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June 8-13
CEA CYF Conference at LBCR
June 10-14 Mission West Chi Rho Camp at LBCR
June 15 CEA JYF Regular Registration Deadline
June 21-26 HPTRA CYF Conference at BRCL
June 22 HPA JYF Regular Registration Deadline
June 29-July 3
Disciples Summer Mission (DSM) Nashville, TN and Albuquerque, NM
July 1
Deadline for Phillips Disciples History Class at General Assembly
July 6- 16 CEA JYF Camp at LBCR
July 9 HPA South Cluster
July 13-17 HPA JYF Camp at Ceta Glen
July 14 Documentation deadline for September interviews with Regional Committee on Ministry
July 20 TRA Border Cluster
July 16 HPA North Cluster
July 18-22 General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio: "Soar!" based on Isaiah 40
July 23 CEA Big Country Cluster
July 27- Aug 1 CYLS (Christian Youth Leadership Seminar) of CCSW at Ceta Glen
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Families and congregations who are suffering loss due the floods.
Please continue to pray for Chuck Fisher who is in California with his sister who is in hospice care.
John Givens, pastor of Community Christian Church in Lubbock, suffered another cardiac arrest on Pentecost Sunday. Please continue to pray for him and the congregation.
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Individual Forms for DSM were due Yesterday
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Individual Forms for DSM were to be postmarked yesterday. If you have not already sent in your individual forms, please
download them and send them in TODAY.
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We hope May is proving to be a fruitful time in your ministries.
In this issue you will find updates and reminders about all the events happening in Mission West. We hope to see you soon.
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Update on Flooding in Blue Bonnet Area & Coastal Plains Area of CCSW
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Week of Compassion and Area minister's are responding to the Flood that
recently hit the Blue Bonnet and Coastal Plains Area's of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest.
Here is an update from Pastor Gregory Ross at First Christian Church (DoC) in San Marcos:
- 3 of our families have lost everything. Others have damage. But everyone is safe.
- Yesterday that families were able to review the damage so we will understand the need better in the next few days. Everyone has a place to stay--that was the first step.
- Week of Compassion has already contacted us.
Community members have also passed along the following information:
Samaritan's Purse has a station set up right down the drive from FCC at PromiseLand Church. They are planning on being here 6 weeks. All volunteer groups must be registered ( background check, etc.).
WORK CREWS ARE SENT FROM PROMISELAND EVERY DAY (EXCEPT SUNDAY) AT 7:30AM AND 12:30PM. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SHOW UP IN WORK CLOTHES AND SOLID SHOES. WE WILL TRAIN AND GIVE DIRECTIONS. YOU ALSO GET A FREE SHIRT. YOU CAN WORK AS LONG AS YOUR SCHEDULE ALLOWS.
Visit the disaster relief section of their web site here: http://www.psmchurch.com/flood-relief. They will be housing up to 100 volunteers from around the country. Samaritan's Purse/PromiseLand will help feed and train these volunteers as well as work beside them. There will be tasks for people of all ages.
Peggy Edge, Area Minister for Coastal Plains also reports via facebook: This afternoon (5/29) I presented a Week of Compassion check to Daniel Thurman of Taylor Lake Christian Church in Seabrook. Daniel's apartment was flooded a couple of weeks ago when torrential rains hit the Clear Lake area. Thank you, Church, for giving to assist those whose property has been damaged in a natural disaster.
This morning (5/28) I presented a Week of Compassion solidarity grant to Kim Johnson, the minister of young adults at The Woodlands Christian Church. Kim's home took on water when the rains came too quickly this week.
On behalf of Week of Compassion, I presented a check to the pastor of Heights Christian Church. This congregation had flood waters in its fellowship hall this week.(5/28) 
This afternoon (5/28) I had the honor of presenting a check to Brian and Tomica Robertson on behalf of Week of Compassion. They managed to get all 10 of the children staying in their home out when their home burned before dawn on Memorial Day. We were joined by Brian's cousin, Adrian Robertson. Only one of the children remains hospitalized as of this afternoon. They feel blessed, but I was the one blessed in hearing their stories.
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Churches seeking pastoral leadership
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Pastor
First Christian Church
Big Spring, TX
Pastor/New Church Planter
First Christian Church
Santa Fe, NM
Pastor
First Christian Church
Lampasas, TX
Pastor
First Christian Church
Hooker, OK
Pastor
First Christian Church
Plainview, TX
Associate Minister of Youth and Small Group Development
First Christian Church, Perryton, TX
Pastor
First Christian Church, Miami, TX
Youth Minister
First Christian Church,
San Angelo, TX
Pastor
First Christian Church
Canyon, TX
Pastor
First Christian Church
Albany, TX
Pastor
First Christian Church
Stratford, TX
Inquiries for more information should be directed to:
Lead Minister, Mission West
Congratulations to Penny Biddy and Chesna Riley on their installation as Co-Pastors at Brook Hollow Christian Church in Abilene, TX on May 31st.
Congratulations to FCC Alamogordo in NW for calling Rev. Jeff Swanson, ELCA Lutheran retired military chaplain as their interim.
Welcome to Pastor William "Bill" Pollock who begins his call with Bethany Christian Church in El Paso, Tx.
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Tell us about your ministry
Please
Email Karakay with
your ministry stories and experiences by the 25th of each month to be included in future newsletters.
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Where in the West is Charlotte?
To see where Charlotte is traveling over the next few months, see our
calendar page
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Calendar
The Mission West calendar is being added to daily. Please
email
if you would like your event added to this calendar.
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8ers "Created to Be Me Camp" Still accepting registrations
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Eighter's will be held in Athens at Disciples Crossing this Year. It is July 5-11. "Created to Be Me" Camp, 8'ers is designed to teach campers about spirituality and sexuality through a wonderful Christian curriculum and is only available to those who have completed the 8th grade this year. Parents will receive detailed information about each day's topic and theme after they enroll their camper in the session.
Late Registration deadline: two weeks before your event begins June 28th is $455
If you would like to know more about CLER Ministries, please visit their website at http://clerministries.org.
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CEA CYF Conference Details
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Camp begins at 1 pm on Monday June 8th and ends at 10 am on Saturday, June 13th. Please contact
TJ York with specific questions.
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Mission West T-shirts for Camp!
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At the January Meeting of Mission West Youth Leaders the decision was made to have one camp t-shirt this summer
to continue our path of working together to do more.
After searching through many t-shirt companies and considering what was important, the decision was made to get Fair Trade t-shirts from
Visible Clothing
. We are raising money to help offset the cost as well as raise awareness and unity throughout Mission West.
We've already raised $750 in increments ranging from $100 to $250 dollars, and would like to invite you to join in the fun! Please let Karakay know how much you would like to donate, your t-shirt size, and donate to your local area with a notation of Mission West T-shirts in the memo section of the check so it will be properly accounted.
We are working on a new Mission West logo which will be revealed later this year. It includes the colors shown on the t-shirt:
- Blue represents the Central Area by their Big Sky's and Blue Waters found at LBCR
- Yellow represents the Hi Plains Area by their yellow grasses found throughout the plains of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas
- Orange represents the Tres Rios Area by their Mountains and Deserts found throughout Texas and New Mexico.
The long time Disciples quote seemed fitting as we continue to live into what it means to be Mission West. We hope you will partner with us in bringing awareness and unity to Mission West in this t-shirt fundraiser!
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Remember to Get your Roster Registrations & Adult/Steward Camp forms in Soon!
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Many thanks to all the churches who have sent in their roster registrations so far! For everyone else, please send in your roster registrations in as soon as possible.
Also, please remember that all adult & steward registration forms (the entire adult/steward packet) must be sent into the office & received by the regular registration deadline to ensure annual background checks are completed & that the individual has completed child abuse awareness training in the last two years.
     
Don't forget the following deadlines:
| Date |
TYPE/Location |
Grade |
Regular (Full Amount Due) |
Late (Full Amount Due) |
Check Payable to |
| June 8-13 |
CEA CYF Conference, LBCR |
9th to 12th Grades |
$380 by May 11 |
$405 after May 12 |
Central Area |
| June 10-14 |
Mission West Chi Rho Camp, LBCR |
6th to 8th Grades |
$335 by May 13 |
$380 after May 14 |
Mission West |
| June 17-20 |
TRA Elementary Camp, BRCLCancelled due to lack of Registrations) |
1st to 5th Grades and their Families |
$275 by May 1 |
$300 after May 2 |
Tres Rios Area |
| June 21-26 |
HPTRA CYF Conference, BRCL |
9th to 12th Grades |
$345 by May 23 |
$370 after May 24 |
Mission West |
| June 26-28 |
CEA Grand Beginnings, LBCR |
4 years old to 3rd Grades with Parents or Grandparents |
$125 by May 29 |
$150 after May 30 |
Central Area |
| July 6 -10 |
CEA JYF Camp, LBCR |
3rd to 5th Grades |
$325 by June 15 |
$350 after June 16 |
Central Area |
| July 13-17 |
HPA JYF Camp, Ceta Glen |
3rd to 5th Grades |
$345 by June 22 |
$370 after June 23 |
Hi Plains Area |
- Guidelines for registrations
- Grid for post mark deadlines, costs, and who to make checks payable
- What to do in your congregation
- Postmark Deadline for Registration & Payment Policy
- Refund Policy
- Director Contact Information
- Campground Information
- What to Bring and Not Bring to Camp
- Roster Registration Forms
- Camp Registration Forms
- Camp Flyers (in separate downloads listed above in the grid)
For questions or concerns specific to these events, please contact the director listed on the event flyer for the specific event. For questions or concerns regarding other issues related to youth ministry or our Mission West/Area camping program, please contact Karakay S. Kovaly or a member of your Children and Youth Ministry Committee or Outdoor Ministry Committees.
We look forward to your participation!
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Children Can Help Nepal through VBS, Camp and in Worship
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Children Can Help Nepal
Vacation Bible School, Camp, and in Worship
Whether your church is climbing Everest, going to Nazareth, finding the G-force, blasting to the past, or finding out how your kids are "gifted" this summer. . . we should all spend time taking God's presence to those in need.
The people of Nepal and surrounding Mt. Everest areas are struggling with a much bigger task than climbing Everest as they begin rebuilding their lives after an earthquake that hit the area in April.
Additional Resources:
Please consider exploring this mission option within your VBS this summer.
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Area Business and Hope Partnership Come together In October in Mission West
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Two different events, "Dare to Lead" and "Come and See", are presented by Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation that will take place across Mission West in conjunction with most area meetings in October, please see the information below and mark your calendars. Registration information will be coming soon.
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| Watch this short video to see what people are saying about The Journey Experience. |
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| Watch a June 2014 Webinar About New Beginnings |
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Come learn about DARE TO LEAD THE JOURNEY.
The Journey is a 2 year process that develops NEW kind of leaders for your church. Helping leaders become Transformational leaders, moves congregations from old ways of measuring success, towards congregations that make a difference in the lives of people and their communities. At the end of the process, the congregation will have clarity about its future ministry and specific call.
There will only be a small cost to attend to cover the cost of the meal.
The introduction will give your congregation 6 weeks to decide if you want to participate in the Journey. Bring your key leaders so they can hear it first hand!
http://www.hopepmt.org/transform/the-journey/
After these meetings, an annual meeting for each area will take place in the appropriate locations.
Saturday, October 10
Site to be determined
9 AM CST gather
9:30 - 11:30 AM Hope Partnership
11:30 AM - 1 PM Lunch/HPA Annual meeting
On Sunday, October 11
First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Ave,
El Paso, TX 79902
2:30 pm MT Gather
3:00 to 5:00 pm MT Hope Partnership
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Come and See: Learn about the New Beginnings Process
New Beginnings is a process designed to help congregations make bold decisions about their future ministry. Designed primarily for small congregations, this process has helped hundreds of Disciple, UCC & Presbyterian churches make bold decisions that allowed the congregation to move from "getting by" to thriving in God's mission.
There will only be a small cost to attend to cover the cost of the meal.
The introduction will give your congregation 6 weeks to decide if you want to engage in the process. Bring your key leaders to this event and discover.
http://www.hopepmt.org/transform/new-beginnings/
After this meeting an annual meeting for the Central Area will take place.
Saturday, October 17
Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 South Willis,
Abilene, TX 79605
9 AM CST gather
9:30 - 11:30 AM Hope Partnership
11:30 AM - 1 PM Lunch/CEA Annual meeting
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2015 National Annual Association of Disciples Musicians Conference June 23 - June 28
William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri (NE of Kansas City)
Plan now to attend the ADM Summer Conference for Music and Worship!
Featuring nationally recognized clinicians in Choral, Organ, Handbells and Worship including jazz, creative and traditional.
Click here for the REGISTRATION (Paper) FORM
Conference workshops include..........
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Organ Techniques and Master Class
Organ Improvisation
Creating New Worship Settings |
Powerful Worship Experiences Choral Conducting Beginning & Advanded Handbell Techniques |
Choral Techniques
Piano Jazz and Contemporary Styles
Organ Master Class |
June 23-28, 2015 William Jewell College
Liberty, Missouri
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CCSW Disciples Women's Ministry Regional Assembly
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Disciples Women's Ministry Regional Assembly
Make plans to attend June 26, 27 and 28, 2015,at Y O Ranch Hotel & Conference Center in Kerrville, Texas.
Kerrville Craft to be made and donated to women's shelter at Women's Regional
Assembly
(photo to the right)
The 2014/ 2015 Disciple Women's Ministries' Bylaws Committee recently met to review the Bylaws. During this meeting we also addressed some comments, questions, and inquiries that we had received. It was our belief that there were some items and issues that needed amending in order to best serve the Disciples Women's Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. After discussion and the presentation of the proposed Bylaws to the Administrative Committee, they approved the proposed changes. At this time we are respectfully presenting the proposed Bylaws in order for the Disciple Women of the Southwest Region to review. At our Disciple Women's Regional Assembly in Kerrville on June 26
th 2015 (which is our next regular scheduled business meeting), we will be presenting the proposed Bylaws for approval, and will need a two-thirds vote for adoption. The business meeting will begin at 3:30 on June 26
th at the YO Ranch. View the proposed changes in
this document .
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Resolutions Packet for General Assembly Now Available
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The resolutions and reports forwarded to the General Assembly by the General Board are available on the
General Assembly business page
. Scroll down to the tabbed information. The full docket including attendee information and worship is still in production.
Watch the video about the "The Life of a General Assembly Resolution."
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Disciples History & Polity Course @ GA
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Phillips Theological Seminary is offering a Disciples of Christ History and Polity Course at the 2015 Disciples
General Assembly to be held in Columbus, Ohio in July 2015.
This course is offered for Disciples leaders preparing for commissioned or ordained ministry or seeking transfer of ministerial standing to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Download the flyer or visit Phillips website for more information.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: JULY 1, 2015
To register (students or auditors), call 918.270.6464 or email Phillips Admissions
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Curriculum on the Church
"Piecing it Together" not just for General Assebly
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Are your youth discovering they are part of a larger Church? Then it is time to help them start Piecing it Together! 
For youth attending the 2015 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Columbus, OH this summer, Piecing it Together will help them hit the ground running. For those who will not attend, but want to better understand their Church, this is a great introduction to the working pieces of the body we call Church.
The curriculum is divided into four lessons:
- Exploring Your Church
- Gathering As Church
- Assembling as Church
- We Are the Church
Each session includes an opening, learning opportunities for time together, a challenge or reflection to keep your youth thinking ahead, and a closing prayer.
This is a downloadable, printable PDF from Chlice Press. Purchase and download it
here.
Leaders can access the lessons on tablets or e-readers while having access to printouts for activities included in the learning opportunities.
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CCSW Men's Annual Retreat
September 18-20, 2015 @ LBCR
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| May 6, 2015 TO: CCSW Disciples Men FROM: Nathan Higginbotham (email = nathan@ccsw.org) re: Current activities and September 18-20, 2015 Retreat Registration and Information Our Regional Men's Mission Work Project this year continues for the Iglesia Cristiana La Roca Church in Dallas, TX. May11th was the fourth organized work week on this project since March 2nd due to Snow, Ice and Rain delays! Jimmie Muckleroy led this project and donated many hours of his company personnel, building materials, equipment and supplies toward this construction. Les Hodson, Tony Muckleroy, Jimmie's son and especially Pastor Daniel Guzman and his congregation members have made major contributions toward moving this new 40 x 92 feet church facility toward completion. Disciples Men donated $5000, mostly from the September 2014 retreat offering to this project.    
Please consider being one of 200 congregations in the DOC to have a Cookin' for Mission fund-raiser this year to help replenish the fund supporting our four Disciples Service Centers( Inman in San Antonio is one) and projects for Kids and Youth around the USA. Contact me for more information. At the Regional Men's cabinet meeting in January, plans were finalized for the Annual Retreat at Lake Brownwood on Sept. 18-20. Our two keynote speakers for this year are: Rev. Olin Fregia, Campus Pastor, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX and Rev. Hector Velazquez, Sr. Minister of Iglesia Cristiana El Redentor in Houston. Our theme for this year's retreat is "As Christ has Welcomed You (Diversity Within our CCSW Family)." A pre-retreat Golf tournament on Friday before the retreat will be held. Please register your desire to play or contact Roy Horne at: rhorne@geosouthernenergy.com or me for more info. Also, you must send registrations in together if you want to stay in the same Dorm. See the Registration Form and other Retreat information. These Registration Forms, speaker publicity, schedule, etc. will soon be on the Disciples Men link from the CCSW web site at www.ccsw.org. Please give a copy of this Registration Form to your Church Secretary and your current Disciples Men/CMF President to assist with publicity for our retreat. This letter, without the photos, is also available for download. All registration fees had to be increased this year due to rising costs at LBCR. We have set a goal of 200 men in attendance. That should assure us of "breaking even" on costs. A First Time attendee fee is $75 and a Scholarship is available at $50. Register before the August 31st deadline to save 10 dollars. I will see you in September, if not before. |
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Copyright ? 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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