DR. VITUS BLOG

#DOCjustsummer: Disciples Alliance Q
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#DOCjustsummer: Disciples Alliance Q

Posted: 24 Jun 2020 12:00 PM PDT

June 24, 2020

Disciples Alliance Q

By Raphael Guillen, Disciples Peace Fellowship intern

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 ESV

Jesus gives us the commandment to love and honor God, and to love ourselves and one another. While sometimes in the modern day it can be hard for people to see others adhering to the latter than the former, there is still hope for the church and the wider world. Especially for the LGBTQ+ community, this love has been absent from the community’s life for a time, but it is never too late to rectify that.

The mission of Disciples AllianceQ is to build a network of ministries and people that work towards the inclusion of all people of gender expression and sexual identities.The history of AllianceQ dates back 40 years with its beginning as GLAD: Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples. The organization continues to expand and is renewing its commitment to intersectional justice to include and address the lived experiences of other minority groups.

Celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision to protect LGBTQ+ individuals' employment rights on June 15 was a huge victory not only for AllianceQ but for the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. And during these unprecedented times of COVID-19, AllianceQ has found that queer people have been drawn more to the church now more than ever. Because of the virtualization of church, queer people are feeling more comfortable attending a service from their screens.

AllianceQ is hosting a Pride service on June 28th titled Riot. Information can be found on the website. They hope that through this event more voices will continue to come together for LGBTQ+ and racial justice.

If you would like to join in on the work for a more inclusive church, please visit and learn about:

● http://disciplesallianceq.org/

● To become a member and contribute financially or time-wise, http://disciplesallianceq.org/main/contribute/

● To join their mailing list, http://disciplesallianceq.org/mailing-list/

● Also, Like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllianceQ/

● Learn about the Equality Act

● Widen the table through conversation, trainings with AllianceQ, and incorporation on resources

● And to start conversations in your own personal circles and churches.

See Resources section below for more.

From the tables in our churches to the Supreme Court benches

Thursday, June 25, at 12 p.m. CDT

Part of the Disciples Just Summer series, AllianceQ hosts this Facebook Live event to share info about its 40 years of ministry alongside the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and how individuals can join in the work of setting a place at the table for persons of all gender expressions and sexual identities. As Disciples, we share a radically wide table. We know we’re in different places. Join us as we explore the table’s wide welcome. A question-and-answer period will be facilitated by Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray (Disciples Peace Fellowship) and DPF interns. Bring your lunch (or a mid-morning snack if you’re on the west coast); after all, the focus of the conversation is the table. Join the live event at this link.

#DOCjustsummer

Long before the protests and other events of recent weeks, groups of Disciples have banded together to do the work of justice. This summer, each issue of Disciples News Service will feature one of our many justice-oriented ministries and invite you to learn more about them. We hope you will find a place to put your passion to work!

An added bonus for this effort is that our Disciples Peace Fellowship interns, while not able to travel to camps due to the COVID-19 cancellations, will be helping us see these ministries through fresh eyes.

See how Disciples have shown up and spoken out in recent weeks. And it's not too late to add your signature to renew your commitment to being a pro-reconciling/anti-racist Church.

Interim president named for Disciples Home Missions

The Board of Disciples Home Missions (DHM) is thrilled to announce the call of Rev. Sheila Spencer as DHM’s Interim President. Employed by DHM since 2008, Rev. Spencer has been serving as Acting President of DHM since the departure of Rev. Sotello V. Long. Rev. Spencer’s qualities as a connector and advocate for all brought her to the top of the list for consideration: she is passionate about how the life changing love of God has infused her life and how she has seen it during her time at DHM.

Read on

What's next? Thinking theologically about the future

These Three Remain…Faith, Hope, and Love

By Bruce A. Barkhauer

A global pandemic. Civil unrest. A society divided. A church struggling to find its place. These seismic shifts make us feel like we are on shaky ground. Our familiar church lives have been disrupted. Many of us don’t know when we will be able to participate in face-to-face worship again. Camps and conferences have been canceled. Sunday school and youth groups are meeting online, if at all. The routine elements of pastoral ministry such as meeting with parishioners in homes, hospitals, and the church office are different or nonexistent. Face-to-face board and committee meetings are not happening or are cautionary tales. How do we prepare a way forward when we don’t know exactly what to prepare for?

Read on

National Convocation schedules online business session for Aug. 15

The National Convocation has opened registration for its 26th Biennial Session virtual business meeting on Saturday, August 15. Business items for the two-hour online meeting are:

a. Install new Officers;

b. Install new At-Large Members;

c. Receive the Strategic Plan and Vision Statement;

d. Approve the Amendments to the Articles of Operation;

e. Receive the Advisory Committee report;

f. Receive the Nominating Committee report;

g. and receive the Time & Place Report.

You count!

Future planning by governments, nonprofits and others is directly affected by the numbers from the census, so in spite of the pandemic and because of the inequities in how communities are resourced, General Minister and President Rev. Teresa Hord Owens reminds us that 2020 is a census year in the United States. Fill out the quick form at 2020census.gov to make a difference for your community for the next 10 years!

Watch video

COVID-19 resources available

The Office of the General Minister and President has compiled a collection of resources and statements from Church leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are updating this page with more resources as available.

Rev. Terri Hord Owens will be continuing the Wednesday Facebook Live prayers throughout the month of June. She will also be continuing her Friday meetings with pastors and chaplains via Zoom. Register here

Please note: The Office of General Minister and President, including Treasury Services, will be closed July 1-5, 2020.

Rev. Terri Hord Owens will NOT be conducting Facebook prayers on July 1.

Other News

Poor People's Campaign wrap up - report by Religion News Service | KISS 95.1 radio | New York Times | Word & Way

Christian Church Foundation determines to make Juneteenth a day of learning

Phillips Theological Seminary seeks director of Human Resources

Dean sought for Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt; application due by July 6

Lexington Theological Seminary opens search for director of admissions

Submit news

Celebrating and demonstrating Pride, AllianceQ presents a month of liturgical resources that embody the all-inclusive, just love of Jesus with God’s power and peace. A new worship element and resource for use and distribution will be added each week of Pride Month concluding with a live-streamed Pride Worship Service featuring Disciples LGBTQ+ leaders from across the United States and Canada. Join AllianceQ on Sunday, June 28, at 6 p.m. CST, for the Pride service and after-party titled RIOT: Turning Over Tables.

We remember together that Pride is rooted in the bold resistance of trans women of color at Stonewall in 1969. Together, we will name our history by confessing the ways in which Pride has been too often co-opted by white voices; by celebrating leaders like Marsha P. Johnson and centering LGBTQIA+ voices of color; and by considering together the ways in which God’s spirit is inviting us to turn over all tables of injustice as we make our way to our seat at Christ’s table. All event info and free REGISTRATION at this link.

AllianceQ is among LGBTQ organizations uniting to combat racial violence. Read statements here in our June newsletter. We are deeply grateful for the colorful voices of Marian Edmonds-Allen, Cameron Van Kooten Laughead, Alysha Laperche, Sophia Hayes-Jackson, Andrew Deeb, Melissa Guthrie Loy, YaNi Davis, Luther Young, Revdo Chaim Rodríguez, and Allen V. Harris who contributed to Colors of Hope in the last two months. Nine podcasts and creative spiritual practices are a part of the Colors of Hope Series which you can find here: http://disciplesallianceq.org/colors-of-hope/. A compilation of the series with supplemental resources for use in your ministry or group will be available in the fall of 2020. Contact Executive Director + Minister Melissa Guthrie Loy for more information or to be connected with a regional open & affirming ministry team in your area.

Additional resources

Whether you are an ally or part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or questioning in liminal sacred space, we walk beside you in your faith and life journeys. Find welcoming worship + PRIDE resources here.

All the colors of the rainbow are featured in this Rainbow Podcast as we close our Colors of Hope series. Hoping in color, we invite you to join the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in ongoing work to be actively anti-racist. See color. Embrace color. In words + action.

Bring the world to your church!

As we continue to worship with care, there are many ways to bring the world to you congregation!

Global Ministries mission co-workers are available to join you virtually – either live or with pre-recorded presentations:

to preach in a Sunday service
to share in gatherings during the week
to lead a Sunday school classes

Looking for engaging Sunday school ideas? Consider planning four Sundays of live presentations, pre-recorded presentations, or a mixture of both. Have an exciting month of learning about God’s work in the world!

Mission co-workers who have served in places like Kenya, the Dominican Republic, East Timor, and Greece are available.

For questions or to invite someone to share their story, please contact Cathy Nichols.

Additional resources and opportunities

Update or place order for free Special Day Offering materials

Find resources for treasurers and worship leaders from Disciples Mission Fund

Center for Faith and Giving offers resources for congregations' annual campaigns

Hurricane season in a time of COVID-19

From Week of Compassion

Summer brings the threat of tropical storms, in addition to the continued possibility of floods, tornadoes, and fires. Last week, the NOAA released their forecast for an active, likely above-average, Atlantic hurricane season. Taking action to be prepared for natural disasters is more important than ever given the complications posed by COVID-19. In addition to basic preparations the CDC offers a few additional suggestions, including:

Evaluate your disaster plan in light of social distancing, especially if your plan involves individuals at increased risk from COVID-19.
Check local guidance for information about evacuation orders and public shelter options. Evacuation instructions may be different than for past storms due to social distancing needs.
Include items like hand sanitizer, masks, and soap in your emergency supply kit or go bag.
Be aware of your emotional and mental health, as the stress of a potential storm compounds the stress of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, it’s also important that church leaders consider congregational disaster plans. General preparedness information, including the full Congregational Guide and “10 Steps to Become a More Prepared Congregation,” is available on the Week of Compassion website. Like families and individuals, congregations should also make some specific considerations for the COVID-19 context. Here are a few things to think about in regards to member care and disaster response:

Where are your members likely to evacuate? What members might need assistance evacuating, especially considering changes to public transportation or limited contact with friends and family members?
What members have heightened emotional or mental health needs?
What will need assistance gathering additional supplies to shelter-in-place for a storm?
How will you incorporate social distancing and safety measures in your response plan?
If your plan includes use of your building or communal spaces, how will you ensure social distancing? Can activities be relocated to an outdoor setting?
If your plan includes distribution of food or donated materials, how will you protect volunteers and recipients? Do you have the necessary supplies to do so?
If your plan involves volunteers, will you require temperature checks, health screenings, masks, or other protective equipment?
How will you communicate changes to your plan to local emergency and health officials, to members, and to neighbors you would serve?

In taking these steps to plan ahead, congregations can prepare to weather the storm, and be ready to serve their neighbors-- even in the midst of the additional challenges of this season.

People-to-people postponed

With a sense of great responsibility and following Jesus’ second commandment of “Love your neighbor as yourself,” the People-to-People program decided to postpone all pilgrimages for the remainder of the year. In other words, all pilgrimages planned through December 31, 2020, are postponed. While a sad and difficult decision, it is meant to protect already vulnerable and overwhelmed global communities. If you are planning a mission pilgrimage on your own, please consider postponing as well. Read the full statement.

More opportunities to put ministry into action

Discover your congregation's calling with Hope Partnership Services

Plan a short term volunteer experience with Global Ministries

Poor Peoples' Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival updates

Disciples News Service (DNS) is distributed by Communication Ministries, in the Office of the General Minister and President, and is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund. To change your subscription, or submit news for consideration in DNS, visit our website.

Connect with us! #CCDOC

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End of the day it's time to read the latest news ☝️

Posted: 24 Jun 2020 11:33 AM PDT

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