wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - August 12, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs 
August 12, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org 

DISCIPLES GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT EXPRESSES IMPORTANCE OF
CHRISTIAN-JEWISH DIALOGUE ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES
Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), has been in communication with interfaith
partners from the Jewish community following the Disciples adoption of
the "Breaking Down the Dividing Wall" resolution at the July 23-27
General Assembly. To read a release that summarizes the contents of a
letter she sent to seven Jewish leaders and emphasizes the Disciples
continued commitment to positive interfaith relations go to:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0551.htm 

THE 2005 GENERAL ASSEMBLY BRINGS THOUSANDS
TO PORTLAND, OREGON 
More than 5000 people participated in the 2005 General Assembly of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  The July assembly at the Oregon
Convention Center in Portland, Oregon involved worship, praise, and
outstanding mission work.  A new General Minister and President was
elected and major changes to the Design were approved.	Resolutions on a
number of issues were debated and approved during business portions of
the assembly, including several on international issues, as well as a
plan that will enable the continuation of healthcare coverage for
ministers and other church employees.  To read more about the Assembly
go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0552.htm 

TCU'S BRITE DIVINITY SCHOOL ANNOUNCES $3 MILLION 
GIFT FOR BUILDING CAMPAIGN
Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort
Worth, Texas, recently received the single largest gift provided by
living donors in the seminary's history.  The Harrison family of Texas
pledged $3 million as the naming gift for the Building a Brite Future
capital campaign, aimed at expanding academic facilities adjoining
Robert Carr Chapel on the TCU campus. To date, Brite has received gifts
of $9 million toward the campaign goal of $19.5 million.  Read the full
release at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0550.htm 

UNITED WAY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES NAMES DHM MISSION 
CENTER AGENCY OF THE YEAR
All Peoples Christian Center, a Disciples Home Missions (DHM) mission
center, in Los Angeles, Calif., was named the 2005 Agency of the Year at
the United Way's Celebration of Caring campaign closing event.	All
Peoples Christian Center provides comprehensive services that allow the
entire family to take part in the various programs.  Services include
day care, a gang prevention program for middle school youth, an
emergency food program, parenting classes, an after-school program for
students in grades one through 12, and a program for retired senior
citizens.   In 2004, All Peoples served 8,671 individuals.  Learn more
about All Peoples at: http://www.allpeoplescc.org 

SEARCH COMMITTEE NAMED FOR NATIONAL PASTOR FOR HISPANIC MINISTRIES
A search committee has been named to select a nominee to serve as the
next national pastor for Hispanic Ministries to replace Pablo Jimenez,
who recently left to join the Christian Board of Publication as Senior
Editor.

The committee chair will be Lyndon Rogers of Austin, Texas.  Other
committee members are:	David Vargas, Indianapolis, Ind.; Xose
Escamilla, San Diego, Calif.' Evangelina Perez, Miramar, Fla.; Raquel
Garcia, Los Fresnos, Texas; Silvia Tiznado, Glendale, Ariz.; Timothy
James, Indianapolis, Ind.; Gary Kidwell, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Jorge
Cotto, Miami, Fla.

The Committee, with input from the whole church, will create a profile
for the position that will be circulated throughout the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). The committee will select the candidate and make
the presentation to the Hispanic Caucus and Pastoral Commission for
Hispanic Ministries.  More details about the process, search, timeline,
and posting of the position will follow in upcoming weeks.  Lucas
Torres, a retired Indianapolis Disciples pastor and a member of Iglesia
Hermandad Cristiana, is serving as interim national pastor. To learn
more about the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries go to:
http://www.obrahispana.org 

WEEK OF COMPASSION ANNOUNCES 2005 YEAR TO DATE RESPONSE FUND FIGURES
Thanks to donations from Disciples everywhere, Week of Compassion's
(WOC) funding for the second quarter has surpassed that of last year. 
At the end of the second quarter Week of Compassion's annual giving
was more than $1.9 million compared to over $1.7 million for the same
time period in 2004.  That's an increase of $147,222 or 8.39 percent. 
Designated giving was $2.1 million for the same period.  Much of this
money was in response to the Dec. 26 tsunami, however directed giving
for Sudan continues to grow.  The single largest line item is the
Compassion Response Fund.  This fund and special designated accounts
enable WOC to respond promptly to emergencies, disasters and other
humanitarian requests.	Go to: http://www.weekofcompassion.org to learn
more about Week of Compassion funding for humanitarian efforts.

TWO CONSULTANTS JOIN CHURCH EXTENSION
Two part-time consultants have joined Church Extension's staff in
order to help "build up" new and established congregations.  

Beginning Sept. 1, Donggook "John" Roh, former officer in the Korean
Disciples Convocation in the USA and Canada, and in the North America
Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD) will assume the position of Korean
Congregational Services Consultant.  During the past year, Roh served as
pastor of Yeunmoo Christian Church in Korea, where he was also the vice
president and a professor at Choongnam College for Preschool Teachers. 
In his new position, Roh will consult with new and established
congregations and pastors, assisting them with strategic planning,
investment services and capital funding. 

Earlier this year, Frantz LeBlanc began serving as Northeast Haitian
New Church Consultant.	LeBlanc is pastor of Restoration Christian
Church in Philadelphia, Penn., runs a seminary and also offers
counseling services.  In his work with Church Extension, he supports
some 45 new and established Haitian congregations and their pastors in
four regions: Pennsylvania, Capital Area, Northeastern and Canada. 
Learn more about the consultants at: 
http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm 

FORMER GLOBAL MINISTRIES BOARD MEMBER PASSES AWAY
Dorothy Gentry Kearney, lay minister and deacon at Plymouth
Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C., passed July
27.  Her funeral was held July 29 at Plymouth Congregational UCC. 
Kearney was a life long member of Plymouth Congregational UCC and was
chairperson of the United Church Board for World Ministries.  She had
also served as a board member for Global Ministries, a common witness of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. 
She traveled the world viewing the church's work in international
settings.
 

NEW LAND STEWARDSHIP RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR CHURCHES
A new resource for study, worship and action on land stewardship is now
available to churches and others interested in protecting and redeeming
God's earth.  Developed by the National Council of Churches' (NCC)
Public Land Stewardship Initiative, a project of NCC's Eco-Justice
Programs, "Rooted in God's Word and Lands" contains background
information on land issues, sermon starters, a bulletin insert for a
themed worship service, suggestions for adult and youth study
activities, and ideas for personal and congregational action.

Copies of "Rooted in God's Word and Lands" can be obtained on NCC's
Eco-Justice Programs' website at http://www.nccecojustice.org or by
contacting Christine Hoekenga, the Public Lands Initiative Coordinator,
choekenga@nccusa.org  

####

DNS Writer:	Kenethia Jackson  

*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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