wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - March 18, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
March 18, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

EASTER OFFERING SUPPORTS THE WORLDWIDE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
"Let the Blessings Flow" is the theme for this year's Easter Offering.
Disciples churches are asked to reflect on God's goodness and the
abundance he offers each of us, as we give to the Easter Offering this
Sunday, March 20 and next Sunday, March 27. The Easter Special Offering
supports nine General Units and several other ministries that provide
service and assistance both at home and around the world on behalf of the
whole church.  As we enter the Easter season, we ask that you be reminded
that God is able to provide in abundance, and that you give generously.

For more information on the Easter Offering go to: http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org.

STILL ROOM FOR MORE AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Hotel rooms for the 2005 General Assembly in Portland, Ore., are filling
up fast.  But a number of conveniently located rooms remain for those who
will attend the Assembly July 23-27.

Several hotels located just across the river from the Oregon Convention
Center in downtown Portland, will provide excellent accommodations.
Downtown Portland has excellent shopping, dining and entertainment
opportunities *and it's just a short drive to the convention center.

To get to the center, attendees can take advantage of the free shuttle
service provided by the General Assembly or hop on MAX, Portland's
inexpensive light rail system.	In fact, MAX is free if you're going to
and from the Convention Center and nearly all of downtown. So make your
reservation today for either the Embassy Suites Hotel, Hilton Portland and
Executive Tower or the Marriott Downtown by going to: http://www.disciples.org/ga05/housing.htm.

To get a paper copy of the housing form, contact your church office or
download a form from the General Assembly web site.  You can then mail or
fax your form to the Portland housing bureau, 1000 S.W. Broadway, Suite
2300, Portland, Ore., 97205 or fax it to 503-275-9782.	For questions
only, you can call 503-275-9783 or via e-mail at housing@pova.com.
Reservations will not be accepted by telephone.

WANTED!  USHERS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Seminarians play a vital role at each General Assembly when they serve as
ushers. This ministry of hospitality gives emerging church leaders the
opportunity to connect with the gathered Disciples community.  This year
the search is on for more than 40 persons to welcome and assist during
worship and business sessions in Portland, Ore.  Unlike past Assemblies,
an invitation has been extended to college students who wish to serve as
well.  A small stipend is available for seminarians and students who
participate.  To register, go to: www.disciples.org/ga05/usher_reg.htm.

RECONCILIATION CELEBRATES NINE YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH CROSSROADS
In 1996, Disciples leaders met with representatives of an interfaith
organizing group from Chicago, Ill., called Crossroads Ministry, to
explore whether their five-stage model for change could work within a
Disciples context.  The Disciples and Crossroads Ministry came together
out of a commitment to dismantle structures that perpetuate systemic
racism and patterns of oppression within the church.  Nine years later the
partnership with Crossroads has resulted in 20 transformation teams, four
core-organizer/trainers and the development of the Anti-Racism Commission.

Crossroads' mission "to dismantle systemic racism and build anti-racist
multi-cultural diversity within institutions and communities" and the
Disciples commitment to become a faith community that "demonstrates true
community, deep Christian spirituality, and a passion for justice," merged
into a fruitful partnership. To read more about this partnership, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0526.htm

UCC GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT NOMINATED FOR ADDITIONAL TERM
United Church of Christ's (UCC) Executive Council has supported the search
committee's recommendation that John H. Thomas be elected to serve a third
and final term as the United Church of Christ's general minister and
president.  The next step of this process occurs at General Synod in
Atlanta, July 1-5, where delegates affirm or reject the Executive
Council's recommendation.  However, UCC's constitution does not allow
submission of names during Synod, so Thomas will be the sole candidate up
for consideration for the denomination's highest office.  Learn more about
Thomas and his leadership at http://www.ucc.org/news/r031405.htm.

MISSIONARY DEDICATED TO GLOBAL MINISTRY PASSES AWAY
Gretchen DeVries, former missionary to Asia, died in late February after
struggling with cancer.  DeVries, 81, was a missionary for the former
United Church Board/Global Ministries. As the former Director of Asian
Rural Institute in Japan, she coordinated communications with sponsors,
graduates and potential students.  Her travels took her to India, Holland,
Thailand, Turkey and numerous other countries.	She was an ordained United
Church of Christ minister. Condolences and personal reflections can be
sent to adevries@neb.rr.com.  Read DeVries' obituary at: http://www.legacy.com/Legacy.asp.
To read the Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Neb.) article about DeVries go
5199254.txt.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY USES QUILTING TO DEMONSTRATE UNITY
Quilting was used as a symbol of women's stories in the life of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during a recent women's meeting at
West Street Christian Church in Tipton, Ind.  Sylvia Mill, Associate
Regional Minister for Indiana, instructed the women on the "Women's
Ministry Umbrella" that covers all women's events, ministries, circles and
groups.  The session also included Bible study and testimonies.  As each
woman told her story, she illustrated her experience with a scrap of
fabric that represented an aspect of her life.	The pieces of fabric will
soon be stitched together to construct a quilt of the women's stories.
Attendees say the session was effective in helping to "stitch" them
together across barriers of age, occupation and interests.  For more
information on this ministry, contact Erin Reed Iobst at reviobst@gmail.com.

KENTUCKY APPALACHIAN MINISTRY AWARDS LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS
Kentucky Appalachian Ministry (KAM), a mission center for Disciples Home
Missions and the Christian Church in Kentucky, awarded $34,500 in
scholarships to students for the 2004-2005 academic year.  All scholarship
recipients reside in eastern Kentucky and are attending Midway College or
Transylvania University.  Each recipient has reported an interest in
pursuing a career that will serve the Appalachian region following his or
her graduation.  Both Midway and Transylvania are related by covenant to
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more information on KAM
contact Lon Oliver, lon@ccinky.net or go to: http://www.kentuckyappalachianministry.com.

DISCIPLES PEACE FELLOWSHIP HAS NEW WEB ADDRESS
Disciples Peace Fellowship (DPF) marks its 70th anniversary this year.
DPF is an independent organization within the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) that promotes peace and justice by sending peace interns to
church camps, publishing a quarterly newsletter, and taking action on
specific peace and justice causes, among other activities.  To learn more
about DPF, check out their new web site at http://www.dpfweb.org/

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Have you registered for the 2005 General Assembly that will take place
July 23-27 in Portland, Oregon?  Register now by contacting your church
office or by going to:	www.disciples.org/ga05.

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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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