Your Mid-America News

Update March 11, 2026

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Upcoming Events

March

10-12 - Black Ministers Retreat, Virginia Beach

14 - Mid-America Men & Friends Gathering, 10-3, House Springs

15 - Pastoral Installation Service, Second CC Jefferson City, 3:00pm

15 - DHM Student Scholarship Program applications due

16 - Justice & Creation Summer Fellowship Applications Due

16-18 - Commission on the Order of Ministry meeting, Jefferson City

16 - ARPRJM Online Book Study, 7pm

19 - EPL Risk Management 360:Smart Hiring, Compliance, & Litigation Readiness, IB webinar, 1:00pm

2026 Summer Camp

Our summer camp dates have been set and registration information will be coming soon! Mark your calendar now and start getting ready for another great camp season! (Click here or on image to enlarge.)

Don't Forget

Our Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling Justice Ministries online book study continues on Monday evening, March 16. All are invited, even if you haven't attended earlier sessions! Learn more & register>

DHM scholarship applications are due by March 15th.

Reconciliation grant applications are due by March 31.

Congregational reporting in ALEX is due by March 31. Please contact the St. Louis Regional office with questions.

Bridgeton Fund grants are currently available. Applications due May 31.

What Would Your Congregation Do with a Reconciliation Grant?

Does your church have an idea for how to dismantle racism in your community but lack the funds to put your plan into action? Apply for a Reconciliation Grant and make it happen! Applications due March 31.

FCC Edwardsville Donates Parking Lot to Local Food Pantry

On Friday, February 6, the Glen Ed Pantry New Building Campaign received a donation of $45,000 from First Christian Church, Edwardsville, IL.

The congregation has been a strong supporter of the Glen Ed Pantry throughout the Pantry’s 40+ year history. When the new building campaign was initiated in early 2025, First Christian was one of the first pledges toward the new facility. The church is excited to provide for the parking area of the new Pantry. The funds are donated in honor of the many generations of disciples at First Christian committed to the vital community work of feeding the hungry – past and future.

Read more here>

Labels

A Lenten message from Associate Regional Minister Rev. David Woodard.

Labels. Labels are great when it comes to quickly identifying where something is located. I was recently in a church kitchen and sliced my finger with a knife. I was able to quickly find the first aid kit and grabbed a band aid. So labels can be great when you’re needing to find something quickly that might otherwise be hidden.

Labels, however, are not great when we apply them to people or ideals. In fact they can be deadly, severing relationships and depriving others of their humanity. But for some reason, we are obsessed with labeling people. We want to sum up someone quickly and then put them in a nice, tight box while saying, “This is who they are and this is all they ever will be.”

Read the whole message here>

Disciples Men Retreat

Our Mid-America Men & Friends are invited to the Shannondale Christian Men's Ozarks Getaway & Retreat this Spring. The event will held May 1-3 at Shannondale Center near Salem, MO. $100 includes lodging and food. Please contact Regional Minister Paul Koch if you plan to attend. Learn more here>

Older Adult Ministries Webinar 4/15

There are many types of loss and grief in our lives, and when grief is unresolved it can damage our health and psyche. Join us for this webinar and hear from three experienced guides on what they have learned and how others may benefit from support and resources. Learn from your own losses and share what you know. You will come away with proven examples of programs and practices.

The free virtual webinar will take place at 11:00am CT. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Learn more and register here>

From the Wider Church

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

Disciples Peace Fellowship Seeks Mission Director

Applications for the part-time position of Director for Mission Support and Peace Intern Program are due by March 15th.

Learn more and apply here>

Has your community of faith wondered about Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF)’s financial, building planning, and ministry services or how they can support its place of worship? If so, this is its opportunity to get a deep dive! Host and Creative Writer/Digital Media Specialist Nadine Compton will be covering it all—from initial consultations to capital campaign guidance—on March 16 at 2:00 PM with guest and Senior Director of Services Rev. Richard Williams at DCEF’s first Facebook Live Q&A event. So save the date and come with your questions ready! Register here>

Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy

Tuesdays, March 24 – April 28

Six weeks of free, live online training on providing emotional and spiritual care during disasters. Every Tuesday, 10–11:30am Central. Topics include trauma-informed disaster response, suicide prevention, building resilience, and more. Offered by Week of Compassion in partnership with Church World Service, Crisis Care Ministries, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Sessions are not recorded—register to attend live.