Disciples Churches Stand in Solidarity

With the shooting that targeted a gay night club in Orlando, Florida in the early morning hours of June 12, it was especially important for churches in the area to join those in the LGBTQ community in solidarity. Clergy and members from a number of Disciples of Christ congregations in Springfield attended the Candlelight Vigil for Orlando at the GLO Center on Commercial Street on Friday evening, June 17. It was an evening of tears, silence, remembrance and calls to action.

Saturday, June 18 was the Greater Ozarks Pridefest. People from all over walked in the Equality march, expressing joy, hope, and solidarity. Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler joined them carrying a sign that read. "As a pastor, I want you to know you are loved beyond your wildest imagination just as you are." Brentwood Christian Church and National Avenue Christian Church joined forces by having booths side by side at Pridefest, along with a handful of other churches, showing the inclusive and welcoming love of God to a community in deep need of that word of love and welcome. 

On Sunday morning, in worship at Brentwood Christian Church, 49 tealights were lit in silence to remember the precious lives taken in the shooting at Pulse and Rev. Bowen-Marler preached a sermon on the importance of being a prophetic voice, especially in times like this. Below you will find a link to the audio recording and manuscript of the sermon.
https://brentwoodchristianchurch.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/a-sermon-in-response-to-orlando-june-19-2016/

Story and photos sent by Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler, Associate Minister Brentwood Christian Church.

Olivet CC in Center Focuses on Welcoming Worship

Olivet Christian Church of Center, MO is a community of believers that established some 145 years ago in this then, bustling town.  Over the years this church has seen many programs, missionary work, choirs, community service and diligent disciples working with passion to build the community of believers in God’s Kingdom.

Over the years, our community of Center, MO has downsized as the world of technology and large industry abound.  Center is a farming community and is a family environment where all lend a hand and work together for the good of the community and one another.  The brisk growth of society and business has caused Center to become a very small town of approximately 508 in population.

Olivet Christian Church continues to be strong over these years of change in its town.  Our church continues to be active in community service, very active CWF whose primary mission service project is raising money for the P.E.T. mobile units, monthly congregational dinners, Thanksgiving Dinner shared with 2nd Christian Church of New London, Easter Sunrise Breakfast following that service, Good Friday Community Worship and Breakfast, and much more.

Our Traditional Worship Service gathers every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. with an average attendance of about 35 – 40 with about 4 – 6 children as we often have visiting grandchildren join us.

As I have pondered our worship styles and a desire to see a way to interest more people in our community to join us for worship, I began dreaming.  Music has always been a very important and intense part of my personal worship joy.  Quiet and gentle worship has always spoken to my heart as well.  My dreaming moved me to create a new Praise and Worship Service that has become “Journey to the Well”. 

This name came to me through prayer reminding me that as a pastor, I am called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and model what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ authentically in my daily living practices. I am called to encourage others to see the goodness of living as a Child of God and pray their desire will grow to engage in that relationship with Jesus Christ.  I am called to help others in their journey to be fed the living waters of Jesus Christ, and thus the name was created.

Initially, I felt challenged in my ministry at Olivet Christian Church to grow our membership.  For a few months, I spent long hours pondering and praying about how I would be able to do this realizing that we are not a population-growing community.  I was not coming up with ideas or confirmation that I was to be focusing on growing numbers along with the new programs that I have begun since beginning my ministry at Olivet.

Recently, God revealed how my Call and this service was to evolve.  I realized that the purpose of my Call to develop this service is to help the flock experience the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives allowing them to deepen and flourish in their relationship with God.  By offering this design for worship, it is my prayer that those gathered will feel the power of God and the goodness He has to evoke upon them in an even deeper relationship on their faith journey.  As we have this experience in the 9 a.m. service, I felt the call to develop this new design for the flock and start Journey to the Well.

This is a service that incorporates a more contemporary style of music outside of our Disciples Hymnal, and yet not a loud very contemporary band sound.  The music speaks to joyful gathering for worship, quieting to prepare to move closer to God as the Word is shared, centering music as we prepare to go to The Table, and then closing with upbeat and exciting send-off music praising God for all of the glory and goodness that we embrace as His children.

A pedestal stands mid-way down the aisle with a wooden box that has “Our Gifts” painted on it giving folk an opportunity to drop a love offering in the box as their gift to the Kingdom.  There is no formal offering collected during the service.

As folk come forward to receive the Holy Meal by Intinction, a Prayer Box is on the altar allowing folks to leave any specific prayer requests they choose to share quietly, rather than spoken during our Joys and Concerns in the service.

We close this service with a great inspiring song that will move people to be joyful for their life with Christ, feeling His presence within them desiring to go out into all the world and share their testimony with others.  It is hopeful also, that by sending out with joyful music, this will be a format that will carry each one through their week, remembering their worship experience at Journey to the Well.

While attendance may be light, the spirit moves in this place and God’s presence is very strong for all who come.  Where two or more are gathered, we will have worship at Journey to the Well.

We welcome all to come just as you are, to embrace the love of God, share in joyful noise, be still and ponder in prayer and meditation, and be moved to seek a closer walk with our Lord.

Come, and be fed through the Word and Way of Jesus the Christ!  Journey to the Well gathers each Sunday at 11:15 a.m.  We look forward to seeing you and worshipping with you!

Pastor Laura Beth Zeh
Olivet Christian Church
200 N. Foster Street
Center, MO
573-822-467

St. Charles Christian Church 2.0: Hospitality and Mission Edition

St. Charles Christian Church is a 60 year old congregation that has been through its share of transition.  Ten years ago, with dwindling attendance and an aging and sprawling campus, the congregation made a difficult decision: they chose to sell the church building to a local non-profit.  They took a leap of faith and moved to a much smaller, modern building in a new neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of St. Charles, Missouri.  This development, aptly named “New Town”, is a New Urbanist neighborhood (think Seaside, Florida) in the corn fields, smack dab in the middle of the rich farmland that serves as the convergence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

This was the ultimate leap of faith for this formerly vibrant and bustling faith community that, at that moment, had a lot more heart than they had members.

Those first years were challenging.  Through constant dialogue, much forgiveness and flexibility, a commitment to a ministry that was stronger than the struggles…and the renewing and refreshing grace of God…we now find ourselves a rapidly growing hub of fellowship, family and faith in this diverse neighborhood and in the greater community as well.

It seems we have been in a constant state of prayer around here. Prayers for guidance, prayers for understanding, prayers for forgiveness, prayers for courage, prayers for leadership, prayers for stewardship and many - so many, prayers of thanksgiving.

Now, God’s vision for us is starting to become crystal clear.  We have thrown the church doors wide open and are working as disciples to show the love and encouragement of our Creator to believers, seekers, those with questions, those with concerns and those seeking community. 

Each and every day here at SCCC is a study of going beyond our membership to welcome others into our safe and loving family. This place is not quiet.  We have reinvented “sacred space” to be the place where the work of welcome and encouragement lives.  There really aren’t any spots in this home that aren’t regularly moved around and used to their full potential.  Here are a few examples:

  • During the school year our children’s Sunday School rooms are used on a daily basis for Preschool, Parents Day Out Programming and MOPS activities.
  • In summer, we are busting at the seams with youth.  We partner with a local daycare that uses our sanctuary, narthex and the entirety of New Town to provide Camp Glory, a day camp that is home to over 60 elementary-aged children. We host a Preschool Day Camp two days a week for nine little ones. Additionally, we have an average of 15 middle school youth who come over to get out of the house and hang out with friends with our Ignite Middle School Day Camp. There they have fellowship, do mission work, go on field trips and make weekly visits to the neighborhood pool.
  • Our Service Team and Disciples Women are in constant Mission Mode hosting year round food drives, two blood drives, appreciation events for first responders and other creative and community building activities.
  • The broader community joins us each November to pack hundreds of boxes to send overseas for Operation Christmas Child.  Our goal this year is 1,000 boxes that will share the message and love of Christ with disadvantaged children around the world.

There are so many things to celebrate here.  We could go on for pages.  Most importantly though, we are overjoyed that we get to be God’s hands and feet daily here – in a variety of ways.

It’s a very good day here at St. Charles Christian Church.  We invite you to check out our website at www.stcharleschristianchurch.org or contact Pastor Chris Franklin at chrisfranklin@stcharleschristianchurch.org.  

Story by Susie Pundmann, St. Charles CC Youth Director

Wonderful Partnership in St. Joseph

When I arrived at First Christian almost three years ago to begin work as the lead pastor, I was excited to learn that we were sharing the building with another congregation, one whose cultural experiences, language, and approach to worship is quite different from my own. This congregation, the Chuukese Church, is made up of individuals from the Micronesian island of Chuk (located between Australia and the Hawaiian Islands). Some of the Chuukese people settled in St. Joseph for work and soon friends and family followed. Though most of the Chuukese population is Catholic, a small group of protestants were seeking out a church building where they might meet to hold worship and Bible study. One day their pastor, Is Phillik, happened to drive by First Christian and spotted our custodian out mowing the lawn. He approached him about possibly using the building and our relationship was born.

Initially our two groups simply shared the church, often only encountering each other by accident, as First Christian worshipped in the sanctuary early in the morning on Sundays, and The Chuukese Church worshipped later in the afternoon in the fellowship hall. Some of my congregation, in fact, were only vaguely aware that there was another group occupying the building.

But this all changed as Is, the Chuukese pastor, invited me to begin meeting regularly with him, pastor to pastor, for conversation -- talking about our ministries, our people, our goals, and our struggles as ministers of the gospel. The more we talked, the more we realized that others in our congregations could benefit from this kind of sharing. Our first real step toward a cooperative relationship began three years ago as we gathered for a joint Vacation Bible School. The children of our two groups took the lead toward true fellowship as they gathered for singing, laughing, praying, and learning together.

Several months later, our two groups joined again, this time for Sunday worship in observance of World Communion Sunday. On that day the entire worship experience was presented in both Chuukese and English. I preached on that Sunday, while Is translated. This was the day that I learned, sometimes to everyone's laughter, that you cannot always easily translate from English to Chuukese. My mention of "Oreos and milk" as a summer camp substitute for bread and wine at the communion table provided a challenge for Is in the translation and brought some confused stares from the Chuukese. But the most important message was heard loud and clear -- we are not one body in Christ in spite of our differences, but in celebration of the variety of gifts that we each share in the Kingdom of God.

Our two families of faith continued to occasionally worship together, and in time we developed office space for Is and his leaders, even as their congregation continued to grow and need more space in the building for study and worship. And each time I shared with my congregation that our Chuukese friends were expanding their hours and their use of the church building, the reaction was always one of gratitude. For what is the point of having a large building if it is not being used as much as possible for ministry?

The next big step in our partnership together was for an event we celebrate several times a year called Worship Without Walls. On this day, we gather on Sunday morning for a short time of worship in the sanctuary, and then we split up into smaller groups and go out to serve the community in mission. Each of those groups were made up of persons from both First Christian and The Chuukese Church, as together we served by feeding the hungry, painting at a women's shelter, cleaning up the neighborhood, and singing at a nursing home. After a few hours, we all gathered back at the church, some of us a little dirtier and a little tired, and we shared in a meal together, closing out our Worship Without Walls time with communion, fellowship, singing and prayer.

The partnership between our two churches continues to grow. Our Chuukese friends have helped with many maintenance projects around the building and taught us to consider new expressions of worship. We have had the privilege to be of help when members of the Chuukese Church have been in need of furniture, baby supplies, or other household items. My congregation has moved beyond thinking of the Chuukese Church as a group using "our" building. Rather, we understand that we are one body of Christ, wonderfully diverse, sharing a space that was gifted to us by others and which we hopefully will gift to future congregations.

As we look ahead to what I hope will be a future of continued shared ministry between First Christian and The Chuukese Church, I'm reminded of Jesus' parable of the mustard seed. Jesus taught: “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a bush, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Jesus could have chosen to speak of the kingdom of God as if it were a mighty tree, like an oak or breadfruit or coconut tree. But instead he describes it as a bush that grows from the tiniest seed. Perhaps a reminder that from small beginnings can come great things, if the seed is planted in the rich soil of God's amazing and diverse creation. 

Rev. Brian Kirk, Lead Pastor
First Christian Church, St. Joseph

South Joplin CC Partners with Local School

Over the years South Joplin Christian Church has taken a vested interest in meeting the needs of children in the Joplin community.  Becoming more aware of the opportunities within the Joplin Public School system, the Outreach Committee encouraged the congregation to participate in the Adopt-a-Classroom program and became actively involved a year or two prior to the Joplin tornado.  The congregation adopted Mrs. Shelby Frakes’ second grade class.  Mrs. Frakes was a first year teacher and the assistance with much needed items for her students and other teaching supplies was a great support.  Then came the tornado and much more was needed as Emerson Elementary School was one of the schools that was severely damaged in the tornado.  The congregation found itself doing even more to meet the needs of the students and their teacher on a greater level.

With the addition of a Minister of Mission and Outreach in 2012, the congregation was encouraged to take things a step further and officially signed the agreement to become a Bright Futures Joplin Faith-Based partner with Emerson Elementary.  Bright Futures is a grass roots, community based program that creates partnerships and utilizes community resources for the common goal of helping kids and strengthening families and community. The organization has created a system of support for the children within its schools that educators can utilize. The organization further provides the opportunity for business, faith-based and social agencies/organizations to partner to work together within an assigned school.   In 2014 the new Irving Elementary School opened its doors as a merger of Emerson and Irving, two of the schools that were destroyed in the tornado. South Joplin has continued to this day its commitment as a Bright Futures partner which began at Emerson. 

With the guidance and encouragement of Bright Futures representatives and staff over these four years, the congregation has become genuinely committed to the principles and goals of bringing about cultural change and building a community where education is important and valued.   Believing that each and every student is priceless, South Joplin realizes its responsibility to help them succeed.  Because of the congregation’s evolving understanding of risk-taking mission and service and the relationship forged with Irving Elementary, the school principal, counselor and teachers have called upon South Joplin at various times to help meet specific needs for both students and teachers that were not able to be met directly by Bright Futures or the school. 

As the partnership with Irving has continued to strengthen, so has the dedication of the congregation.  One indicator has been the increase in congregational members becoming involved in various ways to meet the needs at the school; assembling weekly Snack Packs, becoming Lunch PALs, purchasing shoes, medication, 2015 Christmas gifts for two families, etc.  South Joplin has taken a leadership role among Irving’s partners being an active part of the Site Council which oversees the implementation of the Bright Futures program within the school.  The Site Council works along-side the principle and, for the past two years, the Irving Student Council.  In 2013 South Joplin presented a proposal to organize an Annual Art Fair to showcase the talent of the students and local artists in the community, an event that now funds the Irving College Bound Program.  These funds provide financial support for the annual college visits for each grade level.  With the desire to help students increase reading levels, a proposal was presented to the principal to start a reading club or something similar to engage those students who were below grade level.  In January a pilot Wednesday Morning Tutoring Program was unveiled which proved successful and hopefully will continue in the new school year.  Reading with a student at 7:15 a.m. is pretty early especially when you are not a morning person but South Joplin provided four of the eight volunteers.  For years South Joplin has participated in the national Souper Bowl of Caring.  In 2015 and 2016 Irving Elementary and the other partners joined in this effort, learning the importance of community outreach.

During the latter part of the 2014-15 school year the Site Council launched First Friday Reading Day, a program that has become a real hit with the students and teachers.  This school year South Joplin had thirteen members volunteer throughout the school year for this program.  Each reader was assigned to read to one or two classes with many of the volunteers taking time to choose books and teach lessons from the stories’ themes.  Now it is not unusual to be greeted at the mall or somewhere in town by a student who, with a huge smile says to a parent, “That’s the lady that reads to our class.”  Volunteers can hardly find the words to express how their lives have been touched by this experience and are looking forward to the next school year.

South Joplin has chosen not to hesitate to step up when student needs are made known and some needs fall outside the norm of expectation.  This past year one student and her family found themselves facing the terminal illness and subsequent death of her mother.  The school counselor made one simple request to the Site Council.  “Is it possible for members of your congregations to provide meals throughout the week for this family?”  When the plea was made to the congregation there was an overwhelming response.  Meals were provided for a couple of months until the mother’s death.  At that time the father found himself in a situation of wanting to have a memorial service for his wife but having no affiliation with any church or congregation.  Not knowing what to do he confided in one of SJCC’s elders who immediately informed him that he was sure the pastors and congregation would offer their services.  And yes, South Joplin embraced the family and hosted/officiated a memorial service for that family helping bring closure in their time of grief.

The Bright Futures platform has provided an avenue of mission and service that has provided South Joplin with many opportunities to engage its members in ways that this congregation would never have imagined.  “Mission in action” is not just a motto for South Joplin but how they have come to be an integral part in the lives of the students at Irving Elementary.

Story and photos courtesy of Rev. Kathryn Wilson, South Joplin CC Minister of Mission & Outreach.

42nd Annual Hike Against Hunger

On April 23rd Memorial Boulevard Christian Church held its’ 42nd Annual Hike Against Hunger. On a beautiful day, 41 people from St Louis area churches walked 532.2 kilometers for West Timor, Indonesia where food has spoiled due to toxins that contaminate the seed and the produce, causing illness or death, especially in children. The money raised will provide safe storage containers for food and/or seeds. The goal is to raise $12,000: $10,000 for West Timor; $1,000 for Memorial’s Food Bank and $1,000 for the Week of Compassion endowment fund.

Pre-hike instruction from Mary Kay Campbell

Forty-one years ago, Vera Parks, an Elder at Memorial, asked Rev Rhodes Thompson, the Pastor, to sponsor her in a Crop Walk. Rev Rhodes is reported to have said, “Why don’t we do our own Hike for Hunger?” That’s how Memorial Boulevard Christian Church began its Annual Hike for Hunger. In the ’80’s, the name was changed to the Hike Against Hunger by Rev Will Miller who said, “We’re not hiking ‘for’ hunger. We’re hiking ‘against’ hunger.”

 

Andy Olree & Rev Caroline Hamilton-Arnold, Associate Director of Week of Compassion, relax after the Hike.

With a few exceptions, the Hike has benefited a part of the world where hunger issues are great. The particular country and need is chosen with the help of the staff at Week of Compassion in conjunction with people at Memorial. The intention has been to move around the world and benefit the neediest people in any given year. As of 2015, we’d raised $452,020.33 with the Hike. The Hike is a great source of joy to members of Memorial. It demonstrates how one person with an idea can spark others to work together to benefit many with God’s help and make a BIG difference!

It is still not too late to make a donation, either to Week of Compassion marked for Memorial’s Hike Against Hunger or to Memorial Boulevard Christian Church marked Hike Against Hunger. Money will be collected over the next several months. 

Story and photos courtesy of Memorial Boulevard
Christian Church pastor Rev. Margie Pride.

Reflecting on the Past and Visions of God's Call for the Future

Elena Huegel at Centro Shalom in the foothills of the Andes.  This was taken from a photo with her journal story on leaving Chile.

How appropriate to reflect on the visit of Elena Huegel to the Region of Mid-America as we celebrate Pentecost and the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 we read "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  Elena has been a witness in Chile, which actually means the end of the earth. When she was here, she reminded us that God calls us to be witnesses where we live. 

Global Ministries is a combined ministry of the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ, whose mission is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ by joining with partners throughout the world to work for justice, reconciliation and peace. These partners are Disciples, United Churches of Christ,  other denominations & Christian organizations.  Missionaries are called to various countries as a result of the discernment process which includes: the missionaries, Global Ministries and our partners. For example, when Elena went to Chile, she worked with our partner, the Pentecostal Church of Chile.

Elena helped the church set up a Sunday School program for the children.  As a result of her interaction with the children and their teachers, they realized there was a need for further development through a camp that was named the Shalom Center, located in the foothills of the Andes. Their mission focuses on faith development, growth and transformation. It also re-enforces the dignity and creativity of each person as well as creating a safe place for those who come. 

Elena reminded us that one goal of a missionary is to train leaders who will continue the work, not to create dependence on missionary. In her notes about leaving Chile, she states "Leaving here will be very difficult, but as I remind my friends in Chile: 'A missionary’s job is to. . . work herself out of a job.'  The time has come for the new generation of young adults, many of whom I have known from when they were children in the national Sunday School program that I helped to create, to take their dreams and what they have learned and lead the church and the Shalom Center into new challenges and opportunities."*

By the time Elena shared with us her stories of ministry in Chile, she had experienced the difficult good-byes to friends with whom she had worked for 20 years. She presented examples ofhealing, through the Roots in the Ruins: Hope in Trauma. A program she and others developed to help people deal with the aftermath of the Pinochet dictatorship and the earthquake in 2010.

During the last 4 years Elena has also traveled to other countries in Latin America to help people deal with traumatic events in their life and sometimes in the life of their congregations. Be sure to read, The Earless Man from Chile**, in which Elena reflected on her ministry in Chile. In one of the stories entitled "The House that Love Built" she tells of a woman whose house was totally destroyed by the earthquake, who says she wouldn't give up the house for anything because “this home is blessed, because it was built by the love of my sisters and brothers in the US and Chile.” Offerings from churches and individuals of the Northwest part of Missouri helped to build 3 blessing cabins. People in the Pentecostal Church of Chile built the cabins and local congregations helped to furnish them.  Because the cabins were so well built, people are adding on to them, rather than building new homes.

Elena showing various items on her display table. The dolls were made to help children who had experienced the trauma of the earthquake. The photo was taken at the Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ in Kansas City.

In an article Elena wrote about leaving Chile she says "Today I dug out my 1996 journal from the box in my closet.  I am re-reading the entries from my first year of service with the Pentecostal Church of Chile on behalf of Global Ministries.  An entry from January during those first few days in Chile says: 'In these moments of 'beginning again,' I ask you, Lord, to be with all those with whom I will walk.'"*

Her prayer today may be slightly different, but the meaning is much the same.  As she prepares to begin again, please pray that the Lord will walk with her and those with whom she ministers.  They are discerning requests from countries in Latin America that are a little closer to her parents who are living in Texas.  She says "we have agreed that my ministry will in some way continue to combine trauma healing and resilience development with conflict transformation, environmental education, and Christian education ....With the knowledge of the past, God and I dream together of new travelers to be met, valleys to be crossed and heights to be reached."*

Please pray as Elena, our partners in Latin America, and Global ministries discern the new paths to which God is calling Elena.

*Quotes were taken from an online journal entry of March 16, 2016, entitled "A Missionary's Job is to ...".  The link is: http://www.globalministries.org/a_missionary_s_job_is_to

**You can purchase The Earless Man from Chile by contacting Beth Miller, Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1986,  Indianapolis, IN 46206, 317-713-2570, bmiller@dom.disciples.org or find it at Chalice Press here. 

Story and photos courtesy of Sandi Mull.

Pro-Wrestling at Church? Yes, Let's Bodyslam Human Trafficking Together!

On Saturday night April 30, Camdenton Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Lake of the Ozarks hosted Gateway Elite Wrestling.   Entertainment wrestling is family friendly, as the wrestlers act out a live-action comic book scenario.  The wrestlers are amazing athletes!  This local, upstart wrestling company needed a facility and Community Christian Church had the perfect gymnasium for them.  Not only that, but this wrestling company wanted to give 35% of ticket sales to a local charity of choice.  When Senior Minister William Brown was first given this opportunity, he was hesitant for multiple reasons.  Pastor Brown shared “I have never witnessed an entertainment wrestling event in my life.  Isn’t that violent?  Does this cross the line of something I want in our church building?”   After prayerful consideration and thought, it was decided that this is exactly what needs to be happening at a church! 

The story gets even better!  The Lake of the Ozarks Stop Human Trafficking Coalition was selected by Community Christian Church as the recipient organization.  Pastor Brown was hesitant during the process and thought to himself, “Am I following God’s call in this congregation and community?”  The answer again was YES!  The mission of the Lake of the Ozarks Stop Human Trafficking Coalition is to bring awareness to the reality of human trafficking and stop it.  With the partnership of Gateway Elite Wrestling and Community Christian Church, hundreds of people learned about human trafficking and its terrible reality.  Seeds were planted throughout the Lake region in the weeks preceding by passing out flyers, sharing posters, sharing the story on the radio, and word of mouth at church and at the Stop Human Trafficking Coalition meetings.  Gateway Elite Wrestling shared the human trafficking story at the event on April 30 too and even sold t-shirts that said “BODYSLAM HUMAN TRAFFICKING”.  Furthermore, the Human Trafficking Coalition had a banner hanging and a table with information and handouts.  A whole new group of people were made aware in the Lake area!  To ask if this event was a success, is summed up by one of the owners of the wrestling company, “three months ago, I knew nothing about Human Trafficking and now I know so much!”

The synergy of this event was not over.  The church was contacted about a child desiring to attend a pro-wrestling event through Dream Factory.  The wrestling event fulfilled the young boy’s dream and the wrestlers honored him wonderfully.  Community Christian Church provided hospitality through welcoming the over 160 people, and running the concession stand (a percentage of the proceeds was also given to the Human Trafficking Coalition).  People gathered in the church.  There was fellowship.  There was laughter.  There was fun.  People’s lives were made better because of the event!  We are being God’s church when we welcome, and when lives are enriched.  Praise be to God!      

Story by Rev. William Brown.
Photos courtesy of Sky View Photography.

Turning Wine to Water in Columbia, Missouri

"Wine to Share, Water for All" was a shared event between four Columbia DOC churches.  Rev. Jimmy Spear, Associate Minister at First Christian Church, Columbia, offered these reflections of the recent event.

It was set as the social event for spring as First, Broadway, Olivet, and Rock Bridge Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Columbia, Missouri made plans for an evening of friends, good wine, bountiful food, and a great cause.  First Christian Church in Columbia had for the past four years held a spring “Wine to Water” benefit for Week of Compassion. This year they used their momentum to invite other disciple friends to join in the party! 

The World Outreach Department at FCC, Columbia found that for a traditional 180 year old congregation in an historic stone church, wine being served at a church event didn’t need Jesus to bring it himself!  With the right team and plan Wine to Share, Water for All had become an event looked forward to by church folks and a great way to raise a largeamount of money for clean water.  With the story of Jesus turning water to wine as a backdrop, they invited other Columbia Disciples to join in the party for 2016 – bringing wine back into the story of Disciples helping others - providing clean water to those in need.

There was word of Disciples in Springfield were doing this kind of event together so why not the many who are in Columbia?  They DO all share a passion for Week of Compassion and its efforts to find the ways and means of getting clean water into the hands of those in need around the world. 

 

The Saturday, April 16, event was hosted by Rock Bridge Christian Church.  RBCC was the perfect setting for the several hundred folks to mingle, visit, and share in fellowship over wine and food.  The evening was a unique occasion for folks to have the chance to come out for a fun social event not like any other church potluck or picnic.  The crowd ranged in age from 21 to 95 and was a good cross reference of the four churches.

A select group from each church was invited to share their best appetizers, a good selection of wine was secured, the church was decorated for a spring gala and it was a go!  Live music in the background and uniquely decorated candlelit tables welcomed church members and their guests, dressed up for a night on the town, to a unique space and a warm fellowship.  Childcare was offered so parents of young children could participate.  The event encouraged people to donate as they felt called.  There was a very large glass decanter on the serving tables.  People were invited to offer their donations there throughout the evening.  

For the Disciples in Columbia, having a chance to do something together outside of church business and planned worship was really needed.  With a love for Week of Compassion as the common bond a well planned committee representing each church made the work load manageable and kept all four churches involved.  At the end of the night, the members and invited guests from four very different churches found a unique and fun witness to their shared calling of care for others.  

How much was raised? $4,000 in two hours.  Outstanding!  Plans are already in motion for next year.  

All photos courtesy of Stephanie Scott-Huffman.

Community Garden in Kennett

About four years ago the Presbyterian Church in Kennett, MO had a seminar to discuss how they could be more involved in the community, especially with the elderly and families at risk. One member suggested a Community Garden, and soon seven acres of land was donated for the project. Businesses and organizations began donating supplies, including a tractor, two large wells, storage building, cultivator, seeds, and small garden tools. First Christian Church became a sponsoring congregation from the beginning by offering funds, and the last two years they helped supply bottled water for those working in the Garden.

Those who work in the Community Garden serve as volunteers, harvesting produce for themselves and an equal amount for the elderly and those who cannot harvest for themselves. The Garden provides a sense of community as people share recipe ideas for purple hull peas and talk about other ways to utilize the produce. Ex-offenders can serve their volunteer hours in the Garden, providing them with meaningful work while enjoying the outside atmosphere. The Garden also provides a means of physical activity and exercise, emphasizing the Healthy Schools-Healthy Communities project that strives to reduce childhood obesity.

During the past year the Caring Council built a Community Kitchen to serve as a teaching kitchen, inviting children and adults throughout the year to learn healthy cooking and eating habits. During the summer the Community Kitchen utilizes garden produce in its instruction, helping participants learn how to prepare healthy foods from the Garden, with plans to offer canning classes in the future.

Last summer First Christian Church partnered with First Presbyterian Church and the Caring Council to host Wonderful Wednesdays by rotating between their facilities for active games and healthy snacks, along with a day of harvesting experience in the Community Garden. First Christian is already in conversation for another summer of Wonderful Wednesdays in Kennett!

Story and photo courtesy of FCC in Kennett pastor
Rev. Dr. Doug Cripe.

BackSnack Program at FCC in Odessa

                             Youth of the church help pack the bags.

About three years ago, First Christian Church in Odessa joined several other churches and groups in their community in a BackSnacks program. The program supplies the local Upper Elementary School with bags of food that get distributed to students who might not otherwise get enough to eat at home.

The program coordinator at FCC is Tamra Mefford who shares this of the effort:

My daughter, Angelia Lett, was the person who got our church involved. Our church packs 10 bags a week to be delivered to the Upper Elementary School.overall I believe there are 75-80 bags a week delivered to the Odessa schools. We try to pack something in the bag for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack, that a child might be able to prepare for themself if need be. Our congregation donates food items, and we have raised money to support the program. I shop for items that are not donated. We pack the 10 bags with approximately $10 worth of food. I deliver the bags to the school and the school social worker sees that they get to the students.

There are other churches across Mid-America involved with such food programs in their communities. Let us all continue to provide this kind of immediate assistance as it is needed, and also work to change the systems that make it necessary.

Granville CC Cares for Soldiers

Granville Christian Church, located north of Paris, MO will soon send its 200th care package to a soldier overseas. This ministry was begun during the wars in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan by the late Jean Wilson and by Kathy East, wife of pastor Stan East, who was then serving Granville Church. 

 

In 2009, a worship service and luncheon was held to bless and celebrate the mailing of the 100th box (photo at right). The total value of all care packages sent to date is $12,330. Although the number of soldiers deployed has decreased, the church is still asking for the names and addresses of deployed service men or women. If you would like a package sent to a soldier overseas, please email Brenda Coffman at oinkfarm@gmail.com or pastor Fran Schnarre at fschnarre@socket.net with the information. 

Story & photos courtesy of Rev. Fran Schnarre.

Project N.O.W. - Nutrition on Weekends

Project NOW (Nutrition on Weekends) began when the congregation of Webster Groves Christian Church recognized a need in a local Head Start Program where children went home on the weekends to homes where there was often not enough food for the whole family.

Every week Webster Groves Christian Church packs a bag for 15 families (a total of 62 people) that contains enough food for two meals and two snacks for Saturday and Sunday. Church members volunteer in various ways; from donating money to support a family each week to buying fresh fruit each week to packing bags and delivering them to the Head Start building on Friday.

Story courtesy of Project N.O.W. directors Mat & Julie DeKinder.
Photos courtesy of Carole Hughes and Laura Stuetzer.

Jesus and Me at FCC Brookfield

First Christian Church in Brookfield began a new program in January and it's really taking off! 

 

 

Children in Kindergarten through 4th grade are invited to participate in a new ministry called JAM (Jesus And Me) on Tuesday’s after school.  Students are picked up from school and brought to the church for snacks, singing, dancing, crafts and games that remind our young people of the joy that comes by living a life with Jesus.  When I arrived in Brookfield in March of 2015 we had 3 children participating in the life of the church.  We now welcome 22 plus elementary school children on Tuesday afternoons.  God is Good!

Story and photos courtesy of Pastor Mandy Wiedeman.

Mentoring Program through FCC in Sedalia

First Christian Church Sedalia is in partnership with Washington Elementary to provide a mentoring program to their students.

A student like the one in this picture is paired with an adult, who spends time with the child, at least once a week for an hour, building a relationship while playing games, eating lunch, and attending special events. They also work on reading, math and any schoolwork help the student might need. Each relationship is special and the church members are finding this to add depth and meaning to their lives. One mentor is quoted as saying, “Mentoring is by far the best outreach program that I have ever been involved with. I never say, 'I have to go to Washington, because it’s always a privilege and something I look forward to.'”

This ministry was launched in 2005/2006 by church member Tim Whitmore. Tim moved to Sedalia from Jefferson City where he had been a part of a similar ministry. The ministry took off in Sedalia and now three of the five local elementary schools have similar programs run by members of other local churches.

At Washington elementary there are currently 35 students paired with adults from this church and across the community, and there are still many more students that would like a special adult mentor. For information about volunteering, please contact Loleeta Combs at First Christian Church 660-826-5300 or Michelle Hofstetter at Washington Elementary School 660-826-2216.

Story and photos courtesy of FCC pastor Rev. Chad McMullin.



Caring Hands Can Change the World

At Willow Street Christian Church in Hannibal, the Caring Hands tutoring program serves the underserved, making a real difference in people's lives every day. 

The program began in 1998 as a seminary project of former Associate Pastor Rev. Norma Bernard. It is now a separate 501(c)(3) organization with current pastor Rev. Minnie Smith serving as director. Each day after school an average of 22 students come to have a healthy snack, read, get some help with their homework, and socialize with each other in a safe and nurturing environment. The program has grown such that this daily number of children served is up from 14 just last year.

Under Rev. Smith's direction the tutors, who are primarily local college and university students, help the children with all subjects. Each day there are six tutors on hand to guide homework, quiz spelling words, listen to reading, and support the program’s mission to help every kid become all that God intended for them to be.

The tutors are paid and the program is funded by local churches and service organizations, foundations, individuals, United Way, and large employers, with Willow Street struggling to pick up any slack. They welcome donations of any size emphasizing that no contribution to this vital ministry is too big or too small.

Miss Minnie, as the kids call her, notes that Willow Street CC really has become a “neighborhood parish” in their Hannibal community. Most of the participating kids are there every day of the week - for tutoring, Tuesday evening children and youth ministry, Sunday morning school, breakfast, and worship, and just playing on the playground.

The program even reaches out to the children’s parents helping with food preparation, transportation, and supervision. The goal is for them to feel loved, welcomed, and useful as they join with the church in service to God and God’s people.

Read more about this wonderful program in a recent article by Trevor McDonald of the
Hannibal Courier-Post, who graciously supplied all photos.

FCC Edwardsville Missions

The youth group from First Christian Church of Edwardsville just returned from a mission trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas.  They are so grateful to have had the opportunity to stay at First Christian Church of Fayetteville, Arkansas.  The congregation was so amazing and the hospitality was fantastic.  It was nice to learn the history of that church and the significance it played in getting the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.  

Half of our youth group cleaned a transitional apartment at SevenHills Homeless Center.  The other half organized the warehouse and painted the men’s dorm room at the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter.  Our youth worked very hard and brought smiles to many faces as well as gave them hope where they thought there wasn’t any.  

Each of our youth found this trip inspirational in their own individual way.  We hope that this begins a lifelong journey of walking with Christ and serving others in whatever capacity we are able.                             Story and photos courtesy of Associate Minister Jeff Wrigley.

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The congregation also just held a Souper Bowl of Caring where they shared a meal and collected much needed food items for their local food pantry. Participants were invited to dress in their favorite team jersey and participate in some fun activities to get ready for the big game.

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Another current mission project for the congregation is the adoption of a bedroom for updating/redecorating at Good Samaritan House. The work weekend is scheduled for March 11-13 and will include the demolition phase, then new flooring, paint, and furniture!


Looks like they're putting Mission First!

 

Community CC Works on Lynnville CC Build

Community Christian Church in Manchester sent a mission team to Lynnville, Illinois to assist in construction of a new church sanctuary on January 15-18, 2016.  The Lynnville Christian Church was founded in 1833 by Barton Stone and they built their present church in 1919.  There are structural problems with the foundation and basement of the present church and the sanctuary is not handicap accessible.  The new building will be readily accessible for all.  During this weekend work event, the team from Community worked with members of the Lynnville church to insulate the walls of the new structure, started on insulation for the roof and installed dry wall on the ceiling.  In addition, baseboards, door frames and other molding was removed from a room in the old church and will eventually be installed in the new church.  Stained glass windows will be repurposed in the sanctuary of the new building, also.  Two groups of strangers met on Saturday morning and worked together for three days and departed on Monday with new friendships.  In more ways than one, mission was accomplished.

Story and photos courtesy of CCC's Beth Bean. 

Central CC in Higginsville Celebrating Seven Years of Souper Suppers

The Higginsville Food Pantry, run by the Church Women of Corder and Higginsville, saw a significant increase in the number of people needing food towards the end of 2008.  The need for extra food seemed to rise at the end of each month. The Heat and Hunger Fund, administered by the Higginsville Ministerial Fellowship, saw an increase in the number of people needing assistance with utilities. 

The Ministerial Fellowship put together a committee to address this reality and from this came the idea of the “Souper Supper.” The idea was that the churches that participate in the Ministerial Fellowship would take turns providing a meal the last full week of January, February, and March. These meals would be open to the entire community and anyone would be welcome to come and eat. The first meal was served in January of 2009 and has continued ever since.  The meals have grown significantly and now an average of 800 people are served each week. Due to the large amount of people at each meal, people are allowed to call in ahead of time and “meals-to-go” are provided for as many as requested.

The week of meals is set up so that each evening a unique menu is prepared and served by that evening’s sponsoring church. Each church is responsible for planning and preparing its own meal. There is no outside funding so each church funds its own meal. Most of the food is donated by members of the church that is serving the meal.

The general idea is that at the end of winter months, it can often be difficult for some to have to resources to provide hot, nutritious meals. This ministry is meant to simply meet this need and provide an easy access both food and community. There is no advertising from churches or evangelistic tracks. Instead, it is simply a ministry of hospitality.

Story and photos courtesy of pastor Matt Limback.

FCC in Neosho Blankets Children with Love

The outreach committee at First Christian Church in Neosho has recently started a new service program, Blankets/Socks of Love, to benefit children in their community. 

The idea sprang from the church’s involvement with the Church World Service blanket distribution program. It occurred to outreach committee co-chairs Alva Jane and Robert Allen that just as people around the world benefit from warmth and protection of a good blanket, children right in their own area could do the same.

The unfortunate reality is that even locally there are families who have financial trouble keeping their homes a comfortable temperature during the winter. A warm blanket and some fuzzy socks can really make a big difference in improving comfort. Tragically there are circumstances where children even find themselves unexpectedly unable to return to their homes and have nothing at all with them. In such a situation, a blanket helps provide a sense of security and comfort – like a hug when they need it most.

The committee is working with the school district, its Bright Futures program, and coordinators of the local food pantry to identify needs and help with distribution. 

Throughout the church the program is gaining support from Sunday school classes, youth groups, and others who have donated and even made blankets for the cause. Organizers welcome suggestions and ideas from folks who have experience with similar programs as they strive to blanket those in need with love.

Story and photo courtesy of Alva Jane Allen