wfn.org | Disciples News Service - March 24, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
March 24, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org 

FINAL EASTER OFFERING RECEIVED MARCH 27 
For more than 170 years, the general units of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) have helped to eradicate human injustice and abuse
of God's people everywhere.  Your support of the Easter Special Offering
this Sunday, March 27, helps ensure that Disciples will continue to be
and share the Good News of Jesus Christ from our doorsteps to the end of
the earth in the year 2020 and beyond.	Please give generously at your
church this Sunday to the Easter Special Offering, and make a
contribution to the ongoing work of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ).  For detailed information go to: 
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/easter05 
 
DISCIPLES' TSUNAMI DONATIONS HELP WOC MAKE A GREATER IMPACT 
Week of Compassion (WOC) set an initial goal of $1 million for relief
and long-term recovery following the Dec. 26 tsunami.  Disciples
congregations have given above and beyond the initial goal for a total
of $1,923,150 to date.	This outpouring of generosity has enabled WOC to
begin investigating other projects that will ensure that Disciples
continue to make an impact in this part of the world even after the
initial effects from the tsunami have disappeared.  These projects
include rebuilding a village and constructing a home for orphans.  For
information on additional projects that WOC is planning go to: 
http://www.weekofcompassion.org 

National Council of Churches recently published information on
practical ways for churches to build partnerships and continue their
involvement with rebuilding Asian communities.	This document is
available at:
http://www.ncccusa.org/interfaith/churchguidelines-tsunami.html 
    
SCHEDULE OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEAL FUNCTIONS AVAILABLE
Registering, purchasing airline tickets, securing lodging and vacation
time for General Assembly can be quite a task.	When planning a trip
like this, it's easy to forget about details like your meals.  Well,
the meal functions schedule is now available online and offers you the
convenience of registering for your meals ahead of time.  Secure your
meals now so that you will have one less thing to worry about during
Assembly.  View the meal schedule and contact information for the
various dining events at: 
http://www.disciples.org/ga05/mealschedule.htm 
 
FORMER DISCIPLES MINISTER AND EDUCATOR PASSED AWAY MARCH 15
Frances (Hill) West, ordained minister and former national director of
children's work in the Department of World Outreach Education, passed
away.  She was a certified teacher and held a bachelor's degree in
religious education from the Auburn School of Religious Education in
Hartford, Conn.  West served the United Christian Missionary Society and
Division of Overseas Ministries as an educator in the Philippines, Japan
and Indonesia.	She remained an active member of the church where she
was ordained, Downey Avenue Christian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.,
until her death.  Visitation will be March 25, at 10 a.m. at Downey
Avenue Christian Church, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.  In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fellowship of John at
Robin Run Village, 5354 West 62nd St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46268.

OHIO AND OREGON REGIONS SUPPORT FUNDRAISING WALKS
The Cleveland Christian Home in Cleveland, Ohio, with the support of
the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ), is sponsoring its
annual walk and 5K run to combat child abuse and neglect.  "Walk for
the Kids 2005" takes place April 9.  Participants can begin their walk
at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, Ohio, or walk
independently.	For more information go to:  http://www.cchome.org/walk
or register online at:	http://www.hmapromotions.net 
  
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oregon is sponsoring the
3.5 mile Koinonia (Christian Fellowship) Walk on April 23, at Champoeg
State Park in St. Paul, Ore.  Walkers collect pledges for their
church's youth program, the Regional Camp Scholarship Fund for
summer 2005 and the Ecuador Sheep Project.  Registration for the walk is
at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.  Those unable to walk are
encouraged to be sponsors.  For more information or to obtain a pledge
form, go to:  http://www.oregondisciples.org 

LEXINGTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ANNOUNCES DEAN APPOINTMENT
Daisy L. Machado, ordained Disciples minister, has been appointed vice
president for academic affairs and dean of Lexington Theological
Seminary (LTS) in Lexington, Ky.  A Cuban native, she will be the first
Latina to serve on the LTS faculty.  Machado currently serves as
associate professor of the history of Christianity and Hispanic church
studies for Texas Christian University's Brite Divinity School in Fort
Worth, Texas.  She holds a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College,
master's degrees in social work and divinity, as well as a doctoral
degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School.	Machado will
assume her new position in August.  To read the full release on
Machado's appointment, go to:  http://www.lextheo.edu/news.html 

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HOLDS 24TH ANNUAL JEWISH-CHRISTIAN
RELATIONS FORUM
Christian Theological Seminary's (CTS) 24th Annual Forum on
Jewish-Christian Relations is April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the CTS
campus in Indianapolis, Ind.  Richard Horsley, distinguished professor
of liberal arts and the study of religion at the University of
Massachusetts in Boston, Mass., will lead the study of issues
surrounding Jewish-Christian relations.  Registration for this full day
of classes will be $45 (including lunch) and is due at CTS by April 3. 
Other participants in the dialogue will be Professors Ron Sommerville
and Holly Hearon of CTS and Rabbi Dennis Sasso of Congregation Beth-El
Zedeck. 

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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: http://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