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Links + Mountain Refectory (for WV Disciples Clergy only) + Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Our Denominational Site + Disciples Historical Society
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Women’s Retreat |
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Visit us in person, or send us mail:
1402 Washington Avenue Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: 304-428-1681 Fax: 304-428-1684
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Disciples Women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia will sponsor their annual Spiritual Life Retreat on September 5-7 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center. Registrations are being accepted now, and your local church office should have forms available. If not, email Mary Uhl, Coordinator of Women’s Ministries and one will be sent to you. The keynote speaker for the weekend is Judy Bennett, pastor of the Island Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Wheeling. In addition to the program, the service project for the event encourages all participants to collect money for those in need of heating fuel around the world. Each group is asked to bring along one piece of split firewood for use at the dedication of the service project. Numerous other learning and growing opportunities are offered at the Saturday interest groups. Child care is by prior arrangement only (contact Mary). Registration forms and funds were due at the Regional Office by Aug. 1, but if you find that you can come, please let us know. With over 170 coming already, we know you won’t want to miss it, so we’ll try to squeeze you in!
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Go to our |
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Disciples History Website Please take a moment to visit the new website of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. You’ll be glad you did! |
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Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Training Event Aug. 29-31— Fairfax, VA $120 (before 8/15) $140 (after 8/15) Plus $24.95 for required reading Questions or registration: Kaye Edwards at Disciples Home Missions (click here for event information) Regional Board Minutes Regional Board Minutes for the July 26 meeting are now available for download (.pdf). Click here: http://www.ccwv.org/docs/regboard7-08minutes.pdf
Newsletter Online The Summer 2008 edition of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia News is available now. Click here to download large pdf file (2.3 mb).
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Stewardship Reading List
Click here to download a recently created bibliography of stewardship and finance resources created by the Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, Associate General Minister and Vice President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has some excellent suggestions! |
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As the faithful have gathered, I have been most impressed by the various ways in which Christians live out their vocations. Our calling is to live a life of service and devotion to and on behalf of God. In our baptism we are called to be Christ-like vessels of grace to the world. We all do this a bit differently, but it is through our everyday lives that we put flesh on the gospel.
Recently I have been thinking about the healers in our midst. Many Disciples fall into this category for me. Across our region, we have physicians, nurses, therapists of every kind, counselors, technicians, researchers and administrators who serve Christ and humanity through the providing of health care. This is a high and holy calling indeed. You have to be “built” for this life, and the grace and gifts of God must be present for the work to be effective. I have been privileged to have been cared for by health care providers who have a deep sense that they are living as God has called them to live.
In the midst of their work, they are vessels of grace, of the faith, and of God. This is a wonderful vocation, and praise be to God that healers have been placed in the world. It seems clear to me, that Jesus has enlisted these fine folk to aid him in the work of healing our bodies. This is a gift that we dare not take for granted. Jennifer and I have a dear friend who is a massage therapist. She is quite good at it, and before she begins her healing work, she offers a quiet prayer for God’s presence in the act. She yields herself to God and is very much aware, it seems, that she is a conduit. This is a beautiful act of faith. Just prior to my wife being anesthetized a couple of years ago for an ankle reconstruction, I shared with the surgeon, who is also quite gifted at what he does, that I had said a prayer for him.
He shared with me just how much that meant to him. He is a vessel that God uses to heal and to relieve pain, but seems keenly aware that God is the source of healing.
In sacred scripture there are plenty of examples of Jesus touching people and making them well. He does this because he loves us. Today, still, the touch of God comes to us as love. I give thanks for the healers in our midst. I give thanks for their vocations and for their participation with God in the healing and relief that God wants for us all.
I give thanks for you. Love, |
