Disciples Together

Regional News of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

May| 2022

This is OUR Time



Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President



On May 15, I was officially installed as regional minister. It was a beautiful celebration of what I hope we are already growing into as Disciples Together – our shared ministry during this time. We were challenged by our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, to recognize the urgency of the vital needs around us – despair, injustice, bigotry – and the ways that an authentic gospel can change the lives and circumstances of those around me.


I am grateful to those who helped plan the service, all of the participants, our regional staff who prepared and then quickly adjusted arrangements because of the weather. I am grateful for the ways our region prays for and supports each other – and the ways that showered on me and my family this weekend. I am grateful for you! And I am glad we are sharing this time – and this ministry – together.

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2022 Regional Calendar

 

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org

 

May 20-21 CMEP Retreat

May 26 Regional Operations Council Online

June 1 Summer Camp Season Begins!!

June 23 Operations Council Online

July 1-4 Micronesian Youth Rally

July 28  Regional Operations Council Online

August 6 Summer Camp Season Ends

August 25 Regional Operations Council Online


*1st Wednesday Learning Together will continue in the fall.

Oct. 15 All Congregational Gathering


Regional Prayer Calendar


Video Archives


More Regional videos



More Disciples videos

Where in the Upper Midwest is Josh?


Josh's travels take him across our four-state region to share in worship, support, and celebrate your ministries! Here's where Josh's travels have taken him in the last month.


  • Apr. 24 - Worship and retirement celebration with First Christian Church, Shenandoah, IA
  • Apr. 29-30 - CCC Work Retreat
  • May 1 - Worship with Glen Echo Christian Church, Des Moines, IA; Creation Service: joint celebration with Covenant Christian Church, Highland Park Christian Church, and New Beginnings Christian Church, Des Moines, IA
  • May 6-7 - Committee on Ministry
News Around the Region
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Join the Action Team of the Upper Midwest Anti Racism/Pro Reconciling Team for a discussion of Policing and Black Bodies. We are excited to have The Rev. Jia Starr Brown lead this presentation and discussion.


Rev. Starr Brown’s experience in community education, engagement, and outreach encompass more than 20 years. She is a well-known and loved preacher, activist, speaker, and educator in the Twin Cities. Trilingual, she has served as a diversity trainer and community educator, continuing to be an advocate for underrepresented and marginalized communities. Upon receiving the call to serve God and the Church, Starr Brown received her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary (MN) and immediately entered pastoral ministry. She is currently a Ph.D. student, with her heart at the intersection of religion and education—studying those within marginalized populations who resist systemic and cultural forces to participate in their own oppression, particularly within faith communities. Rev. Starr Brown was the keynoter for the 2022 Upper Midwest Minister's Institute.


Registration is required.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Register Today!

It's not too late to register for camp!

Learn More Today!

Turning Struggle into Steadfastness


Stories of struggle are nothing new to the church.


From the persecution faced by early Christians to civil rights movements led by faith leaders, the church has found its strength in times of unrest. The COVID-19 pandemic is yet another chapter in this long history, both nothing unique and yet entirely different. Through it all, Disciples have been steadfast. By launching emerging congregations, they have stepped up to care for communities in need.


But they don’t do it alone. With the help of regional and general ministries, these brave leaders have been provided with facilities to conduct their outreach activities and with online educational opportunities, such as Leadership Academy.


By making a gift to the 2022 Pentecost Offering, received in most congregations on Sundays, May 29 and June 5, you can ensure that the new church movement continues to prosper in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Each year, half of these gifts go to your own region to support local new church development. The other half goes to New Church Ministry, which trains, equips, assists, and multiplies new church leaders across the United States and Canada through programs such as coaching, New Church Hacks, and Water the Plants.


Please give generously to this year’s Pentecost offering.

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Upper Midwest School of Ministry


Upcoming Offerings


Pastoral Care Retreat


What: CMEP Retreat

Theme: Pastoral Care

When May 20-21, 2022

Where: CCC, Newton

Register Today!

2022-2023 Class Offerings


Bible I and II will be taught beginning this fall with Dr. John Bolen as instructor.  The School of Ministry course offerings are taught online on Monday evenings.  Bible I will begin in September with the registration form opening up late July.

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Join FCC Minneapolis May 23 for our next VOICES virtual speaker event: "What's Classism Got To Do With It" with Twin Cities social justice warrior Julia Dismore!


Julia will be presenting on Classism 101 in America from her life experiences in generational American poverty through poetry, songs, stories and humor. Classism is inextricably linked with racism, sexism, ableism, and all the other -isms…Julia believes it is an integral underpinning of any and all -isms. Bring your politically incorrect questions! To learn more about Julia: www.fccminneapolis.org/voices


Registration is required.

Register Today!

Iowa State Fair Hymn Sing


We are still looking for Disciples to help out with this ministry! If you are available and open to joining in the State Fair Hymn Sing fun, please contact Don Hiscox at [email protected] or 515-865-1770. If you are interested in helping to coordinating the Children's Time, please contact Gail Aurand at [email protected] or 660-785-0349.

Upcoming Events and Resources
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DCEF Offering Technology Loans


Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) is offering qualified congregations loans of up to US $50,000 for tangible equipment purchases and upgrades to streaming services. These technology loans are available through December 31, 2022 at .25% below DCEF’s current rate for loans with comparable terms.

 

To apply, contact James Michel, the regional Building and Capital Services Advisor, at 317.635.6500 Ext. 2535. 

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In 2019, the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada voted enthusiastically to support the Poor People's Campaign.  


Learn more about how to join in with the upcoming rally on June 18 here!

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NBA to offer

Mental Health Professionals Conference



Join NBA on Saturday, June 25, 2022, for our Mental Health Professionals Conference. This one-day virtual gathering will bring together expert speakers and professionals focused on decreasing the stigma of mental illness in the church, improving access to care, and strengthening our community of mental health professionals. 


This conference is open to Disciples of Christ-affiliated mental health professionals, chaplains, and graduate students who are pursuing a degree to become mental health professionals (including seminarians). 

Learn More and Register
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