wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - Sept. 2, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
September 2, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

HOPE CONTINUES DESPITE ON-GOING CRISIS FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA
It has been five days since Hurricane Katrina roared through the Gulf
Coast states, leaving almost indescribable destruction and loss of life in
its wake. Disciples have been quick to respond to the crisis, with an
outpouring of aid, support and faith.

The catastrophe hasn't slowed the spirit of First Christian Church of
Metairie, La., which expects to hold a church service on Sunday morning
via e-mail communication. Nor has it stopped the outreach of New Covenant
Christian Church in Houston, Texas, that is working with area ministers to
assist refugees from New Orleans who have been relocated to Houston. For
other information about Disciples efforts go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0557.htm

·To read more and to find ways regional leaders are working to identify
displaced Disciples in the region, visit http://www.grrcc.org/05-katrina.htm and http://www.grrcc.org/05-katrina-churches.htm
· To read a pastoral letter from Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and
President, go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/katrinaletter.htm
· To read updates about Disciples relief efforts and make financial
contributions, visit http://www.weekofcompassion.org
· To read about the efforts of Disciples Home Mission to assist those in
need following the hurricane click on: http://www.homelandministries.org 
9/11: RESPOND TO THE CALL
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is coordinating its fourth
annual nationwide effort to make September 11 a day of service in
remembrance of lives lost in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and
Flight 93 terrorist tragedies in 2001. The program, known as 9/11: Respond
To The Call, asks Disciples congregations to invite other churches,
mosques, synagogues, and different culture-centric or service-oriented
groups to work together on that day with non-profit groups that can best
identify and address their community's needs. For more information go
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/News2005/News0901.htm

Read a pastoral letter about 9/11: Respond to the Call from General
Minister and President Sharon Watkins at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/911anniversaryletter.htm

GET ON-LINE WITH THE CHURCH FINANCE COUNCIL
You can now view your congregation's offerings to the ministries of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) via the Internet. Church Finance
Council invites all Treasurers, Ministers, Staff, Outreach Leaders,
Christian Women's Fellowship (CWF) Leaders and members of Congregations,
regions, General Ministries, and Higher Education Institutions (basically
every Disciple) to visit ourwebsite http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org
and click on Current CFC
Reporting or go directly to http://cfc.onet.net/.

Here you can create an account to have access to current and historical
giving reports. If you are a Treasurer you can report your congregation's
remittance through this site and mail the check to us. Soon you will be
able to have the congregation's offering withdrawn from the church's
account to eliminate the mailing of the check. If you have any questions
please contact Church Finance Council at (317) 713-2453 or contributions@cfc.disciples.org. Church Finance Council - "Where Mission and Money Meet."

LIGHT A CANDLE FOR CHILDREN PRAYER VIGIL
This Sunday, September 4th, is the beginning of the annual Light a Candle
for Children, 40-Day Prayer Vigil. Light a Candle for Children is an
advocacy and prayer project that invites all Disciples of Christ congregations to join together in praying for children. This prayer vigil leads up
to the Observance of Children's Sabbaths (October 14,15,16). The Office of
Family and Children's Ministries, (part of Disciples Home Mission), is
giving away a limited number of Children's Sabbath Planning Manuals. If
you would like to receive one of these manuals, contact Connie Metts,
mcmetts@dhm.disciples.org. Additional information about Light a Candle and
Children's Sabbaths is available at http://www.homelandministries.org/FamilyandChildren/candle.htm.

ARIZONA DISCIPLES ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP WITH DISCIPLES IN MEXICO
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona and Disciples in
Mexico have established a global partnership known as the Mexico-Arizona
Project with the assistance of Division of Overseas Ministries. This past
year covenants were signed and initial goals developed. A new congregation, Comunidad Familia Cristiana, in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and the calling
of a pastor to serve on both sides of the border are examples of this
partnership at work. Another pastor was called from Mexico to establish a
new Arizona congregation in Surpirse/El Mirage. The partnership between
the Disciples in Arizona and Mexico represents a common mission of unity
in a world of ever-growing diversity and need. The Mexico-Arizona Project
is looking to expand their ministry across the border in a joint project
with two United Church of Christ congregations near the border. To learn
more about the activities of the Disciples in Arizona, go to: http://www.arizonadisciples.com

CRAFTING UNITY: A NEW VISION FOR COUNCIL ON CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Board of Directors of the Council on Christian Unity, in a special
meeting during the Portland General Assembly of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in late July, affirmed a "vision statement" that
provides new clarity, direction and focus to the work and programs of
Disciples of Christ in response to God's call to unity in Christ. For the
full release go to: http://www.disciples.org/ccu/news/083105Julyboard.htm
To view the Vision Statement go to: http://www.disciples.org/ccu/resources/mappingin21stcentury.htm

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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

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