Chi Rho Jam 2011 – Piece of the Puzzle

Piece of the Puzzle

Chi Rho Jam 2011 is March 5 and 6 at Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis.  This is for all youth in the Region who are currently in grades 6 – 8 and their adult sponsors.  

Jammers will figure out how they’re a “Piece of the Puzzle” while exploring their faith.  Chi Rho Jam promises to be a time of meeting new friends, sharing in important discussions, and enjoying great food! 

Registration is now open, and you can download a registration form and promotional materials by clicking here.

Children Worship and Wonder Training to Be Held at Alllisonville, Oct. 22-24

Heather Roberts will be the leader for Children Worship and Wonder storyteller training at Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, on October 22-24 2010. Cost for the training is $120 if registration is received by October 8.

The registration fee increases to $140 after the deadline, but space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and have a deep love for children. It is recommended that at least two persons from a congregation receive storyteller training. Participants are also required to purchase the book, Young Children and Worship by Sonja M. Stewart and Jerome W. Berryman, and bring it to each session.

Participants in storyteller training will learn the theological rationale behind Children Worship and Wonder and will develop a basic understanding of the approach. They will see the story telling and other components of the worship service demonstrated. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to develop their own story telling skills and have opportunities to practice telling stories and leading other parts of the children’s service of worship.

The training will include ways to involve other adults in children’s worship and help in setting-up a children’s worship center for your church.

Additional information about Children Worship and Wonder storyteller training is available on the Disciples Home Missions web site. Young Children and Worship is available at Worship Woodworks for $24.95, http://www.worshipwoodworks.com.

Allisonville Member, 87, Builds for Habitat on Gulf Coast

This story originally appeared on the web site of WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Miss. (Read the story on their web site.)

A unique group of volunteers from Indianapolis visited Hancock County, Miss., to help Habitat Bay-Waveland Area put a roof over the heads of another family victimized by Hurricane Katrina.

The volunteers call themselves “The Indy Tiger Team.” The Tiger Team is made up of retirees who want to make good use of their spare time. The average age of the volunteers is 68.

At 87, Rollin Mosher, a member of Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis, is the oldest person ever to volunteer with Habitat Bay-Waveland. The trip was his sixth to the Gulf Coast since Katrina.

“I feel I’m contributing to society,” said Mosher.

That might be an understatement. Since he first started volunteering with the Habitat affiliate in Indianapolis, he has helped build nearly 100 homes and has logged thousands of volunteer hours.

“One of the guys in January of last year asked me what he could do to be able to do what I was doing on the job site. My answer was just don’t slow down, keep active. And I think that’s the key,” Mosher explained.

The retired architect volunteers with his local Habitat Chapter three days a week and plays golf on his days off.

“So I fill the week pretty full that way.”

Tiger Team member James Dillard enjoys joking with his good friend.

“I like having Rollie around because I’m not the oldest one,” the 78-year-old Dillard said with a smile.

Dillard said Mosher often out-works volunteers in their late teens and early twenties. “Which is pretty impressive as well to me. At 87 years old, that’s pretty awesome, it’s inspirational,” said Habitat staff member Stephen Scott.

And Mosher said he doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

“You just put one foot in front of the other, just keep going.”

Before starting a career as an architect, Mosher served as a military cargo plane pilot during World War II.

Coffeehouse at Allisonville for Haiti Relief

A mission team from Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, had planned to leave soon to work in Haiti.  This week’s earthquake abruptly and tragically changed those plans. Inspired by a message from the midst of the chaos, however, the church found a creative way to support the relief and recovery effort.

The message said, “Huddled together in solidarity with nowhere else to go, singing hymns.”

The music may or may not include hymns, but Allisonville Christian Church, located at 7701 Allisonville Road in Indianapolis, had put together an impromptu Fair Trade Coffeehouse at the church this Friday, January 15, at 7:00 p.m.

Several local entertainers will perform along with members of the church.  Fair trade coffee will be served, and all proceeds will support relief efforts in Haiti through Week of Compassion. A free will offering will also be taken to raise relief funds.

New Churches Lead Way in DMF

Two Indiana congregations in formation showed the highest per capita giving to Disciples outreach in 2008.  Iglesia Cristiana Casa del Alfarero contributed over $6,000 to Disciples causes in 2008, and Living Water Christian Church contributed almost $5,000.

Casa del Alfarero (Potter’s House) is led by Rev. Daphne Arias.  The congregation started in 2003 and is currently nesting at Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Living Water is led by Rev. Charles Webb, Jr.  The congregation started in 2007 after the closing of Faith United and University Park Christian Churches.  Living Water is currently holding its worship services in the chapel at Robin Run Village in Indianapolis.

Allisonville Christian Church showed the highest total contributions to Disciples outreach and also showed the largest dollar increase.  Rev. Bob Riester serves Allisonville as senior minister.

East Christian Church in Markleville demonstrated a significant percent increase from 2007, as did Centenary Christian Church in Indianapolis.  These churches are served by Rev. Mike Srbljan and Rev. Gregory Bryant, respectively.

Other highlights from 2008 giving reports include:

• Five congregations gave to Disciples outreach in 2008 that did not in 2007.  These gains equal $2,529.
• Seven congregations did not give to Disciples outreach in 2008 that did in 2007.  These losses equal $6,219.
• 84 congregations increased giving in 2008 over 2007.  The total increase from these churches was $156,757.

Total Disciples outreach includes all giving to Disciples causes through the DMF office, including Disciples Mission Fund, blessing boxes, special day offerings, Week of Compassion, Reconcilation, designated giving and Heartbeats of Faith.