wfn.org | Disciples News Brief

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

Date: September 17, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
Phone: 317-713-2492
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org 
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

NBA BOARD VOTES TO APPROVE SALE OF SENIOR FACILITIES
The National Benevolent Association (NBA) Board of Trustees voted on
Sept. 3 to approve an asset purchase agreement for the sale of its 11
senior living facilities to Fortress NBA Acquisition, L.L.C.  The
decision was reached after evaluating several other preliminary bids
that were received.

Fortress will pay $210 million for the NBA facilities and assume
various obligations of the operations.	Additionally, Fortress will be
extending offers of employment to all of the employees of the 11 senior
living facilities.  The asset purchase agreement will allow Fortress to
serve as a "stalking horse" bidder during an auction process.  The
terms of that auction process will be established by the bankruptcy
court.	St. Louis-based NBA is the social and health services division
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

For more on the NBA board vote and the bidding process, go to
http://www.nbacares.org 

NBA CENTER TO CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL
NBA Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home, a major
Disciples-run treatment center for abused and neglected children in
Denver, will celebrate its 100 anniversary with two events this month.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, a Centennial Worship Service will be held at
Denver's Central Christian Church.  James E. Womack, former Director
of Development at Colorado Christian Home and former president of
Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Ore., will preach.  A reception
will follow.

The Centennial Celebration for alumni and supporters is Saturday, Sept.
25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the agency in Denver.  Tours, carnival
booths, historic movies, food and live music will take place. This is a
free event, but contributions to defer expenses will be accepted. For
more information, contact Don Brewer at 720-855-3324 or
dbrewer@cchtccf.org.

DISCIPLES CHURCHES REACH MILESTONES
Several Disciples churches are celebrating 150-year anniversaries. 
First Christian Church of Marshall, Texas, is spreading the word to
former members and friends about the church's anniversary celebration
on Oct. 9 and 10.  There will be a worship service re-enacting an 1854
service, special singing, tours, special preaching, catered meals and
more.  There also will be tours of Marshall and possibly a golf
tournament.  If you are able to attend, please call the church office at
903-938-4047 or email: fccmarshalltx@juno.com.

Many of the men at First Christian Church of Trenton, Mo., will help
that church celebrate its sesquicentennial by growing beards.  The
church will hold a beard and costume judging contest on Saturday, Oct.
23, along with music and dinner. On Sunday, Oct. 24, celebrations will
include the church rededication and burying of a time capsule.	

CTS LECTURE SERIES TO FEATURE HISPANIC THEOLOGIAN 
A new distinguished lecture series at Christian Theological Seminary
(CTS) in Indianapolis this fall will feature three presentations by a
noted theologian whose roots go back to Cuba. 

Justo Gonzalez is scheduled to offer lectures -- all open to the public
-- over a four-day time frame.	The first is set for 6:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, Sept. 21, in the CTS Shelton Auditorium, the second at 1:00
p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Common Room and the final one at
7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at the Light of the World Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). CTS is located at 1000 West 42nd Street, and the
Light of the World congregation's address is 4646 North Michigan Road. 

 Gonzalez, a Hispanic scholar of global stature, is a native of Cuba. 
He attended United Seminary in Cuba and earned both M. A. and Ph.D.
degrees at Yale University.  Currently, he is director of the Hispanic
Summer Program at Columbia University in New York. 

 His three Indianapolis lectures will emphasize the theme: "Money
Matters: The Interactions of Wealth and Faith."  For further
information call Carolyn Higginbotham at CTS, 317-931-2308.

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TO OFFER INTERFAITH CLASSES FOR LAITY
Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis is offering classes for
lay people of all faiths as part of its "Faith Learning Initiative."
 Six classes are being offered in each four-week session.  The first
series is underway, with the second session beginning the week of
October 18.

The classes help people explore various faith traditions and learn more
about different faiths in an environment that encourages mutual respect.
 Local religious leaders and experts teach classes.  All classes are
held at the seminary, which is a fully accredited ecumenical seminary
affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  For more
information, go to
http://www.cts.edu/news/FullStory.cfm?details=36&ref=News 

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed weekly or as needed by
Communication Ministries. For changes, additions or deletions to our
distribution list, please contact news@cm.disciples.org 

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