Disciples Seminary Foundation

Registration is open for The Pastoral Leader: Spirituality, Ethics, and Justice! This course invites ministry leaders to consider how we sustain ourselves and our communities while remaining grounded in a commitment to justice and meaningful change. Through spiritual practices, ethical reflection, and thoughtful exploration of ministry values, participants will consider how to nurture their own spiritual lives, help congregations develop rich spiritual practices, and lead with integrity and purpose. Taught by Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at Iliff School of Theology, this course offers an opportunity to engage deeply with the intersections of faith, ethics, justice, and pastoral leadership. Participants will reflect on what values they want to embody in their ministry, how those values can shape their congregations and organizations, and how to care for themselves along the way.

This course is part of the DSF Certificate Program: Pastoral Leadership in a Divided World — a one-year, 10-course online program designed to equip lay leaders, emerging ministers, pastors, and lifelong learners with practical ministry skills, theological grounding, and culturally aware leadership formation.

Why pursue the DSF Certificate Program?

Flexible, accessible learning — Study from anywhere with a three-week guided format plus a monthly Zoom conversation.

Comprehensive formation — 10 courses covering scripture, theology, church history, preaching, pastoral care, stewardship, ethics, and more.

Earn a certificate or CEUs — Complete all 10 courses for a Certificate in Pastoral Leadership, or take individual courses for Continuing Education Units.

Affordable — Individual courses are $300; the full Certificate Program is $3,000. Scholarships are available.

Whether you're discerning a call, deepening your ministry, or seeking renewal, the DSF Certificate Program meets you where you are. You can enter at any point in the year — and October is the perfect time to start.

Learn more about the Certificate Program | Questions? Email [email protected]

dsf.edu/dsf-collective

The National Benevolent Association (NBA) is now accepting applications for Incubate Partners! This program offers leaders of Disciples health and social service organizations a multi-year relationship with NBA that includes coaching, learning opportunities, and support for the leader’s ministry or organization. Interested applicants are required to connect with NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship team before beginning the application process. Applications will be accepted through November 1. Learn more here: https://www.nbacares.org/event/2027-incubate-partner/

The 2027-2028 Annual Planning Guide & Calendar is shipping now from Chalice Press. Get a jump on 18 months of planning with the calendar created specifically for Disciples.

This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for organizing your church year with clarity and confidence. Designed specifically for congregations and leaders in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), this 18-month write-in calendar runs from January 2027 through June 2028 and includes everything you need to plan worship, events, and ministry activities. Order yours today!

https://chalicepress.com/products/2027-2028-annual-planning-guide-calendar

Earlier this summer, the Colorado Rocky Mountain Region made the difficult decision to cancel its planned in-person Regional Assembly because anticipated participation was not sufficient to support the gathering they had envisioned. At that time, they also committed to finding another way for the Regional Church to gather and attend to the important business that still needs our attention.

The Regional Board is now inviting the Central Rocky Mountain Region to gather for an online Regional Assembly (via Zoom) on Saturday, November 7, from 10:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. mountain time.

This will be a focused, two-hour business Assembly. While different from the in-person gathering originally planned, it provides an important opportunity for congregations and clergy from across the five-state Region to participate in the shared governance and ministry of the Central Rocky Mountain Region.

Registration is required. Registered participants will receive the Zoom link, Assembly materials, and additional instructions prior to November 7.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXfxSp_nxqEAEGYKWeM0_zGDVLQKv0eTOdfi0sAq74fr6jmQ/viewform

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for PSWR’s two-day Regional Assembly, filled with worship celebrations and a variety of educational opportunities for all ages. Keynote guests, specific workshop topics, event scheduling, and other details will be announced closer to the event. Childcare for infants through age 5 and kids programming will be offered both days; youth programming (grades 6-12) will be offered on Saturday only.

Registration will be $50 for adults and $10 for all youth ages 5 to 18. It includes Friday and Saturday admission, dinner Friday, and lunch Saturday. In addition, there will be a continental breakfast on Saturday morning, and a closing reception Saturday afternoon. Childcare for children under 5 years old is free and guaranteed for those who register by October 11. A Saturday-only option is available for adults for $40

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE for information about becoming an exhibitor, the hotel block discount at the Fullerton Marriott, where to eat in Fullerton, kids/youth programming, and more!

https://www.disciplespswr.org/ra2026

What happens when a lifelong passion for teaching meets a long-recognized call to ministry?

Meet Ron Malone, DSF’s newest student. Born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, Ron has spent much of his life teaching, serving his community, and growing in faith. Now the pastor of First Christian Church of Alameda, Ron is pursuing an M.Div. at Pacific School of Religion after years of encouragement from mentors who saw something in him that he was still learning to recognize.

“I have come to grips with what I have known in my heart: that God had this purpose for me.”

📖 Also in this week’s DSF newsletter:
✨ Registration for the PSWR Regional Assembly
💻 An online Central Rocky Mountain Regional Assembly coming November 7
📅 The new 2027–2028 Disciples Annual Planning Guide & Calendar
🌱 Applications for the National Benevolent Association’s Incubate Partners program
📚 The DSF Collective course The Pastoral Leader: Spirituality, Ethics, and Justice
🎓 More about the DSF Certificate Program and its flexible path for ministry formation

Read this week’s newsletter and get to know Ron—and the many ways DSF and our partners are supporting people as they discern, deepen, and live into their callings.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/september-16-2026

Pacific School of Religion will host the 2026 Earl Lectures from September 25–26, marking two significant milestones: the 125th anniversary of the Earl Lectures, the longest-running public lecture series in California and the western United States, and the 25th anniversary of PSR’s Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies, the first center of its kind at a Christian seminary.

This year’s theme, “Faith Beyond Exclusion,” will bring together scholars, pastors, advocates, nonprofit leaders, and students to explore a faith rooted in inclusion, dignity, liberation, and moral courage. Taking place in the weeks leading up to consequential midterm elections, the lectures will offer a compelling religious voice in response to Christian nationalism and other distortions of faith, while proclaiming a vision of expansive belonging and justice. Register today!

https://www.psr.edu/events/earl2026/

Join the DOC September 12–18 for Disciples Mission Fund Week as we celebrate the 238th birthday of Alexander Campbell and learn more about 12 of more than 70 ministries that are already moving beyond barriers, strengthened by support for DMF. Watch this video resource to learn more and share it with your congregation on September 13. Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone, Melissa Garrett Timmons Terrell, and Sarah Lue Bostick moved beyond barriers to envision and build a more faithful future. Our gifts to DMF equip Disciples to continue the work. Inspired by Acts 1:8, we are living out the call to extend Christ’s witness across culture, geography, and generations.

Learn more about DMF Week here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53EA5rogT1w&feature=youtu.be

What does it mean to move beyond systems and policies toward healing, belonging, and collective responsibility?

Meet Emily Diem Tran, DSF’s new student, whose journey from nursing and community organizing to public service and advocacy has led to theological education at Pacific School of Religion. Drawing on Vietnamese American heritage and a deep commitment to community, Emily is asking important questions about how we rebuild trust, remain in relationship through conflict, and create communities where people can truly belong.

Also in this week’s DSF newsletter:
Registration for the Pacific Southwest Regional Assembly
Disciples Mission Fund Week, September 12–18
PSR’s 2026 Earl Lectures: Faith Beyond Exclusion
The DSF Collective course The Pastoral Leader: Spirituality, Ethics, and Justice
Why the DSF Certificate Program may be the right next step for your ministry journey

Read this week’s newsletter and get to know Emily, the many ways DSF and our partners are nurturing leaders for a changing church and world.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/september-9-2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for PSWR’s two-day Regional Assembly, filled with worship celebrations and a variety of educational opportunities for all ages. Keynote guests, specific workshop topics, event scheduling, and other details will be announced closer to the event. Childcare for infants through age 5 and kids programming will be offered both days; youth programming (grades 6-12) will be offered on Saturday only.

Registration will be $50 for adults and $10 for all youth ages 5 to 18. It includes Friday and Saturday admission, dinner Friday, and lunch Saturday. In addition, there will be a continental breakfast on Saturday morning, and a closing reception Saturday afternoon. Childcare for children under 5 years old is free and guaranteed for those who register by October 11. A Saturday-only option is available for adults for $40

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE for information about becoming an exhibitor, the hotel block discount at the Fullerton Marriott, where to eat in Fullerton, kids/youth programming, and more!

https://www.disciplespswr.org/ra2026