ALEX Yearbook Reporting

Yearbook reporting closes March 31! Find the login page here. Questions? Here's the FAQ page. Haven't reported before? The FAQ page has instructions on how to log in for the first time. Want to look at the questions before you fill out report? Here's the worksheet.

Regional Minister Joshua Patty is offering a series of video messages this Lenten season. “Remember Your Baptism” invites us to celebrate our participation in Christ’s church (even those who have not yet been baptized). Each short video (2-3 minutes) premieres on our regional YouTube channel Tuesdays at 9am. Feel free to include them in your worship services, education classes, ministry devotional materials, and/or share them on social media. Find the link to the first video here, and the full playlist here.

Anika McVay was commissioned on March 1 during worship at First Christian Church, Burlington, IA. Congratulations, and blessings upon your ministry!

Mary O'Riley received her Honored Minister's Pin in recognition for her many years of ministry.

Praying Together

Join with Regional Minister Josh Patty for fifteen minutes of prayer on Thursday, March 5 at 9:30 am via YouTube or Facebook. A recording of the prayer time will be available on regional YouTube and Facebook pages.

Easter Special Offering

March 29 & April 5



This Day: When Love Answers... On that first day of the week, grief and uncertainty were met with resurrection hope. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and proclaimed, "I saw the Master!", bearing witness to a love that answered her sorrow with new life. Through the Easter Offering, we respond to God's resurrection love by sharing in God's work in the world. The offering provides vital support for the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including health and social services ministries. For more information.

Post-Easter Sermon

Rev. Lisa Grace will be recording a sermon for use any time after Easter. Instructions on how to access it will be sent via email to clergy and congregations no later than April 2.

From Montgomery to Minneapolis Webinar

The National Benevolent Association is offering a webinar, From Montgomery to Minneapolis: Organizing in Times of Disruption, on March 26th at 6:30p. Join panelists Rev. Angel Louis, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., and our very own Rev. Dr. Laurie Pound-Feille as they explore how communities show solidarity in real time - from the Montgomery Bus Boycott seventy years ago, to the acts of courage and care in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information.

2025 Year In Review

Week of Compassion

In 2025, Week of Compassion responded alongside communities in 77 countries and US states and territories. They provided support through 264 grants, totaling more than $4.2 million dollars. This is a 35% increase from 2024. Compassion endures, leadership rises from the margins, and hope persists even when systems falter...As we [enter] 2026, our offering theme, A New Way, feels less like a slogan and more like a calling. Read the full review here.

Christians Uniting on Palm Sunday

The teachings of Christianity center around feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and welcoming the stranger. (Matthew 25:31-46) On Palm Sunday, Christians remember Jesus’ non-violent and powerful protest march into Jerusalem. We wave palms in remembrance of Jesus’ peaceful resistance to the death-dealing oppressive ways of Caesar, Herod and the Roman Empire. On Palm Sunday afternoon, March 29th, Christians in Iowa and around the nation will be joining in a mass action, following The Way of Jesus. Disciples of Christ are invited to join with Presbyterian, UCC, Methodist, Lutheran and other ecumenical friends in a new movement called “Standing With Our Neighbors”. 

This is our “March on Washington” moment! We’ll join with a broad coalition of Iowa’s clergy, congregations and denominational leaders in reclaiming Christianity as the embodiment of Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Please join us in this strong and meaningful movement based in faith and scripture, with an emphasis on Matthew 25 – caring for our neighbors. Learn more at: interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.

Ministers Institute 2026

On March 2 & 3, clergy from across the region gathered at the Christian Conference Center to explore what clergy loneliness and belonging means, lead by Mark Sundby of LeaderWise.

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...

For What or Whom Else Shall We Pray?

Christian Theological Seminary is offering a webinar on April 8 at 12p to explore how ministry leaders, especially in politically divided congregations, can make space for petitions for justice, reconciliation, and current events. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information.

National Faith + Climate Forum

April 25, 2026



Join 2,000+ people of faith at the National Faith + Climate Forum on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Attend at a host congregation near you or join from home via live stream. This year’s theme: The Future We Choose: Faith in Action for a Thriving Tomorrow. Last year 19 Disciples churches hosted and 120 Disciples participated—be part of this growing movement! Register to be a host site. Register for the Forum here.

Talking to Children about Violence in the Public Square

On June 7, 1968, two months after the assassination of Dr. King and two days after Robert Kennedy was assassinated, Fred Rogers produced a half-hour prime time PBS special out of concern for kids watching the violence the mass media had been showing. Sarah Parker of LeaderWise offers some suggestions on how to talk to children about the violence in the public square. Read the full article here.

Traveling the Road of Grief and Loss

The National Benevolent Association's Older Adult Ministries is offering a webinar on the many types of grief and loss in our lives, and the damage that it can do to our health and psyche when not resolved. The webinar is on April 15 at 11a central. The event is free but registration is required. For more information.

Black Leadership Project Grants

Disciples Home Missions is awarding up to $1500 to support and strengthen African American leadership within Disciples congregations. The grant supports leadership in congregational life; outreach ministry leadership; faith development; non-degree scholarship support; specialized African American programming. Applications are due by May 31. For more information.

Disciples Home Missions YouTube Channels

The DHM YouTube channel is filled with engaging video resources designed to support congregational vitality and innovation; leadership development; Christian education; and faith formation. Find the channel here.

The Justice & Advocacy Ministries are launching their Disciples Advocate Digest! Disciples Advocate Digest is a new, weekly video series that will amplify justice issues, lift up resources, and empower Disciples to use our voices and our actions to promote greater justice and mercy in the world! Find the Disciples Advocate YouTube channel here.

General Assembly 2026

July 10-11 (online)

Registration opens in March! The cost to attend is $30. There will be an information session for congregational leaders in March, and delegate registration opens in April. For more information.

Summer Camp 2026

Registration is open! Early bird registration ends on May 1. Senior Adult Retreat details are still being finalized. Look in future newsletters for more details. For more information and to register.