Thank you to the many volunteers who made it possible, starting with the Planning Team and continuing through all those who sorted rooms, set up chairs, carried tables, arranged music and meals and childcare and youth activities and missions, cooked dinner, and especially those who made it so sweet by baking cookies, cookies, and more cookies. Your Planning Team was led by Bernice Rivera and included host pastor Cynthia McBride, Troy Sybrant, Tracia Deal, and Allison Ruari, and your Interim Regional Minister.
A total of 233 people registered for the Regional Assembly. This includes 33 youth & children plus 7 sponsors, 21 volunteers, and 39 people who registered onsite. We’re aware of only 7 folks who registered and didn’t attend. 26 clergy and 7 other leaders attended the Anti-Racism workshop on Friday. This was required training for clergy, and was open to the curious among us also.
As a regional church, you brought $1445 in offerings, which was divided evenly between the Clergy Assistance Fund of our region, FEDICE, and the Reconciliation Special Day offering.
The people who sat next to you in break-out groups, worship, and meals represented 32 different congregations including 1 United Methodist congregation, 2 congregations from other regions, and 29 congregations of SW Idaho and Oregon. This does not include the folks who joined us from across and beyond Disciples, representing organizations like Pension Fund, Disciples Church Extension Fund, Phillips Theological Seminary, and many more.
Hurricane Helene affected us, even though it struck the other coast. Scott Hardin-Nieri of Disciples’ Green Chalice ministry was at the airport, on his way to Portland, when the airport lost power due to the storm; all flights were cancelled. He helped his family weather the storm instead of leading a break-out group about Green Chalice. Kikuo Yerem and family were turned back from traveling to a family funeral, due to the storm. We were glad that they were able to join the Assembly, even though they wanted to mourn with family in Florida. Please lift up their family as they grieve the unexpected death of Kikuo’s brother’s son.
Our preacher was Teresa ‘Terri’ Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. That’s her full correct title—quite a mouthful! Now you know why it is commonly shortened to GMP. Terri loved our theme and easily brought us a word from the Lord based on texts from John 3.
Planning for the 2026 Regional Assembly will begin soon. Your suggestions are welcome, and so is your volunteering! To help, contact Tracia Deal at [email protected] and Jani DeMond at [email protected] to share your ideas and to see if there is still room for you on the planning team.