News Update for Mid-America Disciples

Update January 8, 2025

News Events Resources Groups Congregations About

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Upcoming Events

January

13 - Women Empowering Women in Ministry, 10:30, FCC Boonville

25 - Disciples Women Gathering, 9:00 am, via Zoom

25 - Burns Night, FCC Columbia, 5:45pm

Opportunities

Disciples New Church Ministry's Leadership Academy now available as asynchronous course.
View recordings from recent Disciples Preaching Retreat.
Applications for Disciples Peace Interns due Jan. 31.
Weightlifters - DHM Laity Readiness Resource Guide.
Boundary Training 1/11 in Quincy, Illinois.
Disciples Church Extension Fund is offering two new investment rates! Learn more>
Get Imagine Together stewardship resources from the Center for Faith & Giving.
Online clergy continuing education opportunities.

Prayer Request

Please hold in prayer Pastor Al Gritten, retired from First Christian Church in Neosho, as he will be having surgery this week.

Clergy Continuing Education Courses

Our friends in the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC are offering training sessions two days in a row at Columbia United Church of Christ.

Racial Justice Equity Mar. 26

Boundary Awareness Mar. 27

Our Mid-America clergy are most welcome to register and attend to fulfill their requirement for such trainings every three years.

Items Available/Needed

Affton CC has a variety of banners available.

West Lake CC has a piano and a communion set available.

First CC in Troy has chairs to give away.

First CC in Maryville has chairs, some Veggie Tales event kits, and several photocopier parts and supplies.

Elkland CC has communion sets and table, high-backed chairs for chancel, and a pulpit/dias. Contact St. Louis office.

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Branson CC is interested in obtaining any handbells, bell supplies, or music that congregations may have but are no longer using..

We are so grateful to Webster Groves Christian Church for their generosity and hospitality over the last four years as they housed our St. Louis Regional office. Since they have now sold their building, relocated, and downsized, the office has moved to Affton Christian Church. Our address there is:

CCMA

9625 Tesson Ferry Road

St. Louis, MO 63123

The phone number is not changing at this time. (314) 462-0932

Regional Staffing Changes

Rev. Ron Routledge will officially retire on Jan. 31^st. He will serve a brief Interim in the Greater Kansas City Region while they seek a new Regional Minister. The CCMA Regional Board recently approved to expand the duties of Associate Regional Minister Rev. Jennifer Long and appoint Rev. Angela Williams as Associate Regional Minister with expanded duties to continue the Region’s Ministry. Rev. Dr. Koch will now be the solo Regional Minister and President for CCMA. Rev. David Woodard and Rev. Dr. Phil Snider will

continue as Associate Regional Ministers shepherding

the St. Louis and Springfield areas. Please keep our Region in your prayers as we make this transition.

Warming Centers

As we are experiencing winter weather and extreme temperatures, The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services has published a map of warming centers across the state. The majority of the sites are public libraries, but they are very happy to list other organizations that are willing and able to help keep people safe from the cold. If any of our Mid-America congregations are involved in such a ministry and would like to be listed, please contact the St. Louis Regional office. Also, Week of Compassion reminds us that there are funds available to help offset expenses for this type of outreach.

WoC Special Offering

Week of Compassion is a ministry of the whole Church, serving vulnerable communities throughout the world. [See story above about how they are helping right here right now.] Any time and anywhere they respond to a need, they bear witness to the unity of the Lord's Table, faithfully sharing the gifts that have been received as an expression of Christ's love. As they work with partners, they represent the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) commitment to unity, allowing our resources and responses to reach farther, growing our impact on a global scale. Please support the annual Week of Compassion Special Offering February 16 & 23.

Dave Wynn Retires

On Sunday, Dec. 29th, Pastor Dave Wynn preached his final sermon at the Tarkio Christian Church where he has served faithfully for many years. He has loved the people and the call there and looks forward to retirement. He has also served as a master craftsman for stained glass windows and has created many and restored many throughout the years. Well done, faithful servant of Christ!

Clergy Gathering

We're glad that some of the members of our southwestern clergy clusters were able to gather for food and fellowship last month to celebrate Christmas! (photo below)

Several similar gatherings took place in other locales around the Region. These colleague groups are vital to our pastors as they support, encourage, and inspire one another.