wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - August 26, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
August 26, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

FOUNDATION HONORS ILLINOIS CONGREGATION
Central Christian Church in Decatur, Ill., has received the Christian
Church Foundation's James P. Johnson Stewardship Award for excellence in
stewardship, planned giving and mission funding support. Read about the
congregation and the award at
http://www.disciples.org/ccf/About_Us/CCFnews.html

DISCIPLES GAVE GENEROUSLY DURING GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Disciples illustrated their willingness to share their financial resources
with the church and the world community by giving generously to offerings
collected during General Assembly.  For information on the amount of money
collected for the various offerings, go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0556.htm

DISCIPLES CHURCH PROMOTES YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM
First Christian Church in Vero Beach, Fla., recently introduced TeamKid ,
a fun, high-energy ministry that encourages children to know Jesus Christ
and to grow in a relationship with him.  TeamKid is a child-focused
ministry for youth in grades one through six.  First Christian's celebration included games, refreshments and entertainment.  TeamKid programming
includes Bible stories, scripture memorization, and recreation, among
other activities. TeamKid meetings are held every Wednesday evening from
6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the church.  Registration for TeamKid is
continuing. The church also welcomes donations to the program. For further
information call (772) 562-9110 or go to: http://www.firstchristianverobeach.org/TeamKidCYF.html

ACTION BY CHURCHES TOGETHER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
This week Action By Churches Together (ACT) celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Week of Compassion (WOC)
have been members of this remarkable network of church partners from
around the world since its conception, as it is one of the most effective
and faithful ways we can respond to humanitarian needs in the world.  Just
as Church World Service (CWS) binds Disciples together with other churches
in the U.S., ACT binds Disciples together with church partners throughout
the world in responding with help and hope to millions of people whose
lives have been ravaged by natural and human disaster.	WOC has channeled
$364,000 through ACT in support of 34 ACT/CWS appeals for disasters and
emergencies in more than 30 countries so far this year.  To read the
latest updates on WOC, go to:  http://www.weekofcompassion.org

CAMPUS MINISTRIES AT YOUR FUTURE ALMA MATER
Are you a student heading off to college?  If so, sustain a relationship
with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by locating a campus
ministry near campus. The website for Higher Education and Leadership
Ministries (HELM) has links to more than 60 Disciples campus ministers and
more than 600 other ecumenical ministries.  It's a great place to get
contact information, addresses, and names of campus ministers. Go to
http://www.helmdisciples.org/student/doc.htm for chapters of Disciples on
campus, http://www.helmdisciples.org/student/ministers.htm for a list of
Disciples campus ministers, and http://www.higheredmin.org/schoolsearch.html for a list of campus ministries across the country.

DISCIPLES PASTOR TO SPEAK AT CONFERENCE ON BLACK RELIGIOUS LIFE
Cynthia Hale, pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., will
be one of several speakers at The National Conference on Black Religious
Life on Oct. 12 -13, in Atlanta, Ga.  Hosted by the Interdenominational
Theological Center (ITC) and operating on the theme "Coming Together,
Strengthening Partnerships, and Planning for the Future" the conference
will be held at the Hyatt Regency and at ITC.  It will examine topics that
are critical to the growth, development and future of the Black Church.
It also will serve as an opportunity to engage in meaningful interaction
with religious leaders representing a wide range of Christian denominations and faith traditions.	The registration deadline is Sept. 16.	Additional
information and registration materials are available on the ITC website
at: http://www.itc.edu/conference

CBP AND OFFICE OF DISCIPLES WOMEN PARTNER FOR WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP TOOL
Tools for Leadership: Enabling New Ways of Ministry, a new resource by
Christian Board of Publication (CBP) and the Office of Disciples Women, is
available for downloading off the web at no charge.  This free resource
was designed and produced to assist women in organizing new ways of
ministry for women's groups and Christian Women's Fellowship (CWF).

Written in part and edited by long-time CWF members Judy Row and Susan
Gonzales Dewey, this resource provides practical, informational, and
step-by-step help as well as celebrations, commissioning services, and
spiritual practices to organize women's groups and to inspire leaders.	To
access this resource, go to:  http://www.cbp21.com and click on Women's
Resources to follow the link to download Tools for Leadership in nine
manageable segments.  Learn more about this and other creative tools for
women by CBP at: http://www.cbp21.com/cont_main.asp?nID=73


CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TO OFFER SPECIAL INTERFAITH CLASSES FOR
LAITY
Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis, Ind., will offer a
special series of four-evening classes this fall as part of its "Faith
Learning Initiative."  The first session begins the week of September 6
and offers four, four-week courses.  The second session, which offers five
four-week courses, begins the week of October 19.  Classes run for four
weeks and are taught by local religious leaders and experts.  Classes
include such topics as "Treasures of Jewish Scripture: Hebrew Poetry and
Wisdom," and "Faith to Faith/Face to Face: Fostering Interfaith Understanding." Registration for each course is $45 or $40 for students and retirees.
 The fee is fully refundable after the first class if registrants decide
not to continue.  All classes are held at the seminary located at 1000
West 42nd Street.  Additional information is available at http://www.cts.edu

####

DNS Writer:	Kenethia Jackson

*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

wfn