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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Assembly

Regional Reflection: Regional Assembly

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Every once in a while, I hear people griping about how much they have to do at church. I get it – at one level, at least.  You may have even heard me gripe from time to time. Institutions require a lot of work:  property management, personnel matters, financial matters, sound system repairs, plumbing repairs, committee meetings, and all the details that go into various ministries. Whew!

At another level, though, I find myself thinking that if we are griping, or if we are leading institutions in which people are griping, there’s something wrong. The Christian life is meant to be a joy — not necessarily EASY, but joyful. And this is why we invite you to join us for Regional Assembly 2026, “Celebrating our Gifts.”

Our Assembly theme is rooted in the theological idea that the Holy Spirit is alive and blowing through each of us, and that the Spirit gives each of us gifts to be used for the common good. Our focus scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:7, in which Paul says:  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. If the Spirit truly gave you the gift of music, then singing in the choir brings you joy, rather being “one more thing to do.” If the Spirit gave you the gift of serving, then staying after a potluck to clean dishes, or coming on Saturday to mow or sweep or vacuum, brings you joy.   You feel the deep peace of connecting with what God has gifted you to do.

We hope that Regional Assembly will help you recapture the joy of the Christian life.  We hope you will re-connect with the gifts God has given you, that you will seek to align your roles in the church with the ways the Spirit works in your life.  Come, and celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit which God has given to each of us.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: hay un lugar para ti

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Three and a half weeks have passed since our Regional Assembly. Two weeks have passed since the national elections. One week until we gather with family and/or friends to share a meal of thanksgiving – which sounds a little funny since most of us gather every single Sunday to share a meal of thanksgiving.   Collectively – that’s a lot of activity and a lot of emotion within 4 weeks of time!

Reflecting on all of that, I can’t help but see the theme of the table. Our Disciples movement was started by leaders who believed that everyone should have a place at the table.  The Lord’s Supper/Holy Communion/La Santa Cena/the Holy Supper/the Eucharist – whatever you want to call it – has many meanings. One way of understanding La Santa Cena is as a PRE-enactment of the messianic banquet, the great feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Religious leaders have imagined a heavenly banquet, where a great multitude of all the nations, every tribe and tongue, are gathered. There is no longer rich or poor, no longer people who are outcast or excluded because of race or skin color or language or gender. There is just one big Thanksgiving banquet for all souls – where Jesus is the host, and we all receive blessings in abundance.  I don’t know about you, but every single week, when I take a little wafer and drink a little cup of juice, I do my best to imagine that I’m in that heavenly banquet, feasting and celebrating with all of God’s children.

En el nombre del cielo, in the name of heaven … hay un lugar para ti, there’s a place for you. That was our theme for Assembly, a call to hospitality, a call to welcome each other, to make another place at the table, to share God’s love with each other – no matter what. Perhaps there will come a time in human history where that message will no longer be necessary.  But we aren’t there yet. And so I encourage us all to continuing growing in our hospitality, growing in our ability to recognize the image of God in our neighbor, growing in our commitment to opening our hearts to each other.

En el nombre del cielo, hay un lugar para ti.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Regional Assembly Adopts RA-2401, Emergency Sense of the Assembly Resolution Calling Arizona Disciples to Oppose Christian Nationalism

By a majority vote on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the gathered Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Arizona adopted RA-2401, Emergency Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution Calling Arizona Disciples to Oppose Christian Nationalism. This resolution was submitted by the Arizona Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Team and recommended for adoption by the Administrative Council.

RA-2401

CALLING  ARIZONA DISCIPLES TO OPPOSE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
(An Emergency Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution)

WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affirms the inherent worth and dignity of all people, created in the image of God, and called to live in mutual love and respect; and 

WHEREAS, the teachings of Jesus Christ call us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to welcome the stranger, and to seek justice for the oppressed; and 

WHEREAS, Christian Nationalism promotes a distorted interpretation of Christianity that seeks to merge national identity with a particular racial and religious identity, often resulting in the exclusion, marginalization, and harm of people of color, non-Christians, immigrants, and other vulnerable communities; and 

WHEREAS, Christian Nationalism is contrary to the inclusive and reconciling nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which transcends all human-made boundaries of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, and creed; and 

WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona, as part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) adopted Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution GA-2341 which says, “The Church in all its expressions commits to educating ourselves and our constituencies about the societal and spiritual dangers of Christian Nationalism, how to talk about Christian Nationalism theologically, and how to counter it in both ecclesial and public life.” 

WHEREAS Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution GA-2341 also: “…calls on its leaders and members to take every possible opportunity to speak out and act boldly against Christian Nationalism, ensuring that the love of God known to us in Jesus Christ may not be distorted by this ugly and false appropriation of our faith, but proclaimed with generosity and grace to all peoples, from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.”

WHEREAS we have been called by the General Church “…to prayerfully discern, confess, and repent of our own complicity with Christian Nationalism“; 

WHEREAS the recent threatening rhetoric of political leaders and the major polarizing election cycle before us, makes it critical at this specific time, for us to name publicly, that our actions and reactions must adhere to the vision and call of Christ in opposition to actions and reactions adhering to political leanings.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Region of Arizona unequivocally condemns Christian Nationalism as a heretical distortion of the Christian faith and a threat to the unity and justice to which Christ calls us; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, as Arizona Disciples, in all our expressions, commit ourselves to educating our congregations about the dangers of Christian Nationalism, promoting theological teachings that emphasize the inclusivity and justice central to the Gospel; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, as Arizona Disciples, in all our expressions, actively support and partner with organizations and movements that work to dismantle systems of white supremacy and promote racial justice, equity, and reconciliation; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we, as a Region and as Arizona Disciples, will denounce Christian Nationalism and seek to embody the beloved community, where all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion, are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity, as we strive to live out the reconciling love of Christ in our world. 

Arizona Regional Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation (ARPR) Ministry Team

Community Christian Church, Tempe
Comunidad Limen Christian Church, Tucson
First Christian Church, Tucson

Rev. Trish Winters
Rev. Pedro Ramos-Goycolea
Rev. Dr. James Sterling
Rev. Brett Winters
Rev. Jay Deskins
Rev. Terry Steeden
Rev. Allen Cunningham
Rev. Katie Sexton
Pastor Tawni Garcia
Pastor Arturo Laguna
Rev. Kenneth Stamper
Pastor Janett Laguna
Rev. Ailsa Guardiola González
Rev. Chad Boseker
Rev. Kevin Prahar

BACKGROUND

General Assembly (Sense of the Assembly) Resolution GA-2341 CALLING THE CHURCH TO OPPOSE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

Link: https://ga.disciples.org/resolutions/2023/ga-2341/

Presented at the 2023 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, this resolution calling for the church to oppose Christian Nationalism was adopted. The resolution includes background information which helps to define the term Christian Nationalism and provides resources for additional reflection.

The Administrative Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona recommends that the Regional Assembly ADOPT RA-2501

Regional Reflection – Welcome

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

“Welcome.”   It’s such a beautiful word – in both English and Spanish.  Bien-venidos.  It is well, it is good, it is a joy to me that you have come.”  “Es bueno que tu has venido.”

Have you ever shown up somewhere and got that awkward sense that people wish you would NOT have come? Ugh. That’s no fun. And we’ve all had that experience. Or worse – they slam the door in your face, or call you hateful names.

But the opposite is so wonderful. Someone opens the door and their face lights up with a smile when they see you. You walk into a room and lots of faces light up, and they get up and move another chair into the circle to make room for you. They introduce themselves, tell you their name, offer you a glass of water or a tray of snacks.  It is so, so wonderful to feel welcome – to feel that people are glad you came.

Our Regional Assembly last weekend took that idea and added a theological claim: “In the name of heaven, you are welcome here.”  “In the name of God, there is a place for you at the table.” In Spanish: “En el nombre del cielo” – in the name of God.  Offering hospitality creates a sacred space, and receiving hospitality is a holy moment.

It was a joy to welcome so many of you to the Regional Assembly this past weekend. It brought me joy to see you, to be with you, and to worship with you. And I pray that all of us will continue to both receive welcome from others and in turn offer our welcome to all whom we meet. What a delight when we can truly look at our neighbors and say: “It is well that you have come.  It is a joy to be here together.”

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Regional Reflection: Called to Hospitality

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:               

I’m just home from seeing many of you at the Disciples Women’s Retreat in Prescott.  It is always a joy to gather with Disciples for worship, education, and relationship-building.  Speaking of which … the next big opportunity to gather together is coming up soon:   Regional Assembly.  More information and registration can be found here, but here I want to reflect a bit on our theme.

The Regional Assembly Planning Team decided to focus on the biblical theme of HOSPITALITY. Hospitality is a key characteristic of the people of God throughout the Bible. It begins in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, when Abraham welcomes three strangers to his ranch, offering them food and drink and a chance to get out of the son. Abraham’s nephew Lot, in a story that is much misused, offered hospitality to visitors to his city.  Then Genesis ends when the sons of Jacob are offered hospitality by the Pharaoh in Egypt during a famine. Later in the Hebrew Bible, the Israelites are often reminded to offer hospitality to foreigners, remembering that they too were once offered hospitality in a foreign land. 

Click to Register for Assembly!

Hospitality remains a prominent theme in the New Testament – starting with the birth of Jesus, whose parents were told there was “no room in the inn.” As an adult, Jesus both offers and accepts hospitality, frequently dining in the homes of others. Jesus instructs us to invite strangers, the poor, and outcast to our homes for our banquets – offering the love of God to all. Romans and Hebrews both invite and instruct us to be hospitable to strangers.

So … what does biblical hospitality look like today? Who are the “strangers” and “foreigners” of our day? In what ways are we called to offer hospitality to migrants, to homeless veterans, to LGBTQ+ individuals, to young people, to seniors, to any of our neighbors? How do congregations practice hospitality – and how do we FAIL to practice hospitality? These are themes and questions that we will explore in worship and workshops throughout the Assembly.

First Christian Church of Tucson looks forward to offering YOU hospitality this October at our 2024 Regional Assembly.   I hope to see you there!

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Click to Register for Assembly!
Oct. 14, Tucson
Nov. 4, Phoenix Metro

Regional Reflection: Summer of 2024

Following my trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland in May, this summer has continued to be filled with travel, including trips to Kansas City for the Obra Hispana assembly; Flagstaff for Foothills Family Camp; Loch Leven Campground in California for summer church camp; Wichita to preach at the Kansas Regional Assembly; Bethany, West Virginia for the College of Regional Ministers and Forum of Regional Moderators retreat; as well as some vacation time in Maine, New York, the mountains in Arizona.

The trip in July marked my first ever visit to Bethany College and the home of Alexander Campbell.  In addition to being the alma mater of Rev. Rebekah Krevens, pastor at Foothills Christian Church in Phoenix, Bethany College now hosts the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. Our Regional Moderator-Elect, Kerry Swindle from Saguaro Christian Church in Tucson, joined me on the trip. We got a tour of the Campbell Mansion, the Campbell cemetery, the Historical Society, the Old Meetinghouse, Bethany Christian Church, and the Bethany College campus. It was a joy to connect to these historical sites of Disciples origins.

Jay at the Alexander Campbell estate
Jay on Bethany College campus

As many of you know, Alexander Campbell was one of the most prominent leaders of the movement that became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  He founded Bethany College, a testament to our emphasis on the importance of education.  Campbell wrote journals and was frequently known to hold public debates with other ministers on points of faith. I am grateful for Campbell’s emphasis on education. As I’ve often heard people say, the Disciples are a movement that doesn’t ask you to “check your brain at the door” when you enter the sanctuary. Faith and reason, faith seeking understanding, deep study of the Bible are all very important to us. 

Speaking of education, we have 10 great workshops lined up for you to choose from at our upcoming Regional Assembly:   October 25-26 in Tucson.  To register, click here. We are excited to be with you “In the Name of Heaven/En El Nombre del Cielo.”

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Registration Now Open!

The Christian Church in Arizona is excited to announce that registration for our 2018 Regional Assembly: Fuente de Vida is now open!

You can register two ways.

  1. Through your church office. This process will be similar to past years where you church office (or designated registrar) will gather paper registrations and registration costs. Church office will then send all registrations and one check to the Regional Office no later than Thursday, October 11. Later this week church offices will receive both digital and paper resources for registrations.
  2. Through our new online form. We are excited to offer an online registration form (click the register button below) for those who would like to register and pay with a credit card. Church offices will be notified of all registrations from their congregation after the October 11 registration deadline.

All registrations will be due to the Regional Office no later than Thursday, October 11. 

Below are links to a flyer and the paper registration form. Keep watching your email and ra.disciples.org for more information about assembly including hotel accommodations, Friday Pre-Events, Saturday experiences and more!

La Iglesia Cristiana en Arizona se complace en anunciar que la inscripción para nuestra Asamblea Regional 2018: ¡Fuente de Vida ya está abierta!

Puedes registrarte de dos maneras.A través de la oficina de tu iglesia.

  1. Este proceso será similar a los años pasados en los que la oficina de la iglesia (o el registrador designado) reunirá las inscripciones y los costos de registro. La oficina de la iglesia enviará todas las inscripciones y un cheque a la Oficina Regional no más tarde que el jueves 11 de octubre. Más adelante en esta semana, las oficinas de la iglesia recibirán recursos digitales y en papel para las inscripciones en papel.
  2. A través de nuestro nuevo formulario en línea. Nos complace ofrecer un formulario de registro en línea (haga clic en el botón de registro a continuación) para aquellos que deseen registrarse y pagar con una tarjeta de crédito. Las oficinas de la iglesia serán notificadas de todas las inscripciones de su congregación después de la fecha límite de inscripción del 11 de octubre.

Todas las inscripciones serán enviadas a la Oficina Regional no más tarde que el jueves 11 de octubre.

A continuación hay enlaces para mas información y el formulario de registro en papel.

Assembly Speakers Confirmed!

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona is happy to announce our 2018 Fuente de Vida Regional Assembly guest speakers! Read a little about each speaker below.

Rev. Erin Wathen

Rev. Erin Wathen

Senior Pastor of Saint Andrew Christian Church

Rev. Erin Wathen is the Senior Pastor of Saint Andrew Christian Church in the Kansas City area and serves as the Moderator of the Christian Church, Greater Kansas City Region. Prior to SACC, Erin served at Foothills Christian Church in Phoenix. She is the author of two books: “Resist and Persist: Faith and the Fight for Equality” and ”More Than Words: Ten Values for the Modern Family“. Publisher’s Weekly said of her most recent book “A helpful tool for teachers and professors… This trenchant book is a much-needed manifesto for 21st-century Christian feminism“.

Erin is a graduate of Transylvania University and Lexington Theological Seminary. She is the 2010 recipient of the Fred Craddock Award for Excellence in Preaching. Erin lives in Olathe, KS with her husband and two kids. A widely recognized voice in Progressive Christianity, Erin’s blog “Irreverin,” featured on the Patheos Interfaith Network, explores the intersection of faith, culture and politics.

Rev. Al Lopez

Rev. Al Lopez

Lead Pastor of Urban Mission (UCC/DOC)

Rev. Al Lopez is the founder and one of three co-pastors of UrbanMission, a new church in Pomona, California, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The UrbanMission’s approach to being an actively engaged spiritual community has garnered recognition in several academic circles; most recently being highlighted as an example in Rev. Dr. Timothy Murphy’s Counter-Imperial Churching for a Planetary Gospel.

Al is a graduate of Claremont School of Theology was ordained by the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2015.

Al currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Disciples Seminary Foundation, and on the Reconciliation Ministry Commission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He also helps co-facilitate the Disciples Seminary Foundation’s Seed Planters group; a cohort of recently graduated/current seminary students exploring new church planting and congregational revitalization.

Al and his wife Tanya are the proud parents of two amazing little girls.

Rev. Teresa "Terri" Hord Owens

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens

General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens was elected as the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in July 2017. She is the first person of color and second woman to lead the denomination. A descendant of one of the oldest African-American free settlements in Indiana and a Disciple since young adulthood, Hord Owens was dean of students at the University of Chicago Divinity School and pastor of First Christian Church of Downers Grove, IL prior to her election.

Hord Owens’ resume includes more than 20 years in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management in health care and other industries before she entered seminary. After ordination, she served 15 years at the University of Chicago Divinity School, shepherding a varied student body in both background and theology.

Hord Owens is widely sought after as a preacher, speaker and workshop facilitator. Her ministry and intellectual interests include a theology of reconciliation, cultural intelligence, developing inclusive and multi-cultural congregations, and the mentoring of young adults. She marked three decades of marriage with Walter Owens, Jr., prior to her election. They are the proud parents of an adult son.

¡La Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) en Arizona se complace en anunciar a nuestros oradores invitados a la Asamblea Regional de Fuente de Vida 2018! Lea un poco sobre cada orador a continuación.

Rvda. Erin Wathen

Rvda. Erin Wathen

Senior Pastor of Saint Andrew Christian Church

La Rvda. Erin Wathen es la Pastora Principal de la Iglesia Cristiana San Andres en el área de Kansas City y se desempeña como Moderadora de la Iglesia Cristiana en la Región de Greater Kansas City. Antes de SACC, Erin sirvió en Foothills Christian Church en Phoenix. Es autora de dos libros: “Resistir y persistir: la fe y la lucha por la igualdad” y “Más que palabras: Diez valores para la familia moderna“. Publisher’s Weekly dijo de su libro más reciente “Una herramienta útil para profesores y maestros … Este libro mordaz es un manifiesto muy necesario para el feminismo cristiano del siglo XXI“.

Erin es graduada de la Universidad de Transylvania y del Seminario Teológico de Lexington. Ella fue el recipiente del 2010 del Premio Fred Craddock a la Excelencia en la Predicación. Erin vive en Olathe, KS con su esposo y dos hijos. Una voz ampliamente reconocida en el cristianismo progresivo, el blog de Erin “Irreverin”, presentado en Patheos Interfaith Network, explora la intersección de la fe, la cultura y la política.

Rvdo. Al Lopez

Rvdo. Al Lopez

Lead Pastor of Urban Mission (UCC/DOC)

El Rvdo. Al Lopez es el fundador y uno de tres co-pastores de UrbanMission, (MisiónUrbana), una iglesia nueva en Pomona, California afiliada con la Iglesia Unida de Cristo y la Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo).

El enfoque de UrbanMission de ser una comunidad espiritual activamente comprometida ha cosechado reconocimiento en varios círculos académicos; más recientemente se destacó como un ejemplo en Siendo Iglesia Contra-imperio para un Evangelio Planetario del Rev. Dr. Timothy Murphy.

Al es graduado de la Escuela Teológica de Claremont y fue ordenado por la Región Suroeste del Pacifico en la Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) en el 2015.

Actualmente, Al es miembro de la Junta Directiva de Disciples Seminary Foundation y de la Comisión del Ministerio de Reconciliación de la Iglesia Cristiana (Disciples of Christ). También ayuda a co-facilitar el grupo de Sembradores de Semillas de la Fundación de Disciples Seminary; una cohorte de estudiantes de seminario recientemente graduados / actuales que exploran la plantación de nuevas iglesias y la revitalización congregacional.

Junto a su esposa, Tanya, son los padres orgullosos de dos hijas pequeñas maravillosas.

Rvda. Teresa "Terri" Hord Owens

Rvda. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens

General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

La Rvdo. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens” fue electa como Ministro General y presidenta de la Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) en julio del 2017. Ella es la primera persona de color y la segunda mujer que lidera una denominación.  Descendiente de uno de los asentamientos libres afroamericanos más antiguos de Indiana y Discípulo desde la edad joven adulta, Hord Owens fue decana de estudiantes de la Escuela de Divinidades de la Universidad de Chicago y pastor de First Christian Church de Downers Grove, IL, antes de su elección.

El currículum de Hord Owens incluye más de 20 años en el mundo corporativo de los Estados Unidos liderando diversos equipos de administración de datos en el cuidado de la salud y otras industrias antes de ingresar al seminario. Después de la ordenación, ella sirvió 15 años en la Escuela de Divinidad de la Universidad de Chicago, guiando a un cuerpo estudiantil variado tanto en trasfondo como en teología.

Hord Owens es ampliamente buscada como predicadora, orador y facilitadora de talleres. Su ministerio e intereses intelectuales incluyen una teología de la reconciliación, inteligencia cultural, el desarrollo de congregaciones inclusivas y multiculturales, y la mentoría de jóvenes adultos. Antes de su elección, ella marcó tres décadas de matrimonio con Walter Owens, Jr.,. Son los orgullosos padres de un hijo adulto.

Regional Assembly: Fuente de Vida Announced!

Our 2018 Regional Assembly is an invitation to come to the well, to springs of life. Some come thirsty; others come in need of relief. Abraham and Isaac dug wells searching for springs of water. Moses watched water flow from a rock to quench the thirst of his people. A Samaritan woman heard Jesus speak of a living water which would become a “spring of water gushing up to eternal life”.

All around us, out of our desert sojourns, we can find sustaining experiences, springs of life, through inspiration, connection, worship and celebration. These springs assure us we are known, remind us we are loved, and draw us to the places we are called. Our scripture and desert life speak of the vitality of water, and it is in water we find inspiration for our 2018 Regional Assembly. Fuente de Vida!

We are excited to welcome three amazing speakers. Each will inspire, challenge, and call us to find strength and courage to find the Spirit’s workings for creativity in the life, mission, and ministry of the Arizona Region.

We will also share in opportunities to experience springs of life within our Region including a daylong pre-assembly event, Fuente de Vida at the Border.

Nuestra Asamblea Regional 2018 es una invitación a venir al pozo, a las corrientes de agua de la vida. Algunos vienen sedientos; otros vienen con necesidad de alivio. Abraham e Isaac cavaron pozos en busca de manantiales de agua. Moisés vio el agua fluir desde una roca para saciar la sed de su pueblo. Una mujer samaritana escuchó a Jesús hablar de un agua viva que se convertiría en una “fuente de agua fluyendo hacia la vida eterna”.

A nuestro alrededor, desde nuestras moradas en el desierto, podemos encontrar experiencias sostenibles, fuentes de vida, a través de la inspiración, la conexión, la adoración y la celebración. Estos manantiales nos aseguran que somos conocidos, nos recuerdan que somos amados y nos atraen a los lugares a los que somos llamados. Nuestras escrituras y nuestra vida en el desierto hablan de la vitalidad del agua, y es en el agua que encontramos la inspiración para nuestra Asamblea Regional 2018. ¡Fuente de Vida!

Nos complace dar la bienvenida a tres oradores increíbles. Cada uno nos inspirará, desafiará y llamará a mayor fortaleza y valor para encontrar la obra del Espíritu para la creatividad en la vida, la misión y el ministerio de la Región de Arizona.

También compartiremos oportunidades para experimentar los manantiales de la vida en nuestra Región, incluido un evento pre-asamblea de un día, Fuente de Vida en la frontera.

Regístrese en línea en ra.azdisciples.org o con tu iglesia antes del día jueves, 11 de octubre, 2018.

Ecclesiastical Kleptomania and Celebration! Celebración!

Rev. Brain Frederick-Gray of First Christian Church of Scottsdale responds to what “Celebration, Celebración! Christ Among Us!” means to her, and all of us at our upcoming 2016 Regional Assembly, Asamblea Convención Arizona.

I am excited for upcoming Arizona Regional Assembly because, well, I’m an ecclesiastical kleptomaniac.

Now, this doesn’t mean that I have a compulsion to rob churches. So don’t worry, East Mesa Christian Church, I’m not coming to Regional Assembly so that I can pilfer your communion trays or sneak away with your choir robes. 

When I say I’m an “ecclesiastical kleptomaniac” what I mean is that I love to steal ideas from other churches and church leaders so that I can bring them to the church I serve.

I used to say, “borrow ideas from other church and church leaders” but that really isn’t the right verb. It is not like I would ever say, “Wow! That is a really cool way that your church is welcoming visitors and helping them to feel immediately included in the life of your church. I’m going to use that for a couple of weeks and then it give it back to you when I’m done.” Or, “Oh, you have an innovative new way of doing Vacation Bible School that has the kids totally revved up? Well let me take that for one night and I promise I’ll clean it up before I give it back.”

No, I don’t just want to borrow ideas and best practices from other churches. I want to take those incredible ideas and best practices, put them to use at FCC Scottsdale, and see how those news things influence and shape us at the church as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, alive and at work in our world. I want to take your ideas, bring them back to the church I serve, and make them our own! Don’t worry, I always try to remember to give credit where credit is due. 

Here is the most exciting part about Regional Assembly to me: It is the single best place to hear about what other churches are doing, learn from their examples, and then bring those same ideas back to the local congregations that we love so dearly. Regional Assembly is like one stop shopping for an ecclesiastical kleptomaniac! (And yes, I know I should have said “one stop shoplifting for an ecclesiastical kleptomaniac” but I didn’t want to run the metaphor completely into the ground!)

We get to share our best practices and ideas in many ways. 

  • There are the formal ways like Saturday afternoon’s workshop sessions when some of the very best and brightest from our Region will be talking about the things that they are most passionate about. Those sessions are ready made for taking an idea and running with it.
  • There are the less formal ways, like the “30-second Celebration Video Clips” that our churches are putting together that will be shared throughout our worship services and business sessions. Those are just commercial-length snippets of ready-made congregational awesomeness.
  • And there are the totally informal ways, like the side conversations that we have during coffee breaks in between sessions or during one of the many wonderful meals that we’ll share together. Those fellowship-building conversations are just ripe for the picking, filled with insights and innovative ideas. 

In fact, let me give you a little tip. 

The theme “Celebration, Celebración!” is just perfect for any aspiring ecclesiastical kleptomaniacs! 

Here is what you do: Walk up to anyone at Regional Assembly and say, “Hey, what are you all celebrating at your church?” Because chances are whatever they are celebrating is something that they are proud of, something they are doing really well, and something that is helping to bring glory to God all the while sharing the good news of the gospel. And that, dear friends, is the crown jewels right there. Those are the keys to the kingdom. If you are looking for the best practices that you can bring back to your church just ask somebody, “What are you celebrating?” and then steal that idea and bring it back to your congregation.

So I hope to see you at Regional Assembly. I look forward to hearing about celebrations and the amazing ways that your church is serving the loving, living God that we know through Jesus Christ our Lord. And, I look forward to bringing those ideas to life at my own congregation after I have stolen them! And, I’ll try to remember to give you credit.

This is what my heart desires, Estar en un espíritu de Celebración!

Lori Tapia, of Iglesia Alas de Salvación and serving Pastora Nacional Interina (Intermin National Pastor) of Obra Hispana(Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries) responds to what “Celebration, Celebración! Christ Among Us!” means to her, and all of us at our upcoming 2016 Regional Assembly, Asamblea Convención Arizona.

We have all this talk about creating unity, yet we fail to understand what scripture is speaking to us through the author of the letter to the Ephesians in 4:1-6. Here we are instructed “keep” the unity, not create the unity. We have been given this unity as a gift from God as we are all unity in one body through Christ. As I focus on the coming “Celebración! through and in Regional Assembly, I am reminded of the love of Jesus for all. I am moved to a greater understanding of who I am, who I am with others and who I am in Christ. It is this spirit of Celebration that excites me to deeper relationships, to greater understanding and to authentic love of my neighbor. It is precisely the fact that Christ is among us that unites us, not our own agendas, talents, skills or languages. It is the diversity represented in the Christ who died for an entire human race, for a broken humanity in need of redemption that we come together as one. I don’t believe that the brokenness of one faction of humanity is greater or lessor than another, and here, celebrating that we all come together with our own baggage, our own broken vessels that Jesus, the great potter, finds us, welcomes us, heals us, restores us and as one body, empowers us with authority to continue the work he began so long ago, preaching, teaching and healing all those who came to him. We are called to share the good news, and the good news at the center of my heart is that WE ARE ONE in the only one worthy, in the one who loves unconditionally and intentionally, and in our diversity as we all share the color of the blood of Jesus that has cleansed us, washing away the filth, paying the price for each of us without distinction. To be in a spirit of Celebration! Estar en un espíritu de Celebración! This is what my heart desires as I anticipate worshipping, celebrating and rejoicing in our diverse oneness in Jesus at this years regional assembly. Esto es lo que desea mi corazón en espera a esta asamblea regional, poder adorar, celebrar y regocijarnos en nuestra diversidad como uno en Jesus.

In One Place, As One Body, One Church.

Linda Necker of Community Christian Church in Tempe, Regional Moderator, responds to what “Celebration, Celebración! Christ Among Us!” means to her, and all of us at our upcoming 2016 Regional Assembly, Asamblea Convención Arizona.

What this 2016 Regional Assembly/Asamblea Convención Arizona Means to Me

I believe this Assembly/Asamblea is a step forward in our desire as Regional Church to encourage Arizona Disciples to be in Celebration/Celebración in one place, as one body, one Church. It will give us all the opportunity to meet, eat and worship with Disciples who are similar and diverse. Our keynote speakers exemplify this diversity—male and female, clergy and lay, young and young at heart, and people of color—and the body of Disciples attending and sitting in the pews will portray this same diversity as all of our Arizona churches join in this event.

I believe that this Assembly/Asamblea will give us all the opportunity to share the traditions of Arizona Disciples. It will begin with the Kermes on Friday night when we will be treated to a wide variety of Hispanic foods and festive music. We will share in two worship services, beginning our time on Friday evening and ending our time on Saturday afternoon. At meal times we will share conversation with those we know and those we have just met. Listening and learning about the joys and the concerns of another brother or sister in Christ can expand our minds. It can strengthen our understanding of God’s love as witnessed here on earth and how we show that love for one another. Learning another’s story can give a face to a people and, I believe, it is difficult to discount a person when you know their story.

I believe that this Assembly/Asamblea will give us all the opportunity to experience unity with other Arizona Disciples through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By being in worship and sharing the Table of Communion with one another, we begin to remove the boundaries that separate us. Boundaries can keep us from building relationships. And relationship is the basis for our belief in God. It’s becomes a circle and we want that circle to include everyone. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body…and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Finally, I believe that this Assembly/Asamblea will be a time of growth and learning. Our keynote speakers will challenge us. Our fellow Disciples will engage us. Our worships will send us out equipped to do God’s work in our communities. And Christ will be among us.

Pumpkins, Neighbors, and Celebration! Celebración!

Rev. Abigail Conley of Chalice Christian Church responds to what “Celebration, Celebración! Christ Among Us!” means to her, and all of us at our upcoming 2016 Regional Assembly, Asamblea Convención Arizona.

My first year of seminary, I ended up in the unofficial international students apartment building. My roommate was from Germany. The neighbors across the hall were from Bulgaria. The ones downstairs were from Afghanistan. The other downstairs neighbor was from Alabama, but he went home on the weekends so we never saw him.

That was the year I learned that Halloween is holiday unique to the United States. For all my knowledge of the cultural roots of Halloween, I had no idea it hadn’t developed in other countries. The people new to the country were eager to learn all about how to celebrate Halloween; they assumed I would be their guide.

It started with carving pumpkins, since this was one of the things my new friends had heard about. The request for me to teach them how to carve pumpkins came very early. Little did they know that I didn’t really grow up in a pumpkin carving household; my mother much preferred to let us paint pumpkins. Still, I knew the basic process, so told everyone what kind of pumpkin to buy, and got the appropriate materials for carving pumpkins.

On the designated night, we all gathered in my apartment so I could explain how to carve pumpkins. That was also the night I found out that conversations translated from English to German to Bulgarian and back take a really long time. The English preparation courses had not been sufficient for my Bulgarian neighbors; luckily, the man who was studying at my seminary had also studied in Austria, so he knew German. My roommate later complained that he spoke with an Austrian accent so she couldn’t always understand him well. She’d worked as a translator in London, England, so her English was impeccable. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that she spoke with the Boston accent of her English instructor. Luckily, the two Afghani men had no language barriers at all.

One of the translated conversations was simple, “Is trick or treating real?” After I assured them it was, I agreed to take my neighbors and their four-year-old son around to houses. They still didn’t believe it would work. Of course, it did. And of course, the four year old cried through the process.

My roommate’s birthday was October 30th, so the last addition to the Halloween festivities hosted by me was a birthday party, complete with an apartment decorated in black and orange. We had a Halloween cake instead of a birthday cake. In the end, I think their first Halloween celebrations were underwhelming for my friends, despite the jack-o-lanterns on their porches. I certainly could have done better all the way around with a bigger budget. Actually, the neighbors who were Christian were far more shocked by my artificial Christmas tree than anything to do with Halloween.

Several years later, I think of all the effort it took to make those relationships work. For the most part, those relationships really worked. I had just turned 23 when I met all of them, so I couldn’t provide nearly the help that I could now. Still, I could ask other people their questions, so I did. We figured out vaccines for their children and the English names of ingredients they needed for cooking. I assured them those pink service papers left by the cable guys were of no consequence and helped them decipher other documents they were handed. My church and I prayed for my two Afghani neighbors who were afraid to go home over winter break, lest they not be allowed to return; they missed their young children desperately. Together, we all sat patiently through the conversations that had to be translated multiple times.

Looking back, I think far more about my neighbors’ struggles than mine. Their willingness to ask for help still amazes me. In that wonderfully complicated living arrangement, we learned to accept what each had to offer. I’ll never forget sitting in my neighbors’ home, drinking espresso. I don’t like coffee in any form, and this particular version of espresso made anything that Starbucks has taste like water in comparison. Still, I drank, not knowing their custom was to always fill an empty cup, so I drank some more. I didn’t sleep for a solid day after that. I still smile when I think about it though, or run across some of the small gifts those neighbors gave me from their home countries.

That year, geography forced us to figure out how to live together, have fun together, and even celebrate together. Despite being forced by some computer algorithm, that small community was holy—holier than I’d ever imagined possible.

As our Regional Assembly/Asamblea Convención approaches, it occurs to me that we don’t really know how to celebrate together, at least not yet. We occupy our own spaces and traditions. We bring our own expectations. Yet, there is this hope that Christ is infinitely better than computer algorithms. Somehow, those algorithms managed to create something beautiful, holy, and treasured. How much more hope Christ brings!

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Registration & Promotional Materials Now Available!

Registration forms, promotional materials (including logo images), hotel, and meal information now available in English. Spanish translations coming soon. Download the entire packet as a zip file, or the files you need individually below.

  • Zip File (contains all items below) – 28.3 MB