January 2016 Newsletter - Disciples of Christ

January, 2016

I pray that you may be strengthened to the core

with power through God's Spirit

and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith,

as you are being rooted and grounded in love. (Eph. 16-17)

My gym offers some exercise classes designed to build up the strength of the core muscles. Unlike the more "showy" muscles in the arms and legs, core muscles lie hidden deep within. They do not win body building contests. Their purpose is to give us stability. Like deep roots, they keep us steady when outside factors try to knock us off balance.

The book of Ephesians prays that Christ's love will dwell in our hearts and that God's power may strengthen our core spiritual muscles. When we are filled with that power, then we won't be thrown off balance by strident hate-filled rhetoric and we will not be tempted to do violence through speech or actions. We will be able to live with character and integrity regardless of circumstances.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Christian who spent time strengthening his core spiritual muscles. He witnessed to the love of Christ in his heart through non-violent action. That love was no sentimental schmaltz; it was a tough love that caused him to pray for his enemies as well as his friends--that called him to pray for those who persecuted him as well as for those who took his side--that caused him to speak up for justice, even when it made him unpopular.

May others know we are Christians by the tough love of Christ which guides our thoughts and actions in these changing times.

Faithfully,
Ruth Fletcher
Regional Minister

Mission First Gathering

MIssion First Gathering will be held on March 12, 2016 at

Cane Ridge West Conference & Retreat Center from 9am-to noon. (Lunch will be served afterwards).

The purpose of the gathering:

To tell stories about how God is already at work in and through your congregation
To listen to God's call to the church for the 21st century
To join with others across the US and Canada to set the missional priorities for the work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Mission First will be implemented as a two-year pilot by the newly formed Mission Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) beginning in the fall of 2016.

Each church is encouraged to send at least two lay participants and your pastor to the gathering.

There is no cost, but reservations must be made by March 1, 2016. Reservations may be made online.

UPCOMING DATES

Mar 4-8 Youth Retreat (Grades 8-12) - CRW

Mar 11-12 - Regional Board Meeting - CRW

March 12 - Mission First Gathering - CRW

Mar 18-20 - Kid's Retreat (Grades 3-7) - CRW

Mar 31 - Apr 2 - Region's Ministers & Mates Retreat - CRW

April 15-17 - Women's Retreat - CRW

April 29-May 1 - Regional Assembly - Billings

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.

Thank You!

Thank you for your love gift on Christmas! I am grateful for your generosity.

Ruth Fletcher

General Minister & President Visit

After our last Regional Assembly, these people were named to a Vision Team for the Montana Region:

John Keener, Rick Bischoff, Nancy Lumsden, Don Beal, LeAnn Budeski, Brett Fagenstrom, Kathy Hilberg, Dana Keener, Mary Larsen and Jean Muir. On January 9, the team met with our General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins to consider options for the future. They will continue to meet and discuss what Sharon brought to them and will bring a report to our next Regional Assembly April 29-May 1 in Billings.

Spring Retreats

Don't miss out on the Spring Youth and Spring Kid's retreat! On March 4-6 the youth (grades 8-12) will head to Cane Ridge West. The theme for the retreat is "The Many Faces of Prayer." Registration deadline is Feb. 19, 2016. To learn more about the retreat and to pre-register follow this link.

On March 18-20 the kid's (grades 3-7) will hold its retreat at Cane Ridge West. This year's theme is "Picture a Prayer." Registration deadline is March 4, 2016. Follow this link to find out more or to pre-register.

Just a reminder...

Camp Director Training will be held on March 5 from 10:00am to 2:00pm during the Youth Retreat. Training will be held in the Fellowship House at Cane Ridge West.

We hope to see you there!

March 31-April 2, 2016 at Cane Ridge West Conference & Retreat Center. Cost is $125 per person by March 15 or $145 per person after March 15. John Payne will facilitate "The Church of the Future". Open to Ministers of the Montana Region of the Disciples of Christ and their mates. To register online, please follow this link.

REMEMBER OUR 2016 SUMMER CAMPS!

"Fearless Faith: Courage in Community"

Our Regional Outdoor Ministries Commission had to raise the fees since our camps need to be self-supporting through registrations. We know these increases can be a hardship on our younger families, so we're encouraging congregations to offer more scholarship help.

We Montana Disciples know how to live a Fearless Faith and we have Courage in Community. Here are our top ten fund-raising ideas we have gathered to assist you in helping our young people attend camp!

TOP TEN SUGGESTED CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND-RAISERS

Youth Talent Show
Burger Bash: $75 to sponsor making it all profit
Newsletter Invitation to Sponsor Youth to Camp
Rent-A-Youth to do work in your home
Kiss A Pig: collect money in jars to select winner among honorees
Auction catered meal by Pastor or Elders
Jail an Elder or Deacon: $1 per Arrest / $1 for Bail
Cake / Cupcake Walk
Raffle a Quilt made by kids
Hire Youth to Present a Camp Serenade at someone's house

If you want details on how to organize one of these projects, we can put you in touch with the congregation that developed a particular fund-raiser so you can benefit from their wisdom and experience.

Let us know what worked for your church!

Ron Greene
Outdoor Ministries Commission Chair

Educational Events

Midwinter Theological Conference: Following a Migrant God: Pilgrimages Chosen and Unchosen

Dr. Marty Stortz

Feb. 1-3, 2016 - Izaak Walton Inn (11 credits)

Following a Migrant God: Pilgrimages, Chosen and Unchosen

All over the world people are on the move. This past year 237,000 pilgrims made the journey to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. At least that number of refugees and asylum seekers sought entry into the European Union. Add to these numbers people in this country who find themselves temporarily or chronically without a permanent address. All over the world people are on the move.

On the surface, pilgrimage, transnational migration, and homelessness seem to have little in common. But these experiences come together in Jesus, who observed to disciples then and now: "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" (Luke 9:58, Matthew 8:20). What do these experiences tell us about a migrant God?

11 credits
Single Room: Clergy $418/New to Ministry, Retired, LPA $408
Double room: Clergy $299/NTM, Retired, LPA $289/Spouse not attending sessions $219
Commuting (fee includes tuition and coffee only): Clergy $85/NTM, Retired, LPA $75 Supper for commuters is $35 per night.
(you will register directly with NRIT and they will make your room reservations for you.)

Learn more or register here.

2016 Lexington Theological Seminary Webinar Series

Feb. 27, 2016 - Tending Hope: The Church's Mission with Our Aging Population

March 8, 2016 - Creating Worship for Diverse Congregations

March 19, 2016 - Hitchhiker's Guide to Evangelism: A Fresh Look

April 23, 2016 - Transforming Conflict: Dealing with Difficult People in Your Congregation

May 17, 2016 - Leading an Interesting Private Life (When Your Public Life is Ministry)

Click Here to register or to find out more about these webinars.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana | 406-564-1887

www.montanadisciples.org
1019 Central Ave
Great Falls, MT 59401