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March 26, 2008                                                                                                                   VOLUME 60, NO. 13

The United Nations Association, Drury University Middle East Studies Program, and the Drury Hope & Action Theme Year present two programs on overcoming conflict through compassion and understanding. For more information, contact Dr. Jeff VanDenBerg (873-6947) or Ann Fuhrman (836-3077).

2006 prize-winning documentary film

(http://www.encounterpoint.com )

Francie Wolff

Daughter of a Nazi Germany Refugee

Today’s youth face a multitude of issues that create stress. Whether due to a family crisis, a school-related trauma, a local disaster or a national emergency, your faith community needs to be pre-pared to help youth cope with stressful situations. Clergy and laypeople who work with youth are encouraged to attend a Saturday workshop presented by licensed professional counselor Eve Dyson. People of all faiths are welcome. Registration fee covers presentation materials and lunch. Early registration (if check is received 10 days prior to workshop) is $25 and later registration is $35. Checks should be payable to MMSUCC. Send your name, religious affiliation and contact information to: rhonda.coleman@hotmail.com or MMSUCC, P.O. Box 594, St. Albans, MO 63073 (636/451-6032). These workshops are made possible by a grant received by the Mid-Missouri South Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Those attending will learn what the Bible says about authentic Christian living and stewardship; how

to determine what faithfully following Christ means for you and your congregation; how to teach stewardship principles to your congregation; how to consistently raise the giving and level of participation in your congre-gation; and the stewardship of time, talents, and treasures. Anyone interested in going with Rev. Herb Knudsen & Stewardship Chair Tom Klein should contact Rev. Knudsen and let him know.

To senior citizens living on fixed incomes, regarding the economic stimulus checks coming from the federal government, please note: To receive a stimulus check you must file a 2007 federal tax return, even if you normally don’t earn enough to make it necessary. Seniors who don’t normally file their federal tax return should do so if they have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. That can include salary, Social Security money, and veterans’ benefits.

Fair Trade Hunger Banquet

This banquet will have varying menus based on world poverty statistics and would be a great chance for people to get better acquainted with hunger issues and Fair Trade. Guest speakers will be Karen Eagles and David Crump, local Fair Trade store owners. Proceeds will go to Fair Trade workers and to continuing Fair Trade education in Springfield. RSVP by April 4 to Caleb Lines at 865-8711 (x14) or email him at: caleb123@missouristate.edu .

Past and future, potential and actual Pearlington builders,

Our next trip to Pearlington, MS will be the week of May 18. The staff in Pearlington’s priority is to construct as many building shells as soon as possible. That means we will almost certainly be building walls, putting up trusses, and hanging sheathing and siding. If you do not know how to do any of that, do not fear, you will by the end of the trip.

Some people cannot leave until May18, others may want to leave the Friday or Saturday prior. We could car pool together or in small groups. We do not need to arrive at the same time or leave at the same time. All I ask is that I know when each of you plans to come and go. We can determine the specifics as the trip dates approach.

Each of you should plan on bringing clothing in which to work (shorts are fine if that is your preference) and work boots. Rain gear could be used, but you will be pretty wet by the time it starts raining anyway. I bring mine for evening and morning, but do not use it during working hours. Each person should bring a hammer, tape measure, pry bar and tool belt, but if you are lacking any of these things, you DO NOT need to buy them. We can either get you some from the church or from the PRC when we arrive.

If you know of anyone else that can climb two flights of stairs and would like to help, please ask them or send me their name. I am excited to return to Pearlington and to share that with you.

In 2007, NACC gave $24,181.04 to DMF of which $1,470.99 was donated to the Office of the General Minister & President, which provides pastoral guidance for the denomination, coordinates ministry planning for the future of the denomination, oversees the work and planning for the General Assembly, and administers the decision-making process of the General Board. In 2008, OGMP assumed responsibility for Disciples Mission Fund, Treasury Services, and Stewardship Education.

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The NACC/Habitat for Humanity Building

. . . to Charley Denton who recently participated in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

. . . to Mark Stillwell who received the Paul F. Morrison Award from the Missouri Valley Conference on March 6. The award is presented to an individual who has made "significant contributions to collegiate athletics." FYI, Paul Morrison (on left) is Lee Longman’s older brother.