August Connection 1

Aug 1
6 min read

August 1, 2026

DISCIPLES CONNECTION

AROUND THE REGION

Anti-Racism Pro-ReconciliationTraining 2.0

Rev. Sheryl Tucker and Rev. Bill Rose-Heim led 12 KC Disciples in Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation training on Thursday, August 23. With presentations from Rev. Mindy Fugarino (Intersect KC and IBCC) and Ms. Janey Reliford - KC Reparations Coalition - accompanied by Mr. Trahern Crews from Restorative Actions in Minnesota).

The next ARPR training will be an introduction to Transformative Community Conferencing and the Becoming and Antiracist Congregation program that was developed with significant help from Rev. Dr. Chris Wilson.

Rev. Dr. Dionne Boyice and Rev. Bill Rose-Heim are planning to facilitate this workshop for October 24, 2026.

The photo of the “towers” was an exercise in group collaboration which is essential to make significant impacts on the systemic racism which continues to harm too many people here and abroad.

2026 Summer Camps

Our 2026 summer camp season ended with 3 final wonderful camps: Day Camp 2, Primary, and Chi Rho. Please join us in thanking our faithful adult leaders:

Day 2 - Director Rachel Mason and our counselors Cole Becker, Evan Braithwaite, and Julia Chamberlain.

Primary -Director Kelly Schneikart and our counselors Cole Becker, Evan Braithwaite, Chloe Easton, and Kate Grundy

Chi Rho - Director Natalie Milne and counselors Julia Chamberlain, Sammantha Heuton, Josh Milne, Meghann Murtaugh, and Mason Oswalt.

Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel Around the Region

"This congregation has been around for a long time and have been involved in all sorts of “good trouble” for the sake of the Gospel. Four years ago, they entered into a partnership with Country Club Christian Church and are able to call their chapel building home. Today we gave thanks to God for this partnership that continues to deepen and grow. Pastor Williams preached a powerful word, Pastor Mary Lou Kegler led spirit-filled prayer and praise, and the choir helped the message move from our heads into our hearts. Truly an excellent morning.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to represent the other 60 congregations in our Region as SPUCC and CCCC celebrate this 4-year anniversary. This partnership is a lovely example of two congregations acknowledging the truth that we are better together. Happy anniversary and happy Sunday, Disciples! "

Sunday, July 5

"Did you know that Regional Ministers are expected to have a home congregation in their Region, a place where they are fed, challenged, and loved simply as fellow Christ-followers? It’s true!

Today, seeking to live into that expectation, I came forward and placed my membership at Saint Andrew Christian Church. This is the church where Chuck serves (he’s been here for over 8 years!) — for the first time in our 20 years together, we (and Violet) are now part of the same congregation.

I’ll visit Saint Andrew CC another time as their Regional Minister, but today I was simply Lara: mom, spouse, human, follower of The Way. Such a gift."

Sunday, July 19

"Spending quality time at the Crossroads Hotel with pastors (including 7 from our Region) at the Pause/Play Preaching Conference! This is seriously one of the best conferences and I hope to continue attending year after year. You should come too!"

Wednesday, July 15

"Was blessed to worship with Weston Christian Church in Weston, MO this morning before meeting with their pastoral search committee. This is a lovely family-style church in a lovely town on the Missouri River. Their worship is both traditional and joyful, with room for laughter and the movement of the Spirit — and their musicians are fantastic! WCC is in the midst of creating their Search and Call profile and will be live in the system relatively soon. Pastor friends, if you are interested in learning more about this congregation and darling bed-and-breakfast town, give me a shout."

Sunday, July 26

Just Disciples Podcast

The Becoming Beloved Community Team has a podcast available on Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.

The episodes of this podcast will examine what it means to be the justice seekers that God has commanded us to be.

Justice isn’t a political agenda, it’s a theological agenda. In this podcast we will

examine what it means to do what God commanded us to do through the prophet Isaiah: to “learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause (Isaiah 1:17; ESV.)

Episode 1: Reimagining Faith and Politics

Episode 2: The Battle for the Ballot: Louisiana v. Callais and Voter ID Laws

YAC Herd

The YAC Herd is a group of individuals who serve as Youth and Children leaders in their churches around the Greater Kansas City Christian Church Disciples of Christ Region.

Please take a moment to complete the survey below about your availability and what you would like the group to focus on.

Survey

Feed My Sheep

By Rick Hughey in support of the Greater Legacy Foundation

Jesus is acutely aware that humans cannot do the hard work of achieving spirituality and fulfilling God’s purpose without physical sustenance. Imagine yourself with

thousands of fellow seekers on a high place overlooking the Sea of Galilee. You are there to hear a man named Jesus, of whom neighbors are enamored. Jesus strides to the rostrum and begins the greatest sermon ever given. Lives are being changed by his words. He teaches and preaches long. Jesus senses that his audience’s spirits are flagging. Jesus knows hunger, so he asks the disciples to gather all available food – a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. He blessed the meager spread and, so the story goes, all were fed. But for Jesus feeding his guests, untold numbers of souls may have drifted away.

The call to “feed my sheep” is more plaintive than ever. God’s children are starving to death in heartbreaking numbers throughout the world. Even in the United States –the wealthiest nation on earth – people are going hungry. If we look closer to home, estimates of people living food insecure ranges from 180,000 -350,000. Churches, including our own Micah Ministry, and other charities are doing amazing work, in ameliorating hunger. Yet, the gap is growing.

Every human and institution has a life cycle characterized by birth, growth, decline and death. Some life cycles are more elongated, but all eventually succumb. Churches are not immune. Some of our Region’s churches are thriving; more are struggling. Once-robust ministries are seeing dwindling members and fewer families with youths. That doesn’t mean a struggling church can’t be a vessel of good works. Perhaps God is nudging you to a new way of being church. Looking through the lens of remnant theology, we see example after example of God’s people being preserved and resurrected for His purpose. There is an example in our Region of a church that sold its building but discerned that God had a new purpose for them. The what was a

mystery for an uncomfortable time. God led a small remnant church to a senior living community, initially to worship for free, eventually to pioneer a senior adult ministry. Today it is a thriving ministry of residents led by a minister turned chaplain. Most assuredly, there are churches in the Region today who are being called by God to execute Jesus’s mandate. Who will step up and feed His sheep?

A new way of being church is a daunting venture, but one filled with possibilities and rewards. If you are interested, start a conversation at rthcomm@gmail.com.

UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS

FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH

Silver Chalice Ministry

Did you know Older Adult Ministries and Silver Chalice have become a denominational ministry?

Our growing numbers of individuals and congregations indicate great relevancy and interest in this vital ministry.

Have you signed up to receive our free e-newsletter?Do you follow the ideas and opportunities shared in our Facebook group? Pass the good word along to others in your church and community!

Facebook Group

E- Newsletter

Are you worried about keeping your worshipers cool this summer?

If so, then apply for Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF)’s affordable green loans! If approved, your congregation, camp, region, ministry, or seminary can receive up to $150,000 USD to:

upgrade outdated or older air-conditioning systems
replace or repair inefficient or broken windows
rewire or weatherproof sanctuaries, fellowship and dining halls, kitchens, offices, cabins, and other structures
improve operations that contribute to a more energy-efficient facility

Learn more about these specialized church renovation loans from your Building and Capital Services Advisor James “Jim” Michel by contacting him today at 317.635.6500 Ext. 2535 and/or jmichel@disciplescef.org.