CCMR Regional Assembly

The CCMR Regional Assembly is approaching. Let us hold to hope and let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds…not giving up meeting together. And let’s do it at Crystal Conference Center on the beautiful Crystal Lake.

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We will gather on Saturday, May 20th for worship, meals, business, and Communion together. We also have time on the Friday, May 19^th and Sunday, May 21st to gather informally for fellowship and to enjoy God’s wonders.

Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks, the author of Breakthrough: Trusting God for Big Change in Your Church. Dr. Weaks will be sharing with us from Mark 2: 1-12, “Access to Jesus”

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So, he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Do we have the vision to see this? Do we have the vision to be like this? Well, yes! It is part of our vision statement as a Region. We have set a priority to be “radically welcoming.” This text is at least one of the best examples, if not THE BEST example of being radically welcoming. These followers of Jesus so wanted this paralytic to meet Jesus that they dug a hole in the roof. Wow! Having a greeter with a smile and brochure is welcoming. Digging a hole in the roof is radically welcoming. So, let’s join in expecting to provide a radical welcome to Jesus as Dr. Dawn blows a hole in the roof. And let’s take back with us an intention to find new ways to provide radical welcome in our congregations to each other and to those who might need a radical welcome to move forward towards a relationship with Jesus.

We are excited about the Regional Assembly and encourage you to join us. You can register today at: https://christianchurchdocmichiganregi.regfox.com/2023-regional-assembly

Let us travel together, meet together, greet each other, sing together, pray together, worship together, hear Dr. Dawn Weak’s words for us, lunch together, do the business of the Region together, celebrate Communion together and take our joy and radically welcoming attitude out into the world!

More about our Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks

Dawn grew up as a preacher’s kid in Indiana and Texas. She heard her own calling to ministry as a teen at youth camp. She pursued God’s call as she received her B.A. from Baylor University, her M. Div. from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, and her D.Min. from St. Paul School of Theology. She was ordained in the Southern Baptist church and served as an associate minister in that denomination before becoming a Disciples of Christ minister in 1999. She pastored churches in Miami, Texas, in Rowlett, Texas, and in Raytown, Missouri. In 2014, she became the co-pastor of Connection Christian Church in Odessa, Texas, with her husband, Rev. Dr. Joe Weaks. They have two young adult children. Dawn received the “Odessa Heritage Foundation” and the “Community Diva” awards for her contributions to Odessa and was named a “Citizen of the Year” by the Missouri Municipal League.

Dawn’s congregation in Odessa has taken courageous strides to serve its community and be a vibrant witness for Christ. Five years ago, the church moved out of its 100 year-old setting and began a new adventure, changing its name, launching in a school cafeteria, becoming clear about the welcome and affirmation of LGBTQ+ persons, and inviting 6 community non-profits to become partners in a building they purchased and renovated. Her first book, Breakthrough: Trusting God for Big Change in Your Church, published by Chalice Press, tells part of the story.

Chalice Press is offering Dr. Weak’s book at a 23% discount for those who would like to read it prior to our time together. You can purchase the book by using the following link and code at checkout: