wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - June 24, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
June 24, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org 

START GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT FOOT WITH SPIRIT 
Spirit Walk 2005, will step off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23 from the
Oregon Convention Center at General Assembly. The noncompetitive 5K
Walk/Run and simultaneous 1-mile Prayer Walk will raise prayers and
funds to support the best decade of new church growth in Disciples
history. Since 2001, Disciples have started more than 350 new
congregations.

For online registration and pledge forms, go to
http://www.newchurchministry.org and follow the Spirit Walk link.

LOG IN TO VIEW REBROADCAST OF GMP NOMINEE'S MEETING IN GEORGIA
You are encouraged to watch a web rebroadcast of Sharon Watkins, the
General Minister and President nominee, taped earlier this month during
a town hall meeting at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Atlanta, Ga.  The
rebroadcast will take place on June 28 at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard
Daylight Savings Time.	Disciples can use the opportunity to meet
Watkins and learn about her views and ideas on the future of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Visit the Ray of Hope web site
at http://www.rayofhope.org and click on the "Streaming Faith" icon on
the left side of the home page, prior to the start of the rebroadcast at
7 p.m.	For more information or for a report of her remarks, consult the
Georgia website at: http://www.gadisciples.org 

CHURCH EXTENSION SEEKS A MARKETING DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT VICE
PRESIDENT
Church Extension, the arm of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
that assists local churches in planning, financing and maintaining
facilities to be used as tools of ministry, is seeking a Marketing
Director and Assistant Vice President.	This position will lead in
strategic marketing, public relations and communication efforts.  If you
are an experienced communications professional who would enjoy conveying
the mission and services of Church Extension, then this may be the
position for you.  Read the job announcement at:
http://www.disciples.org/internal/jobsCE.htm 

NCC URGES CONGRESS TO PASS 'END THE WAR' RESOLUTION
National Council of Churches USA (NCC) is part of a national coalition
urging an end to the war in Iraq.  They support and are planning a
grassroots campaign encouraging members of Congress to sign the
bi-partisan legislation recently introduced urging President Bush "to
announce a plan for the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq by the
end of the year."  This legislation was introduced by Rep. Walter
Jones (R-N.C.) and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) on June 16.  To read
more about NCC's grassroots campaign, go to: 
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/050617BipartisanResolution.html 

USHERS STILL NEEDED TO SERVE IN PORTLAND
It has become a tradition that seminarians are invited to serve as
ushers for the General Assembly. This ministry of hospitality has given
emerging church leaders the opportunity to connect with the gathered
Disciples community.  The search is now on for 44 willing persons to
welcome and assist during Assembly worship and business sessions in
Portland, Ore., in late July. Unlike past Assemblies, an invitation is
being extended not only to college students, but to others who wish to
serve as well.	A small stipend is available.  For more information
visit: http://www.disciples.org/ga05.	Get involved and volunteer to be
an usher at the 2005 General Assembly!

DISCIPLES HELP BUILD HOMES FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) were among those
from more than 50 churches who helped build dozens of homes from June
19-24 in Michigan during Habitat for Humanity's 2005 Jimmy Carter Work
Project in that state.	The volunteers joined former U.S. President and
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in the
build.	Overall, volunteers constructed more than 200 homes throughout
Michigan and Windsor, Canada.  Learn more about the Jimmy Carter Work
Project at: http://www.habitat.org 

In addition, the women of First Christian Church in Fayetteville, Ark.,
are participating in the building of the second Habitat for Humanity
all-women built home.  The endeavor, known as The House That Jane Built
2, is currently underway.  Construction began June 1 and will conclude
June 25.  

REGISTER FOR CHURCH EXTENSION'S DINNER AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Join Church Extension for dinner on July 23 at 5 p.m. in the Portland
Ballroom of the Oregon Convention Center during the 2005 General
Assembly. The theme for the evening will be "Church Extension:	Here
to Build You Up".  Hear the exciting news about how Church Extension
is seeking to build up congregations by offering transformational
strategies, investment services and capital funding services.  Visit
http://www.churchextension.org or call the office at 1-800-274-1883
to reserve your place. 

SIGN UP FOR THE SECOND SOUTH CAROLINA REGIONAL CONFERENCE
The South Carolina Regional Council announces the celebration of the
Second South Carolina Regional Conference of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).	The conference will be held September 30 -
October 2 with the theme  "Alive Together With Christ as We Thrive In
2005." (Ephesians 2:4-10).  Featured speakers include Johnny Wray,
director of Week of Compassion and Timothy James, associate general
minister and administrative secretary of the National Convocation.  New
Hope Christian Church in Burton, S.C. is serving as the host church with
Central Christian Church in Beaufort and Faithful Christian Church in
Burton as the area partner churches.  For more information or to
register contact the regional office at: ROCCSC@aol.com or call (800)
637-2718.  

FORMER PENSION FUND EMPLOYEE PASSES AWAY
D. Lee Putnam, former employee of the Pension Fund of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) died Saturday, June 18, 2005.  Putnam
served the Pension Fund of Christian Church for 50 years (1942-1992). 
She came to the Pension Fund at the age of 17 in the clerical department
and retired as assistant to the president.  A devoted mother and member
of St. Patrick Church in Indianapolis, Ind., Putnam was instrumental in
changing and maintaining much of the operational and accounting
procedures that laid the groundwork for the current work of the Pension
Fund.  The visitation and funeral mass was held at St. Patrick Church. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pension Fund of
the Christian Church, 130 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
or St. Patrick Church, 950 Prospect Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203.

******************
CORRECTION regarding a June 17 DNS item:  "The proposed resolution
concerning Churchwide Health Care will be considered by the Committee on
Reference and Counsel. If approved as a resolution there, it will be
discussed and voted on by the General Assembly."

*******************
####

DNS Writer:	Kenethia Jackson  

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 

wfn