Mission Together
Ministry Resources and Ideas for Church Leaders
July | 2021
Sharing Love by Giving Things Food Stamps Can't Buy
Chariton Christian Church wanted to show the people of their community a little love for Valentines Day. The Outreach Team researched items that people in the SNAP (food stamps) program cannot purchase with their benefits card. They then sent out a request for those specific items.

The response in the congregation was very generous. Not only did they gives items and money, they also knitted hats, decorated gift bags, sorted, sacked, and came on a very cold day to share love. Money and items were collected to provide 49 families with gift bags, in addition to some smaller bags for children.

Unfortunately, Valentines Day turned out to be 6 below zero, so only 13 families arrived for bags. So, Chariton Christian Church did it again. They hosted a St. Patrick's Day give-away on Sunday, March 14. The weather was better and many more families were helped.

In total, the congregation collected/purchased 53 bars of bath soap, 32 bottles of dish soap, 80 boxes of Kleenex, 48 containers of laundry detergent, 60 rolls of paper towels, and 289 rolls of toilet paper. In addition, for children there were 19 pairs of gloves, 32 crocheted hats, and 38 darling valentine pocket tissues. All of these items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits in the state of Iowa.

Submitted by Rev. Alice Bolen
Interim Minister
Chariton Christian Church
KY Disciples Congregation Finds Unusual New Community Ministry

The COVID pandemic and safety protocols have greatly impacted volunteering and hand's on service for many people over the past year.

One Disciples congregation in Covington, KY realized that it also created new challenges for homeless individuals, including limiting the number of places where they could access indoor bathrooms.

Their solution? Porta John 3:16! Their outreach ministry installed and maintains a portable restroom in their parking lot. Read more about their creative outreach here.
Conversations of Justice & Healing

Join the Disciples Justice Ministries this summer for some courageous conversations that aim to bring about healing in areas of brokenness. Representatives of justice ministries will discuss how church, community, the world, and creation are impacted, as well as offer suggestions on what we can do to address the broken places. Recorded conversations will be followed by live Q & A and are scheduled for July 11 and 25 and August 15 and 29 at 6pm CDT. Learn more and register here.
State Fair Hymn Sing

Each year the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest sponsors and organizes the Iowa State Fair Hymn Sing. During the State fair two times a day, at 11:30 and 6:30, we pack the log church on the fairgrounds and have people leading a hymn sing. It only lasts 30 minutes but we can sing a lot of songs in that short time. We recruit about 130 people each year who help greet people, lead the singing, and play the piano for this event.

This year we are expanding our mission and offering a children’s moment each day at 1:30 – 2:00. We are looking for volunteers who would like to bring an easy activity for children just to drop in and complete in about 5 minutes and take with them that will teach a Bible Story. The children will come and go throughout that time.

If you would be interested in helping with either of these events contact JoAnn Thomas at iowastatefairhymnsing@gamil.com or call her at 641-840-9287 and let her know and she will get you on the schedule. The best part of all of this is if you come help for about an hour of your day you will receive a free gate admission and a free parking pass.
Global Ministries Prayer Calendar


Please hold these missionaries and their mission sites in your prayers.

July 4 – Andrew Larsen, Philippines

July 11 – Emmanuela Loccident, Morocco

July 18 – Bosela Eale, Kenya

July 25 – China

August 1 - Maria Abigail Hernandez, Japan


Click here for weekly written prayers with an accompanying scripture verse for Global Ministries mission sites.


Regional Calendar of Events

July 13-17 Junior Camp 2 and Chi Rho 3

July 17-18 Grand Camp 2

July 20-24 CYF 2

July 22 Regional Operations Council, 7 pm

July 27-31 A.D.A.M. Camp

August 7 Disciples Virtual Gathering REGISTER HERE

Enjoy a day of worship, study, and connecting, including a virtual exhibit hall from many Disciples ministries.

For more details, visit the region's website:


Save the Date!

October 2, 2021

Upper Midwest All Congregational Gathering and Regional Minister Installation 

General Minister and President, Teresa Hord Owens will be preaching. There will also be time for business as well as workshops and recreation around the Christian Conference Center.
We Want to Hear about Your Ministry
Is your church doing something new or creative? Are you finding a unique way to serve a need in your community? We want to hear about it and share your story with the rest of the church! Our goal is to share at least one new idea from a congregation each time we publish this newsletter.

Send your story to Tiff Williams, Associate Regional Minister, and she will get in contact with you about your ministry. Sharing your church's story could spark a new idea in a sister congregation. As Disciples Together, we will be stronger in our ministry to the world when we share what God is doing through us in our communities.
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org