wfn.org | Beargrass Christian Church to highlight Christmas

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

broadcast
September 5, 1995
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Cliff_Willis.parti@ecunet.org
     
96b-76    

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- One of the most revered preachers
in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will deliver a
televised Christmas message to the nation from a Louisville,
Ky., congregation.

     The Rev. Fred B. Craddock's sermon will highlight the
1996 Christmas broadcast, "Awakening the Quest." The worship
service will be carried on NBC affiliates across the
country. Craddock will speak from the pulpit of Beargrass
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Louisville.

     The retired professor of Emory University's Candler
School of Theology is widely considered among the 12 most
effective preachers in the English-speaking world, according
to a recent poll. Craddock of Blue Ridge, Ga., was among
those listed in "A Preacher's Hall of Fame," published as
part of a March Newsweek magazine article, "Heard Any Good
Sermons Lately?"  

     Through the program theme, the Kentucky congregation
invites television viewers nationwide to join them on a
spiritual journey this Christmas.

     "Christmas is about God's invitation to be on a
journey, a quest for spiritual awareness and wholeness,"
said the Rev. Theodore J. Nottingham, who is coordinating
the project. "This is the deepest longing of the human
spirit." Nottingham is director of production and
consultation services for the Disciples Office of
Communication.

     The one-hour program also will feature people talking
about their spiritual journeys and how they experience the
Holy Spirit in their lives. 

     Beargrass Christian Church is a historic congregation
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) dating back to
1842. The Disciples of Christ denomination was founded in
1832   just 10 years prior   when the Christians, led by
Kentuckian Barton W. Stone, and the Disciples, led by
Alexander Campbell, united.

     The 1,500-member congregation has grown steadily over
the years. Church members dedicated a new $1.6 million
building in 1990. 

     The Kentucky church's Christmas television appearance
caps a year which featured another Disciples congregation,
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis, Tenn., on
ABC during Easter.

     "Awakening the Quest" will be produced for the National
Council of Churches of Christ, New York City, by Beargrass
Christian Church and the Disciples Office of Communication,
Indianapolis.     

                          - 30 -

DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206,
tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS.part@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and
Information Assistant; (CLIFF WILLIS.part@ecunet.org) Cliff Willis, Director
of News and Information; (CURT MILLER.part@ecunet.org) Executive Director