Mission Together
Ministry Resources and Ideas for Church Leaders
September | 2021
Guthrie Center Christian Church
Hosts Block Party
Recently, Guthrie Center Christian Church invited the community to an afternoon of fun, food, and faith. They blocked off the street in front of the church and had street carnival games and live music. They partnered with the Salvation Army to be able to serve food from one of their mobile canteens. The sheriff's office joined in the fun as well by hosting a K-9 demonstration for the group. The church also hosted the Amazing Chemistry Show, which included a presentation of the Gospel.

Some of the funds to host this event were provided by a ministry grant from the Operations Council.
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 volunteers lead hymns. 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 expanded our mission and offered a children’s moment each day of the fair from 1:30 – 2:00. Volunteers were asked to bring an easy activity for children just to drop in and complete in about 5 minutes. The goal was to teach children one Bible story during their time at the State Fair. Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who make this possible!

Rev. JoAnn Thomas coordinated this activity for many years. JoAnn passed away suddenly last week. We are grateful for her passion for the Iowa State Fair Hymn Sing which was very full every time it was offered.
2021 Special Day Offering

Revealing God’s Justice

“The time is always ripe to do what is right.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A special offering to support Reconciliation Ministries will be taken on September 26, 2021, and October 3, 2021. Expect to receive offering materials the week of September 13th. Your advocacy and financial support are much appreciated.
Global Ministries Prayer Calendar

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

September Weekly Prayers
Sept. 5 – Rachel Pellett, Jamaica
Sept. 12 – RJ Howard, Fiji
Sept. 19 – Mark Knowles, Lesotho
Sept. 26 – Raul Santiago-Rivera, Puerto Rico

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


Regional Calendar of Events

September 10-11 
Committee on Ministry

September 23 
Regional Operations Council Online

September 26
Reconciliation Special Offering

October 1-3 
UMW Fall Women's Retreat, Koronis Assembly Grounds

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.

October 3
Reconciliation Special Offering
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