JUNE 2021
COMMUNICATION BRIEFINGS
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FEATURED ARTICLE
• Internalizing Wholeness
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UPCOMING EVENTS
• Restart, Reengage, Revision (6/9)
• Let Us Pray (Second Tuesday, 6/11)
• Juneteenth Celebration (6/19)
• Lecture on Christian Unity (6/12)
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CELEBRATION
• Father's (6/20)
• DMF Day (6/24)
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NEWS & RESOURCES
• Kentucky calls Regional Minister
• Mills Groves CC 46th Anniversary
• Black Leadership Projects Grants
• Job Opportunities (DHM & NBA)
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IN MEMORIAM
• Ricky Foulks
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CONNECTIONS
• 2022 It's Real (Save-the-Date)
• Stay Connected
• Visit Our Website
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The vision of the National Convocation is to be a leaven in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) under One God as One Church with One Mission in the world, as a voice promoting pertinent issues related to the African American Church, carrying out the biblical mandate to transform lives. |
SELAH will feature the vital ministries of worship, education, justice, advocacy, fellowship, and discipleship that abound throughout our congregations as well as ministry resources; and Convocation events that are crucial for discerning future ministry and leadership of the National Convocation. There is strength in community. Please send congregational updates, ministry concerns, and prayer needs here.
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Internalizing Wholeness
A season of transition and re-creation is upon us. Congregations are re-opening, discerning possibilities for re-opening, and discovering new ways to safely and effectively strengthen the practice of presence online and in person. COVID-19 positivity rates have declined in many places, and vaccination rates are growing. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators have completed an academic year that is without precedent. Graduates and loved ones pause to mark the completion of thousands of assignments, and moments for listening, and learning to build a foundation for the future. The National Convocation has been gathering on second Tuesdays to pray, and Fifth Sundays to give voice to what is true, and to reimagine the future. These processes and transitions, and the activities they inform are meaningful even if at times they proceed at a dizzying pace. Something, in fact many things, on the inside are working on the outside.
Sandhya Jha reflects on the process of internalization that informed Israel’s journey through the wilderness in Liberating Love. “One of my beloved children once said, “It didn’t take 40 years in the wilderness to get the Israelites out of Egypt; it took 40 years in the wilderness to get Egypt out of the Israelites.” Generations of people who were enslaved in Egypt had internalized messages about their value and capacity; it took many years and a generation living and dying in the wilderness for them to reconnect with the inner spark I had placed in them.” While Israel’s 40-year exodus was not a triumph of efficiency or a triumph of resistance, the biblical text provides a thorough account of a people in search of language, relational possibilities, ways of being community, and ways of practicing fidelity to God outside of Egypt. It reminds me of the legacy of the National Convocation in it’s quest to live out what it means to be fully human and fully Christian before and since the merger in 1969, and our commitment to wrestling with what we’ve internalized. What’s on the inside and yet working on the outside today?
“I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me,
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me,
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I think on the things that made me feel so wonderful when I was young. I think on the things that made me laugh, made me dance, made me sing. I think on the things that made me grow into a being full of pride. I think on these things, for they are true.”
-----“Wanting Memories” by Sweet Honey in the Rock
Re-creation was upon me. I heard these words sung at my aunt’s funeral many years ago as I listened to people tell stories I’d never heard before about my aunt and our family. As I wrestled with the enormous love I internalized through relationship with my aunt, my family, and my church, I was moved and comforted by these words, and the shifts they described and invited. As I waded through the waters of grief and loss, I began to consider that perhaps wholeness was not one static place but perhaps it’s rooted in a process of listening and discovery. I remembered the old adage that says “Something on the inside working on the outside brought about a change in my life” as I listened to us name what was working on the inside, and who we had become together.
As summer begins, we’re invited to make meaningful space to internalize wholeness. Re-creation is forwarded through a process of listening, wrestling, and rest. Gather with the National Convocation this month on Tuesday, June 8 and on Juneteenth; attend the church wide gathering on August 7; observe sabbath time to be renewed this summer; see the beauty of learning and un-learning as the spirit speaks to you and through us together.
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Rev. Yvonne Gilmore
Interim Administrative Secretary of the
National Convocation
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NCCC’s Young Adult and Youth Fellowship leads NOW
National Convocation’s second Fifth Sunday "Hour of Power" was led by the Young Adult and Youth Fellowship on May 30. Rev. Eddie Anderson, President of the Young Adult and Youth Fellowship, observed that young adults and youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are present and leading today, aware of important voices within and outside the church that we must recognize and engage in our context as they did on Pentecost. Rev. Whittney Ijanatan and Eli reflected on a new way of remembering their loved ones in their family life and entrepreneurial commitments, and encouraged Convocation to do the same as it re-imagines church today. Rev. Virzola Law charged the National Convocation to “unmute yourself” and to take seriously the difference that youth and young adults can make.
Eddie Anderson (McCarty Memorial CC; California), Sandra Brown (Park Manor CC; Illinois), Britanni Bullock (Light of the World CC; Indiana), Amiah and Aubrey Crisler (Park Manor CC; Illinois); YaNi Davis (My SupaNatural Life; California), Cassandra Dismukes (Park Manor CC; Illinois), Chris Dorsey (HELM; Indiana), Kharis Gilmore-Essig and Britain Wilson (Ohio), Whittney Ijanatan and Eli (Parent & Kid-preneur team, California), and Virzola Law (Texas) led an inspiring time of worship and visioning for the future. The Hour of Power concluded with communion. Click on the picture to access the recording.
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JOIN US: TUESDAY, JUNE 8TH |
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PRAYER LEADERS BY CONVENTION
JUNE 8 | Alabama Northwest Florida Christian
Missionary Convention
Invocation | Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, Interim Administrative Secretary
Greeting | Rev. Dr. Dale Braxton, Senior Minister of Snow Hill Christian Church
and Associate Regional Minister of the AL-NWFL Region
Centering thought | Rev. Oscar Banks, Moderator, Florida Convocation;
Senior Minister, Palm Lake Christian Church
Prayer | Rev. Dr. Dale Braxton
Announcements
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Restart, Reengage, Revision: Post-pandemic prep |
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As your place of worship reopens its physical doors, how can you build community in a post-pandemic world? How does the coronavirus affect your congregation and neighborhood? How can you BE a new church in a post-pandemic reality? In this New Church Hacks episode, guest Nick Warnes (Founder and Executive Director of Cyclical) and host Terrell McTyer (Minister of New Church Strategies) will:
- Prepare your spiritual collective for new expressions of being church
- Engineer a visioning process
- Realign your mission with the relevant work of God
- Learn to start again with new techniques, methods, and practices
- React, adapt, transition, engage, and transform your communal care
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Live right after!
A link to a recording of the webinar will be emailed to all registrants after it airs, regardless of attendance.
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“Changing Structures, Shifting Spheres of Influence –
Setting a New Path for Christian Unity”
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The Sixteenth
Joe A. and Nancy Vaughn Stalcup Lecture on Christian Unity
June 12, 2021
10:00 am to 12:00 pm Central Daylight Time
(Virtual)
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Keynote Speaker:
Rev. Dr. Casely Baiden Essamuah, Secretary, Global Christian Forum
The Rev. Dr. Casely B. Essamuah serves as Secretary to the Global Christian Forum which creates space for an encounter between, among, and beyond the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, and the Roman Catholic Church through the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
Panel Discussion:
Moderator – Dr. Michael Miller, Executive Vice President and Dean and Associate Professor of Theology, Brite Divinity School
Rev. Lori Bievenour, Senior Pastor at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Carmel and Vice President of the Carmel Interfaith Alliance, IN
Rev. Dr. Jooseop Keum, Distinguished Professor of World Christianity, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, Director of the Korea Institute for Future Ecumenism, and General Secretary-Elect, Council for World Mission
Rev. Virzola Jo-Nan Law, Senior Minister, Northway Christian Church, and Member of Faith Forward Dallas, Dallas, TX and Board of Trustees Member, Brite Divinity School
Rev. Nikotemo Sopepa, Mission Secretary, Pacific, Christian World Mission.
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Join us online for Juneteenth 2021 as we celebrate African American Disciples history, music, poetry, faith, and freedom! Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved people in America. It is a time where Americans are meant to acknowledge the atrocities of the country's past, celebrate advancement, and work toward a better future mindful that there is more work to be done.
Juneteenth is observed to acknowledge the Emancipation Proclamation while also acknowledging that the slaves of the state of Texas did not receive the news until almost 2½ years after the official signing and announcement was given. Large celebrations began in 1865. It is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. “From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.
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JOIN US ON SATURDAY, JUNE 19 AT 2PM EST / 1PM CST / 11AM PST |
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Webinar ID: 842 8234 0617 | Passcode: 020181
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A Father's Day Prayer of Blessing
Bless every father and every grandfather with the best of your spiritual blessings today. Let him know he is not alone in the tasks you have given him to provide for and support those under his care. Show him how much you delight in his work, and affirm the value of whatever You have given him to do—both as a father or grandfather and as a child of Yours. Confirm his worth daily so he has no reason to doubt whether he is loved in the eyes of his Heavenly Father. When challenging times push him beyond his limits, assure him that You can take Him further into the realm of possible impossibility. Teach him how to meet the needs of his child's life that are within his ability to do so, but help Him to trust You for the rest. Create in him a deep sense of trust in You, knowing that He can count on You to help him lead and protect those dependent on him. Show him how effective the prayers of a godly man really are, and what a difference he has and can make to those around him, no matter how big or small the assignment.
Today, on special days, and for all the days of his life, fill him with the best of Your blessings. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
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Help spread the word about DMF Day! |
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If you’ve ever…
- sat around a campfire at church camp
- had a visit from a global mission co-worker
- visited a Disciples college
- served on a search committee for a new pastor
- attended Children Worship and Wonder
- connected with other Disciples in your region
…then you’ve seen Disciples Mission Fund at work.
On June 24, we will celebrate the work we do together as church because of Disciples Mission Fund.
Make a gift on DMF Day to support Disciples Mission Fund, which makes it possible for the whole church to work together, doing far more than we could alone.
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Kentucky Calls Regional Minister |
Rev. Dr. Gillett has deep roots in the Kentucky region, having served the last 22 years as senior pastor of East Second Street Christian Church in Lexington. Since June 2017, he has been the Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches and has served as an adjunct lecturer at Lexington Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Gillett stated, “I am honored and privileged to have been called to regional ministry in Kentucky. I am truly excited and feel called to this ministry at this moment in time and look forward to working with all who make up the Christian Church in Kentucky.”
“After an extensive search, the team felt that Rev. Dr. Gillett was the person God was calling to this position,” said Rev. Kory Wilcoxson, chair of the Regional Minister Search Team. “His relational nature, his dynamic presence, and his commitment to the health of the region will be a blessing to Kentucky as we move forward.”
Rev. Dr. Gillett holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Tex.; a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago; a Master of Business Administration Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Ind.; and a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Lexington Theological Seminary.
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Mills Grove Christian Church 46th Anniversary |
Mills Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oakland, California recently hosted a revival and celebrated its 46th Anniversary Homecoming. The church was formed when two congregations united as one on Pentecost Sunday, May 18, 1975.
Rev. Clarence Johnson is the Senior Pastor of Mills Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was called there in 2007 and has served continuously since that time.
Rev. Dr. Eugene James, Rev. Dr. Timothy James, and Rev. Titus James preached on the theme, “God’s KINDNESS Toward Us” to mark the anniversary of the church, in tribute to Rev. Eugene W. James, Sr., and in celebration of the establishment of a new fund, the Eugene W. James, Sr/Nerice T. Kaufman Kindness Fund Endowment.
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The Black Leadership Project Grants deadline is extended another week! The deadline to submit is June 7th.
The Black Leadership Project was created in 1970 by the United Christian Missionary Society. Funding is provided by interest income from a bequest of the sale of Mount Beulah Farm. Funds are granted to applicants whose projects develop, nurture, and strengthen church leadership in African American congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
A project, for the purpose of awarding this grant, will be defined as an event, activity, or resource that develops, nurtures, and strengthens lay and/or clergy leadership of the African American congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
#bettertogether #DHMissions #ccdoc #share
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Submit completed applications no later than June 7th to
317-713-2641.
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Disciples Home Missions
begins the search for a new
Director of Christian Education
The Director for Christian Education Ministries is a Merger staff position with the Division of Homeland Ministries (DHM) and the National Convocation of the Christian Church (DOC). Promoting the vitality of Black Disciples, the Director is responsible for the development and implementation of educational ministries which nurture and support the Christian Education/Faith Formation ministries of congregations and regions.
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TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
Submit a confidential letter of interest and resume to: Kathy Watts, Corporate Secretary for DHM, kwatts@dhm.disciples.org
DEADLINE:
Letters of Interest and Resumes will be received through June 21, 2021.
Send any questions to the above email address, as well.
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National Benevolent Association
search for a new Associate Vice President of Development
National Benevolent Association (NBA) is the health and social services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). NBA collaborates with leaders and with health and social service organizations to strengthen and transform communities through compassion, healing, and justice. Since NBA’s founding over 130 years ago, outreach focus has been with older adults, people with disabilities, and at-risk children and youth. Today, NBA expands its reach to accompany all in all walks of life. NBA provides education, companionship, inspiration, and resources for organizational and leadership development for Disciples-affiliated health and social service organizations. All work with partners is grounded in the historic mission of justice and advocacy.
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The ideal candidate must bring a commitment to the mission, values, and goals of NBA and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
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Richard Foulkes, beloved son of Rev. Dr. John R. Foulkes, Senior and Mrs. Marilyn Foulkes passed away and is now in his eternal home in the presence of God. A memorial service will take place in Chicago at a later date. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Rev. Dr. John Foulkes is a former Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation and Associate General Minister and President.
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SAVE THE DATES: JULY 20-23, 2022 |
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