"We Refuse to Lose" is the theme of our next regional family reunion as we gather in Olympia, WA, May 18-20, 2012. Our Regional Youth Commission is hard at work planning a thoughtful, thought provoking, meaningful time for us to come together in worship, fellowship, and conversation. Mark your calendars now and watch for more details and registration information.

Chi Rho (grades 6-8) and CYF (grades 9-12) youth and their adult sponsors are invited and encouraged to attend this year's Winter Retreat, March 9-11 at Koinonia Camp and Retreat Center in Cle Elum, WA. The Regional Youth Commission is working hard to plan another great retreat. The 2012 theme, "The Circle of Life", celebrates healthy relationships with God, in families, with friends and love. The price this year is $110/person and now includes additional meals (Friday dinner and Sunday lunch). Request registration forms from your church office or download and print one from the Region's website: www.disciplesnw.org!

NBA CALLS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF CHURCH MINISTRIES
The National Benevolent Association (NBA) is pleased to announce the calling of the Rev. Rebecca Hale to serve as vice president of church ministries. Hale will join the staff in February and will be responsible for developing collaborative relationships with congregations and regions that further advance health and social service ministries. In addition, she will supervise the Chaplaincy Care Program.

Read the full press release at:
www.nbacares.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Hale-Release.pdf

CHERILYN WILLIAMS NAMED NEW DISCIPLES COMMUNICATION STAFF
Our own, Cherilyn Williams has been called as Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Cherilyn is the wife of Rev. John Williams, pastor of First Christian Church in Tacoma. She has begun her work in Indianapolis in January and John will follow in February after wrapping up his ministry at FCC Tacoma.

Writes the Disciples News Service, "Williams has held many public relations and communications positions. She also served on the General Board of the Christian Church, the Mission Alignment Coordinating Council and as moderator of the Northwest Region of the Christian Church."

Congratulations Cherilyn!
 
For more about this news release and Williams, visit:  www.disciples.org/DisciplesNewsService/tabid/58/itemId/1104/Disciples-name-new-communication-staff.aspx
 
ATTENTION DISCIPLES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Higher Education and Leadership Ministries has important information for you:

Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)  invites high school seniors interested in new kinds of Christian leadership to apply to join the 12th class of HELM Leadership Fellows.  Application packets are available now at http://helmdisciples.org/aid/fellows.htm.

Leadership Fellows experience an ongoing relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that adds value to their educations through organized opportunities for fellowship, training, and service to the church. With the help of a campus mentor, fellows design and conduct projects on or near their campuses, participate in an annual conference focused on shaping a Church for the future, and receive a $2,000 annual scholarship grant.

Since 2001, over 70 fellows have passed through the program into careers as ministers, college professors, musicians and broadcasters, teachers, activists for peace and the environment and other forms of leadership.  You can meet current and past HELM Leadership Fellows athttp://helmdisciples.org/helm/fellows.htm.

Applicants must be high school seniors entering college in fall, 2012 or community college students transferring to a four-year school.  Fellows may attend any accredited four-year college or university, though students attending Disciples-related schools are particularly encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is April 16, 2012—just three months away!.  For more information contact HELM at helm@helmdisciples.org or 314-991-3000.

SEARCH FOR MEANING - BOOK FESTIVAL, Seattle University
On Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 9am to 5pm, the Seattle University will host the "Search for Meaning Book Festival". Enjoy over 40 authors surrounding the human search for meaning on issues of spirituality, faith and social justice. This diverse group of guest authors represent a wide range of belief systems and faith traditions. Keynote Speakers are Mary Oliver - Pulitzer Prize winning poet and author and James Oliver, S.J. - NY Times best selling author and official chaplain of the Colbert Report.

Admission is FREE but you must register for tickets. Visit www.searchformeaning.us for more information and registration.

For 46 days you graciously gave of yourselves, traveled many, many miles, and with great joy and skill shared the exciting ministry you have had in our partnership with the Evangelical-Reformed Church of Poland. You also helped us learn about the crisis among the Roma people of Europe. We are more aware of the critical work Global Ministries and our partnership with others around the world. Thank you for your significant gifts to us Liz and Doug Searles!

Mary Margaret Pruitt and Marvin Eckfeldt, Coordinators

Over the course of the three months, Liz and Doug touched the lives of over 1,800 people and through offerings taken raised $5096.50 for Global Ministries. Thank you!