wfn.org | DHM CALLS NEW PROGRAM ASSOCIATE IN THE OFFICE OF DISCIPLES WOMEN

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

Date: August 2, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Phone: 317-713-2492
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org 
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

INDIANAPOLIS, August 2, 2004 -- Disciples Home Missions announces that
a Disciples lay woman has been called to the position of Program
Associate in the Office of Disciples Women.  Lonnie Graves, a native
Californian and lifelong Disciples, will begin her duties in
Indianapolis on October 1, 2004.  In addition to general women's
ministry programming, as a Merger Position, Graves will hold
responsibility for the ministries and women in congregations of the
National Convocation.

Graves, who brings experience in business, education, publishing, and
church leadership to her new work with Disciples Women, comments, "I
see this position as a culmination of my life's work to this point."
 A past contributor to DisciplesWorld magazine, she brings a diverse
background in training and communication to her new position.

A native of Oakland, Calif., and member of First Christian Church in
Concord, she comes from a long line of Disciples leaders.  Her
grandfather, A.J. Hurdle, was one of the earliest African American
Disciples ministers in Texas.  Her experience in women's ministries
began as a girl.  She says, "As a very small child, I remember my
mother, grandmothers and aunties in church service through Christian
Women's Fellowship.  They were participants on many levels within the
organization.  It has been close to two decades since my sisters and I
first attended our regional annual CWF meeting at Mission Springs,
Calif. There have been occasions when women of three generations of our
family have attended the same year.  Now, with an adult daughter of my
own and strong relationships with many women in their twenties and
thirties, I have been on a campaign to develop opportunities for them to
participate in the annual meetings."

This passion for nurturing and mentoring young women in the church will
carry into her work in the Office of Disciples Women.  "As I have seen
my dream unfolding in my local church," she states, "I would like to
see this happen for women across the church."

Ann Pickett, President, National Convocation, Disciples Women states,
"Lonnie brings a rich Disciples heritage, a passion for women's
work, and excellent skills in communication and program development. 
The National Convocation Women look forward to her joining the Office of
Disciples Women."

Adonna Bowman, Executive Director of the Office of Disciples Women,
said, "Lonnie's administrative, communication, teaching and writing
skills, along with her passion for women's ministry, make her the
ideal choice for this position.  The ODW looks forward to adding her
wisdom and talents to its staff."

Arnold Nelson, President of DHM, in making this announcement, said,
"DHM is committed to leader development and congregational vitality
and knows these ministries will not succeed without a healthy women's
ministry throughout the church.  Lonnie Graves will contribute greatly
to these ministries.  She has the skills to share, but more than that,
she has the personal witness and she loves this church."

Graves holds BA degrees in Communications Studies and Journalism. 
Currently she serves as Administrative Assistant to the Regional
Minister of the California North/Nevada Northwest Region, where she has
been instrumental in updating and upgrading the Region's technology
and communication systems.  With her daughter, Lonora, she is chairing
the Northern California/Nevada Region's Women's Retreat in October. 
Graves and her husband Roy, a self-employed businessman, live in
Concord, Calif., and have two young adult children.

Graves' hiring culminates a yearlong search by a committee made up of
representatives of DHM, the National Convocation and International
Christian Women's Fellowship. Committee members included:  Constance
Nealey, Vice President of the National Convocation; Ann Pickett,
President, National Convocation, Disciples Women; Timothy James,
Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary of the National
Convocation; Arnold Nelson, President, Disciples Home Missions; Jane
Lawrence, Executive Vice President, DHM; Lonna Owens, Vice President,
DHM; Adonna Bowman, Executive Director of the Office of Disciples Women;
Raymond Brown, retired interim President of DHM; and John R. Foulkes,
retired Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary of the
National Convocation.

						    - end -

Contact 
Disciples Home Missions
(888) 346-2631 or 
jlawrenc@dhm.disciples.org 

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