April, 2016
THE DISCIPLES DISPATCH
THE NEWS AND HAPPENINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DOC) IN MONTANA
Ruth
What is mission? The 38 Mission First participants were asked that question at the March 12 gathering at Cane Ridge West Conference and Retreat Center. The responses were varied but here are the themes that emerged. Mission is...
  • Taking care of, helping, and serving others
  • Offering care for and service to others
  • Working together toward a common purpose
  • Putting our faith into action
  • Offering our gifts to those in need
  • Including everyone
  • Sharing the Good News for the purpose of making disciples
  • Engaging in something larger than ourselves
  • Being the hands of Jesus out in the world
  • Giving of ourselves to enable others to give
  • Sharing God's love
  • Reaching out
  • Witnessing and working for wholeness
  • Building relationships by walking with others
April 29 through May 1, we will have the opportunity to continue growing in our understanding of mission as we gather in Billings for our 135th Regional Assembly called "Igniting Your Passion." I look forward to seeing you there!

Ruth Fletcher
Regional Minister
2016 Regional Assembly
Mark your calendars and make your plans to attend the 2016 Regional Assembly. This year the Assembly will take place on April 29-May 1 at Central Christian Church in Billings.

Guest speakers include Chuck Tooley, former mayor of Billings, who currently serves as a Director of Disciples Home Missions, and Ed Kemmick, retired reporter from The Billings Gazette, and author of the book, "The Big Sky, Bye and Bye".

On Saturday, we have lots of folks eager to share their passion. Included in the presentations are:
  • Becky Taylor - Ministry at the Women's Prison
  • Travis McAdam - Speaking Volumes Art: Transforming Hate
  • Shelley Fagenstrom - Eat and Rely on Christ
  • Chris Hunter - Family Promise
  • Seidel Standing Elk - Native American StoryTelling
  • Joan Nye - Suicide Prevention
  • Ron May - Community Service Projects
  • Don Beal - Volunteering in the Public Schools
  • Rick Bischoff - Spelunking with At-Risk Youth
  • Kathy Hilberg - The Matthew 25 Project
  • Barbara Brady - Foster Grandparenting
  • Chuck Tooley - Passion for the Environment

Registration forms can be found at your church or online.

UPCOMING DATES
April 29-May 1 - Regional Assembly - Billings

May 11-15 - Dream Work Week - CRW

June 24-25 - Regional Board Meeting - Helena

July 8-10 - GMPK Camp - CRW

July 10-16 - CYF Camp - CRW

July 17-23 - Chi Rho Camp - CRW

July 24-30 - Junior Camp - CRW

Aug. 19-21 - iCamp
CONTACT US
Regional Office Phone:

(406) 564-1887




Regional Office Hours

The hours for Regional office are Tuesday - Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. On Friday, the office is open from 8:00am to 2:30pm.
Youth Information for Assembly
The Regional Youth Commission has planned a special program for youth grades 6-12. Plans have been made for the youth to stay, with sponsors, at Central Christian Church. Youth will need to bring sleeping bags, pillow and toiletries. The program includes a service project at the community garden followed by swimming. Youth are asked to bring work clothes, swimming suit and towel. Please find the schedule at: Assembly Schedule

Please note: if you have more than 2 youth from your church attending they will need a sponsor to accompany them. Please call Barb Lancaster, 431-8713, with questions.
Camp News!
Summer Camp Registration 

Life Jackets Needed!

Registration forms are now available for Summer Camps. This year's theme is "Fearless Faith".


2016 Camp Dates:
  • GMPK Camp - July 8-10
  • CYF Camp - July 10-16
  • Chi Rho Camp - July 17-23
  • Junior Camp - July 24-30
For more information:  2016 Summer Camps. You can find registration forms at your church or download here. Registration discount deadline is June 1, 2016.

Cane Ridge West is in need of new or gently used adult-sized life jackets and smaller child-sized water-ski type life jackets. If you can donate one or two, please let the Regional office know.




Women-to-Women Worldwide
Every year, a group of women from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is chosen through the International Disciples Women's Ministry to participate in a journey to a different part of the world through a program called Woman-to-Woman Worldwide.  Last fall, the trip was to areas of the Middle East, and The Rev. Amber Richardson, a Ministry Team member at United Christian Church of Miles City, was a participant. Over a twelve day period, Amber and the group of thirteen other women traveled to Beirut, Lebanon; Amman, Jordan; and Israel/Palestine.  A main purpose of the trip was to meet with Global Ministry partners in these areas and the local people they work with.

Amber is available to present her journey.  Her talk focuses on the stories of people she met as well as the work of Global Ministry partners in Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel/Palestine.  If you would like Amber to come share her presentation with your congregation and community, please email her at [email protected].

  Women-to-Women Worldwide Participants (Amber pictured far left)
Dream Work Week
Dream Work Week is a mission opportunity for you to come to Cane Ridge West and help prepare the camp for summer. You will work with others to complete projects and play a part in preserving and improving the camp.

There will be opportunities for all ages and skill levels - No experience required! Tasks include cleaning, inventorying, repair work, wood cutting, organizing, sage removal, painting and more!

Stay the week or come for a day! We just ask you to register to let us know when you are coming. There will be no cost for lodging, however there is a $10 charge per person over 12, per day to help defray the cost of food. For more information download the registration form here

We hope to see you at Cane Ridge West Conference & Retreat Center!
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana | 406-564-1887 
www.montanadisciples.org
1019 Central Ave
Great Falls, MT 59401