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

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

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

EASTER OFFERING APPROACHES
The Easter special offering helps drive mission and ministry throughout
the world and allows Disciples to unite in a common witness that demonstrates our church's vision. The offering supports 10 General Units, such as
Disciples Home Missions and Overseas Ministries and several other
ministries like the Office of General Minister and President. Give
generously during the Easter Special Offering, which will be received
March 20 and 27.  To view promotional materials go to: http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org

NBA REORGANIZATION PLAN APPROVED BY COURT
Unsecured creditors of the National Benevolent Association (NBA), will be
paid no less than 102 percent of what the non-profit owes them, following
the approval of a reorganization plan by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San
Antonio, Texas. The plan, approved on Wednesday, March 2, means that NBA,
the social and health services division of the church, is now able to
emerge from bankruptcy.  A new 12-member board is expected to meet by
early April.  For more information, go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0522.htm

EXPLORE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S THEME THROUGH BIBLE STUDY
Join a number of churches that are gaining a greater understanding of the
General Assembly theme, "Jesus Calls Us" by reviewing the Bible studies
prepared for this event.

This six-unit Bible study was created by Disciples for Disciples and is an
educational resource that explores the covenantal values being highlighted
during the Assembly in Portland, Ore., July 23-27.  Discover the meaning
of covenant, core values and spiritual discipline and their significance
to you and your church.  Here are some examples of congregations that have
done just that:

·	First Christian Church in Fayetteville, N.C., has completed the
Bible Study and its members are now ready to enter into covenant with one
another.
·	Shelton Memorial Christian Church in Ulysses, Kan. is conducting
the Bible study during Lent.

Covenantal cards are available to enhance your experience after you have
finished studying these important scriptures.  Call the Communication
Ministries office at 317-713-2492 to secure your cards. You can begin
utilizing the Bible study at:	  http://www.disciples.org/ga05/biblestudy-v-1.pdf.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROMOTION SUNDAY
Remember that Sunday, March 6, is the first General Assembly Promotion
Sunday. Go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0517.htm for
information about activities to encourage the members of your church to
attend. The next Promotion Sunday will be May 1.

HOBGOOD TO LEAD VISIT TO THE CONGO
Chris Hobgood, General Minister and President of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, will lead a
delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from March 7-22.  The
goal of the trip will be to solidify relationships with the rapidly
growing Disciples community in that country, which now includes more than
1 million people. The Disciples Church in the Congo was formed more than
100 years ago as a missionary outpost, but became self-governing in 1963.
The Disciples Church in the U.S. and Canada and the Disciples Church in
the Congo represent the largest Disciples congregations in the world. To
read more about the visit, go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0521.htm

JOIN THE CHOIR AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Oregon Music Committee is looking for Disciples to sing in the mass
choir on July 27, at the concluding worship service of the General
Assembly in Portland, Ore.  All Disciples are invited to participate.
There will be two rehearsals for local singers in Oregon and Washington
states prior to the Assembly and two additional rehearsals during the
five-day event.  Rehearsal dates and times will be posted in the Oregon
Convention Center.  Each person singing in the choir should be registered
for General Assembly.  For details on joining the Assembly choir contact
Gary Frame, gframe@quik.com.

SOUTHWEST REGION APPOINTS GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT
Dani Loving Cartwright has been called as the new Regional Minister and
President for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest.
 Cartwright, a graduate of Brite Divinity School, has served as Deputy
Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the
Upper Midwest for the past eight years.  She also has pastured several
churches in Texas including First Christian Church in Gladewater.
Cartwright, who will work from the regional office in Ft. Worth, Texas,
will start in May.

AREA EXCUTIVE FOR AFRICA RESIGNS
Bonganjalo Goba, the Area Executive for the Global Ministries Africa
Office, has announced his decision to resign, effective April 30.  Due to
personal and family circumstances, Goba has decided to return to his
homeland in South Africa. Goba has led the office since June 2002.  He
also served as Africa Secretary of the United Church Board for World
Ministries, based in New York.	In his more than 35 years of active
ministry, he has served as a congregational pastor, professor of theology
and ethics, dean of a faculty of theology, vice chancellor and principal
of a major educational institution, among other positions.

REUBENA STULTZ FOX PASSES AWAY
Reubena Stultz Fox, widow of Disciples minister William K. Fox, died Feb.
27.  A memorial service was held Wednesday, March 2, at the Foxwood
Springs Living Center in Raymore, Mo.  Funeral services will be finalized
in early April in Nashville, Tenn. where the couple will be laid to rest
at Greenwood Cemetery.	Please send donations in lieu of flowers to the
William and Reubena Fox Scholarship Fund at Jarvis Christian College, P.O.
Box 1470, Hawkins, TX 75765.  Condolences can be sent to their daughter
and son-in-law, Katherine and Gerald Cunningham, 14214 Cherry Tree Road,
Carmel, IN 46033.

YEAR BOOK REPORT DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR
Make sure that your church is included in the 2005 Year Book and Directory.  In addition to a listing of the congregations of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), the Year Book contains church decisions, membership
and giving records and other statistical data.	Don't be left out.  The
deadline to submit your Year Book report is March 15.  To make your report
go to: http://www.disciples.org/yearbook.

STEP LEADERSHIP TEAM ADDS TWO NEW MEMBERS
The Student Ecumenical Partnership Leadership Team (STEP) helps organize
ecumenical events for college students and is the primary national
ministry for college Disciples.  Katie Griffin, a junior at Eastern
Kentucky University and a member of Bethany Christian Church in Evansville, Ind., and Beau Underwood, a junior at Eureka College from First Christian
Church in Princeton, Ill., are the newest additions to the 10-person STEP
Leadership Team. For more information, visit  http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/05/STEP-newteam.htm

REGISTER FOR HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT
"Mission Possible," a high school youth retreat hosted at Bethany College
in Bethany, W.Va., will be held the weekend of April 15-17.  This will be
an experience you will not want to miss!  This retreat is in its first
year and everyone at Bethany is very excited to host the event.  "Mission
Possible" will include keynotes, small groups, mission opportunities,
meals, lodging, worship, fellowship and musical performances!  Keynoting
this event is Jayna Powell, the former director of Volunteers in Mission
and currently the Volunteers in Mission Project Coordinator for Disciples
Home Missions. The musical guest is Andra Moran, a popular singer from
Nashville, Tenn. To register by March 18, or to find out more information,
visit http://www.bethanywv.edu/missionpossible.

BRING YOUR MINISTRY TO APPALACHIA
Would your church enjoy the opportunity for ministry in one of the more
impoverished areas of our nation?  Faithful Advocates Serving Together is
a pre-arranged mission trip in Appalachia with full accommodations. Engage
in a life changing-experience that will lead to a broader understanding of
the mission of the Commission on Religion in Appalachia.  The cost is $190
for each adult and $100 for children ages 11 and under; materials
included. Sign up today online: http://www.homelandministries.org/VIM/FAST/index.htm

CHRISTIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION ADDRESS
*The Christian Board of Publication's suite address was listed incorrectly
in the previous DNS.  Please note the correct address:	1221 Locust
Street, Suite 670, St. Louis, MO 63103.

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*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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