wfn.org | Assembly planners encourage registration action

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: May 23, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
E-mail: Cmiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

01a-30
	
	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -  Registrations for General Assembly of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are running about 1,200
behind the pace of the last summer assembly in Denver. Six weeks
remain until the start of the July 13-17 event in Kansas City, a
joint United Church of Christ General Synod and Disciples
assembly.

	"I feel people are coming, they simply haven't registered yet,"
said the Rev. Don Manworren, associate general minister and
assembly general manager. He bases the feeling on robust housing
reservations. 

	Manworren has two chief concerns about people putting off
assembly registration. "If they register late, we have less
opportunity to communicate with them about dinners, children's
programs, mission work opportunities and other events," he said.
Substantial on-site registration will also produce long lines
and inconvenience for both registrants and those managing the
process.  

	The two largest Disciples assemblies have been in Kansas City.
More than 11,000 persons registered for the 1977 event, more
than 10,000 for the 1968 assembly. The 2001 assembly planners
built budgets and assembly programs in anticipation of at least
8,000 Disciples registrations.  

	Disciples can register online via the world wide web. Links to
online registration and to printable registration forms can be
found at: http://www.disciples.org/gsa01/. Registration and
housing information and forms were mailed to all Disciples
congregations and previous attendees.  

	The 2001 Synod/Assembly in Kansas City is rich with
opportunities for church revitalization and personal growth. It
is especially vital to those concerned about the future of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). "This is the assembly in
which the church will set its direction for mission through the
year 2020," Manworren observed.  In addition, the synod/assembly
will celebrate the partnership between the Disciples and the
United Church of Christ, and will consider broader ecumenical
commitments as both communions vote on joining a new ecumenical
partnership known as Churches Uniting in Christ. 

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