• Joy

• Highlights of Women’s Spring Assembly

• Prayer Concerns

• Area Board Meeting

• Auction at the Sharon Pulliam property for a conference center

• Opportunity for Pastors and their Spouse

• Youth Minister Position for Plattsburg Christian Church

• Request for prayer and assistance for the Kidder Christian Church

• Invitation to Hear Dr. Fred Craddock

• Request for Beads and Jewelry

• CRY Summer Festival

• Camp Information

• Week of Compassion Update

 JOY

This morning the area office has been blessed to have some special guests.  Jack and Dixie Burks came to help with telephone calls and preparing the notebooks for the Area Board meeting on Sunday, April 29, 2007.  Also Elizabeth Shrewsbury, 7 year old granddaughter of Jan Shrewsbury , has been a volunteer this morning helping with folding bulletins, helping with the notebooks and especially with labeling, and stamping post cards to send out to all of last year’s campers.  She is here as part of the “Take your Daughter to Work” program through the Lathrop School .  It has been a very busy and productive morning!

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HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S SPRING ASSEMBLY

We met in Richmond and 92 women were present with 19 churches represented.

Our service project for the year is Camp Quality .  We collected 152 fleece blankets  (with ten more promised) for the campers.  (Our goal was 100 and since we surpassed it we decided to collect 60 more so that the companions can have one also)  LuJane Swails presented some information about Camp Quality .  The offering for the service project was over $1000 with more money expected.

Several churches reported that they had not received information about the Assembly.  Every CWF is urged to send the area office the name and address of their president and/or secretary so that the proper person receives information and it is passed on.  Please avoid using the church address as often times mail doesn't get to the intended person.

Talma Holt, Service Director, collected $243 to send to Church World Service to be used for school kits.

PRAYER CONCERN

We have recently learned that Jennifer Reid, formerly of the Odessa Church , has been diagnosed with MS.   She has been a student at MSR preparing for ministry.  At this time her studies are on hold.  Jennifer has asked that we pray for her and her family and that God will show her the way she can continue her ministry.

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Dear Bill and NWA Staff,

I am writing to several pastors and friends who have somehow been a part of my work with CORE Ministries, asking two things.

1. Our 5-month-old foster son, Eric, is recovering from a series of respiratory troubles, culminating most recently with pneumonia. He is scheduled to be released from the hospital tomorrow (Thursday, 4/26), but we must continue to be watchful for future difficulties.

I am writing partly to share my joy and gratitude at God's amazing guidance in Eric's diagnosis and treatment. Jan and I have felt the Spirit's leading in remarkable ways over the past week. I am also writing to ask for your prayers for Eric's ongoing recovery and continued good health.

2. I plan to devote my day tomorrow (Thursday) to fasting and prayer. Please share anything I might pray for you during the day. This could include your personal or family needs, ministry, and/or congregations.

I feel so very blessed to share in some small way with encouragement for you and your work for Christ. Thank you for that privilege and for your prayers for Eric.

Grace and peace,

Ed

Dr. Ed Varnum
Ministry for Congregational Revitalization
http://www.coreministries.net/
(573) 499-0466

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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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PULLIAM AUCTION

Attention campers and families of campers:

On Friday, April 27,  at 10 a.m.auctioneer Eddie Pickett (member of Stewartsville Christian & Presbyterian Church) will preside at the estate auction of Sharon Pulliam.  The auction will take place on the farm that is named in Sharon 's will as a gift to the NW Area for a camp and conference center.  The address is 8850 N.E. 264th Street , Lathrop , MO.   Proceeds from the sale will help to defray expenses for execution of the estate.  You are invited to attend the sale and, perhaps, to purchase something by which to remember this remarkable woman whose generosity will affect tens of thousands of future campers and retreatants.  First Christian Church Lathrop will serve food. For more information and directions go to  www.pickettauction.com

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OPPORTUNITY FOR PASTORS AND THEIR SPOUSE

Pastors!  Free 5 day Retreats!  Thanks to one of the participants on the EasumBandy Advanced Leadership Forum, we are pleased to share this website with you: http://www.pastorsretreatnetwork.org/index.asp  Click on "About Our Ministry" to learn more about how you and your spouse can enjoy 5 days of time away for rest, renewal, and spiritual refreshment. 

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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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WOMEN’S MINI RETREAT

On July 13, 14 and 15, 2007 at the Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph , MO The Women’s Mini Retreat will be held.  The theme is “Are You on Fire to Serve the Lord?”  The cost is $70.00  which includes two nights lodging and four meals ($35.00 if you commute and do not spend the night).  Bring a snack to share, comfortable clothing, personal items and Bible.  For a registration form contact:  Mary Lynn Breit            1-816-324-5214

                                                   Beverly Cadle            1 660-564-3577         

                                                   Dixie Burks               1-816-539-3574

                                                   Helen Hodkins           1-816-232-2927

                                                   Rose Findley 1-816-324-1227

                                                   Linda Long                1-816-324-6176         

                                                   Alice Miller                1-660-786-2234

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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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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

 Day for Darfur

With no end in sight to the suffering, violence and chaos in Darfur , Sudan , Christians across the globe are coming together Sunday, April 29, for "The Day for Darfur ." It is a time to remember the more than 2.5 million people who have been displaced as their homes and villages have been burned and destroyed and for whom life hangs by a thread. It is also a time to renew our commitments to support the crucial humanitarian efforts of the church in the region and to speak to the seats of power that the time has come for the world community to act in concert to end the genocidal violence.

" Sudan : A Responsibility to Protect - Worship Resources" has been prepared by Week of Compassion Associate, Amy Gopp, and is available through the WOC website for use in your congregation.

Here is a prayer received from Right Reverend Ismail Gibrel Abudigin, Diocese of El Obeid - Western Sudan :

Almighty God, you have promised to hear your people when they pray in faith. We pray that your church Mission in Darfur continue to be successful. You have seen the suffering of our people in Darfur . We pray for your Divine intervention and touch the stone hearts of people. That the government of Sudan and the United Nations find better understanding in regards to the UN Peace Keeping Force.

We pray, Lord God that the different factions will unite themselves for peace dialogue so that the inhuman war atrocity stops soon, and that the discrimination between the tribal groups may cease. This we pray through the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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Worship Resources on Sudan

Disciples Continue to Respond to Crisis in Darfur

Since the beginning of the year, Week of Compassion has been able to provide $100,000 in support of the "Darfur Emergency Response Operation," a joint humanitarian response of the Action by Churches Together and Caritas International. Click below for an excellent overview of activities from January through March. Designated contributions from congregations, members and friends from across the whole church have made this response possible. The needs in Darfur remain staggering, and our support of the humanitarian efforts of our church partners there is vital. Designated gifts can be made via the WOC website or to Week of Compassion, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986 , Indpls , IN 46206 .

Darfur Emergency Response Operation

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.

Map for Congregations

Jan Shrewsbury
Northwest Area Office