wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - Jan. 7, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs 
January 7, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail:  news@cm.disciples.org 

DISCIPLES CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS
Disciples congregations from around the country continue to provide an
outpouring of support and assistance to the millions of people affected
by the December 26 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Church
efforts large and small are contributing to the worldwide effort of
helping rehabilitate the tsunami-ravaged areas.  Some examples include: 
				 
**	National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Mo., will
co-sponsor a concert this Sunday, comprised of school children,
university students and professional musicians. National Avenue and its
partners hope to raise $25,000 for what one person described as a
"God-sized problem that calls for the people of God to make every
effort we can to show generosity and mercy."
**	Church of the Journey, a new church start in Midland, Texas, may
have held its first church service on December 31, but already church
members have sent 180 health kits to those affected by the natural
disaster.
**	Disciples Home Missions, Global Ministries and Week of
Compassion are sponsoring a "Kids to Kids Special Project - Welcome
Tents." The project encourages children to pray for those who lives
have been affected by the tsunamis, to raise money to provide tents as
temporary housing for those left homeless and to raise money to buy milk
for children.

To learn more about Disciples outreach for the tsunami crisis, as well
as to read this week's update from Week of Compassion, which
coordinates Disciples relief efforts around the world, go to
http://www.weekofcompassion.org/ 

To read a pastoral letter to our partners in Southern Asia, from Global
Ministries, click here http://www.globalministries.org/ 

NATIONAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION MAKES LEADERSHIP CHANGES
Two senior executives of the National Benevolent Association (NBA) have
been named to new positions as the organization moves closer to a
finalized reorganization plan.

Dennis Hagemann, who had served as NBA's Vice-President for Human
Resources, was named Acting President earlier this week. Gary Zimmerman,
who previously served as Associate Vice President for Financial
Management, is now NBA's Chief Financial Officer. To read the full
release about changes at NBA, go to
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0501.htm 

MEMPHIS, TENN. CHURCH DAMAGED IN ELECTRICAL FIRE
Community of Faith Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., sustained severe
damage to its education and fellowship hall earlier this week during a
fire that is believed to have started in the church's electrical
system.  The church's sanctuary and chapel did not have direct damage
from water or fire, but sustained smoke damage.

Pastor Cozette Garrett expressed appreciation for the e-mails and
letters of support she has received since the blaze.  Because worship
services cannot be held at the church for at least a month, church
members will worship in space at Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church for
several weeks, and may take advantage of an offer to utilize office
space at Memphis Theological Seminary.	 

DISCIPLES HONOR MEMORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING
The annual Disciples for the Dream worship service at Central Christian
Church, in Lexington, Ky., commemorating the life of Martin Luther King,
Jr., will be held Sunday, January 16, at 6 p.m. The majority of the
program will consist of music provided by the Martin Luther King
Community Choir and readings from Dr. King's speeches, sermons and
articles by community participants. The choir will feature singes from
20 area churches.  More than 900 people from many faith traditions
attend the annual service.  

LONGTIME MISSIONARY TO MEXICO DIES
Rev. Leila Lamar Callender, 87, died December 28 at the Kansas
Christian Home in Newton, Kan.	She served as a missionary to Mexico
through the Division of Overseas Ministries for 39 years. Callender
first went to Mexico in 1944 where she served as Christian educator,
social action leader, and a translator. She later worked as
administrator and treasurer of a seminary in Mexico and treasurer of the
Association of Christian Churches.
Callender retired from active ministerial work in 1982 and returned to
the U.S.  A memorial service was held at the Kansas Christian Home on
January 5. Messages of condolences may be sent to her brother: Julian
Wilson, 413 Park Creek Court, Gainesville, GA  30504-4117.

####

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