In this issue:
HURRICANE RECOVERY INITIATIVE CLOSING IN ON 500 WORK GROUPS
Two years have passed since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on parts of the Gulf Coast. Disciples continue to participate in hundreds of mission trips to the area where they reach out to those still suffering the after effects of the storm.
About 480 mission groups have spent time in or will soon go to the Gulf Coast as part of the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, a major project that hopes to send 750 work groups into the region by August 2008. The project has already reached nearly 65 percent of its goal.
The 22 members of First Christian Church of Richlands, N.C., who visited Gulfport, Miss., from Aug. 4-11 are one example. "We spent time hanging drywall, repairing flooring, handling electrical work and painting several homes," said Pastor Gary Edens. "The people there were extremely grateful for our presence. Many of us on the trip were moved to tears and reminded that it is the body of Christ that is making a difference down there."
The initiative is a partnership between Disciples Home Missions Office of Disciples Volunteering, Week of Compassion, the Great River Region, and the Southwest Region. To read updates and pictures of First Christian's trip, go to: www.fccrichlands.org
To schedule a trip or find out ways to help, contact Tod Iseminger at tiseminger@dhm.disciples.org or call 888-346-2631 or 317-713-2649.
THE FIRST W.A. WELSH SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN DALLAS SEPTEMBER 8
The Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity opens its 30th series on Sept. 8 with the first W.A. Welsh Seminar presented by Robert K. Welsh. The seminar is entitled "New Insights and Understandings in the Quest for Christian Unity Today: It's Not Your Grandfather's Vision Anymore!" As the President of the Council on Christian Unity, Welsh represents the Disciples of Christ in a broad spectrum of international, national and local efforts in giving expression to the unity of the church and our oneness in Christ.
This seminar will explore the new terrain of the ecumenical movement today as we look to understand the goal of our efforts at seeking oneness in Christ in today's society and world. The seminar runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. and is located at East Dallas Christian Church in Dallas, Texas.
Registration is $45. To register or for more information contact the Office of Lay and Continuing Education at Brite Divinity School by calling 817-257-7580 or s.brandon@tcu.edu.
REGIONAL MINISTER CALLED FOR WEST VIRGINIA REGION
Thaddaeus B. Allen has been called to be the regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia. Allen, senior minister at Madison Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Huntington, W. Va., was called during a regional board meeting on Aug. 19.
Allen has previously served as pastor at Big Run Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) near Cameron, W. Va., and at Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Washington, W. Va. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Christian Church Foundation. Allen is a graduate of Bethany College and holds the M. Div. degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He is a candidate for the D. Min. degree at Lexington Theological Seminary.
Allen and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of two daughters. He will assume the office of regional minister on Nov.1. To learn more about the West Virginia Region, visit: www.ccwv.org
JARVIS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE EXPANDS TEACHER EDUCATION STUDIES
Jarvis Christian College has enhanced its education curriculum by expanding its teacher certification program. Jarvis' teacher education program has won approval by the Texas Education Agency to certify Science teachers in grades 4-8. The new certification increases Jarvis' certification areas to 14. Jarvis Christian College is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Hawkins, Texas.
The new curriculum offering in Jarvis' education program will give its students in the education track another option, and will increase the pool of teaching candidates for instruction positions in Texas and other states. Not unlike other states, Texas is experiencing a shortage of certified math and science teachers. For more information about Jarvis College's new certification in education, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07122.pdf or contact Orenthia Mason, director of teacher education, at 903-769-5808, or John Johnson, chairman for the division of education at 903-769-5811.
REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION MINISTRIES EXAMINES NEW IMMIGRATION RULES
Disciples Home Missions Refugee and Immigration Ministries expects a negative impact on immigration policy following Congress' failure to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. One likely result is many undocumented workers will lose their jobs. When immigration legislation died in Congress recently, the Department of Homeland Security announced new measures that further tightened up immigration laws.
Among the new rules issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employers must fire employees who appear to have false Social Security numbers. DHS also authorized increasing the Border Patrol to 20,000 by 2009, increasing immigration detention spaces to 31,500, and implementing a new naturalization test. More information about DHS' new immigration guidelines and other stories can be found in Disciples Home Missions Refugee and Immigration Ministries "Update" at: www.discipleshomemissions.org/RIM/WhatsNew.htm
FAITH & VALUES MEDIA EXPANDS THROUGH ACQUISITION OF ECUNET
Faith & Values Media, whose mission is to use the electronic media to enrich spiritual life and to build bridges of understanding among people of faith, has acquired and incorporated Ecunet, a not-for-profit, online network of Christian organizations. The purchase will result in a stronger FaithStreams Network with an expanded set of services for members of the Ecunet online community, according to Faith & Values executives.
Faith & Values Media is the nation's largest coalition of Abrahamic faith groups dedicated to media production, distribution and promotion. Ecunet hosts thousands of forums on a variety of subjects that support ordained, lay, and denominational staff ministries, including topics such as worship resources, youth ministry, music ministry and Bible study. To learn more about the acquisition, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07123.html
CHILDREN WORSHIP & WONDER STORY TELLER TRAINING REGISTRATION DEADLINE NEARS
Aug. 24 is the last day for people to register for Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Training and receive the early bird price of $120. After Aug. 24 the cost is $140 per person. The Children Worship & Wonder Story Teller Training will be held Sept. 7-9 at Brandon Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Brandon, Fla. The Trainer is Trudy Betts.
Online registration and additional information is available at www.discipleshomemissions.org/familyandchildren/CWWTraining.htm Questions may be addressed to Connie Metts in Disciples Home Missions at 888-346-2631, or at cmetts@dhm.disciples.org.
EUREKA COLLEGE ENROLLMENT REACHES ALL-TIME HIGH
Enrollment at Eureka College has increased for the second year in a row. Eureka's enrollment was 680 on Aug. 21, a 14 percent increase over last fall's record enrollment. The college's enrollment of 587 for the fall semester last year was a nine percent increase over the previous year and the highest since 1971. Eureka College is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Eureka, Ill.
"The really great thing about our growth is that we also have increased quality across-the-board," said Brian Sajko, vice president for admissions, communications, and integrated marketing at Eureka College. "Our record enrollment is a direct reflection of our quality and value." To read more about Eureka's increased enrollment, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07124.html
21st CENTURY VISION TEAM ENCOURAGES DISCIPLES TO WEIGH IN ON CHURCH IDENTITY STATEMENT
The 21st Century Vision Team is continuing to survey Disciples on an identity statement and marks for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For several months, the team has been working to identify the marks of a faithful church. It recently posted a web-based survey to help shed some light on how Disciples view themselves, where their consensus lies, and discover ways to create a common language that all Disciples can live with.
Disciples are encouraged to complete the survey, which will be offered through the end of September, by visiting the Disciples home page at: www.disciples.org
PASTORAL COUNSELORS WILL GATHER IN LAS VEGAS THIS OCTOBER
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Las Vegas, Nev., will host the 2007 Pacific Region Fall Conference of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors Oct. 12-14. The conference, whose theme is "Compassion and Competence: Working with Addicted Persons and their Families in the Faith Community," will be a highly interactive workshop, integrating prayer, experience, discussion, theological reflection, and intellectual pursuit on the topic of addictions.
For more information, contact Ginger Jarman at (702) 384-1544 or at ginger@fcclv.com or download a brochure and registration form at: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07110.pdf (PDF)
####