Welcome to the 2020 Regional Assembly — an Assembly unlike any other. We normally gather in person every two years to worship God, connect with other Disciples in Arizona, explore our mission through educational workshops, and take care of necessary Regional business. This year, we will still do all those things, just not physically present together.

Our Assembly will consist of four parts over the course of October, November, and beyond. First, our Assembly website which will have videos and links about the Assembly business, about our Arizona Disciples congregations, and our greater Disciples ministries. We invite you to visit our Assembly website (ra.azdisciples.org) and explore it like you would stroll through an exhibit hall at an in-person Assembly, visiting the “virtual booths” and learning more about Disciples in ministry.

Next, we’ll have a Region-wide series of conversations and discussions led by a variety of Disciples clergy called “Many Voices, One Region.” Every Tuesday in October from 7:00-8:00 p.m. we will gather via Zoom to reflect and share ideas about the mission of being the church “in such a time as this.”

The 2020 portion of our Assembly will conclude with our Regional Assembly Gathering from 10:00 -11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7. This will resemble a normal Regional Assembly session, with worship, music, business, a message from our Regional Minister, and communion.

And finally, we look forward to a big in-person celebration — una grande kermes — sometime in the future, whenever it is safe to all get together again. At this celebration, we’ll invite every congregation to have a booth with food or activities to share. For now, you can focus on the first three parts — but know that a big get together will be forthcoming when the time is right.

Twenty years ago, our General Minister and President published a book called “2020 Vision,” sharing his vision of what he hoped the Disciples would look like in the year 2020. He certainly did not envision the year we have had. And yet in spite of all the challenges, we are still being church, and with prayer, love, and dedication, we will continue being church, celebrating life together and embodying God’s love for a hurting and fragmented world.

We hope you’ll join us for these four parts of the Regional Assembly as together, we are the Christian Church in Arizona!