Ministry Together
Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
May | 2021
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Prayers for Clergy Colleagues
- Prayers of sympathy for Micheal Carlson on the death of his mother.
- Prayers of sympathy for the family of Tom Burkhardt.
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Celebrations
Dick Jumper and his wife Dana have been called to First Christian Church, Vinton as pastor. The Jumpers move to Iowa from Illinois. Welcome to the Region.
Henry Brewer-Calvert co-pastor Central Christian Church, Waterloo has been accepted into the Excellence in Ministry Program for 2021-22.
Heather Wachendorf, pastor of Highland Park Christian Church, Des Moines, has been approved for ordination by our region's Committee on Ministry. A service of ordination is being planned for July 10.
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Looking to Serve? Lots of Positions Available
Eaoh month, we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. Currently, the list is long and has several congregations seeking part-time professional ministry.
- Are you retired or between calls and interested in a part-time position?
- Are you serving in a position that would allow you to add responsibilities (and compensation) from another congregation?
- Do you know someone who might be a good commissioned minister serving in a part-time congregational context?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we would appreciate your help. Our regional staff is having difficulty identifying enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.
Please contact Josh, Tiff, or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.
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Congregations in Transition
Friends, you will see listed below the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Gratefully many of these congregations have interim leadership, equipping the congregation to move through transition with hope and grace.
However, several of these congregations are small which impedes the search process. If through prayer and discernment you would be ready to serve one of the smaller congregations, please let one of the Regional staff know.
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Mitchellville Christian Church will begin the search and call process.
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Marshalltown First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Altoona First Christian Church called Lisa Grace as interim.
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Albia First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Newton First Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Oakland Christian Church is in the revitalization process, using regular pulpit supply for Sundays.
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Red Oak Christian Church entered the search process.
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Chariton Christian Church called Alice Bolen as interim.
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Indianola Heights Christian Church called JoAnn Thomas as interim.
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Waukee Christian Church has called Grey Fredericks as interim.
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New Disciples Christian Church, Cedar Rapids has called Sherry Schwab as interim.
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Park Ave Christian Church, Des Moines called Tim Johnson as interim.
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Lake Harriett Christian Church called David Cobb as interim.
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Plymouth Creek Christian Church is in the search process.
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Marion Christian Church called Tom Webster as interim pastor.
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Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
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Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
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First Christian Church, Hampton is entering the search process.
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Save the date!
September 13-14-15 will be the first PASTOR'S CAMP at the Christian Conference Center! This will be an event for pastor's to gather for conversation, relaxation and faith-deepening experiences. Save the date now to your calendar! Josh Patty and Tiff Williams will serve as Camp Directors.
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Disciples Covenant Curriculum and Leader Sessions |
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A journey through interactive conversation towards faithfully living into covenant as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Five guided sessions will take participants into a deeper reflection of what it truly means to live in covenantal relationship with each other, with the church, and with God.
This curriculum contains five sessions, each with carefully articulated learning goals. Each session starts out with a short video, followed by questions for consideration and conversation. The materials are versatile enough to be used in a variety of settings, both virtual or in-person, in small groups or large gatherings. A facilitator is needed to review the materials ahead of each session and to guide conversation. Participants should be invited to have a Bible handy. You will want to be familiar with the language the Preamble to the Design, which you can find in multiple languages. It is also included in the Chalice Hymnal as #355.
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Book Study, Something in the Water
Our second quarter study of Something in the Water by Michael W. Waters continues in May and June. Beto O'Rourke in the forward to the book says "In Michael Waters' latest book, action is the antidote to despair, the answer to our prayers, and the key to victory. So we much move, take action, put our faith in motion." Participation in this study can count as part of your anti-racism experience for standing renewal. The book is available from Chalice Press. The next session, on May 27 at 2 pm, will focus on laments and public liturgies (pp. 58-131). The final session, on June 24 at 2 pm, will focus on the remainder of the book (pp. 132-end).
Books for the third and fourth quarters of the year are being explored. If you have a recommendation, please contact Liz Woodward: liz@uppermidwestcc.org
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Other Continuing Education Opportunities |
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PrairieFire
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
info session, May 25, 6 pm
This two-year program offers ways for people to deepen their spiritual lives through contemplative practices. Learn more.
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ICYMI
Embracing Important Conversations in Rural Iowa on Race and Racism
This session, led by Dr. Kesho Scott of Grinnell College, explores ways to have difficult conversations about race. Watch on YouTube.
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Continuing Education Requirement
All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.
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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org |
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