wfn.org | Disciples News Brief March 4 2004

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

Disciples News Brief
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
March 4, 2004
Amy Shockley
317-713-2495
ashockley@cm.disciples.org
www.disciples.org

EASTER SPECIAL OFFERING TO SUPPORT WORLDWIDE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
God's grace is truly amazing, never-ending and always-present.
That's why the theme for the Easter Special Offering is "Grace:
Amazing. Abundant. Always."

The Easter Special Offering will be received April 4 (Palm Sunday) and
April 11 (Easter Sunday), or another time that your congregation
designates. This offering supports 10 General Units and several other
ministries that are instruments of God's grace and deliver vital
servant outreach throughout the world and at home on behalf of the whole
church. Because this offering is so important, we've created lots of
tools to help you better understand the offering, what it supports, and
how to promote it in your congregations. To view all the promotional
materials, go to:
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/easter04/index.htm

CCF DISTRIBUTES $10.6 MILLION FOR MINISTRY
The Christian Church Foundation distributed $10.6 million for ministry
in 2003, down just slightly from 2002. Another $2.1 million was sent out
as payments to individuals under life-income agreements, or to specific
non-Disciples charities identified by donors. That means the Foundation
distributed a total of $12.7 million in 2003, the fourth straight year
total distributions have topped $12 million.  For more information from
CCF, go to: http://www.disciples.org/ccf/About_Us/CCFnews.html

DHM ESTABLISHES OFFICE OF VOLUNTEERING
In an effort to expand hands-on mission opportunities for all North
American Disciples and to make use of excellent human and existing
monetary resources, Disciples Home Missions announces the establishment
of the Office of Volunteering. Volunteers in Mission, Vision Builders!
Construction, DHM internships, leader development trips, various
church-wide mission projects and 9-11 Respond to the Call will be
encompassed in this office. For the complete story from DHM, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0417.htm

CHURCH EXTENSION CONTINUES SURVEY OF DISCIPLES PASTORS
Next week, Church Extension will email a web-based survey to pastors of
Spanish-speaking Disciples congregations, the results of which will
assist Church Extension in better understanding the needs of
congregations and in evaluating its services.  Last week, Church
Extension began to survey pastors of English-speaking congregations and
has received more than 250 responses already.  Pastors of both
English-speaking and Spanish-speaking congregations who did not receive
an email and want to participate can contact Nancy Schoen at
nschoen@churchextension.org or 1-800-274-1883. In the coming weeks,
Church Extension will work with congregations who do not have email or
Internet access, as well as other non-English speaking congregations.

*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