January Connection 1
- gkccampcoordinator
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
January 1, 2026
DISCIPLES CONNECTION
AROUND THE REGION
Rev. Karen Yount's Service
A celebration of life will be held for Reverend Karen Yount at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am at Raymore Christian Church, 500 Peace Dr, Raymore, MO. 64083. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Raymore Christian Church.
Join us for Rev. Faust's Memorial Service
Rev. Ronald Faust passed away on November 20th, 2025. Faust served as a Disciples of Christ pastor for churches in Huntsville, Clever, Lake of the Ozarks, and Smithville.
2025 Annual Report
Review the ministries and work of the Greater Kansas City Christian Church Disciples of Christ Regional Office in 2025 as listed in our Annual Report.
Thank you to all of our Covenantal Partners; our ministry could not happen without the generosity of your gifts. We look forward to your continued support in 2026.
You can donate online at www.kcdisciples.org/donate or mail checks to the Regional Office at 9401 Johnson Dr., Merriam, KS, 66203.
December Regional Board Meeting
Our Regional Board held its final meeting of 2025 on Monday, December 15th at Merriam Christian Church. We shared Christmas treats, celebrated ministry reports and updates, approved the 2026 budget, the new staff configuration, and approved the gift policy for the greater legacy society.
More information about the Regional Board can be found on our website at Kcdisciples.org/regional-board
UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS
Chi Rho Mid-Winter
February 13 - 15
Live Loud, Love Louder
Our Chi Rho Mid-Winter theme is "Live Loud, Love Louder!" We will be exploring radical love, inclusion, and justice in the teachings of Jesus—and what that means for middle schoolers today.
All 6th - 8th graders are welcome to attend.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Join the Becoming Beloved Community at the Martin, Music, and the Movement Now!
Event on
Friday, January 16th at 6:30 PM at The Oasis Church International. (11500 E 53 St, Raytown, MO 64133)
Reimagining Church Practices: Virtual Showcase
January 27 6 PM
Led by the NSP Social Weaver Cohort
How might sacred disruption give way to creative reconstruction?
This conversation explores how queering church practices can open new pathways for shared power, deeper inclusivity, and communal imagination.
Register here: https://reimaginingchurchpracticesNSP.eventbrite.com
Staying True to the Call: Queer Clergy Leading
Through Polarity & Possibility
January 29 6 PM
Led by the NSP Peacock Cohort
This 90-minute interactive experience explores how queer clergy navigate the spiritual, political, and relational polarities shaping congregational life today—especially tensions like innovation & tradition and us & them.
Through embodied queer wisdom, polarity-management tools, guided listening practices, and breakout conversations, participants will explore how to remain grounded in their “why” while leading in divisive times.
Register here:
A Student Ministry Reset: Rediscover Your Purpose
Student ministry is a lot. Between the constant energy and ever-changing dynamics of students discovering who they are, it's easy to lose sight of why we're here in the first place. ShareChurch's A Student Ministry Reset offers student ministry leaders a chance to pause, breathe, and refocus through four engaging sessions on January 29, 2026.
Host Steve Schneeberger and his team will guide participants through practical conversations: finding your purpose (What's the Point?), gaining tools for community building (What Do I Do?), measuring what matters (What's Realistic?), and discerning your calling (All In? Or Looking for the Next Thing?).
The interactive live webinar runs 10:00am–3:00pm CST with 6 months of replay access. Cost: $49/person or $445 for a Host Site (up to 10 people). CEU credits available.
DCEF’s initial consultation will help guide your steps in 2026
Is your community of faith ready to take the first step in the planning process for its next church project or the future of its ministry? Whether it’s considering a new construction project, looking to update its place of worship, reimagining its ministry's vision, evaluating its facilities usage, or beginning to explore financial capital services, Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF)’s initial consultation is a great first step to address whatever its needs are.
Contact our regional Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel at 317.635.6500 Ext. 2535 and/or jmichel@disciplescef.org to get the new year started on the right foot.
DISCIPLES SEMINARIANS SUMMER IMMERSION IN INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE
Week of Compassion invites Disciples seminarians (age 21+), seeking ordination within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and enrolled in a seminary or theological school to participate in the SEMINARIANS SUMMER IMMERSION IN INTERNATIONAL DISASTER
RESPONSE, in Summer 2026.
Focused on short-term recovery, rehabilitation, and resilience projects responding to weather-related and human-caused disasters, the Immersion program will take place in the Philippines and in Pakistan, where participants will work alongside local partners
with existing relationships with Week of Compassion.
Week of Compassion will receive applications through January 31, 2026.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY: www.WeekOfCompassion.org/Opportunities
SAVE THE DATES
The Art of Dialogical Preaching
February 3 6 PM
Led by the NSP Nightingale Cohort #1
When we hear the word sermon, we often imagine pulpits, platforms, and a single voice.
But what if we imagined tables instead? Living rooms. Circles. Communities. Many voices. Many interpretations.
Join us as we explore preaching not as monologue, but as collective—reimagining the homiletical moment as a shared, dialogical practice.
Register here: https://dialogicalpreachingNSP.eventbrite.com
Dialogical Preaching: A Conversational Reclamation
February 10 6 PM
Led by the NSP Nightingale Cohort #2
When life brings lemons, it doesn’t always bring the rest of the ingredients for lemonade.
This showcase features a facilitated conversation on reclaiming power amid grief, transition, and uncertainty—exploring what it looks like to hold both the weeping that endures the night and the courage required to move toward morning’s joy. Register here: https://conversationalpreachingNSP.eventbrite.com
Celebration of Life Rev. Ted Satterfield
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Rev. Ted Satterfield for Saturday, Feb. 14th at 11 am at Emerson Park Christian Church. (1501 S 40th St, Kansas City, KS 66106)
Pastor Ted was an amazing resource for his congregation and to the Region.
Registration Now Open for Lead(HER) 2026:
Empowering Female Clergy
Lead(HER) brings together female clergy from across denominations for two and a half days of worship, practical skill-building, and authentic community. The expanded 2026 format includes Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon programming, responding to attendee feedback emphasizing the importance of connection and networking among clergywomen.
"For women, by women. Celebrating women. Healing women. Strengthening and encouraging women in their leadership, their ministry, and their lives."
