Disciples Together
General News of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
March | 2021
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Regional Easter Vigil
Rev. Joshua Patty will lead an intimate online Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 3 at 10 pm. The service will be broadcast using Facebook Live through the Disciples in the Upper Midwest group.
The Great Vigil of Easter is probably the oldest ongoing worship service of the church, celebrated each year since the 3rd Century. This service at the climax of the Lenten season and Holy Week invites us to recognize God’s powerful and saving hand throughout history and in our own lives, including through the sacraments of baptism and Communion.
You do not need to be a member of Facebook to access and participate in this online worship service.
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Anti-Racism
Book Discussion Group
Rev. Dr. Al Adams is facilitating a bi-weekly cohort to read and discuss books covering topics in anti-racism. The next cohort group will begin on March 19 and will be looking at the book, "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria (and other conversations about race)" by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD.
Tatum is a psychologist who, in this book, seeks to explain the development of racial identity. The cohort group will use her discussion guide as a starting point for their sharing and discussion times.
Participating in this discussion group does count toward the clergy anti-racism continuing education experience requirement for standing.
To join in on this next anti-racism book discussion, please contact Al Adams.
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CCUMW Women's Retreat Hosts Movie Viewing and Discussion
Join via zoom to watch One Night in Miami, Regina King's directorial debut which depicts a fictionalized meeting between Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke.
Movie Viewing: Mar. 27, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
Discussion: immediately following viewing (Log in around 6 p.m. to just join the discussion.)
Note: You have to have an Amazon Prime account to view the movie. A free trial should work.
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After-Easter Sermon for Upper Midwest Congregations
Our regional minister, Rev. Joshua Patty, will record and share a sermon that can be used in your congregation any Sunday after Easter. The sermon, “Proof of Life,” will focus on Matthew 28:11-15. The sermon will be available for download by April 1.
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The Easter Offering reaches deep and wide with the limitless power of the risen Christ.
- developing Disciples
- forming new faith communities
- connecting with ministry partners around the world
- serving God's people in need
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Christian Conference Center Updates |
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Work Retreat
at the
Christian Conference Center
Have you missed opportunities for hands-on mission work? Have you missed time together at camp? Come catch up on both! The CCC will be offering our semi-annual work retreat on April 16-17-18. Come spend a day or the weekend serving on Holy Ground. Various projects for all skill levels will be available. Groups and individuals are welcome.
Work projects will be socially distanced and outdoors as much as possible. Masks will be required indoors. Pre-registration is appreciated to make sure we have enough food and lodging prepared. Lodge rooms and cabins will be available for a limited number of overnight guests. Email Tiff Williams or call the camp office at 641-792-1266 to register!
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2021 Church Camp Changes
After a lot of prayer and discussion with our camp leadership, we have some updates for the 2021 camping season. We have been working hard to make camp a safe experience for campers, volunteers and staff. We are still developing our final Covid-19 protocols, but here are the things we know for sure right now. Please read carefully!
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This one is a big change... weeklong camps will be shortened by one day to allow for more training for volunteers. Volunteers will report on Sunday and training will be mandatory. Campers will report on Tuesday and be at camp until Saturday. Written information about these changes, as well as summer camp publicity packets, will be going out to churches this week. (Standing Rock Camp will not change due to the need for extra travel time.)
- Weeklong camp price will be reduced by $30. Refunds will be issued for kids who have already registered for weeklong camps. Adjusted dates and prices will be reflected on camp publicity that will be mailed out. Shorter events are not affected.
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All camps will operate at a 50% capacity this summer.
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Masks and social distancing will be required indoors for everyone except while eating or sleeping.
- Mask breaks will be possible outdoors, in the right circumstances, throughout the day.
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Camp is moving outside! All activities that can possibly be led outside will be, including moving the Dining Hall outside on nice days.
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Air filtration units are being built for spaces where programming will take place indoors (in case of inclement weather) and for when masks can't be used (dining hall if it's raining, and cabins at night).
- For activities when kids need to be unmasked, they will be in "activity pods", meaning the same pod will be together for all those unmasked activities. For example, campers will be grouped in a cabin group that will also be their table group.
The biggest reason for #1 is to give more adequate time to train volunteers for how to live out our weeks at camp with the Covid protocols in place. We want to make sure everyone is 100% sure of their role and the do's and don'ts before campers arrive. This will ensure a better camp experience for everyone. This change in camp length is only in effect for 2021.
Please pray for our decision makers as we try to do the best for everyone.
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Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center Resources
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center provides resources for clergy and congregations. Some of their programs are also fantastic for lay leaders that want to deepen their faith. Here's a list of their upcoming activities:
- Leadership in 2021: Ministry Under the Shadow of a Pandemic (zoom conference on 4/13/21)
- Virtual Clergy Pods (virtual discussion and support groups for clergy)
- PrairieFire (2 year program for spiritual renewal and formation). The next class will be forming in the fall of 2021. Open Houses to learn more about this program will take place on Mar. 23 and Apr. 18.
- Pastoral Care Specialist Program (2 year course for clergy, parish nurses, Stephen ministers, chaplains, and others involved in pastoral care ministries). This group meets monthly the develop their pastoral care skills.
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Operations Council Update
The Operations Council met on February 25 via Zoom. It heard reports from Regional staff members and approved the following grants:
- Capitol Hill Christian Church in Des Moines received a $650 "technology grant" from the Valley View Fund to resolve audio issues for their virtual worship.
- The Upper Midwest Anti-Racism team received a $500 grant from the Reconciliation Fund to assist with involvement in the upcoming "White Co-Conspirator Summit" hosted by the Scaritt Bennett center.
The next Operations Council meeting will be held March 25 at 7 pm via Zoom.
Regional Operations Council members are elected on a 3 year rotation and represent the geographic areas of the region. If you would be interested in representing your area on the Operations Council, please contact our Regional Office.
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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | http://uppermidwestcc.org
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