July 29, 2025

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FEATURED ARTICLE

Our Great Disciples Family Gathering in Memphis

(AKA: General Assembly)


A few dozen of our Disciple clergy and laity from the Great River Region enjoyed inspiring worship services, meaningful workshops, fabulous meals and fellowship time with 2300+ members of our wider church family! Several of our contingency began the Assembly by bringing in our prop – the “GRR Steamboat” – created by our talented Kristen Beach. And although we were prepared to walk into the regional roll-call to Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” - Rollin’…Rollin’…Rollin’ on the river - we actually walked in to Prince’s song “Kiss”, which made us both scratch our heads and laugh at the same time! (The technical piece of coordinating a production like that leaves a lot of room for comical mishaps….so grateful that we are a church that values giving grace!) Many thanks to those who got up early on that first day of Assembly to help the GRR show up with enthusiasm and creativity!

Disaster response is a long-term process that often doesn't align with the immediate desire to help when we first see the devastating images on our screens. The reality is that the help truly needed for rebuilding communities typically isn’t effective until months or even years later.


Take the small town of Rolling Fork, MS, for example. After being struck by a tornado in March 2023, the recovery is still underway. In May of this year, a group from the Great River Region went to continue the work on homes. One of the homes we worked on was for Sharnesia Larry and her family. While we got close to completing it, other teams came in after us and helped to finish the job.

The Great River Region partnered with Be The Neighbor, a justice-based service-learning trip ministry, to support food outreach. The group of youth pictured shopped for 56 meals in a bag, which will feed 224 people. This summer, this partnership will provide a total of 688 meals through the Free Little Pantry at First Christian Church Bentonville & WaterWay, making a meaningful impact in the fight against food insecurity in Northwest Arkansas.

Our very own, Rev. Jim Robinson, Senior Minister of First Christian Church, Conway, Arkansas, is a published author. His first book, "At-1-Ment," is available on Amazon.


"This thought-provoking book offers a progressive Christian response to Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA), challenging its dominance in modern theology. While atonement theories throughout church history have been divisive and often cherry-picked from Scripture, this book offers a broader biblical vision-one grounded in a consistent trajectory of grace.


From the creation story and the Abrahamic Covenant to the messages of the Hebrew prophets and the life of Jesus, the author traces a more holistic understanding of atonement-one rooted not in original sin, but in divine blessing. Exploring three key eras-Patristic, Medieval, and Post-Enlightenment-the book reveals that each atonement theory offers a metaphor, a glimpse into the divine mystery. Rather than settling for a single lens, it invites readers into a deeper, richer understanding of God's relationship with humanity-one that transcends punishment and reflects the promise that through Abraham, "all nations of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)." (Book overview by publisher)


REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!



Register today for the Great River Region Disciples Women Fall Retreat. Payments may be mailed to the office or brought to the retreat. There is information in the registration form and once you have registered, a confirmation email will be sent out on Fridays. It will include a copy of the general schedule. Don't forget to invite someone who has never come to retreat before.


Congregations in Search & Call

Below are the congregations engaged in a search process to call a new pastor:



  • Grace Point Christian Fellowship, Lake Charles, LA
  • Christian Chapel CC, Port Gibson, MS - Senior Minister & Musician
  • FCC Russellville, AR
  • FCC Leesville, LA


* For information regarding church positions, please contact the Regional Office.

AROUND THE REGION

Clergy Fellowship Opportunities

  • Northwest Arkansas Clergy - Every 3rd Wednesday
  • Central Arkansas Clergy - August 25 at 11:30 AM - TBD
  • The Clergy Brownbag is canceled this Wednesday due to the funeral of Lamont "Monty" Kelsey Sherrill. Please keep his family in your prayers.


RESOURCES

Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference

September 16-19


Join clergy colleagues at Christmount, NC for "Resilience and Restoration in the Mountains." This Green Chalice-supported retreat features renowned speakers including Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown III and offers practical creation care tools alongside rest and renewal. Perfect for both newcomers to environmental ministry and experienced advocates. Sliding scale registration and scholarships available.

Green Chalice Webinar: Extreme Heat - Community Need/Faithful Responses, Sept. 3, 1pm


Learn how faith communities can respond to extreme heat events with wisdom and compassion. Led by Rev. Katie Sexton of Arizona Faith Network, who developed relief sites serving 38,000 visits in 2024. Gain practical tools and theological framework for congregational response to this pressing climate challenge.

Converging 2025



Who's this for? Church musicians, clergy, worship leaders, songwriters, artists of all kinds, and others involved in leading and designing worship experiences for communities of faith that embrace a more “just and generous” understanding of the Gospel.

Disciples Church Extension Fund is hiring a Marketing Production Coordinator. This remote position assists the Director of Marketing in evaluating, establishing, and implementing the annual marketing strategy plan. Following her guidance, it supports the organization’s goals by developing and executing marketing projects, ensuring brand consistency and timely delivery. Additional responsibilities include managing production timelines and logistics, maintaining contact lists and files, coordinating with vendors, and providing quality control across marketing activities.

SAVE THE DATES
  • Regional Board Meeting - August 23 - Board reports are due Friday, August 8.
  • Arkansas State Fellowship - August 31 - Mt. Sinai CC
  • DW Fall Retreat - September 12-14