Make plans NOW to attend the Kansas/Nebraska Joint Regional Assembly on November 11-12 at the Quality Inn and Suites in Salina, KS. We will spend two days learning how to let our light SHINE in the name of God through fellowship, worship and workshops.
Have you ever wondered what Assembly was all about but have never taken that leap?
Don’t wait! First time Kansas registrants can attend with no registration fee—while the scholarship money lasts. There are opportunities for people of all ages so sign up TODAY!
NOTE: This charge will appear as some version of “SST*CHRISTIANCHUR840559 MOUNT VERNON OH” on your credit card statement.
Download the 2016 Regional Assembly Registration Form here and mail with payment to the Topeka Regional Office.
SPEAKERS
We welcome Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins and Rev. Pam McGrath as our Assembly speakers. Rev. Pam McGrath has performed stories and led storytelling trainings from Maine to California, from NASA to the University of Georgia, and at Storytelling Festivals from Florida to Southern California. Pam taught Biblical Storytelling for the Network of Biblical Storytellers. She has stories published in the Storyteller’s Companion to the Bible Series Vol. 9: Stories of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels and has made multiple audio recordings. She continues to share stories as a gateway to the sacred, with the congregation she serves, North Community Church (UCC) in Marshfield, Massachusetts.
Sharon Watkins will complete her term as General Minister and President in the summer of 2017. This will be one of your last opportunities to learn from her in this role. She will preach at the closing worship, lead a 5 p.m. workshop on Friday about religious freedom in our country today, and participate in the Mission First! Gathering on Saturday morning.
MEN and WOMEN
The Kansas and Nebraska Women’s Fellowships will come together for several events. Friday at 1pm they are sponsoring a 5k Run/Walk to combat Human Trafficking. Read more here.
Women who have served on the DW cabinet in either region are invited to breakfast together Saturday morning. Register for this breakfast when registering for the Assembly. The cost is $5 and the program is “Remembering Our Sisters.”
The Joint Disciples Women’s Luncheon on Saturday is open to all women of both regions. You must also register for this event when you register for Assembly. The luncheon will include the Installation of Officers by IDWM Executive, Pat Donahoo.
The Joint Disciples Men’s Luncheon on Saturday is open to men of both regions; sign up when you register for the Assembly.
WORKSHOPS — Friday at 3:30 p.m.
[expand title=”Why Should I Care About Special Day Offerings?
Presented by Katrina Palan, Interim Nebraska Regional Minister”]
Members of the Christian Church (DOC) support six Special Day offerings. This workshop will help you understand what ministries of the church are made possible by your giving to each offering. You’ll learn about the church beyond your congregation. Bring your questions and expect to discover the answers, or to find the places for more information.
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[expand title=”One Congregation Organizes for Mission
Presenters: Lynn Scott, Pastor, and members Rick Bressie, Dee Ann Easley, and Donna Bagley of McPherson KS FCC”]
You will hear the ongoing story and learn about the process taking place in First Christian Church, McPherson, to align their organizational structure with their Mission Statement. FCC is beginning their third year in working with this change. There’s no short-cut. God calls each congregation to serve their community in a unique way—their mission. A congregation’s structure needs to clearly and intentionally reflect its mission and how it will be accomplished; it should be as specific to the congregation as its mission.
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[expand title=”Mission in Rural Ministry
Presented by Aerii Smith and members of the Rural Ministry Initiative”]
Mission comes in all shapes and sizes, and each rural church has a ministry and a mission bringing God to the forefront of their everyday lives. We may be small and we may contend with distance, but that does not stand in the way of doing our mission. Come and learn about different ministries and missions that are already happening in rural churches in Kansas and Nebraska; come to be energized and excited about what you can do in your own congregations.
[/expand]
[expand title=”The Prayer Labyrinth: An Approach to Spirituality
Presented by Ken Marston and the Kansas Spirituality Priority Committee”]
Since at least the second century, followers of Jesus have walked a Prayer Labyrinth to connect mind, body, and soul in their search to discover the light of life. In their discovery of the light within, Christians have been empowered to become the light of Christ in the world. Come walk the labyrinth and discover the light God is calling you to be in the world today.
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MISSION FIRST! GATHERING:
» How is your congregation spreading the light in God’s Kin-Dom?
» What are some awesome mission opportunities in your community?
Be thinking about your church’s story so you can share during our Mission First! Gathering on Saturday morning. We will share what God is doing in and through each of our churches, in our communities and throughout the world.
YOUTH
Plans for youth are still taking shape! Watch for news through the Kansas Mini-Messenger and in the August Kansas Messenger.
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
Let Your Light Shine by taking part in an outreach project. Join the 5k Run/Walk, or fill Cheer Bags for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Salina. These bags will be part of their Christmas observance.
LODGING
Lodging for the event is available at:
- Quality Inn, 2110 W Crawford
- Baymont Inn & Suites, 1740 W Crawford St
- Ambassador Hotel, 1616 W Crawford St