Disciples Women’s Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin is a conduit to connect and empower women of the region in their diverse ministries as they grow individually and communally as disciples of Jesus the Christ.
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of Disciples Women’s Ministries is to provide leadership, guidance and a communication channel for the women of the region as they share the Good News through:
Worship for spiritual growth and renewed discipleship;
Bible study for greater knowledge, understanding, and service;
Participation in mission, advocacy, and service;
Networking and fellowship for building the faith community locally, regionally, and throughout the whole church;
Leadership training for the service to God in Disciples Women, the church, and the community;
Stewardship of time, talent, and resources for the mission of the church;
Accountability and personal responsibility for the mission of Jesus the Christ through the church.
If you are Disciples and a woman, then you are a Disciples Woman!
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
Event Details
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.
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
Event Details
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 list of items needed to make two kits at “at home” for distribution to a local organization.
Gathering at 9:30 with presentation and discussion starting at 10 AM with Rev. Armanto. This will be in conjunction to Regional Assembly and individuals will be able to register just
Event Details
Gathering at 9:30 with presentation and discussion starting at 10 AM with Rev. Armanto. This will be in conjunction to Regional Assembly and individuals will be able to register just for this event at no cost or through the RA paying RA registration fees with no additional charge for this event.
In this concluding portion of our two part workshop on addressing and implementing initiatives around education, support and reduction of domestic and partner violence, Rev. Courtney Armanto co-author of the General Assembly Resolution GA- 1928, A Call to See and Respond to the Crisis of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence, will lead us in a discussion of how to establish safe sanctuaries in your congregations for those fleeing from situations of domestic and partner violence The October 19 workshop will be a part of the educational offerings of the CCIW Regional Assembly.
There is no cost to this event if registered on the event Registration page and no additional cost added to Regional Assembly registration fee if you register for this event as part of the educational events of the Assembly.
Smoked Fish! Disciples Women’s Spring Gathering offering
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