Rogers Mennonite Church of the Brethren Calls New Leadership: The Rogers congregation has extended a call to Jerry Acosta to serve the church as pastor and church planter to revitalize this church. He has agreed to serve as a half time minister. The church expects him to be responsible for the preaching and to use his gifts and vision to reach out into the community. Pastor Acosta will begin June 1, 2008.
The Rogers congregation wishes to continue its relationship with both the Mennonite and Church of the Brethren. Let us be in prayer for this enthusiastic revitalization effort and send them our encouragement.
The congregation is planning an installation service for the new pastor and his wife, Jerry and Lori Acosta on June 22. The service will begin at 10 AM. They invite friends and acquaintances to come and share in the celebration. There will be a potluck dinner after the service. (Invitation from Eli Miller)
Fall Disaster Work Planned: We are scheduled to work October 5 thru 11
in Chalmette, LA. Actually the housing we will be in Arabi, LA.
The Shenandoah District will also be working with us.
The same date is open in the Rushford, MN flood project. We could change to that location if it would be a shorter distance to drive. There will possibly be work in the Izard Co. Arkansas area at some point but no confirmation on this area yet. Possibly not until next year.
We would appreciate hearing from anyone planning or thinking of going on the
work project this fall. If you have a preference we would like to hear from you.
Thank you for your input.
Pat Dennison
Youth Heritage Team Available: Last fall the MO/ARK District sent two youth to Elgin, IL for training as a Youth Heritage Team. Those two were Jessica Wilson and Shawn Kelly. This team has made heritage presentations at District Camp, Springfield, Warrensburg, and Messiah. They are still available to other congregations who would like to invite the team to help celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren.
Their presentations include skits, monologues, and music. Shawn and Jessica have now extended their team to include other youth who will accompany them if the schedule permits. The others on the team are: Jacob Crouse, John Irle, Sarah Roberts, Christy Crouse, Donnie Paddock, and Stephanie McCoy. Several of the team members work and have other commitments, but are willing to entertain invitations to see if scheduling is possible to share the history of the Church of the Brethren from the perspective of our young people.
Contact Shawn at 660-747-5206 or Jessica at 816-697-4066. Let's use the talents and enthusiasm of our youth to help us celebrate our history.
Helen Hays of the Bethany congregation has undergone a surgical procedure to remove fluid from around her heart. She is at home recovering. Prayers would be appreciated as well as cards.
Helen Hays
48987 Hwy K
Norborne, MO 64668
Attention Congregations: The Annual Conference Council recently completed revisions to the denominational Polity Manual. Revisions include changes to polity created by Annual Conference actions through the most recent annual meeting in Cleveland in 2007. The 2008 version of the manual is now available free of charge online at www.brethren.org/ac/PPG in downloadable fdf format.
Congregations without Internet access may request a hardcopy version for $10 each, including shipping and handling. Requests with checks payable to Annual Conference should be sent to the Annual Conference Office, P.O. Box 720, New Windsor, MD, 21776-0720 or call the AC office at 1-800-688-5186.
Spring Rally Well Attended: The Spring Branch Church welcomed the MO/ARK District for the 2008 Spring Rally. There were 42 in attendance, representing 10 congregations.
The day was spent in Bible Study led by Duane Grady of the General Board and further discussions on the vision, structure, and work of the MO/ARK district. All who attended were appreciative of the fine hospitality of the Spring Branch Church and extend our hearty thanks for opening their doors.
2009 Budget Under Construction: The Leadership Team is preparing for the business of our next District Conference. They have asked Jim Protiva, in consultation with others, to work on the budget proposal. At Spring Rally, Jim handed out pink slips to each congregation that asks for a commitment to the district budget for next year. These pink slips are to be returned to Jim by June 1. Call him at 417-277-5869 if you have misplaced your slip.
Congregational News Sought: UPDATE would like to include news of each congregation, but you need to send it to Carolyn Schrock at 5098 Girlstown Rd, Mountain Grove, MO. We are especially interested in what each church is doing to commemorate the 300th anniversary of our denomination.
Here is what Cabool is doing: The Adult Sunday School classes have combined for a focus on our history and the core values that make the Church of the Brethren who we are. They are using the historical articles in each issue of Messenger as the basis for some of these discussions. They are also using the book, Texts in Transit, by Graydon Snyder (available through Brethren Press). These sessions lift up the scriptures from the New Testament that have been foundational in shaping the Brethren and ask the question, How do we live out these texts in today's world. Members of the class take their turn at leading a topic so no one person carries responsibility for all the leadership.
2009 Annual Conference Date is Changed: Please note that the previously publicized dates for the 2009 Annual Conference, to be held in San Diego, have been changed. The new dates are: Friday June 26 to Tuesday June 30.
Henry Troyer of the Good Shepherd congregation participated in a two-week tour of the Philippines with a Christian Peacemaker Team in February. The team consisted of nine persons: four Americans, one Canadian, and four Filipinos.
Henry reports that is was a full and intense learning tour. In Manila they met with several very competent and activist civil rights workers. They informed the team of the tremendous amount of corruption in the present government of Gloria Arroyo and the widespread detention and disappearance of people who get in the way of their corruption.
They also visited the former U.S. military bases (Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Force Base). The American military left behind a large amount of toxic waste that the Pentagon refuses to clean up. Meanwhile, the Philippine people experience devastating health problems from their toxic waste exposure.
The southern island of Mindanao has experienced years of conflict and violence and full-scale wars. There are plenty of players, including Christians, Muslims, indigenous people, the Philippine Army, the violent Muslim insurgents and the communists. There are also the foreign mining companies and the commercial agricultural interests. They often have their own private armies that they may deploy if they do not get their way.
Many of these players have gotten sick and tired of so much war, violence and killings, and now peace is breaking out in many parts of Mindanao. How refreshing!!! The Catholic Relief Service in the city of Davao is the major peace-making resource. They were hosts to the team while in Mindanao. They arranged for the team to be guests of families in one community where the various factions have formed a covenant to live in peace, harmony, and mutual support.
Henry is eager to tell more about this experience. You are welcome to invite him to your congregation.
Carolyn Schrock
MO/ARK District Coordinator
5098 Girlstown Rd
Mountian Grove, Mo 65711
moark@centurytel.net