wfn.org | DNS - March 1998 Digest

["Wilma Shuffitt" <WILMAS@oc.disciples.org>]

March 1998

Note: The number in brackets following each story refers to
an assigned number for a full-length Disciples News
Service release.  

    Bombing could worsen Iraqi peoples misery 
  and still not stop Saddam, church leaders warn

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Acknowledging the suffering
of Iraqis under the "horrible regime" of Saddam Hussein,
the leaders of two North American mainline Protestant
churches nonetheless urged President Clinton to consider
alternatives to military force --  for the sake of those same
Iraqi citizens. 

     Iraqs people have also been "victims of a murderous
regime of economic sanctions that has already claimed the
lives of over a half-million Iraqi children, for lack of food,
medicine and potable water. Bombing Iraq will only make
their lives more miserable," wrote the Rev. Paul H. Sherry
of Cleveland, president of the United Church of Christ, and
the Rev. Richard L. Hamm of Indianapolis, general minister
and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

     Their comments appear in a letter that was faxed to
Clinton Feb. 17.   

     In addition, Sherry and Hamm are among the religious
leaders who have signed on to a statement from the
National Council of Churches opposing any bombing of
Iraq. [12]

                      *****

Phillips University basketball teams earn national rankings 

     ENID, Okla. -- The Phillips University Haymakers were
ranked No. 1, Feb. 11, in the NAIA divisions Top 25 poll
of mens basketball teams nationwide.  

     The Haymakers were 23-1 overall and 7-1 in conference
play when the poll results were released. A 73-70 win, Feb.
7, over No. 2 ranked Oklahoma City University, propelled
the Haymakers past previously No. 1 ranked Georgetown,
Ky., and No. 3 Birmingham (Ala.) Southern. 

     This is the first time in the Disciples-related schools
history the team has earned the top ranking in its division.
In addition, the Haymakers were unanimously selected by
NAIA officials to occupy the top spot.  

     In a just-released NAIA womens basketball poll, the
Phillips University Fillies jumped three places to land at
No. 7 in the nation. Recent wins over then-No. 1 ranked
Southern Nazarene and No. 18 Oklahoma City launched the
Fillies into the top 10. Currently the Fillies have a record of
17-5 overall and 6-2 in their conference.

                      *****

World ecumenists offer tribute to Disciples leader
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "A life given to the
ecumenical quest." Thats how 30 world ecumenists
describe the contributions of the Rev. Paul A. Crow, Jr., of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), to the Christian
unity movement. 

     Their reflections have been bound and published in a
new book, The Vision of Christian Unity; A Life Given to
the Ecumenical Quest: Essays in Honor of Paul A. Crow,
Jr.

     In the new volume, "world leaders of the ecumenical
movement have thoughtfully captured many of the strands
that celebrate the unity of the church, even in the midst of
the struggle toward its visible unity," said the Rev. Suzanne
J. Webb, Carbondale, Ill. Webb is pastor of First Christian
Church and is first vice-chairperson of the Council on
Christian Unity board of directors. 

     The honoree, the Rev. Paul A. Crow, Jr., is retiring
December 31 after nearly 25 years as president of the
Disciples Council on Christian Unity and almost 40 years
in the vanguard of ecumenism. [11] 

                      *****

  Ray of Hope to host national clergy conference
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Some 400 African American
clergy from across the U.S. will gather March 3-5 at Ray of
Hope Christian Church, Decatur, Ga., for the 24th annual
Black Ministers Retreat. 

     Among the presenters for the three-day event is the Rev.
Carolyn A. Knight, assistant professor of homiletics,
Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta; and the
Rev. George O. McCalep,  Jr., pastor, Greenforest
Community Baptist Church, Decatur. 

     Both presenters are widely known in African American
church circles and are inductees of the prestigious
Morehouse College of Preachers. Knight also is founder
and president of "CAN DO" Ministries -- a preventive
youth and young adult advocacy ministry. The Denver
native previously taught at New York Theological
Seminary and at Union Theological Seminary, New York,
from which she earned two masters degrees.

     McCalep is also an adjunct professor at Luther Rice
Seminary, Lithonia, Ga. He has been pastor of Greenforest
Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga., since 1979, leading it from
25 to more than 5,000 active members. The Morehouse
School of Religion alumnus is considered a leading
authority on church growth and evangelism. [9]

                      *****

Reelection process recommended for general minister and
president 

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) decision-making body, meeting here
Jan. 25-27, has recommended the start of a process likely to
lead to a second, six-year term for General Minister and
President Richard L. Hamm. 

     The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) states that a general minister and president may be
reelected. It does not, however, detail a particular reelection
process, leaving that design up to the Administrative
Committee of the General Board. 

     The Administrative Committee was asked to determine
whether the church should hold an election, which would
require multiple GMP nominees, or design a reelection
process with the aim of seating Hamm for a second and
final six-year term. Elected to the position in 1993, Hamms
first term ends during the 1999 General Assembly in
Cincinnati. 

     The 44-member committee unanimously chose the
reelection option and directed a small group to meet in
April to direct the process, which would culminate with a
reelection vote at the 1999 assembly. Hamm needed
two-thirds of the 44-member committees votes to begin the
reelection process. [5] 

                      *****

  Hamm outlines vision for denominations future
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A three-year rise in
churchwide giving, new methods for discussing
controversial issues while rebuilding trust in the
denomination, and a move toward reclaiming congregations
as mission centers are among the hopeful signs the Rev.
Richard L. Hamm has seen in just over four years as
general minister and president of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).

     Nevertheless, with these accomplishments behind him,
Hamm wants an opportunity to help the Indianapolis-based
communion "move forward into Gods new day for us."
Hamm is nearing the end of a six-year term as head of the
Disciples of Christ. The final vote on whether he will serve
a new term occurs during the 1999 General Assembly.

     What does this new day look like for the 50-year-old
church leader? He discussed his vision in a recent speech
before the Administrative Committee of the General Board.

     When it arrives, the church will be distinguished by
three identifying marks: deep Christian spirituality, true
community and a passion for justice. "I think that becoming
a church that is faithful to these three marks is worthy of
another several years of work!" he exclaimed. [10]

                      *****

Church leaders call for new look at capital punishment
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Just prior to the Feb. 3
execution of a Texas woman, the leaders of three North
American church bodies urged "that the life of Karla Faye
Tucker be spared, and that the nation rethink its current
commitment to the death penalty." 

     The Rev. Paul H. Sherry of Cleveland, president of the
1.5-million-member United Church of Christ; the Rev.
Richard L. Hamm of Indianapolis, general minister and
president of the 900,000-member Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ); and the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell of
New York City, general secretary of the National Council
of Churches; made the plea in a public statement that was
also faxed to Gov. George W. Bush of Texas.  

     Tucker, 38, was convicted and sentenced to death in
1984 for her part in the 1983 killings of two people in
Houston. She had admitted her guilt. 

     The church leaders noted that Tuckers life had by all
accounts been "transformed" in prison and that her
prosecutor, the victims family members and others opposed
her execution. "This case forces our society to a decision,"
Sherry, Hamm and Campbell wrote. [3]

                      *****

Pension Fund board approves special apportionment

     INDIANAPOLIS -- The governing board of the Pension
Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) recently
approved an 11 percent special apportionment for retirees. 

     This is the 24th pension plan increase since 1973,
according to Pension Fund officials. The latest adjustment
becomes effective July 1, and persons receiving retirement,
surviving spouse and disability pensions will have checks
showing the increase on that date.

     Persons not yet retired, who are accumulating pension
credits, had them increased beginning Dec. 31, 1997. 

                      *****

Bosnian refugees top Disciples 97 resettlement caseload
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Some 275 persons from
Bosnia were resettled in the United States in the past year
with assistance from Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
congregations. The Bosnian immigrants were among 863
persons assisted by Disciples in 1997. 

     The effort was coordinated by the Disciples Refugee and
Immigration Ministries, Homeland Ministries, working
through Church World Service. A total of 49 congregations
assisted, with 10 churches and one district serving as
sponsors or cosponsors, and 39 churches assisting with
donated goods or funds.  

     The immigrants and refugees also came from Cuba
(158), the Ukraine (148), and Iraq (95) among other
countries. Persons were resettled in Texas (130), Oregon
(99), Kentucky (76) and Florida (75) along with 14 other
states.  

     Disciples resettled 13.8 percent of the Church World
Service caseload. They are one of nine denominations
participating in the CWS effort. [6] 

                      *****

    Internet users invited to complete survey 
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Disciples Internet users are
invited to help religious leaders know how to plan for
future use of the popular technology.  

     "This is an important opportunity for those who use the
Internet to provide information that will help religious
leaders plan for the future use of the Internet," said Ken
Bedell, director of a research project being sponsored by
United Methodist Communications. 

     With a grant from The Louisville Institute, the
communications agency is attempting to discover the extent
and nature of religion on the Internet. Bedell has designed
questionnaires and set up systems to review Internet
activity.  

     Questionnaires are available on the Internet at
http://www.religion-research.org/question1.htm. Inquiries
about the project can be e-mailed to kbedell@dnaco.net. A
description of the project is posted on the Internet at
http://www.religion-research.org. 

     "The Disciples Office of Communication believes a
tremendous amount of information that is useful -- even
vital -- to congregations can be communicated via the
Internet. I see Ken Bedells research as a potentially huge
help in determining the proper pace of shifting information
resources to the Internet," said Curt Miller, executive
director, Office of Communication. [8] 

                      *****

      Second national spiritual retreat held

     ST. LOUIS -- Twenty-six Disciples pastors, representing
13 regions, recently convened here for the second Oreon E.
Scott Spiritual Retreat. The national gathering, jointly
sponsored by the Oreon E. Scott Foundation and the
Disciples Council on Christian Unity, emphasizes the
important of church unity in the spiritual lives of pastors
and congregations. 

     "This retreat reveals how deep is the yearning for unity
among the Disciples of Christ and how possible this unity
is when it becomes a part of our spirituality," said the Rev.
Paul A. Crow, Jr., Council on Christian Unity president. 

     Among the major presenters were Crow, General
Minister and President Richard L. Hamm, the Rev. Daniell
Hamby, general secretary, Consultation on Church Union;
the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, dean, Lexington (Ky.)
Theological Seminary; and Donna Fyffe, a Roman Catholic
spiritual director. 

                      *****

Reconciliation notes slight increase in 1997 receipts

     INDIANAPOLIS -- Giving to the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) ministry to combat racism rose slightly
in 1997, edging 1996 contributions by 1.33 percent.

     Disciples members in 1997 contributed $647,000 to
Reconciliation, said the Rev. L. Wayne Stewart,
administrative director. The Southwest Region led the way,
giving nearly $72,000. Overall, while the number of
congregations supporting Reconciliation has held steady,
contributions certainly have increased, Stewart said.  

     A significant portion of the 97 receipts will finance
activities related to the process of discernment on racism.
One of the projects is anti-racism training for regional
ministers and general cabinet members. 

     Regions will follow up by making the same training
available to Disciples congregations, Stewart added.
Congregations may want to begin now identifying persons
to take part in the training programs, he said. 

                      *****

    Foundation distributions top $4.2 million 
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Christian Church
Foundation distributed about $4.2 million to entities of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during 1997 --
including the largest allotment to Basic Mission Finance in
CCFs history.  

     The total is up 16 percent from the $3.6 million
distributed during 1996, said the Rev. James P. Johnson,
president.  "We at the foundation continue to be pleased
with the deep love donors have for the church, and their
desire to fund important ministries long into the future," he
said. 

     CCF received more than $6.3 million in new gifts in
1997. Of this amount, $2.1 million were permanent funds
and $4.1 million were deferred charitable trusts and
annuities. These donations represent 367 permanent fund
contributions and 95 deferred gifts. 

     According to preliminary figures general units and
recognized organizations of the Christian Church received
$1.4 million in distributions, a 25 percent increase from
1996. In addition, congregations were the beneficiaries of
$1.1 million, up about $200,000 from the year before. [7]

                      *****