Ministry Together

Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

September | 2023

Leadership & Change


Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President


Do you feel that your congregation or ministry is at a turning point? Does it need to change? Do you feel pressure to make the "one right choice"?


Leadership is frequently hard. Right now, there seem to be a number of overlapping factors in congregations making it hard: the continued shift of church participation, the transition of pandemic-era leaders and new leadership, cultural tribalism, and political dysfunction, to name a few.


Over the past month, I've appreciated these articles have offering some guidance for this context and for leading change in ministry.

Regional Calendar

 

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org


Sep 27 Clergy Chat with Josh, 1 pm

Sep 28 Clergy Book Study, 2pm

Sep 28 Regional Operations Council, 7 pm

Oct 3 Youth & Young Adult Ministry Conversation, 12 pm


Oct 21

All Congregational Gathering


Oct 25 Clergy Chat with Josh, 1 pm

Oct 26 Clergy Book Study, 2 pm

Oct 26 Regional Operations Council, 7 pm


Save the Date!


Jan 29-31, 2024

Ministers Institute

Guest Preacher: Ashley Dargai

Guest Musicians: The Guitarras

Join us at the Christian Conference Center for this annual event! Be inspired by worship with our guest preacher and guest musicians. Explore valuable topics in the learning sessions, and connect with fellow Disciples from across our region during our Food, Fun, and Fellowship Fair. The three learning tracks are described online and in the event brochure.


All activities are provided free of charge, including lodging in cabins, tents, and campers on Friday night. Lodge rooms available for a housekeeping fee.


More resources to share:


Register Today!

Important News and Resources

Youth & Young Adult Ministry Conversation, Oct 3, Noon


Our Upper Midwest region hosts an occasional online gathering of leaders of ministries with youth and young adults. This Zoom meeting is open to all people interested in supporting or beginning such ministries in their congregation and/or community.


The next conversation will be Tuesday, October 3 at noon. Alexis Tardy, the new Coordinator for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults at Disciples Home Missions will join us. Register here to attend. (Can't attend at that time? Register anyway to receive a recording of the conversation.)

Reconciliation Special Offering


As you invite gifts to support the Reconciliation Special Offering, here are some resources to share, including videos prepared by our regional Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation team:

Please share that half of these gifts directly support this ministry in our region.

Join Atlantic Congregation Eliminating Medical Debt


The United Church of Atlantic, a joint Disciples -UCC congregation, is inviting partners to join them in the campaign to pay off medical debt, which can be crippling. Learn more about the effort to buy and forgive debt for pennies on the dollar and how your congregation can help.

Register here!

Clergy Chats with Josh


The September Clergy Chat with Regional Minister Joshua Patty will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 1 pm. Link for Zoom meeting.


The October Clergy Chat with Josh will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 1 pm. Link for Zoom meeting.

Online Advent Preaching Workshop, Oct. 20


Set aside time to reflect on preaching through the Advent season. Join the Proclamation Project for an online Advent workshop for preachers, Friday, October 20 11:30am-1pm (CDT). Keynoter Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Professor of new Testament and Culture at Chicago Theological Seminary, will invite participants to come to the texts with fresh eyes and ears. Register now.

Free Stewardship Sermon Series


The Center for Faith and Giving and the Proclamation Project have developed Living Generously, a four-week sermon series about stewardship in congregations. Learn more and access the free resource.

Continuing Education Grants


Disciples Home Missions has programs offering continuing education grants for ordained and commissioned ministers. Applications for 2024 are due by October 31.


Ordained Clergy Grant info

Commissioned Clergy Grant info

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

Celebrations


Celebrating with Marion Christian Church as 180 years of ministry were marked Sept 16-17. They received some local TV news coverage.


Congratulations to Stasia and Scott Fine as they become parents to Dominic (age 8) and Colby (age 7). Stasia serves First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids.


Congratulations to Gregory and Kathryn Chambers on the upcoming birth of a child in early 2024. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy for mother and child. Gregory is pastor at Noelridge Christian Church, Cedar Rapids.


Celebrating with Pam Gibbs and Urbana Christian Church, Urbana, on the upcoming service of commissioning as Pam has completed the Commissioned Ministry Education Program. The service will be Sunday, October 1.


Prayers for Clergy Colleagues


Prayers for Jill Michel the death of her uncle, Dean Raddatz. Jill and Tammy Buseman led the service on Sunday, September 17 in Center Point.


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.


For your reflection, Searching for the Sacred, Cameron Trimble:


Sacred One,

In the face of great need

When the work feels huge

And I feel small

May I learn the power of the mustard seed.

May I trust that my showing up,

Taking root,

Growing branches,

be enough to do

small things that heal the world.

Amen.

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.


  • Mitchellville Christian Church is in the search and call process. Alice Bolen is serving as interim.
  • Altoona Christian Church is in the search and call process.
  • 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.
  • Central Christian Church, Boone, is in the search and call process, with David Clark as the interim.
  • Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
  • Nichols Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
  • Bondurant Christian Church is seeking an interim.
  • Marion Christian Church has called Tammy Buseman and Gary Sneller as co-interim ministers.
  • Highland Park Christian Church is in the search and call process and has called Arlene Johnson as interim.
  • Glen Echo Christian Church is beginning the search process.
  • First Christian Church, Adel has called Tim Johnson as interim.
  • Bloomfield Christian Church is beginning the search process.
  • Davis Street Christian Church, Ottumwa is seeking an interim.
  • First Christian Church, Muscatine is seeking an interim.

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, 4th Thursdays, 2pm, Online

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann is the next book the Upper Midwest clergy book study will read and discuss. The book investigates a series of murders of wealthy Osage people that took place in Osage County, Oklahoma, in the early 1920's after big oil deposits were discovered beneath their land. A film directed by Martin Scorcese based on this book is scheduled to be released in October


The Clergy Book Study for this book will meet online Thursdays September 28, and October 26. Participation in this book study can be used for anti-racism/pro-reconciliation continuing education hours.


The second session on Thursday, September 28, 2 pm, will discuss Chronicle Two: The Evidence Man.

Everyone interested in participating in this Clergy book study please contact Liz Woodward. A link to the zoom meeting will be sent the morning of the meeting day.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

Challenging Christian Nationalism Forum

Oct 5, 2 pm, Plymouth Cong. Des Moines


Paul Brandeis Raushenbush will address the rise and impact of Christian Nationalism


More info.

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


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