AZDisciples.org

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

News

Combined Maundy Thursday Service

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Spark the Wildfire of God’s Love

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Wow! DUCC is just a few months away! I can’t believe we are so close! We hope that the transition to our new registration system has been good for you and the families of your churches. I appreciate the patience and grace that has been given to the regional office as we live into this new model of camp and way of registering. DUCC (Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ Church Camp) is quickly filling up, in fact, we are ahead of where we were this time last year, so please make sure you are registering your kids! Don’t wait!

Our theme for DUCC this year is “Be the Spark.” We are going to be talking about what it means to be the spark that sets ablaze the wildfire of God’s love in the world. A few weeks ago I saw this sign on Catalina Highway in Tucson:

One Less Spark - One Less WildfireWhile this photo is warning us how we should be careful with fire in the wild, I was hit with this sign for another reason. It was another kind of warning to me: if we keep the spark that we know to be God’s love to ourselves, and never share it, we are unable to spark the wildfire of God’s love.

This is especially true with our kids. So many parents today want kids to find their own way, and never encourage them to participate in a community of faith, leaving them to be brought up not by a community of love, but by the voices of the outside world that tells them that they aren’t good enough, that they aren’t attractive, and that they aren’t worthy of being loved. At camp, our kids are not allowed to have their phones. This keeps them from distracted by the endless texts, or scrolling through Instagram, and keeps them focused on the community they are a part of. Where they are taught about God’s love and the love of a community of faith. We can let the wildfire of negativity take over our children, or we can let the wildfire of God’s love reign in our kid’s hearts. So help spark the fire of God’s love in a kid’s life and encourage them to come to camp!

 

Rev. Jay Deskins

Regional Youth and Children’s Minister

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Previous Articles

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5 Things You and Your Church Can Do To Support Camp Ministry!

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So we all know that Summer Break means many things, but what is most important? Not going to school, duh! But outside of that is CAMP! At the most recent Mission Focus and Administrative Board meeting, the overwhelming answer to the question, “What is the most impactful ministry that a region (Arizona or other) has provided you?” was “CAMP!” This is not so uncommon, in fact, this is quite common in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). And yet, camp numbers are dropping, both financial numbers and enrollment. I want to reverse that trend, especially here in Arizona. So, what can you and/or your church do to help out with camp? I am glad you asked! 

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1.) Have a Camp Takeover in Worship!
– Invite your kids/youth/young adults/adults who are recent participants in camp to share a brief story about how camp has impacted them. If you don’t have any recent camp participants, then you can:
– Invite the Regional Youth and Children’s Minister and some Youth Leadership Team members to come and talk to your church about camp!
– Replace all your hymns with camp songs (they are all worship songs anyways!)
2.) Sponsor a Camper (or 100)!
– Many youth and children come to camp on some sort of scholarship, either from their church or from the region. These funds rely on the donations of awesome people and awesome churches!
– You can sponsor a child on your own, or you can go in as a group with a Sunday School class, small group, or a whole church!
– Loose change offering, after church meals or fellowship times,
3.) Send a Child or Youth
– It is hard to believe that many of our youth and children have still never been to camp. Camp has many benefits to our young people: self-confidence boost, a sense of independence, strengthened faith, new friends, and a community that is full of love and support.
4.) Donate to Camp!
– Outside of scholarships, camp needs funds for crafts, activities, snacks, first-aid supplies, just to name a few things! It doesn’t sound as cool as “Sponsor a Camper,” but it is very important to the ministry of camp! If you would like to donate money to help out behind the scenes please consider a donation to camp. Visit our Youth and Children’s Ministry page to make a donation.
5.) Pray for Camp 
– Our camp needs prayer! Especially in this year of transition, camp needs prayer!
– The youth and children need prayers for safety and fun!
– The adults need prayers for SANITY! And also for safety and fun!
 
If you would like help with any of these things, please reach out to me, the Regional Youth and Children’s Minister, Rev. Jay Deskins (jdeskins@azdisciples.org). I am so excited about the future of our camp ministry, but camp needs YOU!

Peace,

Rev. Jay Deskins, Regional Youth and Children’s Minister

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Youth & Children

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Pray & Play – A DWM Event April 26

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DWM Pray and Play Spring Event

Join us as we explore Acts 2:42-47 through play and prayer
Saturday, April 27th  10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

First Christian Church, Tucson
740 E. Speedway Blvd.

Cost $25.00     Lunch included   Registration is open

Registration Deadline is APRIL 23rd. 

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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.

Church Creative Ministry Grant

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Church Creative Mission and Ministry Grants

Initial grant applications are due to the Regional office by July 31, 2018.

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Church Creative Mission and Ministry grants help Arizona Disciples churches fund transformation processes and ventures that engage the congregation’s surrounding communities to address poverty and/or systemic injustice/s.

These grants are made possible through legacy gifts from Beryl Meritt. We are grateful for her dedication to new mission and ministry in Arizona.

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Church Creative Mission and Ministry grants are made to congregations in covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona. Grants help support Arizona congregations in reaching out to others in creative mission and ministry. These resources are dedicated for new transformational processes, and ventures that engage the congregation in their surrounding communities to address poverty and/or systemic injustice. Church Creative Mission and Ministry grant awards typically do not exceed $2,500 in a one-year period and are often seed funds for new projects. Congregations can submit for subsequent or greater support, to be considered and evaluated by the grant committee.

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Eligibility for Church Creative Mission and Ministry grants are limited to congregations in covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona.

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The application package must include:

  • Completed application form.
  • A detailed description of the proposed program/activity, including a statement about the aims and purposes of the project; a rationale for the project; the target audience/constituency; and statistical or authoritative evidence indicating how the program/activity matches with the stated purposes of the Church Creative Mission and Ministry grant.
  • A detailed program budget showing income and expenses projected for the project, including other identified sources of funding.
  • A summary of how the outcomes will be assessed and measured.
  • A list of staff and other principals who will be involved.
  • A process (financial internal controls) for handling the award.

The application package must be limited to three pages or less. Only requests that fulfill the application requirements will be considered. Grant applications must be postmarked by July 31, 2018. Grantees will be notified of awards and funding schedules within one month of the grant application deadline. Please send to: Christian Church in Arizona, 917 E. Sheridan Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006 or email to region@azdisciples.org

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VER EN ESPAÑOL

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DWM Retreat

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2018 Women’s Retreat

September 7-9, 2018

Chapel Rock Retreat Center, Prescott, AZ

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Katie Sexton, Coolwater Christian Church

Registrations are due August 20, 2017

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Register ONLINE Today!

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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