wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - Sept 16, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
September 16, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

DISCIPLES ARE ORGANIZING TO PROVIDE KATRINA-RELATED ASSISTANCE
Disciples are among those heading south to volunteer for relief and clean
up efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  The Office of Disciples
Volunteering (ODV) is coordinating the schedule and calendar for all work
groups.  In addition, ODV has announced that it will provide information
about work opportunities, insurance, safety and other details.	ODV has
partnered with Week of Compassion as well as the Great River and Alabama/NW Florida regions and local congregations in the Katrina-impacted areas to
serve as "mission stations" for the next two months, where volunteers can
get lodging, food, showers, and information on needed work assignments.  A
registration form is available at http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/ -
click on Hurricane Katrina opportunities.

Financial contributions continue to be needed for those affected by the
hurricane and other world-wide disasters.  If you would like to make a
donation to Week of Compassion, which enables Disciples to be part of a
network of caring and service that reaches out to people in the aftermath
of natural and human disasters, go to http://www.weekofcompassion.org/

NBA NEGOTIATES BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONAL FEE REDUCTION
The National Benevolent Association (NBA) announced today that it has come
to terms with Huron Consulting Group of Chicago, Ill. for a $500,000
reduction in professional fees charged by Huron to the NBA.  The NBA
engaged Huron as its professional financial advisor in May 2003 while the
NBA attempted to negotiate with creditors a restructure of its approximately $230 million of debt.  The NBA later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection in February 2004 and emerged from bankruptcy in April 2005.	To
read the full release go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0559.htm.

RECONCILIATION MISSION ASKS DISCIPLES TO RECOMMIT AND REDEDICATE THEMSELVES TO CHURCH'S MISSION
In a letter to all Disciples, the staff of Reconciliation Mission (RM)
calls on the church to recommit to its mission of justice and compassion.
Ministers Eugene Fisher and Jessica Vazquez, along with the Reconciliation
Mission Commission, reflect on the lessons that can be learned from the
Hurricane Katrina crisis that left many poor and elderly trapped in New
Orleans, La., for several days.  The writers note that the majority of
those individuals were people of color, and call upon the church to join
with RM in its mission "to eradicate the root causes of racism" by
transforming the systems and institutions that perpetuate the urban poor.
To read the entire letter go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0560.htm

RM will offer resources in the weeks ahead for congregations to utilize in
talking about such topics as poverty, class and racism.  RM also reminds
congregations that the Reconciliation Offering, which allows RM and
regions to work toward a more just and equitable society will be taken in
churches on Sunday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 2.

DISCIPLES IN LOUISIANA REACH OUT TO NEARBY MILITARY BASE
First Christian Church (FCC) in Leesville, La., is reaching out to
military personnel who are Disciples or members of the United Church of
Christ (UCC) stationed at Ft. Polk Army Post.  Due to the restrictions on
communication and access since the Homeland Security Act, the congregation
is not able to locate Disciples or UCC members serving or training at Ft.
Polk.  If you have members and friends stationed there, or if you know
they are being transferred there, simply communicate their contact
information to the church c/o Pastor Neil W. Early, First Christian
Church, 400 N. 4th St., Leesville, LA 71446.

OPEN REGISTRATION FOR ANTI-RACISM TEAM TRAINING
Reconciliation Mission is sponsoring its second open registration for
Anti-Racism Team Training.  The dates for this training are Oct. 13-15 at
the Marten House Hotel and Conference Center, Indianapolis, Ind.  The $250
(U.S.) registration fee covers all training materials as well as lunch and
snacks each day.  Registration will close on September 30, or once 40 paid
participants are enrolled.  Contact the Marten House at 317-872-4111 to
make lodging arrangements.  The secured rate is $71 (U.S.) per room
(single or double).  The last day to reserve your room at this rate is
September 30.  To secure a registration form, contact Reconciliation
Mission at 317-713-2416. Registration forms should be sent to:	Chandra
Haskett, Reconciliation Mission, Christian Church (Disicples of Christ),
P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

YALE DIVINITY SCHOOL HONORS A DISCIPLES MINISTER FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Arthur B. Keys Jr., a minister with standing in both the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, is among five graduates
of Yale Divinity School (YDS) in New Haven, Conn., who will be honored
with an alumni award for distinguished service. The awards will be
presented Oct. 13-15 during Convocation 2005 at YDS.  Keys is the founder,
president and chief executive officer of International Relief and
Development, an Arlington, Va., based organization committed to improving
the living conditions and lives of the world's most vulnerable populations.  To learn more about Keys and other YDS alumni honored for distinguished
service, go to: http://www.yale.edu/divinity/notes/050831/notes_050831_alumawards.html


DISCIPLES TV PROGRAMS ON THE INTERNET
You can now view television programs produced by a Disciples congregation
streaming live on the Internet.  Ted Nottingham, pastor of First Christian
Church of Kent, Wash., is producing a weekly program called "Spiritual
Journey" that is available on the Internet.  The series airs on Sundays at
7 p.m., Tuesdays at 1 p.m., and Thursdays at 8 a.m. (Pacific Time).  A
high speed connection is needed to view the video, but the audio can be
received through any connection.  Preview some of these programs at:
http://www.kentdisciples.org and click on sermons.  To view the television
programs as they are streamed live on the Internet, go to: http://www.pugetsoundaccess.org and click on "launch".	Learn more about this and other
programs created by FCC at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0561.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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