You Are Connected

Christian Church in Arizona Annual Fund

“Blessed be the tie that binds,” we sing. Undoubtedly, some of us sing the old hymn more than others. It remains a reminder that we are connected to the larger Church and a faith we share with God’s children the world over. In our own corners of the Arizona Region, in our own congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we often forget our own deep connections to each other, and the transformation they create.

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Stephanie hanging out with her family group the last day of CYF Church Camp 2012.

Many people in the Arizona Region recognize Stephanie Sager. Stephanie grew up at Saguaro Christian Church, serving there in VBS, as a member of the Board of Directors, and eventually as an elder. She also served the region on the Youth Council and is returning to Arizona this summer for her second year as a Chi Rho camp counselor. Her Arizona Youth Council leadership and connections led her to Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, where she received the Disciples Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship provides her with full tuition as well as funding for two mentorship opportunities. This summer, that mentorship opportunity is serving as a youth intern at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Sulphur, OK.

We could count the connections of Stephanie and the Arizona Region if we liked: three years of Youth Council, four camps just this summer, four General Assemblies, one college—but where would we stop counting?

We could count all the people connected to Eureka College? What about the Disciples Leadership Scholarship? What if we tried to count the kids at camp, both the ones she camped with and the ones she will counsel? Could we count the counselors, the teachers, the pastors, the elders, the deacons, and all the other adults in Arizona who were a connection along Stephanie’s way?

Stephanie and other Arizona Youth at EPCOT during General Assembly 2013 in Orlando, FL.

Instead of counting, let us remember that in our own corners, in our own congregations, we are deeply connected to one another. We are connected through the Region at Arizona camps, retreats of all sorts, assemblies. We are connected through congregational transformation. We are connected in Arizona as we search for new pastors and congregations develop new ministries. You are connected. You are connected to people you will never meet and places you will never visit. You are connected to generations before you. And you are connected to Stephanie, one of the young adults of the Christian Church in Arizona.

Delta Zeta

All of the Chapter Presidents from Region 16 of the Delta Zeta Sorority at the Annual President’s Leadership Academy in Dallas, TX.

Costa Rica Mission Trip

On a mission trip to Costa Rica with other Disciples Students from Eureka College.

With Sharon Watkins

Stephanie and other Disciples Leadership Fellows from Eureka College with General Minister and President Sharon Watkins.

With Chi Rho Campers

Stephanie playing Apples to Apples with some of the Chi Rho campers at Church Camp 2016.

Over the course of the year, the Region will share the many ways we are connected in ministry to each other. Today, we invite you to invest in your connections to the Christian Church in Arizona with a gift to the Region’s Annual Fund.

We are grateful for the ways that we are all connected