Mid-America Regional Assembly 2024
We are so glad you'll be joining us for our Regional Assembly!
First Christian Church, St. Joseph
Thursday, August 8 - Friday, August 9 - Saturday, August 10
This includes:Thursday - box lunch with Regional Minister Team, Ministry Associates, and Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kinnabrew, your choice of workshopFriday - worship, story hour, box lunch with choice of program, and Transformative Community ConferencingSaturday - Transformative Community Conference conclusion, box lunch with choice of program, business session, communion service
Box lunch with Regional Minister Team, Ministry Associates, and Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kinnabrew, your choice of workshop
Worship, story hour, box lunch with choice of program, and Transformative Community Conferencing
Transformative Community Conference presentation, box lunch with choice of program, business session, communion service
***Workshop choices***On Thursday, we have 2 hours in the schedule for workshop time.You can choose EITHER a single, two-hour workshopwhich has small group dialogue for its second hour,OR 2 different workshops, which are 1 hour each.The choices are below.
Tap into the divine creativity within! Ever thought about spicing up your Sunday services with a splash of art-making? Join the dynamic duo, artist-educator Johnathan Loesch and pastor-artist Brian Kirk, for a workshop that's as fun for the Picasso-in-training as it is for the stick-figure specialist. Get ready for a group art project that's as chill as a Sunday morning, lively discussion, and practical but meaningful ideas to weave art-making into your church's soul. Plus, you'll snag some cool resources to bring the art party back to your own congregation. Let's get those holy hands messy!
Led by Rev. Jenn Simmons of National Avenue CC-Springfield and Associate Regional Minister Phil Snider of Brentwood CC-Springfield on unpacking our recent General Assembly resolution along with the concerning progression of hate under the guise of religion. A preview of our upcoming Persons in Ministry Retreat featuring noted scholar Diana Butler Bass on this subject, Oct. 4-5 in Springfield, will be provided.
Rev. Dr. Chad McMullin, pastor of FCC-Sedalia and Mid-America Church Vitality consultant will introduce you to a new take on visioning. He has a unique discernment process to share with congregations that launches them onto a path toward vitality, health and wholeness. This workshop will appeal to clergy and key lay leaders as well as regional representative interested in leading congregations in discernment and visioning.
Facilitated by Michael Kateman, PhD, Pastor, Arrow Rock Federated Church. Storytelling is a valid and important way to convey knowledge. In this workshop, participants will explore how personal narrative can acknowledge racial injustice, work to eliminate it, and create empathetic understanding by working through a Moral Map and Growth Continuum. After exploration of the Map and Continuum, participants will view and discuss episode six of Voices of Arrow Rock, titled Ignore the Shadow, which explores mixed-race identity. Voices of Arrow Rock is a readers theatre series bringing to life underrepresented voices of this national historic district’s past.
I'll choose two separate one-hour workshops instead.
When your church building no longer serves your mission and options are sought. Mike Fitterling, lay leader and past board chair of Sojourners Christian Church (formerly South Joplin Christian Church) and Kay Love, incoming board chair from Webster Groves Christian Church will lead. (Both congregations relinquished their church buildings to further Christ’s presence in the community.) Ideas for using and equipping existing building spaces for transformational ministry will also be shared.
Led by Regional Minister Rev. Ron Routledge“So come on, let’s leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!” Hebrews 6:1-3 (The Message)This workshop will provide a practical map toward becoming a mature spiritual leader and will be structures by 5 movements:1— Scriptural Foundations2---Beyond Egoic Operating System to True Self 3— The Great Shema4— Simplicity on the other side of Complexity 5— 30 Characteristics of the mature leader
Rev. Nick Larson, pastor of First Christian Church in Boonville and Rev. Sarah Kingsbury, directors of the annual Our Faith, Our Bodies camp lead an open discussion for parents and pastors on how the church helps growing families by creating a safe space for eighth graders to understand and navigate their awakened interest in their sexuality, body wholeness, self-esteem, and relationship responsibilities.
Our Region is the first in the denomination to launch this special ministry emphasis. Learn all about the Silver Chalice Resolution to be presented in the business meeting on Saturday. Many of our congregations are growing older, we will share ideas about strengthening ministry with and for Older Adults. Join in discussion and dialogue with our Older Adult Ministries team: Rev. Dr. Paul Koch, Rev. Lina Eddy, Jan Aerie, Gerontologist & Mid-America Ministry Consultant, and others.
Rev. Sarah Renfro, Assistant Vice President of Client Relations with Pension Fund of the Christian Church, will offer a presentation and guide conversation around the topics of financial wellness and products and programs available to not only clergy but lay employees, as well. Time will be spent on how best to save today to prepare for tomorrow and how Pension Fund lives out its mission For the Support of Ministry.
Led by Associate Regional Minister David Woodard – Pastor of Affton CC-St. Louis and Rev. Teresa Spear.
Rev. Zane Whorton, Mid-America Camps Coordinator has laid the groundwork for mid-winter, fall, and spring regional youth gathering ministry, in addition to an enhanced summer camping experience. Come learn what is on the horizon for 2025 and how even “churches with no youth” can be integral in learning and leadership.
Includes a welcome by Moderator Madeline Haraway and Rev. Yvonne Gilmore. The Narrative Project begins at 6:30 with StoryHour preview by 3 storytellers from across the Region.
I'll have dinner on my own.
Guest speaker Rev. Dr. Joan Bell Haynes. Hosted by Mid-America Convocation Coordinators Paula Holliday, SCC-New London and Rev. Lewanda Jackson, SCC-Fulton
Further resources, connections and updates. Regional Minister Ron Routledge and RMN Team
No program, just eating together with friends.
At the historic Pony Express Stables. Sponsored by Phillips Theological Seminary and the Center for Lay Education and Leadership. Brief presentation by Director Leslie Robb LeSieur.Disciple John Wyatt’s band, Faith Unseen, will provide music. Pony Express tourism sites will be an additional $5 fee.
Each congregation is entitled to be represented in the Assembly by two voting delegates, plus one additional voting delegate for each 100 participating members or major fraction thereof over the first 100. These voting delegates are in addition to the congregation’s ordained and commissioned ministers. (If you are unsure, please contact your church office.)
All ordained and commissioned ministers with standing in the Mid-America Region shall be voting delegates.
All voting members of the Regional board shall be voting delegates.
How the Open & Affirming Process will grow and strengthen your congregation. Associate Regional Minister Phil Snider, Brian Kirk, Jimmy Spear and O&A Team.
Led by Associate Regional Minister Jennifer Long, pastor of Faith CC-Buffalo. Special speakers: Paula Holliday, SCC-New London, Chaplain Theresa Hamilton, FCC-Cameron, and Sheila Colley, Red Top CC. Hear how Disciples Women is evolving!
In the interest of environmental responsibility,we will only print paper dockets for those who request them and assume the cost upon registration.
The document will also be published onlineso all participants will be able to access it during the Assembly via their mobile devices.
I'll look at it online.
You'll be given the opportunity to add another registrantor continue to billing when you click "SAVE REGISTRANT" below.
