Summer Mission Trip

On Sunday July 21, FCC in Columbia rolled out of town with sixteen youth and adults and headed to Evansville, IN for a week of hard work, fellowship, worship, and learning. Their goal was to focus on the concept of housing justice, from every angle - unhoused/ homeless care, low-barrier homeless shelters, disability and policy challenges, zoning, low-income housing and urban den­sity, neighborhood revitalization, gentrification, and more. Overall, the trip was a wonderful time filled with learning, worship, and hard work. They spent 365+ hours in direct service through the week, and countless more building a deeper fellowship together. Find a day-by-day description of their activities & lots of great photos here>

Sacred Conversations

The NW Commission Ministry Team met as a group on August 30 at Scott Killgore’s farm for a lunch and time of sharing of ministries. This new format moves us away from the ‘interview’ format and into sacred conversations which enrich us all. Thanks to Scott and his wife Deedie for hosting and providing much of the food. Pictured are (front l-r): Leon Bryant (Wheeling), Dan Kercher (Odessa), Erin Medsker (Barnard), Sue Jameson (Chillicothe), (back l-r): Kate Titsworth (Savannah), Ron Routledge, Jerry Burks (Stewartsville), Scott Killgore (retired), and Ken Jameson.

It's Playtime!

On August 4th, Gallatin FCC held a playground dedication at the end of normal worship. The church celebrated the 16th anniversary of starting Lighthouse Learning Center, a daycare ministry of the church that provides child-care 6 AM-6 PM Monday-Friday for the community of Gallatin. Through memorial donations, fundraising, and generosity of people's time, talents, and treasures, the daycare completed a roughly $50k upgrade to the playground that is behind the church building. This provides a safer, more inclusive area for the Lighthouse kids of all the ages to have a place to play and experience joy. There's always joy in the house of the Lord!

A New ARPRJM Training 11/16

Storytelling is a valid and important way to convey knowledge. We experienced it in almost every aspect of our recent Regional Assembly including the Voices of Arrow Rock workshop. Since the Assembly, facilitator Michael Kateman has developed that workshop into an extended seminar which qualifies as a renewal of Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministries training for our clergy. Participants will experience the original workshop plus a working lunch and a tour of the historic village of Arrow Rock where we’ll visit the African American Museum, the State Historic Site Museum, and buildings related to the voices we discuss. Learn more>

Free Classes!

The Center for Lived Faith & Organizing has three workshops on their schedule for the rest of this year, and we have free tickets to them! Take Building Local Power on September 20, El Poder de la Organizacion Intergeneracional (in Spanish) October 12, or Organizing for Peace in the Time of War on December 6. As a supporting member, Mid-America has access to these courses - each a $275 value! - at no cost. Contact the St. Louis office to learn more and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!