Copy
A Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World
View this email in your browser

Reflections from the Regional Minister

The Alabama-Northwest Florida Region has been in a formal partnership with the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras since 2010.  Seven delegations of Alabama-Northwest Florida Disciples have gone to Honduras since that time.  Three delegations from our partner church in Honduras have made trips to visit in our Region.  As we began this journey, we were committed to building a long-term relationship with these brothers and sisters in Christ.  We did not seek a place where we could simply send groups to work on projects and then come back home.  We also did not want to tell our new friends what they needed; rather, we were determined to build the relationship and count on them to tell us how we could be helpful to them.
 
After a few years of being in a mutually rewarding relationship, the leaders in the Evangelical and Reformed Church stated clearly that they need our help in the training of ministers to lead their growing number of congregations.  Recognizing that there are capable, trained clergy leaders in Alabama-Northwest Florida who speak Spanish, the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras asked if our Region could provide leadership for annual seminars for ministry students at their seminary.  We have provided what they have asked of us, and it is bringing great results.  In addition to providing scholarships for 10 students to complete their studies at the seminary of the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras, the Region has offered instructors.  Rev. Jose Diaz, Rev. Ana Diaz, and Rev. Israel Martinez, all of whom serve as congregational pastors in District 5, have served as instructors.  Rev. Dale Braxton, our Associate Regional Minister, has been a part of several delegations and has also offered instruction through a translator.  Rev. Jose Diaz and Rev. Israel Martinez just returned a few weeks ago from the most recent trip to Honduras.

Over the past two years, the Region has offered nearly 40 one-volume Bible Commentaries in Spanish to students at their seminary.  Our delegations have presented these in person and have received the deep gratitude of the recipients, who have very few other resources to help them in the teaching and preaching ministries they will need to do in their congregations.  The Alabama-Northwest Florida Region is privileged to be able to make these gifts which are so beneficial to these church leaders Just as importantly, however, this Region is blessed to be the recipients of the witness of these Christians in Honduras.  They are so hungry and receptive to the message of God’s love.  They are absolutely committed to serving God with whatever gifts they have.  They think nothing of rising before daylight to make their journey on foot (or bicycle if they are truly fortunate) to the seminary where they will stay all day and well into the night.  These believers who have so few material resources have hearts full of praise for God and spirits that are totally dependent upon God for life and breath and opportunities to serve.  In many ways, they may be more well-off spiritually than we are.  By comparison, we seem to depend on God for very little and therefore our hearts do not seem to have the same level of gratitude on a daily basis.

Our brothers and sisters in Honduras are offering a gift to us – the gift of their witness.  Will we receive this gift?  Will we learn to nurture a spirit of true gratitude?  Will we be honest enough to declare our absolute dependence upon God, or will we continue to live as practical atheists as we often do, not really needing God for much of anything?  It is certainly worth thinking and praying about.
 
Your Partner in Ministry,
John P. Mobley
Reflections From The Associate Regional Minister

New Vision Christian Church, Birmingham, Alabama will host the Regional Convocation on June 23-25, 2017.  I hope and pray that a large number of Disciples in Alabama –Northwest Florida are making plans to attend.  The theme for this event is   “From Restoration to Transformation” - Ephesians Chapter 6: 11-18.
 
We are excited about our special guests who will help us develop this theme through preaching and leading workshops. Rev. Terrell McTyer from Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation will preach on Friday night and lead a workshop on Saturday entitled  “Transforming the Church Through Technology.
Rev. La Marco Cable will lead a workshop entitled “ Transforming the Church: Your Passport to Becoming a Global Ministry Congregation.” Dr. Reginald Calhoun, Sr., Executive for Evangelism and Congregational Transformation, will lead a workshop entitled “21st Century Congregations Must Have Transformational Leaders.” Belinda R. King, Disciples Church Extension Fund, will lead a workshop entitled “Responsible Debt for a Congregation: What is the Right Amount?"  Host Pastor Edward Williams will preach on Sunday morning.
 
Make your plans to be a part of this great weekend as we gather for the Regional Convocation 2017. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn, 492 Wildwood N. Circle, Birmingham, Al 35209; Phone # is 205-942-6070.

Glad to be a Servant,
 
Dale Braxton
Associate Regional Minister
General Minister and President Nominee Named
Teresa Hord Owens has been nominated to serve as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.  She will be voted on by the General Assembly which will meet in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 8-12, 2017.  Her six-year term would begin immediately following her election.

Family Camp 2017


 The 2017 event will be April 28-30.  It will be held at Oak Mountain State Park.  The cost is $15.00 per adult, and $10.00 per child.  This covers campfire on Friday night and cook-out on Saturday night.  Lodging fees are the responsibility of each family.  Many lodging options exist.  Families can tent camp for $6.00 per person/per night, or make reservations directly through Oak Mountain State Park for RV sites, or cabins.  Local hotels are also available.  For more information,visit our webpage.  You can also register online.  

 

Join Us For Camp!


April 28-30: Family Camp
June 1-5: Beach Camp
June 19-23: Junior/Chi Rho/ CYF
June 23-25: Genesis/Discovery


More Information

Register Today

 

The 2017 Easter Offering supports the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Your special gift will support missionaries all across the globe, and it will help provide resources for leadership development and congregational support.  Thank you for your generosity!

Outreach Giving Update

 
The giving through February, 2017, by congregations in Alabama-Northwest Florida to the Disciples Mission Fund and the four Special Day Offerings (Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas), is showing a 1.17% increase from the amount given for the same period  in 2016.  Church-wide gifts to Disciples Mission Fund and these four Special Day Offerings decreased by 15.23% from the amount given for the same time period in 2016.  Gifts by Alabama-Northwest Florida congregations to Week of Compassion, through February, 2017, increased by 123.9% over the year-to-date amount in 2016.  Church-wide giving to Week of Compassion, regular and designated, is showing a year-to-date decrease of 20.2%.   
            Disciples outreach ministries are carried out in partnership between general ministries, ministries of higher education, Regions, congregations, and other related ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  The financial support given by your congregation enables this partnership to be effective in carrying out the ministry of  Jesus Christ.   Your commitment to our shared ministries is greatly appreciated.
 

Honduras Partnership Update

    Rev. Jose Diaz, co-pastor of Primera Iglesia Cristiana in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, and Rev. Israel Martinez, co-pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Arbol de Vida in Pensacola, Florida, represented the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region as they traveled to Honduras on February 24 - March 1 to visit with our partners from the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras.  While in Honduras they led seminars for the ministry students in the seminary and they visited congregations and preached sermons.  Our Honduran brothers and sisters are hoping we will provide instructors for seminars each year as part of their formal seminary training.
        The Alabama-Northwest Florida Region has been in a formal partnership with the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras since 2010.  This was the seventh delegation of representatives that the Region has sponsored.

 

Legacy Ministry of Eutaw Christian Church 
 
            A few years ago the Eutaw Christian Church in Eutaw, Alabama, ended its ministry as a congregation in the Eutaw community.  The trustees of the former congregation have worked with the Region on a plan whereby the Region would receive the property and assets of the congregation with a directive to create a permanent fund in the church’s name with annual income supporting a variety of ongoing ministries in the name of Christ.  The Region’s Executive Committee has approved of this directive and the plan is moving forward.
            In February, the Region assumed ownership of the parsonage and also the church building.  Both are now on the market to be sold.  Although the ministry of the Eutaw Christian Church at its historic location has ended, the witness of this congregation will continue to impact lives for generations to come.  Thanks be to God!

 Green Chalice Initiative

 
At its meeting on March 4, 2017, the Alabama-Northwest Florida Regional Board approved a resolution from the Green Team to become a “Green Chalice” Region.(click here to view the resolution)  This resolution affirms the Region’s commitment to good stewardship of the environment and it expresses the intentions of the Region to adopt better practices in caring for God’s creation.  Following the leadership of the Region’s Green Team, which is comprised of group of committed young adults, the Regional Board is promoting three new practices: 1) reduction of paper waste and moving more to electronic forms of communication, and 2) launching a recycling program at the Regional office and, wherever possible, at Regional events, and 3) planting a minimum of 250 trees all across the Region on Earth Day, which is Saturday, April 22, 2017.

All congregations in the Region are encouraged to examine their own practices to see if modifications may be needed in order to express stronger commitment to good stewardship of the earth.  Individuals and groups in congregations are urged to make plans for tree-planting on April 22.  Trees may be planted on church property, in the community, or any other place where members have access.  The Arbor Day Foundation has resources to help you get started. 

Please send your photos of tree-planting to the new Facebook page “Disciples Green Team of Alabama Northwest FL.”

Upcoming Events


April 7 - 8 - Anti-Racism Workshop for Clergy (First Christian Church, Montgomery)
April 9 and April 16 - Easter Offering promotion (to support General Ministries)
April 12 - Commissioning and Ordination North (Regional Office, Helena)
April 28 - 30 - Family Camp (Oak Mountain State Park)
April 29 - Disciples Women's Spring Event (First Christian Church, Montgomery)
May 2 - Commissioning and Ordination South (United Christian Church, Montgomery)

News of the Clergy


Chris Whitehead was ordained on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Azalea Hills Christian Church, Mobile, where he serves as pastor.   Marc Nattier was commissioned on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at South Baldwin Christian Church, Foley, where he serves as Associate Minister.

Congregations Seeking A Minister

  • Huntsville, First (Cameron Douglas is Interim Minister) 
  • Jasper, First (LaMon Brown is Interim Minister)
  • Robertsdale, First (Alan Woods is Interim Supply)
  • Tuscaloosa, First (Jim Brooks is Interim Minister)
All women are invited to the Women's Spring Event on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at First Christian Church, Montgomery, registration beginning at 9:00 a.m.  The Disciples Women/CWF Cabinet has planned an exciting day to help equip women for their service in the coming year.  There will be a mini-march calling attention to human trafficking (women are asked to bring their posters). Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10.  For more information, please contact Disciples Women President, Katie Wallace-Davis at katiemwd@charter.net
Online Donations
We respond to the Good News of God's love by joyfully bringing our tithes and offerings to God, and giving online is a fast, secure, and easy way to do just that.  You can even schedule your offering for carefree, automatic withdrawal.
Individuals or couples become “Legacy Partners” in Alabama-Northwest Florida when they have indicated that they have included the Region in their end-of-life plans.  These individuals have not only shown their love and support for the Region during their lifetimes, but they have shown their commitment to supporting the life and ministry of the Region long after they are gone.  Their lasting witness will continue to give life to the Church.

All Alabama-Northwest Florida Disciples are urged to consider becoming “Legacy Partners.”  Simply let us know that you have remembered the Region in your end-of-life plans.  We will never publish any information other than the names of our Legacy Partners.  For more information, contact the Regional Minister at 205-425-5245.
  • Dr. E. C. Anderson
  • Dale and Mercedes Braxton
  • Rickie Brunner
  • Jim and Janice Clifford
  • Sarah and Stewart Draper
  • Carl and Georgia Flock
  • Ken Hughes
  • Mary Elizabeth Johnson
  • Phyllis Kirk
  • John and Shirley Lambert
  • Jimmy Lane
  • Ponder Livingston
  • Dr. Mershon
  • John and Valya Mobley
  • Lindsey Oden
  • Stuart Price
  • Willie and Edna Rucker
  • Mildred B. Watson
  • Pearl Wesley
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama & Northwest Florida
861 Highway 52 | Helena, Alabama 35080 | 205-425-5245

John Mobley
Regional Minister

Dale Braxton
Associate Regional Minister

Nisha Sivley Warbington
Youth Ministries Staff Person

Susan Henderson
Office Manager & Administrative Assistant
Copyright  2017 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama-Northwest Florida , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
861 Highway 52, Helena, Alabama  35080

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama-Northwest Florida · 861 Hwy 52 · Helena, AL 35080 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp