis office, Dr. Delesslyn Kennebrew.

After a wonderful lunch prepared by the host church, our afternoon worship was led by music from Fifth Street’s Praise and Worship Team. Our keynote speaker sang a beautiful rendition of “He Touched Me”. Her message let us know that even when the numbers don’t add up, our Lord and Savior can make them add up, and multiply! Communion was led by Rev. M. Faye Vaughn. Rev Vaughn’s church, First Christian of Frankford has volunteered to host next year’s event. Possible dates are April 5, 2025 or April 26, 2025.

To God be the glory.

 Paula Holliday and LeWanda Jackson, Coordinators

Tea Party in Lathrop

The Disciples Women of First Christian Church in Lathrop had a well-attended traditional Tea Party on Saturday afternoon October 28. Women from across the region gathered together to enjoy an afternoon of sharing, fellowship, and laughter. Associate Regional Minister of Disciples Women Rev. Jennifer Long shared about her trip to East Asia. Then Samantha, a representative from the local domestic violence shelter, spoke on the needs and concerns in our backyards. The ladies served .tea, punch, finger food, and pastries. It was a very heartwarming event.

Ordination of Rev. Edvonia Scott

On Sunday, October 25, 2023 Rev. Edvonia Scott was ordained into Christian Ministry at Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis. She had moved to St. Louis from Shreveport, LA in 2012, obtained an MBA from Ashford University in 2015, and obtained an MDiv degree from Eden Theological Seminary in 2022. While attending Eden, she volunteered at Concordance Academy of Leadership, served as a student pastor at Affton Presbyterian Church, and volunteered as student chaplain at the St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center.

Since graduating from Eden, she has been pursuing becoming a Board Certified Chaplain. She has volunteered through her clinical pastoral education program at Doorways’ Cooper House, the St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, and Metropolitan Psychiatric Treatment Center.

The ordination service included several beautiful music selections, a liturgical dance, an inspiring sermon by Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker, words of affirmation by several colleagues, and the presentation of special gifts.

Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Paul Koch and Associate Regional Minister Rev. David Woodard led the Ordination Covenant, the Affirmation of Faith, and the Laying on of Hands. Rev. Edvonia then signed the Ministerial Code of Ethics and was presented her Ordination Certificate.

A lovely reception with food and fellowship concluded the wonderful afternoon that was made possible by Rev. Derrick Perkins and all those at Centennial Christian Church who provided warm hospitality for all.

A video of the service can be found on their Facebook page.

Ordination of Rev. Christie Love

In a service like no other, Rev. Christie Love was ordained into Christian Ministry on Saturday in Springfield. Christie serves as the pastor of The Connecting Grounds, which celebrated its 5th anniversary, as well as its transition from a 'congregation in formation' to a fully formed Disciples congregation, with a birthday party after the ordination service. The congregation believes that the church is called to the work of justice, compassion, mercy, and love and they strive to find ways to answer this call daily in their community. These tenets were evident in the afternoon's celebrations as the service featured reflections from several members of TCG, as well as those from the wider community.

One of TCG's founding members, Holly Rose Madden (pictured with Christie at right), shared a special poem she wrote to honor Christie's journey in ministry, saying she wanted to give expression to "her love, her work, and her bravery to never give up." It's a beautiful reflection on ministry:

You nurture life.
from the pavement cracks
where dirt and sun
have birthed wildflowers
That the rest of the world
counts as broken.
You tend to the wounds
of those bleeding and traumatized.
You tend to the souls
of those hopeless and defeated.
You celebrate those with
One day, one hour, or one moment
Of fighting for better.
Your preaching is fire
that renews perspectives.  
You are the farmer
whose hands are always stained with dirt,
who rests not at sundown
but at dawn
when the threat of frost is undone.
You saw a sanctuary and made it a home
Where you share meals and wash feet.
Pastor, Reverend, friend your actions are sermons
Your words spread light
and you are God’s healing
in action.

Thank you to Associate Regional Minister Phil Snider
for this information and photos.

Mid-America Disciples Men Hold Incredible Sons & Fathers Weekend

Ten fathers and sons gathered at Shannondale, deep in the Ozarks, to share generational wisdom, study men and families in scripture (including Jesus and cousin John’s necessity to enter into the Wilderness) and to grow closer as a wider family of brothers.  The men also took full advantage of rugged landscape to explore natural springs, NPS landmarks, go caving, enjoy campfire rituals and sharing, sit in the wilderness to commune with God in nature, swim in a dammed up creek, and say hello to wild horses.

As soon as publicity went out, an 87-year-old retired Mid-America Disciples pastor and current elder signed up himself, his 54 year-old son, and his two college-bound grandsons for what he knew would be an important milestone for his family – perhaps the last summer all four busy Ticknor men could share-in together.  Other men from Illuman of the Ozarks, from as far away as southern Indiana and a new dad from Urbana, Illinois, upon hearing about the beauty in this family, committed to support or “provide the container” for them as well.  We blessed the young men going off on their own and two other men heading for important life-changing events as well.  God is good!

All intentions were to surround young dads and their sons recently baptized or preparing for baptism to help them claim their Christian faith and we look forward to seeing them next time around.  Plans are to move the next Sons & Fathers 40 Hours in the Wilderness to the fall of 2024 to coincide with Ozarks autumn events, as part of Mid-America Outdoor ministries move for year-round programming. 

Please contact Regional Minister Paul Koch to help shape what can support your congregation in youth ministry.

What's New at FCC in Mexico

April was a busy month for the fine folks at First Christian Church in Mexico. Beyond the expected busyness of all the Easter planning, there were two other special services for them. On April 9th they partnered with the First Presbyterian church and celebrated Holy Humor Sunday. Holy Humor Sunday is a Sunday that celebrates God’s glorious laugh, as evil is truly defeated through the resurrection. The service had funny songs, jokes, and was topped off by having the other pastor show up during the service to co-preach (this was possible since the Presbyterian Church meets at 9 am and First Christian meets at 10:30). Both Dr. Rev, Susan Presely and Pastor Zane Whorton had a great time and the churches loved it!

Then on April 30th, FCC Mexico kicked off their official 5th Sunday “Brunch” Church in their fellowship hall. The congregation all brought potluck brunch items. There was a Welcome Time, Prayer Time, Opening Hymn and then everyone got their food and came back to the table for fun table talk discussions, a film to watch and review, and an interactive sermon where tables were asked a question to reflect on the scripture reading for the day. The theme was “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” Pastor Zane Whorton used this theme to talk about themes of grief and hope.

FCC Mexico will be doing an event like this every month that has a 5th Sunday.

Thanks to Pastor Zane Whorton for this information and photos.

African American Convocation

Fifty Disciples from five congregations gathered at Willow Street Christian Church in Hannibal on April 22 for the first full Convocation gathering since COVID safety concerns caused cancelation or adaptation. All agreed how wonderful it was to gather again for food, fellowship, ministry reports, bible study, music, and worship. The Rev. Dr. C.W. Dawson, a Disciple, President of Dawson Journey Ministries, and researcher who has benefited from a Mid-America Reconciliation grant* was the keynoter. He shared some of his findings to the wider church for awareness and action on “Colorism and Christianity” – encouraging congregations and all people to be mindful of skin-tone prejudice and racism. Mid-America Moderator Madeline Haraway and Regional Minister Paul Koch gave a “State of the Region” report and Convocation co-coordinators Paula Holliday and LeWanda Jackson hosted and moderated the celebration. The body unanimously affirmed they want to gather next year on April 13, 2024.

*Our Mid-America Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling Justice Ministries team accepts applications for reconciliation grants semi-annually. The next application period is open until August 1. Learn more>

Thanks to Regional Minister Paul Koch for this story and photos.

Regional Staff Retreat

On Monday our whole Regional staff met for a retreat at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center in Eureka. This was the first such in-person gathering of the entire twelve-person group, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The event began with an opening worship and devotion. Participants were then invited to share stories of a mystical or spiritual experience they’d had some time in their life. The stories were genuine, meaningful, hopeful, and very well-received by the group. The session left all feeling more acquainted and connected with their colleagues.

In the afternoon, each shared about their specific ministries, highlighting their goals, challenges, and hopes for the coming year. Everyone learned much about the scope of their teammates’ work, and committed to collaborating toward enhanced outcomes for all.

It was a beautiful day and and the free time that had been built into the schedule allowed everyone to take advantage of the walking paths, labyrinth, sculpture garden, Stations of the Cross, and Beatitudes Walk.

Our Board Moderator Madeline Haraway joined us for the evening activities including dinner, a group game which had everyone in stitches, and evening vespers. An impromptu ping pong tournament brought the day to an end.

Sunday morning included a very powerful and meaningful prayer time, breakfast, and a moving closing worship with communion.

Our Regional Ministers had planned the schedule, and each staff member led a portion of the activity. The time was extremely productive and restorative, and all look forward to it becoming a regular event.

Middle Grove Christian Church Closes

Middle Grove Christian Church was founded in 1842 in the growing frontier village on the famous London Trace stage line between Fayette and New London; an earlier Christian Church had opened in 1825.  Throughout the century, the village suffered many fires and storms, and highways bypassed this section on the edge of Monroe County, leaving the village quite small today. Middle Grove Christian Church has three incredibly active stalwart members remaining who decided to close out their remarkable ministry on November 20. Sixty-seven persons gathered for the bittersweet celebration.

Regional Minister Paul Koch preached, Rev. Larry Thomas of Madison and Holliday Christian Churches led prayers, and Kirby Gould of the Christian Church Foundation played Amazing Grace on the violin.  Kirby and Larry’s family had personal ties to Middle Grove.  Many people shared fond memories. Some were members who had moved away, some had been married there, and some had been baptized in the creek behind the church.  The church was especially known for being next to the Liberty Tree, a burr oak that was present during the nation’s transition to independence.  It was estimated to have taken root in 1666 and lived 320 years until 1986.

The trustees look to sell the church building and grounds that are adjacent to a historic cemetery.  Interested parties should contact Regional Minister Paul Koch at paul@ccmadisciples.org. They have designated proceeds to the Region to be used in creation of new congregations so their legacy will live on, however the majority will go to the cemetery fund for its perpetual care.

Thank you to Regional Minister Paul Koch for this story and photos.

Red Top Christian Church Celebrates 200 Years

On Sunday, October 2, 2022 Red Top Christian Church celebrated its 200th anniversary. Present were Regional Minister Paul Koch, General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens, and some of the congregation’s former pastors. It was a wonderful day of celebration! The whole service is on their Facebook page here>

Photos from the Facebook pages of Regional Minister Paul Koch and
General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens.

Mid-America Men & Friends Spring 2022 Retreat

As a service project, participants cleaned out extra debris at the base of the spring and put up the dam to create a swimming hole for those who will be arriving at FROP next month.

Disciples and UCC men gathered at Shannondale Outdoor Ministries deep in the Ozarks, and welcomed a Quaker and Lutheran too. They were able to share in the Spirit, help prepare the mission to welcome our Father/Grandfather and Son First Rites of Passage Retreat June 3-6, our upcoming Canoe Camp, and help the local community sell their native crafts for income. Many used the afternoon to canoe, kayak, hike, and relax in the sun at nearby Echo Bluff State Park and Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Regional Minister Paul Koch led worship on Sunday at Shannondale Church and the Saturday Spiritual Bonfire by focusing on the Five Touchstones identified by the General Conference of Disciples Men on what is at the heart of church men's fellowship groups and for men as individuals. They are BEING: a Servant, Faithful, Compassionate, Christ-like, and Loving.

Some hearty souls enjoying some fun after preparing Shannondale to host our upcoming First Rites of Passage retreat for Dads/Grandfathers and Sons and Canoe Camp for this upcoming Mid-America Disciples camps season.

Paul preached on Joshua 4:1-9 and representatives from each tribe of Israel brought a stone to consecrate sacred space and to teach the children about the love of God.


Arrow Rock Federated Church Consecration

Pictured are members of the Arrow Rock Federated Church as well as representatives from funding agencies after the Consecration Service on March 6th. Photo courtesy of James Woodland.

On March 6, 2022, members of the Arrow Rock Federated Church met together for worship and devoted a portion of the service to the Consecration of the newly renovated church building. This was a day to celebrate the preservation and future of the building which was constructed in 1849. The fundraising campaign to pay for the renovations began concurrent with the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 which presented a challenge to the Church. The project goal was met in less than one year. Along with the Church members, contributors included community members, the Village of Arrow Rock through its Arrow Rock Improvement Committee, and the Redman Endowment Fund of the First Christian Church in Boonville, Missouri. Ronald Routledge, Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) delivered the Sunday morning message and gave the Consecration Prayer. Patrick Overton has served as Pastor since 2013.

Arrow Rock, a community of 56, honors its history and preserves its name as a National Historic Landmark and the first Missouri State Historic Site.

Thanks to pastor Patrick Overton for this story and photo.

College Students Plan Worship in Maryville

On November 7, 2021, First Christian Church in Maryville Missouri experienced a church service planned, organized, and executed by a group of college-aged young people within the church.  A group of ten young people planned the entire service including all technical details,  and down to  even providing the sermon and service music. Maryville First Christian is located near the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.  The group of five men and five women shared their talents by creating PowerPoint, livestreaming the church service, giving welcome and announcements, various musical gifts, personal testimonies, reading scriptures, and giving prayers for the members of the congregation.  

To learn more about FCC Maryville, please visit their website or their Facebook page.

Thank you to Rev. Lem Whitmer, FCC’s Transitional Pastor, for this information and photos.

FCC in Troy Breaks Ground for Building Project

First Christian Church in Troy held a groundbreaking on Sunday, November 21st for their new building addition, which will house six new classrooms, a conference room, and more restrooms for the church. The addition, voted on and approved by the church board and congregation, will cost more than one million dollars. The design came from the architectural firm of Michael Baalman and Associates of O'Fallon, Missouri, and the general contractor will be Martin General Contracting out of Eolia, Missouri. Mike Martin, owner of Martin Contracting, is a member of First Christian Church.

George Tucker, owner of LanDesign in Moscow Mills, MO, who will be providing the landscaping for the new project, and Dr. Scott Falls, local veterinarian, served as co-chairmen of the Dreamers Committee.

The last formal addition to the church was in June of 1990 when the present fellowship hall and office area were constructed. It is hoped that the new addition will be completed in the spring. Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Moore, and Associate Minister of Family and Youth, Rev. Seth Rash worked carefully with the committee, and led the groundbreaking service on the 21st.

Thank you to FCC’s Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore and Sherri Stark for this information and photos.

Mid-America Men Head to the High Desert for Deep Spiritual Retreat; December Gathering Planned in Columbia

“I have been searching for something like this my whole life.” 

This remark by a man new to Regional Disciples Men gatherings was shared at one of the nightly council circles that enabled men to reflect on what was experienced during their day while on retreat. All that was asked is: “Speak from the heart and listen from the heart.” The safe space opened vulnerable conversations on how God was speaking to each of us in the open desert wilderness.

The nearby Christ in the Desert Monastery deep in the Santa Fe National Forest.

Ten men found their way together to first explore southern Colorado and then arrive at Ghost Ranch Retreat & Educational Center near Abiquiu, New Mexico for a week of hiking, deep personal inner work, support, and sharing in late October. Ghost Ranch has a colorful history beginning with sea-level pre-Jurassic dinosaurs discovered there, to nomadic tribes passing through, to Spanish settlers (who were scared off by the dino-monster legends), to horse thief and cattle rustler compounds, to legends of a buried treasure, to a benefactor who won the deed in a poker game, to becoming a dude ranch for the eastern city slickers, to Georgia O’Keeffe arriving to paint the landscape and calling it home, to the Presbyterian Church USA acquiring Ghost Ranch and doing a remarkable job honoring all the legacies still today.

People will recognize the landscape of Ghost Ranch immediately as the landmark movie, City Slickers was filmed there 30 years ago, as well as the recent The Legend of Buster Scruggs and dozens of other Westerns. A new film crew was present when Disciples Men were there too. To be fully present, one nightly council circle revolved around pertinent lessons from City Slickers such as the Hero’s Journey lived out in the characters, as well as each man being asked the classic, “What was the worst day in your life and what was the best day in your life?”

A medicine water wheel; untamed desert garden; a stone labyrinth; and a day set aside for fasting, silence and prayer proved to be invaluable entrees akin to what Jesus may have experienced in his 40 days in the wilderness, as well as the 2nd-4th century Desert Fathers and Mothers. A local spiritual director, who took the men on hidden and remarkable trails, shared how retreating to the desert, or any natural space in your environment, is invaluable for spiritual awakening. God’s creation will speak in metaphoric ways and provide solutions for long-nagging concerns. One will emerge, as Jesus did, remarkably changed – and ready to minister.

The day of silence, fasting, and retreat was very intentional and pivotal as shared by all in attendance. Each was asked to spend several hours reflecting on Five Hard Truths of life juxtaposed with five wonderful corollaries from the New Testament: Matt 11:28, Rom. 8:38-39, Luke 10:20, Luke 12:16, and Col. 3:4.

The vistas, mesas, landscapes, and canyons of Ghost Ranch are breathtaking. Days were sunny, dry, and warm until a desert storm ushered in a pitch-black delight. It is no wonder why the legendary artist, Georgia O’Keefe would spend the second half of her century-old life trying to paint all that she could see. Naturally, one council circle was dedicated to her for personal inspiration. Her biographer, Benita Eisler describes O’Keeffe’s first gaze into the colors of New Mexico.   

“The astonishment produced by the landscape around Ghost Ranch is the shock of extreme contrasts. After the flatness of the Rio Chama valley, with long, low mesas rising in the far distance, arriving at the bottomland of the ranch site is like being dropped into a crater of the moon. Invisible from the road, towering cliffs thrust up as through out of nowhere. Formed by wind and the water of a vast prehistoric lake, the immensity of sheer exposed surface would be fearful enough. Striated in wild clashes of color, the cliffs rise like a hallucination, a garish spectrum of the earth’s history: narrow top layers of sandstone, gray shale and coal, and white gypsum descend into purple and viridian green mudstone; runoffs from the pink sandstone cliffs look like the webbed feet of an enormous prehistoric creature; elsewhere towering mounds of siltstone have been dyed violet-red, cobalt, and sulfurous yellow by the dense iron oxide. After the pale sandy colors of Alcalde and the Rio Chama basin – silvery cottonwood, olive piñon, brown-gray juniper – and the misty blue of the Taos valley floor, the brilliant lunar outcroppings around Ghost Ranch spoke to Georgia as no other place had ever done. The landscape of Ghost Ranch gave her the “wonderful emptiness” of Texas along with a new vocabulary of form and color. “This is my world.”

Naturally, the men were asked to consider: “In what ways have the emptiness with a new vocabulary of form and color painted your life?” 

Mid-America Disciples Men partners with Illuman of the Ozarks to provide a breadth of spiritual resources for individuals, groups, and congregations leading to spiritual transforming. As our spiritual director, Jim Baker lamented in his lifetime of ministry, “People have great difficulty admitting that they DO NOT KNOW how to spend even a few moments with God. They would much rather work, serve on committees, do anything except being silent and alone in prayer. Uncharted openness and vulnerability is frightening.”  The Mid-America Region is working hard to create sacred space and any number of ways for spiritual transforming to occur.

Regional Minister Paul Koch, who dedicated the first half of his sabbatical to experience the Sacred Desert and invite men to join him has returned and is most willing to speak, teach, preach and be a resource to help you church and Disciples grow in spiritual direction.  Please reach out to him for conversation.

The first major product resulting from this inspiration will be retreats for newly baptized Pastors’ Class youth and their same-gender parent or elder in early June. (Non-binary individuals are welcomed.) “First Rites of Passage: Forty Hours in the Wilderness” will include bonfires, biblical storytelling, Native American legends and lore, rituals, and time apart in rugged Missouri wilderness at Shannondale deep in the Ozarks and other locations. Pastors are encouraged to please include this bonus in their curriculum. It is hoped a transforming “staying-power” will keep the youth involved in their faith community after baptism.

Mid-America Men will gather next on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10:00-3:00 at Bethany Hall in Columbia. Bethany Hall is the separate annex building to First Christian Church in Columbia. It is next to their north parking lot at 101 N. 10th Street, Columbia, MO 65201. Men from all Columbia area congregations are especially invited to give us a try. Please email Regional Minister Paul Koch at paul.ccma@sbcglobal.net to RSVP (for lunch count) and more information.

Revival Held in California

Last month First Christian Church in California held a Summer Revival over three nights. The focus was on praise, worship, fellowship, and prayer. The feedback was wonderful from the crowds which totaled about 50 each evening.

Thanks to Associate Pastor Kevin King for this information and photos.