CCIW Disciples

Beloved Community Fund Established

Introducing The Beloved Community Fund Grants for congregations of every size across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, begun with the offering at Dr. Crowder's installation The Beloved Community Fund is a new grant fund for congregations of the future Living Waters Region. It was established on Saturday, October 3, with the offering received at the installation of Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder Jr....

Beloved Community Fund Established Introducing The Beloved Community Fund Grants for congregations of every size across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, begun with the offering at Dr. Crowder’s installation The Beloved Commu…

Trees planted at Crystal Conference Center

Eleven Trees Planted at Crystal Eleven trees went into the ground this fall at the Crystal Conference Center Frankfort, MI. Arborist Jim Grabowski chose species suited to the camp and marked where each should stand; his crew planted and staked them, and volunteers did the mulching, wrapping, and watering. White and red oaks, sugar and red maples, paper birches, a white pine, and a sugarberry now grow there....

Trees planted at Crystal Conference Center Eleven Trees Planted at Crystal Eleven trees went into the ground this fall at the Crystal Conference Center Frankfort, MI. Arborist Jim Grabowski chose species suited to the camp and marked where …

2026 Humbert Lecture at Eureka College

Eureka College hosts its Humbert Lecture on Religion and Public Life on Thurs Nov. 5 at 7pm in Becker Auditorium of the Donald B. Cerf Center in Eureka. Professor Valerie J. Hoffman, Professor Emerita of Religion at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will speak on "Ibadi Islam: Its Evolution and What This Tells Us about Religion." She will trace how Ibadi belief and practice have changed over time and how the tradition shapes modern Oman's place in global diplomacy. The lecture is free and open to the public.

2026 Humbert Lecture at Eureka College Eureka College hosts its Humbert Lecture on Religion and Public Life on Thurs Nov. 5 at 7pm in Becker Auditorium of the Donald B. Cerf Center in Eureka. Professor Valerie J. Hoffman, Professor Emer…

Y’all COME!! Informal Fellowship Gathering at Regional Assembly

Two weeks from today, the future Living Waters Region is meeting in-person for barbecue, live music, conversation and connection! It happens Friday, October 2 at United Christian Church in Country Club Hills. Come hungry! The gathering has a purpose bigger than the barbecue: Saturday morning, the region will stand up and install our first Regional Minister and President; Friday night, we eat together first....

Y’all COME!! Informal Fellowship Gathering at Regional Assembly Two weeks from today, the future Living Waters Region is meeting in-person for barbecue, live music, conversation and connection! It happens Friday, October 2 at United Christian Church in Country …

A Word from Dr. Crowder: Continuing Education for the Journey

The following was shared with future Living Waters Clergy on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 Continuing Education for the Journey Dear Colleagues, One of the things I have come to appreciate more deeply in ministry is that we never stop being students. Even after years of pastoral leadership and now serving as a Regional Minister, I am continually reminded that there is more to learn, more to understand, and more ways in which God can shape us for the work of ministry....

A Word from Dr. Crowder: Continuing Education for the Journey The following was shared with future Living Waters Clergy on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 Continuing Education for the Journey Dear Colleagues, One of the things I have come to appreciate more deeply i…

Come and BELIEVE at Regional Assembly Online Business Meeting

Our online business meeting at the Come and Believe Regional Assembly is the last time the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin and the Christian Church, Michigan Region will conduct business as two separate bodies. On January 1, the future Living Waters Region becomes, simply, the Living Waters Region. Nearly everything on this year's agenda is the work of building toward that day: the approvals and commitments that carry three states of Disciples into one emerging region....

Come and BELIEVE at Regional Assembly Online Business Meeting Our online business meeting at the Come and Believe Regional Assembly is the last time the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin and the Christian Church, Michigan Region will conduct business…

A Word from Dr. Crowder: Knowing Your Capacity

The following message was shared with clergy of the future Living Waters Region on Thurs, Sep 10, 2026 Knowing Your Capacity Beloved Colleagues, There is a particular kind of wisdom that comes from knowing what you can do and, perhaps even more importantly, knowing what you cannot do. We often celebrate capacity. We admire the person who can carry the heaviest load, work the longest hours, answer every call, solve every problem, and somehow keep moving....

A Word from Dr. Crowder: Knowing Your Capacity The following message was shared with clergy of the future Living Waters Region on Thurs, Sep 10, 2026 Knowing Your Capacity Beloved Colleagues, There is a particular kind of wisdom that comes from…