wfn.org | Disciples News Brief

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

Date: Oct. 1, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills
Phone: 317-713-2492
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org 
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org 

WELL KNOWN DISCIPLES LEADER DIES
William K. Fox, former Administrative Secretary for the National
Convocation, passed away earlier today.  Fox, 87, was a leader not only
for the African-American community, but for the entire church.	He died
at the NBA Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, Mo.  Funeral
services are tentatively planned for Saturday, Oct. 9 at Raymore
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Raymore, Mo., and at 2:30 p.m.
on Sunday, Oct. 10 at Foxwood Springs. 

Fox worked at the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Office
in Indianapolis, Ind. as Assistant to the General Minister and
President, and as Administrative Secretary to the National Convocation.
He was the co-author of the book, "Journey Toward Wholeness," that
looks at the history of African-American Disciples, and published the
"Old Timer's Grapevine" newsletter for many years, that was
distributed to Disciples retirees.

An avid bicyclist, Fox and other colleagues once biked 1,300 miles in
1983 from Indianapolis to San Antonio, Texas, to publicize the need for
Disciples to raise money to fight racial prejudice and poverty.  His
wife, Rubena, survives.  

$MARTCAMP.COM NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
Ingrid Gonzalez has been named the new $martcamp.com Director for the
stewardship division of the Church Finance Council. $martcamp.com is a
summer experience for junior and senior high school youth that
encourages teens to choose a lifestyle that achieves both spiritual and
financial goals. The curriculum includes speakers, games, role-playing
and monitoring a stock portfolio. 

Gonzalez is now responsible for coordinating and planning the second
annual $martcamp.com, set to take place July 5-20 at Butler University
in Indianapolis, Ind. For more information on $martcamp.com, go to:
http://www.thesmartcamp.com/ or
http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2004/0434.htm 

RECONCILIATION MISSION OFFERING 
The special offering for Reconciliation Mission continues this Sunday,
October 3. Your dollars help support Reconciliation Mission's witness
for racial justice and reconciliation in the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) in North America. This ministry represents a 39-year
community commitment to work to eradicate the root causes of racism. 
Reconciliation Mission calls the church to be a place that demonstrates
true community, is grounded by deep Christian spirituality and moves
into the world with a passion for justice. 

Regions receive 50 percent of dollars collected to support local
projects and initiatives. To read an article from the Minister of
Reconciliation about the importance of the collection, go to
http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2004/0435.htm. You may also
visit http://www.reconciliationmission.org for additional information or
the Disciples home page at http://www.disciples.org.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY IS THIS WEEK
World Communion Sunday is this Sunday, Oct. 3.	The day offers
congregations an opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context
of the global community of faith.

The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians in every
culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as
the Head of the Church. On that day, they remember that they are part of
the whole body of believers. Christians celebrate the communion liturgy
in as many ways as there are congregations. World Communion Sunday can
be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about
our wider community of faith. Visit http://www.globalministries.org for
stories and ideas to stimulate creative thinking. New resources will be
added periodically.

HELM's "TOMORROW'S LEADER'S TODAY" FALL EDITION ONLINE 
The newest edition of HELM's quarterly newsletter is online at
http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/04/TLT-September04.htm. Why do some
Leadership Fellows have pennant fever? And why are they telling stories?
TLT also includes news on the Seminarians' Conference, scholarship
recipients, and updates on this summer's name change.

BLACK MINISTERS RETREAT TO OPEN REGISTRATION
The 31st annual Black Ministers Retreat for the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) ministers will take place April 11-14 at Light of
the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.  Topics to be discussed
include: church growth, media and worship and church and community
activism.

Approximately eight percent of Disciples clergy are black, with
congregations in locations throughout the country. Event organizers hope
that at least 200 of the denomination's 575 black ministers will attend.
 Registration will begin in mid-October.  For more information go
BROOKLYN CHURCH INVOLVED IN MARCH
A tiny church in Brooklyn, N.Y., helped to accomplish big things for
poverty on August 30th.

Mt. Zion Christian Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) allowed
demonstrators from the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
(PPEHRC) to use their church and parking lot as a gathering place during
a march that protested current social policies. The church was the only
area church that allowed PPEHRC to use their land. Over 400,000
protesters flooded the streets of downtown New York during the march.
The PPEHRC, a group that champions equal rights and opportunities for
the poor, was just one of many groups involved.  For more information,
go to: http://www.marchforourlives.org 

For more information on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
visit http://www.disciples.org 

*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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