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We are asking that you each put the NW Area in your prayers on a daily basis.  There are many, many new and exciting doors being opened by God and we ask for the wisdom and courage to take advantage of these many opportunities and for the funds to do all these ministries. We can promise an exciting NW Area Gathering 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the First Christian Church, Cameron. 

• Special guest will be author and executive administrator for Christian Churches Together – Richard Hamm.  Dick will offer a presentation for congregational leaders that you won’t want to miss
• Get new information about funding sources and missions
• Help kick off the development campaign for the Life Long Learning Center (and help us find just the right name for the 160 acre campus in Lathrop.)
• Take part in video interviews for the area website   
• Hear the results of the area’s first financial audit (and other exciting news) during the area board meeting at 1 pm)

Scott Killgore at Wyatt Park Christian Church is developing a new resource to help families and individuals to have access to daily Bible readings and thought/discussion provoking questions.  From January through December, readers will have the opportunity to expand their familiarity with the Bible going from readings from Genesis through Revelation in one year.

Scott and Wyatt Park are making this resource free to anyone at Wyatt Park's website (wyattparkcc.org), scroll down the left side to "Resources" and then click on "Daily Bible Readings."

Many thanks to Scott for sharing this with the church.

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Doyle Farmer, John Wyatt, Ken and Sue Jameson have volunteered to recruit lay people from various churches to visit our area congregations to show video presentations, answer your questions, and receive your recommendations and offers of assistance for developing the Pulliam Farm as an area life-long learning center.  Each church will be called between February 4 to February 10 to set a date for those who are interested in a visit from the team.
 
Thank you,
Ken

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 RECEIVED FIRST CAMP FORMS !!!

We received our first two camp forms in the mail this morning which is always very exciting.  Make sure to tell your young people about camp and to get their applications in early.  This year we have to return those camp forms that are not complete and the camper will not be registered until all information is there.   

 Northwest Area Church Camps Present:

Get Connected

For Youth in Chi Rho and CYF

Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008

FCC Gower , MO

Plan to meet old camp friends and meet new friends as we “Get Connected.”  Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the event will be 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  There will be great food, Bible study, games, and more, as well as time for youth sponsors to talk together.  Early bird cost is $7 before Feb. 8.  After Feb 8, cost is $10.  Registration form and flier are at www.nwareacc.org or contact the Area office if you need more copies.  If you have questions please contact Sue Jameson at nwchurchcamp@yahoo.com.

The Office of Disciples Volunteering and the United Church of Christ Office of Volunteer Ministries invite your students to consider applying for summer volunteer/internship opportunities.   The Disciples Home Mission Intern program and the UCC Volunteer Ministries “Partners in Service” program offer opportunities for service in a variety of ministry settings throughout the United States .  These settings offer students exposure to front burner cross-cultural issues, experience in working with diverse groups of people, and the opportunity to serve through the church.  Flyer is attached.

Applications for Disciples Home Mission Interns are available at: http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/Volunteer/SpecialProjects/Interns.htm

Deadline: April 1, 2008

Applications for UCC Volunteer Ministries Summer Opportunities are available at www.ucc.org/ministries/volunteer.  See “application” tab on left index.  Mark your site preference on page 2 of the application form.

Deadline:  April 1, 2008

Apply for the F.A.S.T. internship through either site. 

We look forward to working with your students.

In Peace,

Mary Schaller Blaufuss                                             Carl Zerweck, III

Executive for Volunteer Ministries                           Director of Disciples Volunteering

United Church of Christ                                            Disciples Home Missions

blaufusm@ucc.org                                                    czerweck@dhm.disciples.org

Phone:  866-822-8224 ext. 3214                                 317-289-5061

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 Help Needed

The area office needs shelving to help organize the many resources that we are building up.  We have had plastic shelving but the shelves are beginning to bow and are in danger of breaking.  If you know of any shelves that are no longer being used that could be donated, or at a very reasonable price, please contact the office (816)632-2237 or nwareacc@nwareacc.org.   We greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

 CAMP DATES 2008

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

We are looking for camp counselors.  If you would like to be a counselor at one or more of the camps please contact Sue Jameson, nwchurchcamp@yahoo.com

• LeaderTrecks “In and Through” Training for Adults in Youth Ministry Feb. 9, 2008
• MSR Understanding the Bible – Rev. Fran Schnarre  Jan. 4-5, May 2-3, Aug. 8-9
• MSR Introduction to Hebrew Scripture – Rev. Tom Russell Feb. 8-9, March 7-8 and April 4-5
• MSR Personhood of the Pastor – Rev. Bob Eichenberger May 8-10
• MSR Christian Ethics – Rev. Bob Flanagan  June 6-7, July 11-12, Aug. 1-2
• MSR History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ – Rev. Ken Watson  Aug 21-23
• MSR Introduction to the New Testament – Rev. Robert Atkinson  Sept 5-6, Oct. 3-4, Nov 7-8
• MSR Stewardship Strategies for the Small Congregation – J. Joseph Trower Dec. 5-6
• Christian Education in the Small Congregation
• Get Connected – Chi Rho and CYF Youth Event February 16, 2008
• Summer Camps June 24 Through July 29 2008
• Women’s Mini Retreat July 11-13, 2008
• Sessions for Men July 17-2, 2008
• C.R.Y. 2008 Imagine, July 21-24, 2008  www.mid-americadisciples.org

For more information on MSR courses email:  KrystalMSR@earthlink.net or www.msr-crm.org