Your Mid-America News

Black Leadership Project grants, to fund events, activities, are resources that develop, nurture, and strengthen leadership in African American Disciples congregations - Due May 31. Learn more>

Bridgeton Fund grants, to help meet a church's temporary financial need - Due May 31. Learn more>

Christian Ministry Scholarships, through the Disciples Women to help support those studying for Christian Ministry - Due May 31. Learn more>

Orchard Chest Camp Scholarships, to help pay registration fees for summer camp - Due June 1. Learn more>

CCMA Seeking Remote Ministry Associate

Our Personnel Committee has assessed our staffing needs and developed a Remote Ministry Associate position to support our Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry and maintain our clergy records.

This part-time contract position will include occasional travel for meetings, but will otherwise be remote so the candidate could be located anywhere in the Region.

Looking to fill as soon as possible. Find more information, including application process, here>

Got Handbells?

Olivet Christian Church in Columbia is looking for a set of used hand chimes or handbells. If any congregation is looking to get rid of theirs, please email office@olivetchristian.org.

Need Drapes?

Hannibal FCC has a set of brand new draperies that need a home. Find details here and contact the church for more information.

Women Empowering Women in Ministry

Women Empowering Women gathered once again this week, this time in Jefferson City. The host for this event was Rev Heather Patten and First Christian Church; thank you for such wonderful hospitality!

Heather's message was very moving, LeWanda's icebreaker once again super, Sharae's prayer beads were a hit, Breck shared her Beer & Bible study group, lunch was great, we shared pictures and memories about our mothers and mother figures, and spoke of the challenges we face in today's world as women in ministry settings. Our connecting was beautiful. BUILDING COMMUNITY!!

We are blessed to have many powerful women supporting one another, building an incredible community of women supporting women in ministry. Watch for more details to come, but mark your calendar now for the next gathering at Willow Street CC in Hannibal on Monday, August 10th!

It's Not Too Late!

If your congregation still hasn't submitted an annual report in our ALEX database, you're in luck! You can still report your 2025 summary data for our denominational records.

Start here and contact the St. Louis Regional office if you need help.

A Report of Hope

Pastor Stephanie Himmel represents our Mid-America Region at General Board meetings. She brings back this message from their meeting last month in Indianapolis.

Last month, I had the privilege of gathering with Disciples from across the church at the General Board meeting, and I came home with something I want to make sure reaches you: good news.

I came back from this year’s meeting encouraged.

Not just informed or updated, but genuinely encouraged, which felt like a gift, because the world we’re living in does not seem to hand out encouragement freely.

She ended her report with this:

There is much in our world that calls us to grieve, and we must continue to weep with those who weep. But we are a people of resurrection hope who press on knowing the Spirit is not finished with us yet.

Read her full report here>

Chaplain Polley

Congratulations to FCC Kirksville pastor Rev. Tim Polley as he has just been commissioned as a chaplain with the Missouri Highway Patrol. He is pictured here (on left) with Trooper Cody Snyder.

This very special event has been planned for June 18-20 at the beautiful Jabez Retreat Center in Mooresville.

The Native American inspired art of drum building is a sacred spiritual practice involving a ceremony where the drum is created with intention as a living, sacred instrument.

Come learn more about this traditional practice and make your own drum if you choose!

There are a few spots still available, but please get registered soon!

Learn more and register now>

Salad Luncheon in Bolivar

The Disciples Women of First Christian Church in Bolivar had their annual Salad luncheon last Wednesday and invited the ladies of Faith CC in Buffalo. There were twenty-five women present and they shared food, fellowship, and a great message about prayer.

From the Wider Church

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

The Big Reveal: Reading & Responding to Revelation

Eden Theological Seminary invites all to this new ministry cohort that will meet online three times this summer.

May 21, June 25, July 23 - (6-7:30 each night)

The group will take a close look at Revelation, the apocalyptic genre, Revelation's reception history, and many of the interpretive moves that various groups make. They'll work to examine this text and its message to determine whether it can inspire us to embrace its final words - The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

Ministry Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic.

This cohort is created and facilitated by Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore, pastor of Webster Groves CC and affiliate faculty member at Eden.

Learn more and register>

Pentecost Offering for New Church

Putting love into action: a regional new church perspective

“If we want to have a future as a denomination, we need to take seriously our mission to make Disciples and be a movement for wholeness. Supporting new churches and leaders is essential.”

As the Associate Regional Minister of New Church in the Greater Kansas City Region, Rev. Amy Shoemaker is passionate about emerging and affiliating congregations. For her, the Pentecost Offering is an opportunity where Disciples not only can proclaim that the Church’s future Church matters, but also to demonstrate to the most vulnerable clergy that their work is important.

Learn more

Faithful Financial Leadership for Congregations

Take time this summer to strengthen one of the most critical—and often most complex—areas of congregational life: financial ministry.

This four-session webinar series is designed for pastors, treasurers, and church leaders who want to lead with clarity, integrity, and confidence. Across four 90-minute sessions, you’ll gain practical tools for:

Church budgeting and financial systems
Interpreting financial reports
Strengthening internal controls
Building trust through transparency and accountability

This series equips you to align your congregation’s financial practices with its mission—so you can enter the fall season prepared for faithful, strategic planning.

Learn more & register here>

Clergy Conference Opportunities