Disciples Men to Gather at Bethany

 

You Are Invited!

 The men of the West Virginia Region have joined with the men of five adjacent Disciples Regions in co-hosting a major men’s event next summer. Much successful effort has resulted in an exceptional opportunity for men to experience spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship, and also gain first-hand knowledge about the historical beginnings of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Planning for this event has been accomplished with the encouragement and full support of Disciples Home Missions and the General Conference of Disciples Men. You are invited and encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

 The Event: “XTREME FAITH-Bold Action: A Gathering of Disciples Men”

 July 13-15, 2012 at Bethany College.

 The Gathering includes inspirational presenters, a timely and engaging array of workshops, and tours of the historic areas, sporting events, a pig roast, and important hands-on mission work in support of the historic areas for willing volunteers.

We Would Appreciate Your Help… 

First, we encourage you to personally register now. Early Bird registration with reduced rates ends January 9^th. There is also a further reduced rate for men 35 and under.  For complete information about the Gathering, and for on-line or mail-in registration forms go to: http://www.gathering2012.org.

You can also help by getting this article about our Men’s Gathering included into your church’s next newsletter. If your church does not have a regular newsletter, please distribute this to the men of your church by whatever means you have available.  This is a unique opportunity for you and the men of our church. I would appreciate your efforts to have your church well represented.

I am hoping to see you there!

Randal Dawson

Regional Disciples Men President

 

Christmas Offering Reminder

Disciples Leaders in WV,

Please remember that in order for your congregation’s giving to be credited to 2011 in our Yearbook,  Jan. 9 is the last day for Disciples Mission Fund gifts (including your Christmas Offering) to be received at the Church Finance Council office in Indianapolis.  For those who wish to send any such funds through our Regional Office, we must receive it by Jan. 6.  We will be happy to assure that the funds are passed along to the proper entities and that proper credit is given to your congregation for the Yearbook, as we do with all of your Christmas Offering gifts for regional ministries.  You must mail them in time, however! 

 Our mailing address is CCWV, 1402 Washington Ave., Parkersburg, WV  26101.  Be sure to include your CFC remittance form or a note to us explaining where you wish to direct your funds, or we must assume they are all for Christmas Offering. 

God bless you in your generosity, and may your coming days be filled with joy in the celebration of the Savior’s birth!

Your Regional Staff

 

Midwinter Youth Retreat: REGISTER NOW!

Information will be mailed to congregations tomorrow, along with registration forms, for our 2012 Midwinter Youth Retreat, Feb. 10-12 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley.  Please help us spread the word that online registration and downloadable paper forms (which must be completed, even if registering online) are now available on our website.  Rev. Kevin Snow, an Associate Regional Minister for Youth and Young Adults, will be leading the event, and is looking forward to a great turn-out.  We want to remind congregations that each church sending youth are asked to send at least one adult per six youth, or fraction thereof. 

Questions?  Contact Kevin, or call the Regional Office at 304-428-1681.

 

Christmas Issue of Regional News Online

The West Virginia Regional News will be mailed this week, but is now available for your online reading.  Click here to download this PDF file.  We hope you’ll keep us aware of the news of your congregation for future issues.  The News is mailed monthly to those families of the Regional Church whose addresses we have on file.  Please keep us updated of address changes within your congregation.

 

Advent Prayerscapes Offered

Once again, the Order of Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is pleased to present Prayerscapes for Advent.  These daily devotional writings by the region’s ministers will be available to congregations and individuals in two formats. 

The paper version of the booklet can be downloaded for print (5 sheets, 8.5×11), beginning next week, from our website, and a master copy will be mailed to those congregations who do not “opt out” via the email that will be forthcoming. 

 The online version (which includes the scripture readings) may be read daily on our Prayerscapes site, where email subscription are now available.  The daily readings will be posted in the early hours of each day of Advent through Christmas Day, and will be delivered to all subscribers.  They will also be available for reading on our Facebook page.

We are grateful for the creative work of God at work in our Region’s clergy, and the gift they bring us in this effort each Advent and Lent!

 

Center for Faith and Giving Website

The Rev. Bruce Barkhauer, Disciples Minister for Faith and Giving, is pleased to announce the launch of a new website to strengthen the stewardship life of our Church.  Visit now.

 

Buffalo Seminary: The Bible in the Pastor’s Life

 

In cooperation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia

presents:  

 

The Bible in the Pastor’s Life

Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes

Rev. Dr. Victor Hunter

November 9 and 10, 2011

Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany College

 

Wednesday, November 9:    “Red Bible, Blue Bible—How Interpretative Lenses Shape Our Reading of the Bible and Impact the Preaching and Practice of Wholeness in a Fragmented World”   –Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes

Thursday, November 10:  “Bible Study, Pastoral Care—Exploring the Relationship, Strengthening the Connection, Empowering Our Pastoral Ministry”  –Rev. Dr. Victor L. Hunter

 Sessions from 9-noon and 1-4 each day

Meals Included in Registration Fee ($35/day)

Please register on-line at http://www.bethanywv.edu/about-bethany/church-relations/buffalo-seminary , then click on “Workshops and Events.” 

If you cannot register on-line, call Dr. Grimes at 304-559-8213

 Overnight Accommodations Available at Mountainside ($65/night + tax)

For room reservations call 304-829-4343—Driving Directions: http://www.bethanywv.edu/index.php?cID=79

 Detailed Program Will Be Available On-Line.

Victor L. Hunter earned his master of divinity at Union Theological Seminary, specializing in religion and psychiatry, and his doctor of ministry at Phillips Graduate Seminary. He has served as the dean of the Theological Education Institute in Denver, CO, and has taught at Phillips Theological Seminary as adjunct faculty since 1996. He retired from working at Evergreen Christian Church in Evergreen, CO, where he had been the pastor since 1985. He recently ended his retirement to become minister of First Christian Church, New Martinsville, WV. He is the author of several books, including Desert Hearts and Healing Fountains: Gaining Pastoral Vocational Clarity (Chalice Press).

 

 Larry Grimes earned his B.D. from Yale Divinity School specializing in theology and culture and his Ph.D. from Emory University in theology and literature. He recently retired from his professorship at Bethany College where he held the Perry E. and Aleece Gresham Chair in Humanities, and from a 15 year ministry at Community Christian Church in Beech Bottom, WV. He is a poet and literary scholar whose work has focused on the intersection of religion and literature. Presently he serves as Director of Church Relations at Bethany College.

  

UP-COMING EVENTS—SPRING 2012

 January 13, 2012 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 521 Maple Avenue, New Martinsville, WV

 “Marcellus Shale Summit: A Conversation of the Church”

Rev. Gary Kidwell and Rev. Darwin Collins (The Christian Church Foundation)

Dr. William Kiefer, Esq. (Bethany College) and a Panel of Experts

½ CEU

 

March 8-9, 2012 Mountain Conference Center

“Preaching and Praying Holy Week”

Rev. Dr. Bonnie Thurston

1 CEU

 

March 26-27, 2012—Mountain Conference Center

Oreon E. Scott Lectures – “The Challenge of Being Church in the 21st Century”

Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins

1 CEU

 

Spiritual Gift Based Ministry Workshop at Bethany

From 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 through 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Bethany College, a unique ministry workshop is available for:

• Individuals who want to grow in faith and learn to be more effective in their ministry for God
• Church Leaders who want to be more effective at pairing people with ministry and helping the Body of Christ become more healthy
• Congregations who want to experience transformation

Presented by Church Revitalization Consulting, LLC at Mountainside Conference Center at Bethany, WV.  Rev. Steven Smith, Rev. Rosetta Smith, and Dr. Kevin DiGregorio are the featured leaders.  Space is limited.  Visit http://www.bethanywv.edu/about-bethany/church-relations/   Click on Buffalo Seminary.  Select the Spiritual Gifts Workshop and register.  If you cannot register on-line, call Larry Grimes at 304-559-8213.

 

Men’s Retreat Oct. 7-9

Don’t miss the opportunity to register now for West Virginia Disciples Men’s Retreat, Oct. 7-9 at Cedar Lakes.  Rev. Darwin Collins, well-known friend of the Regional Church and Great Lakes Zone Vice President for the Christian Church Foundation, is our keynote speaker. 

You can learn more, download printable forms, or even register online at our Men’s Ministries page.  Questions? Call the Regional Center at 304-428-1681 or contact Joel Potts, Men’s Ministries Coordinator  (304-266-0054).  Rooms in Holt Lodge are nearly gone.  Register now!

 

2011 Tad Fitzsimmons Youth Ministry Intern

For those who missed the opportunity to see her in action in our 2011 Camps and Conference, meet Kelly Puckett, our 2011 Tad Fitzsimmons Youth Minsitry Intern, as she is introduced to you by Associate Regional Minister for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Rev. Kevin Snow.

Within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Kelly Puckett is what Malcolm Gladwell would call a “connector.”  She has a passion for the Gospel, which translates into making connections and building bridges among people of faith.  A lifelong member of Beargrass Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Louisville, Kentucky, Kelly has been living out the Mission and Vision of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since kindergarten. 

Kelly grew up an active participant in youth group, mission trips, X-Committee (the KY Region’s youth ministry cabinet), and CYF Camp Co-President.  After high school, Kelly stayed connected by attending Kentucky’s COW Retreats (College Outreach Weekend), and establishing connections as a camp counselor for the Kentucky and West Virginia Regions. 

In 2011, after traveling abroad throughout Central America and Europe, Kelly accepted a position as Tad Fitzsimmons Youth Ministry Intern for the West Virginia Region.  Kelly used this role to counsel West Virginia Chi-Rho camp and CYF Conference, before traveling back to Kentucky to counsel two more weeks of camp.  In her role, Kelly lived out the love and inclusivity of Christ by taking interest in each individual camper, while making connections across age, gender, and racial lines.  The West Virginia region was blessed to have her as part of our staff during the 2011 summer camp and conference season.