wfn.org | Disciples News Brief May 27, 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

CHURCH LEADERS ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT BUSH TO GET MIDDLE EAST ROAD MAP
BACK ON TRACK

Disciples and United Church of Christ leaders critical of Israeli
military operations

(CLEVELAND) May 21, 2004 - Church leaders of two mainline Protestant
denominations today sent a letter on May 20 to U.S. President George W.
Bush expressing concern for the people of Gaza and the future of a
nonviolent resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.

  "We appeal to you to seek the acquiescence of Israelis and
Palestinians to abide by agreements to stop all forms of violence," said
the Rev. Chris Hobgood, General Minister and President of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Rev. John H. Thomas, General
Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. "We implore you
to mobilize the resources of your good office to resuscitate the Road
Map and to re-engage in the steps necessary to bring out peace between
Israelis and Palestinians."

To read the entire press release and a copy of the letter sent to the
President, go to: http://www.ucc.org/news/u052104.htm

DHE ADDS FIVE UNDERGRADUATES TO LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM
Five undergraduate students will join the Division of Higher Education
Leadership Fellows Program, a group of students preparing to take
leadership roles as laypeople or ministers in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). DHE Leadership Fellows are selected based on
their leadership potential, church participation, and academic promise.

New Leadership Fellows are: Jean Ellen Cowgill, Lexington, Ky.; Tiffany
Curtis, Claremont, Calif.; Christopher Miller-McLemore, Nashville,
Tenn.; Mandy Ogunnowo, Lawrence, Kansas; and Kelly Rand, Olathe,
Kansas.

For more on the 26 DHE Leadership Fellows, visit
http://www.dhedisciples.org/dhe/DHELF04.html

FINAL PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED THIS WEEKEND
This Sunday will mark the final day the Pentecost Special Offering will
be received in most congregations. If your church needs materials for
the Offering, contact the Church Finance Council at (317) 713-2440 or
customerservice@cfc.disciples.org.

Disciples have already started 34 churches this year, which is just
four churches shy of the goal for the entire year.  New Church Ministry
and all 33 Regions are able to provide training, coaching, support,
materials and more to these new churches, thanks to gifts to the
Pentecost Special Offering.

The Pentecost Special Offering, part of the Disciples Mission Fund, is
collected and distributed through the Church Finance Council.

DISCIPLES-UCC PARTNERSHIP FINDS NEW FOCUS AND ENERGY
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of
Christ continue to work together to strengthen their relationship. On
May 6, 2004, in meeting of a re-constituted Ecumenical Partnership
Committee between the two groups, considerable time was devoted to
receiving reports on a wide range of initiatives and programs that bring
life and vitality to the partnership through congregational, regional
and national arenas of the churches' life and mission. To learn more,
go to: http://www.disciples.org/ccu/news/052404.htm

STONE-CAMPBELL DIALOGUE CALLS FOR GREAT COMMUNION CELEBRATION IN 2009
INDIANAPOLIS -- In the recent meeting of the Stone-Campbell Dialogue on
April 26, 2004, representatives of the Churches of Christ, the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Christian Churches/Churches of
Christ proposed a "Great Communion Celebration" in 2009 to serve as a
focus and framework for its work in the coming years. This event would
mark the 200th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Campbell's
Declaration and Address, and would recall the 100th anniversary of the
great communion service that brought together 50,000 persons in Forbes
Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team in 1909. It is hoped
that thousands of Christians from across the three streams of the
movement would gather in 2009 to celebrate the Lord's Supper in local
communities all across North America as a recognition of our unity in
Christ.

In preparation for the 2009 event, the Dialogue team will provide study
materials for use in congregational settings. A study guide is being
prepared to look at the themes of the Lord's Supper and baptism, the
history of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and the authority of Scripture.
Read the complete story from the Council on Christian Unity at:
http://www.disciples.org/ccu/news/052404-2.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

** Note: There will be no Disciples News Brief next week (June 3).

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