October 19, 2018

Keep Light Those Candles... 

Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove is the minister for Families and Children at Disciples Home Missions.

She wants to share his vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: There is always MORE on our webpage (links to Pinterest, YouTube, At Home Activities, and MORE!)
More to Learn: Check out ALL the Light a Candle videos. Use them in your churches, youth groups, and at home. Our children, youth, and families need us EVERY DAY! Check out the Children's Defense Resources as well. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 18, 2018

Creation and Justice... for Children!

Shantha Ready Alonso has served as Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries since 2015. Creation Justice Ministries’ mission is to educate, equip and mobilize Christians to protect, restore, and rightly share God’s creation. Through its 38 member communions, Creation Justice Ministries serves about 100,000 churches and 45 million people in the United States.

She wants to share his vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Creation Care Books (The Earth Book by Todd Parr)
More to Learn: Creation Justice Ministries, Our Children's Trust, and Green Chalice

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 17, 2018

Love Jesus in Lots of Languages and Places

Michelle McKay serves with the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH). She is also a Children Worship & Wonder storyteller.
She wants to share her vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: World Resources Simulation Game and Kids in Global Mission

More to Learn: Did you know you can support the least of these on either side of the life span? Children and Elders and here are Global Ministries programs for youth, children, young adults, churches, and families.

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 16, 2018

Regions, Camps, and More - Oh My!

Rev. Allen Harris is the Regional Minister for the Capital Area. He says that he is first and foremost a pastor, keenly aware of “the power and grace of a pastoral presence in the grand moments and the tragic movements of an individual’s and a congregation’s life.”Basically... he is pretty awesome and uses social media a lot to share the quality ministry work in the D.C. area.

He wants to share his vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: The Day is Waiting by Linda Zuckerman and Don Freeman
More to Learn: What is a Region?, CAMP (So Many!), Christian Church in the Capital Area

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 15, 2018

Young Adult Commission... Passion Video

The Young Adult Commission represents Disciples young adults across the life of the church. We strive to build effective communication networks, offer awareness for advocacy opportunities, and encourage congregations to prepare young adults to lead our church.

Currently this group is creating amazing videos that share their stories of passion!

Fiyori Kidane, a YAC member, TCU student, summer Global Mission Intern, and member at Allisonville Christian Church, IN wants to share her vision with you here! 

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All:Young Adult Commission Facebook Page (More Passion Videos)
More to Learn: Young Adult Commission 

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 12, 2018

Our Child-like Experience of God's Stories

Rev. Randy Kuss  is a Disciples minister with over 40 years experience in congregational, regional, and denominational Christian education and youth ministries. Randy is a founding partner of DYMN (Disciples Youth Ministry Network). He is is a photographer, storyteller, song-leader, extremely occasional songwriter, and enjoys time with family, a monthly gathering of friends, as well as music, fishing, walks, woodwork, reading, and his Mac and iPhone.

He wants to share his vision for you here! 

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: The Worst Best Christmas Paegant Ever by Barbara Robinson
More to Learn: Liturgical Resources for Churches and Disciples Share

1 John 3:18-23, Be a Vision of Truth and Action!
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 11, 2018

Cathy Perring is a Children Worship & Wonder Storytelling Trainer and a member of First Christian Church in Orange, CA. 

She wants to share her vision for you here! 

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Go Light Your Candle by Chris Rice and Tell Me the Story of Jesus
More to Learn: Why Do We Light a Candle?  and the history of Tell Me the Story of Jesus

1 John 3:18-23, Be a Vision of Truth and Action!
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 10, 2018

Going Through Deep Waters

Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold is the Associate Director for Week of Compassion. Her passion is connecting people with the creative, re-creative power of the living God through stories and faithful action, and she believes a life of faith is about becoming part of God’s ongoing work in the world.

She wants to share her vision for you here! 

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Put together a Flood Bucket, Learn more about Isaiah
More to Learn: WOC Resources for Children and Youth, Partnership with Children's Disaster Services

1 John 3:18-23, Be a Vision of Truth and Action!
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 9, 2018

Chiapas, México Global Missionaries

Cara McKinney is a Global Mission Intern. Her job is to empower young people between the ages of 13 and 20 to be protagonists in their own lives and to break the social systems of poverty.

Elena Huegel is the coordinator of the Retoños en las ruinas: esperanza en el trauma (Roots in the ruins: hope in trauma) program, which seeks to provide spiritual accompaniment to nourish hope and develop resilience in the midst of conflict and emotional trauma.

They wants to share their vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Song of Psalm 37 or The Lorax
More to Learn: The History of Chocolate

1 John 3:18-23, Be a Vision of Truth and Action!
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 8, 2018

Disciples from All Over the World

Tana Liu-Beers joined Disciples Home Missions as Immigration Legal Counsel in July 2011. Prior to joining DHM, Tana was an immigration attorney and Equal Justice Works fellow at the North Carolina Justice Center’s Immigrants Legal Assistance Project, where she represented clients in immigration court and worked to combat the negative effects of increasing immigrant detentions.

She wants to share her vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: My Two Blankets (Video) and other Children Books About Immigration
More to Learn: Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel

1 John 3:18-23, Be a Vision of Truth and Action!
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 5, 2018

Jesus is Always There to Tell You He Loves You

Neo Usei is a current National Benevolent Association Xplor Resident in Dallas, TX. She is from Greater Salt Lake City, UT, but her roots are from the Pacific Island nation of Tonga. She is part of both the First Tongan Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) and Granger Community Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ).

She wants to share her vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: God's Story: Jesus Heals A Man and Jesus Loves Me (Song)
More to Learn: NBA Xplor Program for Young Adults and Xplor More Videos!

Galatians 3:25-29, Be a Vision of Faith!
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 4, 2018

Baptism (Children Worship & Wonder Story) 

Rev. Tracy Parker is a Children Worship & Wonder Trainer and pastor at Flemingsburg Christian Church in Kentucky.

She wants to share her vision for you here! 

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Being a Member of the Disciples of Christ 
More to Learn: Baptism and Communion

Galatians 3:25-29, Be a Vision of Faith!
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 3, 2018

Rub and Dub... Lots of Ministries in a Tub

Rev. Susan Diamond and Rev. Diana Hodges-Batzka are the pastors at Florence 
Christian Church in Florence, KY.

They want to share their ministry with you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Find a Fun Ministry Near You! 

More to Learn: National Benevolent Association

Galatians 3:25-29, Be a Vision of Faith!
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 2, 2018

Children Grow Up... Keeping Them Faithful

Rev. Dr. Nancy Brink is the Director of Church Relations at Chapman University in Orange, CA. 

She wants to share her vision for you here! 

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: (Well... Helpful!) Higher Education Leadership Ministries Video
More to Learn: Disciples On Campus at Chapman University

Galatians 3:25-29, Be a Vision of Faith!
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 1, 2018

Shine Your Light... Keep Shining

Rev. BJ Barlow is the Associate Regional Minister Youth & Young Adult Ministries in the Pacific Southwest Region.

He wants to share his vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: This Little Light of Mine Song and Casting Crowns, City on a Hill (Animated)
More to Learn:Being Better Together for Young Adults 

Galatians 3:25-29, Be a Vision of Faith!
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Weekly Scriptures

Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.