CCMRRegional

Name-the-Region March Madness Voting is OPEN!!

By March 2, 2025March 17th, 202517 Comments

Interim Regional Minister Rick Hamilton, has provided some commentary (in alphabetical order) on each of our semifinalists (now culled to Final Four)

  • Heartland Waters: This name references our geography indirectly and emphasizes the importance of “waters” to our region. Just as “Great Lakes” is not necessarily an identifier for the congregations of Central and Southern Illinois, “Heartland” may not resonate with Michiganders. An additional consideration is whether the name creates confusion with an existing fellowship group within the college of Regional Ministers known as the “Heartland Regions” that includes programming for Disciples Women and other groups.

  • Living Waters: This name references the reality that the entirety of the region is defined by waters. It carries strong Biblical imagery (see this link for verses). Jesus promised us Living Water, water from which we would never be thirsty. A consideration is that a “Living Waters Region” would be the first completely “non-geographic name” for a region. Other non-state names of regions are Great River Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi), and Northern Lights Region (Alaska, Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana).

  • Many Waters: This name also references the many ways waters surround and define our region. It also carries strong Biblical imagery (see this link for verses). A consideration is that a “Many Waters Region” would be the first completely “non-geographic name” for a region. Other non-state names of regions are Great River Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi), and Northern Lights Region (Alaska, Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana).

  • Prairies and Pines: This name offers ecological identifiers for all three states. Illinois and Wisconsin are known as prairie states. Both Michigan and Wisconsin are known for their pine forests. A consideration is that a “Prairies and Pines Region” would be the first completely “non-geographic name” for a region. Other non-state names of regions are Great River Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi), and Northern Lights

In these final two rounds, congregations can submit their vote tally via email. A ballot is available to print here, or simply email the congregation’s name, location, and the name of the submitter to [email protected]. 

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