“God’s Beloved 365”
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).
I was serving my first call to ministry after ordination in 1999. As associate pastor leading worship one Sunday, I looked out and saw the most diverse faith community that I had ever seen. It was beautiful! In one brief moment, I thought, maybe this is a glimpse of what heaven must be like. I looked down at my scripted greeting to God’s gathered community, which was my habit, and looked up again. What emerged from my mouth was not what was scripted but these glorious words: “Good Morning, God’s Beloved!” It really was the most surprising and wonderfully amazing thing. What emerged from me was what I now call a miracle. I could not believe those words came from me. I don’t know how those gathered felt. I never asked. But what I can say is this: It truly transformed my whole being that day. I saw everyone, Young, Older, White, Black, Asian, Latino, as “beloved of God.” It transformed me then and continues to do so every time I speak them.
We are now officially in the liturgical season of Epiphany, the season of Christ being revealed, seen, manifested, experienced, and/or celebrated. The Bible records “seeings” of Christ: as in the story of the wise men setting out on the journey to confirm the signs of the child, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). This week’s lectionary scripture gives the account of John the Baptist baptizing a young man who came to him; a man named Jesus. Once John baptized him in the Jordan River, Jesus was revealed to him by God as “my Son, the Beloved.” I believe God names all of us “Beloved.” Whether we are baptized, yet to be, or not, God created us in God’s own image. We, God’s beloveds, are all images of God and beloved. How glorious!
I have an idea! What if we woke up every day of 2025 and all our days, saying to ourselves, “I am God’s beloved”? And, what if we went about our days greeting everyone as God’s beloved? Okay, maybe asking us to say it to everyone, every day, might be a bit too much. But what if we said it loudly to ourselves and silently about others? That is doable, right? I believe this strongly. If we practiced seeing each other and the other as God’s beloved, we will create the space and place for God to actively transform us and the circumstances of our lives: our family, faith community, and wider community into “God’s beloved community.” Let’s do it! I dare you, God’s beloved!
Grace and peace,
Rev. Joan
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Registration Open for Disciples Women Retreat
Registration is now open for the Disciples Women’s Retreat, rescheduled for February 21-23, 2025. Although Hurricane Helene changed the Disciples Women’s fall retreat plans, we are excited to be going to Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge. If you have never visited or stayed in a Georgia State Park, you will be amazed at these hotel-style accommodations! Disciples Women will gather for fellowship, worship, learning, and service, plus some creative activities inspired by our peaceful outdoor setting. Keynoter Rev. Daniel Claire Brower will lead us around the theme, “The Story Continues with Crazy Love: Sharing Stories of Jesus," and Rev. Nancy Oliver will lead us in music. Learn more and register here. Download a flier to post in your church or in your church newsletter or social media here. Deadline for registration is February 5, 2025.
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The 2025 Regional Youth Assembly will gather January 31-February 2, 2025 for an inspiring event featuring Keynoter Rev. Allison Bright, Associate Minister at First Christian Church, Chattanooga, TN. The Assembly will be an incredible opportunity for the youth and friends of the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia to come together for fellowship, worship, and personal growth. Although registration has closed, get all the information you need about the event here, or reach out to the YAC leadership team here. | |
Registration Open for 2025 General Assembly
Register now for the 2025 General Assembly, a four-day gathering from July 12-15, 2025, that you will not want to miss. Disciples from across the US and Canada are invited to journey “BEYOND” into the vast expanse of God’s limitless love as we gather in Memphis, TN. Join us for worship, learning, opportunities to explore Memphis, mission projects, and the sacred work of the church for children, youth, young adults, and adults across the life of the church. Learn more about the General Assembly, including what it is, who it’s for, as well as the schedule, workshops, meals, events, etc. here. Registration is available here, and includes rates for adults, young adults, seminarians, as well as Early Bird rates (before April 1, 2025). Discounted hotel accommodations ranging from $149-$179 have been arranged; after completing your registration, a link to book hotel reservations will be sent in your confirmation email.
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News & Reminders
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General Assembly Resolutions Due Jan. 13: Business resolutions for the 2025 General Assembly are due January 13, 2025. Learn more here.
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Clergy Standing Form Update: We have been informed that clergy are experiencing problems with the forms; we are researching the technical issues and hope to have solutions in the coming days. The Commission On Ministry will be meeting to review the forms in February and will most likely extend the deadline, given the problems with the online form. We will certainly keep you informed. Questions? Contact Ja’Lisa Jarvis, Regional Administrative Assistant here.
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Disciples Peace Interns: Disciples Peace Fellowship is accepting applicants for the 2025 DPF Peace Intern Program. Each year DPF selects three young adults (21 and older) to serve as Peace Interns. This is a 12-week, paid, summer internship ($3,000 stipend) that allow interns to serve as advocates for peace and justice in many different ways and in several different formats. Learn more about the program and apply here; applications are due January 31, 2025.
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Nominations Open for General Board: All Disciples have the exciting opportunity to nominate delegates to serve on the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or to nominate candidates to serve on the Moderator Team to offer leadership during the 2025-2028 triennium. Learn more about the nominating process and access forms here. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2025. Learn more about the proposed changes to the Board and General Assembly here.
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Staff Accountant Position: Christian Church Foundation is expanding its Investment Services staff by seeking 2 new, full-time Staff Accountants. Learn more here.
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Youth Adult Leadership Position: The National Benevolent Association is seeking a Director for Young Adult Leadership Development and Director of Marketing. Learn more here.
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Learning Opportunities
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"Thrive in 2025" Monthly Church Growth Zoom Call: It's a new year and a new time for a monthly Zoom call about church growth! Join Pastor Kyle Ermoian, Director of New Church & Church Development, Christian Church in Georgia, this Thursday, January 16 at 4 pm for a Zoom call on church growth. These monthly, 1-hour gatherings every 3rd Thursday at 4 pm are targeted for pastors and designed to impart proven and practical principles to help our Georgia Disciples congregations grow in number and in spiritual depth. Email Pastor Kyle here for the Zoom link.
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Interfaith Service & Moral Mass Meeting: “For Such a Time as This – A Prophetic Response to America’s Defining Moment” will be hosted in person at Healing Cathedral Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) located at 4523 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN on January 20, 2025, at 7 pm EST. A livestream link will be available. Learn more here.
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Preaching Retreat Recordings: The sermons and keynotes from October's Disciples Preaching Retreat are available here.
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New Church Course: New Church Ministry is now offering a virtual, asynchronous version of Leadership Academy. Learn about starting a new church, without traveling and at your own pace. This course is ideal for those who work during the week or are bi-vocational. Access to this course never expires. Learn more here.
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Festival of Homiletics: This annual preaching conference will take place May 12-15, 2025 in Atlanta, GA. This year’s theme is “Preaching to Heal the Divide.” Learn more and register here.
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Prayers & Celebrations
Prayers
- Prayers for the Regional Minister Search Team of the Christian Church in Georgia, for their work on behalf of the Georgia Region.
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Prayers for the people and partners of South Korea, as they move beyond recent political turmoil and continue to call political leaders to moral and wise leadership. Read Global Ministries’ “Statement of Solidarity with the People and Partners of South Korea” here.
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Global Ministries is a joint ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Each week they post a prayer and mission moment from a different country or region around the world. Join them in prayer here.
- Prayers for those in the Los Angeles area who are being affected by devastating fires.
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Celebrations
- Prayers of celebration and gratitude for Jan Jones of Central Christian Church, Augusta, who was recognized as Elder Emeritus on January 5 during worship. Jan has been a lifelong member of Central and was baptized on Easter Sunday, 1958. She has served as an Elder for over 20 years, and in various other capacities over the years, including nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, board secretary, and Deacon. She is a fifth generation Disciple, and she has a daughter, granddaughter, two grandsons, and a great grandson, all raised at Central. We celebrate this dedicated servant of our Lord and Savior, who continues to serve as she is able.
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Peachtree Christian Church will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2025, beginning with church services on January 12. A congregational celebration lunch is scheduled for January 26.
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Campbell-Stone Senior Living in Buckhead will be unveiling some newly renovated space as part of its 60th Anniversary Celebration during an evening reception on January 16, 2025.
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Week of Compassion marked 80 years of service in 2024. This short video looks back on what started as a single offering for a single cause to become the relief, refugee, and development fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Here is also a prayer from Week of Compassion for “This New Year.”
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The next issue of The Good News for Georgia Disciples will be published on the first Friday of the month, February 7, 2025. Please submit any news to share one week before publication date to communication.ccinga@gmail.com | |
2306 Vineville Ave. Ste. B
Macon, GA 31204
Tel: 478-743-8649
Fax: 478-741-1508
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