wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - September 23, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
September 23, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

RECONCILIATION MISSION OFFERING IS THIS SUNDAY
Please remember to "Sow Reconciliation - Reap Justice" by supporting the
church's shared ministry for racial justice and reconciliation. Reconciliation Mission helps the church live out the call of one of the core
components of the 2020 Vision: to be an anti-racist, pro-reconciling faith
community.  The Reconciliation Mission offering provides the primary
support of Disciples' efforts to advocate for, educate about and organize
to dismantle systemic racism and structural oppression. The Reconciliation
offering will be taken in churches this Sunday, Sept. 25 and on Sunday,
Oct. 2. Visit http://www.reconciliationmission.org/ for additional
information.

In  "Language Matters," Jessica Vazquez, Associate Minister of Reconciliation Mission, comments on the ways language is used to formulate identity.
She examines the ways language enables us to communicate how we experience
the world and to give expression to our grief, pain and anger. Vazquez
reminds the church to be mindful that what we do often calls into question
what we say and that Reconciliation Mission is committed to providing
leadership that will help build bridges of understanding between all
people while working to dismantle barriers.  To read the full column,
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0567.htm

DISCIPLES ON-GOING RESPONSE TO GULF COAST HURRICANES EXPANDS
As Hurricane Rita roars toward the Texas and Louisiana coast, Disciples
are extending their prayers to people in the path of the projected
hurricane. Meanwhile Disciples continue to respond to the ongoing needs of
those impacted less than three weeks ago by Hurricane Katrina, which
devastated about 90,000 square miles of the Gulf Coast, displaced more
than a million people, and killed more than 1,000.
Churches in all parts of the country - from Memphis, Tenn. to Portland,
Oregon to Huntsville, Ala., have been involved with relief efforts for
Katrina.  Regional ministers in the south and south west also have managed
to assist in awe-inspiring ways.

Week of Compassion continues to take donations to help with urgent
requests from congregations and local interfaith partners responding to
the on-going needs of Katrina survivors.  Visit the WOC website -
http://www.weekofcompassion.org/ - to make donations and for the latest
information.

Also, visit http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0568.htm for the
latest on Disciples volunteering mission stations that have been set up to
provide coordinated, safe, and faithful volunteer work opportunities in
the hurricane-stricken areas.

TEXAS CHURCH STEPPED UP TO SHELTER HURRICANE EVACUEES
The members of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Tyler,
Texas said good-bye this week to the last of the 275 Gulf Coast evacuees
who found temporary shelter at the church for up to three weeks.  First
Christian has served as an American Red Cross Evacuation Center for the
past five years, becoming a model for how an evacuation center should
operate. The church's outreach also resulted in a visit from Texas Gov.
Rick Perry.  To read the full story go to at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0563.htm

KIDS TO KIDS MISSION PROJECT ALLOWS DISCIPLES KIDS TO HELP HURRICANE
CHILDREN
When African-American churches were burning in the late 1990's, Disciples
kids raised money to build a play ground at a re-built church in Arkansas.
 When the tsunami hit in southern Asia and East Africa in December 2004,
Disciples kids raised over $21,000 to help Church World Service provide
Welcome Tents for Kids.

Now Heart-to-Heart, a new Kids to Kids Mission Project, is giving
Disciples kids a concrete way to help children affected by Hurricane
Katrina.  Church World Service has designed the content of the kits that
will be used with the project to meet the needs of children who have been
through traumatic events.  To read more about how Disciples children can
get involved go to.  http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/hurricanek.pdf

JARVIS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OPENS ITS DOORS TO STUDENTS DISPLACED BY
HURRICANE KATRINA
The students, faculty and alumni of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins,
Texas, are opening their doors and soliciting donations to help students
displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  Jarvis is offering displaced students who
were attending Xavier University and Dillard University in New Orleans the
opportunity to attend Jarvis free of charge.  The offer includes tuition,
room and board.  Although some expenses are covered, students will still
need books, school and personal supplies.  Donations may be sent to:
Office of Alumni Affairs, Jarvis Christian College, P.O. Box 1470,
Hawkins, TX 75765.  Please note that your donation is designated for
hurricane victims.  Read more about Jarvis' contributions to students
displaced by Hurricane Katrina at:  http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0565.htm

FOURTH FRIDAY CHAT ON HURRICANE RELIEF AND RECOVERY
Join Disciples Home Missions Monday Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. (Indiana time) for
the Fourth Monday chat. Chat with DHM's Carl Zerweck III, Director of
Disciples Volunteering, about hurricane relief and recovery efforts.
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/RESOURCES/chathelp.htm

OVERSEAS MINISTRIES EXECUTIVE REFLECTS ON HURRICANE CRISIS
David Vargas, President of the Division of Overseas Ministries and
Co-executive of Global Ministries shares his reflections as many of our
Global Ministries partners continue to pray for our country after the
destruction of Hurricane Katrina.  He begins, "At such a time as this,
when the media overwhelms our mind and spirit with news of death and
despair caused by the horrendous force of a hurricane and the breaking of
a levy, it is like a sweet melody to our ears to realize that brothers and
sisters throughout the world are praying for us and holding our fragile
hands from a distance with a word of compassion, solidarity and consolation."  To read the entire reflection and the prayers from our Global
Ministries partner churches, link to: http://www.globalministries.org/prayers-katrina.htm

GMP URGES CONGRESS TO PROTECT FOOD STAMP PROGRAM FROM BUDGET CUTS
Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), joined religious leaders from around the country in
signing a letter that urges Congress to protect the federal Food Stamp
Program from funding cuts. The letter is the latest step in the anti-hunger efforts of leaders who met in June for the first Interfaith Convocation
on Hunger at the National Cathedral.  To read the full text of the letter
go to:	http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0566.htm

OLDEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONGREGATION DEDICATES HIGHWAY MARKER
Second Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Midway, Ky., will
dedicate a Kentucky Highway Marker in recognition of its historical
significance at homecoming services tomorrow at the church.  Second
Christian is said to be the first organized African-American church among
Disciples in the United States.  Many of its present members are descendants of the first congregation that worshipped in a log church first located
on the Midway College campus.  The 173 year-old church will celebrate the
100th anniversary of worshipping at its present location during next
year's homecoming.

RECONCILIATION MISSION'S ANTI-RACISM/PRO-RECONCILIATION INITIATIVE (ARPRI)
PLANS TRAINING EVENTS
2005 has brought renewed energy to Reconciliation Mission.  Since January,
the Core Organizer/Trainers for the Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation
Initiative (ARPRI) have given leadership to six training events.  Five
more trainings are scheduled for the remainder of the year.  Although
three of these events are in partnership with regions, Reconciliation
Mission is sponsoring its second open registration training.  The dates
for this training are Oct. 13-15 in Indianapolis, Ind.	A registration fee
of $250 will cover all training materials plus lunch and snacks each day.
Registration will close on September 30, or when 40 paid participants have
signed up.  The training will be held at the Marten House Hotel and
Conference Center, starting on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 8:30 a.m. and
concluding on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

You may contact the Marten House at 317-872-4111 to make lodging arrangements, that will offered at a rate of $71.00 per room (single or double),
through Sept. 30.   Reservations received after that date will be provided
on a space available basis at prevailing rates. A rooming list must be
provided to the hotel by Sept. 30, therefore it is important to register
as early as possible.  Please find attached a copy of the registration
form at http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/fall%20registration%20form.pdf
If you need any additional information, call Chandra Haskett at 317-713-2416.

DISCIPLES FILL KEY POSITIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Two ordained Disciples ministers have filled key positions at The
University of Chicago. Teresa (Terri) Hord Owens is now serving as Dean of
Students of the Divinity School and Brittany D. Barber as the Associate
Dean of the Disciples Divinity House.

Owens is serving students of all denominations in her new position, having
oversight over student admissions, funding, academic progress, evaluation
and job placement.  She is returning to The Divinity School where she
earned her master's of divinity in 2003.  While at the school, she
received the John Gray Rhind Award for being the outstanding graduate in
her class.  She is also a graduate of Harvard University and a member of
Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.  She is
presently the director of small group ministry and the drama coordinator
for Salem Baptist Church in Chicago. Owens previously served as Special
Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the University
of Chicago Hospitals.

Barber will focus primarily on interpreting the Divinity House to external
groups such as alumni, prospective students, donors, prospective donors,
local congregations and the regional church in her new position.  She
comes to the Associate Dean position after having served as Minister of
First Christian Church of Youngstown, Ohio, where she successfully led the
congregation through a transition.  Barber holds a bachelor's degree from
Drury University in Springfield, Mo., a master's in divinity and a master
of arts in social service administration from the University of Chicago.
She is a member of the Divinity House's Alumni Council.

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY RECEIVES MAJOR GRANT
A major grant from the Lilly Endowment will allow the Vanderbilt University Divinity School to create the Program in Theology and Practice, designed
to produce more and better teachers for theological schools.  The $10
million grant by the Indianapolis-based endowment is the largest ever
received by the school and marks the beginning of a move by the school and
the Graduate Department of Religion to address a nationwide shortage of
practical theology professors, better prepared to teach students called to
the ministry. To read the full release, go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0564.htm

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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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