wfn.org | Disciples News Briefs - November 11, 2005

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

Disciples News Briefs
November 11, 2005
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: News@cm.disciples.org

DISCIPLES CHURCH MAKES CREATIVE REUSE OF FORMER WAL-MART
First Christian Church of Keokuk, Iowa will dedicate its news facility
this Sunday, Nov. 13, in a site where shoppers once racked up purchases on
clothing, electronics and household items.  The church has turned a former
Wal-Mart store into creative space that includes a sanctuary, gathering
area, library, classrooms, and areas for community outreach. To read the
full story, go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0583.htm

DEADLY TORNADO STRIKES KENTUCKY AND SOUTHERN INDIANA
The string of natural disasters that have ripped across the country in
recent months has captured nation-wide attention. The latest is the
powerful tornado that ripped across Henderson, Ky., and Evansville, Ind.,
killing 22 people and injuring 200.  This was the deadliest tornado to
strike the United States in several years.  The death count from this
storm alone exceeded the previous total number of tornado fatalities for
the entire country this year.  The impact on Disciples churches and
members appears to be slight, but Week of Compassion continues to work
with its partners to determine the damage to Disciples congregations and
members. To read updates on how Disciples are responding to this and other
emergency humanitarian efforts worldwide, go to: http://www.weekofcompassion.org

GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING ON SUNDAY
Leader development is the emphasis for the Thanksgiving Offering to be
received in Disciples congregations Nov. 13 and 20.  The following
students are members of the current class of Higher Education Leadership
Ministries (HELM) Leadership Fellows, a group of undergraduate students
preparing to take leadership roles in the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ).
n	Chris Miller-McLemore at Vanderbilt University will be exploring
different types of religious ceremonies and traditions with a group of
college undergraduates in his campus housing unit.
n	Felicia Wright, Texas Christian University, is implementing a
project that encourages incoming TCU Disciples who are incoming freshmen
to explore their call and ways they can live out that call while at
TCU.
Help these and other students continue to expand their leadership skills
by giving generously to the Thanksgiving Offering.  View additional
student profiles at: http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/fellows.htm

Publicize this event at your church by using the promotional materials
available at: http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/

REGISTRATION FOR MIX IN '06 CLIMBS
The upcoming Mix in '06, known under the theme "Dream On Sister!," is
several months away, but already the event has registered about 600 people
from around the country. This one-time historic gathering of Disciples and
United Church of Christ women will take place June 21-25, 2006, in
Indianapolis, Ind.  You can take advantage of the reduced registration fee
of $375 (U.S.) by signing up prior to May 1.  Learn more about the many
exciting activities and opportunities that await you at the Mix in '06 by
reading the full release at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0579.htm

GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE
Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), joined other religious leaders in sending a letter
to Congress calling on elected officials to take action on an important
issue affecting millions of Americans: the minimum wage.  During the 2005
General Assembly, Disciples passed resolution #0517 "Concerning the Living
Wage," which addressed this very issue.  At a Nov. 7 press conference in
Washington, D.C., the speakers announced the launch of the "Let Justice
Roll/Living Wage Campaign," a grassroots campaign of more than 50
religious and community groups to raise the minimum wage on the federal
and state level.  Read the full release at: http://home.comcast.net/~disciplescenter/alerts/livingwage07nov05.html

CHURCH EXTENSION ANNOUNCES BOARD RETIREMENTS AND ADDITIONS
During its board meeting this week, Church Extension of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) recognized the retirement of two board
members and elected two new persons.  Frank A. Mullen and 2005 Board Chair
Alice H. Bolen each retired from the board after serving six years.  Linda
S. Gardner of Fullerton, Calif., and Yolanda F. Smith of Memphis Tenn.,
were each tapped to serve for a first term of three years.  To read news
releases about the board actions, go to http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0580.htm and http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0581.htm

DHM OFFICE OF EVANGELISM ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE
Disciples Home Missions' (DHM) Office of Evangelism announces a new Web
site, Evangelism Connections, designed to help people and churches engage
in effective evangelism.  This site can assist anyone - clergy or lay -
interested in evangelism and looking for resources that will increase an
understanding of what the Bible requires of us.  Evangelism Connections is
an ecumenical partnership of eight denominational evangelism offices and
Net Results, a monthly religious journal.  The site provides evangelism
resources from all of the partners, links to each denomination, and links
to other helpful sites.  Visit the new web site at: http://evangelismconnections.org/

NCC FINDS TORTURE BY U.S. GOVERNMENT DEPLORABLE
Robert Welsh, president and ecumenical officer of the Council on Christian
Unity, along with other delegates to the 2005 General Assembly of the
National Council of Churches (NCC) USA and Church World Service, held Nov.
8-11 in Baltimore, Md., deplored the fact that some high ranking U.S.
government officials have declined to support the anti-torture provisions
in the 2006 Defense Appropriations bill.  The delegates declared in a
statement that passed unanimously, "We find any and all use of torture
unacceptable and contrary to U.S. and international legal norms."  Read
the full statement at: http://www.ncccusa.org/torture.html

DISCIPLES VIDEO PROGRAMS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE TO VIEW ONLINE
Beginning in December, you can view Disciples documentaries and television
programs on Faith and Values Media's web-based digital channel, www.faithstreams.org.  The first program, "Visions of Hope," a documentary on the
Reconciliation program, features a powerful segment dealing with transporting children to their incarcerated mothers, and is scheduled for Dec. 12 at
10:30 a.m. EST and 9:30 a.m. CDT.   All of the material that plays on the
live stream goes into the Video On Demand library.  It is then accessible
to those who have registered and subscribed.  For additional viewing times
for "Visions of Hope" and information on how to subscribe, visit:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0582.htm

ADVENT RESOURCES ON GLOBAL HUNGER AND POVERTY AVAILABLE ONLINE
Bread for the World, a 55,000-member Christian citizens' movement against
hunger, and representatives from many Christian denominations have worked
together to create a package of free resources to help churches explore
the Christian call to overcome extreme poverty and hunger during Advent.
The Advent themed tools include preaching resources, prayers, litanies, a
children's sermon, ideas for advocacy and action, and religious activities
for adults, youth and children.  Begin working to eliminate poverty and
hunger by downloading materials from Bread for the World's Web site at:
http://www.bread.org/advent

IRS GIVES TAX BREAKS TO HURRICANE KATRINA DONORS
In the coming weeks every American taxpayer has an opportunity to do
something extraordinary for Katrina evacuees while also benefiting
themselves.  Last month Congress passed the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief
Act (KETRA).  Among its provisions, taxpayers may give unlimited cash
gifts to any charitable organization for any purpose up to 100 percent of
a donor's total income. Between Aug. 28 and Dec. 31, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) will double the former 50 percent of adjusted gross income
limit on charitable deductions, allowing donors to deduct 100 percent
(donor-advised funds and private foundations are excluded).  For more
information, go to: http://www.irs.gov

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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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