wfn.org | Disciples News Brief

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

Date: October 8, 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

DISCIPLES NEW CHURCH MOVEMENT NOW AT 25 PERCENT OF GOAL
In the year 2000, Disciples may have wondered if achieving the 2020
vision of 1000 new congregations in 20 years was possible.  In just four
years, Disciples have started 262 new congregations, passing the 25
percent mark two years ahead of previous predictions, and providing an
encouraging indication that the1000 goal is achievable.  With the
addition of 12 new Haitian congregations and a new African-American
congregation now affiliating with the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), the total number of new Disciples churches so far this year is
75.  This is the second year that the effort has experienced a 2 percent
growth rate.  For the rest of the story, visit
http://www.newchurchministry.org/news/newsletter.asp.

KENTUCKY CHURCH CELEBRATES 155TH ANNIVERSARY
First Christian Church in Paducah, Ky., will celebrate its 155th
anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 7.	Robert Cueni, president of Lexington
Theological Seminary will be the guest speaker. There will be a
homecoming luncheon at the church following worship.  The church hopes
more than 200 people will join in the celebration.  For more information
contact Roger Sledd at 270-443-8251.

NBA TRANSFERS NBA TENNYSON CENTER TO FRIENDS OF CHILDREN
 The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas in San
Antonio, has approved an agreement which enabled the National Benevolent
Association to transfer the operation of NBA Tennyson Center for
Children at Colorado Christian Home to Denver's Friends of Children,
effective Oct. 5.
	    
The approval, by Judge Ronald B. King, came 45 days after three parties
- NBA, the center's parent organization - Friends of Children, a
nonprofit group comprised mostly of individuals who once served as
members of the board for the 100-year-old program - and representatives
of the Unsecured Creditors Committee, a key party in the NBA bankruptcy
case - announced they had successfully negotiated terms for a transfer.

Tennyson Center for Children is one of the largest treatment centers
for children in the Rocky Mountain region.  For more information, visit
http://www.tennysoncenter.org. For more information on NBA visit,
http://www.nabcares.org.

HERITAGE SUNDAY SET FOR OCTOBER 24
Disciples will celebrate their history and the 200th anniversary of
their movement during Heritage Sunday on October 24. This special day of
recognition, celebration, and worship invites all Disciples to gather
together to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future and what it
means to be a Disciple. Heritage Sunday is a day for congregations to
celebrate, honor, and claim where they came from, the lives of those who
have been part of their community, and to discern how and where God is
leading them next.  

To learn more about Heritage Sunday and historical resources for the
Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ), go to:
http://www.cbp21.com/cont_main.asp?nID=73 and click on: "2004 Gives
Disciples Much to Celebrate."

CBP OFFERS ADVENT REFLECTIONS BY FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER
Christian Board of Publication (CBP) has published reflections written
by lifelong humanitarian, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter in this year's Advent devotional Partners in
Prayer. Together with Habitat for Humanity International, CBP offers
this collection of thoughtful meditations that build faith and community
for this Advent season.

Partners in Prayer 2004 offers 28 daily mediations and is filled with
President Carter's thoughts on his favorite passages of Scripture.  A
portion of the sales will go to Habitat for Humanity International, a
nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that is close to
President Carter's heart.  Partners in Prayer is available from
Christian Board of Publication at 1-800-366-3383, e-mail
customerservice@cbp21.com, or visit the Web site at
http://www.cbp21.com.

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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