Update October 1, 2025

News Events Resources Groups Congregations About

Upcoming Events

October

1 - Capturing Life Stories webinar, 11am, online

1 - The Power of Proximity for Social Impact webinar, 2pm, online

5 - World Communion Sunday

5 - Reconciliation Special Offering

8 - Connecting Disciples with RMN, 10am-2pm, Sikeston

18 - Mental Health First Aid, 9am-4pm, St. Louis

29 - Older Adults DO Meditate!, four-part webinar, 11am, online

Prayer Requests

Please join us in praying for the family of retired Rev. Albert "Al" Graves who passed away on September 19. Al served at the Christian Board of Education, helped create the Chalice Hymnal, and played the piano at Memorial Blvd. CC in St. Louis for over thirty years. Services will be at Florissant Valley Christian Church at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 21, which would have been Al's 98th birthday.

Mental Health First Aid Training October 18

Rev. Edvonia Scott is offering a Mental Health First Aid course which is open to all. Particularly important for first responders, hospital staff, and employers, this information can benefit all caring individuals. It will take place at Union Avenue CC in St. Louis and the agenda includes applying the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan. Registration due by October 1. Learn more here>

Congratulations to our Mid-America clergy who are celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination in October.

Cynthia Wayne-Lupkey, 20 years

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Wolf, 20 years

Reconciliation Offering

The annual Reconciliation Special Offering continues this coming Sunday. In support of Reconciliation Ministry, Isaiah 58 Ministries in St. Louis shares about the impact that donations can have. Read Beyond Brokenness - Building Beloved Community here>

Frankford's After School Bible School Program Gets a Helping Hand

For the last four years, First Christian Church in Frankford has held a weekly After School Bible School program. Each week, children receive an after-school snack, have time for Bible-based crafts, music, games and Bible Adventures, where they learn a different kid-appropriate Bible story. At the end of the night, a light supper is provided to the students and their families in the church fellowship hall.

The congregation recently received a food donation from First Christian Church in Bowling Green. Bowling Green's congregation donated lots of pudding cups and granola bars that will be used for an after-school snack, as well as lots of frozen ground beef that will be used for the program's evening meal.

Staffing Changes

We are happy to announce that Samantha "Sam" Burn is serving as Transitional Ministry Associate in our Springfield office. She started working on Monday and will continue until the search for a settled Associate is complete. Sam is also the Office Manager for Ozark Christian Church.

As of today, Rev. Dr. Tommy Goode begins his role as Interim Associate Regional Minister for Greater Springfield. He will also serve in this capacity until the search for the settled ARM is complete.

Warmest of welcomes to both of them!

VAR What She Inspired This Saturday

Arrow Rock Federated Church continues their partnership with Voices of Arrow Rock, a readers theatre series that brings to life the stories of forgotten and underrepresented people. Their next performance is What She Inspired on this Saturday, October 4 at 10am. In this episode Mirandy Williams, the fictional grandmother in the 1938 novel Persimmon Creek, comes to life sharing her perspective as an African American woman in Arrow Rock prior to World War II. We meet Nellie Page Carter, the author, along with Marshall Elementary School second grader, Nancy Hupp Blossom. Mirandy inspires empathy and compassion in Nancy as she navigated desegregation in Saline County during the 1950s.

Mid-America clergy can qualify the performance as an ARPRJM training renewal course with post-performance reading materials and questions along with a post-performance Zoom discussion to be arranged with Dr. Kateman.

Free to a Good Home

Affton Christian Church has a desk available. Measurements are 48 X 30 inches.

Compton Heights Christian Church in St. Louis has sold their building and will be moving soon. The last worship service on South Grand will be Sunday, November 2. As they make the transition to their new location, they have a number of items available to any church that can use them. See the list with photos here>

From the Wider Church

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

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

the Greater Kansas City Region.

Green Chalice News

Green Chalice Gathering October 2 (tomorrow) 6pm, online

Eco Story Circles - Exploring Gratitude & Grief, seven-week program meets once per week online beginning Monday, October 6 at 11:30am.

Read more in their current newsletter here>

Don't Miss These Opportunities!

Tuesday, October 7, 1:00 - webinar with Elena Huegel, Global Ministries Mission Co-Worker in Mexico. Register here>

November 10-12, Preaching in the Desert Disciples Preaching Retreat, Scottsdale, Arizona. Learn more>

Center for Lived Faith & Organizing

is presenting two more seminars this fall.

As a partner supporter, Mid-America has free seats available for each.

Organizing Directly Impacted Communities

Friday, October 10

White Moral Injury: Organizing White People in the Face of Christian Fascism

Friday, November 21

All can be attended either in person in St. Louis or online.

Learn more here>

As your congregation gets its facilities ready for fall, make sure that they don't let in the cold. If they do, they could be leaking heat, costing you money, and increasing your carbon emissions.

Improve operations that contribute to a more energy-efficient place of worship with Disciples Church Extension Fund’s renovation loans. Receive up to $150,000 to:

- upgrade heaters

- replace or repair inefficient windows

- insulate or weatherproof your sanctuary, fellowship hall, and more

To learn how you can "go green,” contact your regional Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel.