Advent Devotions Ready for Print or Subscription

The second annual publication of Prayerscapes for Advent, the daily devotions prepared by our region’s ministers (and mission partners) is ready for email subscription at the Prayerscapes site, and now also for downloading on our Publications page.

Individuals and congregations wanting to use a convenient full-season booklet which may be freely distributed, will find instructions there (booklet prints on 4 sheets of letter-size paper, 2-sided).  A weekly version is available, as well, for those who wish to feature each week’s collection on 1 sheet of letter-size paper (2-sided) as a bulletin insert, or to print for personal reading.  Visit the site for full details and download links.

If we can be of any help in this process of sharing this gift with your congregation (including printing assistance for congregations who may not be well-equipped for that), please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Global Ministries Partners: Bentrotts Report from Haiti

A Struggling CountryNovember 3, 2009

“Many would like the poor to keep on saying that it is God’s will for them to live that way. But it is not God’s will for some to have everything and others to have nothing. That cannot be of God. God’s will is that all his children be happy.”

Archbishop Oscar Romero

Everyday Kim and I are confronted with the profound suffering that permeates Haiti. It is a country where fathers search in vain for work, mothers struggle to feed their hungry children, and education is all too often a luxury that the impoverished masses have little or no access to. It is a country where barefoot children beg in the streets, heaps of fermenting garbage pile up everywhere, and people continue to die of preventable diseases for no other reason than that they are poor. Despite these inhumane living situations it is not uncommon for one of my seminary students or a local church pastor to wonder aloud if the people of Haiti are being punished by God due to their lack of faith or for some sin that they have committed. Others are more confident in their assertions that God has blessed the righteous (aka: rich nations) and is dulling out to the poor nations, including Haiti, exactly what they deserve. Interestingly, much of this type of theology was brought to Haiti and spread throughout the country by evangelical Christians from the United States.

Part of the work that our partner organization CONASPEH does in Haiti is to provide theological education and training for pastors serving in their member churches. Many of these pastors have been leading their churches for several years, but they often do have any formal education and have not had the opportunity to take classes on things such as theology, the Bible, and church history. CONASPEH fills this void by working to provide such courses for these pastors, many of whom serve poor congregations that are unable to pay them a salary. A key component of the theological foundation that CONASPEH teaches can be found in the organization’s symbol, which is an inverted tree. The tree has its roots in heaven, but the fruits of the tree manifest on earth. The message that the inverted tree symbolizes is that the God that Jesus revealed is a God who calls and inspires us to work to produce the fruits of love and justice on earth. Like Jesus, we too are invited to participate in bringing the good news of God’s love and justice to a world where some of God’s children are being denied their right to life and sadly, openly questioning if this is God’s plan for them. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may life and have it abundantly.” As followers of Jesus let us join CONASPEH in preaching the message of abundant life with both words and actions.

Patrick and Kim Bentrott

Haiti

Patrick and Kimberly Bentrott are assigned to the National Spiritual Council of Churches in Haiti (CONASPEH). Patrick serves as advisor for theological education and diaconal projects and programs.  Kimberly serves as an advisor for health care and diaconal projects and programs.

 

For More Information
Felix Ortiz-Cotto
Area Executive
Latin America and the Caribbean
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis,Indiana 46206
United States
317-713-2563
Fax: 317-635-4323
fortiz@dom.disciples.org

 

Some space remains for Tuesday Stewardship Webinar

We are pleased to announce a Stewardship Bible Study to be offered this Tuesday at 7 p.m., led by the Associate General Minister, Rev. Dr. Todd Adams.   Some space remains.  Reserve your seat.   A confirmation email will follow with instructions on how to join the meeting.   We hope you’ll join us.

 

Lilly Grant Received by Weirton Congregation

            First Christian Church, Weirton, West Virginia has received a grant of $47,150 to enable its minister, Rev. Kevin L. Bowers, to participate in the 2009 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.  It is one of 149 congregations across the country that will support their ministers in the program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for the benefit of their ongoing ministries.

             Rev. Bowers will be going back into the history of our country and the church as well as personal history.  He will be visiting historical as well as growing congregations.  His congregation in Weirton will celebrate their past, with a 180^th anniversary celebration, and plan for the future.  Many special speakers will grace the First Christian Church pulpit during Rev. Bowers’ absence.

           Now in its 10th year, the program invites Christian congregations and ministers to consider and plan a period of intentional reflection and renewal. It provides a time for ministers to take a break from their daily obligations and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered “sabbath time” of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide.

            Each congregation is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $50,000. Up to $15,000 of that amount can be used to fulfill pastoral duties during the minister’s absence and for expenses related to the congregation’s own renewal. The 149 grants this year total $6.2 million.

            This year’s group includes congregations in 36 states. Almost two-thirds of them see between 100 and 300 at Sunday worship services. Twelve congregations have more than 1,000 at worship. The group of pastors counts 40 women, four of them members of clergy couples.

            The 2009 class of grantees brings to 1,290 the number of congregations that have received clergy renewal grants since 2000. “We have heard wonderful stories from these pastors who already have experienced their sabbaticals,” said Craig Dykstra, Endowment senior vice president for religion. “Their time away has freed them up to pursue personal interests and needs in ways that have given them new energy for ministry – and their congregations have discovered that they didn’t fall apart without their minister around. Indeed, they too experienced refreshment and a new-found sense of their own strengths.”

            The Endowment’s larger goal is to bolster the good work that America’s pastors and congregations accomplish day in and day out and to reinforce and build upon important work being done on both sides of the pulpit. “In our religion grantmaking, we hope to strengthen the efforts of today’s excellent pastors because it is no secret that pastors who have reconnected themselves to the passions that led them to the ministry in the first place are more likely to lead healthy and vibrant congregations,” Dykstra said.

 

Regional Minister Reflects on Ecumenism in the Region

And still today we see as our unique calling the quest for Christian Unity.  The signs are evident and we continue the legacy given to us by our founders.  A few of the regional signs of our ecumenical work are:

• The well deserved honor that Betty Beeson (of United Disciples of Christ in Charleston) received last week at the annual assembly of our West Virginia Council of Churches. She was awarded the 2009 Mary Virginia DeRoo Service award for Ecumenism. Betty is the third member of our regional church to share this honor (Bonnie Thurston and William Allen being the other two.) Because of her life, work and Christian witness the unity of the church is made evident.
• At the same assembly mentioned above, I believe that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was the most represented communion at the Council of Churches event. We were present indeed.
• On October 4, 2009 several of our flock gathered in Washington, Pennsylvania for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address. Several of our ministers participated here and in Bethany the day before.
• This month the region received several gifts for the William B. Allen Fund for Ecumenical Ministry. Honoring two years of the fund’s existence and the ministry its namesake, members of the church committed precious resources to this invested fund in order that the ecumenical witness would be made possible into the future. 5% of the fund is used annually for ecumenical ministry.

The signs are evident.   Christian Unity remains our polar star.   May our Regional Church be a leader on this journey.

Thaddaeus B. Allen

 

Congregational News Update

The following news items were gleaned from the congregational newsletters and other communications as received in the Regional Center.  Please direct your congregation’s news to us for possible inclusion in the next update, and for our regional newsletter.  Be sure to keep us in the loop for items of immediate interest that we may help you publicize, as time and space allow.

Beckley, First (Don Snyder, Pastor).  Youth are preparing a Christmas Play for Dec. 6.  Choir will perform The Splendor of Christmas on Dec. 13.  Women are planning a basket auction for November. 

Bethany, Memorial (Scott Thayer, Pastor).  The pastor will be installed at a special service, planned for Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.  Former member Carol Cook will be ordained in Baltimore on Nov. 14, and the church will host a celebration and recognition of the event on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.  Carol will also be preaching at the 10:45 service that day.  The church will house the annual costume judging following the village parade (at 5:15 p.m.) on Halloween.  www.bmcdisciples.org.

Bluefield, First (Aaron Watkins, Pastor).  A bake sale will be offered at the Nicaragua Fundraiser Dinner, Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m.  Pastor’s Open House will be Dec. 11 from 4-7 p.m.  Halloween Party is planned for Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.  http://www.citlink.net/~firstchristian/

Cameron, Big Run & Fork Ridge (Andrea Brownlee, Pastor).  Worship is led monthly at the Cameron Nursing Home.  Men continue to meet for breakfast and Women for dinner.  Vespers are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Big Run.  A new roof will be installed at Big Run. 

Charleston, United (Steven Smith, Pastor).  A “Holy”ween Party was scheduled for Oct. 16.  Progress continues on the new property acquisition.  More at www.uniteddisciples.org.

Fairmont, Central (Joshua Patty, Pastor).  Fall Yard Sale is Nov. 6-7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gym.  Book Goup is reading Signs and Wonders by Philip Gulley.  Pastor will continue a 13 session introduction to the New Testament on Nov. 3 and 17.   Vocal Tapestry will perform annual Christmas Concert Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.  Reception will follow.  http://web.centralchristianfairmont.org

Huntington, Madison Avenue (Jamie Gump, Pastor).  Minister was honored with a new stole in celebration of Pastor Appreciation Week.    Judy Lambert, organist, was honored recently in worship for over 40 years of service.  College Class is collecting food for the local pantry and City Mission.  Financial Peace program is being offered on Mondays.

Logan, First (Kenny Hardway, Pastor).  Church enjoyed a Family Bowling Night on Oct. 17.  http://www.orgsites.com/wv/fccoflogan/index.html.  The pastor will be installed at the 11 a.m. service on Nov. 1.

Mannington, First (Lynn White, Pastor).  Special music is planned for the Nov. 1 worship, which will follow a time of refreshments at 10:30.  Monthly dinner is planned for Nov. 22.

Matoaka, Matoaka (Craig Hammond, Pastor).  Pastor Appreciation Dinner was celebrated Oct. 4.  Matoaka fall festival is Oct. 31.  Church is looking for a back-up keyboard.

Morgantown, First (Rick Howard, Pastor).  Scouting program is active in the church.  Pot-luck dinners are enjoyed on the 2nd Sunday of each month.  Church office provides “Last Wishes” forms for members to complete, assisting the church and family in planning for celebrating the member’s life.  www.morgantownwvdisciples.org.

Parkersburg, First (Sandy Downs, Pastor).  Tim Graves, a seminarian at Lexington and member of the Wheeling First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has begun an internship in the congregation as a student associate minister.  Fall Festival will be held Nov. 7, including vendors and crafts from around the area.  The Disciples Coffee Project will also be available for purchases.  Church will offer their annual free Thanksgiving Day dinner at noon, which draws many from the church and community for fellowship.  Visit www.movpdoc.org.

St. Albans, First (Bill Pollack, Pastor).  Building improvements continue.  Fall Harvest Fellowship is planned for Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.  Ladies Night Out was Oct. 17.   http://www.saintalbansdisciples.org/

Weirton, First (Kevin Bowers, Pastor).  Church landscaping is being renewed.  Week of the ministry was celebrated Oct. 25.  Fall Bash is planned for Nov. 1, including a “Pie Buffet”.  Plans are well underway for hosting the 2010 Regional Assembly.  www.weirtondisciples.org.

Wheeling, First (Magdalyn Sebastian, Pastor).  The pastor addressed the Washington, PA gathering in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Declaration and Address.  The Bentrotts (our Global Ministries Partners in Haiti) partnered with the congregation in worship on Oct. 4 (World Communion Sunday).  Faith Formation Class (preparation for baptism celebration on Palm Sunday) begins Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m.  Thanksgiving Baskets are being prepared by Outreach.  The Pumkin Patch continues to operate through the end of October.  Details on the website:  www.bigroundwindow.com

Wheeling, Island (Judy Bennett, Pastor).  The church will celebrate VIP Sunday on Nov. 22, with the Rev. Dr. William B. Allen, Regional Minister Emeritus, as preacher; a fellowship dinner will follow.  A book club has begun.  Prayer and Sharing Group meets Mondays at 9:30 a.m.  More at http://www.island-christian-church.org/.

 

Global Ministries Update from Haiti

CONASPEH Update :  October 15, 2009

National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH)

Spring 2009 Report

CONASPEH expresses their gratitude to the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for their “acompañamiento” to the Haitian people in particular to CONASPEH. It is always a source of blessing for the churches of the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti.

In the past six months, CONASPEH has provided scholarships for a total of 166 kids; 116 at Saint Andre College (equivalent to K-12) and 50 at College of Petion-Ville (K-12). “Food for Learning” programs provide food for many children so that children are not only able to attend school but also have the mental energy to concentrate and learn. General programming and literacy programs continue at Port-de Paix and Cape Haitian.

Scholarships have also been provided for students at the Karen School of Nursing. In February 2009, 18 graduated from the Nursing School and were honored at the CONASPEH Congress. Of the graduates, 16 were women and two were men.

Also during the CONASPEH Congress in February 2009, 35 graduated from theology school and 75 pastors were ordained. Two of the seminary graduates were women.

Two recent extension programs of the seminary have provided access to classes for 90 additional theology students. The first seminary extension opened at Leogane and the second extension opened at Jacmel.

Cape Haitian also provided access to a farming cooperative for more than 20 families. This provides cooperative grain storage and the availability of a mill. Artibonite also has a portable mill so that people are able to gring the grain they have grown. Plateau Central provides a program to receive seeds on credit with 2-3% interest. Over 80 families participated by borrowing money to purchase and plant seeds, and then repaid the money with earnings so that others can then borrow and buy seeds.

Other advances include an electricity installation project at the CONASPEH Regional Center in Artibonite, which also serves the school.

The challenge continues to be having the funds to meet all the needs for education, food, training, etc. Plans for the next year remain basically the same — to continue to work hard to provide needed services and guidance. Each year, CONASPEH tries to be innovative to do more with less and make projects stronger. They also strive to find ways to participate more in the national setting in Haiti.  In this respect, CONASPEH is an important resource to churches and to the Ministry of Religion in Haiti. 

Kimberly and Patrick Bentrott are Global Ministries partners of the West Virginia Region, serving in Port-au-Prince.

 

Reconciliation Team to Meet

The work of becoming and Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation church continues in the life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia.  To that end, the Reconciliation Team will be meeting this Saturday at the Regional Center in Parkersburg. 

The 18-member team – which is designed to help team members, congregations, and the Regional Church deal effectively with the sin of racism and the call of Christ to reconciliation – meets periodically to explore creative ways in which to do their work.  A portion of the church’s Reconciliation Offering is retained within the region to facilitate their work.  The group will be convened by Rev. Chafin.

 

Flick’r’s on the Fritz

Please be patient in accessing our WV Disciples Photo Pool at our Flick’r site.  There are issues beyond our control that will hopefully be cured in the next day or so.

 

Beeson Recognized at Council of Churches Assembly

The annual Assembly of the West Virginia Council of Churches was held on Monday, Oct. 19 at the Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston.  In addition to a productive and inspiring time of worship and networking, the Council recognized the ecumenical commitment and work of Betty Beeson, long-time regional leader and member of the United Disciples of Christ Church in Charleston.

Betty received the Mary Virginia DeRoo Ecumenical Award, a gesture of great respect and appreciation for her many years of dedication to the work of the Council and to the cause of Christian unity and interfaith efforts.

Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen, Regional Minister, spoke of the powerful impact of her life upon the cause of Christian Unity, and the award was presented to her by her pastor, the Rev. Steven Smith.  Congratulations came from the Executive Director of the Council, Rev. Dennis Sparks, also a Disciples minister and member of the United congregation.  

The Disciples delegation was augmented by a number of Betty’s family and friends who attended the luncheon.  The Regional Church celebrates this honor with her.   See more photos on our Flick’r site.