Update March 6, 2024

News Events Resources Groups Congregations About

Find all the information here!

Upcoming Events

March

8 - International Women's Day

11 - Mid-America board meeting, via Zoom, 12 noon

12 - Lenten Lectio @ 11 via Zoom

12-14 - Black Ministers Retreat, STL

17 - Ordination of Heather Johnston Patten, 3pm, FCC Fulton

19 - Lenten Lectio @ 11, via Zoom

19 - Young Adult Kinections: A Call to Action, 6:00pm online

Opportunities

Pension Fund tax resources available.
Get Imagine Together stewardship resources from the Center for Faith & Giving.
Pastor Partners is open to all clergy partners on the 1st Tues. of each month via Zoom.
Youth Leadership Symposium 2024
Phillips University Legacy Foundation scholarship apps due 3/22. Learn more>
HELM scholarships available. Applications due March 31.
Drum Birthing retreat for men May 4-5, Jabez Retreat Ctr.
There are still camp song books available. Contact the St. Louis Regional office.
Apply for a Disciples Church Extension Fund green loan.
Return to Reverence four-week study on earth stewardship available from Ron Routledge.
Mental health resources available for clergy and families through Pension Fund.
Digital Worship Resources
Online clergy continuing education opportunities.

As of the cut-off Monday night, 47% of our Mid-America congregations had submitted their Yearbook reports in the ALEX system. Thank you to everyone who did so! Until the end of the month, Regional staff still have access to make changes, so if you have the data but didn't enter it, contact the St. Louis office and we'll enter it for you. Thank you!

Convocation April 13th

Make sure your calendar is marked for our annual African American Convocation coming up on Saturday, April 13. Fifth Street Christian Church in Columbia will be hosting the event. The special guest speaker will be Dr. Delesslyn Kennabrew, Executive Director of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Associate General Minister.

More information and registration options will be posted here when available>

Threads of Joy

Don't forget to register for an upcoming Rural Ministry Network gathering near you. Learn more>

Amore Dinner

On Sunday, March 3^rd, the outreach committee of Neosho FCC gifted the church with an Amore dinner to culminate their Week of Compassion emphasis. It was meant to highlight that compassion can be shown in many ways and we should strive not just for a Week of Compassion but for a Lifetime of Compassion. Three opportunities to show compassion were given at the dinner: Food items for the local food pantry, monetary love gifts for Week of Compassion, and monetary love gifts for the church to help support its ministries. $806 was given for Week of Compassion, $1,385 for the church, $375 plus 80 food items for the Help Center food pantry. The event ended with a song fest led by the children and with each person receiving A Valentine From God – God’s way of reminding us what love is and what love isn’t, what love does and what love doesn’t.

Solar Eclipse 4/8

Abbey Road CC would like to extend to all our area DOC churches an invitation to our unobstructed hill to view and celebrate the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. We will have a Meet & Greet in the church at 10:30 am followed by a light lunch at 11:00 am on the grounds. At 12:00 noon there will be a labyrinth walk for those who wish to participate and finger labyrinths for those who cannot walk it.

There is limited seating in our pergola and firepit areas, so please bring your lawn chairs. Also bring any snacks and drinks you wish to have, and sunblock if needed, as well as protective glasses to view the eclipse.

We look forward to seeing you! Please RSVP by Monday, March 25, 2024, so that we may plan for lunch. Thank you!

Ordination of Rev. Teresa Spear

Rev. Teresa Spear was ordained on Sunday, February 25 at South Street Christian Church in Springfield. She is pictured here (in the green stole) with those who participated in the service. There were eight congregations represented and many ministers attended to support and celebrate. Congratulations!

Two Installations Last Sunday

Dr. Randy Hargis was installed as the pastor of First Christian Church in Hermitage. Those gathered enjoyed a reception celebration following the service. Congratulations!

Rev. Timothy Polley was installed as the pastor of First Christian Church in Kirksville. He is pictured here (second from left) with other supporting clergy. Congratulations!

Celebration for ARM Katherine Kinnamon

Our Associate Regional Minister for Commission on the Order of Ministry Rev. Katherine Kinnamon is retiring effective March 31. We are grateful for her many years of ministry in Mid-America and invite all to join the celebration at Compton Heights CC in St. Louis on Sunday, April 7 during their morning worship. More details will be posted as they become available.

Unsung Heroes

FCC in Maryville served about thirty people on Feb. 28 at their second Unsung Heroes Lenten Dinner for the year. At this dinner they honored sanitation and recycling crews, thanking them for all their hard work and serving them a hot meal of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Next Wednesday, March 6, they'll be honoring Big Brothers/Big Sisters -- Bigs, Littles, and staff.