“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NRSVUE

Happy November God’s Beloveds!



In the good words of the Apostle Paul: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4). I am so grateful I get to share in the work of “being good news disciples” in this Region. November brings with it Thanksgiving. The season of gratitude and giving that carries us into Advent and Christmas where we take note of God’s goodness and respond with giving gifts of the heart to the people and things we care about. Things that create beloved community and heal our environment. As such, the Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ) in the United States and Canada has two (2) offerings before us before the year ends. I invite you to join us in supporting them: Both are critical to the witness of making disciples in our church.

• Thanksgiving General Offering 2024, Sunday, November 17 & 24

The Thanksgiving Offering benefits the Colleges, Universities, Seminaries, and Divinity Houses affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Throughout our history, Disciples have founded institutions of higher learning to educate students and form leaders to make a difference in the world. Your gift to the Thanksgiving Offering helps support the education of thousands of students at our fifteen colleges and universities as well as our seven seminaries and divinity houses.

• Christmas Special Offering, Sunday, December 22

The Christmas Offering supports the 31 regional ministries across the United States and Canada. Your financial gifts to the Christmas Offering come directly to the Georgia Region. These gifts allow the Region to resource your congregational needs. Assisting you in your search for new ministers (search and call), discerning candidates for ordination & commission, renewing clergy standing, installation & ordination of pastors to their congregational positions, providing tools for congregational leadership & development, maintaining camp & conference property & providing programmatic resources, disciples women and men ministries, church renewal, new church starts, ministerial care (including Boundary and Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism training) and so much more.

So my beloveds, here is my ask of you in this season of gratefulness: Give to these two remaining offerings of the year with a grateful heart. And secondly, have a “made up your mind to give cheerfully” attitude toward your Region. We invest in you every day with committed work and resources through our regional staff, board, commissions and ministries. I hope you will invest in your beloved Georgia Region on a consistent basis (monthly, quarterly, annually) for the Region to not only survive but thrive in providing resources to our congregations for many years to come.

As you prepare to set your table for family and friends near and far for the Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas season, I pray your home will overflow with love and sharing. I call you to remember these words from Nehemiah to the Israelites after their return from exile in Babylon. The wall to Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and they were creating new communities. 

Then he (Nehemiah) said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 5:10

Finally, this message comes in the wake of our 2024 Presidential Election. I am grateful for the privilege of voting in this Nation where elections are fair and safe. However, like all of our elections, there are those who are happy with the outcome and those who are not. Full disclosure, I am one who is not (I am sure this is not a surprise to most). But I accept the decision of the people via the Electoral College. I pray we all will accept the decision and respect each other on both sides. As people of faith, we are not required to agree with each other. We are required to love one another, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to welcome everyone to the Table, as Jesus welcomes us. Our General Minister & President, Rev. Teresa Hord Owens often reminds us of this love:

“If we begin with love, there are only certain roads available to us. Love cannot lead to fear, hate, destruction, condemnation, exclusion, discrimination and bigotry. Love can only lead to respect, honor, dignity, compassion, and inclusion. As Jesus taught, everyone will know if we are his disciples if we have love for one another. Every religious tradition has a version of the Golden Rule, which calls for loving and honoring others as we love and honor ourselves. We have to find a way to love and respect one another even when we disagree. You do not have the right to destroy me because you disagree with me. Love cannot take you down that road. It is anathema to love to sanction destruction.”

The 2024 Election is over. How do we move forward in this divided climate? We move forward in love. Let this be a day of new beginnings (Chalice Hymnal 518). “Let us begin with love.”

May your Thanksgiving Holiday be safe and joy-filled with the goodness of God!

With grace and gratitude,

Rev. Joan

Dear Friends:

As we continue working toward calling a new Regional Minister, the Regional Minister Search Committee invites your feedback through a brief survey (see below).  PLEASE take a few moments and fill out the survey!  When you press the “DONE” button, the committee will be instantly notified of your ideas.  We are working with the Regional Board toward a position announcement hopefully being made by November 18. This will give us time to receive profiles from candidates so that we can start interviews shortly after the first of the year.

From the beginning, we have been asking for your input, and this survey is the last phase of that process.  We thank you for your participation in the multiple in person and online listening sessions that shaped this survey.  Now, please take a few minutes and let us hear from you one more time. Please copy this survey link and email it to everyone in your congregation and ask them to take this short survey (6 questions) which will guide us in our Regional Minister search. Deadline is November 12, 2024.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T7X9YRF

Also from the beginning, we have been asking for your support in prayer.  Your prayer support is by far the most important part of this process.  We want to hear from each of you, and we want to be sure that we are all listening for God’s guidance in this process.  PLEASE, make sure to include the work of your Search Committee on your prayer list.  

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Douglas M. Ivey, MSW, MDiv

Chairman, Regional Minister Search Committee

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia

The Thanksgiving Offering of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) supports Disciples colleges, universities and theological institutions and will be received in many congregations on Nov. 17 and 24, 2024. This offering helps support our 15 colleges and universities, 7 seminaries and theological programs and continues our Disciples history of developing leaders for our communities and the Church. See a list of the colleges, universities, seminaries, foundations, and divinity houses here. Give here or use the QR code, and be sure to credit your congregation.

Join us for an inspiring 2025 Regional Youth Assembly at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia, from January 31 to February 2! This assembly is an incredible opportunity for the youth of the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia to come together for fellowship, worship, and personal growth. Don’t miss out on this chance to deepen your faith and build lasting connections! Deadline to register is January 6, 2025

Attention Disciples Youth – YAC Wants You! 

The Youth Activities Council (YAC) invites Disciples youth from around Georgia to apply for the Youth Activities Council for 2025-2026, a position which begins at the 2025 Regional Youth Assembly. Applications (including your Pastor’s Recommendation form) must be received by February 2, 2025. Learn more and fill out the youth application and minister recommendation forms here. If you have any questions, reach out to the YAC Adults at yac@gadisciples.org.

Disciples Women’s Retreat Rescheduled Feb 21-23



The story continues. . . . Although Hurricane Helene changed the Disciples Women’s fall retreat plans, the Regional Disciples Women’s Leadership Team has been hard at work, rescheduling the event at Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge. More information and registration coming soon!

Youth Leadership Symposium



Youth Leadership Symposium (YLS) is a six-month program that prepares high school youth to lead in local congregations and supports them in designing and implementing their own project for their home Church. This is not a leadership team, but rather a leadership lab where youth can explore their gifts, receive wisdom from other leaders, and imagine new possibilities for their local church. Any congregation in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or United Church of Christ may have one youth and one adult participant. A second youth participant may be added upon request. Learn more and register (free) here. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2024. 

News & Reminders



• 2025 General Assembly: Mark your calendars for July 12-15, 2025, when the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will gather in person in Memphis, TN. The Assembly theme, “BEYOND” is based on Ephesians 3:20-21: Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen. (CEB) Watch for registration and hotel information coming soon!
• Regional Clergy Connection:  Georgia Disciples clergy are invited to connect in a virtual call for conversation, support, and learning with Interim Regional Minister, Rev. Joan Bell-Haynes, generally on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month from 12-1 pm. For more information and a Zoom link to any of these virtual meetings, contact the Regional Office. Check dates on the regional calendar here. The group will not meet on November 26 or December 24. 
• Bible Study Pre-Order: Just Women, the annual Bible study published by Disciples Women, is available for pre-order now. To get free shipping, order by Dec. 2, 2024 here. 
• Giving Tuesday: Watch for the launch of the Disciples Christmas Offering on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Gifts from Georgia Disciples remain entirely in the Christian Church in Georgia, supporting camps and conferences, clergy trainings and support, search and call, youth and women’s retreats, and much, much more that helps us do more than any church can do on its own.

Job Postings:

• The First Christian Church (DOC) in Marietta is seeking a part-time musician for Sunday morning worship. The ideal candidate will be a skilled pianist and/or organist, a skilled or experienced choir director, have a diverse repertoire in church music, and have a genuine passion for worship. Interested candidates should submit their resumes to the church office here or call (770) 428-3125.
• The Christian Church Foundation is seeking a full-time Communications Manager to join their team. Learn more here. 

Learning Opportunities

• Communications 101 Workshop: If you’re responsible for your ministry or church communications and are feeling overwhelmed, you’re invited to the Communications 101 Workshop on November 14, at 3:30 pm EST, hosted by Disciples Seminary Foundation. This workshop will discuss creative design, PDFs and electronic media, QR codes, understanding your audience, and more! Register here for this free workshop.
• Gender & Sexual Based Violence Webinar: Register today for a free webinar “Breaking the Chains” for a dialogue and intentional learning about gender and sexual-based violence. Hosted by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Church of Christ, and Global Ministries, the webinar will be held from 1-2:30 pm EST on Nov. 13 and 20, 2024 and will include a focus on deconstructing the biblical narrative and faith in action. Learn more and register here.
• Grant Writing 101 Webinar: On Nov. 19, 2024 at 8 pm EST, the National Benevolent Association and Obra Hispana are partnering to offer a free bilingual webinar that will provide you with the essentials for grant writing. Learn more and register here. 
• Activism and New Church Webinar: Do you want to know what Faith-Rooted Organizing has to do with New Church Ministry? Join host Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez, Minister of New Church Strategies and guest Elizabeth Madeira, Organizer at Southern Christian Coalition on Wednesday, November 20 at 3:00 PM EST to learn more about the many ways that activism and ministry overlap and intersect. Can't attend? Sign up anyway! All registrants receive a link to a recording of the event after it airs. Learn more and sign up here. 

Prayers & Celebrations

Prayers 

• Prayers that we “remember that our identity is not rooted in political affiliations, but in our covenant with God who created us in God’s own image; that we are one through Jesus Christ and members of his body; and that the Holy Spirit binds us together into one family.” From Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry, 2016.
•  Continued prayers for those persons whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, including Christmount Assembly, the National Conference Center for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Black Mountain, NC.  

Celebrations

• Rev. Teddy Ivey was installed Nov. 3, 2024, as Lead Pastor at Sandy Springs Christian Church, Sandy Springs. He has served at SSCC since April 2021, and most recently has been in the role of Associate Minister of Congregational Life.
• Rev. Dr. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch were installed Nov. 3, 2024 as Settled Co-Ministers at First Christian Church of Lawrenceville, where they have been serving since July 2023. In this innovative approach to congregational ministry, they each bring unique gifts to serving the congregation, while also serving in other positions in the community. Dr. Bales is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Georgia, and Rev. Bensch is Product Manager at the Home Depot. 
• Peachtree Christian Church has announced some staff transitions and additions. Rev. Katie Bond will take on more pastoral, hands-on responsibilities as Associate Minister, overseeing the Family Life Ministry and Respite Outreach Ministry. As Rev. Jim Bell, who has served PCC for more than 35 years, prepares to retire at the end of the year, Roy Firestone will take on the role of Interim Organist and Interim Choir Director. Rev. Nick Chambers will serve as the Interim Worship Arts Director for the 9:00 am service only.