October Connection 1
October 1, 2026
DISCIPLES CONNECTION
Regional Assembly
October 9 and 10
Every two years we gather as a region for fellowship, worship, regional board elections, and discussion of any other pressing issues for the Greater Kansas City Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
2026 is extra special with leadership from our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel and an Installation Service for our Regional Youth Cabinet.
As we reflect on Being the Body of Christ, we're reminded that it takes all of us - lay members, lay leaders, ministers, and regional ministry leadership to do the work of Christ in our congregations and in our communities.
Our Regional Assembly builds on this by offering a laity and family focus on Friday evening with a Regional focus on Saturday.
2026-2028 Regional Board slate
At Regional Assembly, we will be voting on our 2026 - 2028 Regional Board during the business session on Saturday morning.
Moderator: Rev. Andy Beck, Hillside CC
Moderator Elect: Rev. Jill DeFord, Fairview CC
Secretary: Rev, Bryce Bowers, Country Club CC
Treasurer: Kathy Harris, Fairview CC
Past Moderator: Peggy Chandler, Lee's Summit CC
7 Lay Representatives to the Regional Board:
Dorothy Johnson, Swope Parkway United Christian Church
Neal Heckman, FCC Olathe
Carol Nelson, Longview Chapel CC
Krista Hindsley, Hillside CC
Charisse Dodd, Lee's Summit CC
LeAundra Boyice, WHOMSOEVER Community of F.A.I.T.H. (2nd Term)
Richard Hughey, Hillcrest CC (2nd Term)
AROUND THE REGION
Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel's Installation
On Saturday, September 19th we installed our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel!!
We were joined by over 125 people representing 29 churches in the KC Region and 5 different regions of the Disciples of Christ Church. We heard a message from Dr. Delesslyn Audra Kennebrew, J.D., M.Div., who serves as the Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation & Associate General Minister. General Minister and President of the Christian Church, Rev. Terri Hord Ownes, led us in Covenant Call. In total, we raised $1,250 in donations to the Regional Office.
Thank you to all who joined us. If you were unable to attend in person, you may watch the installation ceremony here.
Tri-Regional Partnership September Newsletter
On September 12, the three Regional Boards of the Tri-Regional Partnership Initiative gathered at beautiful Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska, to continue the work of building a stronger partnership among the three regions. Participants spent the majority of the day completing the Kansas Leadership Center's course, When Everyone Leads. Leading the training were Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel, Greater Kansas City
Regional Minister; Rev. Dr. David Dubovich, Kansas Associate Regional Minister; and Rev. Bill Rose Heim, Kansas Associate Regional Minister for Leadership and Development. The three are certified Kansas Leadership Center Trainers.
Worship WednesdayEvery Wednesday, the Regional Office will spotlight a sermon from one of our churches. Whether you missed a Sunday Service or just need a mid-week spiritual reset, Worship Wednesdays allow everyone in the Greater KC Region and beyond to share in the good word. |
UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS
Anxious About a Generation: Exploring a Theology of Well-Being for Youth and Young Adults
Thursday, October 8 |
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | $10
Youthfront Headquarters, 4600 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66103
The epidemic of poor mental and emotional well-being among teenagers is well documented. Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, and Netflix’s series, Adolescence, have cut through into public discourse, but how might we think theologically about what is going on? Is it possible that the pursuit of expressive individualism, fueled by the mantra that you can be anything you want to be, alongside immersion in the projected perfectionism of online influencers, is setting young people up to be unfulfilled, anxious or angry?
In this training, Dr. Andrew Root will take us on a journey of theological and cultural analysis. Together we will unpick the idol of exceptionalism so that we might be equipped to help young people discover an identity not based on their own ability to stand out, but in the creativity of the God who made them in His own image. Drawing on the Psalms and the craft of poetry as an example of creative expression that lifts our gaze outward, rather than turning us further inward, Root will demonstrate how such a theological understanding leads to creative practices that might embody a form of good news, and an antidote to anxiety, for young people today.
Register by Monday, October 5th
Brite Divinity School President Open House
Saturday, October 17
Dr. Stephen Cady, President of Brite Divinity School, will be in town the weekend of October 17-18. Saint Andrew Christian Church has agreed to host an Open House Event for the Greater Kansas City Region as a meet-and-greet for those who want to learn more about Brite Divinity School and meet their seminary president.
For those who attended the General Assembly in Memphis, you may remember
he gave one of the sermons in evening worship. He is both inspiring and a fantastic preacher. The Open House Event will be on Saturday October 17 from
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Coffee and light snacks will be provided. Dr. Cady will make a short presentation at 10:30am. All are invited to come and meet him and learn what is happening in one of our Disciples of Christ seminaries. Dr. Cady is
from Olathe, KS and grew up in the Kansas City area.
Note: Please RSVP to Pastor Chris Wilson of your intent to attend to make sure we have enough refreshments for people. You may reach out to him at chris@sacchome.org.
Undergirding Our Congregation's Dreams: How Money Impacts Our Ministry
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Merriam Christian Church | $20
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.
ARPR 3.0 Training
Saturday, October 24
This workshop is intended to support the work of clergy and lay leadership who are already aware of the harm of systemic racism that continues to hurt us all in the Church and in our communities and frustrate the mission of Jesus.
Co-facilitators Rev. Dr. Dionne Boyice and Rev. Rose-Heim are pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Chris Wilson will present the Becoming and Anti-Racist Congregation process that he helped to design and test.
We will also introduce and practice the Transformative Community Conferencing method for re-examining the narrative that drives the stories we tell about ourselves and others.
We will learn from the KC Reparation Coalition how any individual and congregation can take action locally to take part in the unresolved justice work of reparation for documented historic harms committed in their communities. We will provide registrants with links to advance reading opportunities; however, this workshop will include small- and large-group activities.
Tall Oaks Fall Volunteer Day
Our focus for the October 24th Volunteer Day will be projects such as - landscaping, grounds cleanup, gala decor creation, and more!
Our volunteer team will provide all needed supplies, but you are welcome to bring your own tools/gloves/equipment that you prefer.
The event will begin Saturday at 9:30 am (Check-in starting at 9:00am) Please be sure to register for every session you plan to attend.
A Free Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. Dinner is also available for $5 per person before our celebration bonfire.
ALL volunteers under 18 MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian or designated Adult Sponsor.
If you have any questions, contact the volunteer team at: volunteer@talloaks.org
2026 Racial Justice Summit
The 2026 Annual KC Racial Justice Summit gathers neighbors, organizers, and partners to confront the realities of racial inequity in Kansas City.
With Keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Hanna Broome and 8 local racial justice leaders sharing workshops, we learn, share concrete tools, and engage in the work of building communal power and dignified relationships.
FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH
DCEF Green Loans
Have you noticed that mornings have become brisker and the leaves have started changing their colors? Fall is here! To make sure that your place of worship is ready for the new season, partner with DCEF on a green loan. These specialized renovation loans are designed to decrease energy inefficiency and make your facility more environmentally friendly. Receive up to $150,000 to:
Upgrade heating systems
Replace or repair broken windows
Insulate, rewire, or weatherproof churches, camps, regions, and seminaries
Contact the Building and Capital Services Advisor team to learn how you can care for God’s creation by “going green.”
Reconciliation Offering: Beyond Restoration: Hope in Action
The 2026 Reconciliation Offering will be received on September 27 and October 4, inviting Disciples to move Beyond Restoration: Hope in Action, inspired by Psalm 85:6-11.
This year’s offering calls us to consider what it means to move beyond restoration toward active hope, justice, reconciliation, and the work of building beloved community.
Regional Ministers are encouraged to share the Reconciliation Offering creative and help create awareness throughout their regions. We also invite you to share stories from your region that demonstrate reconciliation, hope in action, and the work of building beloved community. These stories, along with your images, can help bring the offering to life and show Disciples how their generosity makes a difference. Please send stories and images to reconciliation@disciples.org.
SAVE THE DATES
Tall Oaks Gala
Saturday, November 14th
Save the date and buy your tickets for the annual Tall Oaks Gala!
Reserve your seat at:
Table Assignments are made in the order in which reservations are received, so get them in early!
Reservations are $75 per person, $600 to host a table of 8, and $900 to host a VIP table of 8.
Auction Donation Suggestions:
We are celebrating over 50 years of camping at Tall Oaks. This year’s Tall Oaks Gala, the annual fundraising event, will be on November 14th, 2026, at Tall Oaks. Thanks to all of you who have supported the Gala in the past and we hope you will continue to do so. The following are guidelines for auction donations for the event. The suggestions are not meant to be all-inclusive; we urge you to use your creativity. Your donations will help to make this an amazing Gala!
Sports Themed Items
Any sports memorabilia, specifically KC Teams.
Tickets to games
Signed items
Travel and Entertainment
Tickets to events
Travel packages or travel baskets
Weekend getaways
Experiences
Restaurants
Baskets with date or family night themes
Art and Collectibles
Well-known or local artists
Collectibles, meaning they retain their original value or increase in value
Themed baskets
Family/Kids themes
Cooking
Movies
Holiday (Thanksgiving/Christmas)
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Items must fit in a car so that they can be taken home with the purchaser the evening of the event. 10%-25% of the value (50% for gift certificates) will be used as the minimum bid unless otherwise requested by the donor.
For more information or to make a donation, contact:
Gala Team
lisa4women@gmail.com, (913)634-5602
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
