wfn.org | The Journey Now! 1999 General Assembly plans developing

["Curt Miller"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: October 2, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
Email: CMiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98a-62

A renowned veteran of the civil rights struggle and former U.S. 
Ambassador to the United Nations will address "The Journey Now!", the 
1999 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 
Oct. 8-12, 1999.

The Rev. Andrew J. Young, Jr., an ordained minister of the United 
Church of Christ, will preach during the Cincinnati assembly's 
closing worship service on a day devoted to the theme "Unity in 
Community." Young also served in the U.S. House of Representatives 
and as mayor of Atlanta, Ga. 

The Disciples General Assembly is devoted to strengthening 
congregations for mission and ministry.  This assembly's central 
theme, "The Journey Now!" draws on the rich text of the fourth 
chapter of Paul's letter to the Ephesians.  The church, Paul says, is 
made up of a marvelous assortment of people with a magnificent array 
of talents given "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for 
building up the body of Christ." 

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) returns to Cincinnati 150 
years after its first assembly in the same city.  The 1849 convention 
gathered on a site now occupied by the Cincinnati public library.  
Events of "The Journey Now!" will include a parade from that location 
to the Cincinnati Convention Center, site of the 1999 gathering. 

Assembly organizers hope more than 8,000 Disciples will come together 
for the Cincinnati assembly.  One needn't be a voting representative 
to benefit from attending.  The gathering will feature "MissionFest 
‘99," the display and demonstration of congregations' outreach 
ministry successes.  A wide variety of interest groups and forums 
will add to the ideas and inspiration attendees can take back to 
their home congregations.  

Each day of the assembly will concentrate on a facet of strengthening 
congregational life. 

Opening night, focusing on the church's roots, will feature the 
preaching of the Rev. Michael Mooty, moderator of the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ). He is expected to reflect on the 
church's journey since its founding in 1832, through its first 
convention in 1849, through all the triumphant and turbulent years 
leading to this final assembly of the 20th century.  

Saturday's focus on justice will include the celebration of the 
ministry of the Rev. Feliberto Pereira. He leads the Good Samaritan 
Ministry, supported by the Southwest region and Iglesia Cristiana 
Ebenezer,  Los Fresnos Texas. It helps many needy persons, providing 
legal and human services assistance to Central American and Cuban 
political refugees and other immigrants. It operates an orphanage and 
a Bible institute in Mexico and distributes to the needy rice and 
beans from the Southwest region's Coastal Plains and High Plains 
areas. 

Also on Saturday, a planned outdoor contemporary music concert will 
raise donations to the Disciples Volunteers in Mission project in 
Cincinnati during the assembly.

Sunday's focus on leadership will include assembly action on the 
re-election of General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm. The 
assembly will take the decisive vote on the renewal of Hamm's call 
for a second six-year term. A special recognition of leadership from 
all expressions of  the church will follow the re-election process. 

The Rev. Michael Slaughter opens Monday, Oct. 11, a day devoted to 
the sub-theme "Evangelism." The United Methodist minister from Tipp 
City, Ohio, is pastor of Ginghamsburg Church which has grown from 90 
in worship to more than 2,700. He's a widely acclaimed evangelism 
expert and author of the popular book Spiritual Entrepreneur.  

Former associate regional pastor of Ohio and current pastor of 
Cleveland's Bethany Christian Church, the Rev. Robin Hedgeman, will 
preach at Monday's evening worship.  Bethany is a growing 
congregation sharply focused on community mission and evangelism.  

The General Assembly business sessions, fundamental to the Disciples 
biennial gathering, will be designed as business items are submitted 
in 1999.  

Disciples can support the 1999 General Assembly, even if they can't 
be there in person.  Anyone who registers as a non-attending 
supporter will receive, upon request, the assembly business docket 
and the post-assembly newspaper.  Non-attending supporters are asked 
to read and discuss the assembly business, pray for those in 
attendance and are encouraged to participate with a gift of $25.00 or 
more. 

Registration information can be obtained by calling the General 
Assembly Office at 371-635-3113, 205.  Information is also posted on 
the World Wide Web at: http://www.disciples.org/GA99/index.htm.

	-- end -- 

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