Assebmly Recap

We are grateful to First Christian Church in St. Joseph, pastor Rev. Brian Kirk, their staff, and the many volunteers who welcomed us all and provided extravagant hospitality for our Regional Assembly August 8-10, 2024. We also appreciate the ministry partners who set up display tables and provided vital information in our exhibit rooms. Refer to the docket for a complete list.

Thursday’s first event was lunch with our Regional Ministry Team. Box lunches for all three days were supplied by InterServ, a local, ecumenical community service organization. Meals throughout the event were sponsored our ministry partners including the Pension Fund, the National Benevolent Association, Phillips Theological Seminary/Center for Ministry & Lay Training, and Global Ministries.

The afternoon continued with ten different workshops to choose from. Clergy and lay leaders from all over the Region presented valuable information and led rich discussions on a wide variety of topics. See the docket for the full list. We are blessed by their expertise and willingness to share.

After dinner, our General Minister & President Rev. Terri Hord Owens was welcomed and Associate General Minister Rev. Yvonne Gilmore introduced the Church Narrative Project. Three of our Regional storytellers shared personal stories of faith, growth, and hope, and Christian Church Foundation’s Kirby Gould provided lovely violin music.

Friday began with an inspiring opening worship service featuring beautiful music, a message by Rev. Brian Kirk, and artwork by Johnathan Loesch. Then six more storytellers shared of their physical and spiritual journeys. Lunch program options were our Rural Ministry Network and our African American Convocation.

The work of Transformative Community Conferencing began on Friday afternoon with Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker leading the discussion, and Kirby Broadnax and Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton providing support to breakout groups. Learn more about this project in the docket.

The All Assembly Dinner took place at the Pony Express Stables and our three very special guests shared about their experience with and hope for the Church Narrative Project. Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Rev. Dr. Joan Bell-Haynes, and Rev. Yvonne Gilmore gave a dialogue sermon encouraging all to commit to and grow with the Project as it evolves. Their message was opened and closed by Cliff Aerie and his saxophone.

Our final day brought more Transformative Community Conferencing work, lunch program options from Disciples Women and Alliance Q, and our business session. Action items included an emergency motion to amend the By-Laws regarding online voting, adoption of the Silver Chalice Resolution, and the election of new Board Officers, Directors, and Commission on the Order of Ministry members.. The complete list of nominees was confirmed and can be found in the docket, along with more information about each of the action items. Our outgoing Moderator Madeline Haraway and our new Moderator Rev. Charles Williams of Clarksville Christian Church presided at the table for our closing communion service.

If you have photos of the event that you’d like to share, please contact Ministry Associate Susan Moore.