wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - Feb. 4, 2005

["Wilma Shuffitt" <wshuffitt@cm.disciples.org>]

Disciples News Briefs
February 4, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact:  Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail:  News@cm.disciples.org 

DISCIPLES CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS
While the death toll from the tsunami in southern Asia and East Africa
on Dec. 26 continues to rise, so does participation in relief efforts
around the world. The compassion and commitment of Disciples around the
country continues to help make a difference in the worldwide response
efforts. Listed below are a few of the most recent responses. 
	-- It only took one week and one email for Disciples women
attending the International Christian Women's Fellowship (ICWF) to
respond to a call to provide medical supplies to help Tsunami victims.
With extra suitcases and bags, the women attending the January 21-25
cabinet session in Indianapolis brought approximately $3000 in medical
supplies collected by the women in each of their regions and donated
more than $8,000.  
-- Hanover Avenue Christian Church in Richmond, Va., may have closed
its doors in October 2002, but a meeting of the trustees resulted in a
$35,000 check being written to Week of Compassion.
-- National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Mo. co-sponsored a
concert that raised $10,000. So far, the church has raised nearly
$35,000 to aid tsunami victims.

Read the latest updates on Week of Compassion and learn more about
Disciples tsunami outreach efforts at: http://www.weekofcompassion.org 
 

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY GETS YOUTH INVOLVED IN TSUNAMI RELIEF
Disciples youth will join young people across the country this Sunday
in asking for one dollar donations as part of Souper Bowl of Caring. 
For the past 12 years, Super Bowl Sunday has been used by America's
youth as a day to collect monetary donations for local soup kitchens,
food banks and other charities.

This year, many of the young people involved have decided that the
donations will not only assist their local communities but also the
victims of the tsunami in Southern Asia and East Africa.  Because the
event coincides with the first of the 2005 Special Offerings, Disciples
youth are encouraged to donate their proceeds to Week of Compassion. 
All contributions will be used in their entirety for tsunami relief and
recovery.  In 2004, Souper Bowl of Caring raised more than $4.2 million.
 The goal for 2005 is $5 million.  To learn more about Souper Bowl of
Caring go to: http://www.souperbowl.org 

CBP PRESENTS FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER
Christians who are seeking a call to repentance and prayer as the
Easter season approaches will find inspiration in the Lenten devotional
"Fellowship of Prayer".  For less than $2.00 (U.S.) you can
experience the timeless and powerful writings of Disciples minister Fred
Craddock.  Place your order today!  Lent begins February 9. 
"Fellowship of Prayer" is available from Christian Board of
Publication (CBP).  For ordering information contact CBP at
customerservice@cbp21.com or go to:
http://www.cbp21.com 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFERS SEMINAR FOR CHURCH HISTORIANS
Local church historians are invited to the 2005 Joe and Nancy Stalcup
Seminar in Nashville, Tenn. from Feb. 10-12.  Historians will learn to
research and write the history of their congregation, preserve valuable
papers and photographs, organize archives and utilize technology
available to historians.  Don't miss this great opportunity to meet
fellow church historians.  Registration is $50; rooms and meals at
Scarritt-Bennett Center are $126, including two nights, two breakfasts
and lunches.  For information send a message to mail@dishistoc.org 

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES RECOGNIZES PEACE MAKER
Aletha Carter, a member of Central Christian Church in Terre Haute,
Ind. was awarded a "Blessed Are the Peacemakers Award" by the World
Council of Churches for her leadership as a peacemaker in her community.
 Aletha has been an advocate for peace and justice for many years and is
committed to building bridges of understanding.  The awards were created
to lift up the themes and objectives of WCC's Decade to Overcome
Violence:  The Power and Promise of Peace.  

TWO DISCIPLES PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL REGIONAL LEADERSHIP 
Two regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have new
transitional leadership. 

Ben Bohren now serves as Transitional Regional Minister of the
Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada.  Bohren previously
served as Director of Church Relations for the National Benevolent
Association for seven years. He had also been Director of Church
Relations for Chapman University and pastor of First Christian Church in
Orange, Calif.	A lifelong member of the Disciples, Bohren attended
Lynchburg College and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree at Lexington
Theological Seminary.  

J. Gregory (Greg) Alexander has been appointed Acting General Minister
for the Christian Church in Kentucky (CCK).  Alexander served as CCK's
Associate Regional Minister, starting in1992.  He has been the pastor of
several churches and has served as a congregational consultant in
several areas.	He is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a
Master's of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary.  Alexander
is co-founder and editor of The Journal of Worship Resources, a brochure
for pastors and worship leaders.

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For more information on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
visit http://www.disciples.org 

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed weekly 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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