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 Prayer Concerns

This week we have been saddened to learn that Jim Long died at his home.  He was a member of the First Christian Church in Cameron and was Treasurer for the Area for several years.  The visitation will be at the First Christian Church in Cameron from 6:30 – 8:30 PM Thursday, November 15, 2007.  The funeral service will be Friday, November16, 2007 at 10:30 AM.  The family suggests memorial gifts to the First Christian Church of Cameron or to Botts Cemetary in Meadville , Missouri .  Our thoughts and prayers to Ruth and the Long family. 

Also, please continue to pray for Tom Russell, one of our Area Pastors, whose brother Larry Russell was laid to rest in Jefferson City on Sunday. 

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 CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT ORRICK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

On December 2, Mr. Jayson Moll will be performing a Christmas concert following the morning worship.  Everyone is invited to come and listen.  A freewill donation will be taken to  benefit the Orrick community Christmas baskets.

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 TWO MSR EVENTS AVAILABLE

Attached are flyers for two events sponsored by the Missouri School of Religion.  For more information, please contact Krystal Jacobs at (573)635-1187, fax (573)636-2889 or email krystalmsr@earthlink.net. 

UNBINDING THE GOSPEL:  Led by Martha Grace Reese who will share with participants ways to move toward relational, authentic faith sharing – without formulas, but hand-in-hand with God.  Personal note:  I got to sit in on Gay’s presentation at the National Evangelism Workshop in Fort Worth this summer and I’ve read her book.  Gay is a Disciple minister  who, in my opinion, does the best job at helping us to get over our fear of evangelism.  Her approach honors our intentions to witness and serve and offers very practical examples of how some DOC congregations are doing excellent work in carrying out the Great Commission.  She is also the keynote speaker for the 2008 Mid-America Elders Retreat.  I strongly encourage congregational evangelism teams to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity! B R-H

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE SMALL CONGREGATION:  In a weekend workshop setting, the principles and practices of Christian education in the small church context will be explored.  The unique dynamics of the small congregation will be assessed in terms of their implication for Christian Education.

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CAMP 2008

We are looking for pictures to use on camp promotional materials.  The theme is “Listen! God is Calling.”  If you have a picture of kids at camp that you think would exemplify this theme, please send a copy to the office nwareacc@nwareacc.org.  Thank you so much for your help

The dates for the camps are as follows:

(All camps begin and end at 10 a.m.)

1,2,3 – Go!

(Completed Grades K-2)

July 16-18 or July 24-26

Jr. Camp

            (CompletedGrades 3-5)

            June 30-July 4 or July 11-15

Chi Rho

            (Completed Grades 6-8)

            July 6-10 or July 19-23

CYF

            (Completed Grades 9-12)

            June 24-29

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 INVITATION FROM STANBERRY FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Harvest Dinner

 Wednesday, November 14, 2007

5:00 to 7:00 PM. 

Turkey, Ham, Dressing, homemade pies and all the trimmings

Free-Will Donation 

(Carry-outs available for pickup only

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 PASTORS TO BE ON RETREAT IN LAWSON NOV. 29 & 30

Must have your registration by 11/16/07

Dick Hamm - opening speaker

Clergy Retreat: 5 pm Thursday Evening, November 29- 4 pm Friday Afternoon, November 30, Wilderness Retreat & Development Center, 34036 W. 204th Street, Lawson, MO. Former General Minister and President - Dick Hamm will open the retreat and provide a focus for our prayer, scripture study, conversation and rest the following day. Cost is $50 and includes lodging, 3 meals, and opportunities for prayer, rest, study, and conversation with colleagues. Those who cannot be present Friday can come for the Thursday evening meal and inter-active program with Dick Hamm at a cost of only $15. Cost is $25 for those not staying overnight but attending Thursday evening and Friday.  Contact Jan at nwareacc@nwareacc.org or 816-632-2237 to register. We will also put information up on the area website: www.nwareacc.org.  Our thanks for the generous congregational support that makes these events possible!

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 Ecumenical Legislative Breakfast Forum

Missouri church leaders and state legislators will engage in dialogue on tax justice as they examine Missouri ’s income tax structure at an ecumenical Legislative Breakfast Forum on January 23, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m., at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City . The event is co-sponsored by Missouri Christians Against Racism and Poverty (MOCARP) and Missouri Churches Uniting in Christ (MOCUIC). “Our purpose is to explore issues related to tax justice as seen from differing legislative voices and from a biblical and theological perspective”, states MOCARP co-chair, Rev. John Bennett.

The Forum legislative panel will be: Senator Maida Coleman (D-5), Senator Michael Gibbons, (R-15), Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford (D-59) and Representative Bryan Pratt (R-55). Rev. James Morris, pastor, Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Louis, and Barbara Ross, Director, Office of Social Concerns, Diocese of Jefferson City (Roman Catholic), will provide theological reflection on the tax justice issue. Rev. Patrice Rosner, Director, Churches Uniting in Christ, and moderator of the panel states, “while some people question what faith has to do with politics, I believe that our faith informs everything ; from the way we think to the way we act - and vote. This Legislative Breakfast Forum offers an opportunity for critical, thoughtful, informed reflection from a faith perspective on the tax justice issue and other important issues before the Missouri Legislature, issues which directly affect all Missouri residents.”

Bishop Paul Stewart, Third Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Louis, said, “the CME Church wholeheartedly supports the Legislative Breakfast Forum focusing on tax justice. We are proud to be a part of this great ecumenical effort as we strive to work together to bring about justice, peace and equality for all.” Dr. Jim Hill, Executive Director, Baptist General Convention of Missouri , also endorsed the event saying, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this Legislative Forum because it is vitally important for genuine dialogue to occur between religious leaders and our legislative leaders regarding matters of social and economic justice.”

To register for the event send $10 ($15 after Dec. 15) to: Baptist General Convention of Missouri, 1900 North Providence, Suite 301, Columbia, (checks payable to Baptist General Convention of Missouri; notation: Legislative Breakfast). Members of denominational commissions, congregations, local clergy, and interested citizens are urged to join with the judicatory leaders in this important event. All Missouri Legislators will be guests of MOCARP/MOCUIC but should make reservation by sending an email to: vkramer@baptistgcm.org

 See attached flyer.

Contact: John Bennett, jhbennett65109@peoplepc.com , 573-635-2743; Patrice Rosner, prosner@eden.edu, 314-252-3160

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 Week of Compassion Update

Floods Ravage Southern Mexico

Some of the worst flooding on record has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless in the southern Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas . 80% of Tabasco has been flooded, more than 700,000 homes are under water, and its agriculture and business sectors have been devastated. With tens of thousands of people living in crowded, makeshift shelters, there are growing concerns about the outbreak of diseases, especially influenza, cholera and dengue fever.

Members of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) Central America Forum are assisting the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) with further damage and needs assessments, as INPM is already assisting survivors with emergency shelter, food, water and basic health services. Week of Compassion is now preparing a response to a forthcoming Church World Service appeal to support INPM's efforts. Meanwhile, WOC has provided an emergency grant and assisted in the requisition of CWS blankets to Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries to support the delivery and distribution of emergency supplies, food and clothing to SWGSM's partner congregations in Tabasco .

Relief Efforts Begin in Haiti and Dominican Republic

Meanwhile, people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic continue to dig out and clean up from the floods, mudslides and strong winds from Tropical Storm Noel, which struck Hispaniola last week. At least 116 people were killed and nearly 20,000 homes were damaged. Damaged roads and bridges and downed electrical and communication lines have hampered needs assessments and aid delivery. Most of the affected people come from the two countries' poorest and most vulnerable communities. In addition to the immediate impact of the floods, they now face the threat of disease, the loss of work and deepening poverty.

Week of Compassion has provided an emergency grant to a Church World Service appeal that is supporting the relief efforts of two long-time Dominican partners, Grupo de Pastores Interdenominacionales (GPI) and Social Services of the Dominican Churches (SSID). Both partners are providing emergency relief aid to the most vulnerable of flood-affected, as well as preparing mid- and long- term recovery plans with them. Similarly, WOC has also provided emergency grants through the Global Ministries Latin America and Caribbean Office to support the flood relief efforts of two Disciples church partners in the DR, Caminante and the Dominican Evangelical Church . Assessments are still being made with Haitian partners, and WOC anticipates an expanded appeal from CWS to cover relief and recovery work in Haiti .

Designated contributions for the Mexican floods and for Tropical Storm Noel are needed. Gifts can be made by clicking on the link below and directing them to the Compassion Response Fund or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986 , Indpls , IN 46206 . All designated gifts will be used in their entirety for flood relief and recovery.

Make an online donation

Disciples "2 Homes in 2 Weeks" Build Underway in Texas

The second annual 2 Homes in 2 Weeks Blitz Build, a special partnership with Week of Compassion, Disciples Volunteering and Habitat for Humanity, is now underway in Beaumont , TX . 65 volunteers from the regions of South Idaho, Indiana , Tennessee , Mid-America, Oklahoma , Southwest, North Carolina , Kentucky and Florida are participating in the Build, which is a project in the two-year Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative.

On Monday, the first day of the build, reporters from the local NBC, CBS and ABC affiliates covered the Build on their early and late news Monday. In addition, on Tuesday morning, the CBS affiliate (KFDM), did a ten- minute live feed from the building site for their morning show, including an interview with Uliana Trylowsky, Executive Director of Habitat For Humanity of Jefferson County, and Carl Zerweck, Director of Disciples Volunteering. In all of the newscasts, praise has been given to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for our partnership in this project with Week of Compassion funds and Disciples Volunteering volunteer and construction leadership. In the words of Uliana, "we love the Disciples of Christ!"

Next Monday, November 12, Habitat has called a noon press conference at the site of the two new homes to receive a $100,000 check from Week of Compassion that is actually being used as a challenge grant to build not just these two homes, but three others as well in 2007. The two new homes will be dedicated on Friday afternoon, November 16.

These same organizations, with the addition of Disciples Women, will again be partners for a first ever Disciples Women Habitat Blitz Build January 20- 24, 2008.

For information on how to participate in Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative work projects, e-mail Tod Iseminger at tiseminger@dhm.disciples.org, call 888.346-2631 or visit http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/Volunteer/Disa sterResponse/index.htm to register online. Work groups are needed as we move toward our goal of 750 groups by August 31, 2008.

Download a WOC Worktrip Grant Application