Blessed are the PeaceMAKERS

Associate Regional Minster David Woodard shares a message for the new year.

If you're like me, every new year begins with the same prayer: "Lord, let this year being peace, good health and wellness, and prosperity." But maybe it's time for a new prayer.

Too often we let things - external and internal forces - define us. We sit back and wait for blessings to come to us; for God to come to us with gifts and blessings as if Heaven and Santa's workshop are both located in the North Pole.

Maybe this year we need to be less passive. Perhaps this year our prayer isn't for God to come to us, but for us to go and be where God already is: In the school houses and street corners, in the prisons and soup kitchens, on the streets and the underpasses, in tents and in hospitals, in refugee camps and immigrant communities. Could this be the year that we actually step into our calling and *make* it a good year?

After all when preaching his sermon on the mount, Jesus never said "blessed are the peace-wishers, or peace-prayers, or peace-hopers." In fact he said, "Blessed are the peace-makers."

So this year, in 2026, let us work intentionally and together to make this a good year; a year of peace, and wellness, and prosperity, because we choose to live in love and justice.

Friday Night Freedom

On January 2nd, First Christian Church in California hosted the first Friday Night Freedom Group. Friday Night Freedom is a recovery group that is focused on recovery from ALL addiction. This first meeting saw 20 people in attendance! The meeting is led by an interdenominational ministry team and mental health professionals. Each meeting starts with worship, followed by work in a Christian recovery curriculum. Friday Night Freedom will meet every Friday night from 7:00pm to 8:00pm and all are welcome! For more information, please contact Pastor Kevin King.

Ordinations on Saturday

Congratulations to Teila Creekmore and M. Faye Vaughn who will be ordained this Saturday at Brentwood Christian Church in Springfield, and First Christian Church in Frankford respectively.

Safe Sanctuary

As a community of faith, we must be committed to creating and maintaining programs, facilities; and a community in which members, friends, staff and volunteers can worship, learn, and work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, exploitation or intimidation. This is not only good policy, most insurance carriers mandate congregations have a Safe Sanctuary Policy and require regular training.

In 2026, Rev. Zane Whorton and Rev. David Woodard will be leading Safe Sanctuary training for congregations throughout our Region. The first training will take place on Saturday, January 24 at Community Christian Church in Jefferson City from 10-1. The cost is $20 per congregation that participates - NOT PER PERSON. Cost includes materials and lunch. Register online now>

More dates will be added after the first of the year so that a training can take place relatively close to everyone.

Church Safety Class 1/21

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm, the Missouri Highway Patrol will conduct a church safety class at First Christian Church in Plattsburg. The class will last approximately an hour and a half, and will cover such topics as church safety, situational awareness, and what to do if a security incident occurs. Churches and anyone wanting to learn about safety are welcome. For information contact Pastor Jim DePriest at (816) 645.2435. RSVPs would be helpful.