Past Events for 2009
2009 Offerings Due By January 7th
All offerings are due by January 7th in order to get credit for 2009.
Please be sure your church treasurer knows this deadline date for Disciple Mission Fund, Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Reconciliation or Week of Compassion. Sharing our gifts can make a difference for all of us!
Happy New Year!
2009 Christmas Offering
The Gospel of Luke tells of the night that the shepherds’ tedious routine was interrupted by an angelic announcement. There they were doing their hard, often boring, difficult work not expecting anything new or different or exciting.
Suddenly everything changed as they heard the wonderful news of God’s gift to the world in a newborn child. In response, they hurried to Bethlehem to discover for themselves what God had done.
Sometimes the mission and ministry of our local congregations seems like the work of the shepherds-hard, boring, exhausting…and even sometimes hopeless. How exciting when God is revealed to us in new ways that take our breath away and the work we do for God suddenly has new hope and new vision.
Across the Regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) -- and here in the Christian Church in the Southwest -- there are exciting stories of new congregations being established, existing congregations being renewed and transformed, and leaders equipped for ministry. Great things are taking place as we join God in God’s mission for the sake of the world.
With your Christmas Offering, you support our Regional ministry to enlist Disciples as members of a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
Clergy Sexual Abuse Prevention Workshop - Oct 31st
A clergy sexual abuse prevention workshop for licensed and ordained clergy titled "A Sacred Trust: Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers" will be conducted Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Bethany Christian Church, Odessa, TX and will be led by Rev. Charlotte J Hoppe, Tres Rios Area Minister.
This worshop satisfies the requirements for standing in the CCSW.
Date and time:
Saturday, October 31, 2009
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location:
Bethany Christian Church
4522 Everglade
Odessa, TX 79762
There is a $15 registration fee which includes lunch and is payable at event to Tres Rios Area.
Please e-mail Charlotte with questions, or if you would like to attend: choppe@ccsw.org
The Third Schubert M. Ogden Seminar on Systematic Theology - "The Gamble of Faith" - Oct 24th
By Kathryn E. Tanner, Dorothy Grant Maclear Professor of Theology, University of Chicago Divinity School
Presented by the Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity, Brite Divinity School, Saturday, October 24, 2009 (8:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.) at Northway Christian Church, 7202 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX
Christians in the modern period have often talked about faith as a kind of gamble: in the pursuit of salvation one is likely to incur costs for the sake of an uncertain gain. When trying to lead a Christian life, one risks the loss of the pleasures this world can offer, in hopes of a more ultimate and lasting happiness to come. What might such a conception of faith as a gamble imply about actual gambling? The seminar uses the current financial crisis--the result of gambling on a massive scale--to draw out a number of similarities and contrasts with the gamble of Christian faith and thereby provide a Christian perspective on recent failures in banking and financial markets.
Kathryn E. Tanner, Dorothy Grant Maclear Professor of Theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School, relates past thought from the history of Western theological traditions to areas of contemporary theological concern. She has lectured at educational institutions and churches in many countries and serves on the Theology Committee of the Episcopal House of Bishops. Her most recent book, The Economy of Grace (2005) marshals a theological argument for replacing the current capitalist economic system with a noncompetitive one that better reflects God’s own giving.
Registration is $35 and includes a light lunch. (Scholarships available)
Click hereto download the flyer.
To register or for more information: www.brite.tcu.edu/stalcupor 817.257.7580
Great Communion - Oct. 4th
2009 is the 200th anniversary of our call for Christian unity. In his "Declaration and Address" (written in 1809), Thomas Campbell said that the Church in the whole world is united...it is One. 100 years ago, our ancestors celebrated Campbell's call for unity with a Great Communion service. Our dream is that on Sunday, October 4, 2009, congregations all across the United States...and all around the world...will meet together and celebrate Communion and remember our common heritage.
Several years ago the Board of Trustees of Disciples of Christ Historical Society looked toward 2009 and realized that we did not want to miss the opportunity to mark the bicentennial of Thomas Campbell’s “Declaration and Address.” While there are other events and documents that we have also remembered, everyone agreed that this 1809 document truly formed the constitution for our movement. Its thesis is “the church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one.” It is the clarion call for unity that has been the hallmark of the Stone-Campbell movement.
Click here to go to the Great Communion website
Annual Men's Retreat will be September 18-20, 2009
This year’s retreat is set for September 18-20, 2009 and will be held at the Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat Center. With a Theme of “Remembering Our Past, Shaping Our Future”, two of our CCSW region’s preachers will be keynote speakers. Rev. Dr. Jimmy Cobb. Dr. Cobb is the current moderator for the Christian Church in the Southwest Region. Rev. Olin Fregia is the Campus Pastor of Jarvis Christian College
The event will also feature uplifting singing led by Rev. John Malget, educational workshops, heart-warming sharing, fellowship and spiritual renewal. Additionally, on Saturday afternoon, there will be a Dialogue with Rev. Dani Cartwright, our Regional Minister.
Don't forget to register by August 31st or Late fees will apply.
Click here for details.
Disaster Response Team Prepares to Serve in Alaska
Disciples Volunteering: Disaster Response is sending a Mission Team to Alaska at the end of the week that will include 19 volunteers from 8 regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They will be posting updates to this blog as often as possible, so check back frequently to see how God is moving as they partner in mission with neighbors in need. Disciples Volunteering: Disaster Response coordinates the long term mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) following disaster.
Click hereto follow their blog.
North Texas Area Disciples Men Quarterly Breakfast 8/8/09
It was a great breakfast and meeting on Saturday at FCC Plano. The food was outstanding, the facilities great (including the VBS decorations) and the Panel Discussion was intriguing. Regional Minister, Dani Cartwright, NTA Minister, Larry Ross and Northway Christian Church's Senior Minister, Doug Skinner reviewed highlights from the July 29- August 2 General Assembly.
A few interesting things pointed out by our panelists are:
- The Church is being called to Revival - there has not been a great revival yet this millennium - why shouldn't it start with us?
- Services, sermons and music were all outstanding
- There was some passionate discussion and disagreements - but everybody knew how to remain brothers and sisters in Christ. That's a great thing about this Church.
- The biggest Disciples churches - our "Mega" churches - are all African American.
- The fastest growing ethnic groups / churches in the Disciples are Haitian and Hispanic.
- The liberal-conservative balance in the Disciples is shifting - Haitian and Hispanic members tend to be very conservative theologically.
2009 General Assembly
What a GREAT General Assembly!
Disciples from all walks of life gathered in Indianapolis from Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, August 2, 2009 for the church’s biennial Assembly. Attendees came from across the United States and Canada – and in many cases from around the world – to worship, learn, fellowship and discuss the future of our Church. The 2009 General Assembly centered its work around Revelation 22:2 …“And the leaves of the trees shall be for the healing of the nations.” In choosing this verse as the centerpiece and guiding scriptural reference, organizers seek to complement the Disciples’ new identity statement (We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world) with a theme of relevance, energy, conviction – and healing.
Click here to see all of the reports from General Assembly.
Ride for the Refugee
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings from First Christian Church, Pampa. My name is Robbie Pepper and I am the chairperson for the “Ride for the Refugee”. It is hard to believe another year has flown by, but it is time again for this year’s “Ride”. This is the fifth year this ministry has been in existence.
We are taking two semi-trucks to the Valley this year. We are expecting both to be filled to capacity. If your church would like to donate items to the Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, please call me at 806-664-0080. I will let you know the easiest way for us to pick up your items.
We also are in great need of monetary contributions. We have rented the trucks and we will have other expenses such as fuel, accommodations, and meals. Whatever contributions are leftover will be donated to SWGSM.
If you can help with this ministry monetarily, please send contributions to:
First Christian Church
1633 N. Nelson
Pampa, Tx 79065
Thank you and God bless you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Robbie Pepper
Annual Men's Retreat will be September 18-20, 2009
The 2009 Annual Men's Retreat will be held at the Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat Center.
With a Theme of “Remembering Our Past, Shaping Our Future”, two of our CCSW region’s preachers will be keynote speakers. These are:
Rev. Dr. Jimmy Cobb. Dr. Cobb is the current moderator for the Christian Church in the Southwest Region. He most recently completed an Interim Ministry as Senior Minister at Central Christian Church in San Antonio. Jimmy is a dedicated pastor and church leader. He has served on the CCSW Committee on Ministry and Chair of the BBA/LRGVD Committee on Ministry. Most remember Jimmy as the Senior Minister at FCC, San Marcos from 1983-2003.
Rev. Olin Fregia. Rev. Fregia is the Campus Pastor of Jarvis Christian College, a position he has held since August of 2004. Prior to coming to Jarvis, Olin served as youth pastor and director of Munger Avenue Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. In Dallas, Olin concentrated on bringing church to un-churched youth in the “short-North Dallas” neighborhoods through bible-based, culturally-driven programs that include gender specific mentoring, youth retreats and contemporary media projects.
The 6:30 PM Friday evening through Sunday morning worship event will also feature uplifting singing led by Rev. John Malget, educational workshops, heart-warming sharing, fellowship and spiritual renewal. Additionally, on Saturday afternoon, there will be a Dialogue with Rev. Dani Cartwright, our Regional Minister.
For those men interested in Golf, there will be a Tournament beginning at noon on Friday before the retreat begins. Contact Roy Horne at:
"Roy Horne" <rhorne@valenceoperating.com> to signup.
Click here for registration forms.
Please note that checks must accompany registration forms.
Click here for the retreat schedule!
Click here for guidelines and forms for Layman of the Year award.
Click here for Brownwood maps.
Disciples History & Polity Course
Brite Divinity School will once again be offering the on-line Disciples History & Polity course, taught by Dr. Mark Toulouse. Mark has really been a driving force behind having this offered again, even though he is no longer at Brite, which we all appreciate! The registration forms for students and for mentors can be downloaded form the links below.
Click here for the Registration form for students.
Click here for the Registration form for mentors.
Interview with the Founder and Director of the Free Burma Rangers
The current episode of the weekly Bible-study podcast of the Westside Café produced by Central Christian Church of Dallas includes an in-depth interview with the founder and Director of the Free Burma Rangers that provide incredible humanitarian- and medical-relief efforts in Burma.
The Free Burma Rangers provide living examples of "serving beyond ourselves" with love and compassion to oppressed people under brutal political rulers.
You don't want to miss this special episode! It can be downloaded via Apple iTunes (links at the website below) or heard directly from the web pages of the Westside Café.
Click here for details about this special episode.
Or, visit http://www.cccdt.org/westsidecafe.
The Working Draft of the Guiding Vision Is Available
This draft was proposed by the New Day, New Direction Team on 01/06/2009 has been revised by the Regional Council on 02/27/2009. and is now a working document. The new version is posted at the link below.
It is hoped that EVERY congregation in the region will have some opportunity to talk about the Guiding Vision! God is calling us to a “new day” and it’s going to take all of us to discern that “new direction!”
Click here for details.
Bob Williams Elected to Foundation Board
Bob Williams, a member of Warren Avenue Christian Church in Dallas, TX, has been elected for a three-year term to the Board of Directors of the Christian Church Foundation.
Click here for details.
Clergy Sexual Misconduct Prevention Seminar
The Trinity-Brazos Area will hold a Clergy Sexual Misconduct Prevention Seminar at their offices at 1000 Bonnie Brae, Fort Worth, TX 76111 on Thursday, August 19th, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Click here for the TBA Registration form.
The Bluebonnet Area will be offering a Clergy Sexual Misconduct Prevention Seminar on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Rolling Oaks Christian Church, San Antonio, Texas from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Click here for the BBA Registration form.
General Assembly CCSW Gathering
2009 General Assembly Will Explore Wholeness for All
Disciples from all walks of life will gather in Indianapolis from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2, 2009 for the church’s biennial Assembly. Attendees will come from across the United States and Canada – and in many cases from around the world – to worship, learn, fellowship and discuss the future of our Church.
The 2009 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will center its work around Revelation 22:2 …“And the leaves of the trees shall be for the healing of the nations.” In choosing this verse as the centerpiece and guiding scriptural reference, organizers seek to complement the Disciples’ new identity statement (We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world) with a theme of relevance, energy, conviction – and healing.
Click here for details.
Click on the "start" arrow below to play the promotional video.
Video of the Scripted PowerPoint Presentation About General Assembly
The video presentation below is based on the scripted PowerPoint presentation provided by the General Ministry and includes audio of the script and background music.
Submit Your Questions For General Assembly Wholeness Café Conversations
What questions do you believe Disciples need to engage as we serve in today's mission context?
General Minister and President Sharon Watkins invites Disciples to do what we do best: engage in meaningful conversation that leads to wise action. As we strive to be a "Movement for Wholeness in our Fragmented World," Watkins has called the Wholeness Café -a conversation of 6,000+ Disciples - an opportunity for Disciples to sit face-to-face to address what it really means to live into our newly stated identity. The Wholeness Café will take place on July 30, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the 2009 General Assembly in Indianapolis.
The questions you share with us may be used as part of the Wholeness Café. You can have input into those questions by responding by May 10 to the survey at the link below that will help focus our conversation:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2if17kgfu4aj0xo/start
It’s a Whole New Day for CYLS! Doing Things a Whole New Way!
The mission of the Southwest Regional Youth Ministry Council of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest is to empower youth as servant-leaders through Jesus the Christ. In achieving our mission, one of the goals is to open Christian Youth Leadership Seminar (CYLS) to ALL our youth, not just those who serve their Area councils. As many of you know the RYMC has struggled to find a balance between meeting the needs of ALL our youth and providing time for each Area council to plan for their events.
The RYMC has developed a new and innovative program that we believe will be the solution.
Click here for details.
Women's Assembly June 26-28, 2009
The theme this year will be "I Called ... God Answered ... I am Changed!" The keynote speaker for Women's Assembly will be Sheila Spencer, Women's Ministry, Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of the workshops planned will be: "How to Study the Bible"; "Growing Women's Ministry Through the Computer"; "Hearing God's Call More Clearly"; "Opening the Door for Healing Conversations within Our Churches"; "Creating Worship Centers: Large or Small"; Diva Principles (of the Bible)"; and "40 Days Freedom from Wrong Thinking".
Click here for details.
Watkins Preached at the National Prayer Service
Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), preached the sermon at the National Prayer Service in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Her sermon concluded Presidential Inauguration activities for our country's forty-fourth President, Barack Obama. Rev. Dr. Watkins was joined by a diverse group of religious leaders at the prayer service, which took place at the National Cathedral.
Click here for details.
NTA DWM Spiritual Retreat April 17-19: The Lord Says: "Can You Hear Me Now?"
John 8:47a "He who belongs to God, hears what God says...."
The retreat will be April 17-19, 2009 in Athens, Texas. Registrations are now being accepted. After March 30, any registrations please add a $10 late fee.
Contact: Shannon Karr, PO Box 143,
Caddo Mills, TX 75135
(903) 527-3599 (Home Phone)
Reported by Stevie Linn - 03/19/2009
Disciples Men's 2009 Mission Project was a Church Build in Jacksonville, Texas
During the week of March 2-7, about 45 men made major contributions toward completing a 4000 square foot new church building for the Christian Temple Fountain of Life Church in Jacksonville, Texas. This Hispanic congregation has been “nesting” at First Christian Church, Jacksonville for quite some time and needed a new building for its growing numbers.
NEA layman Larry Seery and his crew poured the concrete slab and installed the steel frame posts and part of the roof in February. Mission Project Coordinator, Jimmie Muckleroy directed this project and donated several of his employees during portions of the exterior steel construction.
Carpentry, electrical and heating/air conditioning crews began on Monday morning. After carpentry crews framed the sanctuary, fellowship hall, a kitchen and offices, over 200 feet of insulated ducts were installed for two heating/air-conditioning units inside the facility. A sound enclosure and stage were built and installed. Electricians installed conduit pipe, connectors, power distribution boxes and primary power lines for the Sanctuary and class rooms and ran all wiring for the facility.
By the end of Saturday, all outside steel sheeting was installed and over 70% of the sheet-rock had been installed. Members of the congregation and the Senior Pastor were out in force on Saturday. Meals were cooked in FCC, Jacksonville’s kitchen by Bill Napper and Ernie Spiekermann.
The estimated value of the six days work donated by these volunteers are over $70,000.
2009 International Affairs Seminar
2009 International Affairs Seminar is a 50-year Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition, where high school juniors and seniors, along with adult sponsors, travel to Washington D.C. and New York City, exposing participants to a larger world view and challenging them to gain an understanding of their responsibilities as Christians in our world. In Washington, D.C. participating teens will worship at National City Christian Church, tour the Holocaust Museum, take a night bus tour of national monuments, visit museums and meet with international ambassadors and legislative delegations. In New York City, we will worship at the Riverside Christian Church and the UN interfaith chapel, visit the United Nations, attend challenging seminars, and see a Broadway musical.
Juniors and seniors in high school, at least 16 years of age, from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in Oklahoma, Southwest, and Great River Regions are invited to apply for the International Affairs Seminar.
Click here to go to "www.iasdisciples.com" for more information.
2009 Standing Form Is Now Online
The "2009 Annual Ordained Clergy Report: Continuation of Standing Form" is now online in the secure Member Portal of this website. This year, ordained clergy with standing can fill out the form online and submit it electronically. After you submit the web form, you will get an online confirmation and a copy will be e-mailed to you for your records. The form you submit will be instantly received in the Regional Office. Please complete the form by February 1, 2009.
If you are ordained clergy with standing AND you have already registered into the Member Portal, you may log into the Member Portal and complete the standing form now. Click on the "Complete the 2009 Standing Form" link below and log in.
If you are ordained clergy with standing but NOT yet registered in the password-protected Member Portal, click on the "Request a Member ID" link below and fill out the Member ID Request Form. We will send you a Member ID by e-mail that will allow you to register into the Member Portal and complete the 2009 Stand Form online. Please note that it may take several hours (to overnight) for you to receive your Member ID.
Click here to complete the 2009 Standing Form (for ordained clergy already registered in the Member Portal).
Click here to request a Member ID (for ordained clergy not yet registered in the Member Portal).
Clergy Sexual Misconduct Prevention Seminar
This class is mandatory for all Ordained and Licensed Clergy. If you have not already attended this class please make plans to as soon as possible. Please print off the attached form and mail it into the office with your payment. The Class will be held on February 9 2009, 10 am - 4 pm, at University Christian Church. Lunch is included in the cost of this class so you must register by February 1, 2009.
Click here to download registration form.
Hurricane Ike Relief Update from Texas Interfaith Disaster Response (TIDR)
Texas Interfaith Disaster Response (TIDR) continues to work with evacuees from Hurricane Ike. As others are working hard to repair and rebuild from Galveston to Houston and all the locations which were damaged by this powerful hurricane, TIDR assists those displaced persons who find themselves in Central Texas. TIDR work to help them meet their basic needs as they recover and rebuild their lives. Disaster recovery is a long-term process and as individual as the many persons and families that TIDR serve. TIDR works with FEMA, Emergency Management, and the many voluntary agencies and organizations, many of them faith-based, who provide resources and services to these who have lost so much.
Click here for details.
Tres Rios and Trinity-Brazos Areas To Host Global Mission Intern
The Tres Rios and Trinity-Brazos Areas have been asked by Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to host Global Ministries Intern, Kevin Howe, in January and February, 2009 visiting with congregations in the Southwest Region.
Kevin will be hosted in January by the Tres Rios Area and and in February by the Trinity Brazos Area.
We are currently developing an itineration schedule for Kevin. Congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest and the United Church of Christ are encouraged to invite Kevin for a week-night or Sunday event, especially with the youth of your congregation. Please call Area Ministers in Tres Rios and Trinity-Brazos to arrangements for Kevin to visit in your congregation.
Click here for details.
God’s Positioning Spirit Transformation Events
In response to pleas for resources and events which equip and inspire congregations toward transformation, five events focused on Congregational Transformation will occur in 2008 and 2009.
The content for each event will include inspirational and meditative worship, presentations by practicing leaders of transformation in local congregations, engaging small group exchanges in which congregational leaders seriously grapple with the specific issues of transformation, and effective resources that have proven records of success and that are presented in a hopeful and easy-to-understand manner.
Click here for more information.
Annual Men’s Cabinet Met on January 9-10, 2009
On the weekend of January 9-10, 14 men gathered at Disciples Crossing in Athens, TX for their annual planning meeting. Executive officers, area presidents, members-at-large, and CCSW constituency representatives were led by President Kevin Hollowell. They spent about 20 hours addressing items for CCSW men that will occur over the next two years.
A review of the 2008 Annual Brownwood Retreat, planning for retreats in 2009 and 2010 were major discussion items. Excitement was evident in preparing for the 2008 retreat. This year CCSW Moderator, Rev. Jimmy Cobb and Rev. Olin Fregia, Chaplain and professor at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX are speakers for the September 18-20 event.
Mission Work Project Coordinator Jimmie Muckleroy presented plans for the major project during 2009. It was noted that the General Church’s International Day of Pancakes will be on March 8th. Many CCSW churches have held pancake or other fund-raising events for Disciples Men mission projects. In past years, General Church pancake grants to our Southwest Regional Men’s projects have provided over $49,000, including a $7,100 grant for the 2008 Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries project. This is part of about $375,000 provided to other Disciples ministries across the U.S. All regional men’s groups are encouraged to participate in pancake fund-raisers during the year. Finally, area and constituent representatives gave reports of exciting ministries being carried out by men all over the Southwest Region.
