wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - May 20, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
May 20, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

HELM ADDS FIVE UNDERGRADUATES TO LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM
Five emerging leaders in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have
been named as the fifth class of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) Leadership Fellows.  HELM Leadership Fellows are selected based on
their leadership potential, church participation, and academic promise.
The students are Esther Lee (TCU) of Torrance, Calif; Laura O'Donnell
(Vanderbilt) of Zionsville, Ind.; David Weuste (TCU) of Guthrie, Okla.;
Zech Wilson (Chapman) of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Felicia Wright (TCU) of
Missouri City, Texas.  Visit http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/05/HELM-fellows.htm for more on these students and the program.

DISCIPLES CHURCH HOLDS A PASSION FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
Many paths have brought families from around the globe to the doors of
Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.  The church's unique
refugee and resettlement outreach has welcomed Cambodians, Vietnamese,
Eritreans, Bosnians and Liberians for more than 20 years.

The church's refugee resettlement ministry was recently profiled on the
local PBS affiliate and one family's arrival was featured on the television program "Across Indiana."  The resettlement ministry is only one activity
among the congregation's many local and international ministries.  The
500-member church participates in Habitat for Humanity home builds,
provides food and shelter for homeless people, arranges Christmas food
baskets for families in need and takes families to shop for Christmas
gifts.	The membership is also a major supporter of Church World Service
(CWS), through which many of its refugee activities are coordinated.
Disciples are one of six denominations that resettle refugees through CWS.

To read the full story, go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/0531.htm

If you are interested in learning more about the CWS Immigration and
Refugee Program, go to: http://www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration

To find out more about the Disciples refugee and immigration program,
visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/RIM/index.htm

DISCIPLES HISTORICAL SOCIETY ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
Glenn T. Carson has been elected to serve as the next president of the
Disciples Historical Society (DHS).  The Board of Trustees of DHS recently
elected Carson by unanimous vote.  A native of Brunswick, Ga., he
currently serves as moderator of the Greater Kansas City Region Disciples
Ministers Association and consulting pastor of Broadview Christian Church
in Kansas City, Mo. Carson has also served as senior pastor of North Woods
Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo., and as assistant professor of
religion at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C. He is the
author of "Calling Out the Called: The Life and Work of Lee Rutland
Scarborough," 14 articles and nine academic papers.

His service to the Society will begin on July 1. To read more about his
appointment, go to:  http://www.dishistsoc.org/President.htm

SIGN UP FOR CHILD CARE AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Are you wondering what activities are available for your children at the
General Assembly in Portland, Oregon? Depending on their age, enroll them
in preschool or grade school programs where they can have fun while
learning about the General Assembly theme, "Jesus Calls Us."

Both child care programs will take place at the Oregon Convention Center
and are a great opportunity for children to engage in age-appropriate
activities in a safe environment.  Early childhood educators from churches
in the Portland area have developed an outstanding program for preschoolers between the ages of three months through kindergarten that involves a
preschool village.  Children entering grades one through six will have
their own area that will replicate a campground in the Great Northwest.
Optional afternoon field trips of hiking, swimming and other activities
also will be available for grade school youth.

To read more about the quality children's programs that will be offered
during the Assembly go to: http://www.disciples.org/ga05/childcare.htm and
be sure to register your children while space is still available.

31ST ANNUAL BLACK MINISTERS' RETREAT HELD IN INDIANAPOLIS
Over 200 registrants gathered in Indianapolis, Ind., from April 11-14 for
the 31st Annual Black Ministers' Retreat hosted by Light of the World
Christian Church where T. Garrott Benjamin is senior pastor.  The retreat
allows pastors and members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
an annual opportunity to come together to worship, fellowship, learn and
reflect on the goodness of God.  This year's theme, "Whose Report Do You
Believe?" was taken from Numbers 13:26-33.  Read the full story at:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/0532.htm

FORMER DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS VICE PRESIDENT DIES
Former Vice President of Disciples Home Missions Helen Francis Spaulding
recently passed away at the age of 94.

Spaulding had a long and distinguished ministry in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), having been ordained in 1931 after receiving a
master's degree in religious education from the University of Chicago
Divinity School.  Prior to her retirement she held positions as the
National Director of Children's and Youth Work in the Division of Homeland
Ministries (DHM) and as Executive Secretary of the Department of Church
Women. She also worked as Director of Christian Education Research for the
National Council of Churches. During restructure, she served as Vice
President of DHM.

A memorial service was held on Friday, May 13 at Raymore Christian Church
in Raymore, Mo.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOURCE GROUPS AVAILABLE
Do you have an interest in learning more about Christian stewardship and
money management? Are you looking for new strategies for church revitalization or mission work?  Would you like to know more about living in a
cross-cultural, inter-religious society? If topics like this interest you,
then you are encouraged to select from more than 100 free resource groups
that will be offered during the General Assembly in Portland this July.

The workshops provide opportunities for Disciples to participate in
learning and discussion sessions that enhance leadership skills and
provide new strategies for individuals and congregations. To view the full
list of resource groups, go to: http://www.disciples.org/ga05/resourcegroups.pdf

REGISTER FOR GLOBAL MINISTRIES AND DISCIPLES PEACE FELLOWSHIP PRE-ASSEMBLY
EVENT
You have been putting it off...but now is the time to register for General
Assembly!  Don't forget to also register for the pre-assembly event,
"Jesus Calls Us to Pursue....What Makes for Peace".   Global Ministries
(Division of Overseas Ministries) and the Disciples Peace Fellowship are
co-sponsoring a pre-assembly event at the Doubletree Hotel beginning
Friday, July 22 at 1:00 p.m. and concluding at noon on Saturday, July 23.
It is critical for the church to take the lead in working for peace in the
world.	At a time when conflicts are raging all over the world, ranging
from wars to violence against women and children, the church must speak.
"So let us pursue the things that make for peace and the building up on
one another." (Romans 14:19)  This pre-assembly event will examine the
Church's role in pursuing peace in the world.	For more information about
this pre-assembly event and to download a registration form, link to:
http://www.globalministries.org/ga05.htm#preassembly.  You will want to
get your registration form in early because the event is limited to the
first 150 registrants.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE PLANS CELEBRATE WORLD REFUGEE DAY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The United Nations General Assembly has designated June 20 as World
Refugee Day.  This year marks the 50th anniversary and congregations and
communities across the United States and around the world are planning
events throughout June to recognize the plight and celebrate the contributions of refugees.

For observances of World Refugee Day, Church World Service (CWS) is
offering two church bulletin inserts.  The first CWS resource for World
Refugee Day includes a call to worship, invocation, relevant Scripture
references, and a benediction.	The second offers a reflection for World
Refugee Day, refugee facts and a word about how the CWS Immigration and
Refugee Program, its member denominations, resettlement affiliates, and
congregations are providing help and homes to refugees.  Each insert
features a color photo of a refugee family.  Both resources are available
at: http://www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration.  For more information
on World Refugee Day and events taking place in Durham, N.C.; Louisville,
Ky.; Chicago, Ill.; New York City and Washington, D.C., go to: http://www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/archives/2005/05/62.html

For more information on Disciples efforts in the area of refugee services,
go to:	www.discipleshomemissions.org/RIM/index.htm

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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, also known as "The Disciple®", 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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