Update, April 14

I think part of my role is to help gather and share resources that can assist congregational ministry. So, from time to time (I wish I could say “weekly”), I send out an email to people with upcoming events and resources. I will be converting these occasional email blasts to blogposts that will also get sent out by email.

Stewardship. CCSW Learn refers to the educational offerings of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. CCSW Learn: Stewardship is coming up April 17, 10 AM (CDT)/9 AM (MDT)-4/3 PM.

Congregational Services Organization: Safe Gatherings and CongregationU are two online organizations providing training for clergy (Safe Gatherings) and Congregational Leaders (CongregationU) on topics like child abuse prevention and reporting, protection of the elderly and vulnerable, cleaning worship spaces, and other management issues.  The education is self-paced and therefore not interactive.  The organization offers other services like criminal background checks and reference checks. I applied for the Safe Gatherings (references and criminal background check) and took the basic training. It was very good.

Trauma Support: This Pandemic has been its own traumatic experience.  The Disciples of Christ have compiled a landing-page of resources to help congregational leaders respond to the traumatic effects of pandemic. 

Yearbook The Disciples of Christ Yearbook and Directory is the official listing of congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Disciples-related ministries and institutions, and Disciples clergy with standing.  The deadline for completing your congregation’s Yearbook is April 15, 2021.  More information here

CCSW Disciples Connect is new series of online presentation where CCSW Regional Staff introduce Disciples resources from the Regional and General Church to congregational leaders.  Our first conversation was with Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont and Rev. Bobby Hawley of the Christian Church Foundation. 

LTS Webinar Series. The next webinar in Lexington Theological Seminary’s Creating Vital Congregations series will be “Leadership in a Multicultural Word” with Rev. Lori Tapia, National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); April 24, 2021 12:30 PM-2:30 PM (CDT), 11:30 AM (MDT). 

General Minister and President. General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, holds a denomination-wide prayer gathering on her Facebook Page every Wednesday at 11 AM (CDT)/10 AM (MDT).