Ministry Together, February 2024 Edition

Ministry Together

Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

February | 2024

Dreaming

Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President

In the coming weeks, I'll be traveling around our region inviting interested folks to share their insights into our region's structure and staffing. (A calendar of these sessions will be shared in the next two weeks.)

These listening sessions are an important part of dreaming who we'll be as Disciples Together. And conversations about community dreams are likely important in your ministry, as a recent essay shares.

ICYMI: In the announcement for the February Clergy Chat, I shared an update about clergy well-being. This is part of solid ongoing research by the Hartford Institute. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read, reflect about your own well-being, pray for our colleagues, and imagine what you might do to improve or continue your well-being.

Minister Standing letters and cards will be sent out this week.

My availability in March will be a bit odd. I'm taking a class on Mondays, so sabbath days will vary on other days. I'll also be taking some vacation days overlapping parts of school spring break between March 8-17.

Regional Calendar

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org

Feb 22 Operations Council

Feb 23-25 CYF Retreat

Feb 25 Week of Compassion Special Offering

Mar 1 Camp Registration opens

Mar 4 ALEX Reporting ends

Mar 7 Praying Together, 9:30 am

Mar 20 Clergy Chat with Josh, 1 pm

Mar 24 Palm Sunday; Easter Special Offering

Mar 28 Maundy Thursday

Mar 31 Easter; Easter Special Offering

Apr 4 Praying Together, 9:30 am

Apr 19-21 CCC Work Days

Apr 25 Operations Council

Apr 26-28 CCC Work Days Rain Date

Looking Ahead

May 31

Summer camps begin

Oct 19

All Congregational Gathering

Jan 20-22, 2025

Ministers Institute

2024 Regional Prayer Calendar

Important News and Resources

March Clergy Chat

The next Clergy Chat with Regional Minister Joshua Patty will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 1 pm. Link for Zoom meeting.

After Easter Sermon

A recorded After Easter Sermon, "Wanting to Be an Easter Peep," will be available to Upper Midwest congregations and ministers by March 22. Transitional Executive Regional Minister Lisa Grace will offer the sermon reflecting on John 20:19-31.

Region Offers Demographics Service in 2024

Our Upper Midwest region has recently subscribed to a demographics service associated with MissionInsite in order to help congregations understand the community around them as well as assist with ministry and mission planning. Rev. Dr. Doug Pfeiffer, Senior Pastor at Park Avenue Christian Church (who has used this service extensively in the last 12 years) can help congregations with reports that offer specific details about local community interests, educational and income levels, ethnic backgrounds, beliefs, as well as implications and suggestions for specific religious and spiritual goals and emphases.

If you are interested in such reports and valuable insight into your local neighborhoods/communities, please contact Pastor Doug (515-720-0689) or Regional Minister Josh Patty.

Books Available

A retired and a soon-to-be-retired minister seek to share some minister resources with a colleague who will use them. The books available include: The Interpreter’s Bible – 12 volumes; The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible – 5 volumes; The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament – 10 volumes; The Interpretation of The New Testament – by R.C.H. Lenski – 12 volumes. If interested contact Doug Burton (712-209-1970).

Easter Special Offering

The Easter Special Offering supports the general ministries of the Christian Church. This includes global missions, leadership development, formation of new congregation, support for ministers, and much more. Most congregations receive this offering March 24 and 31. Resources available here.

ALEX Reports by Mar 4

Please ensure your congregation's annual reporting through ALEX is complete by March 4. Congregations can now enter Yearbook statistics online here.

An online help center is available. Or you can email with specific questions.

Young Adult Group

DHM invites Disciples to join the launch of Young Adult Kinections on March 19, 6pm CDT. Young adults will lead conversations on spirituality, fait, and other important issues. All welcome; young adults leading. Link to the session

Disciples Interim Basics Course

Disciples Interims is offering an "Interim Ministry Basics" class. Mondays, April 8 through May 20, 6-8 pm CDT; online via Zoom; cost $500. Click to apply. Deadline: March 7

The class is limited to 25 students. Applications are forwarded to your Regional Staff for recommendation.

Our region offers partial scholarships -- please contact Josh Patty to learn more about this.

Pension Fund Retreat for Clergy

"The Gathering: A Retreat for Clergy" will be held in Washington DC September 3-5. This event will launch Cornerstones - a new initiative emphasizing clergy health and wellness. Sponsored and underwritten by Pension Fund, cost (other than travel) is $100 for the event, which includes 2 nights lodging and 3 meals. Learn more.

Grants for Bivocational Preachers

The Proclamation Project is offering a limited number of grants to support preachers in bivocational settings. Grants of up to $500 available for Disciples preachers who preach regularly in a local congregation but hold other employment. Learn more.

Transitions and Prayers

Please submit your celebrations and personal prayer requests to Liz Woodward, liz@uppermidwestcc.org.

Celebrations

Prayers of celebration and support in ministry are offered for colleagues in recognition of moments marking ministry within congregations.

Congratulations to Ryan Arnold, who has been named Vice President for Institutional Advancement of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary beginning March 1. Previously Ryan served as Director of Community Engagement for Drake University.

Congratulations to Terry Wise on the publication of his new book, The Whisper of God: Awaken Your Heart to God's Presence.

Congratulations to Casey Brown on his approval for ordination by the Upper Midwest Committee on Ministry. His ordination is being planned for this spring.

Congratulations to Linda Hunsaker as she was installed as pastor and teacher for the United Church of Christian, Geneseo, IL on Sunday, February 25,

Prayers for Clergy Colleagues

There is a holy and sacred responsibility for each of us to hold one another in prayer. Colleagues of all ages experience health issues, life-altering experiences filled with concern and joy, as well as the fatigue and energy of ministry. Take a moment to offer prayer for one another.

Prayers of comfort for Bruce Gowen on the passing of his son, Jeff on Feb 10. Obituary

Prayers of comfort for Dennis Sanders on the passing of his mother Maria on Feb 24.

Prayers for support for Doug Burton as he faces prostate surgery in March.

Prayers of comfort for Carla Nelson's sister, Teresa, and extended family as Teresa is dying of liver cancer.

Prayers of healing for Jerry Wolf, Interim Co-Director of the Christian Conference Center, Newton, IA.

For your reflection:

"If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?"

Rumi

General Church Jobs

Director/Pastor, Bethany Fellows, apply by Mar 31

CEO, MN Council of Churches

Congregations in Transition

Friends, these are the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Please keep them in your prayers during these transitions.

Altoona Christian Church is in the search and call process.
Bondurant Christian Church is seeking an interim.
Central Christian Church, Boone, is in the search and call process, with David Clark as the interim.
Highland Park Christian Church is in the search and call process and has called Arlene Johnson as interim.
Glen Echo Christian Church is in the search process. Aaron Brunner has been called as interim.
First Christian Church, Adel has called Tim Johnson as interim.
Davis Street Christian Church, Ottumwa has called Terry Wise as their interim beginning in Jan 2024.
New Disciples Christian Church, Cedar Rapids has called Sherry Schwab as interim.
Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
First Christian Church, Hampton has regular pulpit supply.
Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
Union Church, Ira, is in the search process.
First Christian Church, Muscatine and Nichols Christian Church are being served by Marcy Heil during the process of search and call.
Central Christian Church, Marshalltown is beginning the search process.
Pleasantville Christian Church is beginning the search process.
First Christian Church, Estherville will enter the search process. Doug Burton plans to retire Jan 2025.
Howard Street Christian Church will enter the search process. Tom Burns plans to retire Aug 2024.

Looking to Serve?

Each month we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. This month there are 20 congregations in the search and call process. It is challenging to identify enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.

Please contact Josh or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.

Clergy Book Study Resumes in Fall

The regional Clergy Book Study held on the fourth Thursday, 2 pm, will join together August, September and October of this year. Watch for more details in future Ministry Together newsletters.