Everything’s Up to Date in Kansas City… Well…We Are Working on It! 2014 Report

TRANSITION 2014 has been a year of intentional transition for us in the Kansas City Region! Many of our long term staff, Paul Diehl, Katheryn Graham, Lyle and Sharon Bracken have retired or have begun the process. Our Regional Search Team is looking forward to interviewing candidates as we seek to call our Regional Minister and President. Celebrating a ministry well done, we gave thanks for the ministry of Katheryn Graham.

MINISTRY We have revitalized, reworked and clarified both our Ordination and Standing Ministry and our Commissioning Ministry. We have ordained our first person, James Vertreese, through the Alternative Track process and have worked to insure that the experience of claiming one’s call in our Region is both a time for celebration and partnership. We have ordained 4 new ministers and commissioned 6 new ministers in Giving of gifts at the ordination of James Vertreese at New Vision Christian Church

PRO-RECONCILIATION ANTI-RACISM We are engaging in education and conversations to help us become a Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racist Region. Our first PRAR training was held in September. The seminar included a training session for clergy, one for youth, and a specific training session for our Regional Search Team. Many of our congregations are seeking to engage other races and ethnic backgrounds as we seek to find ways to come together as a witness for God’s love and value of all people. Samoan children and their families are active members at Belton Christian Church. The children shared in worship their custom of White Sunday. This Sunday in October is a day to acknowledge and celebrate children. The children help to lead worship in areas of music, drama and more.

One table at work over lunch at the Tall Oaks Visioning Retreat As a part of our Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism work and our visioning for the future of our Tall Oaks Conference Center, we have committed to bringing more of our ethnic congregations to camp, both as campers and counselors. A big thanks to Bill Spangler-Dunning from the Upper Midwest for traveling to KC to guide and encourage us with our Tall Oaks visioning event.

NEW CHURCH We are redeveloping our New Church Ministry group and working with Charlie Wallace to create a clear set of guidelines for support and relationships. We are currently seeking to recruit individuals who will visit at least monthly and walk more closely with the new pastors and participants. New congregations in formation in 2014 Missio KC Manifestation Worship Center El Santo de Israel

La Gloria de Dios – Pastors and Musicians Pastors are Manuel and Maria Angulo

2014 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY We connected for our Regional Assembly as we opened ourselves to INSPIRE, EMPOWER and CONNECT! 370+ people participated in the one day event We enjoyed lively worship, workshops and a Ministry Fair! At the Ministry Fair, congregations were invited to set up a table with information about the missions they have been called to embrace. Over an extended lunch, congregations made new connections with each other at Ministry Fair booths and joining together around tables. New partnerships were formed, and ideas were shared.

Centering Prayer Workshop Led by Rob Carr was the largest workshop in both AM/PM session It was wonderful to be “Close” We had barely enough room to worship together

Dancing to the Spirit

We are looking forward to great ministries together in We give thanks for all God has done and is doing in us. We are looking forward to great ministries together in We give thanks for all God has done and is doing in us.

In 2015 our Greater KC Region will: Seek to continually envision who God is pulling us to be Support congregations in transition and seeking pastors Provide pastoral support and guidance for pastors, including those entering the search process Continue to work to become a pro reconciling multi-racial Region working for justice and solidarity in all of our ministries. Draw together congregations in worship, service and education Provide sacred space at Tall Oaks for spiritual renewal Support new congregations and help to grow with them in partnership Ordain, commission and provide standing credentials Support transformation of existing churches Welcome and engage new Tall Oaks Director, Kenny Funk, and new Regional minister as yet unknown.