Windsor Summer Lunch Program

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First Christian Church in Windsor is participating in the community Summer Lunch Program for the fourth year in a row, and the need is higher than ever.

As a way to fill the gap of no free meals being served by the local school district between the time that summer school ends and the fall semester begins, FCC began the program themselves by serving lunch two days per week. Outreach Chair Melody Wilson says that she wasn’t looking for a job, but God put this need on her heart and she just had to fill it.

Volunteers from First Baptist Church

Volunteers from First Baptist Church

Since then, the program has become an ecumenical effort supported by the Windsor Ministerial Alliance. Volunteers from neighboring churches now join the folks at FCC five days per week for seven weeks to pack and distribute the sack lunches. The meals usually consist of a sandwich or hot dog, fruit, side item, and dessert – though Friday is grilled hamburger day!

Funding for the project comes from individual donations, church contributions, and other organizations such as the local Masonic Lodge and DAR Chapter. This summer they also received a grant from the Truman Lake Community Foundation, which has been a tremendous help as expenses continue to rise.

Volunteers from St. Bartholomew Catholic Church

Volunteers from St. Bartholomew Catholic Church

The program exists as a ‘no judgment zone’ and feeds anyone in the community who comes, regardless of church affiliation or age. One day last week, volunteers served a record number of 142 meals. The process of serving this many meals in just 60 minutes was actually improved out of pandemic necessity last year, when they converted the pick-up process to drive-through in the parking lot rather than having people coming into the building.

With the process now honed like a well-oiled machine, these dedicated volunteers continue their mission of service – one meal at a time.

 

Thank you to Melody Wilson for this information and photos.

The Return of Youth Mission Trips

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The blue sky and mild temperatures of early summer break were just the most perfect backdrop for summer youth mission trips to return for 2021. After a year of Zoom, City Park youth group, and much social distance, this year’s hybrid approach to the annual trips was well received. The CYF and Chi-Rho youth groups of First Christian Church in Columbia, MO each took a shorter three-day mission experience to rural Canton, MO. Staying at Canton Christian Church and serving behind the scenes for local organizations without crowds was just the right post-pandemic option. Since trips in 2020 were canceled, the groups also wanted to get in one more shared mission trip with Rev. Jimmy Spear before he left Columbia FCC for a new call in Edwardsville, IL.



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The three-day CYF Mission Trip was over Memorial Day weekend. The mission team packed hundreds of bags for the local food pantry and children’s summer feeding program, helped organize and clean the food pantry and church, laid flags on veterans’ graves in the local cemetery honoring Memorial Day, and on the way home stopped in Paris, MO to weed/mulch/wheelchair wash at a local nursing home. For the middle school Chi-Rho group, the three-day trip a week later included making the several hundred take home food bags for local children, caring for kittens at a local animal shelter, painting fun summer scenes on the windows of a local nursing home, and assisting the local food pantry with a major move of supplies.

Each evening the stories of Jesus feeding the 4000/5000 were the basis for devotion and conversation about the miracle found in faith and serving others food. Wise and faithful the conversations became as the youth reflected on their experiences. The CYF group had the Sunday morning chance to worship at Canton CC. The groups cooked food, shared in the tradition of lots of ice cream and even spent a little time on “The Hill” at Culver-Stockton College. A mission trip always includes some mini-golf which was found along with good local pizza in Quincy, IL. With the quiet town as a backdrop, the group created their own entertainment with hours of kickball, ice cream in fun locations, walkabouts in a rural river town, van riding, and lots of laughter. The kids just loved being together again. They talked non-stop, played hard, served well, and were just the best group of friends throughout. It was church youth group at its very best. It was a perfect post-pandemic mission experience. The Chi-Rho crew had a much warmer weekend and so experienced two different local pools — Moberly on the way, Hannibal on the way home.  Hannibal had the better slides!

The Chi-Rho trip was a last hurrah under the leadership team of Jimmy Spear and Holly Gieseke.  This trip marked their 14th year of co-leading Chi-Rho. What a fantastic group to end such an adventure. Thank you Holly! Many thanks to Canton Christian Church and Pastor, Rev. Mandy Gosik for the abundant hospitality both weekends along with helping arrange the serving projects.  Culver-Stockton College provided showers for each group along with some CSC admissions swag for the CYF. The town of Canton was the perfect place to serve, and being together as two small groups of disciples returned to learning and serving in the way of Jesus.

Thanks to Rev. Jimmy Spear for this story and photos.

FCC Dexter Helping to Feed Hungry Kids

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Like children across the country, low income students in Stoddard County often rely on school meals to get enough to eat. In 2013 the elders of First Christian Church in Dexter asked what happens to those kids in the summer when hot lunches are not available. That first year Tommy Horton led the elders in distributing food in partnership with the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. The mission was chosen because it was a trusted agency which already had an ongoing relationship with the children's families.

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In 2014 Feeding Christ's Children grew to become a county-wide ecumenical ministry. Tommy coordinated the efforts of area churches for several years before turning over leadership to Kellie Reese two years ago. Food items are stored in First Christian Church's Disciple Center before being packed by volunteers. SEMO electric cooperative trucks provide transportation. Completed food bags are distributed at each of the mission's three locations throughout the county including Puxico, Advance, and Dexter. Efforts continued even in the midst of last year's coronavirus pandemic.

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This year, Feeding Christ's Children is providing supplemental food bags for 170 area kids. Students receive one bag each week that provides enough for one breakfast, two lunches, and two snacks. Deliberate efforts were made to provide more variety this year. Every bag includes a different fruit, vegetable, and beverages. Total costs of this year's ministry was $4185. Purchasing staples from the SEMO food bank allowed that money to stretch a lot further.

Kim Slavings, the director of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission, reports that the kids are sometimes overwhelmed by what they receive. One student disbelievingly asked, "is this all mine?" It took some effort to reassure them that area churches cared that much about them and wanted them to have enough to eat. 

Kellie Reese says thank you to everyone who makes this summer food program possible, including the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and SEMO Electric Cooperative. Feeding Christ's Children is not just a ministry of First Christian Church. It is an example of what Christians can do when they come together across denominational lines to work together for the good of everyone in the community. 

Thanks to FCC’s Rev. Mike Williams and Kellie Reese for this information and photos.

Fish Fry for Mission

Orrick Christian Church recently held a fish fry featuring fried fish with all the fixins and plenty of live music. Jenny Gordon played and sang contemporary Christian music, and Pastor Art Endsley and the Gorsettes brought the Gospel Bluegrass! The event was free but donations were collected for the Migrant Farmworkers Association.

The congregation has focused on this underserved population in its outreach ministry for years:

The migrants in our area work mainly in the peach and apple orchards, plus some vegetable farms.  There are about 50 permanent families that live in the area and find other work in the winter time.  About 400-600 travel to our area every year to work in the orchards from August - October.  Migrant farmworkers are an unseen population for the most part, because they don't have transportation and they live in housing in the orchards. When they get here they have to depend upon their crew leaders, other migrants in the area or landowners to get them places to do grocery shopping, laundry etc.

Our church collects beans, rice, and clothing for them once a year.  When they arrive here they have very little because they are not able to take much with them from place to place.  They usually travel in large vans that are full.  They can come to Lexington every Monday from Aug - Oct to the Migrant Head Start Center from 5pm - 8pm for food, clothing and other essentials. Usually one or two will come and get food for several in their orchard.  Our church has a cookout for them once a year during this time. The migrants that come to our area are mainly families.  They are very family oriented and are a joy to serve.  They move about every 3 months to different parts of the country, so education for their children is very challenging.  The rural public schools do a great job in educating them for the time that they are here.  Suzanne Gladney, immigration attorney, has done an amazing job at organizing services for these families while they are in our area.  She worked tirelessly to start a Head Start center for the kids under the age of 5 in Lexington, MO.  They usually get on a bus at 6 in the morning from the orchard and go back to their families in the orchard around 5:00pm, even tiny babies are bussed to the Head Start for childcare.  Before having the Head Start center the kids care, while parents worked, was not good. They were mainly watched by an elderly person and that person would watch up to 20 kids at a time.

Thank you to Missions Team Chair Deanne Townsend for this information and photos!

The Amazing Grace Race

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On June 13, St. Charles Christian Church held its first Amazing Grace Race. The day was filled with lots of teamwork, grace, faith, fun, and HEAT as it was all out in the great outdoors!

Twenty-seven teams participated and '“raced” around New Town for two hours. Activities included catching fish, picking up trash, packing an Operation Christmas Child box, completing a Bible photo scavenger hunt, making handmade cards, and creating a family mission statement.

Each team had a team gnome, which most had named and decorated, that traveled the race course along with the team. Upon completion, everyone was treated to a prize gift bag, sno cone coupons, food, and the Bubble Bus.

The event was funded by the congregation’s annual Duck Race, and may become a yearly addition to their calendar as well!

Thanks to Rev. Chris Franklin for this information and photos.

Shelter from a Storm - Pantry of Blessings

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Lake Ozark Christian Church is pleased to announce that they have created a new Community Ministry--Shelter from a Storm. The impetus came from a homeless man who entered the church while a Bible Study group was meeting and asked if he could sit for a few moments to get out of the cold. His request touched many members who witnessed those few moments, and they began to investigate the needs in their local community for emergency food and shelter.

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On Sunday, June 6, the Pantry of Blessings, opened with a blessing and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Pantry of Blessings will provide non-perishable food and hygiene items on an emergency basis, 24 hours a day. The pantry is located on the west side of the church at 1560 Bagnell Dam Blvd. In addition to church members, local businesses (Dierbergs, HyVee, Smart Postal Center, Target, UPS Store, Woods) and Hope House of Miller County are providing pantry items and printing services.

Meanwhile the congregation is working to address the needs of the homeless and those with emergency need for shelter. In one week they were able to provide shelter for one person in a local hotel and for another person they were able to provide a shower and breakfast in the church building so that he could be better prepared for a job interview.

Thank you to Lake Ozark Christian Church’s Jane Daniels for this story and photos.


Servants at the Table

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Five St. Louis area Disciples congregations - Centennial Christian Church, New Hope Community Christian Church, Memorial Boulevard Christian Church, Union Avenue Christian Church, and Webster Groves Christian Church - are worshipping together online for Maundy Thursday.  Their combined worship Thursday evening will be just one of many shared acts of worship for these congregations for Holy Week. 


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On Palm Sunday the five congregations served meals and safety items to 100 unhoused residents of St. Louis. Dozens of participants from the congregations planned, prepared, and distributed boxes filled with a hot meal, nonperishable meal and snack items, water and juice, and reusable facemasks, along with words of welcome and encouragement to people in parks, alleys, and along the river wall in downtown St. Louis. This was, Rev. Derrick Perkins, pastor of Centennial Christian Church, reminded the gathered Disciples, “an act of service” flowing directly from our call to follow Jesus.

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The five congregations are excited about their shared worship, outreach, and service, and are already discussing ways to stay engaged together around community concerns into the future.  The congregations have also expressed a strong sense of call to learn about and respond to the structural and systemic issues contributing to homelessness for so many in St. Louis. 

Thank you to Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore of Webster Groves CC
for this information and photos.

Hope Food Ministry of Centennial Christian Church

Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis has compiled a wonderful summary of its Hope Food Ministry. Through the four separate facets of the program, this ministry has served thousands of meals to hundreds of people who may have otherwise remained hungry. The report includes their vision, statistics, photos, and even testimonials from grateful clients. It was compiled at the request of the Pension Fund to help represent the vital contributions that churches make to our society, which may not be possible should they no longer be tax-exempt.

Find the whole report here>

The congregation also supports Hylton Point II Apartments, affordable senior housing named in honor of their Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Hylton, Jr.

Raising Funds for the Colvins' Ministry in Ghana

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The Disciples Women at First Christian Church in Festus recently sponsored a raffle for our mission co-workers Larry and Debbie Colvin. Two beautiful handmade items were donated to the project. A large afghan was crocheted by member Margaret Means, and a quilt was donated by Barb Cobion, sister of one of our members. The drawing for the two items was held on November 15th. The winner of the afghan was Tom Anderson from FCC Festus. The winner of the quilt was Ellen, a friend of Barb Cobion. This year a total of three hundred dollars ($300) was raised for the Colvins. This is the third year that various ladies have shared their wonderful talents and donated the beautiful handmade items to raise money for the Colvins.

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Quilter Barb Coibion was moved to action by the daily devotion of her sister Bernadette. The devotion suggested making something for someone for good. With her extra free time during pandemic shut downs, she made this beautiful quilt to raise money for mission.

Thanks to Betty Aders for this
information and photos.

Story Walk at South Joplin Christian Church

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In the aftermath of the 2011 tornado in Joplin, South Joplin Christian Church sought ways to be of service to our surrounding neighborhood. With the loss of rental properties owned by the church, the question became what to do with the vacant land. This question gave birth to the idea of creating a park for the surrounding neighborhood, since there was no park in the immediate area or a safe place for neighborhood children to play. With the aid of volunteers that came to Joplin, as well as financial donations, “Friendship Park” was created, which included the installation of play equipment and a gazebo for use by our neighbors. Since 2012, South Joplin has hosted movies in the park and other activities as part of our outreach ministry.

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This holiday season, South Joplin's Faith Formation Team was looking for a way to provide some enrichment to both the children in our congregation and to minister to our local community. We, of course, also wanted to do so safely in the midst of the pandemic. Therefore, we decided to create a Story Walk in our church’s Friendship Park which is open to the public. 

We have seen Story Walks created by our local library and our city's parks and recreation department. The concept is simple: purchase two copies of a book that you want to share with families. Cut the books apart, laminate the pages, and mount them onto yard signs. We also created activities to engage kids and keep them moving and thinking as they hear the story. Since we are NOT photocopying the book (simply cutting apart books that we purchased) there is not an issue with Copyright law. We also purchased a third copy to keep in our church library (and, to be honest, in case we made a mistake in our cutting!).

All the Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner was selected since it celebrates diversity, has beautiful illustrations, and shares the nativity. It is now up and available to our community and is our gift to the community during this holiday season.  We are hopeful that the signs will hold up and can be used for advent seasons in the future as well! 

Submitted by Rev. Kathryn Wilson, Minister of Mission and Outreach

Older Adults Ministries and YOU

A new video is available through our NBA Grant!

Are you seeing more and more gray heads in worship at your church? This is the opening line of our newly-released Older Adult Ministries and YOU video. While we are especially challenged in these changing times, even our virtual worship services may reveal many gray-headed participants. Yet, there are exciting opportunities for expanding and growing faith experiences with older adults. This video is an introduction to ideas for ministry and aging awareness. It offers ways to discover creative solutions for ministry and develop programs with older adults.
The video names some of the ways that churches can learn and grow together, including our Region's Older Adult Ministries webpage. There are many resources, links, and helpful articles about caregiving; myths and realities; biblical perspectives; and spiritual outlooks on decision-making, loss and resiliency, and more. The helpful study guide, "Age-Friendly Congregations" is available free to churches.A new series of discussion starter videos will be coming soon. The series is for individuals or groups to view, then explore various topics related to aging such as loneliness, caregiving, and how churches can be better equipped to offer programs with older adults. The brief commentary invites dialog with provocative leading questions and ends with a Bible passage relating biblical times to this current situation.This is the second NBA Older Adult Ministries grant our Region has received. It has made possible our ministry and the video. Please view the Older Adult Ministries and YOU video and be sure to share it with your congregation and friends.For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Paul Koch   paul.ccma@sbcglobal.net or Jan Aerie aeriej@gmail.com.

Mission and Transformation

What a week we had! We had the opportunity to work with our three local mission partners in Show-Me Christian Youth Home, Retrieving Freedom, and Washington Elementary. Along with these partners we served alongside with Open Door Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, Read Center Apartments, The Embassy, and the Summer Lunch Program. We had over 70 of our members involved and serving in the name of Christ throughout Sedalia. In fact, we heard one woman say, “This is just a First Christian kind of week!”

When we showed up to Washington Elementary we saw a huge 30 by 15 foot wall. This wall was painted black with wood splintering out of it, and paint chipping away. Being able to reflect upon this wall now shows me that this what many of our spirits have been like throughout COVID-19. Many of our spirits have been overcome with the darkness of depression and anxiety as we are forced to distance ourselves from one another. Many of us have seen our relationships splintered by the overwhelming amount of negativity we allow into our thoughts. Many of us can feel the darkness pulling us away from others leaving us alone – overcome by the darkness. However, as we began to serve in the community the grim darkness began to fade. The depression began to rise, and the joy of the Lord radiated throughout our community. The darkness was overcome by the beautiful light of God, and I found that much like our painting which was transformed from darkness to a rainbow, our spirits were transformed by the radiant light of Christ as we served. Therefore, I challenge you to go out and take Christ’s light into the darkness. Chances are… you will find yourself transformed as well.

Thanks to Chance McMullin for this story and photos.

People of Faith Standing for Racial Justice

Find more photos on their Facebook page.

Find more photos on their Facebook page.

Compton Heights Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in St. Louis, together with St. Margaret of Scotland Roman Catholic Church, is holding an ecumenical "People of Faith Standing for Racial Justice" Vigil each Friday, 5 pm to 6 pm on S. Grand, beginning at CHCC (2149 S. Grand) and spreading out both north and south along Grand. Masks and 6 foot social distancing are required between family units.

They witness together against the sin of racism and for the work of building true community that is anti-racist!

Masks for MC

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Masks for MC began as an attempt for JoLynn Yates to provide masks for her daughter who is a physician in a medical clinic associated with the University of Nebraska. JoLynn, a member of Monroe City Christian Church, quickly realized that alone she could not help stem the tide of patients presenting in the clinic daily so she reached out to her friends that sew in Monroe City, MO. Within a few days, the group of women from churches across the community provided nearly 200 masks for Omaha. Then the group began to expand and to make sure they had masks for their families and those elderly that they were watching over. The mad dash to find elastic bound the women and their friends together and those that couldn’t sew became shoppers online for supplies and some began cutting out the fabric so a seamstress could concentrate at her machine. When asked for help, the local Ben Franklin Store made a huge donation of fabric. It became apparent that the group needed a manager that was not a seamstress so those that could would sew. This led to a front porch delivery system of drop off and supply pickup. The town’s needs have been prioritized, and as of Monday March 30, more than 200 masks have found there way to nursing home residents, first responders, Nutrition Center delivery volunteers, and Group Homes for the Developmental  Disabilities in just under 4 days. Plans are to reach businesses, the ministers, funeral directors, those with special health concerns, and Food Bank volunteers. Facebook/Messenger has been the contact tool and has proven very effective. 

Most masks are based on a pleated mask with instructions. Find more information on their Facebook page.

Thanks to pastor Mark Sewell for story and photo.

Mask Mission

Affton CC has several congregants who work in various healthcare facilities and networks. Each network establishes their own policies when it comes to accepting homemade masks and mask covers. All of our healthcare workers are saying that the situation is changing rapidly and many are changing their policy to allow the acceptance of homemade masks and covers. So far, people within our congregation and within the larger community have donated dozens of masks and mask covers which have been distributed to various facilities accepting them. We remain committed to be a collection center in the community for masks and mask covers to be given, not only to healthcare workers, but all who are serving essential duties during the COVID-19 crisis.

If anyone is willing to sew homemade masks for Mercy Healthcare System, please contact Rev. David Woodard at revdwstl@gmail.com and indicate how many masks you're willing to make. The material and pattern will be provided by Mercy. 

Thanks to Rev. David Woodard for this information and photos.

El Dorado Springs' Drive-In Worship

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You’ve heard the saying that originated in the early ‘70s, “Honk if You Love Jesus”? Well, that is exactly what First Christian Church in El Dorado Springs did for their “meet and greet” time Sunday morning (March 22). Honking horns, flashing lights, and waving hands wildly to their neighbors is how the congregation greeted people from their vehicles in the parking lot of the church, and still kept their distance from one another.  

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Because the congregation is small and the Wi-Fi strength is not strong enough to do the normal FB Live, Zoom, etc. that many other churches are doing during the COVID-19 restrictions, the church board voted last week to have outdoor “Drive-In” services. Kyle Vickers, chair of the church board said he didn’t know how many to expect, but it was worth a try in order to not have to cancel worship services. “I don’t know how many people will get out and come to church during this Coronavirus thing, but we might as well give it a try. We’ve done this sort of thing in past summers when the weather was nice so people could attend an earlier service and then head to the lake, family gatherings and other Sunday events, and yet still be a part of a regular service.”

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Since the church already had an FM transmitter in place that broadcasts up to 500 ft. from the building, the ideal spot for services was the church parking lot. People turned their radio dials to 100.7 (100 for the Perfect Christ, 7 for the holy and spiritual number of 7) while listening from inside their vehicles. Normally, First Christian Church has about 40-50 folks attending each week, and we were happily surprised that 35 people came to show their support and worship from their vehicles. In order to protect everyone, the people received a weekly bulletin and a song booklet inside a ziplock bag which was handed out by a greeter wearing gloves. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) practices open communion, and all believers are welcome to partake of communion. To go along with safe practices, the deacon serving the communion wore a mask and gloves. The communion was a small individually packed wafer and grape juice communion set.

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The small Southwest Missouri congregation is currently without a pastor so they have been using different men and women from a pulpit supply list. Nick Rodenberg, from Mt. Vernon, Missouri, and a UCC (United Church of Christ) member, was the guest speaker on Sunday. Nick, the worship leader, and the sound person were the only three inside the empty church, while the rest of the congregation promoted social distancing and their faith as they worshipped outside in their cars and trucks. As one member of the church put it, “This is one way we can spread the Good News and not the germs in our community!”

Stay tuned for the future of First Christian Church. “If we aren’t in “lockdown” in two weeks for Palm Sunday, we might get creative in our waving of the branches and driving around the block while we welcome Jesus riding into town on a donkey (or possibly a miniature horse)” said one church board member.

Thanks to FCC’s Barbara Walsh for this story and photos.

Christian Ministries Scholarship Fund

The application period is now open for Christian Ministries Scholarships!

The Christian Ministries Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for those preparing for Christian Ministries, both in seminary and undergraduate education. This fund is primarily aimed at supporting those persons from the Christian Church of Mid-America (CCMA) Region who are preparing for the Christian ministries. Women’s Ministry/CWF and the receipts from local congregations establish this fund that provides gifts as grants in aid to the recipients. Applications are due by May 30. Learn more>

Application form

FCC Lathrop Feeling Blessed

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The First Christian Church of Lathrop was truly blessed with a generous monetary gift from a gentleman who had attended our church as a youth. This is a lesson in never underestimating the influence we may have on the young people in our congregations, even if they no longer live in our communities. Upon receiving this gift, our church board had the foresight to invest the money with the guidance of the Joint Investment Trust of the Christian Church Foundation.  Each year, the interest from the investment is used for needed projects and a good portion of the interest is applied to mission work. It was decided that 40% of the funds allotted to Missions would go to Local Missions, 40% to Regional and 20% to Global Missions.

This past year we were able to contribute to local projects such as: scholarships to local seminary students and college students in our congregation, Back Pack Buddy Program for local elementary children, refrigerator for local Community Outreach Program, Good News Club (an after school program for Lathrop Elementary students), and supporting a local college student on a mission project to Texas. At Christmas, our church as a whole, adopted four families to assist during the holidays.

Regional projects included contributing to the following: Care Portal Project in Clinton County, Disciples of Christ supported colleges in Missouri, Christian Church of Mid-America, National Benevolent Association and the Cane Ridge Re-Vital Program.

Global projects included supporting three missionaries: two teams in Africa, and one in Guatemala.

Feeling blessed?  We most certainly are. May we continue to be guided by God’s loving grace and continue in the service of his Kingdom!

West Lake CC Supports Week of Compassion

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Every February, West Lake Christian Church holds their annual White Elephant Auction immediately following the 3rd Sunday Fellowship Dinner to raise funds in support of the Week of Compassion offering.

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This auction has been going on for over twenty years and is one of our events that is looked forward to with anticipation by many. Using the White Elephant rules, items purchased may be opened or traded. Some of the items included are restaurant gift certificates, pies, Dairy Queen ice cream cakes for a year, paintings, boat rides with dinner on the lake, and there is even a White Elephant with $50.00 in it that remains with the winning bidder. Then there are gifts such as hospital urinals, old magazines, and a host of other unwanted household items. There is a lot of good natured ribbing and laughter had by all as we support a very necessary cause. When the bids were in and the last gift was auctioned we were able to send over $2100.00 to the Week of Compassion offering for 2020.

Thanks to WLCC Pastor Kelly Caldwell for this story and photos.

Kennett FCC Supporting the Colvins

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First Christian Church of Kennett celebrated their most recent annual Thanksgiving potluck with a special twist. They added to the festivities a Sweet & Savory Silent Auction for Mission, a fund raiser for Global Ministries mission co-workers Larry & Debbie Colvin who are currently serving in Ghana. Participants brought homemade baked, sweet, salty, and savory goodies to be auctioned, as well as gift certificates for items requiring immediate consumption such as casseroles, salads, etc. There was also a cupcake cakewalk enjoyed by children and adults alike. The event was a success with $1,077.50 raised. 

Global Ministries is grateful to FCC Kennett and other congregations who have so faithfully and creatively found ways to help fund the appointments of the Colvins with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. This event is a wonderful example of how we can all help make a difference!

Learn more about the Colvins’ work in Ghana and how you and your church can help support it.