wfn.org | Disciples News Brief March 18, 2004

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

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Phone: 317-713-2492
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

ATTEND SUMMER STUDY SESSION FOR HISPANIC PASTORS
The Central Pastoral Office of Hispanic Ministries for the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) is coordinating a summer study session for
Hispanic pastors, June 6-12, 2004, at Brite Divinity School in Ft.
Worth, Texas. To learn more or to register, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/brite2004.pdf or call
317-713-2584.

KEEP INFORMED ON HAITI SITUATION
The crisis in Haiti changes daily.  Global Ministries continues to
receive updates from our partners and missionaries in this country.
Remember to visit the website regularly for new information and to learn
how you can "take action."  Visit
http://www.globalministries.org/lac/la022304.htm

CHURCH EXTENSION NAMES HAROLD R. WATKINS PRESIDENT EMERITUS
At its first Board Meeting of 2004, Church Extension honored former
president Harold R. Watkins with the title President Emeritus, the first
ever for the 121-year-old organization. Mr. Watkins served Church
Extension from 1958 through his retirement in 1995, with his last 15
years as President. For the full story on this and for other Church
Extension Board News, go to
http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm

NEW YOUTH HUNGER RESOURCE AVAILABLE
"A Fast That Lasts" is the new youth hunger resource from Week of
Compassion. Designed for both junior and senior high youth, the purpose
of "A Fast That Lasts" is to raise awareness about the root causes of
hunger in the local community and the world and to challenge each
participant to examine his/her personal and community lifestyles in
response to Christ's call to care for "the least of these." Participants
are also given new and creative opportunities to raise money for hunger
ministries supported by Week of Compassion and the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). This resource has been prepared in cooperation
with our partners in the United Church of Christ, the Reformed Church in
America and the Presbyterian Church USA.

For a complimentary copy, including a resource video and CD, please
contact Elaine Cleveland in the Week of Compassion Office: email:
ecleveland@woc.disciples.org; phone: 317.713.2442; or mail: P.O. Box
1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

FORMER GENERAL SECRETARY OF WORLD CONVENTION AND DISCIPLES LEADER DIES
Dr. Allan Lee, General Secretary of World Convention from 1971-1993,
died peacefully on March 8, 2004. Before his appointment as General
Secretary, Lee served pastorates in New York, Texas and Washington
states.  He served on a number of Disciples of Christ and ecumenical
Boards.  Read more at:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0419.htm

WEEK OF COMPASSION UPDATE
Even though the recent civil war in Liberia has ended, 14 years of
conflict has left this small West African nation devastated. More than
half a million people have been uprooted and displaced. Food, medicine,
clean water and other basic aid is urgently needed. The nation's
infrastructure is in shambles. To learn what WOC and Church World
Service are doing to help, go to:
http://www.weekofcompassion.org/pages/updates/2004/mar0412.html

BLACK MINISTERS RETREAT RECAP
Nearly 130 African American clergy and lay leaders gathered at the 30th
annual Black Ministers Retreat, held March 1 to 4, 2004, at The
Christian Church Conference Center, a ministry of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Silver Springs, Fla. Coordinated by Disciples
Home Missions (DHM), the retreat was designed to allow attendees to
worship, relax, be refreshed and renewed under the theme, "New Day! New
Way! Equipping God's People to Lead." To learn more about the event
from DHM, go to: http://www.homeland.org/WhatsNewDHM.htm#BMretreat

MOTHER-TO-MOTHER MINISTRY TO CHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
Forty years ago the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), through the
Division of Homeland Ministries, developed and began managing
Mother-to-Mother Ministry - a program that provides opportunities for
women to build intentional friendships across economic and racial
barriers in a ministry of reconciliation. Originally funded solely by
Disciples, this ministry soon became ecumenical and locally autonomous,
spreading to over 60 communities in 15 states. The administrative
structure of this ministry network is changing. To learn more from DHM,
go to: http://www.homeland.org/WhatsNewDHM.htm#MtM

EASTER SPECIAL DAY OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED
The Easter Special Day Offering is scheduled to be received April 4th
and 11th. For additional information, resources, and worship ideas,
visit http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org.

*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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