Title: MissionFest: Your congregation can do that too!
Date: September 21, 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
by Angela Herrmann, former associate editor, The Disciple*
00a-51
CINCINNATI -- "How can our congregation do that?"
"Can I get a copy of that tape?"
"Here's how we did that."
Stand by any booth at the General Assembly MissionFest, and you'll hear Disciples exchanging ideas on how to do mission.
MissionFest, a place for congregations to share their ministries at General Assembly, offers visitors the opportunity to pick up literature, talk to congregational leaders and take ideas home. MissionFest is being organized now for the 2001 General Synod/Assembly in Kansas City, Mo. United Church of Christ and Disciples congregations will take part in the July 14 event.
MissionFest offers two ways for congregations to participate. Some will "show and tell" by exhibiting displays or making presentations. Others will "snap and tell" by providing photos and brief descriptive narratives for a photo collection to be displayed in the MissionFest exhibit space.
November 15, 2000, is the deadline for Disciples congregations to register for MissionFest 2001. To register, contact the Rev. Jane Lawrence, Homeland Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Phone, 888-346-2631; Fax, 317-635-4426; or e-mail: jlawrenc@dhm.disciples.org.
At MissionFest 1999, congregational ministries included a new coat give-away, a literacy program -- even work trips at home and abroad. One congregation, Valley Christian Church, Twin Falls, Idaho, pairs retirement-aged volunteers with elementary-aged children for reading practice.
"I don't think anyone can go in there and not leave with ideas," said the Rev. Jane Wiatt, interim pastor, North Long Beach (Calif.) Christian Church.
The Rev. Marianna Kirwan, pastor, Ramona Avenue Christian Church, LaVerne, Calif., appreciated the way people talked about their ministries. "The enthusiasm of the people was the most attractive thing about MissionFest," said Kirwan.
"The real value (of MissionFest) is seeing the conversations of people," said Jane Lawrence, vice president, Division of Homeland Ministries.
Lawrence was among eight planning committee members -- general and regional staff and congregational leaders -- who organized the 1999 MissionFest. She said the Cincinnati assembly was the second time the event had been held. It attracted 2,000 Cincinnati assembly-goers and a similar number at Denver's 1997 gathering.
"Until Denver, there was no way to share what congregations are doing," said Lawrence, which is why organizers intentionally limited participation to congregations. "We try to keep the faith that this is congregationally based," she added.
For MissionFest 1999, the committee selected 47 congregations to participate, based on congregational size to keep a balance among exhibitors and how the congregations' ministries fit with the Disciples Mission Imperatives.
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(*Copyright, 1999, Christian Board of Publication from The Disciple online coverage of the 1999 Cincinnati General Assembly. Used with permission.)