Great River Region Newsletter
May 9, 2014
Rev. Barbara E. Jones, Regional Minister
PO Box 192058, Little Rock, AR, 72219, Phone: (501) 562-6053
Website: http://grrdisciples.org, Email: tina@grrdisciples.org
JOYS
Rev. Steve Willis, Pastor at First Christian Church Hot Springs, AR received his Certificate of
Theology at Lexington Theological Seminary. Congratulations Steve!
CAMP IS FAST APPROACHING! Camp Booklets are on the website! Something magical
happens at camp! Download your camp booklet today to get information on all things camp:
dates, directors, sample schedules, Counselor registration and Camper registration forms!
DUE MAY 16th.
CONCERNS
Please keep Theresa Booth, a pastor applying for Disciples Standing, in your prayers. Friday
night she went into ICU in Shreveport with an aortic aneurism. Please keep her in your
prayers along with her husband Ben. Ben is a deputy Sheriff and they are co-pastors in a
non-denominational church in Northwest Louisiana. Ben is also applying for standing.
Prayers for Dr. Alvin Jackson, Pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City, in the
loss of his mother in Jackson, MS. Funeral service held at Tougaloo College.
We continue to hold in our prayers Sherry Horton, minister, and the congregation of First
Christian Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. We also hold in our prayers the residents in central
Arkansas whose lives have been devastated by the tornado, as well as the many across our
country who have suffered loss of life and damage through these devastating storms and
floods.
First Christian Church Tupelo, MS.
WEEK OF COMPASSION UPDATE.
Rescue and relief efforts continue across the Midwest and
South in the aftermath of several days of severe weather that
has left a wake of death, damage and destruction. At least 29
people have been killed. Hundreds of homes and businesses
have been destroyed and entire communities devastated. The
sanctuary and fellowship hall of First Christian Church,
Tupelo, Mississippi has been destroyed. Your prayers
and your gifts to WoC are already undergirding these
congregations and will certainly be needed as we continue to
respond to these and to other congregations and communities
that have been impacted. Designated gifts can be made to WoC
and should be earmarked for "Response Fund" or "U.S.
Storms." We will also post information soon about relief
supplies, volunteer efforts and other short and long-term
recovery needs. Week of Compassion is grateful for the
partnership and support of Disciples across North America that
enables us Disciples to put our compassion in action. Thank
you.
*** Notice***
The Southern Clergy Retreat that was to be held at
St. Mary of the Pines on May 19th-21st has been cancelled.
DISCIPLES WOMEN.
Quadrennial Assembly – June 25-29, 2014 at the Marriott Marquis
in downtown Atlanta. Time to register NOW, it’s only two months
away!!! Some Pickering scholarships are still available – once you
register, forward your application for scholarship and your
registration receipt to Wendy at the regional office.
Disciples Women Retreats
Arkansas – August 8th-10th (4H Center, Ferndale)
Mississippi – September 19th - 21st (Eagle Ridge Conf Center, Raymond)
Louisiana – October 10th - 12th (Wesley Center, Woodworth)
Don’t forget to renew your Just Women subscription!! (If you don’t have a subscription, you
might want to get online today and order!!)
 Effective this year, the spring Study issue is now written BY Disciples Women FOR
Disciples Women. This year’s study, Women of the Bible: Seeking Justice
 With an introduction from our General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins this
study includes lessons about Ruth and Naomi, Bathsheba, Jephthah’s daughter, Tamar
(David’s daughter), Esther & Vashti, Sarah & Hagar, Rachel & Leah and, finally, Hannah
& Elizabeth. The issues that I pre-ordered are selling like hotcakes!!!
Regional Assembly 2014
November 7-9
Park Hill Christian Church
North Little Rock, Arkansas
PRE-ASSEMBLY EVENT FOR CLERGY – On Friday,
November 7, from 9 am–3 pm based on
Dr. Boring’s latest book, “An Introduction to the
New Testament: History, Literature, Theology.”
Registration required.
Guest Speakers:
Eugene Boring, Brite Divinity School
Zedric Clayton, Real Faith Christian Church
Dick Hamm, The Columbia Partnership
Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President
First Christian Church, Fayetteville, AR. Rev. Ryan Pfeiffer, Pastor.
166 years ago, FCC was established. The
present church building was rebuilt over the
course of 17 months at a cost of $25,000 and
officially dedicated on May 24, 1914.
The community is cordially invited to
celebrate both the past and the present with
First Christian Church on Sunday, May 25, at
10 a.m. with a special worship service and
meal to follow. To attend lunch, please RSVP
for tickets at 479-442-4674.
First Christian Church, Lake Charles, Louisiana will celebrate 120 years of ministry on June 1,
2014. We will have a special combined worship service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a
jambalaya dinner. We hope you will be able to join us for this special day. Church phone
337-478-3034. Located at 2525 Second Avenue.
First Christian Church, Mountain Home, AR will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary on June
7 and 8, 2014. Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, astronomer and author will be the featured speaker for
the community on Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. The church is located on Highway 62
West. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this special visual presentation entitled
"Amazing Universe, Amazing Grace, Amazing God!" Attendees will see new views of the
majesty of space as captured through modern telescopes, and will hear how these amazing
new discoveries can inspire awe, wonder, and praise.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CCDOC
Executive Director of Week of Compassion
President of Higher Education and Leader Development
Regional Pastor (Minister) Christian Church in Oklahoma
Regions with Interims
Northern California / Nevada (Mary Jacobs Transitional RM)
Southwest (Coretha Loughtheridge Acting RM)
Greater Kanasas City (Donna Rose-Heim Interim RM)
Capital Area (Bob Perry)
Congregations in Pastoral Search and Call:
FCC Slidell, LA
Yellow Pine CC, Sibley LA (in negotiations)
From Regional Minister Barbara Jones: barb@grrdisciples.org:
Finishing my comprehensive exams and attending funeral for Pastor Alvin Jackson’s mother
in Jackson, MS.
From Melanie Willis, Youth Coordinator: youth@grrdisciples.org:
Youth Ministry Workshop: There is one more opportunity to participate. Anyone in your
congregation who touches the life of your youth is welcome. Email youth@grrdisciples.org to
get your name on the list. Here are the details for the remaining workshop:
Mississippi - May 31 at Covenant CC, Terry, MS
10am – 3pm, *Lunch provided
(Due to the Tornado, the workshop was rescheduled to 5/31 from the previously scheduled
date)
Additions to Camp Booklet: Magnolia Camp and Conference.
June 16-21, Roosevelt State Park, Completed 3rd – 12th Grades, $140.00
Registrations Due May 16th
Magnolia Camp has a rich 80 year history in Mississippi. Activities include bible class, art
class, praise dance class, morning watch and evening vespers.
Josie McClorine from Port Gibson, MS directs Magnolia Camp. Josie has been working with
Magnolia Camp & Conf for over 40 years and dedicates her heart to the youth and program.
Eighters Camp
July 4 – July 11, Completed 8th Grade Only. Register by April 30th - $365
Register after Apr 30th - $390
***Register at http://talloaks.org/WP/summer-camp/***
Eighters camp is a very special camp offered only to youth who have completed 8 th grade.
We combine with Greater Kansas City and Oklahoma to bring this unique experience to our
youth. We travel to Tall Oaks Campground in Linwood, KS to participate. All those south of
central Arkansas will meet at First Christian Church, Hot Springs on Friday July 4 th. The region
will then travel to Northwest Arkansas to pick up those from that area. We will travel on to
Kansas from there.
Commissioners: HUGE congratulations to our commissioners for the 2014-2015 year!
Allison Matthews, FCC Bentonville, AR
Allision Ruff, Park Hill CC, N. Little Rock, AR
Christopher Williamson, FCC Monroe, LA
Grace Featherston, FCC Ft Smith, AR
Laura Yawn, FCC Rogers, AR
Macy Grimsley, FCC Bentonville, AR
Martha Pearce, FCC Pine Bluff, AR
Pierce Lehman, FCC Tupelo, MS
Tanner Thomason, Park Hill CC, N. Little Rock, AR
Adults: Stacy Eastwood, Ronny Nowell, Cody Robertson and Sarah Dowd
Summer Interns 2014: MORE congratulations go to our newly announced “Dream Team ‘14”
Bowen Cermack, Katrina Harrell and Luke Fryauf. They start June 9th!
Bowen’s home church is FCC Tupelo, MS. He is currently studying
biochemistry at Ole Miss. The best part of camp for him has always
been the people, so he’s excited to be able to give back to the
people who gave him so much!
Katrina comes to us from Kings Highway CC in Shreveport, LA. You
may recognize her last name. Her big sister, Megan was one of the
“dream team ‘13”! Katrina is studying business and marketing at
LSU.
Luke is our lone “northerner”, coming from FCC Rogers, AR. Like Bowen, his camp
relationships have meant the most to him. Being with those people again is what he’s most
looking forward to. He’s studying business at the University of Arkansas.
Discovery Camp Director: We’re over-the-moon excited that Sarah Dowd from FCC Monroe,
LA will be returning as director for Discovery camp! The line-up is as follows:
Discovery – Sarah Dowd, FCC Monroe, LA
JYF – Renee Eakin, KHCC Shreveport, LA
Chi Rho – Yvonne Taylor, FCC Baton Rouge, LA
CYF – Ronny Nowell, FCC Rogers, AR
ATTENTION GRR YOUNG ADULTS:
The Young Adult Retreat (YAR) was a smashing success! We had 31 young adults across 10
churches. Unfortunately, we had to cut it short due to weather, but we’ve already
rescheduled the retreat. Here are the details:
September 19-21 at Camp Couchdale. $85.00
National Benevolent Association: XPLOR Residency:
NBA XPLOR is a faith-based, 10-month, congregationally-hosted residency program designed
for 21 to 30 year olds looking to explore lives of care and service — giving them the
opportunity to unleash their own potential, while positively impacting their community. We
encourage you to check it out! http://www.nbacares.org/xplor
Pinnacle Outreach Ministry. This new venture in ministry is an extension of Pinnacle
Structures, Inc. of Cabot, Arkansas, and the Great River Region. Our theme for outreach is
"Helping Equip the Faithful for the Work of Christ."
Pinnacle Outreach Ministry is providing a copy of An Introduction to the New Testament
to each congregation through their senior pastor. The author of this great book is world
renowned New Testament scholar and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister, the Rev.
Dr. M. Eugene Boring. In addition to the book, Dr. Boring will be coming to our Regional
Assembly in November to lead a one day (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) pre- assembly event for all
ministers in our region. Dr. Boring will also lead two workshops for lay persons and clergy.
I hope you join me in grateful anticipation of Dr. Boring's visit, and that you will be able to
join us at our Regional Assembly, November 7-9, at Park Hill CC in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
In Christ's service, Miles Cook, Director. milescook@outlook.com, 501-743-0068.
Great River Region. http://www.grrdisciples.org
National Disciples of Christ. http://www.disciples.org/
Missouri School of Religion courses. http://missourischoolofreligion.org/.
Global Ministries. http://globalministries.org/
Week of Compassion. http://www.weekofcompassion.org/. Week of Compassion is the
relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in
the United States and Canada. We seek to equip and empower disciples to alleviate the
suffering of others through disaster response, humanitarian aid, sustainable development
and the promotion of mission opportunities.
Disciples Home Missions. https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/
Disciples Mission Fund. To Give online go to http://www.disciplesmissionfund.org/
Disciples Mission Fund is the common fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ). Disciples Mission Fund supports 72 ministries of wholeness as close as your local
congregation and reaching around the globe. As a Global Mission church, we understand that
equipping congregations for mission includes learning from, learning with and offering support
to our partners beyond the borders of the United States and Canada.