The 2017 General Assembly Program & Business Docket

By Sharon Watkins

The Program and Business Docket for the 2017 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), July 8-12, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana. This document includes the schedule, program information, worship orders and music, education tracks, and business session information (including full resolutions).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chalice Press
• Release date: Jun 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9780827212886

Sharon Watkins

Sharon Watkins is the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Book preview

GA-1738

MISSION IMPERATIVE

Our Values

The confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, son of the Living God, and our Savior

The open, inclusive Lord’s Supper, God’s Table

The call to ministry that is on every Disciple

The love of unity that God gives us

The practice of the justice of God

Mission Imperative

Adopted July 2000

In our quest to embody Christian unity, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we believe God calls us

Our Vision

To be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice. (Micah 6:8)

Our Mission

To be and share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Our Imperative

To strengthen congregational life for this mission. (Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16)

Our Covenant

In accepting our vision, mission and imperative, we affirm our need to Be a pro-reconciliation/anti-racist Church

Strengthen relationships among all expressions of the Church

Share mutually and more fully the stewardship of God’s gifts of our life in Christ

Encourage our growing diversity within our Church family and communities

Work with our ecumenical and global partners to heal the brokenness of the body of Christ and the human community.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPONSORS

to our sponsors for the 2017 General Assembly!

ELECTED LEADERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

General Minister and President

Sharon E. Watkins

Tony Rodriguez

Moderator

Tom Perring

First Vice Moderator

Mary Lou Kegler

Second Vice Moderator

Sue Morris

Moderator Elect

‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.’

—John 17:20-21a

Dear friends -

Jesus prayed a prayer for us in such a time as this. He knew his followers would need strength and passion to carry on the work ahead in a fragmented world. Disciples have long been focused on the benefits of being diverse in opinion but united as ONE in Christ at the Lord’s Table in order to go out in God’s mission.

The 2017 General Assembly will give us the opportunity to show what we are made of! We will be meeting as ONE to focus on Mission First! We will be worshiping as ONE as we call our next leaders, including the election of a new General Minister and President. We will be ONE learning community as we strive to open ourselves to God’s call for this time in our respective communities and explore that call through the lenses of stewardship, justice, worship and transformation.

The General Assembly offers a unique opportunity to show the world the Word dwelling among us so that they may see there is a way to be ONE people of God, united in mission but not uniform.

I look forward to seeing you one more time as General Minister and President, and I have great hope for the future. We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world that needs the love of God so very much. Our welcoming ways and focus on being ONE at the table of the Lord are essential to the healing of God’s people.

See you in Indy!

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

Working Stations

Kevin Robbins, Vice Chair

Jim Schmidt, Chair - Information Services

Dean Jessup, Chair - Local Transportation

Roger Barksdale, Chair - Visitor Services

Orion Bell, Chair - Special Needs

Special Skills

Diane Zehr, Vice Chair

Brooks Barrick, Chair - Local Area Missions

Melissa Molter Klenischmidt, Chair - Preschool Education

Diane Spleth, Chair - School Age Children’s Program

Specialized Service

Shareatha Marshall, Vice Chair

Dick and Sharon Henderson, Co-Chairs -

Guest Reception

Paul Hartig, Chair - Chapel

Preston T. Adams, Chair - Pulpit Supply

Chairperson

Local Arrangements Committee

Dale Pellman

Indianapolis, Indiana

Specialized Connecting

Local Arrangements

Committee Dale Pellman

Specialized Connecting

Denise Rogers, Vice Chair

Gale Stutz, Chair - Green Room

Beth Crouch, Chair - Pre-Registration & Communication

Allison Ruari, Chair - Ushers

Carol & Jim Holzman, Co-Chairs -

Communion,

Offering & Diaconate

Treasurer

Richard Cohee

Secretary

Amelia Walker

2017 PLANNING TEAMS, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF

Special thanks to the Moderators, General Ministry Partners, volunteers and the OGMP staff for working together collegially to managing the logistics, program, volunteers — and every aspect of the 2017 General Assembly.

General Assembly Officers

Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, Indianapolis, IN

Anthony (Tony) Rodriguez, Moderator, General Assembly, Coral Gables, FL

Thomas Perring, First Vice Moderator, General Assembly, Riverside, CA

Mary Lou Kegler, Second Vice Moderator, General Assembly, Kansas City, MO

Sue Morris, Moderator-Elect, General Assembly, Omaha, NE

William Bailey, Parliamentarian, Fullerton, CA

General Assembly & Office of the General Minister and President Staff

Douglass Anne Cartwright, Worship Coordinator

Sharon Coleman, Vice President for Operations and General Assembly Manager

Conchita Delgado, Spanish Translation Team Coordinator

Gary Duncan, Plenary Hall Decorator

Ruth Fletcher, Education Coordinator

John Goebel, Vice President for Finance

Chandra Haskett, Registration Manager

Timothy James, Associate General Minister; Administrative Secretary, National Convocation

Suzanne McKay, Registration and Communication Ministries Assistant

John Ray, Music Director

Alison Ruari, Usher Coordinator

Trayce Stewart, Youth Coordinator

Elizabeth Sullivan, Resolution Manager, GMP Executive Assistant

Olivia Bryan Updegrove, Plenary Family Area Coordinator

Cherilyn Williams, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication

Gwen Woodard, Director of Accounting

Planning Committee

Preston Adams, Amazing Grace Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Jackson Cobb, Spirit of Joy Christian Church, Eagan, MN

Gary Duncan*, St. Andrew Christian Church, Kansas City, MO

Kate Epperly, Christian Union Church, Centerville, MA

Chris Higgins*, Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Sarah Himaya, Hillcrest Christian Church, Toronto, ON

Timothy James*, Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Francisco Lendor, Heritage Christian Church, Silver Springs, MD

Dana Lobaugh, First Christian Church - Arlington, Fort Worth, TX

Jaclyn Oden-Peace, First Christian Church - Pasadena, Houston, TX

Cathy Perring, First Christian Church - Orange, Riverside, CA

Tom Perring*, First Christian Church - Orange, Riverside, CA

Soriliz Ramos, Casa de Refugio, West Covina, CA

John Ray, Jr.*, Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Rick Spleth, Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Trayce Stewart, Second Chance Christian Church, Columbus, OH

Sharon Watkins*, Central Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Khalia Williams*, Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Production Team

Douglass Anne Cartwright, Worship Coordinator; Albany, OR

Tonee Jordan, Stage Manager, Claremont, CA

Initial Production Group, Arvada, CO

Learning Community Team Leaders

Bruce Barkhauer, Stewardship, Jeffersonville, IN

Ruth Fletcher, Education Coordinator, Great Falls, MT

Rebecca Hale, Justice, Nashville, TN

John Malget, Worship, Oklahoma City, OK

Jean Halligan Vandergriff, Transformation, Boston, MA

Learning Community Core Lecturers

Yvonne Gilmore, Disciples Divinity House, Chicago, IL

Sandhya Jha, Oakland Peace Center, Oakland, CA

Eric Law, Kaleidoscope Institute, Los Angeles, CA

Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio, Truckee, CA

Pre-assembly Bible Study Volunteer Authors

Rev. Jose Francisco Morales Jr., Disciples Seminary Foundation, Claremont, CA

Dr. Sharon Jacob, Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, OK

Dr. Kristine A. Culp, Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago, IL

Dr. Timothy S. Lee, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX

Dr. Delores Carpenter, Howard University, Washington, DC

Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Chicago Theological Seminary, IL

Dr. Warren Carter, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX

Dr. Mark Miller-McLemore, Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN

Youth Planning Team

Jay Deskins, Indianapolis, IN

Fiyori Kidane, Indianapolis, IN

Anthony Cobb, Indianapolis, IN

Heather Hicks, Columbus, OH

Trayce Stewart, Columbus, OH

Randy Kuss, Indianapolis, IN

Maggie Archibald, Indianapolis, IN

General Youth Council

Madeline Berry, Fort Worth, Texas

Jessica Braxton, Grifton, NC

Monet Brown, Nashville, TN

Mollie Browne, San Diego, CA

Jeff Champeau, Norman, OK

Blake Coe, Kerrville, TX

Brett Coe, Kerrville, TX

Emily Huxtable, Virden, IL

Heather Rodenberg, Bethany, WV

Kathryn Summers, Moderator, Mt. Carmel, IL

* Indicates a member of the Worship Committee

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams

President of the Pension Fund

Member of Allisonville Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Denise Bell

Regional Minister in The Christian Church in Georgia

Member of Ray of Hope Christian Church (Decatur, GA)

Jessica Braxton

General Youth Council

Ayden Christian Church (Ayden, NC)

Henry Brewer-Calvert

Master of Divinity Student at Brite Divinity School ‘20 (Fort Worth, Texas)

Former Global Ministries Intern with Caminante

Proyecto Educativo (Boca Chica, Dominican Republic)

Member of First Christian Church of Decatur (Decatur, Georgia)

Mollie Browne

General Youth Council

Member of University Christian Church (San Diego, CA)

Blake Coe

General Youth Council

Member of First Christian Church (Kerrville, TX)

Jackie Compton Bunch

Member of Woodland Christian Church (Columbus, Ohio)

Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico

General Secretary of the Cuban Council of Churches

Rev. Dr. Jen Garbin

Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada

Pastor, Sugarbrush Christian Church (Guelph, Ontario, Canada)

Rev. Dr. David Hampton

Deputy Mayor (Indianapolis, IN)

Pastor, Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Danielle Hartman

Minister of Music, Central Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Dr. Timothy M. James

Administrative Secretary, National Convocation

Associate General Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Member of Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Ms. Ebun James-DeKam

General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leon

Rev. April G. Johnson

Executive Director, Reconciliation Ministry

Member of Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Clarence Johnson

Pastor, Molls Grove Christian Church (Oakland, CA)

Dr. Joe R. Jones

Father of Serene Jones

Member of Southern Hills Christian Church (Edmond, OK)

Rev. Dr. Serene Jones

President, Union Theological Seminary, NYC

Member of The Riverside Church (New York, NY)

Rev. Belva Brown Jordan

Moderator-Elect

Associate Dean Claremont School of Theology and

Dean Disciples Seminary Foundation

Member of Downey Memorial Christian Church (Downey, CA)

Jayden Jordan

Member of Downey Memorial Christian Church (Downey, CA)

Joanne Kagiwada

Member of Buena Vista United Methodist Church (Alameda, CA)

Rev. Mary Lou Kegler

2nd Vice Moderator

Member of Swope Parkway United Christian Church (Kansas City, MO)

Rev. Chung Seong Kim

Interim Executive Pastor of NAPAD

Member of Bethel Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Virzola Law

Pastor, Lindenwood Christian Church (Memphis, TN)

Dr. Timothy S. Lee

2nd Vice Moderator-Elect

Associate Professor of the History of Christianity and Director of Asian (Korean) Church Studies,

    Brite Divinity School (Texas Christian University)

Member of University Christian Church, Fort Worth, TX

Cristian Marin

2016 Xplor Resident, National Benevolent Association

Student, Eureka College (Eureka, IL)

Member of East Whittier Christian Church (Whittier, CA)

Rev. Dr. William N. Blue Eagle McCutchen, Chickasaw

Pastor Blue Eagle Wellbriety Ministries

Member of South Grand Lake Christian Church (Langley, OK)

Rev. José Francisco Morales Jr.

Director of Pastoral Formation, Disciples Seminary Foundation

Member of Downey Memorial Christian Church (Downey, CA)

Andra Moran

Member of Woodmont Christian Church (Nashville, TN)

Susan Morris

Moderator-Elect

Member of First Christian Church (Omaha, NE)

Rev. Vy Nguyen

Executive Director, Week of Compassion

Member of First Christian Church (Oakland, CA)

Rev. Chesla T. Nickelson

Program Director and Merger Staff, Disciples Women

Member of Levi’s Table Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Jaclyn Oden-Peace

Member of Mission Council

Member of First Christian Church of Pasadena (Pasadena, TX)

Patricia Pendleton

President, National Convocation

Cathy Perring

Children Worship & Wonder Trainer

Member of First Christian Church (Orange, CA)

Dr. Tom Perring

First Vice Moderator

Member of Orange First Christian Church (Orange, California)

Rev. Laura Phillips

Associate Pastor, Overland Park Christian Church (Overland Park, KS)

John Ray, Jr.

General Assembly Music Director

Worship & Arts Minister, Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Drake Rand

Member of Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Jae Young Rhee

Pastor, Ghent Christian Church (Akron, OH)

Heather Rodenberg

General Youth Council

Member of Bethany Memorial Christian Church (Bethany, WV)

Tony Rodriguez

Moderator

Member of Central Christian Church (Coral Gables, Florida)

Shanay Scott

Young Life College Director, Temple University

Member of University Christian Church (Hyattsville, MD)

Rev. Richard L. Spleth

Regional Minister, Christian Church in Indiana

Member of Allisonville Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Dr. Marti J. Steussy

MacAllister-Petticrew Professor Emerita of Biblical

Interpretation, Christian Theological Seminary

Kate Summers

Moderator, General Youth Council

Member of First Christian Church (Mt. Carmel, IL)

Rev. Lori Tapia

National Hispanic Pastor

Member of Iglesia Alas de Salvación (Chandler, AZ)

Stella Trullinger

Member of Speedway Christian Church (Speedway, IN)

Debbie Turbin

Member of Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Tevita Lilo Faungaofe Uesi

Minister for Spiritual Life and Worship

Downey Memorial Christian Church (Downey, CA)

Rev. Beau Underwood

1st Vice Moderator-Elect

Senior Minister, First Christian Church (Jefferson City, MO)

Rev. Jessica Vacketta

Associate Minister, University Christian Church (Fort Worth, TX)

Rev. Dr. David A. Vargas

President Emeritus, Division of Overseas Ministries.

Member of Casa del Alfarero Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rev. Ruth Chavez Wallace

Vice President for Development, Pension Fund

Member of First Christian Church, Little Rock, AR

Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins

General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Member of Central Christian Church (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Jordan J.D. White

Helm Leadership Fellow, Higher Education and

Leadership Ministries, right now I Intern, Kentucky Council of Churches

Member of East Second Street Christian Church (Lexington, Kentucky)

Audreona Williams

Member of New Covenant Christian Church (Nashville, TN)

Rev. Khalia J. Williams, Ph.D.

Associate Minister, Providence Missionary Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA)

Jasmin Williams

Preschool Teacher, daughter of Virzola Law

Member of Lindenwood Christian Church (Memphis, TN)

Rev. Dr. Cathy Myers Wirt

Co-Regional Minister, Christian Church in Oregon and SW Idaho

Member of Murray Hills Christian Church (Beaverton, OR)

GA Worship Team

Vocalists

Jordan Applegate

Worship Leader, Pine Hills City Church (Ft. Wayne, IN)

Teresa Bates-Barcaly

Music Ministry, Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Elizabeth Clark-Ray

Music Ministry, Light Of The World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Rachel Martin-Clark

Minister of Music, The Way Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Pastor Ricky McCray

Pastor and Founder, The Way Church (Indianapolis IN)

Cheryl Wyatt

Worship Leader, St. Luke’s UMC (Indianapolis, IN)

Leah Yen

Student Pastor at Broadway United Methodist Church

(Indianapolis, IN)

Instrumentalists:

Johnny Concannon, Drums

Drummer, St. Luke’s UMC (Indianapolis, IN)

Joel Lopez, Keyboard & Drum Programming

Worship Producer, Heartland Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Nate Manning, Guitarist

Pastor of Worship Development, Heartland Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Jason Powell, Keyboard & Organ

Worship Arts Minister, Lifejourney Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Greg Squires, Bass Guitar

Praise Band, Light of The World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Curtis Warfield, Auxillary Keyboard

Band Director, Light of The World Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Fran Wyatt, Percussionist

Worship Leader, St. Luke’s UMC (Indianapolis, IN)

Sunday Praise Team Vocalists

Tevita Lilo Faungaofe Uesi

Minister for Spiritual Life and Worship

Downey Memorial Christian Church (Downey, CA)

Dr. Tom Perring

First Vice Moderator

Member of Orange First Christian Church (Orange, California)

Joey Tapia, Latin Percussion

Iglesia Alas de Salvacion (Chandler, AZ)

Worship Ensembles & Musicians

All Assembly Choir

Directed by Danielle Hartman

Association of Disciple Musicians (ADM)

Dana Lobaugh, National Council President

Hope Christian Church Praise Team

Hope Christian Church (Hammond, IN)

Sounds of Grace

Amazing Grace Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Unity Choir

Directed by John Ray, Jr.

Andra Moran

Musician, Songwriter, & Vocalist

Creative Director, The Bridge Worship at Woodmont

Christian Church (Nashville, TN)

Joey Tapia, Latin Percussion

Iglesia Alas de Salvacion (Chandler, AZ)

Fran Wyatt

Percussionist

Worship Leader, St. Luke’s UMC (Indianapolis, IN)

Association of Disciples Musicians (ADM)

Kyle Blackburn, Euphonium

Director of Children’s Music, St. James UMC (Little Rock, AR)

Herbert Buffington, Organ

Organist, Peachtree Christian Church (Atlanta, GA)

Suzanne Hatcher, Vocals

Director of Worship Music & Vocal Leader, Monticello UMC (Shawnee, KS)

Dana Lobaugh, Vocals

Minister of Music, First Christian Church (Arlington, TX)

Founding Artistic Director, MosaicSong

Jennifer Midkiff, Harp, Guitar & Vocals

Music Minister, First Christian Church of Noblesville (Noblesville, IN)

SPEAKERS

1

WORSHIP

Saturday

1 Rev. José Morales

Disciples Seminary Foundation, Claremont, CA

Sunday

Henry Brewer-Calvert, Brite Seminary, Fort Worth, TX

Rev. Dr. Jen Garbin, Disciples of Christ in Canada, Guelph, ON

Rev. Jae Young Rhee, North American Pacific/Asian Disciples, Ghent, OH

2

Monday

2 Rev. Dr. Serene Jones

Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY

3

Tuesday

3 Rev. Virzola Law

Lindenwood Christian Church, Memphis, TN

Wednesday

New General Minister and President

MONDAY’S LEARNING COMMUNITY CORE LECTURES

1

1 JUSTICE

Rev. Sandhya Jha

Oakland Peace Center

2

2 STEWARDSHIP & RESOURCES

Rev. Dr. Eric Law

Kaleidoscope Institute

3

3 WORSHIP

Dr. Marcia McFee

Worship Design Studio

4

4 TRANSFORMATIVE

LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION

Rev. Yvonne Gilmore

Disciples Divinity House, University of Chicago

CONVENTION CENTER

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

ASSEMBLY SERVICES

Information You Will Need

For onsite questions and concerns, you can go to the General Assembly Office (Room 116) or the Local Arrangements Office (Room 117).

Registration & Welcome Center

The registration booth and welcome center, located in the Indianapolis Convention Center Wabash East Lobby, will open each day throughout the Assembly during the following hours.

Recharge Chapel

The Recharge Chapel is a space for reflection, rest, and recharge.

When we say recharge, we mean it! In addition to a spiritual recharge, you will find multiple USB recharging outlets and cables available, plus soft lighting which responds to your presence. Enjoy a little quiet music and internet access, so you can answer an email, check in with family, or just update your social media with photos and comments from the General Assembly events. We know that being activity-overloaded and data-deprived can be stressful, so we offer this space to let some of that stress fall away.

Feel free to share your joys or concerns on the note pads, or on the General Assembly 2017 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/docgeneralassembly/

The Chapel is located inside the Convention Center in Room 120.

Meal Tickets

Tickets for meal functions may be secured through the online registration system. Access your registration profile with your email address and confirmation number at ga.disciples.org/registration. You will then be able to modify your registration, add your meal tickets and other GA materials, and pay for your purchase. In addition to ticketed meals, there will be affordable food options available in the food court near the Wabash Ballroom, as well as in the Circle Center Mall food court.

You will also be able to purchase meal tickets onsite at the meal tickets kiosk in the registration lobby of the Convention Center. Tickets will be available until the meal is sold out or up to one hour prior to the start of the event. The General Assembly Office does not print or mail paper tickets – all meal tickets are electronic purchases!

Water stations will be available throughout the Convention Center. Remember to keep the General Assembly environmentally friendly by bringing your water bottles and refilling them as often as you like.

Exhibit Hall

As you make your plans for General Assembly don’t forget to leave time in your schedule for several visits to the Exhibit Hall. All general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), other church-related organizations, and commercial businesses are exhibiting their goods and services during the Assembly. Visit more than 70 exhibitors to see new products; build and maintain professional contacts; meet new vendors; and learn about the many Disciples institutions of higher education. And don’t forget to stop in and recharge – your electronics, as well as yourself – in the Charging Station and Lounge located in the Exhibit hall. We encourage all our attendees to visit the Exhibit hall and support our exhibitors.

The Exhibit Hall:

• Is easily accessible.

• Showcases the latest products and services.

• Gives you the opportunity to interact with church leaders and colleagues of varying backgrounds and perspectives.

• Network with people in and out of your field.

• Join in for fun, games and even a few giveaways.

The Exhibit Hall, located in Halls D & E, will be open the following hours:

First Aid Room

The first aid station is located in the Convention Center next to Security/Dispatch outside of Hall E. Should you need assistance, any usher can direct you to the first aid station. Emergency medical technicians will staff this room at all times. Always carry identification in your purse or wallet with your full name, home address, and information about any health concerns or medications.

Message Center

A message center is located in the Registration Concourse of the Convention Center for all incoming emergency phone calls. Announcements from the floor of the Assembly will be made only in the case of extreme emergencies.

Message Center Telephone: [phone]

The General Assembly Office is in Room 116.

Check the Message Center Board frequently throughout the Assembly for messages.

Shuttle Transportation

Because all the downtown hotels are within walking distance of the Convention Center, there will be no shuttle service provided by the General Assembly. If you are not staying in a downtown property, please check with your hotel to confirm if they will provide shuttle service.

Parking

Special-rate offsite parking is available through Gate Ten Events & Parking. Gate Ten has space for more than 1,300 vehicles and offers a FLAT RATE daily parking fee, with entry and exit privileges. Overnight parking is included in the daily rate. Gate Ten provides complimentary shuttle service to downtown hotels and the Convention Center. To purchase parking passes or for more information, go to http://www.indianapolis-colts-lucasoilstadium-parking.com.

Special Accommodations

The Special Needs Kiosk in the Registration Lobby of the Indianapolis Convention Center will be available to assist those with special needs, i.e., hearing or sight-impairment, mobility assistance, assistance to the elevators, assistance to the Plenary Hall, etc.

• Medication Refrigeration – the Special Needs committee will have a refrigerator available for those who need to refrigerate medication.

• Motorized Scooters – rental/pick-up and return for motorized scooters will take place at this kiosk. To reserve your scooter, you will have to request and prepay for this option in your registration. You will receive an email message from the committee on how to make your online payment for your scooter.

• Wheelchairs - a limited supply of wheelchairs will be available at the Convention Center in the Special Accommodations booth. Please request your wheelchair in your registration profile so that the booth attendees can better accommodate you.

• Hearing Accessibility (Hearing Loops) – Wired electromagnetic loops are taped to the floor around seating section. Audio is transmitted through the wire loops and is received using a t-coil equipped receiver. Attendees with t-coil equipped hearing aids can receive an audio signal directly into their ears without requiring an extra receiver. Those without t-coil equipped hearing aids can check out a receiver and headphones.

• Hearing Accessibility (CART-Communication Access Real-time Translation) – A CART translator will type the words spoken in worship and business session and text will appear on a dedicated screen, allowing those with hearing difficulties to read what was spoken.

Please indicate your special need in the registration system in advance of your arrival, so that the committee can be prepared to assist you.

Lost and Found

The Lost and Found Kiosk will be in the Registration Lobby. It will be open during the Assembly to accept/return lost and found items.

Information Services

Information Services, located in the Registration Lobby, serves as the kiosk for facility information, special housing, RV Parks, restaurant locations, area points of interest, information for doctors and dentists, auto repair, etc., in the area.

English to Spanish Translation

Headsets for this service are available from the Translation Table near the entrance to the Plenary Hall or by asking any usher.

Voter Credentials

Obtaining your Voter Credentials

All members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who register for the General Assembly shall have all privileges of the Assembly, except voting privileges, which are limited to the following:

• Certified voting representatives from congregations;

• Certified voting representatives from regions;

• Ordained/licensed ministers with ministerial standing. (Clergy Ribbon);

• Chief administrative officers of institutions and general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);

• Members of the General Board;

• Past Moderators and Vice Moderators of the General Assembly.

The credentials Kiosk, located in the Registration Lobby of the Indianapolis Convention Center, will open on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open each day throughout the week. See registration kiosk hours for additional information.

Voter RIBBONS. A voter certification form will be available at the Credentials kiosk. Voters from the above categories should complete and sign their form and submit it to the volunteer. Once Voters are certified, they will then receive a RIBBON to apply to their name badge. Voter RIBBONS entitle voters to sit in a voters section for all business sessions of this Assembly. The General Assembly will not mail any badges or voter ribbons prior to the start of the assembly.

Clergy RIBBONS. All confirmed ordained/licensed ministers can pick up their clergy ribbon at check-in in the Registration Lobby. The General Assembly will not mail any clergy badges or ribbons prior to the start of the Assembly.

Committee on Reference and Counsel

The Administrative Committee of the General Board is the Committee on Reference and Counsel for the General Assembly. Announcement of meeting times will be made from the platform during plenary sessions. The committee will meet in the Indianapolis Convention Center in room 111.

Media Sales

GreenHill Productions will sell CDs and DVDs of designated speakers, workshops, etc. during the General Assembly. Their booth is located in the lobby area outside of room 125.

Communications and Media

Onsite: General Assembly Office / Communications Ministries Office, Room 116

e-mail: [e-mail]

News Operation

Communication Ministries staff will be co-located with the General Assembly office. The staff works with secular and religious news outlets, providing news and information about the Assembly. Secular and religious press (writers, bloggers, photographers, etc.) should contact Communication Ministries for appropriate credentials.

Assembly Reporting

A publication highlighting General Assembly events will be mailed to congregations and individual subscribers by the end of August 2017. General Assembly News orders can be placed through the registration system. The price for the publication is $8.

Speaker Manuscripts

If manuscripts are submitted by Assembly speakers, they will be posted online at www.disciples.org/ga following the Assembly.

Audio and Video Recordings

Due to copyright concerns, please do not record and post portions of worship services, learning track events, or concerts on media sharing sites without permission from Communication Ministries.

Audio and video recordings of major presentations and audio of a selection of other presentations will be available in the Convention Center lobby immediately after the presentation. Prices for items will be posted on site. The recordings are guaranteed unconditionally by Greenhill Productions, the commercial firm providing the recording service.

Amateur Photography

Photographs are permitted during Assembly; however, we ask that you limit recording and taking close-up pictures of speakers to after sessions or during the first two minutes of an address. Flash or flood lights are not permitted except for designated assembly staff. Photography during communion services and business sessions is discouraged except for designated assembly staff or media credentialed by Communication Ministries.

Announcements

Time constraints limit announcements from the Assembly platform. Check the special announcement board in the main lobby for updates. Special announcements can be delivered to the Assembly Office.

Handouts

Only material approved in advance by the Assembly Office can be distributed in the Convention Center. Items handed to participants as they enter or leave the plenary hall must be directly related to Assembly business or services and approved by the office. Contact the Assembly Office if you believe unauthorized materials are being distributed within the Convention Center.

Recording for Historical Archives

All plenary sessions, including business sessions, are recorded by the assembly production crew for historical purposes.

NURSERY, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Nursery, Toddlers and Preschoolers Care - Indiana Convention Center - Room 205-207

We welcome your children to the General Assembly. We are praying for each child that they will feel loved and have an awesome time during the Assembly.

Care will be available during the following

Program sessions:

Saturday, July 8 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm,

Sunday, July 5 from 1:30 to 5:00pm and 7pm to 9pm, and

Monday - Wednesday 8:30 am- 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Because of the rules and regulations involved with food preparation at the convention center, we are asking that parents provide an am and pm snack for their children each day and that they include them in their meal plans for lunch and dinner each day.

Nursery Care at the Assembly is available for infants 6 weeks of age through 12 months of age in a safe, caring environment. Parents should provide diapers, wipes, change of clothes, baby food, formula, etc. as needed (all items labeled with child’s name).

A Toddler’s Program will be available for children age 12 to 36 months. Toddlers and two year olds will be engaged in age-appropriate activities that includes free play, arts and crafts, music, and story time. A daily schedule will be provided for each group that includes snack time and rest time. We ask that parents provide a bag that includes the following items each day: diapers/pull-ups, wipes, a change of clothing, a blanket and a snack for each session that the child attends. Please label each item with the child’s name. Parents will be asked to provide breakfast prior to bringing the child in the morning. Parents will also be asked to pick their child up during lunch and dinner breaks.

The Preschool Program is designed for children ages 3 through 5 years. Our pre-school program will follow a Super-hero theme and age-appropriate activities will include time for music, art, story time and free-play. Children ages 3-5 years will need to bring a bag each day that contains a change of clothes, and extra underwear and a small blanket to be used during rest time. Please label each item with your child’s name. We are also asking that you send a snack for each session that your child attends. We ask that each child be provided breakfast prior to being dropped off in the morning. We are also asking that parents pick up their children during lunch and dinner breaks.

Please note: In order to provide all enrolled children with a safe, healthy and fun experience, we will not accept children into our program who are sick. Therefore, please do not bring your child/children to a session if he/she has had a fever, vomited, had diarrhea or had an infectious runny nose within the previous 24 hours of a session. If a child develops any of these symptoms during a session, we will contact parents to pick them up and they will not be allowed to rejoin the group until they have been symptom free for 24 hours.

We are excited about the General Assembly and want both you and your children to have a positive experience while you are visiting Indianapolis.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Using the Global Ministries curriculum by the same name, our theme will be Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome! Exploring the Holy Land.

We will explore life in the Holy Land through Bible stories, letters from children who live there today, activities, games, songs, crafts, and stories on Sunday afternoon and each morning, Monday through Wednesday.

Lunch and field trips or activities outside the convention center will fill each afternoon; field trip locations will be announced soon.

The schedule as planned:

• Saturday — 3:45 to 4:45 pm Open House for Children and Parents

• Sunday — 2-5 pm

• Monday — 8:30 am to 5 pm

• Tuesday — 8:30 am to 5 pm

• Wednesday — 8:30 am to 5 pm

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the school age children will be in the Convention Center from 8:30 to noon, then will leave for lunch and field trip/activity, and will return to their room for pick up by 5 pm.

YOUTH SCHEDULE

Our dedicated youth activity planners have this schedule sketched out for the Chi Rho youth - those who are entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the fall. Parents are encouraged to take their Chi Rho youth with them to worship each evening. There are no activities scheduled for Sunday.

Mission project

Chi Rho youth will be making no-sew blankets, blessing them, and then forwarding them to be distributed locally to a children’s hospital accompanied by a prayer card. Monetary donations can be forwarded to Disciples Home Missions, Youth/Young Adult GA Mission Project, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

CYF SCHEDULE

This schedule is for young people entering 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade. This spring’s high school graduates may attend the CYF or young adult events.

LOCAL MISSION

Inside the Convention Center Habitat for Humanity Panel Build

• Disciples will actually build a home or at least the frame of a home inside the Convention Center Hall A which will then be hauled to a location for construction. Those desiring to stick around Indy for a longer period could help with the onsite construction as well.

• Must be 16 years old or older

• No materials or tools needed as Habitat will furnish all

• Approximately 130 volunteers divided into several shifts

• Work scheduled for Tuesday, July 11.

• Set up crew – 7-7:30 am

• Panel build check in – 7-11 am

• Nail captain – 7:15 am until complete

• Panel build crew, Shift 1 – 7:30-9:30 am

• Panel build crew, Shift 2 – 9-11 am

• Panel build crew, Shift 3 – 10:30 am-12:30 pm

Peyton Manning Children Hospital Project

• Making hero capes for children and parents in the NICU and PICU units

• No age limit but supervision for younger volunteers

• This project will be an ongoing project during the General Assembly near Hall A in the Mission Area

Crop Drop, a partnership with the Society of St. Andrews

• Sort and bag produce which will be shared with Gleaners Food Bank. There will be about 40,000 pounds of produce.

• Monday, July 10 from 8:00 a.m. to noon

Indiana Blood Center

• Monday, July 10, and Tuesday, July 11, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

• Please note: Donors will need a picture ID, make sure to have eaten and hydrated before donation. If you have questions about eligibility to donate, call the Indiana Blood Center at [phone] and speak to a Donor Specialist.

• All ages welcomed but a release is necessary for minors.

• Walk-ups welcome

Knitting

Volunteers will be knitting hats Monday - Wednesday. Check back for further updates on recipients, times and more.

Bread for the World Advocacy Project Send a handwritten letter to congressional representatives about hunger issues. Stationery and examples will be available. More details to come.

Contributions sought

The Young Adult Commission invites all as we come together as Disciples to worship and share fellowship to minister to the large homeless population right outside the doors of our sanctuary. In order to be the hands and feet of Jesus, the YAC will collect supplies to fill backpacks for the homeless. In partnership with the Wheeler Mission, YAC asks you to bring the following items to fill the backpacks: (The backpacks are already in place so none are needed to complete these gifts.)

• Underwear, t-shirts and pajamas, sizes S – 4X (Can be gently used)

• Toiletries, esp. deodorant

• Chucks (disposable, waterproof bed pads)

• Ibuprofen, Tylenol, analgesics (Must be sealed in original container)

• Baby wipes

• Bath towels and wash cloths

• Socks

• Paper napkins, paper towels, paper plates, disposable tableware

• Ethnic hair care products

These products are most needed at the current time. Any items listed will help us support those experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis.

Outside the Convention Center Gleaners Food Bank

• The major food bank for Indiana

• All minors must be supervised

• Various tasks

• Monday, July 10, with 2 shifts.

• 1st shift from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• 2nd shift from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (50 to 75 people per shift)

Growing Places Indy

• Community Gardening

• All ages welcomed. Minors must have supervision

• No tools or equipment needed as all will be furnished

• Various tasks from painting to harvesting to weeding plus education about sustainable agriculture

Cost per volunteer

1. There is NO direct cost to volunteer as the committee has resourced to provide the cost of doing the project that need funding.

2. Mission Servant T-shirts are $10.00.

For more information or if you have question please contact: Rev. Brooks Barrick, Chair of the Local Mission Committee at [e-mail] | 317-847-1695

EXHIBITOR LISTING