wfn.org | Disciples of Christ news digest January 10, 1996

[George Gundrey <ggundrey@igc.apc.org>]

   Church leaders release pastoral letter supporting 
           peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The leaders of two mainline Protestant
denominations Dec. 7 sent a pastoral letter to church members supporting
the newly reached Dayton peace accord, stating that the U.S. has a moral
responsibility to use its power positively toward the achievement of peace,
and urging prayer for the peacekeepers and their families.

        The letter, sent by the Rev. Richard L. Hamm, general minister and
president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Rev. Paul
H. Sherry, president of the United Church of Christ, urged Congressional
leaders to approve and support U.S. participation in the peacekeeping force
under NATO command.

        "We acknowledge that the agreement does not achieve perfect justice
 ... Nevertheless, what is most needed now is a secure peace" offering the
opportunity for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina to rebuild their lives and
society, the leaders wrote. "We affirm the Dayton peace accord as the most
hopeful means to achieve that end."
 
        The leaders also cautioned that the accord does not resolve all of
the questions arising from the conflict, and said that the investigation of
war crimes and violations of human rights should continue. 

                           *****

     Easter ABC-TV service to feature Disciples church

   INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- After nearly a four-year hiatus, the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) will be back on national network television in
spring 1996.

   That's when the Easter worship service of Mississippi Boulevard
Christian Church, Memphis, Tenn., will be broadcast to the nation on the
ABC network. The predominantly African American 8,000-member church is the
Disciples' largest congregation in North America.

   Delivering the Easter message to the nation will be the congregation's
dynamic pastor, the Rev. Alvin O'Neal Jackson. Mississippi Boulevard was a
500-member congregation when Jackson first arrived in 1979. Now, some 16
years later, the Memphis pastor is credited with the church's explosive
growth. 

   Most ABC stations are expected to air the Easter special. For specific
broadcast times contact your local affiliate in early March 1996, advises
the Rev. Theodore J. Nottingham, director of  production.

                          ***** 

    Baptist leader's book revives Disciples AIDS story

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Media coverage of the publication of a new
book by a prominent Southern Baptist leader has revived awareness of a
Colorado Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)  congregation's mid-1980s
intimate encounter with AIDS.  

        In public appearances and interviews leading up to and coinciding
with the October release of his book "Burden of a Secret: A Story of Truth
and Mercy in the Face of AIDS," the Rev. Jimmy Allen, former president of
the Southern Baptist Convention, related his recollections of the
experiences of his son Scott Allen. The younger Allen learned in 1985 that
his wife, Lydia, had been infected with HIV in a blood transfusion during
her first pregnancy.  The Allens' 8-month-old son, Bryan, died of AIDS
complications in 1986. Lydia Allen died in 1992.  In early November 1995,
a second Allen child, Matthew, 13, died of AIDS complications as well.     

        Scott Allen was on the staff of First Christian Church of Colorado
Springs when he learned of his wife's illness. It has been reported in one
case that Allen was the pastor of the church, and in other instances that
he was the minister of Christian Education.  According to the Rev. Gaylord
Hatler, present senior pastor of the 800-member Disciples congregation,
Allen was neither.  Hatler, in 1985 a Fort Carson Army chaplain with close
ties to the congregation, says Allen was a part-time staff employee in
youth ministry when he learned his wife was HIV-positive. 

                           *****

 New regional minister called in Alabama-Northwest Florida

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Rev. John P. Mobley has been called to
serve as regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in
Alabama-Northwest Florida.

        Mobley, currently senior minister of First Christian Church,
Shelbyville, Tenn., will begin his new duties March 1. His call was
approved Dec. 9 by the regional board.

        Mobley, 38, has served the Shelbyville congregation since 1991.
Ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1978, Mobley was granted standing
as a Disciples pastor in 1984. He served as minister of the Simpsonville
(Ky.) Christian Church from 1985 -1991.

        The newly called regional minister received his bachelor's degree
from Furman University, Greenville, S.C. He received his master of divinity
degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and has
done post-graduate work at the seminary.

                           *****
        Greater Kansas City region calls new leader

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A licensed psychologist and pastoral
counselor has been called as regional minister/president of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greater Kansas City.

        The Rev. Paul J. Diehl Jr. (pronounced "deal") assumes his new
duties Feb. 15. An area resident, he comes to the regional office from a
position as director of Midwest Christian Counseling Center in Kansas City,
Mo.

        During 19 years as head of Midwest Center, Diehl often worked as a
consultant with GKC regional staff and helped develop an innovative "Street
Psych" project for inner-city churches.

        The Butler, Mo., native earned a bachelor of science in 1970 from
the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master of divinity in 1974 from
Yale University Divinity School, New Haven, Conn. Diehl obtained a
doctorate of ministry in 1975 from Vanderbilt University Divinity School,
Nashville, Tenn. He also has studied at the University of Edinburgh,
Scotland.

                           *****

    Promotions, elections mark BCE directorate actions

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Staff promotions and the elections of new
board members and officers highlighted actions taken by the governing body
of the Board of Church Extension, meeting here in December.

        Staff reassignments included the Rev. Gary W. Kidwell becoming
vice-president for field services and Ellen L. Mitchell being named
assistant vice-president for development.  Kidwell, a general consultant
since 1991, will assume oversight of general services to congregations and
organizations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) across North
America and Puerto Rico. He also edits "Cutting Edge," published by BCE,
and "Biblical Preaching Journal."

        Mitchell's promotion to assistant vice-president comes after more
than 15 years of BCE staff experience, the past two years as director of
development. She joined Church Extension in 1980 as supervisor and
administrative assistant in investor services.  For eight years she was
office manager, responsible for personnel and office management. The new
assistant vice-president also is editor of the "BCExtension" newsletter.

                           *****

        Hamm named National Council of Churches VP

   INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Rev. Richard L. Hamm, general minister and
president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has been named vice
president of the newly created National Ministries Unit (NMU) of the
National Council of Churches. 

        Hamm will lead the work of representatives of NCC-member
denominations in guiding policy and programming in a wide variety of
ministry programs drawn together in the NMU as part of the council's
"transformation," or structural reorganization.  

   They include: Ecumenical Networks; Bible Translation and Utilization;
Urban Initiatives; the Racial Justice Program; Justice for Women; Economic
and Environmental Justice; the Interfaith Center on Corporate
Responsibility; Education for Mission/Friendship Press; Ministries in
Christian Education; Professional Church Leadership; Program Ministry on
Evangelism; and Worship and the Arts. 

                           *****

  Disciples leader lays prayerful hands on U.S. President

        WASHINGTON, D.C. (DNS) -- The head of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) and more than a dozen of North America's top
Christian leaders prayed for President Bill Clinton in the White House Oval
Office Nov. 18.  Bishop Nathaniel Linsey of the Christian Methodist
Episcopal Church led the prayer as all members of the group "laid hands" on
the nation's chief executive. 

        General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm and his colleagues
from the National Council of Churches General Board were invited to
Washington to share with Clinton their views on the current national budget
deliberations.  They personally delivered an NCC declaration on the
nation's budget priorities, adopted by the board Nov. 15. 

        After a 45-minute meeting with the president came what Hamm
describes as "one of the most remarkable moments of my life.  We all stood
in front of the president's desk, and we laid hands on the president."
Bishop Linsey prayed that God would "make the president strong for the
task" as he seeks to work with Congress in budget negotiations to protect
vulnerable children, families and the elderly. 

                           *****

  Work at East Hills anticipated to resume by Summer 1996

   INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) went to
Pittsburgh in October to build as well as "Become a Dwelling Place for
God." The denomination had hoped to complete a 10,000-square foot addition
to East Hills Community Christian Church during its October General
Assembly. 

   By the end of the assembly, Disciples volunteers had erected a new
sanctuary, installed storm windows, and begun interior finish work. But the
job isn't quite done, according to the Rev. Jayna Powell, Baltimore, Md.,
who coordinated the work. Winter weather and other complications have
halted work on the project for time being.

   "We hope to resume in spring or early summer," said the Homeland
Ministries Volunteers in Mission associate. She hopes to gather about 100
volunteers for two work camps, either during spring break or in summer 1996
to complete the task. East Hills Church members currently are worshiping in
the old sanctuary.

   While Disciples gave about $20,000 to the project during the biennial
session, contributions still are being accepted, according to Powell. Any
money coming in now will be used to finish the sanctuary, she said. Checks
may be written to Week of Compassion and earmarked for the East Hills
project, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46204. 

                           *****

     Sunflowers aid Hispanic scholarships, East Hills

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The sunflower bouquets that brightened the
General Assembly stage in Pittsburgh are now "brightening" the Hispanic
scholarship fund and the East Hills Community Christian Church building
project. 

        Assembly goers purchased the tissue paper flowers, made by a dozen
Hispanic Disciples congregations, for more than $1,200. After expenses were
paid, two-thirds of the money was donated to the Hispanic scholarship fund,
which aids Hispanic seminarians. The remaining third augments funding of
the building project which added needed classrooms and a new sanctuary to
the Pittsburgh church.

        Stage designer Michael Dominguez, St. Louis, pointed out that the
sale also saved the General Assembly money since ferns and flowers are
usually rented to decorate the stage.

                           *****

 Faith & Values Channel breaks 25-million-subscriber mark

   NEW YORK -- An interfaith television network that airs Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) programming now has more than 25 million subscribers,
according to network officials.  

   The Faith & Values Channel recently broke the 25-million-subscriber
mark, according to its affiliate relations department. Over the past year,
(F&V) was the eighth fastest growing ad-supported cable network, as
reported by the A.C. Nielsen Company.

   "We now have 984 Disciples congregations in the viewing areas," said the
Rev.  Theodore J. Nottingham, director of production and consultation
services. "Our television ministry has become a valuable tool of evangelism
and proclamation for the whole church, reaching living rooms throughout the
country. 

   "We will be broadcasting six shows in the first quarter of 1996," he
added. Disciples programs produced by the Office of Communication regularly
appear on "One in the Spirit." 

                           *****

                   Disciples in the news

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Christian Church Foundation has called
the Rev. A.  Oden Latham, Jr., as a vice president serving the Midwest
zone. He will represent the foundation in the regions of
Illinois-Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio beginning Feb.  1. 

        Latham has served as the area minister of the Northeast Area of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest since July 1988,
providing pastoral oversight for 68 congregations.  From 1982 to 1988 he
was a member of the development staff of the National Benevolent
Association, serving as national director of annual giving for three years.
Latham has served congregations in South Carolina and Texas. 

        A graduate of Barton College, Wilson N.C., and Brite Divinity
School, Fort Worth, Texas, Latham has completed other postgraduate work
toward the doctor of ministry degree. He has received additional training
in the areas of planned giving and development, and is a member of the
National Society of Fund Raising Executives.