Ministry Together

Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

March | 2024

As You Lead This Holiest of Weeks...


Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President


I am grateful for you and praying for you. May this be a deeply meaningful week of ministry.


Reminders:

  • Please use the recorded after Easter sermon to lighten your load (access info below)
  • Invite people to participate in church camp
  • Connect congregational elders with our Elders Together groups
  • Invite others to join a regional visioning session -- and please participate too!


I'm on the road a lot in April for Visioning Together sessions and our denomination's General Board meeting, followed by a time with the College of Regional Ministers.


Reading: An essay about MLK and Howard Thurman and the importance of contemplation for action; short piece identifying 5 essential values in youth ministry

Regional Calendar

 

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org



Mar 28 Maundy Thursday

Mar 31 Easter; Easter Special Offering

Apr 4 Praying Together, 9:30 am

Apr 9 Visioning Together, Burlington - 6 pm

Apr 13 Visioning Together, Coralville - 10 am

Apr 13-16 General Board

Apr 18 Visioning Together, Marion - 6:30 pm

Apr 19-21 CCC Work Days

Apr 24 Visioning Together, Ames - 12 pm

Apr 25 Operations Council

Apr 26-28 CCC Work Days Rain Date

May 2 Praying Together - 9:30 am

May 6 Early Registration Deadline for Camp

May 12 Pentecost Special Offering

May 19 Pentecost Sunday; Pentecost Special Offering

May 23 Operations Council



Looking Ahead


May 31

Summer camps begin


Sep 27-29

Women's Fall Retreat


Oct 19

All Congregational Gathering


Jan 20-22, 2025

Ministers Institute


2024 Regional Prayer Calendar

Important News and Resources

No April Clergy Chat


The will be no Clergy Chat with Regional Minister Joshua Patty in April due to regional visioning sessions and Josh's participation in General Board meetings. Clergy Chats will resume in May.

After Easter Sermon


A recorded After Easter Sermon, "Wanting to Be an Easter Peep," is available. Go here to download the video. You can also stream from the region's YouTube. The YouTube video will be unlisted until late March. You need this link to access it before then.

CCC Work Days in April


Join others April 19-21 for spring work days at the Christian Conference Center. There are indoor and outdoor tasks, related to grounds, camp prep, repairs, painting, and more. Please email Crystal Harvey if you plan to participate.

New Beginnings Hosts Site for Faith & Climate Forum


New Beginnings Christian Church is one of the host sties for the National Faith + Climate Forum. Folks from many faith traditions from across the US will gather in person and online Tuesday, April 16 to discuss the climate crisis and ways churches can be part of the healing of the planet. The day begins at 11 am and will wrap up at 4:15; lunch will be provided.


New Beginnings Christian Church is pleased to be an Iowa host site. Together we will hear inspiring national speakers and participate in purposeful discussions, practical workshops, and energizing collaborative sessions. 


You can learn more about the event, agenda and presenters and register here.

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.

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.

Children's Disaster Services Training


Ankeny Christian Church will host a workshop to learn how to work with children after a disaster as part of Children's Disaster Services (a ministry of Church of the Brethren), April 12-13. Learn more about. this program. Registration info here.


Week of Compassion offers a few scholarship grants for this training. Contact them for information.

Listening & Visioning Sessions


What does it mean to be Disciples Together in 2024?


Rev. Josh Patty, is hosting a series of listening & visioning sessions across the region. A new date and location has been added.


  • Apr 9, 6p, @ FCC, Burlington
  • Apr 13, 10a, @ FCC, Coralville
  • Apr 18, 6:30p, @ Marion CC
  • Apr 24, 12p, @ FCC, Ames


All sessions are hybrid. For more information and to register, see our website. More sessions will be announced after Easter.

The region is offering an opportunity to elders and equivalent spiritual leaders from across the congregations of the Upper Midwest to engage in study, conversation, and relationship building.


  • Group 1: Mondays @ 4p
  • Group 2: Tuesdays @ 6:30p
  • Group 3: Wednesdays @ 2p
  • Group 4: Thursdays @ 10a


For more information and to register, see our website.

Disciples Pastoral Letter


On March 20, Terri Hord Owens, our General Minister and President, joined by leaders of Disciples Overseas Ministries and Disciples Home Missions, issued a pastoral letter regarding the pain and suffering of Israelis and Palestinians. Read the letter here.

Digital Ministry Initiative


The Convergence Digital Ministry Fellowship Program is accepting new applications for cohorts. The goad is to develop and energize stronger, more confident leaders who will have the knowledge and skills to help their congregations thrive and find their way on this ever-changing digital landscape. For more information.

Pastor Partners: Expectations by Proxy


As a pastor partner, what expectations are placed on you by members of the congregation? Are you seen as the one who has the ear of the pastor? Does your family life feel like living in a fishbowl? Are you an assumed volunteer for whatever arises in the church? Miranda Reece will be facilitating the discussion. If interested, please email one of the facilitators: Jennie ShireyAmy Yandell, or Miranda Reece

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.


Brooke Robbins, Associate Minister, First Christian Church, Burlington, IA recently traveled to Cambodia. First Christian is in partnership with Growing Hope Globally. The congregation uses the proceeds from a soybean field to support the empowering ministry of GHG.

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 for the family and friends of Chris Morton, Regional Minister of Christian Church in Nebraska, on his passing. Obituary


Prayers for Arlene Johnson, who is having surgery on April 2.


For your reflection:



"We have only begun to know

the power that is in us if we would join our solitudes in the communion of struggle. So much is unfolding... so much is in bud."

  • Denise Levertov

General/Ecumenical Church Jobs


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.
  • 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.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Convergence

When Church Stops Working

Apr 18, 12p, online


Conversation with Andrew Root about reimagining congregations


More info and registration.

Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry

Interfaith Communities in Crisis

April 8, 5p, online


Zoom gathering discussing the impact of the Gaza Conflict on interfaith communities.


More info and registration.

Union Theological Seminary

Spirit & Struggle: Acting Towards a Shareable World

May 9-10, Hybrid


2-Day event both in person or online. We are living through perilous and divisive times. The idea of "us" vs. "them" is as much a vexing spiritual and theological problem as it is a social and political one.


For more info and to register.

Augsburg University

Festival of Homiletics

May 13-16, Pittsburgh/online


More info and registration.

Lexington Theological Seminary

Preaching in a Climate- Changed World

Apr 23, 5pm, online


Presentations of how sermons can nurture biblical, theological, and ecological imagination


More info and registration.

Continuing Education Requirement


All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.


Resources and News

Clergy Sermon Resources


"Within Us, Among Us" Preaching Resource, tied to 2023 General Assembly


Sermons by Mission Co-Workers, offered through Global Ministries


Mental Health Sermons, prepared by Mental Health taskforce of National Benevolent Association


Fourth Sunday Sermons, recorded and offered by AllianceQ for Disciples congregations to use

Other Resources


Children Worship & Wonder trainings, offered by Ministry Across Generations


Disciples Tech Corp, technology guides for congregations


Mental Health Resource for all active ministers and families

Important -- you do not need to be a member of Pension Fund to access this service, but only active minister of a DOC church


Free Stewardship campaign materials


"Marks of a Vital Congregation" videos


Practicing Our Faith website

Helpful Articles


Regional Newsletters

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