Disciples Home Missions

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S.E.L.F. 2.0 Intergenerational Curriculum

May 6, 2026
Our Social-Emotional Learning and Faith Formation Curriculum for youth has a new intergenerational sibling. Yes, S.E.L.F. 2.0 is here and available for download! The new discussions and activities will make for a strong season of engagement with all ages.

S.E.L.F. 2.0 Intergenerational Curriculum

by Curtis Dixon

Our Social-Emotional Learning and Faith Formation Curriculum for youth has a new intergenerational sibling. Yes, S.E.L.F. 2.0 is here and available for download! The new discussions and activities will make for a strong season of engagement with all ages.

C.A.R.E. Camp Counselor Orientation

May 6, 2026
The C.A.R.E. Design Team is proud to present a virtual Camp Counselor Orientation, available to all regional leaders and VBS coordinators. This comprehensive training equips counselors with essential knowledge and skills across four key areas: Safety, Belonging, Theology 101, and Cultural Competency. We invite you to take advantage of this valuable professional development opportunity designed […]

C.A.R.E. Camp Counselor Orientation

by Curtis Dixon

The C.A.R.E. Design Team is proud to present a virtual Camp Counselor Orientation, available to all regional leaders and VBS coordinators. This comprehensive training equips counselors with essential knowledge and skills across four key areas: Safety, Belonging, Theology 101, and Cultural Competency. We invite you to take advantage of this valuable professional development opportunity designed to strengthen and support your camp ministry.

Disciples Advocate Email Edition for April 2026 is now available!

Apr 8, 2026
The April Disciples Advocate Email Edition begins with a lead article from Rev. Ryan Cullumber of Harbor Christian Church and Living Coast Ministry. Then it continues with an announcement about Ecumenical Advocacy Days, links and articles from ministry partners, invitations to upcoming justice events, advocacy toolkits to support your work, and a special word about the weekly videos from Disciples Advocate Digest.

Disciples Advocate Email Edition for April 2026 is now available!

by Brian Frederick-Gray

🔗 https://conta.cc/4bUrBN2

The April Disciples Advocate Email Edition begins with a lead article from Rev. Ryan Cullumber of Harbor Christian Church and Living Coast Ministry. Then it continues with an announcement about Ecumenical Advocacy Days, links and articles from ministry partners, invitations to upcoming justice events, advocacy toolkits to support your work, and a special word about the weekly videos from Disciples Advocate Digest. Check it out and spread the word!

🌎 Learn More: disciplesadvocate.org

👍 Join Disciples Advocate: discipleshomemissions.org/disciples-advocate/join/

📺 Watch the Disciples Advocate video content: youtube.com/@DisciplesAdvocate

🤝 Share Something with Us: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/disciples-advocate/share-something/

“One Long Story” – DHM 2026 Lenten Resource

Feb 16, 2026
Our DHM 2026 Lenten Resource is now available. “One Long Story” is concise in offering your study groups weekly meditations from historical faith leaders, four reflective readings with discussion questions, and a few songs to accompany the season.

“One Long Story” – DHM 2026 Lenten Resource

by Curtis Dixon

Our DHM 2026 Lenten Resource is now available. “One Long Story” is concise in offering your study groups weekly meditations from historical faith leaders, four reflective readings with discussion questions, and a few songs to accompany the season.

Week of Laity 2026

Jan 12, 2026
Week of Laity 2026, themed Building Belonging, honors the faithful service of lay leaders whose gifts, care, and commitment strengthen the church and community. Together, we reflect, serve, and affirm that what laity do truly matters.

Week of Laity 2026

by Curtis Dixon

Week of Laity 2026, themed Building Belonging, honors the faithful service of lay leaders whose gifts, care, and commitment strengthen the church and community. Together, we reflect, serve, and affirm that what laity do truly matters.

Conversation Café – Research Strategies to Learn About Your Immediate Community

Jan 2, 2026
During this Conversation Café Webinar on Research Strategies to Learn About Your Immediate Community, participants will receive tips and methods for exploring and understanding a congregation’s local environment. In this session, attendees will examine research techniques such as ethnography, community demographic analysis, and asset-based research to identify ministry opportunities and increase the congregation’s relevance. Participants will also […]

Conversation Café – Research Strategies to Learn About Your Immediate Community

by Curtis Dixon

During this Conversation Café Webinar on Research Strategies to Learn About Your Immediate Community, participants will receive tips and methods for exploring and understanding a congregation’s local environment. In this session, attendees will examine research techniques such as ethnography, community demographic analysis, and asset-based research to identify ministry opportunities and increase the congregation’s relevance. Participants will also gain access to a resource that pastors, lay leaders, and members can use for ongoing self-reflection, bible study, community engagement, and more.

Community Engagement: Research Methods and Strategies for Local Congregations

Dec 19, 2025
This new resource offers congregations, pastors, and lay leaders tips and tools to understand the importance of engaging their local context. Recommended research methods, strategies, reflective questions, a bible study lesson, and more are provided to help congregations become more effective witnesses, neighbors, partners, and advocates for social change. In addition, this resource will help […]

Community Engagement: Research Methods and Strategies for Local Congregations

by Derrick Perkins

This new resource offers congregations, pastors, and lay leaders tips and tools to understand the importance of engaging their local context. Recommended research methods, strategies, reflective questions, a bible study lesson, and more are provided to help congregations become more effective witnesses, neighbors, partners, and advocates for social change. In addition, this resource will help congregations reflect on their identity, strengths, and capacity, assess their relevance to their community, and identify new ministry opportunities. Download the resource and gather a team to reflect on what God is calling your church to do today to engage your local context.  

December 2025 Refugee and Immigration Resource List

Dec 18, 2025
Includes news updates, theological reflections, toolkits, advocacy guides, and explainer articles to keep you informed on refugee and immigration issues.

December 2025 Refugee and Immigration Resource List

by Brian Frederick-Gray

Seeking to be a source of trusted information/resources for local congregations, Regions, and ministry partners, Justice & Advocacy Ministries offers the following curated list of
toolkits, articles, and action items about refugee and immigration ministries.

In the News: Updates on Important Stories

Viral Warnings of Planned ICE Raids on Churches have Pastors Worried  
Reporting from the Religion News Service shares that viral reports and online rumors about potential ICE raids on churches have faith leaders worried about their congregations. The Dept of Homeland Security says it does not have plans to raid churches — but will not rule it out.

After the Blitz: What Our Chicago Neighbors are Facing in ICE Detention
This report from the National Immigrant Justice Center provides a snapshot of where people have been taken and the conditions they are facing after being abducted by ICE agents during recent raids in Chicago. Through exhaustive research and first person testimonials it chronicles inhuman detention conditions and due process violations and then concludes with a call to action to defend our neighbors.     

US Immigration Courts at a Crisis Point
The Migration Policy Institute recorded a webinar discussing their latest policy brief, “Breaking the Cycle of Dysfunction at the US Immigration Courts” that offers evidence-based analysis, deep dialogue, and pragmatic policy solutions that could transform the process.  

Faith Voices: Theological Reflections on Current Events

Clergy are Essential to Resistance Against ICE, Chicago Pastor Says
From our friends at Bapist News Global: “The visibility and voice of clergy are indispensable to the protest movement forming against President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration tactics,” said Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, a Chicago-area pastor recently arrested outside a federal detention center.

The Love Your Neighbor Prayer Book
Beautifully written and illustrated by Sergio Cortes, this downloadable PDF prayer book contains seven daily prayers with specific words for immigrants and for allies. This prayer book was created in recognition that the present situation is darker for the immigrant community in ways we haven’t seen before. Real harm is being done. We can no longer turn a blind eye.

Visitation Ministry Offers Compassion to those Impacted by Immigration Detention  
Our friends at Presbyterian Disaster Assistance recently highlighted the migration ministry
El Refugio in Georgia. The ministry combats the isolation and dehumanization of immigration detention by providing hospitality, visitation, support, and advocacy.

Faith in Action: Toolkits and Advocacy Guides

WoC & Obra Hispana: Operation Cacti: Compassion Care Project
A partnership of Obra Hispana and Week of Compassion, Operation Cacti is an educational and biblical resource designed for families, pastors, and churches being directly affected by the current immigration policies and for those who seek to be in solidarity with them.

CWS: Take Action to Stop Collective Punishment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Use this tool from Church World Service to easily reach out to your members of US Congress and urge them to oppose the dehumanizing, xenophobic policies of the administration that target individuals only because of the country they were born.  

RCUSA Talking Points: Rapid Response Messaging to the USCIS Memo Ordering the Review and Re-Interview of All Biden-Era Refugee Arrivals
In response to the recent US Citizenship and Immigration Services memo that ordered a “review and re-interview” of all refugees who entered via the US Refugee Admissions Program during the Biden administration, Refugee Council USA created this rapid response guide.

Congregational Toolkit: Supporting Immigrants and Welcoming Strangers
The North Carolina Council of Churches designed this toolkit to equip faith leaders and congregations with practical resources to respond to the current immigration enforcement landscape. It provides talking points, worship materials, a congregational litany, Scripture references, and actionable steps your community can take to support immigrant neighbors.

In the Know: Explainer Articles from Trusted Partners

GlobalRefuge.org: Understanding the Expansion of the Sweeping Travel Ban
Global Refuge strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to dramatically expand its travel ban, escalating a policy first announced in June that already restricted entry for nationals from 19 countries. The new proclamation broadens those restrictions to 39 countries worldwide, further limiting lawful travel and migration through a sweeping mix of full and partial entry bans.

RefugeeRights.org: Explainer on New Trump Admin Policies Impacting Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Afghan Nationals, and Immigrants from Travel Ban Countries
This downloadable resource from the International Refugee Assistance Project lists each of the policies from the Trump Administration and answers questions about their general impact.

Additional Resources from Disciples Home Missions and our Partners

Sign-up for Disciples Advocate to connect, share, and stay informed on justice issues.

Sign-up for Church World Service’s Daily “State of Play” Email Updates to stay informed.

Download the Advocacy App 5 Calls: Connect with Your US Congressional Representatives.

DHM & WoC Video: A Conversation on Refugee & Immigration Issues

Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel Video: What Your Church Should Know

Discover the Full List of Refugee & Immigration Resources @ DHM’s Website

DJAN & DC4PW Resource: Narrative, Memory, and Resistance

Know Your Rights: In Your Home, on Judicial vs. Administrative Warrants, and with ICE Protocols and Policies for Churches

Follow Justice & Advocacy Ministries @ DHM:
Web | Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | Threads

Silver Chalice Ministry Churches

Dec 10, 2025
Churches who have earned the Silver Chalice designation and those working toward earning their designation.

Silver Chalice Ministry Churches

by Curtis Dixon

Churches who have earned the Silver Chalice designation and those working toward earning their designation.

Visiting At-Home Members

Dec 7, 2025
Tips for pairing volunteers with an at-home member, and discovering the benefits to health and well-being.

Visiting At-Home Members

by Curtis Dixon

Tips for pairing volunteers with an at-home member, and discovering the benefits to health and well-being.

Capturing Life Stories

Dec 7, 2025
This webinar presents the importance of life story telling, and ways to start life story groups, offering several ideas and models. 

Capturing Life Stories

by Curtis Dixon

This webinar presents the importance of life story telling, and ways to start life story groups, offering several ideas and models. 

“Our Visible Homage” Advent 2025 Reflections

Nov 5, 2025
Our 2025 Advent Reflections, Worship Litany, Prayers and Meditations are here! Join Tyler Araki, Melissa Frantz, David Giron, Scott Hardin-Nieri, Julie Richardson, Erma Sinclair, and Monique Crain Spells in time with Jesus and the Magi. Download and share!

“Our Visible Homage” Advent 2025 Reflections

by Curtis Dixon

Our 2025 Advent Reflections, Worship Litany, Prayers and Meditations are here! Join Tyler Araki, Melissa Frantz, David Giron, Scott Hardin-Nieri, Julie Richardson, Erma Sinclair, and Monique Crain Spells in time with Jesus and the Magi. Download and share!

Mission, Vision and Value: Sharing Your Congregational Identity Through Your Guiding Statements

Oct 15, 2025
This resource is designed to assist clergy, lay leaders, church staff, affinity groups, and more in creating or reflecting on their congregational identity through their guiding statements and images. In addition, this resource offers a Bible study lesson, reflective questions, and more that can help congregants study and reflect on the foundational questions of who […]

Mission, Vision and Value: Sharing Your Congregational Identity Through Your Guiding Statements

by Derrick Perkins

This resource is designed to assist clergy, lay leaders, church staff, affinity groups, and more in creating or reflecting on their congregational identity through their guiding statements and images. In addition, this resource offers a Bible study lesson, reflective questions, and more that can help congregants study and reflect on the foundational questions of who God is calling them to be and do in their local context. Grab some coffee, snacks, and invite a few folks from your community of faith or surrounding neighborhood for a conversation that can be life-changing your ministry or the organization or institution you care deeply about.

C.A.R.E. Flyer

Oct 15, 2025
Want to share an informative flyer about DHM’s C.A.R.E. team? Here is a front and back one-pager flyer that you can download to share with your congregation, small group, or anyone interested in the C.A.R.E. ministry.

C.A.R.E. Flyer

by Dawn Barnes

Want to share an informative flyer about DHM’s C.A.R.E. team? Here is a front and back one-pager flyer that you can download to share with your congregation, small group, or anyone interested in the C.A.R.E. ministry.

Pathway to Blessing – Ancient Ancestors

Oct 7, 2025
Pathway to Blessing is a three-part series designed to help men explore what it means to live faithfully, authentically, and courageously in today’s world. Each eight-session study creates a safe space for honest conversation, reflection, and spiritual practice rooted in Scripture. The studies can be adapted for local congregations, online groups, or cohort opportunities. These […]

Pathway to Blessing – Ancient Ancestors

by Alex Ruth

Pathway to Blessing is a three-part series designed to help men explore what it means to live faithfully, authentically, and courageously in today’s world. Each eight-session study creates a safe space for honest conversation, reflection, and spiritual practice rooted in Scripture. The studies can be adapted for local congregations, online groups, or cohort opportunities. These studies enable men to connect their faith to life, live in community across generations, and take concrete steps to bless others.

Each volume contains a leader’s guide, weekly discussion prompts, spiritual practices, and “outside-the-walls” actions, because true discipleship happens beyond the meeting time.

Foundational Ancestors: Stories that ground our faith, identity, and purpose:
The first set of studies in the series guides men through a study of eight formative figures, from the first breath of Adam to Joseph’s far-reaching vision. Each lesson reveals how God establishes identity, calls us to integrity, builds covenant community, leads us toward transformation, and equips us to bless others. Participants engage Scripture, honest conversation, and weekly action prompts to carry faith beyond the meeting space. Used by small groups or as a regional cohort, this study will help men discover bedrock truths about who they are, whose they are, and why their ordinary lives still belong in God’s unfolding promise.

Pathway to Blessing is ideal for: New or renewing groups seeking a strong spiritual foundation and a shared purpose, or well-established groups who long to build deeper connections and grow in faith and mission.

“Hey, Imago Dei!”

Sep 24, 2025
“Hey, Imago Dei!” is an intergenerational experience guide for churches and families to widen the gaze of children, so that they may see God in a vast number of ways all around them.

“Hey, Imago Dei!”

by Curtis Dixon

“Hey, Imago Dei!” is an intergenerational experience guide for churches and families to widen the gaze of children, so that they may see God in a vast number of ways all around them.

Extreme Heat- Community Needs, Faithful Responses.

Sep 15, 2025
Education, Conversations and Community Resources As extreme heat events become increasingly frequent and dangerous, faith communities are called to respond with both compassion and action. Community leaders and local experts shared vital information and seeds for ministry during an online Green Chalice gathering on Sept. 3rd. The video can be viewed solo, as a congregation or […]

Extreme Heat- Community Needs, Faithful Responses.

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

Education, Conversations and Community Resources As extreme heat events become increasingly frequent and dangerous, faith communities are called to respond with both compassion and action. Community leaders and local experts shared vital information and seeds for ministry during an online Green Chalice gathering on Sept. 3rd. The video can be viewed solo, as a congregation or green team.  We heard from Rev. Katie Sexton, Director of the Arizona Faith Network, Dr. Eugene Livar,  Arizona’s first Chief Heat Officer, Arene Rushdan,  Community Resilience Program Manager at the Arizona Faith Network  Rev. Dr. Job Cobos, Pastor at Larkspur Christian Church. You can view the recording here. https://youtu.be/RbkiF0wFJfw

This resource is based on a gathering with Green Chalice collaborators in 2025. The resources below can be used independently or paired with the recording of this conversation here.

EDUCATION Template for Class or discussion

Extreme Heat: Community Needs and Faithful Responses

Education, Conversations and Community Resources

Overview

As extreme heat events become increasingly frequent and dangerous, faith communities are called to respond with both compassion and action. This 30-90 minute resource explores the sources, impacts, and responses to extreme heat for faith communities. It can be used in Sunday School classes, community groups, or Green Team meetings. This can be used with or without the webinar regarding linked below. Video Resource: View the recording here You can find a PDF version of this Class Here.

Featured Speakers from webinar

  • Rev. Katie Sexton – Director of the Arizona Faith Network
  • Dr. Eugene Livar – Arizona’s first Chief Heat Officer
  • Arene Rushdan – Community Resilience Program Manager at the Arizona Faith Network
  • Rev. Dr. Job Cobos – Pastor at Larkspur Christian Church

Facilitator Guidelines

  • Make space for everyone to be heard
  • Pay attention to those who share too often or those who are silent
  • Consider using Parker Palmer Circles of Trust practices for small group guidance
  • Adjust timing based on whether you watch the full webinar (60 minutes) or portions

Suggested Schedule

1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

2. Check-in (10-15 minutes)

Every person should have an opportunity to speak briefly without interruption. Use full group sharing or the 1-3-All method ( 1- write a response in solitude, 3-share responses with two other people then briefly share summaries with the whole group).

Option 1: Share what is bringing you life these days

Option 2: Grief and Gratitude Practice

  • Set up a central altar space with notecards and pencils at each chair
  • Ask participants to write their gratitude and grief
  • Share aloud in trios or with the whole group (depending on group size)
  • For small groups: Consider a ritual with candles where each trio lights a candle and brings it to the center altar

3. Bible Exploration (15-20 minutes)

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 (Read together or invite different readers for each verse)

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Reflection: Before exploring the response from Jesus in verse 37 ponder the question. “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Even though the religious elite were coming together to challenge Jesus in the previous texts, he did not shy away from helping those gathered to prioritize certain behaviors and practices. Among the vast ways to follow commandments, Jesus combined historic wisdom from the Hebrew texts of Deuteronomy and Leviticus to help people prioritize what is great and first among so many options. How can you and your congregation prioritize from among the many good options regarding following Jesus?  

 Look at verse 37 and 39 for hints.  Today with so many options for how we receive and share information, spend money, choose and gather with friends and how we act we can hear echoes from Jesus saying “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  

4. Watch Extreme Heat Webinar (Optional – 60 minutes)

5. Reflection Questions (20-30 minutes)Consider using the 1-3-All method again  

Personal and Congregational Discernment

  • How can you and your congregation prioritize among the many good options for following Jesus?
  • In our information-rich world with countless choices for spending time, money, and energy, how do we hear Jesus’s call to “love God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself”?How do you prioritize what to do in your life (daily, weekly, yearly)?
  • How does your congregation discern the best next step or ministry idea?
  • With so many good ways to follow Jesus, how do you select priorities?

Faith and Community

  • What does loving God look like in your community?
  • What does loving your neighbor look like in your community?
  • How do you receive love from yourself?

Extreme Heat Responses

  • What should faith communities know about the health risks of heat—especially for vulnerable populations?
  • How could extreme heat impact your community?
  • How can faith communities best partner with local governments, nonprofits, or health agencies in responding to extreme heat?
  • What data or tools are available that congregations can use to guide ministries?
  • Where do you see gaps that faith communities are uniquely positioned to fill?

6. Benediction: Invite each person to share one word that represents what they are carrying forth with them from the gathering.

7. Closing Prayer

News Highlights and Resources from Arizona Faith Network Ministries  

News Video Glendale residents can cool down at respite centers,

News Video Glendale Respite Centers

News Video Cooling centers offer refuge and employment during extreme heat

AZ Faith Network 2023 – Program Spotlight – Heat Relief

Guidebooks

Arizona Faith Network- Heat Relief Guidebook

AZ Faith Network- Heat Relief Overview

Extreme Heat Resources-The resources below can be found on the One Home One Future Website Here.  

Videos

More Preparedness Resources