Mission Together
Mission Resources and Ideas from Churches in the Region
March | 2021
Churches Engaged in Mission:
Woodburn Christian Church
We at Woodburn Christian have known for some time that our church is close to closing. We are averaging less than 10 people a week in worship and that is including the pastor and her husband.

However, we aren't closed yet. Someone came up with the idea to host a clothing giveaway. With three people determined to make it work and a lot of requesting for donations on Facebook we have found our niche.

Our first clothing giveaway served 175 people in the spring and all that was left over was shipped by someone from Des Moines to her family in Liberia to be distributed to those in need there. We have no idea how many people were helped there. But we were ecstatic to know nothing went to waste.

We started gathering again for the winter months and someone decided we should collect and distribute toys too (a gently used toy is better than nothing under the tree). It started out slow, but as we got closer to Christmas people started asking to come and look. We even had another church from a different area come to fulfill the needs of their church.

What a blessing for us to make such a positive difference in other people's lives. In 2020 we served over 407 individuals and another shipment is being prepared for Liberia.

When God puts something on your heart...try to do it. You will be amazed at what can happen. We were.

Blessings,
Willa Heaberlin
Pastor, Woodburn Christian Church
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!
Ways to Serve Our Neighbors
in Texas (the Southwest Region)

Two weeks ago, an historic storm froze much of the state of Texas. Residents were without power for days and many cities (including parts of Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin) are still under boil water notices. Homes and public buildings have significant damage caused by burst pipes. Many schools have been temporarily relocated. Scores of churches have water damage throughout their buildings.

Here are a few ways you can help.
  1. Pray!
  2. Spread awareness of the situation to others.
  3. Consider a donation to a local non-profit agency that is helping on the ground. There are several with Disciples connections, including Operation BBQ Relief, Community Christian Church of Fort Worth (food distribution), FCC Granbury (shelter) and Disciples Crossing Camp (shelter).
  4. Support Week of Compassion and Disciples Church Extension Fund, who are instrumental to helping regions, churches and pastors navigate disasters.
  5. For now, stay home. We will be in communication with Disciples Volunteering about ways we can help our brothers and sisters with hands on service as they recover.

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.
Global Ministries Prayer Calendar

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

March 7 – Anne Gregory, Thailand

March 14 – Raul Santiago-Rivera, Puerto Rico

March 21 – Brigitte Eale, Kenya

March 28 – Victor Makari, Israel/Palestine

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


Regional Calendar of Events

Mar. 3 Clergy Chat with Josh

Mar. 15 Yearbook Reports Due in ALEX

Mar. 17 Clergy Chat with Josh

Mar. 25 Regional Committee on Ministry

March 28 Easter Special Offering Collected

Mar. 31 Clergy Chat with Josh

Apr. 3 Easter Vigil

Apr. 4 Easter Special Offering collected

Apr. 14 Clergy Chat with Josh

Apr. 16-18 CCC Work Retreat

Apr. 22 Regional Operations Council

Apr. 28 Clergy Chat with Josh

May 1 Last day for Early Bird Camp Registration!

May 7-8 Regional Committee on Ministry


For more details, visit the region's website:
www.uppermidwestcc.org

 
Save the Date!

October 2, 2021

All Congregational Gathering and Regional Minister Installation with our General Minister and President, Teresa Hord Owens preaching
Disciples Mission Fund Special Offering - Easter Sunday

The Easter Offering supports General Ministries of the Church. General ministries serve across the United States and Canada, and around the world. General Ministries also partner in ministry with a variety of far-reaching and unique organizations.
General Church Announcements related to Missions
Global Ministries will host a webinar via Zoom on ministry in Central America Wednesday, March 3 at 2 pm CST. Click here to register.
Join New Church Ministry in a Water the Plants prayer summit on Saturday, March 6th from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. Click here for more information.
New Regional Newsletters
With the January edition of Disciples Together, the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest offers five regular newsletters focused on different areas of our shared ministry. These newsletters can keep you better informed and connected.

The newsletters are:
  • Mission Together (published first Tuesday of the month): highlighting stories of the work we are doing in Jesus’ name, plus resources to learn and better participate in mission
  • Worship Together (published second Tuesday of the month): offering resources and creative ideas to inspire our shared worship of God
  • Disciples Together (published third Tuesday of the month): providing general news and updates for the regional church, looking out about 10 weeks, so you can better share this information in your congregations and ministry
  • Ministry Together (published fourth Tuesday of the month): a resource of materials specifically selected for clergy
  • CCC News (published fifth Tuesday of the month): a quarterly newsletter from the Christian Conference Center

We are using Constant Contact to share these newsletters by email. This allows you to receive them in a timely manner. It also allows you to manage your subscriptions, so you receive the information most important to you. Feel free to subscribe to any or all of them! Congregations will also continue to receive a printed copy of Disciples Together. If you do not use email, you can request to receive a printed copy of any newsletter by contacting our regional office.

Click here to subscribe to any and all of these publications!
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org