News Update for Mid-America Disciples

Update August 13, 2025

News Events Resources Groups Congregations About

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Upcoming Events

August

14 - The Art of Spiritual Care Surrounding Death & Grief, 9:30-2:30, Columbia

18 - Women Empowering Women in Ministry, 10:30-2:30, Lake Ozark CC

Opportunities

Green loans available through Church Extension.
Disciples New Church Ministry's Leadership Academy now available as asynchronous course.

Prayer Request

Please hold in prayer Rev. Craig Kirby-Grove who has a shoulder infection with surgery coming up. Craig is the interim pastor at St. Charles Christian Church.

Job Opportunities

The Mid-America Region is seeking a pastor/developer in the southwest portion of the region. Find the position information here>

Isaiah 58 Ministries is seeking a part-time, detail-oriented and organized Office Manager to support the daily operations of their ministry. For more information, visit their website or contact their Executive DirecoRev. Brenda Booth at 314-776-1410.

CDS Volunteer Training

Week of Compassion partner Children's Disaster Services (CDS) is providing volunteer training for those who would like to learn how to provide trauma-sensitive, respite childcare for disaster survivors.

The training will begin at 4:30 on Friday, September 26 and end at 5:30 on Saturday, September 27, and will take place at Warrensburg First United Methodist Church. See flyer here>

Week of Compassion has a limited number of scholarships available to offset the registration fee for Disciples who are interested in being trained as CDS volunteers – email volunteer@weekofcompassion.org to request a scholarship.

Bridgeton Fund Grants Awarded

Congratulations to this year's Bridgeton Fund grant recipients.

First Christian Church in Odessa is glad to receive help to do some renovations and correct some plumbing issues. They are making these changes to their building so they can assist their local school district by housing the early childhood special education program.

Florissant Valley Christian Church will be using their grant to make some facility and equipment upgrades so they can continue providing adequate space to the Centennial Christian Church congregation. Centennial has been worshipping there since the tornado destroyed their building in May.

In fact this past Saturday, members of "Flo Valley" and Centennial had some helpers from Celebration Church and Affton Christian Church as they continue to arrange their shared space for the benefit of both congregations.

Learn more about the Bridgeton Fund and the help that this now closed congregation continues to provide>

Spiritual Care in Grief Seminar TOMORROW

There is still time to register for The Art of Spiritual Care Surrounding Death & Grief taking place tomorrow, Thursday, August 14th at Boone Hospital in Columbia. This session is for pastors, elders, and anyone who cares for people dealing with grief. Attendance and follow-up qualify as boundary training renewal for clergy. Our presenters will be Rev. Robert Green and Rev. Dr. Kim Leon. The training is free, but registration is requested. Learn more and register here>

September Anti-Racism Events

There will be an ARPRJM training event on Saturday, September 20th from 10am to 4pm. It will be an introductory level session and can be attended either in person at Webster Groves Christian Church in St. Louis or virtually. Registration will be opened soon.

There will also be a four-session online book study on Monday evenings. Our ARPRJM team will host Zoom gatherings from 7:00 to 8:00 on September 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th. They will be discussing Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism. All are welcome. Links to the meetings will be in future newsletters and on the Regional calendar.

From the Wider Church

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

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

the Disciples of Oregon & SW Idaho.

Green Chalice Webinar:

Extreme Heat - Community Need/Faithful Responses

September 3, 1pm

Led by Rev. Katie Sexton, Executive Director of Arizona Faith Network, this timely webinar addresses one of our most pressing climate challenges and provides practical guidance for congregational response.

Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference

September 16-19, 2025

This retreat at Christmount, North Carolina, focuses on "Resilience and Restoration in the Mountains" and brings together renowned speakers including Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown III, Rev. Carol Devine, Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis, and Luke Cannon. Registration is currently open to Disciples clergy with sliding scale options and scholarships available. Registration for a wider audience of ecumenical clergy will be open on August 1.

Learn more & register here>