wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs -- March 11, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
March 11, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org 

TACO BELL BOYCOTT ENDED
The four-year boycott of Taco Bell has ended.  Disciples joined the
Taco Bell boycott in October of 2003 after a resolution adopted by the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during General Assembly in
Charlotte, N.C.  Yum! Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, announced a
detailed plan on March 8 to improve working conditions and to increase
the income of farm workers in Florida tomato fields.  To learn more
about the boycott and the Disciples' involvement, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0524.htm 

GIVE GENEROUSLY DURING EASTER OFFERING
Help the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continue to share the
good News of Jesus Christ from your doorstep to the ends of the earth. 
Contribute to the Easter Special Offering.  This offering supports the
nine General Units of the church, as well as a variety of other projects
and divisions. The offering will be received in congregations on March
20 and 27.  Each contribution makes a difference, so give generously. 
To read a story about the way one general unit's work benefits the
church, go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0525.htm. For
general information on the offering, click on:
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org.

CHILD CARE PROVIDED AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Wondering what activities are available for your children at the
Assembly?  Depending on their age, enroll them in the preschool or grade
school children's programs where they can have fun while learning
about the General Assembly theme, "Jesus Calls Us."  To read more
about the children's programs go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0523.htm 

LILLY ENDOWMENT PROVIDES GRANT TO SUPPORT NEW MINISTERS
The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment has awarded a $909,000 bridge
grant to Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) to provide
five additional years of operating and development expenses for the
Bethany Fellowships program, which provides support for ministers in
their first four years of congregational leadership. For more, see
http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/05/HELM-BethanyFellowship.htm.

PUERTO RICAN DISCIPLES HONOR FORMER CHURCH EXTENSION LEADER HAROLD
WATKINS
The ministry and example of the Rev. Harold R. Watkins, president
emeritus of Church Extension, was celebrated by the Annual Convention of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico Feb. 12.  He
was honored by the Puerto Rican Disciples for the numerous ways he
strengthened the ties between Church Extension and the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico.  For more information on this
celebration, go to: http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm.

YOUTH RAISE OVER $3.75 MILLION FOR CHARITY
Disciples youth collected $63,342 on Super Bowl Sunday for tsunami
victims and local charities.  Approximately 230 congregations of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) participated, in Souper Bowl of
Caring movement. Their contribution was part of the $3.75 million raised
by youth across the country. If your group has not reported its
collection amount, please do so in order for the national total to be
accurate.  To make a report or learn more about Souper Bowl of Caring,
go to: http://www.souperbowl.org.

DISCIPLES CHURCH HOSTS CONCERT TO FUND AUTISM RESEARCH
The Blue Rose Fund, a group that helps support services for Indiana
residents with autism, is sponsoring a benefit concert on Saturday,
April 2, at 7 p.m. at Central Christian Church in Terre Haute, Ind. 
Featured at the concert is country Christian singer/songwriter Tammy
Vice.  An avid autism advocate, Vice is performing free of charge. 
Information on autism will be available and donations will be accepted
at the concert.  For more information on the concert, contact Central
Christian Church at http://www.centralchristianchurch@verizon.net (web
site doesn't work!!)

To hear song clips by Tammy Vice go to:
http://www.tammyvice.com/ChristianCountryMusicSongs.html.

HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM APPOINTED CO-PASTORS 
Disciples United Community Church in Lancaster, Pa., a church
affiliated with both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the
United Church of Christ, recently appointed husband and wife team Bruce
and Kate Epperly co-pastors.  

Bruce Epperly, an award winning author, is the Director of the Alliance
for the Renewal of Ministry and a professor at Lancaster Theological
Seminary.  His books on spirituality and health have earned him
appearances on "Nightline," "ABC World News Tonight" and "PBS
Newshour".  A graduate of Claremont School of Theology in California,
Kate Epperly is a certified member of the American Association of
Pastoral Counselors.  

Disciples United Community Church is the only Disciples congregation in
the area.  

FORMER PRESIDENT OF PACIFIC SCHOOL OF RELIGION PASSES AWAY
Former trustee and president of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley,
Calif., Thomas J. Henderson, died last month of heart failure.	While
serving as president, Henderson greatly improved the university's
communication by implementing a state of the art computer and phone
system.  A memorial service was held March 5, at First Presbyterian
Church in Palo Alto, Calif.

REGISTER FOR SEMINAR ON THE BIBLE AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Larry Sweeney, minister of justice education for the Disciple Justice
Action Network (DJAN) will speak at University Christian Church in Ft.
Worth, Texas, on April 2, starting at noon.  The church is hosting a
program dealing with Biblical definitions of justice, globalization,
poverty and economics.	 Sweeney is well known for his work on justice
issues and has been featured in The Christian Science Monitor,
DisciplesWorld and The San Francisco Chronicle.  The registration fee of
$15 includes lunch and seminar materials. To register, go to:
http://www.universitychristian.org.

BRITE DIVINITY SCHOOL HOSTS STATE OF THE BLACK CHURCH SUMMIT 
Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University will celebrate its
State of the Black Church Summit and Awards Banquet on April 1 at the
Dee J. Kelly Alumni and Visitors Center on the TCU campus in Ft. Worth,
Texas.	The celebration will include a panel discussion and luncheon
from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at a cost of $15 per person.  James H. Cone,
author and professor of systemic theology at Union Theological Seminary
in New York City is the keynote speaker.  The awards banquet, held from
6:30 - 9 p.m., is honoring Brite alumnus, Albert Chew as the recipient
of the 2005 "Black Church Leader" Award.   Chew is a leader in the
National Baptist Convention of America and the Missionary Baptist
General Convention of Texas.  To join in the celebration e-mail
bcs@tcu.edu or go to:
http://www.brite.tcu.edu/stateoftheblackchurch.
 
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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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