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A Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World
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Reflections from the Regional Minister

            “One!” – What an outstanding General Assembly theme for the upcoming 2017 General Assembly that will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 8-12!  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was born out of a desire to express Christian unity among all who follow Christ.  Our denomination grew out of the Restoration Movement in the 1800s.  The “restoration” refers to the unity of the church.  We have always been a unity movement.  We have always understood unity as a gift from God to the Church.  To participate in disunity and fragmentation is to dishonor God and run counter to the historic principles of the movement that gave birth to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
            I am excited about the person that is God is calling to give leadership to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for the next six years.  The General Assembly will have an opportunity to elect Rev. Teresa (Terri) Hord Owens as General Minister and President.  She is well-equipped to lead the Church in its ongoing quest to express the unity that God is giving us through God’s love and grace.
            When Rev. Terri Owens addressed the General Board earlier this year, she spoke of her passion for unity in the church.  She affirmed that the bonds of our unity are stronger than anything that may try to divide us, whether it be theology, politics, race, or culture.  She said, “We must love God enough to love one another, even those with whom we disagree.”  I love that quote from Rev. Owens.  It reminds us that it is our love for God that enables us to love those whom God loves.  It reminds us that if we do not love our neighbor, then we simply do not love God enough, even if we say we love God.  I believe Rev. Owens has been reading I John 4 which says that we are not being truthful if we say we love God yet do not love our neighbor.
            My fervent prayer is that the Church will be renewed!  My prayer is that we will love God so much, that we cannot help but love those whom God has created and whom God loves, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they think or act.  My prayer is that we will honor our Lord Jesus who prayed that his followers will be “one” just as Jesus was “one” with God.
            “One!” is a great theme.  May this be our prayer.  God’s love and grace are strong enough to unite us, no matter what.  May this be our witness to the world.
 
Your Partner in Ministry,
John P. Mobley
 
Reflections From The Associate Regional Minister

     The Gospel According To Starbucks reminds me that life is to be lived with passion.   Passion is found and practiced through experiences, connections, symbols and images, the full participation of every part of your being.  Not only do these simple truths explain the phenomenal growth of Starbucks Coffee Company, they also point out the blind spots, weaknesses, and failures of the church to serve people at the level of life’s bottom line -- having passion and meaning.
     The Starbucks phenomenon started in 1971 with one little store on a side street across from Seattle’s farmers’ market.  In the 1990’s Starbucks was gunning for two thousand stores by the year 2000.   In 2006 there was six thousand stores in America.  . They have a goal of 30,000 stores opening world wide. Starbucks is expanding at an unheard rate.   One secret of its success is that Starbucks has a higher “contextual intelligence” than almost any other company.
      The Gospel According to Starbucks states that an evangelist, in a biblical setting, is a bearer of the gospel, a “story catcher” of good news, a storyteller of the glory of God.  The evangelists of the corporate world are proclaiming the gospel of the bottom line, yet the evangelists of the biblical world announce that Jesus is the center of the experience.
      Starbucks and its evangelist get the story right in the context they create and the experiences they offer up with a steaming cup. There is much we can learn from Starbucks.  Instead of saying the Christian Church is one of the best kept secret, we should live out the true meaning of Matthew 28: 19-20.  We have been called by God to go out into the entire world to teach, baptize, and make disciples.  We have a command and a promise that God will not leave us nor will He forsake us.
      It is my challenge to every Disciples congregation to create and offer experiences that will have children, youth, young adults and seniors ready to stand in line on Sunday morning for a steaming cup of Jesus. One writer said you don’t stand in line at Starbucks just to buy a cup of coffee.  You stop for the experience surrounding the cup of coffee.     The good news of our risen Savior must be shared. What a great way to share by welcoming all to the table to receive grace and mercy.
 
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.
In a service of worship celebrating its third anniversary on May 21, 2017, Primera Iglesia Cristiana Hispana, Birmingham, received a Certificate of Recognition as the newest Disciples congregation in the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region.  Pictured with Regional Minister John Mobley are Pastor Roberto Rodriguez and his wife Zenaida.
As part of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region's commitment to the stewardship of creation, Disciples all across the Region planted trees around Earth Day, 2017.  Pictured above (left) are workers from Madison Christian Church who joined workers from many other congregations in this Region-wide effort.
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Pictured below is a photograph of the Certificate the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region has received for being a Green Chalice Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 
Regional Convocation Assembly
 
              The Convocation of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region is sponsoring a weekend Assembly on June 23 - 25, 2017, at New Vision Christian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The theme of the Convocation Assembly is “From Reformation to Transformation.”  Special guests include  Rev. R. Wayne Calhoun, Sr., Minister of Transformation, Disciples Home Missions, Rev. Marco Cable, Area Executive, Global Ministries, Rev. Terrell McTyer, New Church Ministry, Hope Partnership, and Belinda King, Disciples Church Extension Fund.  All Disciples in the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region are invited to participate in this Assembly.
            The registration fee for adults is $25 and for youth is $15.   Included with the registration fee is lunch and dinner on Saturday and dinner on Sunday.  Mail registration forms and payments to Maldonia Jackson, 191 Jackson Road, Hayneville, AL 36040.   A registration form may be downloaded here.
 
Rev. Lori Tapia
Interim National Hispanic Pastor
Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministry
Summit for Hispanic Pastors/Spouses
 
            All Pastors/Spouses in the Hispanic congregations in Alabama-Northwest Florida (Anniston, Birmingham, Fort Walton Beach, Huntsville, Pensacola) are invited by the Regional Minister to gather at the Regional office on Friday, June 30, 2017, for a Summit.   The special guest at this gathering will be Rev. Lori Tapia, National Hispanic Pastor for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  The goal of this important gathering is to strengthen relationships, pray together, and develop a unifying vision and mission for the ministries God is giving to these congregations, to the Region, and to the whole Church.
            The Summit will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude by 3:00 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  A flyer for this event may be downloaded here.
 
Ministry Workshops Offered in Spanish
 
       Rev. Lori Tapia, National Hispanic Pastor for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will be leading two workshops (Boundary Training and Anti-Racism Training) at the Regional office for ministers and persons in Ministry Care who need to attend on Saturday, July 1, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  These workshops will be offered in Spanish.  These workshops are required for all ministers who have standing, either as ordained or as commissioned ministers.  Lunch will be provided.
            A flyer for this event may be downloaded here.
 

Join Us For Camp!


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


More Information

Register Today


A Gathering of Moderators/Board Chairpersons
 
            All Moderators and Board Chairpersons are invited to a special gathering for a luncheon and a time of fellowship, conversation and sharing at First Christian Church, Montgomery (1705 Taylor Road 36117), on Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  The goal is to help Moderators and Board Chairs be better equipped for the important leadership roles they occupy in the life of the congregation.  Pastors are also welcome to accompany their Moderators/Board Chairpersons to this gathering.  There is no cost to attend; however, reservations must be made by August 4.  Please send them in by mail, fax (205-425-5246, or email to <jpmobley2@aol.com>
            A reservation form may be downloaded here.

 

News of the Clergy

 
             Rick Malugani was approved for ordination by a subcommittee of the Committee on the Ministry.  He will be ordained at Fairhope Christian Church later this year after he completes his M.Div.at Lexington Theological Seminary.  Fannie Ashley was approved for ordination by a subcommittee of the Committee on the Ministry.  She will be ordained at First Christian Church, Montgomery, on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at 4:00 p.m.
            LaMon Brown completed his service as Interim Minister with First Christian Church, Jasper, on May 21.  C.J. Cobb begins his service as pastor with First Christian Church, Jasper, on June 1.
 

Congregations Seeking A Minister

  • Huntsville, First (Cameron Douglas is Interim Minister) 
  • Robertsdale, First (Alan Woods is Interim Supply)
  • Tuscaloosa, First (Jim Brooks is Interim Minister)
 

Outreach Giving Update

 
            The giving through April, 2017, by congregations in Alabama-Northwest Florida to the Disciples Mission Fund and the four Special Day Offerings (Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) has decreased by 19.64% from the amount given for the same period in 2016.  Church-wide gifts to Disciples Mission Fund and the four Special Day Offerings have decreased by 20.17% compared to the same period in 2016.  Church-wide giving to Week of Compassion, through April, 2017, shows a 10.8% decrease from the year-to-date amount in 2016.  Year-to-date giving to Week of Compassion in Alabama-Northwest Florida has decreased by 12.14% from the year-to-date amount in 2016.    
            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.
 

Upcoming Events


June 1 - 5 - Beach Camp - Romar Beach, Alabama
June 19 - 23 - Junior Camp, Chi Rho Camp, and CYF Conference - YMCA-CampChandler
June 23 25 - Genesis Camp and Discovery Camp -YMCA-Camp Chandler
June 23 - 25 - Regional Convocation Assembly - New Vision Christian Church, Birmingham
June 30 - Summit for Hispanic Pastors/Spouses - Regional Office
July 1 - Ministry Workshops Offered in Spanish - Regional Office
July 8 - 12 - General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - Indianapolis, IN
July 22 - Commissioning and Ordination North - Regional Office, Helena
July 29 - Commissioning and Ordination South - United Christian Church, Montgomery
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

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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama-Northwest Florida · 861 Hwy 52 · Helena, AL 35080 · USA

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