October, 2016
THE DISCIPLES DISPATCH
THE NEWS AND HAPPENINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DOC) IN MONTANA
Ruth
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ  and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 
-2 Cor. 5:18
What do you do when the police shoot an unarmed black man in your community?  Some congregations might say, "The church has no business getting involved in a political issue."  But the Disciples churches close to Ferguson didn't see it that way.  For over two decades, they had attended anti-racism training that was part of the pro-reconciling priority of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  They understood themselves to be a part of a Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World.  They heard a call from God to be agents of peace in their community. 

So, they gathered young people, their parents, and law enforcement officers in a summit meeting.  They created safe space where each person could tell his or her story and listen to one another.  They discussed policies that needed to be changed.  Eventually, those conversations led them to produce a documentary film called Injustice Anywhere.  

In another church, an adult Sunday school class hosted a showing.  "It was a hard movie to watch," one member said, "but we set aside our own discomfort, we used the study guide, and we invited neighbors from our community to watch it with us.  We decided we just couldn't close our eyes to injustice anymore."

This month, you have the opportunity to support the anti-racist efforts of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through your offerings to Reconciliation Ministries.  Maybe you'll even find ways to counteract racism in your own community.
 
Faithfully,

Ruth Fletcher

Regional Minister 
Thank You Volunteers!
UPCOMING DATES
Oct 17  - Kairos Workshop - Missoula
Oct. 18 - Kairos Workshop - Great Falls
Oct. 19 - Kairos Workshop - Bozeman
Oct. 20 - Kairos Workshop - Billings
Oct 20-21 - MAC Connect - Butte
Nov 4-5 - Regional Board & Commission Meetings - Great Falls
CONTACT US
Regional Office Phone:
(406) 564-1887




Regional Office Hours

The hours for Regional office are Tuesday - Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. On Friday, the office is open from 8:00am to 2:30pm.
We had a great crew on Saturday, October 1, 2016, helping flooring professional, Loren Lindabury with tear-out of the water damaged flooring in the "Old Fellowship House" at the Cane Ridge West Conference and Retreat Center ("CRW".)  In addition to Loren (husband of Regional Administrative Assistant, Ruth Lindabury) helpers included Jeremy Comstock, CRW Real Property Committee Chair and Aaron Fagenstrom from Great Falls joined by Brenda and Dave Johnson, Mary and Curt Larsen and Brad Lancaster from Helena.  Loren will return in 2 weeks to install new subfloor and a beautiful cork backed laminate surface.  THANKS to all who volunteered many hands to make short work!





Kairos in Montana
It is confusing to watch the news from the Middle East. The conflicts are complicated and long-standing. Loyalties and enmities have been forged over generations. Yet, Palestinian Christians believe this is a kairos  moment, an opportunity for peace to be forged in Israel-Palestine. Inspired by the document calling for the end of apartheid in South Africa, they have written their own Kairos document as a cry to the world. It lays out a roadmap to peace based on an end to the occupation and the practice of non-violence.

During the week of October 17-23, our Region along with other ecumenical brothers and sisters will have the opportunity to hear from some guests from Global Ministries to talk about the situation in Israel-Palestine and to suggest how we might participate in the movement for peace. 

Workshop Locations:
Monday, October 17 - Atonement Lutheran Church, Missoula
Tuesday, October 18 - First United Methodist Church, Great Falls
Wednesday, October 19 - Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Bozeman
Thursday, October 20 - Central Christian Church, Billings

Big Sky Disciples
Bob Frank-Plumlee is interested in creating a supplement to Big Sky Disciples: A History of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana. If you would like to collaborate with Bob please contact him at [email protected]
Elders Workshop
Thirty people representing five Disciples churches in Montana attended the event for elders and leaders held in Missoula on September 18, 2016. Regional Minister Ruth Fletcher led the workshop that was held at First Christian Church, Missoula.





MAC Connect
MAC Connect will be held on October 20-21 in Butte, MT. This year's theme is Montana Politics & the Values of Matthew 25:40. 

Thursday evening's reception will have keynote speaker Wilmot Collins and guest speaker Greg Gianforte.

Friday, join in the discussion with a panel of legislators and enjoy a catered lunch with guest speaker Governor Steve Bullock.

Please visit macmt.org to register or to learn more about MAC Connect!
 
Volunteers Needed in Louisiana
In August, southern Louisiana experienced devastating flooding, with impacted homes receiving anywhere from a few inches of flood water up to 8 feet. With more than 110,000 households requesting assistance, it is estimated that over half a million people were impacted by the flood. The slowness with which the waters receded combined with late summer humidity put tens of thousands of homes at risk of severe mold growth and more rapid deterioration. It is critical that these homes are cleaned out: removing contents and walls that absorbed water will lead to less damage - and a lower need for assistance - in the long run. Help is needed now to assist with this clean-up work, including the mucking and gutting of homes. Disciples Volunteering has partnered with NECHAMA, Jewish Response to Disaster, for coordinating the work of mission teams through October 30. First Christian Church, Baton Rouge is providing housing to teams which can arrive Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday and work through Sunday. Week of Compassion and the Great River Region are also partner in this response.

For more information and to learn how you can be a part of the response,   click here!

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana | 406-564-1887 
www.montanadisciples.org
1019 Central Ave
Great Falls, MT 59401