Disciples Together, December 2022 Edition

Disciples Together

Regional News of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

December| 2022

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and blessings for the coming New Year!

-from Your Regional Staff

Where in the Upper Midwest is Josh?

Josh's travels take him across our four-state region to share in worship, support, and celebrate your ministries! Here's where Josh's travels have taken him in the last month.

November 15-16 - Ecumenical Leaders of IA retreat
November 20 - Worship with First Christian Church, Cedar Falls, IA
December 5-8 - College of Regional Ministers retreat

General Assembly 2023

2022-2023 Regional Calendar

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org

Dec. 23-26 Office Closed for Christmas

Dec. 24-Jan. 5 Josh on Vacation

Jan. 2 Office Closed for New Year's Day

Jan. 20 Ministerial Standing Applications Due

Jan. 26 Regional Operations Council Online

Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Ministers Institute

Feb. 10-12 Junior Retreat

Feb. 10-11 Committee on Ministry

Regional Prayer Calendar

Video Archives

Christmas Special Offering 2022, video about Upper Midwest ministry in 2022
Many Parts One Body, All Congregational Gathering session on Laity Sunday by Justin Carlson
Leadership and Innovation for Church Leaders, All Congregational Gathering session by Dr. Mark Bender
Playlist of all videos from 2022 All Congregational Gathering

More Disciples videos

News Around the Region

2023 Ministers Institute is right around the corner! Register today for a time of relaxation, inspiration, and education on the CCC grounds. This year's event is set to include Ramona Wink as our Keynote Speaker and Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund as our Guest Preacher. A wide variety of workshops will be available and you can choose from the in-person option on Jan. 30-31 or the virtual option on Feb. 6.

Learn More and Register Today!

Christmas Special Offering

It's not too late to support the ministries of the region with your Christmas Offering! Use the button below and select "Christmas Offering" on the dropdown. 100% of funds giving for Christmas Special Offering remain in the region for important ministries such as clergy education, summer church camp, and supporting churches in conflict and transition.

Give Today!

2023 Regional Prayer Calendar Available Now

Join Disciples churches across the region in the powerful practice of prayer. This resource, provided by the Regional Office, lists all of the Disciples congregations and their pastors as well as other pastors residing in the Upper Midwest (including chaplains, retired pastors, ministerial students, and more), as well as the ministries and offices of the General Church. Use this tool as a resource for your congregation to pray your way around the Upper Midwest and the Disciples of Christ week by week throughout the year!

2023 Regional Prayer Calendar

After Christmas Sermon by Regional Minister

Rev. Joshua Patty, Regional Minister, has recorded a sermon, “Echoes of Christmas,” for congregations to use in the New Year. Ministers and congregations should have received instructions for accessing this recorded sermon by email. If they have not received these instructions, please contact Regional Office.

Operations Council

The Operations Council met for a combined November/December meeting on Dec. 1 via Zoom. The agenda included reviewing September and October financial reports, staff reports, motions from the Grants and Personnel Committees, and holding elections for Moderator-Elect.

The Council approved the following grants:

Burlington Valley View Grant for a new bed ministry.
Mitchellville Older Adult Grant for upgrading sound equipment for worship
Regional Staff Disciples Together Grant for the All Congregational Gathering.

The Council also approved salary increases for staff and Joshua Patty's 2023 Housing Allowance and Tiff Williams' 2023 Housing Designation, all of which came to the Council from the Personnel Committee.

Mark MacWhorter was elected to serve as Moderator-Elect for the 2022-2023 Operations Council year.

The Operations Council will meet again on January 26, 2023.

News Around the Denomination

Job opening at Disciples Church Extension Fund

Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF), which inspires and empowers congregations to create Holy Places where people connect, is seeking to hire a Chief Financial Officer. This position will oversee all aspects of the financial operations department including but not limited to accounting, financial planning, budget process, cash management, accounts payable, audits, loans, and investments. . Learn more

National Convocation Calls New Administrative Secretary

Dr. Delesslyn Audra Kennebrew, J.S., M. Div. has been called to serve as the next Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation and Associate General Minister. She is an attorney, a pastor, a theologian, an activist, a thought leader and indeed a historic selection to lead the National Convocation at such a time as this. Dr. Kennebrew will begin her ministry with the National Convocation March 1, 2023.

This video summarized the recent Town Hall conversations about possible changes to the General Assembly and General Board.

For more information about the Covenant Project, see this Info Page.

Email questions/ideas to: covenant@disciples.org

Your financial gifts to the Christmas Special Offering and Disciples Mission Fund

support Disciples Together and other publications from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest.

Support Regional Ministries

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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | http://uppermidwestcc.org