The Nebraska

Christian

Christian Church in Nebraska (Disciples of Christ)

237 South 70th Street, Suite 221 Lincoln, NE 68510-2467

402.476.0359

adminasst@ccnebr.org

www.disciples-ne.org

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I N S I D E :

• REGIONAL NOTES

• STANDING FORMS 1

• CHRISTMAS

OFFERING 2

• UNDERSTANDING

CONGREGATION

• SEARCH COMMITTEE

3

• YOMC 4

• DISCIPLES WOMEN 5

• DISCIPLES DEVELOP- 6

• VITAL GRANTS 7

• LEXINGTON SEMI-

NARY 8

• DISCIPLES HOME

• DISASTER RESPONSE

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• PRAY FOR

• CALENDAR

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Rev. Katrina Palan Intentional Interim Regional Minister/

Cotner College Executive Director

regmin@ccnebr.org

cotnerexecdir@ccnebr.org

Carol M. Burnley Administrative Assistant

for CCN & Cotner College; Editor

adminasst@ccnebr.org

Echo Bell Bookkeeper

bookkeeper@ccnebr.org Teresa Olberding

Disciples Women’s Ministries Coordinator

teresadwm@yahoo.com

Kristy Horstman Youth Ministry Coordinator

youthmin@ccnebr.org Paul Few

Disciples Men’s Ministries Coordinator

PEFew@hotmail.com

D E C E M B E R 2 017

NOTES FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE:

NOTE: Rev. Katrina’s last day in the Nebraska

office will be December 15th, 2017. Please pray for

Rev. Katrina’s move and transition to her new region

to go smoothly, and that the Lord may continue to

use her to spread the saving gospel of Jesus Christ!!

NOTE: The Regional Office will be closed

December 24th through January 2nd in observance

of Christmas and celebration of the birth of our Lord

Jesus Christ...Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Carol Burnley, CCN & Cotner College

Regional Office Administrative Assistant

_________________________

Standing Forms are online at

http://www.disciples-ne.org/

they are due February 28th, 2018

2

PLEASE CHECK

OUR WEBSITE OFTEN

www.disciples-

ne.org

FOR UPDATES AND

ADDITIONS TO THE

EVENTS CALENDAR!

Speaking the truth in love, we must

grow up in every way into him who is

the head, into Christ, from whom the

whole body, joined and knit together

by every ligament with which it is

equipped, as each part is working

properly, promotes the body’s

growth in building itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16

Regional

Ministry

knits the

church together

by equipping

leaders,

Encouraging

congregations,

and building

relationships

Christmas Offering for

Regional Ministry The Regional Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFERING

Supporting Regional Ministry

Click Here to see the Video

>Video Link<

**Thank you to Reverend Bill Spangler Dunning,Upper

Midwest Regional Minister for making this Video!**

3

PLEASE CHECK OUR

WEBSITE OFTEN

www.disciples-

ne.org

FOR UPDATES AND

ADDITIONS TO THE

EVENTS CALENDAR!

REGIONAL MINISTER SEARCH

COMMITTEE UPDATE:

-from the Regional Office-

We are pleased to report that the Regional Minister Search

Committee has received a number of very qualified candi-

dates. The candidate profiles are in the hands of our Independent

Reviewer for consideration and ranking. We are anxious to get the

report from the Independent Reviewer so we can begin interviewing

the top candidates. It is our hope to begin interviewing candidates

before the end of the year, or soon after.

If you have any questions, please contact either Gayle Gengen-

bach (402-488-8891) or Eileen Kunz (402-484-5902).

Gayle Gengenbach and Eileen Kunz, Co-Chairs

Phyllis Dunlop, Daryl Lauber, Jay Mitchell, Anne Pope

Regional Minister Search Committee

_________________________

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CONGREGATION Pastoral Care and Mental Health

A forum for pastors and religious professionals for the deepening and

improvement of pastoral care and clinical skills.

Click >HERE< for the full Brochure!

Final Registration deadline is December 15, 2017.

Contact Roger Kruger

Phone: 402-215-1833 Email: drrogerkruger@yahoo.com

AnnaTerman-White

Phone 402-334-3044 Email: atw@adleriancenter.com

Standing Forms are online at

http://www.disciples-ne.org/

they are due February 28th, 2018

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YOMC International Affairs Seminar: We (Nebraska DOC Region and

UCC Conference) are partnering with the Central Rocky Mountain Re-

gion, DOC, and the Rocky Mountain Conference, UCC for our 2018 IAS experience. The theme is "Being a Faithful Global Citizen", based on

Galations 5:13-14. Dates are March 17-24, 2018.

For more information on the trip, go to the Rocky Mountain Conference,

UCC website, click on "Camps and Events" and then the International

Affairs Seminar link. I hope to update this for our region and conference

websites, including our Nebraska sponsors.

Please let me know ASAP is you want to go!! Contact me if you

have any more questions. Thanks so much for your patience!

D'Arcy Blosser

Youth & Outdoor Ministries Chair

402-423-1300

402-429-6902

_________________________

PLEASE CHECK OUR

WEBSITE OFTEN

www.disciples-

ne.org

FOR UPDATES AND

ADDITIONS TO THE

EVENTS CALENDAR!

NOTE: POSTPONED!

THE ELM X GATHERING RETREAT

HAS BEEN POSTPONED. PLEASE LOOK FOR A

NEW ELM X ANNOUNCEMENT IN JANUARY 2018.

Please email the Cotner College Administrative Assistant if

you have interest in learning more about the new ELM X!

adminasst@ccnebr.org

_________________________

Standing Forms are online at

http://www.disciples-ne.org/

they are due February 28th, 2018

5

PLEASE CHECK OUR

WEBSITE OFTEN

www.disciples-

ne.org

FOR UPDATES AND

ADDITIONS TO THE

EVENTS CALENDAR!

Disciples Women’s News Teresa Olberding, Disciples Women’s Ministries Coordinator

402.245.5053 (h) 402.801.1787 (c) teresadwm@yahoo.com

The Nebraska Disciples Women’s Cabinet is in the planning

stages of the events for 2018. Please mark your calendars

and watch for further information.

April of 2018, the Cabinet will present half day retreats, using

the devotional “Woman of God, Living Loved”. We will

advise when the dates and locations have been confirmed.

A day retreat will be held at the First Christian Church in

Sidney, hopefully on Saturday, the 21st, this date needs

confirmation also.

The Inter-Regional Retreat will be held at Culvert Stockton

College, in Canton, Missouri June 22 to 24th. This will be an

opportunity to gather with our sisters within the Heartland

Region to share and receive presentations from some

amazing guest speakers. We are awaiting for the plans to be

finalized on this event also, and will share when they become

available. In previous years, this event was a learning session

for cabinet offices, the new venue, will be a mini-quadrennial,

with everyone within the region invited and very much

welcomed.

The annual Disciples Women’s Retreat will be held Saturday,

August 4th in Lincoln.

I will be attending the Disciples Women’s Leadership Council

in Atlanta, GA January 25th to 28th. This is my annual oppor-

tunity to reconnect with women involved in Disciples Wom-

en’s Ministries. I will share the information with the Cabinet on

Saturday, February 3rd and with everyone else during our

Spring Events.

Blessings to all.

Teresa Olberding

TeresaDWM@yahoo.com or 402-245-5053

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2018 Disciples Development Conference

Jan. 17-19, 2018

Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites

There’s both art and science involved in donor solicitation, and when done right, it can be a wonderful production that motivates the donor and helps your ministry. Join fellow Disciples in sunny Tucson, AZ, next January as we hear noted speaker, lawyer and fundraiser Lani Starkey. A nationally recognized philanthropic planning expert, Lani is founder and principal of Fifty Rock Consulting. He previ-ously was an associate vice president for the University of Hawaii Foundation and worked as a vice president and staff attorney for Crescendo Interactive.

Lani's topics

8 Ways to Ask: Expanding the Art and Science of Solicitation

It's Showtime - How to Create & Deliver Presentations that Generate Leads and Inspire Gifts

5 Types of Blended Gifts: The What, Why and How of Closing Blended Gifts

The Conference also will feature the new General Minister and President, Terri Hord-Owens, as the opening night speaker, and a variety of breakouts Thursday afternoon. Watch for addi-tional details.

Sheraton Tucson Suites & Hotel The event will be at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites, 5151 East Grant Road. The $115 room rate

(plus tax) includes a breakfast buffet each morning and round-trip shuttle service from the Tucson Interna-tional Airport.

Reservations can be made by clicking HERE

The conference hotel rate is available 3 days before and 3 days after the conference should you desire to lengthen your visit to the area.

Click the Registration Form button below to access event registration and a link to book your hotel

reservation in Tucson, AZ.

→REGISTRATION FORM←

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Vital Worship Grants Program 2018 This program is made possible through the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc.

→CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL BROCHURE!←

Welcome!

The Vital Worship Grants Program at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship seeks to

foster vital worship in congregations, parishes, and other worshiping communities in

North America. This grants program is especially focused on projects that connect

public worship to Intergenerational faith formation and Christian discipleship, a theme

that can unfold in many facets of worship from Bible reading to preaching, public

prayer, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, congregational song, visual arts, storytelling, and

more. We encourage grant proposals developed through a collaborative process from

emerging and established churches; seminaries, colleges, and schools; hospitals,

nursing homes and other organizations.

Through the Vital Worship Grants Program, hundreds of worshiping communities

throughout North America have engaged in a yearlong process of focusing on

worship. Projects funded have included (but are not limited to)—

• an in-depth study of the theology of worship in relation to current and emerging practices

• reflection and study of baptism or the Lord’s Supper and ways in which the sacraments connect with

the life of the community

• exploration of the Psalms and the way they shape words and music in worship

• collaboration of pastors and lay leaders in planning worship that carefully integrates the sermon with

other components of the service or aspects of congregational life

• a yearlong process that encourages the unique gifts of people of all ages to be used in planning and

leading worship

You are invited to join this exciting process by submitting a proposal

for a Vital Worship Grant.

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Vital Worship Grants Program Staff Kathy Smith is Associate Director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Grants Program Manager

Joanna Wigboldy is Program Coordinator for Grants Program and Web Resources

Cindy De Boer is Administrative Assistant

CALVIN INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

WORSHIP.CALVIN.EDU

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Creating Vital Congregations

WEBINAR SERIES

2017-18

TO REGISTER: On-Site or Online: $10 per log-in

> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER <

MORE INFO: Ms. Deena Ainslie (859) 280-1212, dainslie@lextheo.edu

Practical Help for Laity and Clergy

Church Communication and Promotion in the Information Age Date: January 13, 2018 Where: Online Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST Presenter: Ms. Beth Goins, Blue Sky Communications

Islam 101 Date: February 10, 2018 Where: Online Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST Presenter: Dr. Ihsan Bagby, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Kentucky

The Three Tables of the Deacon Date: March 17, 2018 Where: Online Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT Presenter: Rev. Valerie Melvin, Associate Regional Minister, Christian Church in North Carolina

_________________________

Standing Forms are online at

http://www.disciples-ne.org/

they are due February 28th, 2018

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Thank you Friends!

Mission opportunities were abundant at General Assembly, and Assembly goers

responded in force! Thank you for your interest in serving at the 2107 General Assembly

and thanks to all who stepped up and offered your time and talents in service. Disciples

were busy during GA, making an impact on Indianapolis as we answered the call to Get

Dirty for Jesus Together! High school youth served breakfast at two Ronald McDonald houses

on Sunday morning. Middle school youth assembled 120 backpacks for area homeless. 82

Disciples donated blood. More than 22,000 pounds of potatoes were sorted for distribution

through the local food bank. A 3 bedroom house was framed and stood up in less than five

hours inside the Convention Center, then taken down and transported to a local home site

where it was completed. Youth spread mulch (in the rain!) at a local elementary school.

Over the course of two shifts, several hundred pounds of food was sorted at Gleaners Food

Bank. In the convention center, Disciples also learned about Bread for the World and wrote

letters advocating for food security; knit more than 200 hats for babies; and made 90 hero

capes for premature babies in a local NICU. More than 428 Disciples were involved in these

acts of service. In addition, Disciples Women donated and assembled 290 health kits and

tied quilts for immigrants and refugees. Disciples truly made an impact on Indianapolis and

beyond as they served in Mission!

This fall, major disasters have been in the news continuously. We know that there is

strong interest in supporting the Hurricane Harvey response. If you are able to take a mission

team to help with the muck and gut work before the end of November, please email Josh

Baird – include the name of your church, how many people you expect to have, and the

dates you are available. Details for a long-term response are coming together and a

calendar for scheduling teams will be available soon. In the meantime, a number of other

places are ready today to receive your team and put them to work. Over the past two

years, a significant number of disasters did not make lasting headlines. Help is desperately

needed – please consider sending a team to one of these communities.

We wanted to also take this opportunity to let you know that we have created a link

for gathering email addresses, in order to update those who are interested in serving with

disaster-affected communities when the time is right: click here to receive periodic updates.

Thank you for your servant hearts and let’s continue to Get Dirty for Jesus!

Blessings,

Josh Baird & Brenda Tyler

Disciples Volunteering Disciples Home Missions Web Site: http://www.DisciplesHomeMissions.org

CLICK THE LINK… for the 2017 >DHM Updates< !!!

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Disciples Church Extension Fund has been working closely with Week of Compas-sion, Disciples Volunteering, and Regional and Area staff to support Disciples con-gregations affected by recent hurricanes.

The Disaster Response service is designed to help church leaders navigate the im-mediate and long term challenges of securing and rebuilding a damaged building. DCEF Advisor Jim Michel was in Houston following Hurricane Harvey. To learn more about his trip and how our Houston churches are doing, follow us on Face-book and watch this video. Working alongside our partners, Disciples Church Extension Fund is committed to supporting and empowering congregations through the long process of rebuilding their Holy Places. For more information on the Disaster Response service, click here

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DEC 15, 2017 Rev. Katrina’s Last Day in the Nebraska Office

DEC 24—Jan 2 Regional Office Closed for Christmas Holiday

JAN 15-17, 2018 Convocation – Pastor’s Annual Retreat.

JAN 17-19, 2018 Disciples Development Conference – Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE OFTEN

www.disciples-ne.org

________________________________

PRAY for the Christian Church (DOC) in Nebraska

December 3 Other Nebraska Clergy

Rev. Gary George, Executive Director @ Hospice House in Omaha

Rev. Jerry Albright, Director of Interfaith Ministries in Nebraska

Rev. Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor of Religious Studies @ UNO

Rev. Glenda Dietrich-Moore, Artist and Retreat & Workshop Leader

December 10 All Ministries in the Christian Church (DoC) in Nebraska

December 17 Disciples General Church

December 24 Children and Youth in our Congregations

December 31 Starting new congregations in Nebraska

January 7 Regional Search Team

January 14 Alliance First Christian Church Jessie Griffen – Lay Leader

January 21 Ashland First Christian Church Mike Gochenour

January 28 Aurora First Christian Church Rev. Bruce Bradley

Standing Forms are online at

http://www.disciples-ne.org/

they are due February 28th, 2018