wfn.org | Disciples News Service February 26, 2004

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

Disciples News Service February 26, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Amy Shockley
ashockley@cm.disciples.org
www.disciples.org

CONGREGATIONAL REPORTS DUE MARCH 15
You may submit your congregational report for the 2004 Year Book online
at: http://www.disciples.org/internal/congregations/ybopener.htm or to
your Region in paper format. This information records your
congregation's activity covering the 2002 calendar year. Reports are to
be received no later than March 15.

If your congregation hasn't submitted a report recently, now is the
time to do so! The reports will be compiled in the 2004 Year Book that
is published in July. The Year Book is an important Disciples
communication and historical document that provides the denomination's
life and activities, witness and leadership in both narrative and
statistical formats. If you have any questions concerning your
church's report or the Year Book, please contact Larry Steinmetz,
lsteinmetz@ddi.org or 317-713-2409

S.C. REGIONAL COUNCIL PROCLAIMS BIRTH OF 'SOUTH CAROLINA REGIONAL
CONFERENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)'
It is a celebration of unity for all Disciples, and especially
Disciples in the South Carolina region! The South Carolina Regional
Conference of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be held
Nov. 12-14, 2004 at First Christian Church in Charleston, S.C. This
conference will be a joint gathering of the "Assembly," the
predominantly white ethos of Disciples in S.C., and the "State
Convention," the predominantly black ethos of disciples in S.C. The
conference will be the first phase event marking their love and oneness
in Christ and a new beginning of their life, ministry and work together.
For the more information from the region, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0415.htm

GOD USES ALL GIFTS FOR BIG PURPOSES: IT'S REMARKABLE WHAT YOUR GIFT
WILL DO
"There is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are
they among so many people?" John 6:9.  The Week of Compassion offering
will again be received this weekend in Disciples congregations
throughout North America. What can you give? Read about the importance
of this offering from WOC Director, Johnny Wray, at:
http://www.weekofcompassion.org/pages/updates/2004/feb0420.html

CHURCH EXTENSION INVITES DISCIPLES PASTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN WEB
SURVEY
Church Extension has emailed a web-based survey to pastors of
English-speaking Disciples congregations, the results of which will
assist Church Extension in better understanding the needs of
congregations and in evaluating its services.  Pastors who did not
receive an email and want to participate can contact Nancy Schoen at
nschoen@churchextension.org or 1-800-274-1883. To find out more go to:
http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm

GLOBAL MINISTRIES AND THE PRESENT SITUATION IN HAITI
Many news reports are being given about the current crisis in Haiti. To
view updates and perspectives from our Global Ministries Latin America
and Caribbean office and long-time partner in Haiti, CONASPEH, go to:
http://www.globalministries.org/lac/la022304.htm

COMMUNICATION MINISTRIES SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Communication Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
announces an opening for an executive director. The executive director
is responsible for leading the development and implementation of
strategic communication plans including marketing and public relations
to promote the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through all
denominational manifestations. The application deadline is March 31,
2004. To learn more about this position, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/internal/jobscm.htm

CHALICE PRESS HIRES NEW SENIOR EDITOR
ST. LOUIS, MO (Feb. 20, 2004) - CBP is pleased to announce that Dr.
Trent Butler has joined Chalice Press as Senior Editor as of February 9,
2004. For more information from the Christian Board of Publication, go
EUREKA COLLEGE NAMES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
EUREKA, IL (Feb. 23, 2004) - Effective March 1, Philip Daniels of
Avondale, Ariz., has been named chief financial officer at Eureka
College, a liberal arts and science institution affiliated with the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more on this from Eureka
College, go to:
http://www.eureka.edu/news/releases/2003-04/Jan%202004/CFO%202-04.asp

IN TENSE TIMES, MAINTAINING CONTACT IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT,
CONCLUDES NCC DELEGATION TO CUBA
NEW YORK CITY - Participants in a U.S. ecumenical delegation visit to
Cuba in late January returned convinced of the importance of maintaining
contacts with churches there, especially at this time of heightened
tension between the United States and Cuba.  For their part, Cuban
church leaders asked their U.S. counterparts for pastoral accompaniment
and prayers. The National Council of Churches-led group participated in
celebrations of the consecration of a New Greek Orthodox Cathedral in
Havana and met with Cuban and other Latin American church leaders.
Disciples general minister and president, the Rev. W. Chris Hobgood, was
part of this delegation. For more from NCC, go to:
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/04cubadelegationwrapup.html

REMINDER - 30TH ANNUAL BLACK MINISTERS' RETREAT, MARCH 1 TO 4
To learn more from Disciples Home Missions or to register, go to:
http://www.homeland.org/BlackMinistry/retreat/index.htm

*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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