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SEGA NEWS

SEGA CONNECTION     February 2008 Issue

You should let everyone know about
> it.  It's www.anysoldier.com  The site gives you specific information from
> actual soldiers as to where you can send letters of support, letters of
> thanks, and care packages to them over there.  It is not a scam and a
> person's efforts go straight to the soldiers in the field.  I ordered the
> free mailing packages and forms necessary to send packages to the soldiers
> from the U.S. Postal service.  Now all I'll have to do is pack them with
> goodies (from the $0.99 store) and mail them.  Not that I can even afford
> to, but it is just too moving when I view the site.  I wish I could send
> everyone everything requested like babywipes and chapstick, simple things
> and pleasures here at home we take for granted.  It is just a wonderful
> website.  If you don't already know about it, please take some time and
> check it out so you can feel comfortable telling the church about it.
> Maybe someone there would like to help the soldiers too.

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Interested in Youth Ministry?
Check out my blog at:
www.rethinkingyouth.blogspot.com

Minister of Education
Union Avenue Christian
733 Union Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63108-1037
314)361-8844

Assoc.Minister with Youth/Young Adults
Webster Groves Christian
1320 West Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63122
314)-961-3232

http://www.union-avenue.org/
http://cyf.weebly.com/
www.coolpeoplecare.org/home/

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Dear SEGA Disciples:

GREAT NEWS!  The missionary we will be supporting with our St. Louis New
Misisonary Initiative has been named.   Patrick Bentrott was appointed by
the Common Global Ministries Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) and the United Church of Christ to serve a four-year term in Haiti
beginning September 1, 2008.   He will serve as advisor for theological
education and diaconal projects and programs.

The National Spiritual Council of Churches in Haiti (CONASPEH) is formed by
churches whose members are very poor.  They are doing ministry in the midst
of extreme poverty and often times, with people living with a sense of
hopelessness.  Haiti is a country which has suffered from long-term economic
and social deterioration.  Increased insecurity and natural disasters have
further weakened people¹s fragile health and nutritional status.  Patrick¹s
work will assist CONASPEH to increase its capacity to train pastors and lay
leaders, and at the same time assist in creating development programs to
enhance the quality of life of the people of Haiti.  CONASPEH has brought
together grass-root churches from different denominations in order that they
may better respond to the desperate needs of the people and its liberation
theology seeks to transform the conditions of exploitation, marginalization
and alienation of the Haitian people with their holistic approach to the
Gospel.

Patrick is 30 years old  and finishing his M.Div.  He is married to Kimberly
Bentrott.  Kimberly, who is a physician, has also been appointed to serve
with CONASPEH in their efforts to improve quality of health of Haitians
through the training of health agents within local congregations.   The
Bentrotts are in Denver finishing up their studies.

It is hoped that both Patrick and Kimberly will be able to visit St. Louis
in early fall before they leave for Haiti.

Please share the news with your congregation.  If you have not yet been able
to make a pledge to the New Missionary Initiative, please consider this
opportunity.  We are raising $50,000 in 2008 and have now surpassed the 50%
mark.

I look forward to hearing from you

Suzanne Webb
Union Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ

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Hello all,
 
As some of you already know, some Christian Church, Disciples of Christ Churches are joining forces to build another Habitat for Humanity house this year.  We will build house #14 of the 27 projected for 2008.  We will blitz start on Wednesday, July 9, and work straight through Saturday, July 12. During those exciting few days we'll go from foundation to under roof and siding. Then we regroup for a series of Saturday builds.
 
Consider this email to be an invitation...an opportunity for a very special experience.  We need volunteers to help build the house, especially on Thursday, 7/10 and Friday, 7/11.  Several Webster Groves CC members, and a few folks from Community CC have experience with Habitat builds and will take the leadership roles on this effort.
 
We know this sounds like just an appeal for help, but it is truly much more than that.  It is an opportunity to contribute to the community in a very unique way.  If you have ever done mission work, you know the feeling. The days will be long, the work sometimes challenging, the weather often unforgiving, and of course the pay nonexistent. But if your experience turns out anything like the thousands who have walked before you, you will find it rewarding and life enriching. The skills you acquire, the friendships you develop, the sweat you shed, and the difference you make in the lives of a working family will give you special memories you will want to share.
 
Please share this "invitation to volunteer" with members of your congregation.  If you or members of your congregation are interested please reply accordingly to this email.  This will enable us to determine how many volunteers we will have on which days of the blitz.
 
Below we have listed some of the important information volunteers will need  If you have any questions, please email us or call Bob Miller, House Leader, (314) 918-0458, or Ted Herman, contact person, (314) 609-0883.
 
We look forward to sharing this build with you...
 
Bob Miller
Ted Herman
 
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Hello Fellow Disciples,

 

As you know from my previous e-mail, the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) Churches are sponsoring a house with Habitat for Humanity this year.
We started with a blitz build, July 9 through July 12, so the house is
started, walls up and under roof.  But we have "miles to go before we rest."
The remainder of the construction is scheduled to be completed on 12
Saturdays between now and October.  As sponsors, we have the
privilege/responsibility to provide volunteers on two of those Saturdays. 

 

Up until now we haven't had many Disciples on site to help.  And that is why
I am sending out this e-mail.  Some of you asked to be kept informed about
the build and what you could do to help. 

 

Here's your invitation.

 

On Saturday, August 2, we Disciples are expected to provide the workforce
for the day at House #14, the Disciples House.

 

Please make this opportunity known to your congregation. 

 

We know this sounds like just an appeal for help, but it is truly much more
than that.  It is an opportunity to contribute to the community in a very
unique way.  If you have ever done mission work, you know the feeling. The
days will be long, the work sometimes challenging, the weather often
unforgiving, and of course the pay nonexistent. But if your experience turns
out anything like the thousands who have walked before you, you will find it
rewarding and life enriching. The skills you acquire, the friendships you
develop, the sweat you shed, and the difference you make in the lives of a
working family will give you special memories you will want to share.

 

For those of you who have done Habitat builds before, you know it's a great
experience.  If you have never done this kind of thing, join in.the
blessings flow.

 

No skills needed...anyone can help.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Ted Herman by email at
tedherman@charter.net <mailto:tedherman@charter.net> or by phone at
314-609-0883.  This will help us get an idea of how many volunteers we can
expect.

Following is a list of some of the important information volunteers will
need. If you have any questions contact Ted.

We look forward to sharing this build with you.

Ted Herman
 

 

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

The build-site is just north of the mid-town arts center (east of Grand
Avenue and north of Martin Luther King Drive). Directions from West
(Interstate 44): Grand Avenue north past Martin Luther King Drive. Turn
right onto Cass Avenue. Drive .2 mile and turn right on to Webster Avenue.
Go past the big field and stop sign and park in the fenced-in parking lot on
the left.
Site Registration: Please register each build day at the site support
trailer. Walk from the parking lot back to Webster Avenue, then turn left
(south) and walk approximately one (1) block to the site trailer on your
left (east). It is also important that all first time volunteers complete
and sign an insurance waiver, which will be available at registration.

Buttons: All volunteers will be issued a Habitat ID button at registration
and are asked to wear their ID button.

Daily Schedule: Volunteers are scheduled to be at the house at 8:00 a.m. Be
sure to give yourself enough time to park, find the registration desk, sign
in and then walk to our house. We will break for lunch (provided) around
11:00 (ish) then work the afternoon until about 3:00 p.m. at which time we
clean up the site, with a hopeful dismissal completing the schedule.

What to Bring: A positive outlook, a can-do attitude and plenty of smiles.
Remember to wear sun screen, dress for the weather and bring rain gear if
the skies look questionable. Lunch, water, gloves, safety-glasses and tools
will be provided on site. Habitat and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) require volunteers to wear boots, tennis shoes or
closed toe and heel shoes. NO sandals, open toes, open heel or croc like
shoes are permitted on the build site.

Age Requirements: Due to liability and insurance issues, volunteers must be
16 years of age or older. Volunteers ages 16-17 can participate in general
carpentry work; however, they are not allowed to operate certain power tools
or work at heights above 6 feet.

Weather Hotline: The Habitat for Humanity St. Louis Weather Hotline is
314-371-0400, ext. 45. During the general greeting press "45" to be
transferred to the Hotline. Keep in mind the Hotline is updated only when
the work is cancelled. If the message is out-of-date, work is still on.
Please do not leave message on this extension as the voice mail is not
checked.

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Subject: July 2008 Connection

 

Below is a link to the July 2008 edition of Connection, the SEGA newsletter.

 

www.segadisciples.org/documents/Connection%20July%202008.pdf

 

Due to the expense of postage, we will not be "snail mailing" hard copies.
Please feel free to forward this link to members of your congregations and
encourage them to read the Connection.

 

Also, just a reminder that Penny Ross-Corona is currently on vacation and
will be back in the office on Tuesday, July 15.

 

Susan Moore

SEGA Administrative Assistant

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Disciples News Service
July 23, 2008 

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In this issue:

    * Small Texas Church Reaches Out Through 100,000-Watt Radio Station
    * Embrace God's World Through Global Mission At ¡Missionworks!
    * Disciples Churches To Serve As Mission Stations In Iowa Recovery Initiative
    * Black Leadership Projects Committee Makes Grant Awards
    * Week Of Compassion Fights Rising World Food Costs
    * Disciples Benevolent Services Names New Board Members
    * Special Rate For Airport Shuttle Service At National Convocation
    * Fund For Theological Education Awards More Than $1.5 Million
    * Asian Interfaith Network Strives To Reclaim Rights Of Children With HIV-AIDS
    * New Members Sought For Young Adult Commission
    * National City Christian To Honor Organist For 40 Years Of Service
    * Former Disciples Pastor And Missionary To Philippines Dies

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SMALL TEXAS CHURCH REACHES OUT THROUGH 100,000-WATT RADIO STATION
First Christian Church in Paris, Texas, has decided to make a difference in its ministry by spreading the gospel to all who will listen to its weekly radio broadcast. The church of about 90 members is located in a rural area of northeast Texas but its services now reach thousands each week. Shut-ins, local residents, and travelers crossing the busy highways in the area are now able to dial into the 30-minute taped broadcasts that air over a powerful 100,000-watt FM station on Sunday mornings.

"We just felt like that was a way that we could do evangelism and also be a help to our shut-ins and older people, who sorely missed being able to come and hear a live service," said Ronnie A. Nutt, an elder at First Christian in Paris. "Now they think they are a part of it just by tuning in and listening to the program right where they are." The broadcast is sponsored by contributions from First Christian's members. To find out more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08068.html

EMBRACE GOD'S WORLD THROUGH GLOBAL MISSION AT ¡Missionworks!
Disciples are encouraged to explore new ways to engage in global mission at the fourth biennial ¡Missionworks!, an event blending mission education with practical ideas for involvement in God's mission. The event will take place Oct. 2-5 in Cleveland, Ohio. Those who attend will gain a renewed excitement about Global Ministries and discover how to make a difference in the world.

Participants will learn how to connect their congregation to global partners and missionaries, effectively pray for missionaries, partners, and the world, educate members of all ages about global issues, and seek justice on behalf of international partners through specific advocacy efforts.
Congregational representatives may also participate in Ministries and Mission Interpreter (MMI) training. MMIs are trained to convey the stories of mission, educate people in their local church and region utilizing available Global Ministries resources about the work of global mission, and inspire others to get involved in global mission.

The registration deadline is Aug. 29. For more information, click on the ¡Missionworks! logo at www.globalministries.org or contact Bob Shebeck at (317) 713-2571 or bshebeck@dom.disciples.org

DISCIPLES CHURCHES TO SERVE AS MISSION STATIONS IN IOWA RECOVERY INITIATIVE
Three Disciples churches in Iowa are preparing to open their doors to hundreds of volunteers who will arrive in early August to begin the difficult work of helping several Iowa communities rebuild following massive summer floods. The churches will serve as mission stations where volunteers can eat, sleep and fellowship. The three churches are Noelridge Christian Church in Cedar Rapids, Marion Christian Church in Marion, and First Christian Church in Coralville. Each will have a place for 20-25 volunteers per week.

More than 4,000 homes were flooded in Cedar Rapids alone. Week of Compassion, the Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the mission station churches and the Office of Disciples Volunteering, a part of Disciples Home Missions, have partnered in this effort. Volunteers are still needed to assist in the effort that will begin Aug. 3 and last through mid-November. To schedule a work week, contact Anne Marie Moyars in the Office of Disciples Volunteering at 888-346-2631 or amoyars@dhm.disciples.org. For questions regarding the recovery efforts, call Carl Zerweck, director of Disciples Volunteering at 317-289-5061. You can also find out more by visiting the Disciples Home Missions website at: www.discipleshomemissions.org

BLACK LEADERSHIP PROJECTS COMMITTEE MAKES GRANT AWARDS
The Black Leadership Projects Committee has awarded grants totaling $31,287 that will enhance the work of five groups in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The awards will pay for a trip by new church planters to southern Africa; allow a group of African-American Disciples to travel to Haiti; underwrite an arts-music camp for Springfield, Ohio youth; create an immersion opportunity for two adults with a Disciples partner overseas; assist African-American Disciples congregations with sponsoring refugees; and sponsor a pre-Convocation training session to prepare clergy, church and lay leaders for transformed ministry within Disciples congregations, regions, and other institutional structures.

The fund is administered through Disciples Home Missions. For more information, visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/News2008/08.07.BlackLeadership.htm

WEEK OF COMPASSION FIGHTS RISING WORLD FOOD COSTS
Week of Compassion is responding to the continuing global food crisis, in part through the relationship that Disciples share with the Foods Resource Bank. The relationship enables local Disciples farmers to donate a portion of their harvest to the bank, which uses the resources through partners around the world to empower poor farming families to become self-sufficient in their own food production and security.

Donated food is badly needed in countries that have been hit by soaring food prices, particularly developing countries. Prices for basic stables such as corn, rice and wheat have risen 50 percent to 100 percent in some countries since the beginning of the year. Poor families that had been spending 10 to 20 percent of their income on food are now spending 50 percent. To learn more about how Week of Compassion is helping and the Disciples congregations that participated in 2007 growing projects, see: www.weekofcompassion.org/pages/updates/July0817.html

DISCIPLES BENEVOLENT SERVICES NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The Disciples Benevolent Services (DBS) Board of Trustees has named its new slate of officers for 2008-2009. Belva Brown Jordan is now board chair and Don Downing is vice chair. Jordan, an ordained Disciples minister, is associate dean for admissions and student services at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Okla. She was previously dean for student life at Harvard Divinity School.

Downing is a St. Louis, Mo., attorney, and member of Webster Groves Christian Church in Webster Groves, Mo. Joseph M. Kidwell, an attorney in Fort Worth, Texas, also has been named to serve on the board through 2010. Kidwell is a member of Carmel Christian Church in Carmel, Ind.

Disciples Benevolent Services (National Benevolent Association) is the 121-year old social and health services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08069.pdf (PDF)

SPECIAL RATE FOR AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE AT NATIONAL CONVOCATION
The 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation opens Friday evening, July 25 in Memphis, Tenn. with a concert by Gospel recording artist Kurt Carr. Delegates who will arrive at the Memphis International Airport can now use the Tennco Express airport shuttle at a special rate of $20 round trip. To get this rate, delegates must go online to www.tenncoexpress.com and click on the "Group Shuttle Services" icon.

Convocation delegates can catch the Tennco Express shuttles at column #14 Yellow on the lower level. Shuttles will run every half hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information about the 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation, see: www.disciples.org/convo/biennial.htm

FUND FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AWARDS MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION
Four Disciples are among 162 students who will benefit from more than $1.5 million in fellowships and support recently announced by the Fund for Theological Education. The FTE is working to help reverse a decline in the number of clergy under age 35 by supporting promising college, seminary and doctoral students who have a passion for ministry or theological scholarship.

Over the past decade, the fund has awarded $16 million in support of nearly 1,500 students, most of whom have pursued ordained ministry, a church-related vocation or a faculty post teaching religion and theology. FTE also has a goal to improve diversity on the faculties of North American theological institutions. More than one-third of theological schools do not have a scholar of color on their staffs. To read more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08070.pdf (PDF)

ASIAN INTERFAITH NETWORK STRIVES TO RECLAIM RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH HIV-AIDS
Global Ministries reports on the Asian Interfaith Network which is fighting a difficult battle. Last year, AINA led an interfaith effort that promised to respond to the continuing HIV-AIDS scourge. Since then, the epidemic has exacerbated. The Interfaith Network is now grappling with the increasing incidence of HIV-AIDS in children and the projected rise in the number of orphans and vulnerable children.

Faith leaders and other members from faith-based organizations representing 10 countries in Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Korea, met in Chiang Mai, Thailand July 2-5 to tackle the problem. The theme of the conference was "Reclaiming Rights of Children Affected and Living with HIV and AIDS." To read more about their efforts to restore human dignity and to reclaim the rights of children affected and living with HIV and AIDS, visit:
www.globalministries.org/news/eap/reclaiming-rights.html

NEW MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR YOUNG ADULT COMMISSION
The Young Adult Commission is looking for two people who want to make a difference in the lives of young adults in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Applications for the positions on the commission are now available. Members of the commission are expected to connect with other young adults across the denomination, plan young adult gatherings for general assemblies, and work for young adult causes on the local, regional and national levels. Commission members also are asked to work with all manifestations of the Church to strengthen young adult leadership.

Applicants must be a member of a congregation affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and be between the ages of 18 and 33 when the application is submitted. Applications are due Oct. 1. For questions, contact Tod Iseminger at 888-346-2631 or tiseming@dhm.disciples.org.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN TO HONOR ORGANIST FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE
National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington, D.C., will honor its former minister of music, Lawrence ("Lon") P. Schreiber, on Aug. 9-10 in observance of his upcoming 75th birthday. Schreiber was minister of music at National City Christian and was one of the founding members of the Association of Disciples Musicians. Known as one of the most respected church musicians in the United States, he will celebrate his birthday in November.

Schreiber was minister of music and organist of National City Christian from 1960 to 2000. The festivities honoring him will include a dinner and celebratory worship service. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP as soon as possible by contacting Kathleen Burger-Gerada, chair of the NCCC music committee, at ggerada@yahoo.com, or 12808 Monroe Manor Drive, Herndon, Va. 20171, or call 703-725-9892. For additional information, call Burger-Gerada or minister of music Charles Miller at 202-797-0103.

FORMER DISCIPLES PASTOR AND MISSIONARY TO PHILIPPINES DIES
Former Disciples missionary Leonard Brummett has died. Brummett, 81, died July 14. The ordained Disciples minister served as a missionary to the Philippines from 1952 to 1958. He also served as pastor at churches in Little Rock, Ark., Columbia, Mo., and Mount Carmel, Ill., and as interim pastor at five churches in Indiana and Kentucky following his retirement

Brummett is survived by his wife, Ruth Mitchum Brummett, one daughter and three sons. Memorial services were held July 19 at First Christian Church in Henderson, Ky. Contributions may be made to First Christian in Henderson or the American Cancer Society. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08071.html
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Disciples News Service
July 16, 2008 

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Moments in Disciples History

In Love With Two Words

This Disciple leader loved both the U-word and the E-word.

Since their earliest days on the American frontier, Disciples have cherished unity ? what we might call ?the U-word.? But evangelism ? the E-word ? hasn't stirred much excitement lately. For Disciple pastor, ecumenist, and evangelist Jesse M. Bader, the two concepts went hand in hand.

Born in 1886 in Bader, Illinois, a town named for his immigrant grandfather, Bader graduated in 1911 from Drake University, a school historically related to Disciples. With his initial full-time ministry at First Christian Church in Atchison, Kansas, and later serving a pastorate in Kansas City, Missouri, the gifted young leader was able to grow his flock by an average of one member a day, according to biographer Samuel McCrea Cavert.

Bader's passion for outreach led to his call in 1920 to serve as secretary of evangelism for the newly formed United Christian Missionary Society. Logging tens of thousands of miles each year encouraging Disciple congregations to reach out to others, Bader would next become head of the Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches, predecessor to the National Council of Churches.

It was while Bader was leading outreach at UCMS that he thought of a new way for Disciples to put into practice their historic emphasis on unity. With other Christian communions at the time sponsoring worldwide meetings of member churches, Bader founded the World Convention of Churches of Christ to bring together churches in the Stone-Campbell movement from across the world.

Meeting in Washington, D.C. in 1930, the first World Convention drew 10,000 people from numerous countries. Held at various intervals and locations across the world after its launch, World Convention has met every four years since 1980. An ongoing ministry strengthening ties among the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches / Churches of Christ, and Churches of Christ in North America, as well as Stone-Campbell churches in other parts of the world, the 17th World Convention meets July 30 ? August 3, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn.

Bader served as the first president of World Convention and as general secretary for more than three decades. He represented the convention as a delegate-observer during the historic Second Vatican Council in Rome in 1962. He died the next year as he and others were organizing the 1965 gathering slated for San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In a long life spanning two centuries, Bader successfully navigated what some would see as the conflicting goals of proclaiming the uniqueness of the gospel, practicing unity, and promoting a just world.

Biographer Cavert observed that, when Bader began his work at the Federal Council of Churches in the early 1930s, some colleagues worried the new leader in evangelism might be lukewarm toward efforts to promote peace and justice in a racially divided society at home and a tense political context overseas.

But Bader "welcomed these activities and had a steadily growing interest in them," Cavert wrote, "always remaining firmly convinced that the individual's personal encounter with God in Christ was the precondition of vital Christian service in every area of life."

Longing to reach all people with the love of Christ and call believers into closer fellowship, Bader bridged concerns that still challenge Disciples in a doubting and divided world.

Written by: Ted Parks for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society

To learn more about your faith story, please visit the Disciples of
Christ Historical Society's web site at: www.discipleshistory.org
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Thursday, July 17, A.D. 2008
* Disciples Farmers and Congregations Respond to Global Food Crisis
* Volunteer Opportunities Abound
* WOC Map/Poster

Farmers and Congregations Respond to Global Food Crisis

After a flurry of recent media attention, the escalating
global food crisis has quickly and quietly slipped from
the front page to the back page, but by no means has
the crisis in any way lessened, and the threat it is
posing to millions and millions of impoverished
people in scores of countries throughout the world is
real and growing. In the last six months alone, prices
of such basic food staples as corn, rice and wheat
have increased more than 50%, even as much as
100% in some countries. Poor families that were
spending 10-20% of their income on food are often
forced now to spend more than 50%. For the more
than one billion people already living on the UN
minimum survival wage of US $1 a day, this is
devastating.

One of the quiet but effective ways Week of
Compassion has been responding to the global food
crisis is through the partnership we Disciples share
with the Foods Resource Bank. The partnership
enables local Disciples farmers to donate a portion of
their harvest to FRB, and in turn, FRB works with
numerous partners around the world to empower poor
farming families to become self-sufficient in their own
food production and security.

In 2007, WOC provided $1000 partner grants to 22
local FRB growing projects here in the U.S. - $22,000.
The return from all those projects has now been made
to FRB and the harvest total is $345,154.38! From
these funds and those of its other 14 members, FRB
is funding 44 food security/production projects in 32 of
some of the world's poorest countries. From its FRB
account, WOC is supporting 30 of those 44 projects.

Disciples congregations participating in 2007 growing
projects include FCC, Valparaiso, IN; FCC, Lafayette,
IN; Carlock (IL) CC; FCC, Canton, IL; Cameron (IL)
CC; Arlington Heights (IL) CC; FCC, Shenandoah, IA;
Bloomfield (IA) CC; Roaring Springs CC, Herndon, KY;
Cadiz (KY) CC; FCC, Hopkinsville, KY; CC of
Kalamazoo, MI; Fremont (MI) CC; FCC, Warrensburg,
MO; Orrick (MO) CC; Rosendale (MO) CC; FCC, Platte
City, MO; Community CC, Kansas City, MO; Country
Club CC, Kansas City, MO; FCC, Centralia, MO; FCC,
Columbia, MO; St. Andrew CC, Olathe, KS; East
Lincoln (NE) CC; and CC of Wilkinsburg, PA. To find
out more about the Foods Resource Bank and how
your congregation can participate, contact Week of
Compassion or visit the FRB website by clicking on
the link below.

Foods Resource Bank - ~Volunteer Opportunities Abound

Volunteer work and service opportunities abound for
Disciples work groups. The Office of Disciples
Volunteering recently announced plans for Phase II of
the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, and
mission stations will continue to operate in Gulfport,
MS; Algiers, LA; Slidell, LA; Metairie, LA; Lake Charles,
LA; Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX and Los Fresnos, TX.
Also, our congregations in Pratt and Kinsley, KS,
continue to partner together to house a mission
station for ongoing tornado rebuilding work in
Greensburg, KS. And now a new mission station is
being opened in partnership with congregations in
Marion, Cedar Rapids and Coralville, IA, to respond to
flood recovery needs there. Volunteer work groups are
urgently needed for these mission stations and in
numerous other places and with other church partners
throughout the country. To find a place and time
suitable for your work group, please contact the Office
of Disciples Volunteering:
amoyars@dhm.disciples.org, 317.713.2666 or toll
free 888.346.2631, or
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/Volunteer/Disa
sterResponse. A limited number of WOC work grants
may be available. Applications can be downloaded
from the website by clicking the link below.

Work Trip Grants - 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WOC Map/Poster

Click below for the complete listing of this week's
responses. For a complimentary copy of the
map/poster for your congregation, call the office at
317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to
ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.
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Disciples News Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Office of the General Minister and President Opens Minister of Compassion / Executive Director of the Week of Compassion Search

The Office of the General Minister and President (OGMP) seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as the Minister of Compassion / Executive Director for Week of Compassion. The new Minister of Compassion will serve as a member of the OGMP staff with primary responsibility to oversee the relief, rescue and development fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As the main avenue for Disciples disaster response giving, Week of Compassion also supports sustainable development and humanitarian projects through denominational and ecumenical partnerships around the world.

For more information, a full position description, and information on how to apply visit:
www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2008/07/16a.asp.

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Disciples News Service
July 10, 2008 

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In this issue:

    * Mission Alignment Coordinating Council Seeks Church-Wide Input
    * Disciples Are Encouraged To Support Legislation Protecting Congo?s Resources
    * Transitional Living Programs For Adolescents At ECHO And Olive Branch Suspended
    * Disciples Show Their Support For Refugees In Darfur Through Tents Of Hope
    * National Hispanic Bi-Lingual Assembly Takes Place July 10-13
    * Applications Solicited For The 2008 Disciples Leadership Institute
    * National Convocation Extends Registration Deadline For 20th Biennial Session
    * Attention On Midway College And Historic Kentucky Churches Is Focus Of Cane Ridge Day
    * Disciples And Catholics Dialogue About Priesthood Of Christ In Church And Ministry
    * Northwest Christian College Becomes University
    * Disciples Benevolent Services Seeks Chaplain To Serve In Iowa
    * Disciples Work Group Assistance For Gulf Region Enters Phase II

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MISSION ALIGNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL SEEKS CHURCH-WIDE INPUT
The Mission Alignment Coordinating Council (MACC) recently spent three days in prayer and discussion as it looked at ways to more faithfully organize our Church for mission in the 21st century. The group was created following the 2008 General Board, which approved the creation of the MACC in April, and asked General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and Moderator Newell Williams to name a 12-member group that would develop a plan of mission alignment which addressed several key principles and outcomes.

At its June 3-5 meeting, the MACC offered several examples of how Disciples today can best be organized to accomplish our priorities of 1,000 new congregations, 1000 transformed congregations, new leadership and furthering our pro-reconciliation/anti-racism initiative. To review the Principles of Mission Alignment, the work of the Mission Alignment Coordinating Council and to send on any comments or suggestions, please go to: www.disciples.org/macc

DISCIPLES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION PROTECTING CONGO?S RESOURCES
The Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world plagued by violence that has lead to a battle for many of the country?s natural resources, including coltan, diamonds, cassiterite and gold. Coltan is a little known but very valuable mineral-ore used in consumer products around the world such as cell phones, computers and DVD players. Export of coltan, which is also known as columbite-tantalite, has been blamed for fueling the war in that country.

The humanitarian crisis in the Congo has been a preoccupation of Global Ministries, many in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and our Congolese global partners. U.S. Senators Sam Brownback and Richard Durbin have submitted a bill to Congress entitled, ?Conflict, Coltan and Cassiterite Act of 2008? that will require the President to compile a list of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo committing human rights violations and prohibit the importation into the U.S. of any products if the group on the list would financially benefit. To find out more about Global Ministries support of the bill, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08061.pdf (PDF)

For additional questions, contact LaMarco Cable with Global Ministries at lcable@dom.disciples.org

TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS FOR ADOLESCENTS AT ECHO AND OLIVE BRANCH SUSPENDED
Disciples Benevolent Services has announced the suspension of its transitional living programs for adolescents at ECHO and the Olive Branch in St. Louis, Mo. Increasing cuts from state and local funding sources combined with a national trend toward more foster care placement for children forced the difficult decision last month.

Four of the last 15 children recently were placed in foster homes. Several ECHO employees have gone through foster parent training and are now in the process of taking several of the children into their own homes. One student is in college and one will attend this fall. The rest of the youth are in other custodial programs. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08062.html

DISCIPLES SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES IN DARFUR THROUGH TENTS OF HOPE
Disciples churches across the country have joined other faith communities in the national ?Tents of Hope? campaign to raise awareness and resources for the suffering people in Darfur, Sudan.

Two Ohio churches, Heights Christian Church in Cleveland, and First Christian Church in Medina have not only painted their tent, but plan to take them to a national rally, that will be held in Washington D.C. this November.

In Oklahoma City, Okla., about 30 people at Crown Heights Christian Church took turns drawing on and painting a Tent of Hope that was erected in front of the church.

?The Sudan, generally, has been one of our advocacy issues for a few years but Tents of Hope has been a campaign that we?ve been promoting,? said Derek Duncan, associate for global advocacy and education with Global Ministries. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08063.html

NATIONAL HISPANIC BI-LINGUAL ASSEMBLY TAKES PLACE JULY 10-13
The National Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship asks for your prayers as it opens its 14th Assembly on Thursday, July 10 in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. Hundreds of Disciples from across the United States and Canada will gather for the event, where the theme ?Growth and Discipleship: Challenges of the 21st Century? will be explored. The Biblical text for the theme comes from Acts 16:5.

Assembly events will include worship, business, workshops and youth activities. The 2008-2010 Hispanic Caucus Board also will be installed at the Assembly, which runs through Sunday, July 13. To learn more about the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries and its work, please visit: www.obrahispana.org

APPLICATIONS SOLICITED FOR THE 2008 DISCIPLES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Applications for the Disciples Leadership Institute, a program that aims to help the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) transcend barriers of race, culture, and language, are being accepted for the 2008 conference, which will be held in August in St. Louis, Mo.

The Disciples Leadership Institute (DLI) creates personal and professional linkages among younger congregational leaders from both new and established congregations and across the divides of race, culture and language.

Centered around a week-long event, DLI is intentionally diverse: half of the participants are from new congregations, half from established congregations. Half are non-Anglo. A one-page application, a short essay, and a reference's name and contact information must be received by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) no later than Friday, July 11. For more information, visit: www.helmdisciples.org

NATIONAL CONVOCATION EXTENDS REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR 20th BIENNIAL SESSION
The 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation will take place in Memphis, Tenn. July 25-28. This year?s theme is ?God, Our Weapon In Spiritual Warfare?, based on II Corinthians 10:3-5. Pre-Convocation Workshops begin Friday morning, July 25th. The session officially opens on Friday evening with a gospel concert featuring Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers. The deadline for hotel reservations is July 15th although participants also may register for the event on-site. Convocation planners are excited about the preaching, teaching, singing, fellowship and food that will be shared at the event. Those unable to attend the session are encouraged to pray for the event and its many participants. To learn more about the upcoming Biennial Session, visit: www.disciples.org/convo/biennial.htm

ATTENTION ON MIDWAY COLLEGE AND HISTORIC KENTUCKY CHURCHES IS FOCUS OF CANE RIDGE DAY
Midway College President D. William B. Drake, Jr. and Midway College President Emeritus Robert Botkin addressed the gathering at Cane Ridge Day. (Photo by Sarah J. Wilson)The annual Cane Ridge Day celebration focused on Midway College when it was held June 28 at the Cane Ridge Shrine in Paris, Ky. The histories of Midway Christian Church and Second Christian Church, both located in Midway, Ky., were told by church members during the celebration. Both churches have historic ties to Midway College. The college was established in 1847 as the Kentucky Female Orphan School by Midway Christian?s first pastor, Lewis L. Pinkerton.

Second Christian Church, believed to be the oldest black church in the nation, was organized out of Midway Christian so that black slaves could have a worship house. Second Christian was established in 1852, 11 years before the Emancipation Proclamation was given by President Lincoln. For more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08064.html

DISCIPLES AND CATHOLICS DIALOGUE ABOUT PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST IN CHURCH AND MINISTRY
The International Commission for Dialogue between the Disciples of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church held its final meeting of the fourth phase of its dialogue at the Abbey of Klosterneuburg, outside of Vienna, on June 23-27. The topic of this session was ?The Priesthood of Christ in Church and Ministry.?

From its dialogue, the Commission prepared a document that brought together the wide-ranging issues discussed into the three areas of general agreements, disagreements, and issues for further consideration. The dialogue anticipates producing an agreed statement in the coming year that will bring together the work of the five sessions of this phase of its dialogue on the overall theme, ?The Presence of Christ in the Church, with special reference to the Eucharist.? The Commission sees its work as a contribution toward realizing the dialogue?s long-range goal of full visible unity in one faith, one eucharistic fellowship, and common life in Christ. To read more, go to:
www.disciples.org/ccu/news/2008/0806.Disciples%20Catholic%20Dialogue.html

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE BECOMES UNIVERSITY
Northwest Christian College has changed its name to Northwest Christian University. The name change was made to reflect the Eugene, Ore., school?s expanding course offerings and the aggressive course it has taken to better compete and retain faculty and students. NCC officially became NCU during a July 1 ceremony that was attended by the mayors of Eugene and Springfield. The university offers 16 undergraduate programs, four master?s degree disciplines and professional studies for working adults.

?We want students to have an experience that is rich academically with a robust campus life that is positive, fun and interesting,? said Northwest Christian University President David Wilson. NCU also launched a new School of Christian Ministry on July 1. The establishment of the new school was marked with a special worship service in the campus chapel. For more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08065.html

DISCIPLES BENEVOLENT SERVICES SEEKS CHAPLAIN TO SERVE IN IOWA
Disciples Benevolent Services Chaplaincy Care is searching for a chaplain to provide services at Ramsey Village, a retirement facility in Des Moines, Iowa, formerly owned by National Benevolent Association (NBA). Ramsey Village has been without chaplaincy services since 2005, when it changed ownership. The DBS chaplain will be available to provide pastoral care for village residents and the surrounding community. Services are provided at no cost to Ramsey Village, its residents or members of the community. The service is available to all persons, regardless of religious preference.

Chaplaincy Care is a program of DBS Senior Care Ministries and was first introduced earlier this year at Barton W. Stone Home in Jacksonville, Ill., which also was also formerly owned by NBA. DBS anticipates that a second chaplain will be added to the Jacksonville area later this year. To read more about the chaplaincy program, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08066.pdf (PDF)

Persons interested in applying for the chaplaincy position in Iowa should go to the employment link on the DBS website at: www.nbacares.org

DISCIPLES WORK GROUP ASSISTANCE FOR GULF REGION ENTERS PHASE II
Having surpassed its goal in Phase I of sending 750 Disciples work groups to the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast region by this coming August, Disciples Home Missions has set a new goal to send dozens more work groups to the region between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009. The goal in Phase II will be to sign up 150 ? 200 Disciples work groups to travel to the region, where they will repair and/or rebuild homes and other structures that were damaged or destroyed by the hurricanes that pounded the region in 2005.

The volunteer groups will work out of mission stations in Gulfport, Miss.; Slidell, Metairie, Lake Charles and Algiers, La.; and Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas. To get more information, contact Anne Marie Moyars at 888-346-2631. Or visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/Volunteer/DisasterResponse/Register.htm


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Thursday, July 10, A.D. 2008
* Mission Stations to Open in Iowa
* Recovery Work Continues in Myanmar
* WOC Map/Poster


Mission Stations to Open in Iowa

The week of August 3, 2008, Disciples Volunteering
will begin operation of a Disciples Mission Station in
Iowa to respond to the massive flooding there. This
work is a partnership between Week of Compassion,
Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), congregations serving as
mission stations, and Disciples Volunteering.

At this time, three congregations (Noelridge Christian
Church, Cedar Rapids; Marion Christian Church; and
First Christian Church, Coralville, will serve as
mission stations, and two other congregations may
soon join them. Work groups are currently being
scheduled by Disciples Volunteering for the period of
August 3 - November 16, 2008. Each mission station
will be managed by a Disciples Volunteering Mission
Station Manager.

To schedule a work week, please contact Anne Marie
in the Office of Disciples Volunteering at (888) 346-
2631 or amoyars@dhm.disciples.org. If you have
questions regarding the recovery efforts, please
contact Carl Zerweck, Director of Disciples
Volunteering at (317) 289-5061. A limited number of
WOC partner grants are available. Applications can be
downloaded by clicking on the link below.

Recovery Work Continues in Myanmar

While news of the impact of Cyclone Nargis and the
ongoing relief and recovery work in Myanmar has
dropped out of much of the world's media attention,
the needs remain great, and recovery efforts are
slowly moving ahead. More than 2 million people were
affected by the cyclone and remain extremely
vulnerable to disease and hunger. Indeed, one of the
most severe impacts of the storm has been on the
country's capacity to produce an adequate food
supply, especially the national staple of rice.

Through its network of local partners, Church World
Service has launched a major effort to assist more
than 116,000 vulnerable farming families in the
Irrawaddy Delta region with power tillers, fuel, seed
stock and fertilizer. Week of Compassion continues to
support the CWS appeal and is working to provide
$100,000 toward relief and recovery efforts in Myanmar.


+++++++

Thursday, June 26, A.D. 2008
* The Needs are Many, but Take Heart
* WOC Map/Poster




The Needs are Many, but Take Heart

The aftermath of the floods and storms in the Midwest
continues to be a burden for many. The needs are
great. Churches and regional offices are still gathering
information about their members, and Week of
Compassion is in regular contact with them. As
always, in times of disaster and crisis, there are also
acts of tremendous kindness and generosity. Week of
Compassion is pleased to have witnessed many
such acts in the past days and weeks. We, as
Disciples, are family, and it is in these moments that
we see that, perhaps, most clearly. We come to each
other's rescue when we need it most. For that we
praise God!

We continue to lift up in prayer all those who suffered
from the wildfires in California, those in Missouri
affected by the floods, all those in Indiana, Illinois,
Nebraska, and Iowa, as well as our people in
Oklahoma. The list of needs is long. Just as we
continue to respond to these needs here at home, we
are also aware of the ongoing recovery work in
Myanmar, China, the Philippines, and India. We also
hold close the people all over Sudan, Chad,
Zimbabwe, the Congo, and South Africa.

But, be strong, be of good courage, and take heart: for
as many needs as there are in the world, there are
just as many ways to respond. Thank you for being our
partner in the Gospel.
+++++++

Dear Colleague,

We are excited and pleased to share with you the upcoming Conferences on Congregational Transformation that will take place in the fall of this year and early in 2009. These five events will include inspirational and meditative worship and presentations by practicing leaders of transformation in local congregations. There will be time to engage in small group exchanges in which congregational leaders will seriously grapple with the specific issues of transformation. We will include effective resources that have proven records of success presented in a hopeful and easy-to-understand manner.

 We ask that you share the attached flier by email with the congregations/areas in your region. If you have questions or need additional information please let us know. Thanks.  

Lois Robinson

Executive Assistant

Disciples Home Missions (DHM) 

Disciples Home Missions: Connecting and equipping Disciples

 Contact Information:

email: lrobinson@dhm.disciples.org

Phone: 317.713.2644 or toll free 888.346.2631

Web site: http://www.discipleshomemissions.org

  +++++++

Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC)

Seeks Administrative Assistant (part-time)

 Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC), a relationship among ten communions, is currently undergoing organizational review. During this transitional period CUIC seeks to fill the part-time position of Administrative Assistant. The 15 hour/week position is administrative in nature and is designed to assist the leadership of CUIC during this discernment period as well as to maintain the needs of CUIC as a non-profit institution. The areas of responsibility broadly fall into administration, communication, and finances.

 The CUIC office is located on the campus of Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves .

 Deadline for application is June 13, 2008 or until the position is filled. For a full position description or to submit resumes and letters of application contact Suzanne Webb, CUIC President, at swebb204@sbcglobal.net .

+++++++

+++++++

Thursday, July 3, A.D. 2008
* Clean Up Begins in Midwest
* WOC Map/Poster

Clean Up Begins in Midwest

Across the U.S. Midwest thousands of families and
scores of communities face major cleanup and
recovery work from the worst flooding to hit the
nation's midsection since the record floods of 1993. 
Especially hard hit have been the states of Indiana,
Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin.  This is also
strong "Disciples" country, and a good number of our
congregations have members who have suffered
major damage to their homes, farms, and businesses. 
One of our congregations, Cedar Christian Church,
Cedar Rapids, IA has significant damage to its
facilities.

Since the flooding began in early June, Week of
Compassion has provided grants totaling $110,000 to
assist more than 20 congregations, 3 local interfaith
organizations and an expanding Church World
Service flood appeal. That amount is sure to grow
significantly as more and more long term recovery
efforts are organized to meet the many unmet needs
and other long term recovery and rehabilitation needs.

With the Midwest floods, the Myanmar cyclone, the
China quake, the growing global food crisis, the
ongoing tragedy in Darfur, and a host of "smaller"
disasters that have received scant media attention,
WOC's resources are being severely stretched and
strained. Now we are learning from church partners in
India that extensive flooding is affecting nearly 3
million people in the eastern part of that country.

Over the past several weeks a significant outpouring
of online and regular mail gifts for the floods, the
Myanmar cyclone, the China quake, Darfur, the
Compassion Response Fund, or simply "where most
needed" has enabled WOC to maintain its capacity to
respond quickly and strongly to the many appeals we
are receiving. Those kinds of gifts remain urgently
needed and will be used in their entirety as the donor
directs. Gifts can be made online at
www.weekofcompassion.org or sent to WOC, attn:
Elaine Cleveland, P.O. 1986, Indpls, IN 46206.
Thanks, and God bless. -jww

+++++++

Monday, June 23, A.D. 2008
* Fire Destroys Oklahoma Church
* Flood Relief Continues
* Other Weather-Related Disasters

Fire Destroys Oklahoma Church

Lightning struck First Christian Church, Altus, OK,
early Thursday morning, June 19, igniting a fire that
completely destroyed the single-story building. The
congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary last
September.  Pastor Jim Brown said, "We're looking at
a lot of destruction - a lot of history that's gone, a lot of
things that can't be replaced - but those things are
temporal. The congregation is a resilient group of
people. We'll handle the future with God at our side
doing the things we believe we're supposed to do."

Week of Compassion has sent a solidarity grant to the
congregation as an expression of the concern of the
whole church.


Flood Relief Continues

To date Week of Compassion has sent a total of
$41,000 to the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
for flood relief to churches and members affected in at
least 11 different congregations, and the list of
persons needing assistance seems to be ever-
increasing. We would like to share the following
message from Liz Woodward, pastor of First Christian
Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa:

"Delivering the WOC solidarity checks has been an
amazing experience. Each and every family is
overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled by the
strength and support of the whole church. One man
tried to say "thanks" this morning in worship; we
simply cried together. There are not adequate words
to express this congregation's gratitude. We are truly
blessed to be a part of God's family known as the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) I only wish the
words carried the depth of gratitude and thanksgiving
felt by this congregation."

Indiana Disciples congregations have received a total
of $37,000 for flood relief, and we continue to
communicate with the regional and area ministers in
Missouri and Illinois on any needs they might
encounter.

Gifts are welcome and can be made online by clicking
on the link below or sent to WOC, P.O. Box 1986,
Indianapolis, IN 46206. All gifts are used in their
entirety as directed.

~~Other Weather-Related Disasters

WOC continues to monitor two other recent weather-
related disasters - the wildfires in California and the
typhoon in the Philippines. We are in touch with our
partners and will keep you apprised of any needs to
which WOC responds.
+++++++

Thursday, June 19, A.D. 2008
* More Flooding Hits the Midwest
* Clean-Up Buckets Urgently Needed
* WOC Map/Poster





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~More Flooding Hits the Midwest

Following the severe flooding in Indiana last week,
waters have again inundated a portion of the U.S.
Midwest, this time striking parts of Iowa, Illinois, and
Missouri. It is the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15
years, swallowing up potentially millions of acres of
farmland and forcing tens of thousands out of their
homes.

WOC has sent a total of $25,000 to the Christian
Church in the Upper Midwest, who, in turn, has sent
grants to seven congregations, so far, to help
members affected. In addition, Cedar Christian
Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, was totally flooded, and
has received a grant as well. Don Hiscox, Associate
Regional Minister, writes that they are keeping an eye
on other towns hosting Disciples congregations as
the water moves downstream and will keep us posted
on any further needs. Work groups will be needed at
some point for clean up and recovery; WOC is working
on those connections and arrangements and will post
information as it becomes available. The WOC office
has also contacted the Christian Church in Illinois and
Wisconsin and the Southeast Gateway and Northeast
Areas of the Christian Church in Mid-America and will
respond as needed.

In Indiana members of Central Christian Church,
Seymour - themselves impacted by last week's
flooding - have been assisting with clean-up, repairs,
and meals for flood victims in the hard hit community
of Medora. WOC has sent a grant to Central CC to
assist their efforts and to aid yet another family
affected in Seymour. Thus far, WOC has provided
$37,000 to assist Hoosier congregations responding
to needs in their respective memberships and wider
communities.

WOC has also been in touch with the Christian
Church in Kansas following another round of
tornadoes. The cities of Salina and Manhattan, both of
them home to Disciples congregations, received
considerable damage, but thankfully, no Disciples
members or churches were seriously impacted.

Gifts are welcome and can be made online by clicking
on the link below or sent to WOC, P.O. Box 1986,
Indianapolis, IN 46206. All gifts are used in their
entirety as directed.
+++++++

Disciples News Service
June 18, 2008 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this issue:

    * Week Of Compassion Responds To National And International Concerns
    * Pastor?s Conference Will Feature Workshop On Forgiveness
    * Candidates Sought For Minister Of Faith And Giving Position
    * Disciples In Nova Scotia Convene Ecumenical Service
    * A Free Backpack To Help Youth Ministries Improve Service
    * Chautauqua Institution Picks Disciples Minister As Top Presenter
    * New Version Of Hymn Commissioned At Kentucky Church
    * Chaplain Services Become Available To Senior Adults In Illinois
    * Outstanding Seminarians Given Chalice Press Book Awards
    * MSR Offers Certificates Of Pastoral Ministry Through Online Courses
    * DBS Board Forms Committee To Determine Where To Focus Services
    * ADM Conference Extends Early-Bird Registration To June 30

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WEEK OF COMPASSION RESPONDS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS
Week of Compassion (WOC) continues its record-breaking pace of assistance to those affected by natural or human disasters. It is responding to yet another round of severe weather in the American heartland. Tornadoes and flooding pounded the Midwest triggering evacuations and power outages in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Central Indiana experienced some of its worse flooding in decades.

WOC also responded to tornado damage in Colorado and Kentucky, fires in Ohio, hurricane recovery efforts in Louisiana and community mission projects in California. It also assisted with recovery following flooding and landslides in Costa Rica last week. WOC is the relief, refugee, and development ministry fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It responds around the world around the year on behalf of congregations and individuals of the Church. To find out how to assist WOC, go to: www.weekofcompassion.org

PASTOR?S CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE WORKSHOP ON FORGIVENESS
Registrations are continuing to be received for the 2008 Pastor?s Conference that will be held in Chicago, Ill., from Sept. 8-10. Clergy from around the U.S. and Canada are taking advantage of the three day meeting where they will hear from General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and other noted speakers.

Several workshops also are on the conference agenda. Joretta Marshall, professor of Pastoral Theology and Care at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas, will lead one of the workshops, entitled, ?The Faithful Struggle to Forgive.? The workshop will engage participants in wrestling with the call of forgiveness in our lives even as it seeks to unpack the complexity of forgiveness in diverse situations and contexts. The workshop is designed to help pastoral leaders discern how best to respond to individual, interpersonal and communal pain and injustice through the work of forgiveness. To register for the Pastor?s Conference and read more about the full schedule of events, go to: www.disciples.org/watkins/pastorsconference

To learn more about Joretta Marshall, who is ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church, visit: www.brite.tcu.edu/about/jmarshall.asp

CANDIDATES SOUGHT FOR MINISTER OF FAITH AND GIVING POSITION
A spiritually-grounded, dynamic and creative individual is sought to serve as the new Minister of Faith and Giving. The person serving in this position will lead and empower the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in creating a holistic and biblically-based stewardship movement. The Minister of Faith and Giving will provide primary oversight to five key areas of Christian Stewardship: spiritual disciplines, cultural diversity, congregational resources, personal wealth management and ecumenical partnership.

Those interested in the position should submit a cover letter by July 7 describing your interest and qualifications for the position.

A full job description is now available for review. To learn more about the position, go to: www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2008/05/20a.asp

DISCIPLES IN NOVA SCOTIA CONVENE ECUMENICAL SERVICE
A community ecumenical service organized by a Disciples minister in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia recently turned out to be a great success. The meeting, held at a meeting hall in Milton was organized by Jennifer Garbin, pastor of Milton Christian Church and Summerville Christian Church in Summerville Centre, Nova Scotia. Turnout was better than expected and included people from various denominations, including Disciples, Baptists, and United Church of Canada.

The ecumenical service was aptly named ?Searchlight,? because the surrounding coastal area is dotted with lighthouses. The churches that participated are planning to hold another service in a month. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08054.html

A FREE BACKPACK TO HELP YOUTH MINISTRIES IMPROVE SERVICE
Are you a youth leader doing your best to serve God by ministering with youth, but all too often feel like you don?t know what you?re doing? Or are you in a church where someone has been asked to work with youth, and this person has gifts, but not much experience or training in youth ministry? If so, then check out ?The Volunteer Youth Ministry Backpack? at www.disciplesyouth.com developed by Disciples Home Missions Youth Ministry Commission.

The backpack is free to download. It includes a wide variety of articles by Disciples youth leaders, including a theology and vision of youth ministry, different facets of understanding and supporting youth, and how-to?s on specific tasks like leading Bible study, organizing a mission trip, and planning youth Sunday. The backpack also contains lists of suggested books and web sites to use as resources, and sample health waiver, and volunteer forms.

If you like the backpack, go to www.discipleshomemissions.org and leave your e-mail address, so that you may receive regular messages with ?Ideas for your Youth Ministry.?

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION PICKS DISCIPLES MINISTER AS TOP PRESENTER
An Indiana pastor will be a featured teacher at the Chautauqua Institution during the second week of this year?s season, which begins June 22. Nathan D. Wilson, senior minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Shelbyville, Ind., will teach the top listed religion course for the institution in week two.

Wilson also will serve as chaplain of the Disciples House. One minister from throughout the United States is picked to serve as chaplain each of the nine weeks of the summer season. For more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08055.html

NEW VERSION OF HYMN COMMISSIONED AT KENTUCKY CHURCH
A bell choir at First Christian Church in Lawrenceburg, Ky., recently performed a special song that reminded members of their history. The bell choir played a newly commissioned version of the hymn ?The Beautiful Garden of Prayer,? written by Disciples musician J.H. Fillmore, who was born 159 years ago.

The new version of the hymn was commissioned by Fillmore?s great-granddaughter, First Christian member Sheila McFarland, in memory of her mother, who also had belonged to the church. Holding true to her family?s musical roots, McFarland performed as part of the bell choir.

?Mr. Fillmore?s music has long been a part of our worship services because of his family?s presence in our congregation,? said Sue L. Smith, the church?s music director. ?For the family to commission such a special piece for us is truly an honor and a first.? For more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08056.html

CHAPLAIN SERVICES BECOME AVAILABLE TO SENIOR ADULTS IN ILLINOIS
Senior adults who live in the Barton W. Stone Home in Jacksonville, Ill., can now receive chaplaincy services through DBS Chaplaincy Care, a pilot program operated by Disciples Benevolent Services. Approximately 200 senior adults live at Barton W. Stone, which was once owned by the National Benevolent Association. The program is being offered in response to requests by senior adults for ministerial services and pastoral care.

The service, which is offered throughout the Jacksonville area, is available to senior adults at no charge. The program ?responds to a need for so many of our residents and we plan to make DBS Chaplaincy Care part of our care plan,? said Mike Schneider, administrator at Barton W. Stone Home. To learn more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08057.pdf (PDF)

OUTSTANDING SEMINARIANS GIVEN CHALICE PRESS BOOK AWARDS
Chalice Press has selected 28 seminarians as recipients of the 2008 Chalice Press Book Awards. Besides being recognized as outstanding seminarians, as determined by their seminaries, the honored students receive a voucher allowing them to select several Chalice Press books for their personal library. The Christian publisher sponsors the awards in collaboration with Higher Education Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Oreon E. Scott Foundation.

Chalice Press is a progressive Christian publisher which serves individuals and congregations active in spiritual formation and service. Chalice Press books often pertain to aspects of congregational leadership and faithful living, as well as textbooks in theology, biblical studies, homiletics/preaching, and pastoral ministry. For more on Chalice Press, see: www.chalicepress.com

MSR OFFERS CERTIFICATES OF PASTORAL MINISTRY THROUGH ONLINE COURSES
Missouri School of Religion is offering four online courses this year, beginning in August. These courses are part of the Certificate of Pastoral Ministry program, a licensed ministry training curriculum, but may be taken by any interested persons.The courses are ?Evangelism in Your Local Context,? taught by Bill Tenny-Brittain; ?History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ,? taught by Kenneth Watson; ?Introduction to Christian Thought,? taught by Christine Isham-Walsh and ?Social and Global Mission of the Church,? taught by David Avery.

The ?Evangelism in Your Local Context? course will help students develop successful evangelism efforts in the local church. The ?History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ? class will assist students in analyzing and exploring the history, polity and characteristic beliefs of Disciples. The ?Introduction to Christian Thought? course will focus students? attention on significant theologians and social movements that have impacted the contemporary landscape of thought. Registration deadlines, tuition, course outlines and other information may be found on the MSR web site, www.missourischoolofreligion.org or by calling Krystal Jacobs at MSR at 573-635-1187 or by email, krystalmsr@earthlink.net

DBS BOARD FORMS COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE WHERE TO FOCUS SERVICES
Nine Disciples in the St. Louis, Mo., area have been named to a steering committee by the Disciples Benevolent Services Board of Trustees. The committee?s job is to help determine how the ECHO/Emergency Children?s Home might best serve the community. Since 1889 when it opened as an orphan?s home, ECHO has offered services and residential programs to children in the St. Louis area. The steering committee will assess where services could be best utilized, particularly for children, and report back to the board.

The current trends in child care have shifted the focus away from group home settings and towards foster and permanent care. This has significantly impacted residential and transitional living programs such as ECHO and The Olive Branch, a temporary housing program for expectant adolescents located on the ECHO campus. At this time, the campus has no children or youth in residence.

Dennis Hagemann, president and CEO of Disciples Benevolent Services, however, believes that once needs have been identified, ECHO can adapt to meet those needs. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08058.pdf (PDF)

ADM CONFERENCE EXTENDS EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION TO JUNE 30
The Association of Disciples Musicians annual conference is just weeks away. The July 19-24 meeting in Tulsa, Okla., will offer options that address new worship styles and provide non-music alternatives, as well as the programs that participants have come to expect.

One of the conference highlights will be the Sunday evening, July 20 hymn festival featuring David Cherwien at the organ at Boston Ave. United Methodist Church. An online brochure is available as well as a link that details some of the many visitor?s attractions in Tulsa.

Go to www.adm-doc.org to take advantage of the early-bird registration and to learn more about the upcoming conference.

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Tuesday, June 17, A.D. 2008
* WOC Director Stepping Aside After 16 Years





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WOC Director Stepping Aside After 16 Years

Dear Friends,



It will be 16 years ago this summer that I received a
call to become the Director of Week of Compassion.
After two very rewarding pastorates in Tennessee, I
never dreamed God would call me out of the local
church, or for that matter, above the Ohio River! But
God called, and I came to Week of Compassion, and
this past decade and half-plus has been the most
fulfilling and expanding period of my life and ministry.
WOC sent me to places I would never have dreamed
of going - from North Korea to Darfur, Sudan, and
more than a score of places in between. While I've
seen humanity's sheer inhumanity and Mother Nature
at her worst, I've also seen the Disciples at our very
generous and gracious best. I've made hundreds of
friends in congregations big and small across the
church and discovered I had brothers and sisters in
more places than I ever could have imagined.

But to quote one of my favorite authors, Kentuckian
Wendell Berry, "there is a day when the road neither
comes nor goes, and the way is not a way but a
place." After much reflection and prayer, Deb and I
have decided that this day is approaching and we
need to return to our place in Mississippi, and thus, I
submitted to the WOC Committee my intention to
transition out of the position of Director of Week of
Compassion by December 31, 2008. This has not
been an easy decision, but Deb and I would like to
spend more than our usual week or so together each
month, and  I've always wanted to spend time on our
farm while I can still ride a horse, plant a garden, build
a fence, pitch a bale of hay. My son Matt was 9 years
old when I came to WOC and now he's 25 and talking
of starting his own family - where did the years go!
The Week of Compassion Committee, indeed the
whole church, has given me great latitude to give
shape to WOC's work and witness in the world, but
after 16 years of being part of this great ministry in our
church, it seems the time is now ripe and ready for
new leadership. The New Testament word is
kairos.  I couldn't be more pleased or humbled
by the place of WOC in the Christian Church or by the
esteem with which it is held by our partners, but even
more, I am excited about WOC's future. As for our own
future, we aren't retiring - just stepping aside for
awhile and listening for God's next call.

Over the next six months there is so much work to do.
We are responding to disaster appeals at an
unprecedented rate. Indeed, weather-related
disasters in the U.S. and the world seem to be
increasing annually at a disturbing pace. A growing
global food crisis is threatening to plunge millions of
the world's most impoverished persons to the very
fringe of existence and erase the modest gains made
against hunger in recent years. The tragedy in Darfur
shows no signs of abating. But in the face of all this,
Disciples have truly been at their best - demonstrating
a remarkable spirit of caring and an abundant spirit of
generosity - and thus, WOC has been given this most
precious charge to steward those precious gifts in
response to the deepest needs and groans of God's
children.

Also, I'll be working with our most excellent staff (Amy,
who has brought so much passion and energy to
WOC; Elaine, our intrepid and faithful Administrative
Assistant, who is the voice of WOC to hundreds of our
congregations; and Doug, our webguy who has kept
us on the cutting edge of all the new technologies)
and our many partners to ensure the smoothest
transition possible. Our Standing Rules, as well as
the policies of the OGMP, Administrative Committee
and General Board, lay out a process for calling the
Director of Week of Compassion. But most important
will be your continued generosity and support - along
with your prayers for God's spirit to continue guiding
the vision, mission and work of Week of Compassion.

Grateful for our partnership in the gospel, I remain,



A friend and servant,



Johnny
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Disciples News Service
June 13, 2008

Moments In Disciples History:
A Faithful Voice

She must have asked several times why God didn't make the world a little more just. Like when Yale Divinity School shut the door because she was a woman. Or when she lost a two-year-old to diphtheria on the mission field, then saw her marriage crumble after six years of faithful service overseas.

But Disciple missionary, social justice advocate, and educator Mae Yoho Ward (1900-1983) never gave up. And her deep, life-long sense of God's presence probably explains why.

Born to a West Virginia Disciple pastor two decades before women could vote, Ward studied at Bethany College, where she graduated in 1923. Going on to serve as director of religious education for the Christian Church in West Virginia and Ohio, she longed to follow in her father's footsteps and study at Yale Divinity School. When the Divinity School refused her admission because of gender, she instead entered a Yale graduate program in education.

After graduate school, Ward went to Argentina as a missionary with her husband Normal, whom she had met at Yale. But when the couple returned from Latin America to serve a church in Ohio, their marriage broke up. Having lost one child and now all alone with a young son, the Ivy League missionary and single mom worked any job she could, including cleaning hotel rooms and peddling biscuit samples in grocery stores. "It was a time of humiliation, hopelessness, and near poverty," her son later wrote.

In those dark days a miracle occurred, to borrow the son's term. Robert M. Hopkins (1878-1955), president of the United Christian Missionary Society, invited Ward in 1941 to serve as the organization's executive secretary for Latin America. She would later become chair of the UCMS World Mission Division ? predecessor to today's Division of Overseas Ministries ? and finally UCMS vice president, a post she held until retiring in 1967.

In addition to executive leadership, Ward also expressed her faith by speaking out on civil rights and farmworker justice. And retirement never seemed to stick. In 1969, the Board of Higher Education ? now Higher Education Leadership Ministries (HELM) ? called Ward back into service. Even after retiring a second time in 1976, Ward became a volunteer grounds keeper for Disciples headquarters in Indianapolis.

Despite obstacles in her life ? a broken marriage at a time divorce was stigmatized, doors shut simply because she was a woman ? Ward "continued to pursue what she understood to be God's call," says Scott Seay, assistant professor of the history of global Christianity at Christian Theological Seminary. He adds that Ward "understood that God calls and equips all people for ministry.?

T.J Liggett, former CTS president, believes that there was ?no doubt that she held a very vital and strong sense of God's presence. But that sense was more than just a sentiment or a feeling. It was a fundamental, operational principle. ...In the midst of plans, budgets, boards, committees, Mae saw the presence and activity of God."
During a long life spanning most of the 20th century, Mae Yoho Ward was an exemplary Disciple ? persevering in hardship, committed to service, passionate about justice, and constant in prayer.

Written by: Ted Parks for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society

To learn more about your faith story, please visit the Disciples of
Christ Historical Society's web site at: www.discipleshistory.org
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Thursday, June 12, A.D. 2008
* WOC on Pace for Unprecedented Year of Disaster Responses
* Grateful for Gifts
* Disciples Seminarians Head to Bosnia
* WOC Map/Poster

WOC on Pace for Unprecedented Year of Disaster Responses

From the escalating global food crisis to a record-
setting weather-related disaster season in the U.S.,
Week of Compassion is being called upon to respond
to disasters and emergencies in the world at an
unprecedented pace. As of today, June 12, WOC has
responded from its Compassion Response Fund and
various designated disaster accounts 135 times - or
an average of once every 1.2 days - thus far in 2008.

Last month's cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in
China remain two of our most pressing concerns,
along with the ongoing tragedy in Darfur and a
growing number of requests in response to rapidly
rising food costs in the world. Tornadoes, storms,
floods and wildfires have brought destruction to
scores of communities across the U.S., and
numerous Disciples congregations have been
impacted and are responding to needs within their
respective memberships and wider communities.
Earlier this week, WOC provided more than $32,000 in
emergency grants to ten congregations in central
Indiana in the aftermath of some of the worst flooding
in decades to hit the Hoosier state.  Tim Staker,
Disciples chaplain at Columbus (IN) Regional
Hospital, which was evacuated due to the flooding,
has set up a website with pictures of the flooding.
Click on the link below to view them.

Grateful for Gifts

Because of the incredibly generous support from
congregations, members and friends across the
whole church to this year's WOC offering observance
and a tremendous outpouring of designated gifts
online and by regular mail, WOC is making sure that
Disciples are providing help and hope to hurting
people around the world and around the year.
Accounts have been set up for directed gifts to the
Myanmar cyclone, the China earthquake, the Darfur
crisis, and now the floods - or for "where most
needed". All designated contributions go in their
entirety as the donor directs. We are grateful here, but
many, many more elsewhere are grateful, and will be
grateful, because of Disciples caring and sharing.
Thank you! Gifts can be made online by clicking on the
link below or sent to WOC, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis,
IN 46206.


Today, WOC Directors Amy Gopp and Johnny Wray are
being joined by another group of Disciples seminary
students on a ten day mission trip to the Balkans. This
is the fourth such trip WOC has offered Disciples
seminarians; it is an excellent opportunity to give up-
and-coming pastors and church leaders a firsthand
look at how Disciples dollars respond to disasters,
assist the uprooted, support invaluable community-
based development projects, and strengthen vital
peace-building and reconciliation efforts as part of
post-war reconstruction - all done through a
remarkable network of ecumenical and local partners.

Under the auspices of the Church World Service
Balkans Office, the delegation will visit WOC/Disciples-
supported programs and projects of CWS and its local
partner, the Foods Resource Bank, as well as
the "Build A Village" project in Grahovo, Bosnia - a
project, strongly supported by Disciples, that may well
serve as a model for future CWS development work
throughout the world.

Members of the delegation include Fay Barnes,
Lexington Theological Seminary; Clint Collins, Phillips
Theological Seminary; Bekah Cypert, Brite Divinity
School; Adam Frieberg, University of Chicago Divinity
School; Nona Hodder, Christian Theological
Seminary; and Ryan Motter, Vanderbilt Divinity School.
The delegation will return home on June 23.

Monday, June 9, A.D. 2008
* Record Floods Inundate Central Indiana

Another wicked storm system brought severe weather,
including tornadoes, heavy rains and flooding, to
several Midwestern states and unusually hot
temperatures to the nation's eastern seaboard.
Property damage, evacuations, and power outages
are being reported in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Central
Indiana was inundated with heavy rains that sent
rivers out of their banks, caused levees and dams to
collapse and produced some of the worst flooding in
decades.

Week of Compassion is assessing needs throughout
the flood-affected area and expects to assist as many
as 10 congregations that have major needs within
their memberships and respective communities. This
includes Disciples congregations in Bargersville,
Columbus, Edinburgh, Franklin, Martinsville, Seymour
and Trafalgar.

WOC is ready to accept gifts for the floods online or by
mail at Week of Compassion, attn: Elaine Cleveland,
P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN. WOC Director, Johnny Wray,
and Acting Regional Minister, Linda McKiernan-Allen,
will visit pastors and congregations in the area
tomorrow and will provide more information in the next
WOC Update.

Disciples News Service
June 4, 2008 

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In this issue:

 - New Mission Alignment Coordinating Council Starts Its Work
 - Youth Ministry Commission Seeks Adult Volunteers
 - Northcutt Named Recipient Of New Fred B. Craddock Chair In Preaching
 - Week Of Compassion Responds To Disciples Families Impacted By Recent Tornadoes
 - Transylvania And Midway Have Record Graduating Classes
 - Christian Board Of Publication Shows Strong First Quarter Sales
 - Former President Of Christian Theological Seminary Dies
 - Chapman University?s Ron Farmer Receives 2008 T.A. Abbott Award
 - St. Louis Disciples Church Embraces Young Mothers
 - Disciples House-Vanderbilt Holds ?Wise Practice? Event
 - Food Crop Crisis In Kenya Concerns Global Ministries Missionary
 - Former Indianapolis Mayor Named To CTS Board

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NEW MISSION ALIGNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL STARTS ITS WORK
The Church is asked to pray for the work of the Mission Alignment Coordinating Council (MACC) that is meeting in Indianapolis this week. The newly-formed council was created following the General Board?s approval in April of a Plan of Mission Alignment. That plan, which was presented to the board by General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins, contained seven principles aimed at helping the general church develop better, more effective ways to accomplish mission, while still listening for the voice of God.

The council will now take on the task of implementing the principles and outcomes approved by the board. The MACC, which is comprised of clergy and lay leaders, will meet three times before year?s end. It is expected to present a report of its work to the 2009 General Board that will include details for mission alignment and next steps in pursuing the 2020 Vision. To read more, visit: