| Disciples Women executive to retire Posted: 09 Sep 2020 12:05 PM PDT Disciples Women executive director to retire | | For nearly a decade, Rev. Dr. Patricia Donahoo has been the face of Disciples Women across the Church. Starting her tenure just as the ministry was becoming a self-determining ministry sistered with Disciples Home Missions, she has led through a time of reimagining and change. Because of the strong organization of Disciples Women under her predecessor, reorganizing with women making their own decisions for the direction of the ministry had become a reality.
Donahoo will be retiring June 30, 2021. The search committee will begin its work Jan. 1, 2021.
Donahoo writes, “We have tried to adapt and move to continue to be relevant and effective in serving the Church. We have felt the call to encourage and uplift women to remind them that they, too, are the beloved of God and are called to hear their call and live it out. I trust my successor will continue to accompany and encourage women in their journey with Christ.”
Among the many changes, connections and projects during Donahoo’s tenure are the emphasis on ending human trafficking, a project to include more younger women in women’s ministries, leading Woman-to-Woman Worldwide delegations to five countries, involvement in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and partnerships with Global Ministries around women’s issues.
“I trust that the Disciples Church will continue to be a light in a world that needs hope, love, and justice. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve in my local congregation. My passion for empowering women and reminding them that they are God’s beloved has not waned and I will continue this work in new ways and in new venues.
“My 10 ½ years as Executive Director has been an incredible blessing and I have received love and joy beyond my expectations. During my time and working with talented and dedicated Executive Committee members, difficult decisions have been made and change has been constant. This need for change continues and as our history illustrates, Disciples Women will continue to be catalysts for change and lead the way in mission and ministry.”
Donahoo came to her position from Henson Valley Christian Church in Fort Washington, MD, having also served in pastoral positions in Pennsylvania. She is a third generation Disciple. | | Grow your compassion A global pandemic means that people are in need close to home and around the world. Disciples want to know how to help.
Through Week of Compassion, your congregation can support local and global ministries that are meeting needs and changing lives. Read more about Week of Compassion's COVID-19 Response. We invite you to "Grow Your Compassion," as we receive a designated offering for COVID-19 relief. The gifts that your church shares through this response will extend your mission capacity far beyond the church building, and even beyond your local community. On our website, you will find videos, mission moments, worship resources, children’s activities, sample social media posts and more. During this time when worship has been modified, we’ve made these resources easy to “plug and play” for your remote gatherings. We’re also using a new mobile giving platform that will allow members to easily text their gifts from their phone in just a few clicks. You can create your own "fundraiser page," or even create a team page for a congregation with customizable goals, unique text codes, and more. The needs of our neighbors are great right now, but we are disciples, and our compassion is even greater. Join us as we share the love of Christ--close to home, and around the world. | | | | General Ministries to take election seriously Acknowledging the importance of the right to vote in the U.S. election and the challenges of the pandemic, general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are making space for their employees to take part in nonpartisan efforts to vote, get out the vote, or do community service.
Several ministries have offered employees time off on or before election day (Nov. 3) so they can assist people to get to the polls, encourage voter registration, stand in lines themselves, serve as poll judges, or do other community service.
“As we follow Christ and work for justice, we are called to show up, stand up, and speak up,” General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens said. "This election season is a chance Disciples to make a difference in their communities.” | | Applications are being accepted to serve on the General Youth Council
If you are a youth or adult who is interested in serving on the General Youth Council please visit the GYC website to get information and fill out an application. Applications are being accepted from now through Sept. 30, 2020, for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2021, and ending Dec. 31, 2022. | | Young Adult Commission applications are being accepted
If you are interested in connecting and empowering Young Adults to engage in the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), you can fill out an application to serve on the Young Adult Commission. The next term of service begins January of 2021 through December of 2023 and applications are being accepted until October 30, 2020. Go here to see the expectations for those who serve on the committee. Come serve with us! | | | | NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grant application deadline extended
The National Benevolent Association partners with Disciples-related ministries, regions, and local congregations to create communities of compassion and care. NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program utilizes purpose-restricted funds to provide grant funding for projects serving older adults and educating disenfranchised youth and young adults. The application has been extended until Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. Apply today at nbacares.org/grants! | | LTS offers new certificate program
To accommodate busy schedules, students attend synchronous courses online (via Zoom) as well as four-day, in-person intensive courses* at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY, in the summer (these in-person gatherings are dependent upon changing circumstances pertaining to the COVID 19 pandemic). Upon successful completion of all 12 courses, students earn the Certificate in African American Ministry or they may apply them as continuing education (CEU) credits. | | | | Church the new way
Leadership Academy gathers Disciples every fall to share leadership experiences, wisdom, and training. This year, they can still expect to learn together, and for the first time, register core teams of up to five people for $500. (We encourage the lead pastor to register for everyone.) From Sept. 29 to Oct.1 (11AM to 6PM EST), New Church Ministry will host a virtual Academy featuring Start and Sustain Tracks to empower leaders, DOCTalks to address missional transformation, and LEADLabs to help leaders with missional concepts. Speakers include: - Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is sought after as a preacher, speaker, and workshop facilitator.
- Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Founding Director of TryTank, a laboratory for church growth and innovation. He speaks to groups about development, community involvement, the arts, business strategy, and marketing.
- Christiana Rice, Director of the Parish Collective. She is a trainer, writer, and convener, helping to reorganize the church around God’s dreams in the neighborhood.
- Tim Soerens, pastor, social entrepreneur, and co-founding Director of the Parish Collective. He is the author of Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church, Right Where You Are, and the co-author of The New Parish.
| Next Ministries Across Generations Virtual Zoom Gatherings September 14 (2nd Monday due to Labor Day), October 5, November 2, and December 7
Linda Staats has a Masters degree in Human Development and the Family from the University of Nebraska, and minor degrees in Child Development and Gerontology, Linda brings a life-span approach to congregational ministry. She is known for the ability to combine research, resources, and theology and for connecting people’s own holy stories with God’s stories. The process of networking and facilitating groups, small or large, is life giving. My greatest joy is bringing people of all ages, 3-103, together for meaningful interaction. | | Additional resources and opportunities
Disciples Family Faith at Home We are giving you a chance to reorder the Faith at Home parables to use this fall with your families at home. Each story is $10. Extra printouts can be found here. Each story will include cut-outs, felt, and printouts for families to engage in story, scripture, prayer, wondering questions, and worship at home. (As you prepare for Advent, we will be offering at home faith stories too!) The Good Shepherd The Good Shepherd and the Lost Sheep The Mustard Seed The Sower The Great Feast The Good Samaritan The Prodigal Son
| | | | Apply for a grant with the National Benevolent Association
The National Benevolent Association is currently running two grant programs. We invite disciples-affiliated organizations whose ministries have been detrimentally impacted by COVID-19 to apply for a COVID-19 NBA Response Grant. This grant was created to support new and changing projects created in service to those suffering because of the pandemic. Applications for this grant are rolling. | | | | 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!
| | | | One more thing to wrap up #DOCjustsummer: Advocacy Toolkit
Hopefully you found a justice ministry this summer that piqued your interest. (Review stories linked from this page.) Well, there's something more you can do and do it right now! Many legislators are listening more closely to their constituents in this election season so it's your opportunity to bring up what matters to you in a virtual legislative visit. You can find out how to make effective visits with this advocacy tool kit that includes a video from our Disciples in Washington who are well-practiced. | | Help get out the vote!
On Aug. 13, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner did a Disciple-specific webinar to support efforts for TurnOut Sunday. The National African American Clergy Network and Lawyers and Collars teamed up to provide the resources.
| | 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.
| | More opportunities to put ministry into action
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