• Prayer Concern
• Area Board Meeting
• ·Ready in 3 Class at Maryville
• Mexico Mission Trip
• Take A Load Off For Christ!
• Youth Minister Position for Plattsburg Christian Church
• ·Request for prayer and assistance for the Kidder Christian Church
• ·Invitation to Hear Dr. Fred Craddock
• ·Women’s Spring Assembly, April 21, in Richmond
• ·Request for Beads and Jewelry
• ·Pulliam Estate Auction
• ·CRY Summer Festival
• ·Camp Information
• ·Week of Compassion Update

PRAYER CONCERN

I would like the area church to continue prayers for my wife Lolita Worley.  They have upped the chemo, and extended it for a full year.  This is something new, and the treatments don't seem to bother her as much as they did before.  But it is still kind of rough on her.  Thanks.
 
Edd Worley, Pastor First Christian Church in Grant City

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Area Board Meeting

Sunday, April 29, 2007 the semi-annual Board Meeting of the Northwest Area will meet in Cameron , Missouri at the First Christian Church.  Board packets were mailed to board members, pastors and churches.  Please bring these packets to the meeting with you.  We ask that you RSVP to the Area Office by Wednesday, April 25, 2007 if you will be attending the meeting and also if you plan to stay for the meal.  The meeting is from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. with the light meal at 5:30p.m.  There are many new and exciting directions for the Area we hope that all churches will become more involved.  This gathering will be much more focused on information and interaction  than a conventional business meeting.  Each church is allowed three (3) voting members, (the pastor and two voting delegates) however we encourage as many people from each church as possible to attend and take part. 

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Ready in 3 Class

Congregations near Maryville will want to take advantage of the special Ready in 3 Class coming up April 24.  Details are in the attached file.

We commend First Christian Church for making this important offering and look forward to more of you doing the same.  See attached file for further information.

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 MEXICO MISSION TRIP

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Take A Load Off For Christ!

This is worth celebrating in the Connection!

Kudos to First Christian Church for their recent, "Take a Load Off for Christ!" project!  For more information, contact Matthew Greg at cyfyouth@sbvglobal.net, and see the attached article.

Bill

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Youth Minister/Director

The Plattsburg Christian Church is currently searching for a youth minister/director for our youth. We are located thirty minutes North of Kansas City between I-35 and HWY 169. 

DESCRIBE THE SETTING AND FOCUS OF THE MINISTRY

This is a church youth group. Our church has a membership of 250 with an average weekly attendance of 120. We have a large youth group in that we can have over thirty youth in attendance at any given youth meeting. Most of these children are not members of the church. We are looking for an individual who will help us plan youth events, lead weekly meetings while developing leaders to lead our youth, and promote outreach into the community. Our mission is to provide for the needs of all of God’s children and we as a church feel that in order to fulfill that mission we need strong leadership to point us in the right direction. We are seeking someone who wants to teach us how to “DO” youth work in our setting, not someone to “DO” the youth work for us.

RESPONSIBILITIES

·        It would be our expectation that this individual be available for weekly youth meetings. The time and day would be flexible, but we will lean toward the individual who would be able to worship with us on Sunday mornings.  

·        This individual would need to be available for any planned big events such as lock-ins, fund raisers, or special events at the church.

·        This individual would need to feel comfortable with all age groups of children and would develop relationships with all our children. This individual would need to feel comfortable speaking with adults and developing helping relationships with them.     

·        We would be open to allowing developmental responsibilities to this individual for their benefit. This could include preaching on Sunday morning, teaching a Sunday School class, leading a special service like Ash Wednesday, and/or providing them a site for any seminary required field experience.

·        Our main goals are simple: 1. build our youth’s passion for Christ. 2. identify and unify our youth leaders and teach them the necessary skills to help you succeed at the first goal.   

ACCOUNTABILITY

In our church the final authority is our church board in matters of personnel. On a day to day basis however, you would work closely with the Pastor to develop a shared vision for the future of our youth group. In addition, we have a Human Resource committee that will work with you to ensure we are providing you with the necessary tools for success. Finally, we have a Youth committee that will work in concert with the pastor to accomplish our previously stated goals.      

HOURS, SALARY AND STARTING DATE

We are unsure how many hours this position will require, but we are willing to negotiate and adjust the amount of hours required for this position as long as we can remain under twenty hours a week. We are very flexible and would only need an accounting of when time was spent with our youth or in planning. We will pay $12 an hour and cover any mileage cost for this individual in getting to our church.    

If you are interested in this position please contact

Rev. Scott Schurle

P.O. Box 312

Plattsburg , MO. 64477

Phone - 816-539-2790 (office hours 8 to noon )

Email - First116@centurytel.net 

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Members of the Kidder Christian Church, voted to close Wednesday, April 11.  The church building will be placed on the market.  If you would like further information, please contact the Area Office.

Prior to the selling of the building the insurance needs to be paid on the building.  The members would like to sell a corner computer desk which is in almost new condition.  It retailed for $150.  If you would like to make an offer on the desk it would be appreciated.  Please contact the Area Office if you would like to purchase the desk or assist with insurance.

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INVITATION FROM LEXINGTON CHURCH

Dear Christian Friends,

This is a letter of Invitation!

First Christian Church invites your congregation to worship with us at 10:40 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. on Sunday, June 3, 2007.  We have secured Dr. Fred Craddock the foremost Preacher in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to preach at both the above services.

Fred Craddock was selected by the Newsweek Magazine as one of the twelve most effective preachers in the English speaking world.

Fred has been my friend since 1962 when I attended his first one-week workshop on preaching in Colorado .  You will note that on retirement he founded the Cherry Log Christian Church in Georgia and the Craddock Center meeting the needs of people in Southern Appalachia .

The schedule for the day is:

     10:40 A.M. – Morning worship

     12:00 P.M. – Pot Lunch Dinner (bring a cover dish)

      4:00 P.M. – Preaching workshop – led by Fred Craddock

      6:00 P.M. – Evening worship

We expect many more folks from area churches to attend that evening service.

Please advise me as soon as possible as to your intentions on June 3rd.  We hope that you and your congregation will be here with us.

On behalf of First Christian Church

             1515 South Street

             Lexington , MO 64067

             Phone:  660-259-3324

             Fax:    660-259-6509

Dr. Monte Gravenstein

Pastor       

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SPRING ASSEMBLY

DISCIPLES WOMEN IN MINISTRY

April 21, 2007 at United Christian Presbyterian Church in Richmond , Missouri plan to attend the Spring Assembly.  This year’s theme is God’s Answer.  Registrations for the Spring Assembly are due on Monday, April 16.  To register contact Betty Hodson, 501 N. Spartan Drive , Richmond , MO 64085 , phone (816)776-6494.  The registration cost is $10.00 which includes lunch.  

Registration is from 9:30 – 10:00 with coffee and book stores.  The Assembly starts at 10.00.  LuJane Swails, in charge of Camp Quality (our service project), will be the Keynote Speaker.  Donna Rose-Heim will do the installation of new officers.  Lunch is from 12:00 to 1:00.  There will be three workshops in the afternoon. 

Please plan to attend the Spring Assembly!

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Camp Request for Old Jewelry and Beads

At camp this summer some of the groups will be using old jewelry with beads or pieces to make a prayer chain.  If you have beads or jewelry you would like to donate to camp, please contact your pastor or the Area office.  The beads must be able to be restrung.

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Pulliam Estate Sale for Camp Property

Attention campers and families of campers:

CRY SUMMER FESTIVAL

Our keynote speakers will be Zane Whorton and Nathan Brooks who will share our theme of “Disciple Spirit” with the youth who attend.  We will also have Barb Jones, Executive Regional Minister for the Great River Region attending to share with our campers about the destruction of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and how the DOC churches pulled together to assist the communities and congregations impacted by these storms.  As always there will be workshops, family groups, singing, worship and lots of fun as we build relationships with other youth in the Mid-America Region.

Any questions e-mail me or give me a call, 573-442-0336.  See Attached Flyer

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CAMP INFORMATION

Camp forms are being received daily at the Area Office.  Make sure you get your camper’s registrations in early so they are able to attend the camp of their choice.  We are still in need of counselors—particularly some male counselors—come on men we need your help and you will find that the days you spend at camp with the youth are as meaningful to you as they are to the campers.

123 Go #1                  July 2 – July 4 (must have completed Grades K-2)

123 G0 #2                  July 11 – July 13 (must have completed Grades K-2)

Junior Camp I            July 6 – July 10 (must have completed Grades 3-5)

Junior Camp II            July 14 – July 18 (must have completed Grades 3-5)

Chi Rho I                    July 19 – July 23 (must have completed Grades 6-8)

Chi Rho I                    July 24 – July 28 (must have completed Grades 6-8)

CYF                            June 26 – July 1 (must have completed grades 9-12)

Plan to register early as we are expecting full camps again this year.

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WEEK OF COMPASSION UPDATE

CWS Issues Appeal for Nor'easter

Church World Service (CWS) has just issued an emergency appeal to its member communions in response to the massive weather system that swept across the South and up the East Coast this past weekend. The storm claimed the lives of 16 people, knocked out power to nearly a million homes and caused serious flood and wind damage in several states. CWS has received requests for blankets, health kits and clean-up buckets from numerous local partners and has disaster staff on alert to assist long- term recovery and unmet need efforts.

Week of Compassion has provided an initial grant to the appeal from the Compassion Response Fund and is also contacting Disciples regional and area offices about the impact on our members and congregations.

Disciples Remember Victims of VT Shooting

Since yesterday's WOC Update about the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, numerous pastors have responded with word of services of prayer, healing and remembrance in their respective congregations and/or communities.

Click below to read a reflection on the tragedy by Michael Mooty, pastor of Central Christian Church, Lexington , KY , and former member and chair of the WOC Committee.

Disciples Respond to Church Partners in Zimbabwe

In southern Africa the nation of Zimbabwe continues its downward spiral toward economic, political and social chaos. The inflation rate may well reach 3000% this year. The government continues to use intimidation and fear to hold its grip on power. Life for most Zimbabweans is perilous, tenuous, and, at best, difficult. In the midst of this crisis, our church partners continue to serve their neighbors and witness to the love of Christ as best they can. In the Mt. Selinda region, the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) has literally been transporting the sick to the hospital in wheelbarrows. UCCZ has been trying to raise money from its members to purchase an ambulance, but with most Zimbabweans reduced to poverty by the economic crisis, that is an almost impossible task. WOC is working with the Africa Office in Global Ministries to make that happen right away.

WOC Map/Poster

Click below for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the WOC map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.

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Have a Blessed Day, Jan Shrewsbury Northwest Area Administrative Assistant 816-632-2237