Congregational Year Book Reports Due March 15 (But sooner would be greatly appreciated!)
Year Book Reports from congregations covering calendar year 2015 are due by March 15, covering a few details about membership and finances. This will make sure that your congregation is included in the 2016 Year Book & Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that is filed with the IRS each year to list those congregations that are covered under the group exemption of the denomination. Your church office should receive a post card soon with your congregation's PIN and Serial Number so that you can report online by going to disciples.org/yearbook/ and clicking on the link in the middle of the page for "Congregational Reporting Login" when it becomes active; you may save the information you have entered, and return to the form later to complete it, if you need to find other information.
Sample forms in English and Spanish, as well as instructions, are available at ccsw.org/information-and-links/ in the third section of the page. Contact Bonnie Schuler in the Southwest Region office at 817-926-4687 or ccsw@ccsw.org for 1) your congregation's PIN and Serial Number if the postcard didn't make it yet to the person who needs it, 2) a paper copy of the form mailed to you, or 3) assistance in completing the form (helps to have your year-end financial information and tally of membership and attendance information).
Reminder to Ministers
Ministers who intend to renew their standing should complete the 2016 Request for Standing Form this month, if not completed by the end of 2015. Do this online (preferred) or by printing a PDF and sending that in to the Southwest Region office by email at ccsw@ccsw.org or U.S. mail to the address listed below. If you need a paper copy mailed to you or need assistance, call Bonnie Schuler at 817-926-4687.
We now have posted at ccsw.org/information-and-links PDFs of the Request for Standing Form and CCSW Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy in both English and Spanish. The website also has links to "Theological Foundations and Policies and Criteria for the Ordering of Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)" in four languages.
Healthy Boundaries Training Registration
You may now register for the Healthy Boundaries Training scheduled Monday, February 15, at 10 am at University Christian Church in Fort Worth. For those attending Ministers Week that begins that afternoon, you may choose to come in early to complete this training. Registration is $50, whether online or by PDF/paper copy. Contact the Regional Office at ccsw@ccsw.org or 817-926-4687 for details.
We will post further training opportunities on the Regional website calendar so check there for updates. Currently, we have another training scheduled Saturday, April 16, at 9:30 am at Rolling Oaks Christian Church in San Antonio.
Southwest Region: Save the Date!
January 22-23 - (Fri-Sat) - Regional Council
January 25-27 (Mon-Wed) - Regional Committee on Ministry at University Christian Church in Fort Worth
February 15 (Mon) - Healthy Boundaries for Clergy, University Christian Church in Fort Worth
February 15-18 (Mon-Thurs) - Brite Divinity School Ministers Week 2016
February 18 (Thurs) - Documentation deadline for candidates wishing to be considered for an April interview with Regional Committee on Ministry
April 16 (Sat) - Healthy Boundaries for Clergy, Rolling Oaks Christian Church in San Antonio
April 18-20 (Mon-Wed) - Regional Committee on Ministry at University Christian Church in Fort Worth
April 20-21 (Wed-Thurs) - Area Committee on Ministry Chairs' Meeting at University Christian Church in Fort Worth
July 19 (Tuesday) - Documentation deadline for candidates wishing to be considered for a September interview with Regional Committee on Ministry
September 19-21 (Mon-Wed) - Regional Committee on Ministry at University Christian Church in Fort Worth
November 23 (Wed) - Documentation deadline for candidates wishing to be considered for a January interview with Regional Committee on Ministry
