Spring 2013 (April, May, June)

Volume 65, No 1

A Disciples of Christ (IL-WI Region) Quarterly Publication

Women’s Spring Gathering 2013 The time has come to register for the Women’s Spring Gathering, featuring Rev. Dr. Pat Donahoo, fair trade shopping, a silent auc-tion and, best of all, a chance for fellowship and worship with the great women of the Christian Church in IL-WI! For more infor-mation and a registration form, visit:

www.cciwdisciples.org/ministries/women

Summer Campers — Registration is OPEN! It’s that time of year again—spring is in the air and registration forms are online for you to download. Get registered for camp today! You can find a wealth of information on the website including forms, videos, flyers, trainings and other valuable resources. Have you thought about being a camp counselor or director? Find out what it’s all about, or take a look at the CIT program if you’re a first-time staffer. Worried about the cost of camp? Check out the scholarship application and see if you qualify. Or, experience camp in a whole new way—become a Summer Camp Intern. This paid position works in various aspects of the camping program. Full details and an ap-plication are also on the CCIW Summer Camp website. Are you an artistic camper looking to make yourself known to the CCIW world? Then submit a design into the Camp T-Shirt contest. The first place winner will receive a FULL scholarship to attend camp AND have their design printed on the t-shirts. There are other prizes, too, including partial camp scholarships to make it even more affordable. Rules and guidelines are on the website. Deadline is April 1st!

Check out

these pics

from 2012!

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In the time since our last Regional Assembly

there was an election, twenty first graders and their

teachers died, Christmas came and went, another

young person in Chicago was killed by gang violence,

and a New Year is already 1/3 gone. Time does not

heal all wounds it just marches on. God is the healer,

and we are called to be a part of God’s mission in this

world.

At our 2012 Regional Assembly, we closed our

time together in a World Café conversation. Our young

people guided us as we considered three questions:

Where are we, individually and together, on our

walk with Jesus? What is God (Jesus) calling us to

do and be at this point on our journey? Who is our

neighbor and how do we walk with them?

We wrote responses onto newsprint spread out

on over 30 tables. The good news for me is that Con-

nie Henderson on our support staff typed them all up--

-pages and pages of them. Thank you!

I’ve been reading through those pages, and

have passed them on to our Long Range Planning and

Vision Committee. The sifting continues, but I thought

you might like to hear some wisdom from the Christian

Church in Illinois and Wisconsin for the days in which

we are called to live our faith:

“Strengthen the connections. Accept the differ-

ences. Celebrate where we have been. Let go, to

move on. Try something new. Use technology as a

tool for the mission. Go, not alone, but together.

Do God’s reconciling mission in the world!”

Do this with a sense of urgency, as if our children’s,

children’s, children lives depend upon it.

Guatemala Partnership

Next Steps:

Pentecost, May 19, 2012

Our partners gather across

their ecumenical traditions to celebrate the beginning

of the Church of Jesus Christ. Find others in your com-

munity who would like to join with you in sharing a

worship for the sake of Unity. Go to

www.concejoecumenico.org for more information

about our partners work.

On May 14-21, 2012 another delegation from

CCIW will travel to Guatemala.

Also in May, Zane Ridings, a student at Eureka,

will begin working as a summer Global Mission Intern

with the seminary at Kaqchikel Presbytery in Guatema-

la.

And, two young people from Guatemala will be

our guests during our summer camping season.

For more information and updates check our

website www.cciwdisciples.org, sign up for our weekly

CCIW eNews updates, or go to Teresa CCIW at Face-

book.com

Regional Minister’s Moment

Rev. Dr. Teresa Dulyea-Parker

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News

New Pastor for Park Manor in 2013 Park Manor Christian Church has called Rev. Dr. William Crowder, Jr. to serve as the thirteenth pastor of the 124-year old historic church in Chi-cago, IL. Park Manor was the first black Christian church to be estab-lished in Chicago. Rev. Dr. Crowder is an exceptionally dynamic preacher who has the ability to reach people of all ages. In 1992, at the age of 23, he began the vocation of full time ministry. He served as Student Minister of First United Christian Church in Xenia, OH from 1992-94, and as Youth Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, TN in 1995. In September of the same year, he began serving as Senior Pastor of New Covenant Christian Church, Nashville, TN. Over the next fourteen years under his leadership as Senior Pastor, New Covenant

started outreach, young adult, tutorial and liturgical dance ministries. The congregation also received a $3.4 million HUD grant to build a 52-unit housing complex for the elderly. He was Director of Spiritu-al Care and Coordinator of Case Management for Meharry Medical College’s Community Wellness Cen-ter from March 2012 to January 2013. Reverend Dr. Crowder recently contributed to a writing project through Westminster John Knox Press and Feasting on the Word Commentary Series which will be re-lease in 2014. Reverend Dr. Crowder is married to the former Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon and they are the proud parents of two sons, William and Sollomon.

— From Martha Shine

Assembling Kits is a Great Hands on Project for your VBS

With spring just around the corner, is your church gearing up for a week of Va-

cation Bible School? Is your church looking for an easy way for the children to

burn off some of their pent up energy left from the long winter, while at the

same time doing good in the world? Church World Service can help with a won-

derful opportunity for a hands-on service project. Bring your children together to

create School Kits to help other less fortunate children both in the United States

and around the world. School Kits are filled with items as simple as paper and

scissors. School Kit items are designed to help a child whether in an impover-

ished school system or a refugee camp have the basic tools needed to attend

school. A School Kit can make a child stand a little taller. A Kit teaches wonder-

ful lessons to those that create the Kit and changes the life of the recipient. Please take a moment and

consider adding School Kits to your Vacation Bible School week. We can make a difference.

— From Heather Willson, Church World Service To order a Kit brochure contact Heather Willson at the CWS Michigan regional office at 888-297-2767

or hwillson@churchworldservice.org. Find out more at www.cwsglobal.org.

A school kit made a difference to this Indonesian child.

Updates and Prayers

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Clergy Changes Rob Rixman began as interim Pastor at FCC Sterling on 10/16/2012. Jacob Holmes began as Pastor at FCC Albion on 12/28/2012. Sam Fuson began as an intentional interim Pastor for the Christian Church in Villa Park on 1/1/2013. Dwight Bailey began as interim Pastor at FCC Princeton on 1/13/2013. Howard Kennon retired from the United Christian Church of Country Club Hills on 1/27/2013. David Geenen left 15th Avenue Christian Church on 1/272013. Bill Mitchell accepted an interim Pastor position at FCC Ursa on 2/1/2013. Paul Pryor began as interim Pastor at FCC Gurnee on 2/10/2013. Stephanie Crowder was granted standing when she relocated to the IL-WI Region on 2/17/2013. William Crowder began as Pastor at Park Manor CC on 2/27/2013. Todd Bettis began as Pastor at FCC Olney on 2/24/2013. Sehee An returned to South Korea, leaving Chicago Christian Church on 3/1/2013. Gloria Hernandez moved to the Ohio Region following her marriage on 3/1/2013. Paul Fraser accepted a position as interim Pastor at FCC Quincy on 3/3/2013. Rick Warren began as Pastor at Coldbrook Christian Church on 3/5/2013.

Prayers and Deaths

Please pray for the family and friends of Bob Deck, as he passed away unex-pectedly on March 14, 2013. Please extend prayers to the family and friends of Rev. Edward Sawyer. Ed passed away on February 15, 2013.

Regional Prayer Calendar Join the IL-WI Region in praying weekly for its congrega-

tions. April Mar. 31- Apr. 6 FCC Bethany, Centennial Bloomington, FCC Blue Mound Apr. 7-13 FCC Bloomington, Cameron CC, Coldbrook CC Apr. 14-20 Network CC Bloomington, FCC Canton, FCC Carbondale Apr. 21-27 Carlock CC, FCC Carthage, FCC Casey May Apr. 28-May 4 FCC Centralia, UniPlace Champaign, Chandlerville CC May 5-11 Chapin CC, Hometown CC Chicago, Jackson Blvd. CC Chicago May 12-18 Parkway Gardens CC Chicago, Spanish CC Chicago, University CC Chicago May 19-25 Pentecost Offering: Big Life CC, Roots and Branches CC, Grace Myanmar CC June May 26-June 1 Park Manor CC Chicago, FCC Chicago Heights, Clayton CC June 2-8 Union Church Cissna Park, Colfax CC, Arrowsmith CC June 9-15 United CC Country Club Hills, FCC Dixon, FCC DuQuoin June 16-22 FCC Creve Coeur, Cuba CC, Central CC Decatur,

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Youth and Young Adult Ministry News

SUMMIT 2013: Y.O.L.O For God! (You Only Live Once)

To Summit Participants (Youth, Pastors, Youth Leaders, Sponsors and Parents):

Welcome to the first official correspondence about our upcoming Summit 2013, entitled, “Y.O.L.O For God” (You Only Live Once). We are excited about this year’s theme, and are in

great EXPECTATION of what will happen at this year’s 2013 event! There will be singing, dancing, preaching, praying and most importantly, a great big reunion of both old and new friends! CCIW Family, the dates for this

biennial youth event are set for November 22-24, 2013. Again our youth event will take over the beautiful and sacred grounds of Lake Williamson Christian Conference Center in Carlinville, Illinois. Please remember that this event is both a Chi-Rho and CYF event. The programming will be geared toward those youth who are in 6th -12th grade this year! (No exceptions!) The cost is $165 per person. The fee covers registration, lodging, meals and pro-gramming for the entire weekend! We want 600 youth and their sponsors to be present with us for the weekend! Please start planning right now! Fundraise, Invite, invite and invite! Check the Youth webpage for registration ma-terials and more details. We will look to see you there!

— Rev. Dr. Christal Williams

Regional Youth Council: Members Wanted!

I am sending a big thanks for all you are doing to support Youth Ministries in your local congregation and throughout the CCIW Region. In keeping on task, I am writing to let you know that we are seeking NEW Youth applicants for the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin Regional Youth Council. We need your help identifying one to two youth, grades 9-11 in your congregation that you feel would be a wonderful asset to our 2013-2015 council. What exactly is the CCIW Regional Youth Council or RYC? The RYC is comprised of up to twelve youth and up to three adult leaders chosen from the four areas of the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin (Urban Metro, South, East and West) to help pray, plan, and implement Regional Youth activities in the Region. Serv-ing a minimum of two years, members of our Regional Youth Council strive to honor God and the youth of our Region in the following areas: Christian Ed., Worship, Mission-Service, Evangelism, Community and PRAR Initiative.

For nomination forms, application and full description of RYC, please check our website at: www.cciwdisciples.org/ministries/youth

DEADLINES: All nomination forms must be turned into the Regional Office by MAY 1, 2013. All appli-cations and reference letters to be turned into the Regional Office is MAY 25, 2013. NO Exceptions!

For more information please contact: Dr. Christal L. Williams pastorchristal@cciwdisciples.org

Connie Henderson connie@cciwdisciples.org

Young Adult Ministry (YAM) The CCIW Young Adults Ministry met in December at the home of our Regional Minister and President Rev. Dr. Te-resa Dulyea-Parker. We had a great time of conversation, fellowship and food. Folks between the ages of 18 and 29 are fired up about new ways that young adults in our Region can make a difference in the life of the Church of Jesus Christ. If you are interested in being part of this evolving ministry, filled with promise and dedication to do our part to “make Disciples together,” then please contact Rev. Dr. Christal Williams, Associate Regional Minister for CCIW-YAM ministries for next meeting times and dates at pastorchristal@cciwdisciples.org.

Also, follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pastorchristal

Do YOU know who next RYC member? Nominate them today!

Mission Work Travel Light, Live Generously

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The King’s Carpenters: A 2013 Update After a break for the holidays we are ready to get back to work. Our contacts with DHM (Disciples Homeland Ministries) are trying to work out the logistics for us to go to the East coast or maybe to Mississippi. So we are awaiting instructions from them. In the meantime, Mike had a few loose strings to tie up in Harrisburg. Becky, (the lady who lost her husband) the front porch rails had not been in-stalled. On January 30th Mike, Rob Blessing, Da-Jaun Johnson, Bruce Auer and his brother Brian left for Harrisburg to complete the task. It was not the best of weather conditions and with some lum-ber yard mistakes they ended up only getting about 75% of the job done. Having said that; they got the important parts done, like a rail to go down the steps for Becky. She has Lupus and stairs are hard for her to negotiate. She was thrilled to have them come and get as much done as they did.

Becky’s house earlier this summer, then with the new porch rails Becky with the gang (that’s Rob Blessing hiding behind the post) Please continue to pray for us and what God has in store. Your continued support is of the essence as we prepare to go where we are needed. We have never been idle so long so we are very anxious to go but also know that we are in God’s hands and he will send us when he is ready. God Bless each of you as you go on the journey with us.

Visit www.thekingscarpenters.com for more info.

Disciple Events June 24-28 at Eureka There will be a number of opportunities for clergy and lay adults to experience growth in their faith at the “Travel Light, Live Generously” week at Eu-reka College. A 5-day Disciples History and Polity class, led by John Huxtable, will be offered. Also, the Women’s Spiritual Writing Retreat will be from Tuesday-Thursday, as well as the Healthy Congre-gations Facilitator Training. From Tuesday to Wednesday, the Clergy Women’s “Feminar” will be led by Rev. Christal Williams and Beth Rupe. A new offering this year will be a seminar led by McKinna Daugherty called “Separation Between Church and Sex”.

The “Clergy Women Feminar” will explore issues of person integrity and call, self-care, finan-cial well-being and healthy relationships. There will be discussion regarding different models for listen-ing and talking with God. Finally, there will be ex-ploration on what makes effective, relevant and prophetic preaching.

The Healthy Congregations Facilitator Train-ing is open to clergy and laypeople. It utilizes fami-ly systems theory to help promote understanding of how the church is a system, what each leaders’ role is and how they can become a more effective influence in their church’s system. This is an op-portunity to learn about managing anxiety, staying in relationship and not getting distracted from God’s vision. The cost is defrayed greatly by a gift to the region for leadership development, so par-ticipants need only pay for their own housing, meals and travel (approx. $100). There are only 20 spaces in this exclusive training, so be sure to look for registration forms coming soon on the web and in the e-news.

Memorial Day Family Weekend: May 24-27 Register by: May 10

Labor Day Family Weekend: August 30 - September 2 Register by August 16

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A nnual Fund donors support the Region’s work year-round. These gifts not designated for specific funds, are gratefully contributed to the Annual fund. We thank our gracious donors, named below:

If you wish to donate to the Annual Fund and have received The Christian by postal mail, you may use the enclosed envelope

to send your contribution. If reading electronically, mail contributions to CCIW, 1011 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701.

2013 Contributors: Annual Fund and The Christian

Elaine Bush Neil and Dorothy Sallee

Lois Jean Janssen Alan and Kathie Chapman

Sue Simcox Randy and Mary Jane West

Donna Dowd Doris and Dan Carter

Bob Deck Teresa and Al Dulyea-Parker

Gene and Sue Johnson Rachel Doolin

Kathleen Fannin Ambrose and Nancy Stump Deborah and Kevin Owen

Will and Betsy Hine Terri Grove

Jonathan and Helen Newlin Verla and Orley Welker

Pearle Lange Jim and Donelle Mackey

John Trefzger Scott and Vicky Woolridge

Jim and Lois Whitaker Dorothy Jacoby

Terry and Frieda Foland

May Jackson Bill Deck

Victor and Rhonda Coriano-Gomez Jane and Guy Cahill

T he Christian is a quarterly publication that provides insight into the events and news in the Illinois-Wisconsin Region. Published in both print and electronic formats, it is also available for free on the website. Subscribers, listed below, help defray the costs of publication:

Pam Thomas Jim and Laura Cotner

Bob Grove Roger and Eileen Baker

Sandra Anderson Ed Taylor

Shirley Sawyer David and Bee Meeker

Martha Shine Al and Irvana Wilks

Joe and Ellen Culpepper Bill Jury

Henry and Linda Sur Bob and Cathy Greenway

Ken Whitton Gladys Herzog

Clif and Loretta Gibbens First Christian Church DOC

First CC, Petersburg Niantic Christian Church

First Christian Church, Springfield First Christian Church, Gibson City

Community CC of Lincolnshire First Christian Church, Girard

Wenois New Hope Cluster of the CC Lomax Christian Church

First Christian Church Sullivan Christian Church of Villa Park First Christian Church, Canton First Christian Church, Sullivan

Christian Church, Villa Park

Samuel R Syfert James and Donelle Mackey

Wyman P. Deck Paul W. Jury

Bob Deck

Jennifer and Arvil Bass, Jr. Barbara Jessen

Paul and Wahneta Shaw Harlan E. Smith Jeanie Griese

Margaret Edenburn First Christian Church, Vandalia Duane and Janet Christensen

Dennis Neuhaus Don and Anna Faye Ridgeway Sandra and Richard Snyder

Kenneth and Patricia Granitz Larry and Brenda Bailey

Dorothy Jacoby Laura Dargitz Marilyn Moore

May Jackson Ernest Miller

Anna Mae Hymes Carroll and Alma Stanhope

Ina Woodworth Wanda Jean Litherland

Shirley Ginos Judith Chipman

James and Carol Pinson Edwin and Maria Jacobs

Frances Anderson

News

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2013 CLERGY ETHICS SEMINARS

These educational events provide opportunities to refresh your knowledge on continuing ethical issues and learn new information about hot topics such as social media ethics, financial ethics and other 21st century issues. You may also learn self-care tips to prevent burn-out and keep the minister and con-gregation healthy. For clergy entering the Search and Call system, completion of at least one course every three years is required to obtain a letter of reference or verify good standing from the any of the Regional Ministers.

2013 COURSE OPTIONS “Clergy Self-Care”: Thursday, October 10th @ FCC in Moline, IL

The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will present their program “God’s Own Peace” which utilizes some aspects of the Bowen family systems theory to help clergy understand the need for self-care and

overcome barriers to achieving that goal with meditative prayer and other solutions.

“Pro-Reconciliation, Anti-Racism”: Saturday, October 12th @ United Christian Church in Country Club Hills, IL

The IL-WI Region’s PR-AR Team will present this session about racism in the church and provide op-tions for understanding racism and working to become a pro-reconciling, anti-racist congregation.

Visit the Clergy Event page to register.

Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism Committee Distributes Grants to Deserving Social Service Initiatives

The PRAR Committee of the Christian Church in IL-WI presented ## of grant applications to the Re-gional Church Council. The following groups were granted funds to help further their work in the com-munity:

The Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants and Refuges (QCAIR) - This group received $500 to help sustain the work of their action teams. Glen Oak Christian Church: Snack Packs - This group received $1,500 to help provide funding for their “Snack Packs” pro-gram. Glen Oak Christian Church: Glen Oak Action Liaison (GOAL) - This group received $1,500. Common Place

- This group received $800 to help fund their Promising Futures program. Also, the PR-AR Team of the IL-WI Region received $7,000 to further work towards the goal of an anti-racist, reconciled Region.

These applicants, if they accept the funds offered, will be required to submit media material to the CCIW Region that outlines and exhibits the use of the funds throughout the year. This information will

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News

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY “He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,

'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Fa-ther, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And for-give us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the

time of trial.'" (NRSV) - Luke 11:1-4

Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida Early Registration Discount Deadline: April 1, 2013

To register, visit the Disciples.org website:

DOC General Assembly 2013

Illinois-Wisconsin Region Co-Hosting Ice Cream Social at General Assembly

The Christian Church in Illinois-Wisconsin will join six other regions in the Midwest area

to host an ice cream social and reception at the 2013 General Assembly in Orlando, FL.

The “Heartland Regions Ice Cream Social will take place on Tuesday, July 16th directly

following the Tuesday evening worship service. It will be held in Room W230A of the

Orange County Convention Center. Come join in fellowship and fun with your IL-WI Disciple friends, and

make new ones from other regions.

Give the Gift of Warmth As Mother’s Day approaches what mother wouldn’t want her child to be giv-

en the gift of warmth? This Mother’s Day join with many other congrega-

tions who are honoring all moms with compassion and action by organizing

a Blankets+ offering. Your action through the CWS Blankets+ Program

gives hope in times of need and crisis. In 2012, Blankets+ contributions al-

lowed CWS to quickly respond to the victims of Hurricane Sandy by supply-

ing over 10,400 blankets. Disasters can occur in a split second without warning. Through a Blankets+

Sunday your congregation or group shows calamity victims they matter. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or

any day is a good day to plan a Blankets+ offering. We at CWS Illinois are eager to assist you in your

efforts for a Blankets+ offering. Contact: Heather Willson at hwillson@churchworldservice.org or 888-

297-2767 to order your Blankets+ offering supplies. Learn more: www.blanketsplus.org.

Sign up:

CCIW E-News

Ctrl + click the button above

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For Information or Assistance Call:

Regional Office, Bloomington ……………………………………………………………………………309-828-6293 Fax………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………309-829-4612 Camp Walter Scott, Dietrich………………………………………………………………………………217-739-2332 Fax………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………217-739-2298

Next Issue: Spring (July, August, September)

Deadline for Submissions:

May 31

The Christian Postage Paid at

Bloomington, IL 61701 Subscription $10

Published 4 times a year in January, April, July, October

Check us out on the web:

CCIWdisciples.org

Regional Clergy Staff Teresa Dulyea-Parker, Reg. Minister & President Scott Woolridge, Associate Minister Christal Williams, Associate Minister Administrative Staff Lisa Baker (Communications/Clergy Support) Connie Henderson (Outdoor Ministries) Camp Contacts Eron Dupree, Camp Program Director Jonathon Rodgers, Camp Host (CWS) Regional Moderator Cheryl Jackson Global Mission Partners Ecumenical Council of Churches in Guatemala Rev. Dr. Vitalino Similox, Exec. Director Christian Church Foundation Representative W. Darwin Collins—Phone: 800-668-8016

teresa@cciwdisciples.org scott@cciwdisciples.org

pastorchristal@cciwdisciples.org

lisa@cciwdisciples.org connie@cciwdisciples.org

eron@cciwdisciples.org camp@cciwdisciples.org

jacksonc@cod.edu

dcollins@ccf.disciples.org

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in IL & WI 1011 North Main Street Bloomington, IL 61701-1753

Address Service Requested

Pentecost Offering Supports New Disciples Churches New Church Development in the Disciples is going strong – about 800 new churches in the past 10 years! Our Region has been supportive in a number of ways through your gifts – starting churches in Illinois and Wisconsin, fund-ing training opportunities for new church planters for the whole denomina-tion and helping start new ventures like the Antioch Project that encourages new, large, entrepreneurial Disciple churches. We have great potential in our Region for years to come – new in the past

year – Pneu Project in Oswego has started big life community church and will keep on launching other new churches – Root and Branch Christian Church in Chicago will serve a meal with worship and draw in many people who don’t have a church home - our first Burmese congregation Grace Myanmar Christian Church has begun in the Quad Cities - and several Korean pastors have ex-pressed interest in starting new churches in Chicagoland. We have an active New Church Establishment Committee, devoted to the Great Commission and encourag-ing of many new church starts. The motto we’ve borrowed from our friends in Indy – “A thousand new churches in a thousand different ways.” Our role is to partner with new church planters in a variety of ways and serve as a valuable resource for new, healthy, vital congregations. It’s working! Your gifts to the Pentecost Special Day Offering fuel this ministry.

Most congregations will receive the offering on May 12 and 19. Visit the Regional church’s website – www.cciwdisciples.org in the days ahead to learn more.

The Christian