Retreat Last Weekend

Men may not all be fathers, but we are all sons. Together a small group of men from Disciples, UCC, and Lutheran traditions gathered together to share fatherly and brotherly energy and wisdom for deep dives into our lives. We listened closely to the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and Esau and found our own stones for a pillow to invite visions in the night sky to teach us that “Surely, God is in this place, and we did not know it.” 

The retreat was held at Shannondale near Eminence and we took full advantage of the rugged Ozarks at Alley Spring, Round Spring, Welch Spring, and Echo Bluff to let the power of God in nature heal and restore our souls. A touching moment occurred when a man and his young daughter noticed a group of generative men working together on a craft to be gifted and asked to join us. You never know the power God has in store to work through us. The retreat concluded with worship at Shannondale UCC.

Our next Mid-America Men & Friends/Sons & Fathers retreat is scheduled for May 2-4 at Shannondale. All men and sons/fathers will be welcomed.

You Can Help Hurricane Victims

Week of Compassion is working to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Please continue to pray for everyone involved and give to the effort as you are able.

Virtual volunteers are urgently needed right now through their partner Crisis CleanUp. Help respond to survivor help lines, serving from home, with simple training and phone/computer access. Contact volunteer@weekofcompassion.org.

Person-to-Person Kenya

Applications are now available for the Disciples Women's Ministry Woman-to-Woman Worldwide trip to Kenya, Africa, September 3 - 18, 2025. Join us on an immersion experience that involves deep, active listening to our sisters of other countries so that we may learn from them what it means to be a woman of faith in their context. Learn more and apply>

Hymn Planning Course

The Center for Congregational Song is sponsoring a eight-session online course on planning hymns and songs for liturgies during January and February 2025. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon to 1:30 pm ET beginning on January 14 and concluding on February 6, 2025. This course is intended for pastors, musicians, and others who do not hold church music and/or theology degrees or who may have missed this area of study. Learn more and register>

Grant Writing 101 Webinar 11/19

The National Benevolent Association and Obra Hispana are partnering to offer a Grant Writing 101 webinar on November 19th at 7pm. This bilingual webinar will provide you with the essentials to grant writing. This is a free resource, but you must register in advance. Learn more and register>