LIVING INTO COVENANT

Rev. Dr. Nearline Anderson

Associate Regional Minister, MS

Covenant is a relationship formalized between individuals and/or groups. In the New Testament, Jesus represents the New Covenant providing expectations governed by grace to attend to God’s creation. Simply put, covenant is lived out by using our varying gifts and talents to encourage, empower and energize God’s people to strive to be a “Want To” church.

As we journey through our “salvation story,” we are faced with the questions, “Where is God calling me?” “What is God calling me to do with the gifts with which I have been graced?” While God was already at work in the world when we showed up, the best we can do is seek to serve according to God’s plans for us as individuals as well as a collective body of believers. We do not travel in this world alone! While this journey is not easy, with God all things are possible!

Rev. Dr. Bill Lee, Pastor Emeritus of Louden Avenue Christian Church (DOC), Roanoke, Virginia stated it best in his video in the Covenant Materials. “The bonds of Christian faith lived out by a congregation’s practice of living in covenant with Christ, is larger than just the local congregation. There is no way we can say we are “in covenant” but not live “in covenant.” Being intentional involves caring for our covenantal partners. Covenant in the biblical reference carries a relational connotation.”

Rev. Lee urged his congregation (and all of us) to return to the covenant shared at the Communion table during the Passover meal where Jesus said, “A new covenant I make with you.” This covenant of love that God built with us through the blood of Jesus Christ, is the covenant that we celebrate and co-labor to fulfill. “In the bonds of Christian faith, we yield ourselves to God, that we may serve the one, whose Kingdom has no end” (Affirmation of Faith found in the Preamble to the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

"Virtual Brown Bag Clergy Luncheon"

February 28, at 11:30 am. on Zoom

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks

Connection Christian Church

Odessa, Texas

Rev. Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks heard her calling to ministry at youth camp. She pursued God's call as she received her B.A. from Baylor University, her M. Div. from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, and her D.Min. from St. Paul School of Theology. She was ordained in the Southern Baptist church and served as an associate minister in that denomination before becoming a Disciples of Christ minister in 1999. She pastored churches in Lubbock, Texas; Miami, Texas; and Rowlett, Texas; and in Raytown, Missouri. She is now the co-pastor of Connection Christian Church in Odessa, Texas, with her husband, Rev. Dr. Joe Weaks. Dawn is a frequent keynoter at events nationwide, and you can find her writing published in a variety of venues. Her recent book Breakthrough: Trusting God with Big Change in Your Church from Chalice Press tells the story of her church's transformation. Dawn has three passions: her family, her relationship with God, and helping others hear and live out the calling God gives to them.

The ALEX Reporting system has been open for 6 weeks. We see 19% of our congregations have completed their information. Let's strive towards achieving 100% participation. If you require assistance to complete your reporting, please do not hesitate to contact Kim at the Great River Regional office by phone 501-562-6053 or email. [email protected]

Together, we can make it happen.

Follow the link below to report your information

Bailey Institute- Elders Study

Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Nearline Anderson

Associate Regional Minister of Mississippi

What is God calling you to do in the role of Elder?

Whatever it is, you must have a heart for it!

7:00-8:00 PM

February 29, March 14 &28, April 11 & 25, and May 9

For more information please click the link to register and read more information.

Calling all Youth ages 14-18

First Christian Church

2803 Kiehl Ave.

Sherwood, AR 72120

Come to listen and be heard by our Disciples Home Mission leadership to shape the future of Youth Events in the region and the general church. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch is provided. Registration link below.

Seminarian Scholarship

Office of Christian Vocation is reminding you all about the applications for Seminarian Scholarships. The deadline to receive applications for the 2024/25 academic year is March 15, 2024, with additional month, trough April 15, to submit official academic transcripts and references.

Please Click on link below to give you more information:

Disciples Home Mission launching of the "Young Adult Kinections" hosted by Rev. Alexis Tardy this will be held VIA ZOOM. 

The Ohio Association of Parliamentarians

The Ohio Association of Parliamentarians is sponsoring a free parliamentary workshop on zoom March 9. Registration ends February 23. Please register with link below.

 The Voice of Disciples Men is a new PODCAST for 2024. Sign up to get access to the podcasts as soon as they are released. 

A NEW EPISODE DROPPED TODAY! Sign up and listen.

Church Narrative Project

At the Annual Gathering at Park Hill Christian Church in early November, we began sharing our stories. As the stories evolve, Rev. Yvonne Gilmore is requesting that the regions who have begun this transformative conversation, come together by Zoom this February. We will plan to meet on February 24, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CST). We will be meeting with seven other regions who have also begun this transformative work. 

The National Benevolent Association's (NBA) has announced the launch of its inaugural Black Women's Leadership Experience (BWLE) for ages 23-30. The program is looking to select five young women for this experience, and the deadline for applications is Friday, March 8, 2024. The BWLE is a unique opportunity for young black women to develop their leadership skills and gain valuable experience. To learn more about the program and apply, please click on the link below. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to grow and excel in your leadership journey.

Great River Region Clergy Retreat

April 25-27

Doubletree Hotel in the beautiful town of Hot Springs, Arkansas

Plans are underway for a meaningful time of rest and renewal for all Clergy serving in the Great River Region. We will gather in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 25-27. The retreat theme is “Life in Life Abundantly!” Rev. Virzola Law will be our facilitator and will guide us in meaningful discussions regrading Life and Life Abundantly. Rev. Law is the Senior Minister of Northway Christian Church in Dallas, Texas.

This will be Dr. Burton's last clergy event with the Great River Region. Please make plans to attend. 

Arkansas

Spring Event

April 6

9 AM- Noon. Lunch

First Christian Church

14411 Taylor Loop Road

Little Rock, 72216

Louisiana

Spring Event

April 6

9AM-1PM

Grace Point Christian Fellowship

2525 2nd Ave.

Lake Charles, LA 70601

Mississippi

Spring Event

April 20

Near Jackson, MS

TBD



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

• FCC Bossier City, LA
• FCC Mammoth Spring, AR
• FCC Stuttgart, AR
• FCC Fort Smith, AR
• Grace Point Christian Fellowship, Lake Charles, LA
• FCC Harrison, AR
• FCC Leesville, LA

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

For more information please click the link to register and read more information.

Clergy Fellowship Opportunity

• Central Arkansas Clergy-Every 4th Monday @ 11:30 A.M.
• Northwest Arkansas Clergy- Every 3rd Wednesday
• Brown Bag Clergy Zoom Call- Every 4th Wednesday @11:30 A.M

Disciples History and Polity 

This course will present an overview of the history and practices of the Stone-Campbell movement as foundational to its current forms of Disciples worship, missions, and ministry: denominationally, ecumenically, and culturally.

*Please note this course week runs from Sunday-Thursday. The start date for class will be March 3rd.

The online course is from March 3-April 27, 2024. The price of the course is $100. 

Instructor: Rev. Jeff Gill

2024 Association of Disciple Musicians Conference July 22-26 in Tulsa, OK.

Registration Form /ADM Newsletter links are below.

• Snoasis - February 23-25
• BFF youth listening session- March 9
• Regional Board Meeting - March 15-16
• Black Ministry Retreat- March 12-14
• DW State Spring Events -
• Arkansas - April 6
• Misssissippi - April 20
• Louisiana - TBD
• GRR Clergy Retreat - April 25-27
• ROSES Interregional DW Gathering - June 28-29
• DW Fall Retreat - September 6-8
• Regional Assembly- November 1-3