wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - April 29, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
April 29, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org 

GENERAL BOARD AFFIRMS THE DECISION TO SUSTAIN RECONCILIATION MISSION
Reconciliation Mission will erase its deficits and continue its
ministry for racial justice and equity this year, thanks to a decision
by the General Board. A special allocation proposal was approved by the
General Board during its April 16-19 meetings in Indianapolis.	The
resolution allocates 50 percent of the funds withheld from the 2005
National Benevolent Association (NBA) allocation (up to $336,392) to
cover the 2004 year-end deficit and the 2005 budget shortfall in
Reconciliation Mission.  Any additional funds that exceed those
currently anticipated in 2005 and 2006 through increased contributions
or by developing new revenue sources will be deposited back into the NBA
withholding account. For detailed information on the General Board's
decision, go to:  http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/0529.htm 

NEW NBA BOARD CHARTS FUTURE DIRECTIONS/PRESIDENT APOLOGIZES AT GENERAL
BOARD
A new board of trustees for the National Benevolent Association (NBA)
held its first meeting in St. Louis, Mo., on April 21 and 22.  The nine
board members attending the meeting heard about the history of the
organization, its challenges, and reviewed the business and development
plan.  The board also established four committees: finance, operations,
public relations/church relations and legal.  
The previous week, NBA President Dennis Hagemann apologized on behalf
of NBA staff at the General Board Meeting on Saturday, April 16 for the
hurt that the organization's bankruptcy and subsequent sale of many
senior living communities and youth facilities has had on the
denomination.  He noted that NBA continues to have "five very
wonderful facilities" that the organization will continue to operate. 
To read more about recent actions connected with NBA click here:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/0530.htm 

PROMOTE THE 2005 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON MAY 1 
As the second General Assembly Promotion Sunday approaches this Sunday,
May 1, your church can utilize the occasion to inform members of all of
the worship, mission, leadership and networking opportunities available
at the Assembly.  Feel free to use the promotional ideas listed on the
General Assembly website at: http://www.disciples.org/ga05 or create
your own strategies.  The marketing materials contained in the recently
mailed General Assembly promotional kits are resources that can enhance
your church's Promotion Sunday efforts.  So put the promotional kits
and your ideas to use and watch as interest in the Assembly increases. 

GIVE TO THE PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING ON MAY 8 AND MAY 15
New churches are a vital component of the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) and are clearly defined as one of the Church's initiatives
in the 2020 Vision.  During 2004, 102 churches started or affiliated
with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Since 2001, Disciples
have added more than 20,000 persons in 289 congregations. 

The Pentecost Offering directly supports the development of new
churches such as these across North America and in every region.  The
Disciples New Church Ministry needs the support of each of you to be
able to continue the necessary work of providing assistance to new
Disciples congregations.  As we enter the season of Pentecost, we ask
that you give generously on May 8 and May 15.  To download promotion
materials for Pentecost, go to: 
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/pentecost05/p_keyinfo.htm

DISCIPLES FAMILY PROFILED IN YALE DIVINITY SCHOOL PUBLICATION
It isn't often that three members of a Disciples family are profiled
in "Spectrum," a publication from the Yale Divinity School. But one
Disciples family, with strong ties to Yale University and the Yale
Divinity School, were featured in a recent interview.  Joe Jones, '61
BD, '63 MA, '70 Ph.D., his wife Sarah and two of their daughters,
Verity '95 M.Div., and Serene '85 M.Div. discussed theology, faith,
education, and the role Yale Divinity School has played in their lives
in an article entitled, "Catching up with the Joneses."  Joe Jones
is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Ethics at Christian Theological
Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind.	Verity Jones, served as a Disciples
minister for nine years before becoming publisher and editor of
DisciplesWorld Magazine.  Serene Jones is Titus Street Professor of
Theology at Yale Divinity School, where she has been teaching since she
completed her Ph.D. in Theology at Yale in 1991.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION BOARD APPROVES PARTIAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO NEW
NBA
The Christian Church Foundation (CCF) Board of Directors, acknowledging
its role to "stand in the donors' shoes," voted to send partial
distributions to the St. Louis-based National Benevolent Association
(NBA), but decided to withhold more substantial distributions until NBA
can better communicate how those funds will be used for ministries
intended by the donors.  To read the full release from the CCF Board of
Directors meeting held April 22-24, go to:
http://www.disciples.org/ccf/About_Us/CCFnews.html 

REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTIAN UNITY DINNER AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Dr. Samuel Kobia will keynote the Christian Unity Dinner at the General
Assembly on Tuesday, July 26, at 5:15 p.m. in the Portland Ballroom of
the Oregon Convention Center.  Kobia is the general secretary of the
World Council of Churches and the first African to serve in this
position.  He will offer his words of challenge to Disciples and to
North American churches to offer leadership to the international
movement for Christian unity in a world that desperately looks for signs
of healing in the midst of brokenness and despair.  Kobia also will
speak on Tuesday at the Assembly's evening worship service. 

His appearance at the dinner is sponsored by the Council on Christian
Unity. Tickets are $22 per person and reservations are required.  For
additional information, go to: 
http://www.disciples.org/ccu%20dinner%20ad.pdf 

DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS FOURTH MONDAY CHAT RESCHEDULED
The Fourth Monday Chat has been rescheduled for May 2 at 11 a.m.
(Indianapolis Time.) The chat includes Jane Lawrence, Executive Vice
President of Disciples Home Missions on "What's happening in youth and
young adult ministries?"  Brad Lyons, Director of Communications/Program
Officer from Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) also will
participate.  To join the chat, visit
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/RESOURCES/chathelp.htm 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN GEORGIA CALLS NEW REGIONAL MINISTER
In a unanimous decision, the delegates of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Georgia selected Ray Miles on April 16 to
become the next regional minister.  Miles has an extensive background in
ministry.  He has served as regional minister for the Christian Church
in Canada and associate regional minister for the Central Rocky
Mountain, Oregon and Upper Midwest regions.  He also has served local
congregations in Kentucky, Kansas, Colorado and Iowa.  

Miles holds a doctorate degree in ministry from Garrett Evangelical
Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill., as well as a master's degree in
divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Ky.	He will
start in his new position on June 1. To read more about Miles from
colleagues and search committee members, go to: 
http://www.gadisciples.org/about_us/MilesTestimonials.htm 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS NOW AVAILABLE
Bethany Village Live!, a Vacation Bible School curriculum designed to
introduce elementary-age children to the basic aspects of the history
and theology of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is now
available.  

During Bible School, children will be exposed each day to a central
Disciples value and an important historical figure from Disciples
history.  There are five learning stations, utilizing a variety of
different learning methodologies, which enable the curriculum to meet
the needs of all kinds of learners.  The interactive, experiential
nature of the curriculum reinforces the basic daily lessons.

An African proverb says, "It takes a whole village to raise a
child" and this curriculum brings together the village of past
heroic persons with the present day village of nurturing adults in your
congregation to encourage the faith journey of a new generation.

Download the curriculum in PDF or MS Word form:
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/ChristianEducation/ChurchSchool.htm

DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS REQUESTS PARTICIPATION IN SURVEY
Disciples Home Missions (DHM) requests that all supporters of the
National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) who have utilized or requested the
Harvest of Justice Pamphlet to complete the attached survey by May 30. 
Read the letter from Disciples Home Missions and download the survey at:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2005/survey.htm 

####
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 

####

*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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