wfn.org | Disciples News Brief February 19, 2004

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Disciples News Brief February 19, 2004

NBA RECIEVES COURT APPROVAL OF ALL SUBSTANTIVE RELIEF REQUESTED AS PART
OF 'FIRST-DAY' MOTIONS UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF BANKRUPTCY CODE
St. Louis, Missouri (February 19, 2004) - National Benevolent
Association (NBA) said today that it had received Court approval of
all
substantive relief requested as part of "first-day" motions under
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

"We are gratified that the Court has approved our requests to move
forward in such a way as to maintain the safety, security and comfort
of
our residents," said NBA President Cindy Dougherty.

Among the motions that were approved by the Court yesterday were
requests to pay pre-petition wages and continue employee compensation,
benefits and insurance programs and maintain its current cash
management
systems. For the complete press release from NBA, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0413.htm

STONE-CAMPBELL MINISTERIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED AT CHRISTIAN
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Indianapolis (Feb. 17, 2004) - Dr. Edward L. Wheeler, President of
Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis, has announced
the
establishment of the Stone-Campbell Ministerial Scholarship Fund for
persons preparing for the ordained ministry in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). This new scholarship fund will provide full
tuition grants to all Disciple students in the M. Div. Program who
meet
the entrance requirements of the Seminary.  In addition, each student
must provide evidence of active membership in a local Disciples
congregation for at least one year and provide the endorsement of the
local congregation and the region in which the congregation is located.

These new grants will be awarded to new and continuing students
beginning in the fall of 2004. For the complete story from CTS, go to:
http://www.cts.edu/news/FullStory.cfm?details=23&ref=News

PENSION FUND TAKES STEPS TO ENHANCE GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The Pension Fund Board of Directors is taking steps to enhance
governance and accountability of the organization in keeping with
practices now required of public corporations. The Pension Fund
manages
$2.1 billion in pension accounts, retirement savings and ministerial
relief for more than 12,000 active and retired lay church employees
and
ministers.

"As a fiduciary, we expect the public corporations in which we invest
to meet current standards of corporate governance and accountability.
The officers and directors of the Pension Fund believe they should
hold
themselves to similar high standards," said James P. Hamlett, Pension
Fund President.

To learn more about the Board's approved initiatives, go to:
http://www.pensionfund.org/pdf/newsreleasefeb2004.pdf

SPECIAL APPORTIONMENT APPROVED BY PENSION FUND BOARD
For the first time in three years, the Board of Directors of the
Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at its
February 12-13, 2004 meeting approved a 5% Special Apportionment. The
Special Apportionment becomes effective July 1, 2004, and persons
receiving retirement, surviving spouse and disability pensions will
have
checks/deposits showing the increase on that date. Persons not yet
retired who are accumulating pension credits will have their credits
as
of December 31, 2003 increased by the 5% Special Apportionment. For
the
complete story from the Pension Fund, go to:
http://www.pensionfund.org/pdf/newsreleasespecapp2004.pdf

CFC THANKS CONGREGATIONS FOR 2003 FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Lois Artis, president, Church Finance Council, thanks all Disciples
congregations for their support of whole church mission in 2003.
Disciples from 2,802 congregations supported the Disciples Mission
Fund
in 2003.  The Church Finance Council adopted a strategy for increasing
giving that focused on strengthening relationships with large
congregations, bringing new church plants into the mission funding
system from their inception, and increasing the total number of
Disciples congregations that contribute through the common mission
fund
of the denomination. For a complete report from CFC, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0412.htm

STANDING COMMITTEE FOR RENEWAL AND STRUCTURAL REFORM MEETS
The Standing Committee for Renewal and Structural Reform of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) met in Indianapolis, Feb. 6-8.
Current and former general minister and presidents, the Rev. W. Chris
Hobgood and the Rev. Dick Hamm, were invited to provide input and
direction to committee members as they seek out potential areas of
study
and transformation. For the complete story, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0411.htm

NEW CHURCH MINISTRY, NAPAD AND DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS CREATE STAFFING
PARTNERSHIP
New Church Ministry, NAPAD (North American Pacific/Asian Disciples)
and
Disciples Home Missions have created a staffing partnership to share
three Asian staff members and to more effectively address the unique
needs of new Asian Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
congregations.
  For the complete story, go to:
http://www.newchurchministry.org/news/newsletter.asp

WOC OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED THIS WEEKEND
 From an initial appeal to respond to the humanitarian needs after
World
War II, Week of Compassion has grown into a multifaceted initiative
that
enables Disciples to be part of a remarkable network of caring and
service that reaches out to people in the aftermath of an array of
natural and human disasters, as well as those who struggle every day
against hunger, poverty, disease and other long-term, chronic ills.
With
church partners and Christians throughout the world, WOC builds
communities, teaches skills, strengthens families, prevents disease,
and
promotes hope and well being among all humankind. Support WOC, please
give generously during the special offering received Feb. 22 and 29.

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed each Thursday, or as needed,
by Communication Ministries. For changes, additions or deletions to
our
distribution list, please contact news@cm.disciples.org.

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