Everyone has a place in God's Mission. Join Disciples Home Missions and Disciples congregations everywhere as we live out the call together! Disciples Mission Week is held on Sept 8-13, with a variety of events. Tuesday through Friday will feature education and create awareness on issues impacting our communities: food insecurity, housing insecurity, healthcare inequities, and disability equity. The education events include evening webinars that are free, but registration is required. Register here.

Saturday, Sept 12 is the Day of Volunteering and Service. Organize a one-day service project in your church, community, region, or DHM partner - solo, with a partner, or alongside neighboring congregations. Whether growing an existing ministry or starting something new, this is your moment to serve. Looking for more information, ideas or eager to share your own? Go here.

Regional Gathering

Dive into Disciples history and identity at this year's Regional Gathering - Oct 17 at the Christian Conference Center. Our featured preacher at the opening worship is none other than Alexander Campbell, portrayed by Rev. Dr. John Bolen. We will also have new guest speakers this year for our school aged kids. For more information.

Pastors, take the opportunity to be a camper again! Pastor Camp starts at 3p on Sept 13 and ends at 3p on Sept 15. For more information and to register.

55+ adults gather at the conference center for fellowship, study, service projects, chocolate, and much more. Early bird registration ends Aug. 22. For more information and to register.

Join with other Disciples women at the Koronis Ministries Retreat Center as Kirby Hughes Marks talks about "Just Keep Swimming" on Sept 25-27. Registration is open! For more information and to register.

Ankeny Christian Church is celebrating 50 years of life and ministry and we would love for you to celebrate with us. During September and October there are several events you are welcome to attend. In addition, should you be so inclined, you can offer well wishes for the congregation's continued ministry, or if you have been a part of Ankeny Christian Church's life in some way and would like to share a memory or a connecting point, please make a brief video and upload it here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/pzv6nazcdhu06qyztzon

Praying Together

Join with Regional Minister Josh Patty for fifteen minutes of prayer on Thursday, Sept 3 at 9:30 am via YouTube or Facebook. A recording of the prayer time will be available on regional YouTube and Facebook pages.

Disciples Mission Fund Week

Sept 12-18, 2026

God’s love is never confined by geography, culture, tradition, or the barriers we create. Through the Disciples Mission Fund (DMF), the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) extends Christ’s love beyond barriers to serve, connect, and transform lives across the United States, Canada, and around the world. During Disciples Mission Fund Week, we invite you to journey Beyond as we celebrate the ministries your gifts make possible. Throughout the week, you’ll discover inspiring stories, videos, reflections, and testimonies that demonstrate how DMF equips congregations, supports leaders, strengthens communities, and shares God’s love wherever it is needed. For more information.

Iowa State Fair Hymn Sing

The Iowa State Fair starts this week! The good ol' fashioned Iowa State Fair Hymn Sings are held twice daily, at 11:30a and 6:30p. Raise your voices in praise with other fair-goers.

A huge thank you to our volunteer song leaders and pianists, hailing from congregations around Iowa, including Exira CC; FCC, Creston; Capitol Hill CC, Des Moines; Fairview CC; Motor Friends Church, Milo; Red Oak CC; Covenant CC, Urbandale; Ankeny CC; Highland Park CC, Des Moines; Bethany Church, Des Moines; Elkhart CC; and Glen Echo CC, Des Moines.

Reconciliation Offering 2026

Sept 27 & Oct 4, 2026

For more than 40 years, Disciples have had a visible ministry to address racism in society. Gifts to Reconciliation Ministry supports programs and initiatives aimed at dismantling racism. More information, including graphics, from Reconciliation Ministry will be coming soon. The Upper Midwest's Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation team put together a series of videos for use during the Reconciliation Special Offering. Find the playlist here.

Faithful Financial Leadership for Congregations

Center for Faith & Giving

Take time this summer to strengthen one of the most critical--and often most complex--areas of congregational life: financial ministry. This 4-session webinar is designed for pastors, treasurers, and church leaders who want to lead with clarity, integrity, and confidence. The Tuesday sessions begin on August 25 and end on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The registration fee is $100 per congregation and includes access to all session recordings and downloadable resources. For more information.

MN Council of Churches Office Relocation Party

The MN Council of Churches is celebrating their recent move to 1600 University Ave W, suite 500, in St. Paul. The celebration is planned for Thursday, Sept 17 from 4p-7p. RSVP here.

Sacred Space for Justice

This is a peaceful gathering. The moderators reserve the right to remove anyone who is deemed disruptive to the peaceful gathering.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87558728717...

Gospel of Mark

Sept 9, 5:30p

In this one-hour online session presented by LTS's Lay School of Theology, we will look at how the Gospel of Mark helps us understand Christ and the life of discipleship. Mark's presentation of the twelve disciples can give us courage as we work to live faithful lives. Register here.

Property Care, Risk Management, and Insurability

August 20, 1p Central

Join leaders from Insurance Board and Disciples Church Extension Fund for a roundtable discussion on property stewardship, risk management, and maintaining insurable facilities. We'll share practical insights on deferred maintenance, building inspections, current insurance market trends, and available loss control resources to help churches and ministries protect their properties and support their mission. For more information and to register.

CUIC Institute on Ecumenism

Churches Uniting in Christ

Join young leaders from Churches Uniting in Christ for a ten-month experience featuring virtual formation sessions and an in-person pilgrimage retreat. Participants deepen their theological understanding, develop leadership skills, and build relationships across Christian communions. Disciples applicants must be ages 24–39. The program fee is covered by CUIC. For more information.

Disciples-PCUSA Dialogue

The Disciples have taken an important step in its ecumenical journey as the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved GAT-10, authorizing the beginning of a formal bilateral dialogue toward full communion between the two denominations. A full communion is one of the highest expressions of unity that churches can share while remaining distinct denominations. This dialogue is an opportunity to discern how the unity already given to the Church by Christ may be expressed more visibly for the sake of the Gospel. Read the full article here.

Statement Regarding the Killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President, July 21, 2026

Excerpts: In the space of less than one-week, human life has once again been lost because of ICE activity in our communities. Once again, we are left with families mourning the loss of loved ones, and we are left with the knowledge that it simply did not have to happen. Loss of life at the hands of anyone is devastating, but we continue to see the actions and modi operandi of ICE failing to honor appropriate and legal due process for these persons... Scripture reminds us that we are to love, to love our neighbor because God is love. No one is excluded from the limitless expanse and inclusion of God’s love...The bottom line of Jesus’ teaching is to love God and love our neighbor... Read the full letter here.