We have several updates to share with you as we continue to walk together while we apart.
Disciples Mission Fund Continues to Empower the Church
In this Easter season, even as we continue to walk through the wilderness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Disciples Mission Fund continues to empower the church. Because of DMF, in the past few weeks, we have been able to:
* Equip our churches with resources for online worship
* Offer grants to congregations and pastors in crisis
* Share the work of our financial ministries in helping congregations access aid
* Help congregations transition to electronic giving
* Provide weekly prayer opportunities with our General Minister and President
* Support our global mission co-workers as they serve around the world
This will likely be a challenging year for DMF, and yet, we all know that the work of the church is needed now more than ever.
You can help. Please encourage your congregation to continue its support of DMF. Consider making a gift yourself.
As we begin to imagine a new world on the other side of this crisis, there is no doubt that the church will stand strong as a witness to God’s presence and unending love. Thank you for being part of this work.
Prayers with the General Minister and President
Rev. Terri Hord Owens will continue to gather with Disciples in prayer on her Facebook page on Wednesdays at noon EDT throughout May as we move through this trying time. She will also continue to meet with pastors and chaplains for prayer via Zoom on Fridays at 1 pm EDT. Links are available in the Disciples Together e-letter for pastors. (Past issues are available in the Disciples News Service archive.)
Global Ministries reports on partners
In addition to the Facebook events with area executives, Global Ministries is collecting stories from mission co-workers and partners about how they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. You can follow along and include these folks on the front lines in your prayers. The area executives have also issued a document combining their perspectives on how COVID-19 is affecting their areas.
Stuck at home and wondering what is going on across the church?
The stay-at-home orders have many of us paying more attention to the news. You can stay connected with the church beyond your congregation by subscribing to the Disciples News Service, a weekly e-letter. The general interest publication brings news and information from across the U.S. and Canada ranging from great work congregations are doing to messages from general ministries and more. Subscribe today! You can find past issues posted on the Disciples News Service archive. You can also keep up via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! General Facebook | Disciples Exchange for program ideas | Disciples Local Impact for ministries and their local programs | Twitter | Instagram
Your Census Form Counts
General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens encourages you to fill out your census form now. Census numbers have an impact on your community for 10 years. Funding allocations, road improvements, representation in legislatures, school planning and more depend on these numbers. Make sure you are counted and fill out your form.
