*********************************
A
Celebration of Christian Life for June Harper (McGlashan),
mother of Elaine Hopper and mother-in-law of Pastor
Rodney Hopper, will take place at 1 pm, Friday,
December 14 at the Rockport Christian Church, 501
S. Market, Rockport, MO. Rodney and Elaine had
cared for June in their home during a long illness
and they speak highly of the support they have
received from the congregation. To send a note to
the Hoppers: rhopper@rpt.coop.
*********************************
Dear Northwest
Area,
Thank you all so much
for collecting money to purchase bibles for the
girls of the bible study. I was so touched when I
heard that money was being collected. This is a
huge blessing for many of the girls. Most of them
do not own a bible, and if there is one in the
house, it is usually one in their traditional
language, which they struggle to read, since they
mainly read English in school. They have been very
excited to recieve their bibles, and we can't thank
you all enough for this wonderful gift.
Carla
*********************************
Damage from Ice Storm
As best we can tell, several counties including
Nodaway, Holt,
Buchanan, Clinton , Davies, Caldwell , DeKalb,
Atchison and Gentry, have born the brunt of the ice
storm and several communities including Rockport and
King City are still without power.
We have not yet heard of any members of our
congregations suffering serious injury or damage to
their homes, however the limited supply of water and
lack of heat - especially in the rural areas is
going to make life very difficult among those on low
incomes.
Please remember that Week of Compassion funds can be
requested to offset some expenses for emergency
repairs to members' homes and church facilities not
covered by insurance. Call me at 816-617-7020 or
send visit:
http://www.weekofcompassion.org
See also:
http://www.nbacares.org/page1.html for
information about the newly formed Disciples
Benevolent Services
Remember that Red Cross and other emergency relief
agencies are responding because people gave
generously before the crisis hit.
Among the questions we are asking today in Cameron
are:
-
What do you do with people's pets when the
shelter contains people allergic to them?
-
What if one of the people in the shelter is
dealing with a severe physical, mental, or
emotional challenge? Who is
prepared to assist?
-
Once we get people to shelters, are we prepared
to deal with legitimate needs such as getting
homeowners with COPD their oxygen and breathing
treatments?
-
Driving around to be helpful isn't always
helpful. It can be life-threatening, especially
when ice-coated tree limbs can weigh up to 10
times their normal weight and can come crashing
down at any time without warning. How do we
help each other to drive less?
-
What do we do with the children of those who are
willing to help with the relief effort?
-
How do we support motorists who come in for
shelter when the Interstate is closed?
-
In communities where volunteers do much of the
emergency relief work, how do we support them
and their families when they work unusually long
shifts?
-
Why are emergency service workers having to make
so many non-emergency phone calls that our
congregation members could make if properly
trained and invited?
-
Who's in charge of the "unofficial" helpers?
Who takes responsibility for supporting them?
-
If we get back to normal sooner than neighboring
communities, how do we help?
As Donna and I were going door-to-door in our
emergency service roles last night, we identified a
few items for our community wish list that may be
applicable for your community and also be another
way for the church to engage more deeply with the
communities we serve:
-
Which rural farmer among our members has a barn
that could be turned into a temporary pet
shelter - especially if that person was trained
and supported to do that and local emergency
workers knew about how to contact and support
their service to the wider community?
-
Who among us would enjoy providing
transportation to shelters, to local or nearby
workplaces - especially if they could be trained
and directed by emergency service coordinators?
-
Wouldn't it be quicker for neighbors to check on
each other than to have to send emergency
service workers into safe areas to knock on
doors? What would it be like for the local
ministerial alliance to take on a project to
organize each block in the community -
identifying a core group of neighbors from
various congregations committed to working
together to check on every person on their block
in the event of an emergency?
-
Could each local congregation in a community
open its doors for a different reason, such as
fixing meals for emergency service workers,
staging for power and light crews and others
coming in from long-distances to help to
alleviate the crisis, hosting a family
contact/communications center with satellite
capable cell phones, etc.?
-
Would some churches with ample kitchens and
freezer space be willing to store costlier
frozen foods for those who will otherwise be
unable to store or cook them without power?
-
What would it say to stranded motorists to hear
the local inn-keeper say, "Your room cost has
been covered tonight by the churches in this
community and they are serving a hot breakfast
and providing free phone service at ____
church?"
-
Could it help to have "host homes" in every
community so that when an wide-scale emergency
hits, neighboring communities are ready to
receive those displaced for up to three days at
no charge and every ministerial alliance knows
how to coordinate that relief with colleagues in
neighboring communities?
Extraordinarily helpful and hospitable service makes
the gospel of Jesus seem more believable to a
non-believer.
How can we better support you today?
Bill & Donna Rose-Heim and the NW Area Leadership
Team
*********************************
Sharing
Resources, Changing Lives
Week of Compassion,
February 17-24, 2008
Week of Compassion is sharing resources and changing
lives.
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you
have," says the writer of Hebrews to the community
of faith. The call was personal, a reminder that our
actions as Christians speak more loudly than
our words and worship services. God desires our
participation in the lives of others, an expectation
made even more pointedly by Jesus when he tells his
followers, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to
one of the least of these who are members of my
family, you did it to me." (Matt 25:40, NRSV)
Of course, the least of these' don't just live in
our community anymore. As our world grows smaller,
our lives intersect with so many more lives than
they once did — and God's call to share what we have
encompasses more people. The people fleeing violence
in Sudan , suffering from AIDS in sub-Saharan
Africa, reeling from devastation in Bangladesh ,
starving in poverty in India — we are called to make
a difference in these lives, too. And Week of
Compassion makes that possible.
Gifts to Week of Compassion support programs that
help families and villages around the world build
lives and communities that are healthy, safe and
sustainable, changing the lives of millions of God's
children. Your Week of Compassion offering
¡ü helps rebuild communities ravaged by
natural disasters
¡ü creates sustainable sources of income
for rural villages
¡ü provides micro-credit to women to start
poverty-alleviating businesses
¡ü teaches trades and job skills to people
maimed by landmines
¡ü offers children a chance to survive past
the age of 5 and go to school
¡ü and much more.
Doing good and sharing what we have gladdens the
heart of God. By participating in Week of
Compassion, you can experience the joy of showing
and sharing God's love — offering a hand to that
stranger in need, and making a difference in the
lives of God's children here at home and around the
world.
For more information on how Week of Compassion is
sharing resources and changing lives, please visit
our website: www.weekofcompassion.org
Week
of Compassion: Around the World, Around the Year
*********************************
Year End Giving
Hello, regional and area colleagues!
Attached are two articles which encourage IRA
Rollover gifts to charity. Many churches are
utilizing the information provided by CCF, Church
Extension and Pension Fund about this soon-to-expire
opportunity. Please feel free to use this
information with your constituents. While the hope
is that Congress will extend this into 2008, chances
are we are only looking at a one-month window of
time for these types of gifts to be made. Please
let me know if you have any questions.
I hope have a blessed Advent Season
See
Attached flyer
*********************************
The
Christmas Gift that keeps on giving
If you are looking for a Christmas gift to honor
someone you love, we encourage you to make a
donation of $10 or more to the Northwest Area Life
Long Learning Center . Sharon Pulliam, gave us a
gracious gift of 160 acres near Lathrop. It is now
our opportunity to raise funds to prepare to build
buildings, activity centers, trails and much more
that will be used by generations to come to grow
closer to God.
A Special Christmas card will be sent to the
recipient with your name acknowledging the gift.
Please be sure to include the person(s)' name and
address as well as your own. You can send the
donations to the Northwest Area Office, P.O. Box 353
, Cameron , MO 64429 . If you have questions,
please contact the office (816)632-2237 or nwareacc@nwareacc.org
*********************************
SESSIONS FOR MEN
Greetings!
Sessions 2008 in Oklahoma City is going to be
huge event for all Disciples men from around the
country. The event is going to be held July 17-20,
2008 at First Christian Church in Edmond , Oklahoma
. We would greatly appreciate it if you could
include this paragraph about the event and the link
to the web site on your region's web site. Thanks
for your time and please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions.
Do you ever feel like your life is like a giant
puzzle? Putting together the pieces of life's
puzzle can be a daunting task. But by surrounding
yourself with fellow Disciples all trying to figure
it out together, you will find the picture coming
into focus. To find out more about this important
gathering of Disciples men and how your life can
come into focus go to:
http://sessions2008.org/
or contact Tod Iseminger at 800-346-2631.
Rev Tod Iseminger,
Minister of Leader Development
Anne Marie Moyars,
Administrative Assistant
amoyars@dhm.disciples.org
(317) 713-2666 or toll free (888)
346-2631
Fax Number: (317) 635-4426
Web Site:
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org
Mission Trips are available
to the gulf coast and Kansas that could transform
your congregation. Call us, let's talk!
*********************************
Women's Mini
Retreat
The Women's Mini Retreat will meet at
Missouri Western State University on July 11, 12,
13, 2008. Please reserve this date on your
calendar. The theme is "Spiritually Hungry? Why
Wait?¡É
Please share this information with
other women. For more information contact:
(816)233-0769
*********************************
NORTHWEST AREA
CHURCH CAMPS PRESENT
GET CONNECTED
Featuring the new Area Youth Praise
Team
Saturday, February 16, 2008 for all 6th
-12th grade youth will be a 1 day retreat
at the First Christian Church in Gower , MO.
Registration will begin at 10:00 AM. The event
runs from 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM with lunch included.
Early bird cost is $7.00 if registered by Friday,
February 8, 2008. After February 8 the cost is
$10.00. For more information call the Area Office
(816)632-2237, email nwareacc@nwareacc.org or check
out the web site
www.nwareacc.org
Flyers and registration forms were mailed to each
church several weeks ago.
*********************************
Alternative
Spring Break
November 28, 2007
Dear Disciples Volunteering Partner:
You will find attached with this note
a flyer and registration form for our 2008
Alternative Spring Break Mission Opportunities.
Note the major effort that Disciples' are leading in
the ongoing recovery and rebuilding effort in
Greensburg , Kansas following its devastation this
past May from a tornado.
Please publicize this opportunity for
Alternative Spring Break Mission Projects in any way
that you feel is appropriate.
Thank you for your support of and
partnership with Disciples Volunteering! If I, or
the Office of Disciples Volunteering, may be of
service to you in other ways, please be in contact
with me.
Peace,
Carl E. Zerweck, III
Director, Office of Disciples
Volunteering
Sent by:
Brenda Tyler,
Administrative Assistant
Office of Disciples Volunteering
Minister's Directory Office
E-mail:
btyler@dhm.disciples.org
Phone: (317) 713-2642 or toll free (888) 346-2631
Web site:
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org
"Getting Dirty
for Jesus" will transform your congregation. Call
us, let's talk!
*********************************
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
*********************************
Ecumenical
Legislative Breakfast Forum: An Invitation
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¡É,
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.¡É
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.¡É 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.¡É
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
Contact: John Bennett,
jhbennett65109@peoplepc.com
, 573-635-2743; Patrice Rosner,
prosner@eden.edu,
314-252-3160
*********************************
Calendar
of Events
-
Christian Education in the Small
Congregation
Elders Institute January 25 & 26,
2008
Unbinding the Gospel January 25,
2008
Women's Mini Retreat July 11-13,
2008
Sessions for Men July 17-2, 2008
*********************************
Week of Compassion Update
It's Time
to Register for the Souper Bowl of Caring!
Thousands of youth from
across the country will join in the fight against
hunger and poverty on Super Bowl Sunday through our
partner, the Souper Bowl of Caring. While
participating in this movement of grace, youth learn
about the magnitude of domestic and international
hunger, as well as recognize that God can use them
to make a positive difference in the lives of
others. No matter the size of your school or
congregation, you can help provide shelter to the
homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to the
needy.
The Souper Bowl of Caring
is as simple as holding soup pots at church doors
following worship on February 3, 2008, and
asking worshippers to drop in a dollar to help
people who are hungry. Each participating group
donates 100% of their collection to the charity of
their choice, including organizations like Week of
Compassion. All you have to do is:
Everyone who is
registered will receive a free resource kit that
includes the materials you need to plan and promote
your event, including an owner's manual with
step-by-step instructions, ideas and publicity
posters.
In 2007, over 14,000
youth groups participated, collecting over $8
million for charities across the country. 367
Disciples congregations took part in the effort and
raised close to $175,000! To date, 360 Disciples
groups are registered, but we hope 500 congregations
will join this effort on February 3, 2008.
We urge you to act on
Jesus' call to care for our neighbors. Click on the
link below today and register.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Hurricane-like Storms Batter Pacific NW; Ice Storms
Cripple Plains States
Week of Compassion
continues to monitor and make initial responses to
severe weather-related disasters in the Pacific
Northwest and the Midwest Plains states. Heavy
rains, high winds, flooding and landslides have
caused hurricane-like damage to coastal communities
in Washington and Oregon . Hundreds of thousands of
people in Oklahoma , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska ,
Iowa and Illinois remain without power after a
crippling ice storm swept through the Midwest
earlier this week.
WOC has made initial
grants to the Associated Ministries of Tacoma , WA ,
and to a Church World Service Pacific Northwest
winter storm appeal and is now receiving disaster
alerts from CWS emergency response staff on the
ground in the Midwest . Contact is being made with
Disciples regional offices about additional
responses as needs are identified within our
congregations and in impacted communities.
Communication has been difficult because of power
outages and downed electrical lines. The WOC office
would be grateful to receive word from churches
about the impact of the storms on their
congregations and communities - please email us at
jwray@woc.disciples.org or agopp@woc.disciples.org.
Make an online donation
WOC
Map/Poster
Click below for the
latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster.
For a complimentary copy of the 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
