Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:
I write to you today from Chicago, where I – along with Arizonans Rev. Jessica Braxton (Saguaro Christian Church), Cecilia Johnson (Chalice Christian Church), and Rev. Lori Tapia (Casa de Adoracion and Obra Hispana) – am in town for the General Board meeting. All regional ministers serve on the General Board, and it is a chance for us to connect with each other and with our General Ministry partners as well as attend to the governance matters of our denomination. Official business dominated the agenda, but we closed with a wonderful worship experience featuring as our preacher the Rev. Jessica Braxton of Saguaro Christian Church!
Our General Minister and President, the Rev. Terri Hord Owens, highlighted 3 major initiatives of the Church:
- The Church Covenant Project, which includes changes to the Design to help us be a more nimble and efficient movement and to be clear about our covenant relationships with each other
- The Church Narrative Project, which is to help us develop the narrative of the future we want to share together
- The Proclamation Project, a major initiative to support and inspire preachers.
During her report, she mentioned that Arizona was one of the first regions to participate in the Narrative Project. Then she celebrated the Proclamation Project’s first ever Disciples preaching retreat was going to be held in Arizona (October 28-30, 2024). And then she went on to talk about the Week of Compassion and their great work in partnership with the Arizona Disciples Border Initiative. She and others were invited Disciples from all over to come to Tucson and learn about border and immigration issues through the Caminantes Border Immersion program led by Rev. Pedro Ramos Goycolea and Comunidad Limen CC. Given our relatively small size (at 20 congregations, we are the second smallest region), Arizona featured prominently in this General Board meeting!
It is always helpful to remember that we are not alone. We are not single, solitary, isolated Christian individuals. We are not single, solitary, isolated congregations. We are not even single, solitary, isolated regions. We are part of something bigger – a movement for wholeness. Together, with Disciples across the U.S. and Canada, we are called to shine the light of God’s love by seeking unity, practicing compassion, and working for the well-being of all God’s Creation.
Somos Uno!
Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona
