News Update for Mid-America Disciples

A Father For Generation Alpha session begins March 4.
National Faith & Climate Forum March 27.
DHM's Interim Ministry Basics online class begins April 28.
Center for Faith & Giving 2025 Stewardship resources
Pastors & Partners Retreat June 6-7. Register by May 1.
FCC Kirksville online auction open until February 28.
Drury University in Springfield is seeking a chaplain.
Immigration resources available through DHM.
Disciples New Church Ministry's Leadership Academy now available as asynchronous course.
Weightlifters - DHM Laity Readiness Resource Guide.
Disciples Church Extension Fund is offering two new investment rates! Learn more>
Online clergy professional development opportunities.

Prayer Request

Please hold in prayer retired Rev. Rodger Kiepe who has just been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on his hand.

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..

Help Needed

Celebration Church in St. Peters is seeking someone part-time (2 days per month) to file taxes, cut and deposit checks, and monitor bills and mail. (Listed last week as St. Charles CC in error.)

Church administrators, please keep working on your Yearbook Report Worksheet and continue gathering the requested data. That way when the system goes live, you will be ready to input the form information. We're hoping for 100% of congregations reporting by March 31 this year!

Thank you to the National Council of Churches for helping us celebrate Black History this month.

(Click here or on image to enlarge.)

Souper Bowls Around the Region

No matter which football team Disciples were rooting for, several food pantries and lots of people who rely on them won last weekend because of widespread generosity!

Members of FCC in Mt. Vernon showed which team they supported by placing their donations at the designated goal post. (pictured top left)

At Affton CC the Chiefs were also the clear favorite, though the Eagles' side of the display table was pretty full as well! (pictured top right)

At FCC in Savannah they were all in for the Chiefs, even making their donation to the local food pantry in the Chiefs' name!

Keeping Sanctuaries Sacred and Safe

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has joined a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to oppose the rescission of the sensitive locations policy, which previously protected houses of worship as consecrated spaces. The action seeks to ensure congregations' freedom of worship and service. Read the full statement from our General Minister & President here>

Camp Dates Set!

The schedule is set and we are preparing for another wonderful year of outdoor ministries programming in a variety of locations all over the Region! Whether you head to Camp Jo-Ota, Crowder State Park, or Camp Galilee, you're sure to have a fabulous time learning, playing, and praying in God's beautiful creation! Registration opens March 17th. More details will be coming soon, but for now check out the choices and mark your calendar!

Congratulations, Rev. Perkins!

Disciples Home Missions has announced that Rev. Derrick Perkins has been called to serve as Director for Congregational Vitality and Innovation. In this role he will work with churches, regions, and general ministry partners to strengthen and resource congregations. He has served in Mid-America for the last 17 years as the Senior Pastor of Centennial CC in St. Louis. Read full announcement>

Pension Fund News

The Disciples Pension Fund recently sent out their first quarter newsletter. Highlights include:

Member conference call May 7
Learn to Live webinars available to all members. Next one is TODAY at noon.
2025 Tax Guides available - minister version - church version

Red State Revival

On March 7, Manchester UMC near St. Louis will be hosting a Red State Revival: An Evening With Nadia Bolz-Weber. Nadia is a Lutheran pastor and bestselling author. She describes one of the goals of the evening: "I want us to remind each other of what’s most important and least popular right now: humility, curiosity, mercy and hope - the things Jesus of Nazareth yammered on about and were as difficult to embrace then as they are now." Advance tickets are required but you get to choose your fee. Learn more and register>

MORE Online Training Available!

Last week we shared about boundary/ARPRJM training available through the Southwest Region. This week we've learned of even more options through the Tennessee Region. Now our clergy have more choices than ever to get their required professional development!

Find boundary training options here>

Find anti-racism training options here>

"Across" Screening in Columbia

Rock Bridge Christian Church will be showing screenings of "Across: When Headlines Cross Borders and Strangers Become Neighbors" at 6:45 on Sunday Feb. 16, 23, and March 2. Each Sunday they will watch a portion of the series, followed with discussion. This is open to the public. Learn more about the series here>

From the Wider Church

This coming week's Global Ministries prayer request is for Zambia.

This week's College of Regional Ministers prayer request is for

Week of Compassion.

Faithful Voices: Breaking the Silence on Suicide

Webinar Wed., Feb 26 1:00 pm

The Mental Health and Wellness Program of our NBA prioritizes mental health justice and wellness equity for the upliftment of all people. As a part of this program initiative, during Black History Month, we are providing a culturally relevant space to discuss resources for Black mental health and wellness.

This NBA webinar is free but registration is required. Learn more and register>