In Celebration of Pastors - Past & Present

The week of October 12^th - 18^th is the "Week of Ministry", an annual celebration in the life of our denomination when we intentionally extend special appreciation for those pastors in our lives who have embraced their calls to serve in ministry. This special week reminds congregations of the importance of celebrating their pastors, as well as the responsibility to encourage those who may feel a call upon their lives.  

In recognition of the "Week of Ministry", I encourage you to not only pray for your pastor(s), but perhaps also send them a note of gratitude or encouragement. Pastors often work long days...which turn into long weeks. Please don't ever underestimate the power of a hand-written note, a positive email, or an unexpected text/phone call that is not requesting more work be done, but rather, simply a word of appreciation, encouragement and Christian love. And let's not forget our mentors from the past. If you are young enough to still have living mentors of the Christian faith who helped guide you on your spiritual path, why not pick up the phone to initiate a long overdue phone call to simply say "thank you" for sharing the love of Christ.

Personally, my life has been filled to overflowing with pastors and teachers who have been active participants in the formation of my understanding of Christ's love in this world. What a gift and joy it will be to make a few phone calls...to write a few notes...and to extend appreciation for those who have sowed the seeds of God's goodness into our lives! Thank you, pastors, for accepting God's call in your life and for faithfully following where Christ may lead. May God continue to bless your ministry in extraordinary ways!



Peace & Blessings,

Alison

The following prayer was written by Fonda Latham, Ministerial Relief and Assistance Project Coordinator with the Pension Fund. (Please go to pensionfund.org for the latest resources for mental, financial and physical health for clergy.)

A Prayer for Pastors

Loving God,

We give thanks for our friends and colleagues in ministry who said YES to your call. We are grateful for their faithfulness to share your LIGHT in a world full of challenges. When they feel too tired to take the next step, give them a place to rest. When they cry out, hear it as their deepest prayer. When they feel alone, surround them with others to walk with and reminders of your presence. When blessings come, help them to receive with joy and breathe them in deeply. When overwhelmed, quiet their hearts and help them to stop reading and scrolling. When they question, remind them of your love. When discouraged, send someone to encourage and let them truly hear. God, we all need a big dose of Faith, Hope and Love. Help us to remember to turn to you for sustenance on our journey. Thank you for your patience, your grace and your unfailing love. Amen.

Great River Region Disciples Men

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Minister Harvey Anderson, GRRDM President, will host a listening session for the Disciples Men in our region. Please join via Zoom on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 5:30 PM Central Time. We want to hear your thoughts about the mission of Disciples Men's Ministry and ways to gather and support one another.

Installation Service of Rev. Odette Woods

We want to congratulate Rev. Dr. Odette Woods on being installed as the Senior Minister at Mt. Sinai CC in North Little Rock, AR.

Friday, November 7

Saturday, November 8

We’ll begin the day with a Board Meeting from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. A Zoom option will be available. At 11:30 AM, the fellowship portion of our Gathering begins with lunch, followed by a World Café conversation. We’ll wrap things up by 2:00 PM.

Come be part of this time to learn, share, and grow together.

Please register in advance so we can plan accordingly and make sure there's plenty of food for everyone.

Below are the congregations engaged in a search process to call a new pastor:



• Grace Point Christian Fellowship, Lake Charles, LA
• Christian Chapel CC, Port Gibson, MS - Senior Minister & Musician
• FCC Russellville, AR
• FCC Leesville, LA
• FCC Sherwood, AR

* For information regarding church positions, please contact the Regional Office.

Clergy Fellowship Opportunities

• Northwest Arkansas Clergy - Every 3rd Wednesday
• Central Arkansas Clergy - Every 4th Monday - TBD

Support each other!

I am encouraging each clergy member to connect with other Disciples Ministers in your area. The Central Arkansas Clergy group meets each month on the fourth Monday to fellowship and support each other. The same thing is happening in Northwest Arkansas on the third Wednesday of each month. If your area does not have a group like this, please consider reaching out to the clergy members around you to start this important practice of self-care and service to your colleague in Christ.

• Healthy Boundaries - November 7 - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Park Hill CC
• Board Meeting and Annual Gathering - November 8 - Park Hill CC
• Fall Fandango - November 14-16

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