wfn.org | Disciples News Brief May 13, 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

HOBGOOD AMONG SIGNERS OF NCC ECUMENICAL PASTORAL LETTER ON IRAQ
May 11, 2004, NEW YORK CITY -- In an ecumenical pastoral letter
released May 11, leaders of the National Council of Churches USA and its
36 Protestant and Orthodox member communions call for a change of course
in Iraq. For the full story and pastoral letter go to the National
Council of Churches website at:
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/04iraqpastoralletter.html

LAWSON CALHOUN NAMED CEO OF NBA ECHO EMERGENCY CHILDREN'S HOME
(ST. LOUIS, May 11, 2004) - National Benevolent Association officials
announced today that Lawson Calhoun has been named chief executive
officer of the NBA ECHO Emergency Children's Home in St. Louis,
effective May 15. For more information, go to:
http://www.NBAcares.org/News/CalhountoECHO.htm

LIFT YOUR SPIRIT! SUPPORT THE PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING
On any given Sunday, 1,400 Haitians attend services at Good Shepherd
Missionary Church - in a warehouse. Good Shepherd opened its doors as an
independent congregation, but as pastor Jacques Nicolas says, "I really
felt like God was calling us to be part of a greater church." Last year,
Good Shepherd affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
and is now working toward building a church home of its own, with help
from New Church Ministry and the Florida Region.

This and other new church stories are included on the "Lift Your
Spirit!" CD-ROM, which is a part of the 2004 Pentecost Special Offering
Celebration Packet. If your church has not yet ordered the "Lift Your
Spirit!" Celebration Packet, call (317) 713-2440 or email
customerservice@cfc.disciples.org.

Your gifts to the Pentecost Special Offering aid new congregations by
providing them with training, coaching, project funding, congregational
materials, and extensive assistance. The Pentecost Special Offering,
part of the Disciples Mission Fund, is collected and distributed through
the Church Finance Council. The offering will be received May 23 and
30.

DHE NAMES WILLIAM WOODS UNIVERSITY'S EASTERLING WINNER OF 2004 T.A.
ABBOTT AWARD FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE
Dr. Edward H. Easterling, professor of business and economics at
William Woods University, is the recipient of the 2004 T.A. Abbott Award
for Faculty Excellence from the Division of Higher Education. The award
is the most prestigious recognition that the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) gives to faculty members of Disciples-related colleges and
universities. The recipient of this award is affirmed by his or her
institution as a professor who inspires students toward excellence,
continues to grow and learn in his or her academic discipline and
practices a personal faith. Read more at:
http://www.dhedisciples.org/dhe/04/DHE-Abbott-051204.html

VISION BUILDERS! CONSTRUCTION TO BUILD CHURCH IN KINSTON, NC
VisionBuilders! Construction is going to Kingston, N.C. to construct a
new church building. Some of the many tasks volunteers will be involved
with include framing, insulating, hanging sheet rock, painting, roofing,
and carpentry work. The cost is only $25 per person, per day or $150 per
person for an entire week (This cost includes insurance coverage, food,
and a place to sleep on the floor of the church.) If you are not already
among the hundreds of volunteers joining us in Kinston, and you have
moderate to high construction skills, please Contact Carl Zerweck,
czerweck@dhm.disciples.org, (214) 418-3675 or Brenda Tyler,
btyler@dhm.disciples.org, (888) 346-2631, ext. 2642

ELCA, DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BEGIN NEW ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Representatives of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met here
April 29-May 2 to launch a new dialogue between the two churches. They
discussed Baptism and the Lord's Supper, as well as Christian concepts
related to covenants and confessions.

The Rev. Richard Guentert, regional minister and president, Christian
Church in the Upper Midwest, Des Moines, Iowa, chairs the dialogue for
the Disciples. The Rev. Steven L. Ullestad,
bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, Waverly, Iowa, chairs the
dialogue for the Lutherans. For more information, go to the news section
at: http://www.elca.org/ea/

JUNE 27 IS NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY
Disciples Home Missions reminds you that June 27 is National HIV
Testing Day. For more information, visit
http://www.napwa.org/hivtestinfo or call toll-free 800.324-AIDS.

'COME HOME TO CANE RIDGE': JUNE 26 - 28
Many date the beginning of the 19th Century Restoration Movement from
the Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery in 1804. The
Cane Ridge Preservation Project Trustees have scheduled a weekend of
events to mark the occasion. These include the Disciples of Christ
Historical Society's Kirkpatrick seminars focusing on the Last Will and
Testament, the presentation of the Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell
movement being published this year, a heritage dinner, and services
including a 3 p.m. Sunday service with the Rev. Fred Craddock as
preacher. If you are close enough to Cane Ridge (near Paris, Ky.), plan
to be there. Information and registration at http://www.caneridge.org/

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DISCIPLES DATES
June 26 - 28: 200th Anniversary Celebration of the Signing of the Last
Will and Testament of
the Springfield Presbytery at Cane Ridge, near Paris, KY
July 8-11: National Hispanic Assembly, San Diego, CA
July 8-11: 2004 GLAD Event, Des Moines, IA
July 15-18: Sessions Men's Event, Lexington, KY
July 28-31: NAPAD Convention, Chicago, IL
July 28-Aug. 1: World Convention of the Churches of Christ, Brighton,
England,
August 6-10: National Convocation, Indianapolis, IN

*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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