Disciples Together

Regional News of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

September | 2024

Money Talk

Rev. Josh Patty

Regional Minister & President

Talking about finances is challenging in church settings. Many congregational leaders I speak with, though, want to talk with me about money. Specifically, they often share how the finances in their ministries seem worse than they used to be.

I’ve almost never encountered a group or family that thought they had more money than they needed or could use to do important things. I’m confident that church finances are harder these days. While overall financial contributions may be increasing, the cost of everything that a congregation does – especially maintaining (and insuring!) property and compensating staff – has gotten more expensive in recent years.

This October’s All Congregational Gathering will focus on Generosity. Our time of worship, our keynote – featuring the new Disciples Minister of Faith and Giving, Rev. Melissa St. Clair, other presentations, and workshops will explore various money matters for congregations and church leaders. This year’s event will be tightly focused – 5 hours from opening prayer at 10 am to closing prayer just before 3 pm. I believe you will get a lot out of investing five hours in learning, worship, and conversation. Learn more and register.

Stewardship and Budget Time

Many congregations will have stewardship campaigns and prepare annual budgets this fall. Here’s an essay with 10 practical tips to energize your stewardship efforts. (We also will talk about some at the Gathering.)

As you budget, please make sure that you include an increased “cost of living” amount for your ministers and staff members. In general, it is good practice to make sure that this amount is at least equal to the annual Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment), which is projected to be 2.5% for 2025.

Over 5 years, these increases have been more than 20%. If your compensation in 2025 is not 20% higher than in 2020, then you have fallen behind the increasing costs of basic goods and services (which is what guides COLA amounts). In the short term, this adds to the burdens of those paid by the church – they can afford to buy less. Longer term, it often means that a congregation cannot offer fair compensation to ministers and staff.

Please – don’t fall behind. Support your current staff and prepare for future ones by increasing compensation in 2025.

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:

August 25 - Worship, Howard Street Christian Church, Colfax, IA
August 26-27 - General Commission in Ministry (GCOM) (online)
September 8 - First Christian Church, Mason City, IA
September 13-14 - Regional Committee on Ministry, CCC

2024

Regional Calendar

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org

Sept 26 Operations Council

Sept 27-29 Upper Midwest Women's Retreat

Sept 29 Reconciliation Special Offering

Oct 3 Praying Together - 9:30a

Oct 6 Reconciliation Special Offering

Oct 19 All Congregational Gathering

Oct 24 Operations Council

July 12-15, 2025 Disciples of Christ General Assembly

2024 Regional Prayer Calendar

Regional Video Archives

Praying Together, September 5
Useful, summer sermon by Rev. Josh Patty
Praying Together, August 1
Praying Together, July 3
Supporting Church Camps, Rev. Joshua Patty

Celebrations

Celebrating the Retirement of Rev. Tom Burns

On August 25, 2024, we celebrated the retirement of Rev. Tom Burns. After serving in other congregations, Tom served Howard Street Christian Church in Colfax, IA, for twenty years. Josh Patty presented him with an honored ministers' pin.

News Around the Region

First Fruits

Stewardship and faithful financial practices--something that is regularly on our minds! Faithful financial practices isn't just about raw numbers--it's the percentage of our time, talents, and budget that go to ministries in the neighborhood and beyond. Join Disciples from around the region for a day of fun, fellowship, and learning. Rev. Melissa St. Clair, the new Minister for Faith and Giving, will offer the keynote. Other topics include the treasurer's handbook, personal seasons of giving, and fundraising. Representatives from the general church and seminaries will be joining us and are happy to give of their expertise.

Rev. David Yonker will be preaching, and the Revs. Mike Miller and Tammy Buseman will be sharing their musical talents with us. For more information and to register.

All Congregational Gathering

October 19, 2024

Christian Conference Center

We are looking for volunteers to help set up on Friday or help register folk on Saturday. Contact the regional office if interested.

Praying Together

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

Reconciliation Special Offering, Sept 29 & Oct 6

"The time is always ripe to do what is right" (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr). For more than 40 years, Disciples have had a visible ministry to address racism in society. Gifts to Reconciliation Ministry support programs and initiatives aimed at dismantling racism. For more information and resources.

A Pastoral Letter for Peace and Justice from the leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

For more than 200 days, since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the Palestinian people in Gaza have been crushed in spirit and body as Israel has pursued a relentless assault… Israel has blocked or denied essential nutritional aid, clean water, as well as medical supplies… As always, it is the most vulnerable who suffer. As a Christian community of faith, [we seek] wholeness in a fragmented world, upholding the sanctity of life as a highest value...We must name injustice when we see it, and also act to re-center our Christian values of peace with justice, compassion, and love for all people… We can only pledge to redouble our efforts in that witness to bring an end to the horrific genocide taking place in front of our eyes, and to pursue peace with justice that choses life in all its fullness… Read the full letter here.

Strengthening Small Congregations

Perry, IA on October 5

Our region is one of the sponsors for an ecumenical event to strengthen small congregations and congregations in smaller communities. It will be held on Sat. Oct 5 in Perry. To register.

Grounded and Grateful: A "Faith Field Day"

Saturday, Sept 21, 10:30a

White Rock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, IA

Dig into the fascinating world of soil and its profound connections both to our spiritual well-being and to the solution to our climate crisis. This special event is hosted by Iowa Interfaith Power and Light, an organization that equips people of faith and conscience to take bold and just climate actions. For more information and to sign up.

Climate-Informed Ministry: What Do We Do Now?

Sunday, Oct 6, 1:30-4:30p

Unitarian Universalist Society in Coralville, IA

“Climate-informed Ministry” is an approach to congregational life and ministry that acknowledges and prioritizes the current impacts of climate change on individuals and local communities and prepares for climate-related events. At this special “Faith Field Day” for clergy & other congregational leaders, you’ll have an opportunity to begin your exploration of Climate-informed Ministry and consider what it means for your context. For more information and to register.

Disciples Church Extension Fund

Recently, president and CEO Belinda R. King stepped down from her role to focus more on her family. She was committed to moving ministry forward in a pandemic-informed world, building new ministry partnerships, reinvigorated legacy programs, and empowered staff. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. To read the full letter.

Eureka College

Eureka, IL

Eureka College is offering scholarships for college-bound Disciples students. Their Disciples Leadership Program (DLP) includes a full tuition scholarship, paid mentorships, and opportunities to travel and serve anywhere in the world. They are offering a webinar for interested students and their families on Wednesday, Sept 25, at 6:30p. For more information.

Pension Fund Update with Sarah Renfro

Sept 19, 1:30p

For more information and to register.

The Moorhead Christian Church bought a convertible baptistry that they are regrettably unable to use. If you would be interested in learning more about purchasing it, email Pastor Chuck Snow.

The Mason City Christian Church has 11 Chalice Hymnals and 1 hardbound Chalice Worship that they would like to gift on. If interested, please contact the regional office.

Older Adults Ministries' Webinar

National Benevolent Association

This hour-long webinar offers several tested models of ministry for those seeking ideas and ways to minister with older adults. For more information and to register.

DHM Meet & Greet

Thursday, Sept 26

DHM's new Coordinator for Ministry with Youth & Young Adults, Managerrie Winston, will be sharing her hopes and plans to walk intentionally with us as we enrich lives in our churches and communities. To register.

Disciples of Christ General Assembly

July 12-15, 2025

Memphis, TN

GA 25's theme is BEYOND, based on Ephesians 3:20-21: "Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen." (CEB)

For more information.

As you unpack your sweaters and scarves, consider preparing your congregation’s place of worship for the cooler weather too. Disciples Church Extension Fund provides green loans of up to $150,000 to faith communities that want to:

Upgrade heating systems
Replace or repair inefficient windows
Insulate or weatherproof a facility

Contact Jim Michel, your regional Building and Capital Services Advisor, to learn more.

Your financial gifts to the Christmas Special Offering and Disciples Mission Fund

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Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | http://uppermidwestcc.org