November 4 & 5

at First Christian Church

(7405 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ)

We invite you to our 2022 Regional Assembly: “Prophetic Unity/Unidad Profética.” You may be familiar with the early Disciples slogan: “Christian Unity is our Polar Star.” Early Disciples leaders were distressed by the division in the human family and prayed, with Jesus in John 17, “that they may be one.”

Unity has been a central theme throughout Disciples history, but too often we have settled for a shallow unity, a superficial unity, a “cheap” unity. True unity requires mutual respect and affirmation, shared power and resources, and the freedom to maintain and celebrate our own uniqueness while being in relationship with each other. True unity is “prophetic” unity – prophetic in that it challenges the current divisions in our society.

Regional Assembly 2022 will be a bilingual, multicultural experience featuring three wonderful guest speakers, a variety of musical styles, educational experiences, and an opportunity to deepen your connection to the wider Disciples community.

Los invitamos a nuestra Asamblea Regional 2022: “Unidad Profética/Prophetic Unity”. Es posible que esté familiarizado con el eslogan de los primeros discípulos: “La unidad cristiana es nuestra estrella polar”. Los líderes de los Primeros Discípulos estaban angustiados por la división en la familia humana y oraron, con Jesús en Juan 17, “para que todos sean uno.”

La unidad ha sido un tema central a lo largo de la historia de Discípulos, pero con demasiada frecuencia nos hemos conformado con una unidad superficial, una unidad débil, una unidad “barata.” La verdadera unidad requiere respeto y afirmación mutuos, poder y recursos compartidos, y la libertad de mantener y celebrar nuestra propia singularidad mientras estamos en relación unos con otros. La verdadera unidad es la unidad “profética,” profética en el sentido de que desafía las divisiones actuales de nuestra sociedad.

La Asamblea Regional 2022 será una experiencia bilingüe y multicultural con tres maravillosos oradores invitados, una variedad de estilos musicales, experiencias educativas y una oportunidad para profundizar su conexión con la comunidad Díscípulos en general.

Schedule | Itinerario

Friday | Viernes

8:30-9:00 Pre-Event & Assembly Check-In

9:00-4:00 Pre-Event – Advanced Anti-Racism Training

6:15-7:15 Assembly Check-In (check-in also available during reception)

7:30 Opening Worship (Rev. Dr. Juan Rodriguez, preacher)

9:00 Reception

Saturday | Sábado

7:15-8:45 Assembly Check-in (7:15-7:45 at clergy breakfast, 7:45-8:45 in narthex)

7:45-8:45 Breakfast for Clergy & Guest (sponsored by Pension Fund)

9:00 Morning Session: Keynote with Rev. Paul Tché

10:15 Panel Discussion: Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, Rev. Dr. Juan Rodriguez, Rev. Paul Tché

11:30 Lunch

12:45 Workshops

2:00 Business Session

3:00 Closing Worship (Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, preacher)

4:30 Safe Travels

Register Online Today!

Guest Speakers | Oradores Invitados

Rev. Yvonne T Gilmore

Rev. Yvonne T. Gilmore currently serves as Interim Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation and Associate General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Ever committed to the cultivation of thought leadership and community formation, she co-directs “Living Justice: An Anti-Racist Practicum,” a justice learning and innovation lab that seeks to test out new approaches for connecting transformative leaders and ideas at Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago, and is also a core trainer with Reconciliation Ministries. She also serves as adjunct faculty in the Certificate of African American Ministry (CAAM) program at Lexington Theological Seminary. From 2013-2020, she served as Associate Dean of Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago (DDH), and as a co-teacher in the MDiv Arts of Ministry sequence at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. Rev. Gilmore is also a former member of the Board of Directors of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM), and the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and a former new church pastor, and chaplain. She holds a BA in International Relations from The American University, and an MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Rev. Dr. Juan Rodriguez

Pastor Juan Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New York City and served as a congregational pastor in Northwest Indiana for 30 years prior to beginning his service as Regional Minister for the Florida Disciples Regional Church (2012-2016). Pastor Juan retired in December of 2016. Rev. Rodriguez has also served as Pastoral Psychotherapist Intern in Park Ridge, IL and as Adjunct Professor for Field Education at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. He was part of the Orlando Health Team as a Hospital Chaplain and worked with the Christian Church in South Carolina as their Interim Regional Minister. After serving with Arise Christian Church in Orlando, Pastor Juan relocated to Robin Run Village in Indianapolis.

Pastor Juan has been married for 50 wonderful years to Sonia Isabel Colon Rodriguez, a powerful life-long Disciple leader, former educator and now a realtor.

Rev. Paul S. Tché

Rev. Paul S. Tché has served the Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry (CUIM), the office for ecumenical and interfaith affairs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States of America and Canada, as president since 2016.

In his role and ministry with the CUIM, he offers leadership as the ecumenical officer for the Disciples of Christ, representing our church in local, national, and international efforts in giving expression to the unity of the church and our oneness in Christ. As an interfaith officer for the church, he participates in various interreligious dialogues representing the Disciples and equips Disciples congregations to engage with interfaith neighbors and friends.

Also, he is serving the Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC), the Disciples of Christ World Communion, as the General Secretary. The DECC was founded in 1979 as a council of member churches throughout the world from the Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ, together with United and Uniting Churches, which Disciples have joined, who have taken official action to join the DECC in supporting its stated goals. The DECC was established to strengthen further the common calling of Disciples of Christ and Churches of Christ to visible unity and mission. The DECC has 19 member churches, representing 4.5 million Christians throughout the world.

Before he was called to this position, he had completed a six-year term on the CUIM Board, including two years as chair. He had served various local congregations as a pastor in California and Kentucky. He had also served as the moderator-elect of the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada for two years while serving a local church.

Location | Ubicación: First Christian Church, Scottsdale

7405 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (Google Maps)

First Christian Church, Scottsdale

Directions

Coming from Northern Phoenix Metro or Northern Arizona?

Follow 101 Loop South
Exit 45 west (right) on to McDonald Dr.
Follow McDonald Dr. approximately 2 miles (5 minutes)
First Christian Church, Scottsdale is will be your left. Use the east entrance.

Coming from the West Valley?

Follow I-10 W through downtown Phoenix
Merge onto Loop 202 E at exit 147A-B
Merge onto Loop 101 N at exit 9
Exit west (left) on McDonald Dr. at exit 45
Follow McDonald Dr. approximately 2 miles (5 minutes)
First Christian Church, Scottsdale is will be your left. Use the east entrance.

Coming from Tucson or Southern Arizona?

From I-10 take exit 161A-B to 202 Loop E in Chandler for 1 mile
Exit 50A to 101 Loop N
After approximately 15 miles exit west (left) on McDonald Dr. at exit 45
Follow McDonald Dr. approximately 2 miles (5 minutes)
First Christian Church, Scottsdale is will be your left. Use the east entrance.

Hotel Arrangements

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic hotel amenities might change close to the event. Please check with your hotel to see if any amenities might be impacted during your stay.

Double Tree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley

Featuring lush tropical gardens, the Double Tree is one miles from our assembly location First Christian Church in Scottsdale. It is also one mile from Old Town Scottsdale and Fashion Square Mall. Enjoy shopping and dining in the heart of Scottsdale. Two outdoor pools and several restaurants are onsite. Book at your favorite travel site or https://www.hilton.com.

Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas

Enjoy views of Camelback Mountain at the Hilton Scottsdale just over one mile from our assembly location at First Christian Church in Scottsdale. Hilton Scottsdale is also located within three miles of Old Town Scottsdale and Fashion Square Mall. Enjoy shopping and dining in the heart of Scottsdale. Three restaurants, a spa, and an outdoor heated pool are all located onsite. Two-room villas offer more room to relax, with private patios and an exclusive pool. Book at your favorite travel site or https://www.hilton.com.

Sonesta ES Suites

Located only one mile from our assembly location, First Christian Church in Scottsdale, Sonesta ES Suites is also one mile from Old Town Scottsdale and Fashion Square Mall. Enjoy shopping and dining in the heart of Scottsdale. From Sonesta, “We make sure your stay is surprisingly different by combining affordability with conveniences like free parking, fully equipped kitchens, roomy work area and free Wi-Fi” Book at your favorite travel site or at https://www.sonesta.com/