March Connection 1

3 days ago
8 min read

March 2, 2026

DISCIPLES CONNECTION

AROUND THE REGION

Greater Legacy Society Launch

On Sunday, February 22nd, we successfully launched the Greater Legacy Society, our new Regional Endowment Fund! This new partnership will allow individuals to consider ways they can leave a legacy for our Regional Ministry to continue well beyond our lifetimes.

So far, we have raised $4,675 of our initial goal of $10,000.

Become a recognized Charter Member by March 31st through a one-time gift, establishing recurring monthly or quarterly contributions OR gifting stock or IRA distributions!

Much gratitude to our Task Force members who have developed our Gift Policy and Endowment Policy and are hosting this event: Ashley Cheung, Kirby Hughes, Rick Hughey, Vicky Kumorowski, Ron Routledge, and Lem Whitmer..

Donate Now

Required Alex Congregational Reporting - March 31 Deadline

To maintain your congregations 501(c)(3) status, submitting congregation information to the Disciples of Christ national database (Alex) - is required. ALEX is the database of congregations currently and historically affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

Additionally - ALEX provides your congregation verification when applying for loans or grants.

Hats off to these churches that have completed their report:

Barry Christian Church
Community Christian Church
First Christian - Blue Springs
First Christian - Independence
First Christian - Louisburg
First Christian - Platte City
First Christian - Olathe
Hillcrest Christian Church
Hillside Christian Church
Longivew Chapel
Missio KC
Multi-Nations Christian Church
Raytown Christian Church
WHOSOEVER: Community of F.A.I.T.H.

To begin your reporting - go to Alex Reporting

Sign-in if you have your access information OR select:

If you need a reminder of your church pin, please use the "Contact Us" form at the bottom of this website to request the PIN from the Regional Office.

2026 Summer Camp Shirt Designs EXTENDED

The deadline to submit GKC Disciples summer camp shirt designs has been extended to Wednesday, March 4th. From there we will ask our community to vote on their favorite designs.

Our summer camp curriculum is "In the Wilderness." The wilderness can inspire us and guide us, assuring us of God’s constant presence.

All are welcome to submit a design to gkccampcoordinator@kcdisciples.org in jpg or png form by Wednesday, March 4th.

From there we will ask our community to vote on their favorite designs.

Sponsor our Camp Shirts

This year, we are asking for the support of churches and organizations across the Greater Kansas City Region to help cover the cost of our summer camp shirts. In an effort to keep our camp registration fees accessible, we are asking for help from our community. With a donation of $100 your church or organization name will be featured as a summer 2026 camp sponsor on the back of our shirts.

This is a great way to support the youth and children's ministry in our Region!

If you or your church would like to be a sponsor, please mail a check payable to "Greater KC Christian Church" with "2026Shirts" on the memo line to the Regional Office at Merriam Christian Church, 9401 Johnson Dr., Merriam, KS 66203.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our camp and Conference Coordinator, Kylie Graham. Sponsorships are due Wednesday, April 1st.

Fellowship of John Newsletter

Read the latest Foxwood Springs Fellowship of John Foundation newsletter.

2026 Business Property Tax Exemption - Jackson County, MO Churches

Jackson County, Missouri, appears to have updated the process for submitting your churches 2026 Application for Business Personal Property Exemption/Application for Real Property Tax Exemption, or renewing/updating/validating your churches tax exemption status.

You may need to submit the IRS Exempt Organization Determination Letter issued to the General Assembly of the Christian Church on a national level as a Group exemption to the DOC and all subsidiary churches (i.e. our "national" IRS exemption).

If you need a copy of this letter, please use the Contact Us link at the bottom of our webpage to submit your request to the Regional Office.

Thank you to April at Blue Springs First Christian who discovered this and has paved the road for everyone else!

Links directly to the new 2026 Property Tax Exemption applications are below, if needed:

Real Property Exemption https://jcgis.jacksongov.org/taxexemption/newexemption.html

Business Personal Property Exemption https://jcgis.jacksongov.org/taxexemption/business.html

Tri-Regional Partnership February Newsletter

Read the latest Tri-Regional Partnership newsletter to hear about exciting events happening in the Kansas, Nebraska, and Greater Kansas City Region.

Tri-Regional Partnership Guiding purpose:

"The Christian Church in Greater Kansas City, the Christian Church in Kansas, and the Christian Church in Nebraska partnering to more effectively and creatively work together to strengthen connections and relationships between people and the Church at Local, Regional, and General levels."

Read the full newsletter

Donations Needed - Deaf International

"I pastor a Deaf church, and the majority of our members are Deaf refugees or Deaf individuals living on fixed incomes. One year ago, we had to leave our worship space because we could no longer afford the rent. We are now returning to that same location and are excited to restart our in-person worship services.

If you happen to have any of the items listed below and are willing to share them with us, we would be deeply grateful. We are looking for:

A projector for worship and visual communication
Communion cups (individual/disposable)
A flowering cross to hold flowers for Easter and special services.

These items will help us create a welcoming, accessible space as we return to in‑person worship. Thank you for considering our request and for any support you are able to offer."

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Debbie J. Buchholz

If you have any of the supplies mentioned above please connect with the Regional Office by email or call (913) 432 - 1414

UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS

Ramadan Dinners

The Becoming Beloved Community is co-sponsoring 4 Ramadan Breaking of Fast Meals with the Dialogue Institute at churches around the Region.

Saturday, March 7th

5:45 at Community Christian Church

Please email Nola Kroner, at couter@kc.rr.com to RSVP

Saturday, March 14th

6:30 at Hillcrest Christian Church

Please email office@hcckc.org to RSVP

Sunday, March 15th

6:30 at First Christian Church of Smithville

Please RSVP by emailing office@smithvillefirstchristian.org or by calling 816.532.0773

Job Opportunity: Children's Ministry Director at Living Water Christian Church

Living Water Christian Church is currently seeking to hire a part-time Children's Ministry Director. Please see the ministry description below.

Send resume to: Pastorfred@livingwaterchristian.org

Children's Director Ministry Description

Primary function: to oversee children’s ministry (birth-5th grade) at LWCC and recruit, train, and develop a growing volunteer children’s ministry team

Reports to: Fred Herron & LWCC Council

Responsibilities:

1. To oversee children’s ministry at LWCC

2. To develop a strategic plan and outreach for children’s ministry which implements the vision, mission, and goals of LWCC

3. To recruit, train, and develop a volunteer team for children’s ministry

4. To implement creative children’s curriculum

5. To partner with families to raise children to love God and follow Jesus

6. To manage children’s ministry budget and facilities

Hours and pay will be negotiated

Nursery Worker - OPCC

Are you a caring and experienced nanny looking for a part-time job? We are seeking a nurturing and reliable nanny to provide exceptional care for children 0-4 years on Sunday Mornings.

About Us:

Overland Park Chrisitan Church is a friendly, mission-oriented community. OPCC strives to provide a nurturing, stimulating, spiritually engaging environment for our children.

Job Responsibilities:

Providing care for the children in a safe and supportive manner.
Engaging the children in age-appropriate activities that promote learning, creativity, and social development.
Assisting with light housekeeping tasks related to the children, such as tidying up the play areas and changing diapers.

Requirements:

Prior experience as a nanny or in a similar role with excellent references.
Ability to create a stimulating and engaging environment for the children.
Be willing to update parents with information about their time in the nursery.
First aid and CPR certification preferred but not required.
OPCC will be doing a back ground check before hiring.

Compensation and Benefits:

We will provide a written work agreement
Pay is $15/hr.
Paid professional development opportunities such as First Aid or CPR certificate.

Schedule: This is a 2-3 hour/week position Sunday’s 10:00-12:00 am.

If interested contact the church office @ 913-677-4646 and Pastor Lisa Engelken will be in contact.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Community Listening for Church Growth Webinar Series

In this three-session webinar, you will learn how to grow as a connection-rich congregation where everyone can make a friend and no one goes through life's hardest moments alone.

Each webinar includes times for discussion to explore how community listening applies in your specific ministry, and to identify practical next steps you can take.

Led by Ministry Consultants Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruch with KC's Associate Regional Minister for New Church, Rev. Amy Shoemaker. Joy and Heidi team up to help churches make God's love and justice visible through creative ministry, especially in ways that put relationships at the center. They co-authored the book Real Connections: Ministries to Strengthen Church and Community Relationships (Judson Press, 2021). Amy is excited to be joining Joy and Heidi to bring these crucial skills to the KC Disciples.

Register

Has your community of faith ever wondered about Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF)’s financial, building planning, and ministry services? If so, this is its opportunity to get a deep dive! Host and Creative Writer/Digital Media Specialist Nadine Compton will be covering it all—from initial consultations to capital fundraising campaign guidance—on Monday, March 16 at 3:00 PM EST with guest and Senior Director of Services Rev. Richard Williams at DCEF’s very first Facebook Live Q&A event. So save the date and come with your questions ready!

Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Training

Thursday, March 26, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Anti-Racism 1.0 is an introduction for clergy and lay leaders to become aware of the systemic nature of racism, see racism as sin, acknowledge the presence of racism today, and recognize ways in which we as individuals and churches function within systemic racism.

The curriculum was developed by the Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and led by facilitators trained by

Rev. Dr. Sandhya Jha and Rev. Dr. Nathan Hill. Thursday, March 26, 2026 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Merriam Christian Church.

$35 fee includes lunch, workbooks, and an annotated bibliography of resources and organizations active in the work of anti-racism.

RSVP by calling the Regional Office at (913) 432 - 1414

Supporting Campers Beyond the Campfire: Mental Health 101

Camp is more than games and cabin chats , it’s a place where kids bring their full selves, including their emotions. This training will help camp counselors recognize common mental health warning signs, understand what behaviors may really be communicating, and respond in ways that build safety and connection.

Join us for a FREE children/youth mental health training Saturday, April 25th from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center.

SAVE THE DATES

Undergirding Our Congregation's Dreams: How Money

Impacts Our Ministry

Join us Saturday, May 2nd 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

at Merriam Christian Church

Setting the Stage for Healthy Dreaming

Key Foundation Words for Stewardship/Finance
Stewardship Theological Foundation

Potential Areas of Conversation with the Group

Building a Team Approach to Stewardship/Finances
Annual Budget/Campaign Efforts
Campaign approaches
Alternative income streams
Grants with the Denomination or Local Community
Staff support around compensation, planning, and creative encouragement
Capital Campaign Programs

Seminar Leader

Rev. Dr. Chris Wilson will lead this seminar. He is the Senior Pastor of Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, KS and has thirty plus years of ministry shared in the local church. He is on the Bethany Fellows Board and has served in this role since 2012. He also serves and has served in several capacities in the wider Disciples denomination and in ecumenical/interfaith non-profits. His undergraduate degree was in Business Administration, and he has a certification as a national Financial Educator.

Register by calling the Regional office at (913) 432 - 1414

General Assembly Livestream

July 10-11

While this summer's General Assembly is vitural we invite all of the Greater Kansas City Disciples to gather at Country Club Christian Church to participate together.

The theme, BEYOND: Love Surpassing (Ephesians 3:14–21), builds on the work that God began last year and marks the first General Assembly of the new triennium as we live into our new structure. Plan to join us online alone or with others at a local assembly gathering in your area for vital worship, discernment, and connection.

Mark your calendar now and plan to participate as we are further “rooted and established in love” that surpasses knowledge. More details to come.

Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries is celebrating its 50th year of equipping God’s people for ministry! As part of the celebrations, we’d like to invite you and others to an upcoming event in the Kansas City area.

Featuring Dr. Kenneth Haugk and other teaching faculty from Stephen Ministries St. Louis, this hope-filled, insightful event will look not only back at the past but also into the future—equipping and inspiring you for building a more caring world.