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THE DISCIPLES DISPATCH
THE NEWS AND HAPPENINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DOC) IN MONTANA
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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God.
- (Romans 12:2a)
Coffee shops invite us to make choices based on our personal preferences. We can order our specialty coffee with or without foam, with or without flavor, in the size we want, and at the temperature we desire. Media companies make provisions so we can download our music and shuffle it into a soundtrack for our personal lives or select the television program we want to watch at the time we want to watch it. Many restaurants allow us to customize our fast food order to "have it our way." Even in the grocery store, choices that cater to our personal preferences give us the message, "It's all about you." There, shelves are stocked with lots of options. We can buy toilet paper that is one-ply or two-ply in double or single rolls. We can buy whole milk, milk with one or two percent fat, non-fat milk or milk made from rice or soy beans. We can select spaghetti sauce made by a variety of companies, packaged in jars, in cans, or as frozen food that is flavored with spring vegetables, sausage, mushrooms or cheese.
Businesses make money by catering to our personal preferences; but when the church starts constructing its life around the personal preferences of its participants, it loses sight of its purpose. Being church together is not about catering to what each person wants; it's about aligning our will with the will of God and relinquishing our own desires in order to say yes to what God is calling us to be and to do.
When John the Baptist encountered Jesus at the Jordan River, he got it right. "He must increase," he said, "and I must decrease." (John 3:30). When we follow Jesus, we sacrifice our preferences and commit ourselves to discipleship.
Does personal preference or discipleship govern the decisions of your congregation?
Faithfully,
Ruth Fletcher, Regional Minister
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Oct 9-11 - Quilting in the Pines - CRW
Nov. 6-7 Regional Board Meeting - Central Christian, Great Falls
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Regional Office Phone:
(406) 564-1887
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| Christian Women's Fellowship Installation |
Installation of officers was held at the September meeting of the Christian Women's Fellowship group of Central Christian Church, Kalsipell. This year's officers are Lois Lyford, President, Linda Van der Poll, Vice-President, Eleanor Taylor, Treasurer, Barbara Lawrence, Service Director, and Betsy Wood, Chairman of "Frieda's Feast".
The women have been busy this year raising money. They collecting pennies for Neighbor's in Need and gave them over $40 to help with their mission. They have now invited the whole congregation to help in this cause. Other fundraising efforts include the Fall "This 'n That" Sale in November and the Chocolate covered Easter Eggs in March.
In May they met with Jean Muir, Volunteer Women's Ministries staff, and discussed the status of study materials and heard the new of other CWF's at the national level.
Jean has been visiting women's groups throughout the state, Please contact Jean if your would like to schedule a time when she can meet with your group.
Pictured
Eleanor Taylor, Treas; Linda Van der Poll, Vice Pres.; Barbara Lawrence, Service Director, Melva Taubman, Sec.; Daisy Shoemaker, Installation Officer, Lois Lyford, Pres. Not pictured is Betsy Wood, Chrm. of "Freda's Feast" - a meal taken once a month to A Ray of Hope in memory of Freda Mahugh.
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| Thrive: An Ecumenical Retreat for Lay Leaders and Pastors |
An ecumenical retreat for lay leaders and pastors will be held on October 16-17 at Cane Ridge West Conference & Retreat Center. Cost is $80 per person and includes three meals, housing, and copy of the book:
Thrive: Spiritual Habits of Transforming Congregations by Regional Minister, Ruth Fletcher, who will also be leading the retreat.
In this retreat, an ecuumenical gathering of lay people and clergy will become acquainted with the path of change transforming congregations have walked and will receive life-giving tools for their own churches to use.
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| Church Events and Activities |
First Christian Church in Hamilton
The First Christian Church in Hamilton serves hot chocolate on Thursday mornings to about 80 high school students attending Hamilton High School, located across the street from our church. This hot chocolate ministry has been a part of our community outreach for many years. The church believes this ministry offers high school children a safe and welcoming place to gather on Thursday mornings.
Also as a part of our commitment to our own children attending FCC, the church contributes to Cane Ridge West camp fees each year so that any child from the church may have the opportunity to participate.This year in particular our children came back enthusiastic and wanting to return because of the friendships and the excellent counselors leading camp. We, at First Christian Church in Hamilton, would like to thank the directors, counselors, and support staff and volunteers in the region who made this opportunity possible for our Region's youth. We have watched our children grow from these yearly camps and from their full participation in worship services. They lead us in music often, and three of the children have led our worship services.
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Wondering where to get information about events, resources or recent news in the general Church? Keep up with all the latest from the general Church by subscribing to Disciples News Service, a weekly e-letter. Sign up here!
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The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana | 406-564-1887
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