What is the Heartland Cluster?
The Heartland Cluster is comprised of the Members of the Indiana, Illinois-Wisconsin, Upper Midwest, Mid- American, Nebraska, Kansas, Greater Kansas Regions along with members of NAPAD, OBRA Hispana, and Convocation.
What is the Heartland Interregional Disciples Women’s Leadership Event ?
Every four years the women of the Heartland Cluster have the opportunity to meet for renewal and revitalization. This year the Heartland Interregional will include mission opportunity, inspirational worship, empowering Bible Study, workshops, and leadership training.
When and where will the Heartland Cluster occur?
The Heartland Interregional will take place on the campus of Culver Stockton College, located in Canton, MO. It will begin with a mission opportunity at noon on Friday, June 22, 2018 and conclude at noon on Sunday, June 24, 2018. The cost of the event is $160.00 per person for a single room and $130 per person for a share room. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION JUNE 1, 2018. ONSIGHT REGISTRATION IS $185.00 FOR SINGLE ROOM AND $155 FOR DOUBLE ROOM.
Download PDF with Registration
Register OnlineOUR PREACHERS
The Reverend Dr.Dietra Wise Baker was born in Nyack, New York. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in Washington DC and a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. and her Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Preaching from Aquinas Institute Theology, St. Louis, MO. Dietra works full time as Chaplain and Program Development Manager for Episcopal City Mission a non-profit providing chaplaincy services to incarcerated children in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. In addition, she serves as an organizing specialist for the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In this role she convenes activists and organizers across her denomination. Currently she the organizer of Metropolitan Congregations United’s Break The Pipeline Campaign. She has been a church planter and youth pastor. Pastor Dietra loves to dance, sing, and teach and is married to Cornell R. Baker and they have a beautiful daughter Alexis Baker.
TERESA HORD OWENS
The Reverend Teresa Hord Owens is the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
LORI TAPIA
The Reverend Lori Tapia is the National Pastor for the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Bible Study Leader
MARTI STEUSSY
The Reverend Dr. Marti J. Steussy is the Professor of Biblical Interpretation emerita at Christian Theological She is a Biblical Storyteller who brings extensive knowledge of the Bible, Dr Steussy has published or edited numerous works including Samuel and His God (U of South Carolina Press, 2010), David: Biblical Portraits of Power (USC 1999), Psalms (Chalice Commentary for Today series, 2004), The Chalice Introduction to the Old Testament (2003), Gardens in Babylon: Narrative and Faith in the Greek Legends of Daniel (Scholars Press 1993), and two science fiction novels, Forest of the Night and Dreams of Dawn (Del Rey 1987 and 1988). She was a translator for the Common English Bible project (Eerdmans, 2011) , has written and edited notes for CEB study Bibles, and written and published numerous essays and articles.
Since her retirement in 2014, Dr. Steussy has continued to teach at the seminary part time Her teaching portfolio includes classes on forgiveness. She has also hiked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain and parts of the Kumano Kodo (a Japanese pilgrimage trail), completed a two-year certificate in Self Psychology with the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago, and memorized the Sermon on the Mount in Greek. She and her husband Nic (a biochemist at Purdue University) have two adult children and a cat.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
PATRICIA DONAHOO
The Reverend Dr. Pat Donahoo is the Executive Director for International Disciples Women Ministries (IDWM).
CHESLA NICKELSON
The Reverend Chesla Nickelson is Program Director, Merger Staff for International Disciples Women Ministries (IDWM).
Schedule of Events
Please note that the event begins with dinner at 5:30 PM for those who are not participating in the Mission Opportunity. The Hospitality and Gathering Room will be open at 3 PM as will registration for the event.
Friday
10 AM Registration for Mission Opportunity
Noon – 5 PM Mission Opportunity
3 PM General Registration and Hospitality and Gathering Room
5:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Worship
Hospitality Room will be open after worship until 10 PM
Saturday
7:30 – 9 AM Breakfast
8:45 Gathering and Praise Singing
9 AM Bible Study
10 – Noon DW Connect
Noon Lunch
1: 30 – 3:00 PM Workshop A
3: 30 – 5:00 PM Workshop B
5:00 PM Dinner
6:30 – 7:30PM Networking and Team Building
7:30 PM Worship
Hospitality Room will be open after worship until 10 PM
Sunday
7:30 – 8:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Worship and Benedictions
An offering will be received for special projects of the Woman to Woman Global trip to India.
Box lunches will be available to pick up following worship.
WORKSHOPS
- EACH WORKSHOP WILL BE OFFERED TWICE – LITURGICAL DANCE WILL ONLY BE OFFERED DURING WORKSHOP A.
- YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SELECT TWO WORKSHOPS DURING YOUR REGISTRATION.
Workshops Descriptions
- Sharing Our Story Reverend Dr. Marti Steussy
Each of us have a story to share and are a part of the story of God’s engagement with the world.
Explore what it means to find and share your place in the story. - Connecting through Prayer Reverend Angela DeVore
God loves us and longs to be in relationship with us. This workshop will provide an opportunity to explore prayer practices that will with deepen our communication with God as we speak and listen. - Exploring LAP Reverend Chesla Nickelson
Leadership Apprentice Program equips women of color to answer their call as leaders in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in all its manifestations. This workshop will provide information on the program and how you can be a part or nominate someone to be a part. - Called and Equipped Reverend Veronica Fallah Finding Your Spiritual Gifts
God does not call us without equipping us. Come and explore how you have been equipped to serve as a part of the Body of Christ. - Global Connections: Reverend Dr. Pat Donahoo Woman to Woman India
Join the Executive Director of IDWM as she shares her experiences as a part of the 2017 Woman to Woman trip to India. Learn how you can take part in upcoming trips. - Liturgical Dance Penuel Dance
Powership Worship Center Raytown, KC
Liturgical Dance will be offered during Workshop A
Explore how one can praise and worship God through dance. Participants in this workshop will provide leadership in Sunday morning worship for the community.