Beacons, the sun, flashlights, lightning bugs, even “this little light of mine”… they all SHINE!
And you’ll do the same at the inaugural Northern Lights Region Assembly in 2020! Be there to watch faces and spirits light up with the purpose and joy that only Regional Assembly can create at our 2020 Virtual Regional Assembly on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. Help us celebrate the launching and resilience of the Northern Lights Region.
UPDATE 11/14/2020 @ 1:30pm: What an amazing Business Session gathering! As one participant said, “It went better than I ever imagined. I loved seeing all the churches in the roll call video. It was like seeing the different personalities of the disciples across the Northern Lights Region!” If you couldn’t be with us live, check out the prerecorded sections of business by selecting from the buttons below.
Remember, you can participate in worship tomorrow either with your congregation if they’re planning to use the segments, or on your own by visiting the Worship Links tab below.
Click to download the business meeting docket that includes all available reports and motions that will be brought to the live business session. Also, you can read about our guest speakers, words of thanks, and a traditional re-sharing of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Preamble and our own Northern Lights Region Values and Mission.
Rev. Sandra Morgan Messick was called to be Transitional Regional Minister and President of the Northern Lights Region beginning in January of 2020. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from San Diego State University (1985) and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis (cum laude, 1990). Among her publications and certificates in Transitional and Interim Ministry, Sandy has also pastored congregations in Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington. Rev. Messick was also the Regional Minister and President of the Northwest Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from June of 2009 through December of 2019 when the Northwest and Montana Regions merged.
Rev. Derek Penwell is an author, speaker, pastor, and activist. He is the senior pastor of Douglass Boulevard Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky and a lecturer at the University of Louisville in Religious Studies and Humanities. Derek has a Ph.D. in humanities from the University of Louisville, and is the author of articles ranging from church history to aesthetic theory and the tragic emotions. To read more about Rev. Penwell and for information about his written works, visit derekpenwell.net
Sections of the Assembly worship service are still available for your use. Regretfully, user licenses prevent us from continuing to share some of the music selections originally used.
Mingle with the wider church here in the Display Hall (minus the blisters on your feet from standing so long).
Outdoor Ministry Partners
Cane Ridge West
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana owned property east of Lincoln, MT since 1949. It remained undeveloped until the early 1960’s when the Christian Men’s Fellowship of the Region began holding their annual retreat at the property. These men built picnic tables, out houses, and later one building to protect them from the weather. It was in 1981 that the Regional Church broke ground to develop Cane Ridge West. The Lodge, Shower House and cabins were built with volunteer labor under the leadership of Leo and Ruth Renfrow, Columbia Falls. The project took three years to complete. Since the dedication in 1984, Cane Ridge West has been used for regional activities, as well as being rented to other non-profit groups and this tradition will continue as the Northern Lights Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Cane Ridge West evolve in partnership.
Gwinwood
Founded in 1947, Gwinwood Camp and Conference Center is still under its original ownership by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in Western Washington. Since its founding, Gwinwood has always been a place of welcome for people of all ages, beliefs, and life experiences. Such is the welcoming nature of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
Despite its convenient Lacey location, this 29-acre retreat site includes roughly 18 acres of forested land, 4 acres of open meadows and 7 acres of undisturbed wetlands. We welcome groups and individuals from all walks of life to experience retreat, restoration, renewal, and recreation at our peaceful lakeside setting.
General Church Units
Christian Church Foundation
The Christian Church Foundation helps connect your money to your passion for ministry through planned giving, endowment funds, and other avenues through which donors can charitably distribute their gifts within the church and the world. Our mission is to support and expand the ability of all Disciples ministries to worship, witness and serve. We do this by identifying and resourcing donors who desire to make a difference through planned gifts, and by assisting Disciples ministries to be good stewards of their gifts through sound policies and prudent investment services. We proudly serve congregations, individuals, Regions, institutions of higher education, General Ministries, and other ministry partners throughout our church. Investing and planning with the Christian Church Foundation means you are able to work with someone who has the same alignment in ministry, who is focused on cost savings for the church, and who believes strongly in Socially Responsible Investing.
NBA- National Benevolent Association
A general ministry of the Disciples church, the nonprofit National Benevolent Association (NBA) collaborates with leaders and with health and social service organizations to strengthen and transform communities through compassion, healing, and justice. The NBA provides education, companionship, inspiration, and resources for organizational and leadership development for health and social service ministries. All of our work with partners is grounded in our historic mission of justice and advocacy. Connect with NBA and learn how we can partner with you at http://www.NBAcares.org.
Facebook: @NationalBenevolentAssociation or facebook.com/nationalbenevolentassociation/
Twitter, Instagram: @NBAdisciples
LinkedIn: @NBAcares or linkedin.com/company/nbacares/
YouTube: youtube.com/nbacares
Week of Compassion
As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world. Week of Compassion is more than a week. It is a ministry of the whole Church, reaching those in need “around the world, around the year.” Any time we respond to a need in the world, we bear witness to the unity of our table, faithfully sharing the gifts that we have as an expression of Christ’s love. In working together with partners, we represent the Disciples of Christ commitment to unity, making our resources reach farther and growing our impact on a global scale. For an interactive map of responses, or to learn more about how to get involved, visit www.weekofcompassion.org
Affiliated and Partner Organizations
Feel free to contact the Northern Lights Regional Office at (253) 893-7202 ext. 1 or by emailing office@northernlightsdisciples.org