wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - April 15, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
April 15, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org 

PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED MAY 8 AND MAY 15
It is always exciting to hear about the newly formed Disciples
congregations that are spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.  New
Church Ministry is able to provide new churches with much needed
assistance and resources through gifts received during the Pentecost
Special Offering.  This offering directly supports the development of
new, Disciples congregations in North America and is the primary funding
source for New Church Ministry efforts.  Half of the gifts received
remain in the region from which they were given and the remaining half
supports the work of New Church Ministry.  Support new Disciples
congregations by giving generously to the Pentecost Special Offering
that is to be received May 8 and May 15.  To download Pentecost Special
Offering promotional materials, go to:
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/pentecost05/p_keyinfo.htm

STEWARDSHIP FEATURED IN LATEST EDITION OF INSIGHT 
Be sure to get your issue of the latest "INSIGHT" to read reports
from the Office of the General Minister and President.	The spring issue
also includes information about the ways in which various Disciples
congregations are practicing stewardship.  Christian stewardship is
grateful and responsible use of God's gifts in the light of God's
purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ.  Financial stewardship is lived out
by sharing the material resources we hold and giving them in service,
justice and compassion.  Wanda Alejandro-Gonzalez, director of
stewardship for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), encourages
everyone to learn more about the stewardship by visiting:
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/stewardship  
To request the latest edition of "INSIGHT," contact Wilma Shuffitt
at news@cm.disciples.org 

 
FORMER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LEADER PASSES AWAY
Lorenzo Evans, 96, died April 10, in Indianapolis, Ind. An Alabama
native, he worked in Indianapolis as the former Director of Christian
Education at the United Christian Missionary Society and the Division of
Homeland Ministries, now known as Disciples Home Missions. He also
headed the highly respected School of Faith and Life, which provided a
practicum for African-American ministers who were unable to attend
seminary.

His funeral will be Saturday, April 16, at Faith United Christian
Church, 4550 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN.  The wake will begin at
9:30 a.m. and be immediately followed by the home going service at 11
a.m.  Cards and expressions of condolence can be sent to his daughters
at:  Mrs. Eddie Loe Griffin, 8927 S. Bennett Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617
or Mrs. Stacy Duke, 6514 Breckenridge Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46236.

GLOBAL MINISTRIES TRAINING ENCOURAGES MINISTRIES AND MISSION
INTERPRETERS
Disciples church and lay leaders gathered with United Church of Christ
leaders in Cleveland, Ohio, recently to attend a Global Ministries
training session about the work of global missionaries. Entitled
"Ministries and Mission Interpreters," the session helped
participants gain both biblical and theological understandings of
mission as well as take part in workshops that aided them in creating
individual mission plans.  Attendees also received a Global Ministries
handbook to help implement the plans developed during the conference and
to get other members of their congregations involved in global mission
work.  To learn more about the training, you may read the full release
at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/0527.htm 

UPDEGRAFF SPLETH APPOINTED NEW VP AT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
Ann Updegraff Spleth has been named Vice President for Seminary
Advancement at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis,
Ind.  A Certified Fund Raising Executive and a faculty member of Indiana
University's Fund Raising School in Indianapolis, Ind., she brings
over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising to
CTS.  Previously, she served as director of major gift planning for
Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana and as president and executive
vice president for program planning for the Division of Homeland
Ministries for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), now known as
Disciples Home Missions.  Updegraff Spleth is an ordained minister and
holds degrees from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky., Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, Tenn. and Claremont School of Theology in
Claremont, Calif.  To read the full the story, go to: 
http://www.cts.edu/News/Fullstory.cfm?details=54&ref=News 

REGISTER NOW FOR DISCIPLES ANTI-RACISM INTRODUCTORY TRAINING
Reconciliation Mission has scheduled two open trainings for 2005 on May
19-21 and October 13-15 in Indianapolis, Ind.  The May training will be
held at the Marten House Hotel and Lilly Conference Center; however, the
actual training site for October is not yet confirmed.	These trainings
will be among the first led by Disciples Core Trainers/Organizers. 
Please contact the Reconciliation Mission office at 317-713-2416 or
chaskett@ogmp.disciples.org for registration forms.

LECTURE TO FEATURE GLOBAL ECUMENICAL LEADER
The 8th Joe A. and Nancy Vaughn Stalcup Lecture on Christian Unity will
feature Deborah DeWinter, executive director for the U.S. Office of the
World Council of Churches, on June 12, at the Northway Christian Church
in Dallas, Texas.  Her topic will be "Living the Ecumenical Story,"
in which she will combine her wide experience in local, national and
international work and offer a vision for healing and reconciliation in
our society and world.	The lecture is co-sponsored by the Council on
Christian Unity and the School of Theology for the Laity in Dallas.  For
more information, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/stalcuplecture2005.pdf 

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY'S BRITE DIVINITY SCHOOL HONORS PAST
INTERIM DEAN
The trustees of Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in
Ft. Worth, Texas, honored David J. Gouwens with a testimonial dinner
April 7, in recognition of his service as Interim Dean of Brite from
August 2002 through May 2005.  Gouwens began his career at Brite in 1983
as a theology professor and served the university in several other
capacities over the years.  He served as the director of Doctor of
Ministry Studies, interim assistant dean and associate dean of academic
affairs.  Gouwens is an ordained minister, an author and a graduate of
Hope College in Holland, Mich. and Yale University in New Haven, Conn. 

CELEBRATE CHRISTIAN FAMILY WEEK 2005 WITH NEW RESOURCES 
A new resource from the National Council of Church's Education and
Leadership Ministries Commission for Christian Family Week entitled,
"Valuing Families: A Celebration of God's Amazing Creativity and
Diversity" is designed to inspire Christian families to honor and
prayerfully support families of all shapes and sizes.  The material will
engage people in conversations and activities that will help them
identify and appreciate the many characteristics that shape families
today.	"Valuing Families" may be used by individual families as
devotional offerings or by congregational leaders as content for family
or intergenerational events.  The various components of this resource
may be used together or at separate times to nurture integrity within
individual families and a strong sense of community with others in
God's Family.  This material is now available on-line at:
http://www.homelandministries.org/FamilyandChildren/familyweek.htm 

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Have you registered for the 2005 General Assembly that will take place
July 23-27 in Portland, Oregon? Register now by contacting your church
office or by going to: http://www.disciples.org/ga05 

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*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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