We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.
Disciples of Christ Identity Statement
Disciples of Christ Identity Statement
april
02apr(apr 2)4:00 pm04(apr 4)11:00 amCultivating ConnectionsClergy Retreat
New Date, New Location, New Focus Cultivating Connections Clergy Retreat April 2-4, 2024 Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center 12173 Tower Hill Road Sawyer, MI 49125 Cultivating Connections I sat in the office, looking
New Date, New Location, New Focus
Cultivating Connections Clergy Retreat
April 2-4, 2024
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
12173 Tower Hill Road
Sawyer, MI 49125
Cultivating Connections
I sat in the office, looking around, wondering what I should do, and who I could ask for help. My first day at my first call as a solo pastor is indelibly etched in my memory. One thing was perfectly clear that warm summer day; I needed the support of a community of colleagues. As CCMR and CCIW continue to live into our partnership with one another, we have designed the spring clergy retreat to be a time of rest and renewal after the busy Lenten season AND a time to recall our stories, share with one another, and cultivate the connections that will nurture our ministries in the months and years ahead. – Alex Ruth
Tower Hill offers a beautiful setting on the shore of Lake Michigan, with a beach, labyrinth, and trails for wandering (and wondering). In early April it could be rainy and muddy, so please be sure to wear appropriate shoes for getting around camp. The rooms at Tower Hill are “dormitory-style” (without the bunk beds) with shared bathroom facilities. Most rooms are double occupancy, with a few single rooms available.
We hope you will join us for this time of rest and building life-giving relationships among our clergy colleagues!
Schedule
Tuesday, April 2nd
4:00 – Check In
6:00 – Dinner
7:00 – Opening Worship
7:30 – Cultivating Community
10p – 8a – Quiet Hours
Wednesday, April 3rd
8:00 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Morning Watch/Cultivating Community
12:30 – Lunch
1:30-5:30 Free Time/Conversations
1:30 – Ministry with Veterans -Dr. Pamela June Anderson
2:30 – Faith and Pop Culture -Eli Rolón Jeong
3:30 – Welcome for All -Eli Burton
4:30 – Camp Songs
6:00 – Dinner
7:00 – “Can we talk?” Q&R with Rev. Dr. Rick Hamilton
8:30 – Vespers
10p – 8a – Quiet Hours
Thursday, April 4th
8:00 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Closing Worship/Activities
11:00 – Check out10p – 8a – Quiet Hours
2 (Tuesday) 4:00 pm - 4 (Thursday) 11:00 am(GMT-05:00)
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
12173 Tower Hill Road Sawyer, MI 49125
13apr9:00 am4:00 pmThe Spring Gathering: Ties that Bind
For generations, women have gathered in sewing circles created both practical and beautiful works of art by piecing together small pieces of fabric. The quilts that they created have warmed
For generations, women have gathered in sewing circles created both practical and beautiful works of art by piecing together small pieces of fabric. The quilts that they created have warmed babies and provided comfort on cold winter nights as families made their way to new homes on the frontier. They provided a map for individuals seeking freedom from slavery and paths to homes where they could live with dignity. In more contemporary times, women have sewn quilts to provide comfort for sick children, to acknowledge the contributions of a lifetime of senior citizens, and much more. Katherine Bell in her book Quilting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time writes, “ The act of piecing a patchwork quilt is both utterly practical and powerfully symbolic. It’s an act of reclaiming, saving, mending, and unifying. The result, the quilt itself, solves a basic problem – the need for warmth – but it represents much more: the quilt makers resourcefulness, wishes, and fierce opinions; an attempt to made something beautiful out of what might have been wasted: and a desire to make some kind of peace.”
This year at the CCIW Disciples Women’s Spring Gathering, through our theme Ties that Bind we will consider quilting as a metaphor for the spiritual life. In the morning we will consider the history of quilting as well as how the act of quilting helps build community and provides a powerful countercultural message of hope. In the afternoon, we will join in hands on mission to cut, piece and sew quilts that will be donated to the Linus Project in Central IL. The Linus Project provides handmade blankets to children ages 0 – 18 who have been seriously ill, traumatized or experience other needs. These quilts will meet a basic need while at the same time symbolically demonstrate our desire to provide comfort and care. No experience with sewing or quilting is necessary as individuals of all skill levels can participate as we work together to create a blanket that will be given to others.
The Gathering: Ties that Bind will be held on April 13, 2024, from 9 AM – 4 PM at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 6400 North University St. Peoria, IL. Lunch will be provided, and the day will conclude with the dedication of the Blessing Box Offering and worship to include communion. Women with all levels of experience with quilting are invited to attend as there will be opportunities to individuals of all skill levels to participate as we make the quilts. The cost of the event is $60. This will include the cost of batting, thread, and backing materials for the quilts as well as continental breakfast upon arrival, a soup, sandwich and salad buffet lunch and other event expenses. Each registrant is asked to bring one (1) yard of cotton or cotton flannel fabric with a children’s theme in green, yellow or purple.
A special offering for the Smoked Fish Microcredit Project of Ghana sponsored by Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This empowerment program provides opportunities for women and families to earn a sustainable income by learning how to cook smoke fish and run a small business. Through these efforts many families in Ghana will no longer need to make the difficult choice of sending their children to work or sending their children to school as the opportunity to earn a fair wage allow the children to go to school rather than work to supplement parental income. In addition to providing sustainable income, the project has helped to raise awareness of occurrence of child labor and violence against children is being raised and to advocate for policies to reduce child labor and human trafficking.
Our keynote speaker, Petie (Petrae) Filson McLean is a retired Disciple Minister. She is a graduate of Lynchburg College and Lexington Theological Seminary. Petie’s professional experiences demonstrate her understanding of the importance of serving and of community. She has served as a Social Worker for Child Welfare in Kentucky for 4 years, a Chaplain at Midway College, taught field placement at Lexington Theological Seminary, and served as part time Associate Minister at First Christian Church, Georgetown Ky for 17 years, worked for Birth to Three Early Intervention Program for 7 years in Mt. Vernon , IL Served as their interim for 1 year in CCIW, and served for 13 years as Associate Minister of First Christian Church, Glasgow, Ky. She has written two study books for the Christian Women’s Fellowship including.
I am, You are a Gift” and “Children: Loved or Lost” Her experience with quilting as a spiritual discipline led to her creating the Quilt/Knit/Craft Retreat in Kentucky
Petie is married to Jim McLean, a retired Disciples Minister. The have three grown children She officially retired in 2010 and continues to share her gifts with the church through events such as the Gathering.
Quilt Project will be a 9 patch Coloring Square Quilt – Petie will bring coloring squares for women to complete. Each woman will be asked to bring 1 yd. cotton or cotton flannel material in children’s theme in green, yellow or purple to complete top with coloring squares. Please indicate on registration if you are willing to bring a portable sewing machine for this event. Rev. Dr. Beth Rupe will follow-up with you and provide details if you are able to help us with this aspect of our mission project.
(Saturday) 9:00 am - 4:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
20apr9:00 am3:00 pmFirst Impressions: Connecting and Communicating in a Digital Age
Once upon a time, one’s first impressions of a church or ministry were formed upon driving by a building or walking in a door. Now, digital communication forms most of
Once upon a time, one’s first impressions of a church or ministry were formed upon driving by a building or walking in a door. Now, digital communication forms most of our understanding of an organization before we ever approach a physical structure. If someone was trying to learn about your church or ministry, would they be able to sense who you are by what they see, read, or hear?
“First Impressions: Connecting and Communicating in the Digital Age” is a practical, results-focused webinar that aims to help you create ways of forming first impressions, as well as methods to identify and connect with your community, all in the online world.
This School for Ministry Intensive will explore how digital platforms and social media shape human interactions, emphasizing the importance of factors like the visuals, tone, and language. It encourages you to reflect on your organization’s digital presence with the aim of putting together a plan to build and maintain relationships. What will online visitors experience? Will they notice a clear, consistent, and helpful message? Will their interaction give them a positive First Impression?
Dustin Wyse-Fisher is a central Illinois educator with a significant portion of his time being in the classroom at Illinois Central College. He is devoted to nurturing storytelling skills through the mediums of graphic design, film, and motion design.
Beyond his teaching role, for over fifteen years Dustin has actively engaged with nonprofit organizations, churches, and small businesses as a visual designer and a communication strategist. Within these relationships, he partners with these organizations to collaboratively construct a framework that communicates messages distinctly and effectively to their intended audiences.
In his spare time, Dustin indulges in reading, outdoor activities, running, and navigating the journey of parenthood with teenage boys.
(Saturday) 9:00 am - 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
27apr10:30 am2:30 pmCCMR Disciple WomenSpring Mission Day Retreat
The CCMR DW invites you to join us by Zoom for a time of worship and mission. at no cost. A link will be emailed to you along with a
(Saturday) 10:30 am - 2:30 pm(GMT-04:00)
Central Wooodward Christian Church
3955 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Michigan
may
23may(may 23)12:06 am27(may 27)12:06 amFamily Camp (Memorial Day)
23 (Thursday) 12:06 am - 27 (Monday) 12:06 am(GMT-05:00)
Contact Information
Address: 401 W Jefferson St. Bloomington IL, 61701
Phone: +1 309-828-6293
Fax: +1 309-213-9469
Email: [email protected]