Update October 8, 2025

News Events Resources Groups Congregations About

Upcoming Events

October

14 - Growing Together: Equipping Churches to Tackle Food Injustice with Community-Based Gardens, LTS webinar, 5:30pm, online

21 - Conversation Cafe for Congregations, 11:30am, online

29 - Older Adults DO Meditate!, four-part webinar, 11am, online

Don't forget to let your pastor know how much you appreciate all they do!

NBA Webinar

October 23

The webinar will address the implications of H.R. 1, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill. We will develop a discussion on evaluating its impacts and explore ways for communities to resist it, as well as equip them for organizing, prophetic, and pastoral work. We will focus on the effects of H.R. 1 on healthcare and food assistance programs, particularly Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.

The webinar will take place at 6:30pm CT. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Learn more & register>

Ordinations

Our Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry will be meeting next week and their primary order of business will be to have a final interview with several ordination candidates, affirm their successful completion of all program requirements, and approve their ordinations.

Services are already being planned for these special celebrations pending the commission's approval:

October 18th - John DeLaporte will be ordained at Millersburg Christian Church in Fulton at 11:00 am with a lunch to follow.

October 19th - Cody DeMint will be ordained at Jacksonville/Cairo Unity Church at 10:30 am during Sunday worship

Congratulations to these and all candidates! Additional services will be announced following the meeting.

Conversation Café

Conversation Café is a bi-monthly virtual event designed to bring together Disciple pastors, lay leaders, and church staff from across the country to discuss, reflect on, and engage with relevant resources for congregational life and innovation. We will explore topics like creating or reflecting on guiding statements (Mission, Vision, Values) for a congregation, community partnerships, ethnographic evaluations for local communities, and more. This one-hour lunchtime session offers participants a chance to be Church together and share resources that help our congregations thrive in their local contexts. People can grab a meal, settle at their computer or tablet, and join the conversation.

All are welcome to these conversations beginning Tuesday, October 21. This program is brought to us by our Disciples Home Missions ministry of Congregational Vitality & Innovation and its Director Rev. Derrick Perkins, Sr. from here in Mid-America. Learn more & register today>

From the Wider Church

This coming week's Global Ministries prayer request is for Japan.

This week's College of Regional Ministers prayer request is for

congregational pastors.

Center for Lived Faith & Organizing

is presenting two more seminars this fall.

As a partner supporter, Mid-America has free seats available for each.

Organizing Directly Impacted Communities

Friday, October 10

White Moral Injury: Organizing White People in the Face of Christian Fascism

Friday, November 21

All can be attended either in person in St. Louis or online.

Learn more here>

As your congregation gets its facilities ready for fall, make sure that they don't let in the cold. If they do, they could be leaking heat, costing you money, and increasing your carbon emissions.

Improve operations that contribute to a more energy-efficient place of worship with Disciples Church Extension Fund’s renovation loans. Receive up to $150,000 to:

- upgrade heaters

- replace or repair inefficient windows

- insulate or weatherproof your sanctuary, fellowship hall, and more

To learn how you can "go green,” contact your regional Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel.