wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - June 3, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
June 3, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

MODERATORS NOMINATED FOR CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
A new moderator team has been nominated for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  William L. Lee, pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church in
Roanoke, Va., will serve as moderator.	Carolyn Ho, manager of education
outreach at the Foundation for International Understanding Through
Students, in Seattle, Wash., will be first vice moderator.  Ho is a member
of Queen Anne Christian Church in Seattle.  Charles C. Gaines, a dentist
from Arlington, Texas, will be second vice moderator.  Gaines is a member
of First Christian Church of Arlington, Texas.

Elections for the nominees will be held July 23-27 at the 2005 General
Assembly in Portland, Ore.  If elected, each will serve a two-year term.
Learn more about the nominees at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0534.htm

DISCIPLES PURCHASE KANSAS CHRISTIAN HOME FROM FORTRESS
A grassroots coalition of Disciples in Kansas has purchased Brookdale-Heatherwood Village, also known as the Kansas Christian Home.  The group,
called Friends of Kansas Christian Home (FKCH), will take control of the
property on July 1.  FKCH met for the first time last September to review
strategies to keep Kansas Christian Home from bankruptcy.  From that
initial meeting, widespread support grew to buy the property from Fortress
Investment Group. The parties signed the purchase agreement May 27. The
home was one of 11 senior living communities sold to Fortress by the
National Benevolent Association during NBA's Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

While the home will be affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), it will be autonomous from the Regional and General Church, and
not associated with NBA.   Read the full release at:  http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0536.htm

SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR THE PRESCHOOL VILLAGE AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly in Portland, Ore., from July 23-27 is an event for
the entire family.  Be sure to register your children for the Preschool
Village so that they can have the opportunity to learn about how "Jesus
Calls Us" through age-appropriate, hands-on activities.  An open house for
all pre-registered children and their families will be held July 23 from 1
p.m.-5 p.m.  Learn more about the Preschool Village at:  http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0537.htm
Go to:	http://www.disciples.org/ga05/childcare.htm

DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS CALLS TOD ISEMINGER TO DIRECT MEN'S MINISTRIES
The Rev. Tod Iseminger, a member and staff minister at Geist Christian
Church, Indianapolis, is the new Director of Men's Ministries.	He will
begin his ministry with Disciples Home Missions on June 1.  Iseminger
received his M. Div. from Christian Theological Seminary May 14, and was
ordained at Geist Christian Church May 21.  He will continue his work at
Geist, where he serves as director of the Christian Youth Fellowship
(CYF), and Associate Minister with responsibilities for the Saturday
casual worship service and weekly youth worship service.  Read the full
story at: http://www.homelandministries.org/WhatsNewDHM.htm#Iseminger

COUNCIL ON CHRISTIAN UNITY REFINES NEW ECUMENICAL VISION FOR THE FUTURE
In a continuation of the Council on Christian Unity's (CCU) November
retreat that identified new "frontiers" as part of a "mapping process,"
the Board focused on new strategies to communicate, teach and grow the
message of ecumenical formation at their recent meeting in Chicago, Ill.
Board members identified next steps for implementing the three frontiers:
becoming a multi-cultural and inclusive church, developing a deeper
ecumenical spirituality and understanding what it means to live in an
interfaith context.  The executive committee will bring a report with
specific actions and timelines to the next meeting of the CCU board, in
Portland, Ore., from July 24-27 during the General Assembly.  Learn more
about CCU's ecumenical vision at:  http://www.disciples.org/ccu/news/060205.htm

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT
National Council of Churches USA and other organizers of the "Let Justice
Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty" campaign recently
announced its support of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2005.  The act was
introduced in the U.S. Senate and House on May 18 by Senator Edward
Kennedy and Rep. George Miller.  If it passes, the legislation, which
calls for an increase in the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to
$7.25 per hour over two years, would be one step toward alleviating the
increasing numbers of people who live in poverty in this country.  To read
the full release go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0535.htm

LYNCHBURG COLLEGE PROFESSOR RECEIVES AWARD FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE
Elza Tiner, professor of English at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Va.,
is the recipient of the 2005 T.A. Abbott Award for Faculty Excellence from
Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM). The award is the most
prestigious recognition that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
gives to faculty members of Disciples-related colleges and universities.
For more, see http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/05/HELM-Abbott.htm

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO REGISTER FOR GLOBAL MINISTRIES PRE-ASSEMBLY EVENT
Time is running out to register for the pre-assembly event, "Jesus Calls
Us to Pursue....What Makes for Peace".	Global Ministries (Division of
Overseas Ministries) and the Disciples Peace Fellowship are co-sponsoring
a pre-assembly event at the Doubletree Hotel beginning Friday, July 22 at
1 p.m. and concluding at noon on Saturday, July 23.  It is critical for
the church to take the lead in working for peace in the world.	At a time
when conflicts are raging all over the world, ranging from wars to
violence against women and children, the church must speak.  "So let us
pursue the things that make for peace and the building up of one another."
(Romans 14:19)	This pre-assembly event will examine the Church's role in
pursuing peace in the world.   For more information about this pre-assembly event and to download a registration form, link to: http://www.globalministries.org/ga05.htm#preassembly.  You will want to get your registration
form in early because the event is limited to the first 150 registrants. 
DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS ANNOUNCES POSITION/STAFFING CHANGES
Disciples Home Missions (DHM) has appointed two Disciples pastors to serve
part time as Disciple Military Endorsement Officer and Disciple Institutional Endorsement Officer respectively.  They are the Revs. Steve Doan and
Susan Galasso.	Both are to assume their positions June 6 and both plan to
attend the Portland, Ore. General Assembly July 23 to 27 to meet with
chaplains.

DHM president Arnold Nelson also announced the ending of the position of
vice president for Specialized Services.  For more information on DHM
staffing changes, go to:  http://www.homelandministries.org/WhatsNewDHM.htm - Thompson

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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 Briefs, also known as "The Disciple®", 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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