In this issue:
2007 GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE BOOKS; MEMORIES CONTINUE
Whether or not you attended the recent 2007 General Assembly, you're probably heard of the spirit-filled worship, inspiring preaching, mission work, and fellowship opportunities that characterized the assembly. Nearly 6,100 Disciples registered for the biennial event in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Fort Worth Convention Center from July 21-25. A number of news stories and photos that help tell the story of the Assembly have been posted on the Disciples web site. To read those stories and hear video clips of evening worship speakers such as General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins, out-going moderator William L. Lee, and preacher, author, and social activitist Jim Wallis, go to: www.disciples.org
You can also find a variety of news and information items about business resolutions, mission work, learning tracks, and other aspects of the Assembly at that site.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH SEARCHES FOR TREASURER AND VICE PRESIDENT
A new treasurer and vice president for finance position has been posted by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The position was approved by the General Board, and adopted at the recent General Assembly. The new treasurer will report to the general minister and president, and will be responsible for overseeing and directing the receipt and distribution of the Disciples Mission Fund, and designated offerings for Week of Compassion and Reconciliation Ministries.
The treasurer and vice president for finance also will oversee and support treasury staff, and direct contracted treasury services for general and regional ministry partners, while serving as a resource for treasurers of congregations, regions, general ministry partners, and other recognized organizations of the Church. View the job description at www.disciples.org/ogmp/tvpf. Resumes must be received by Sept. 12.
CHURCH RECEIVES STEWARDSHIP HONOR
University Christian Church of Fort Worth, Texas, received the James P. Johnson Stewardship Award from the Christian Church Foundation during the 2007 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The congregation was honored for its commitment to general mission funding, overall approach to outreach ministry and for placing an emphasis on planned giving and promotion of endowment funds. To read the full story, go to: www.disciples.org/ccf/news
DISCIPLES PASTOR: BEEFED UP BORDER RESULTS IN MORE DEATHS
An increasing number of immigrants are dying while trying to cross into the United States along its southwestern border, says Robin Hoover, pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tucson, Ariz. Hoover, quoted in a recent "USA Today" newspaper article, said the immigrants are taking more dangerous routes into the U.S. through the desert in an attempt to circumvent increased border patrols.
A total of 155 people were found dead in the Tucson region by July 30, including five bodies discovered a week ago. That's up 22 percent over the same period last year. Hoover has been internationally recognized for his work with Humane Borders, a social justice group founded in 2000 that helps address the rising tide of immigrant deaths by providing water stations in the desert and pushing for immigration reform. He was quoted in the article as saying, "They're pushing the migrants farther into the desert." To read a "USA Today" story about the rise in immigrant deaths on the border, see:
www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-31-border_N.htm
TAKE THE GREAT DISCIPLES LEADERSHIP QUIZ
Think you know Disciples trivia? Take the Great Disciples Leadership Quiz, Part II. Created by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, the quiz was a component of HELM's dinner event at the General Assembly. Categories include geography, politics, entertainment, sports, and the always-challenging "grab bag." The 25-question quiz and answers are online at: www.helmdisciples.org/helm/ga07/quiz.htm
KANSAS PASTOR TRAVELS TO BOSNIA FOR SPECIAL WEDDING
A Disciples pastor and his wife made a special trip to Bosnia this past spring to attend the wedding of a woman who had helped American troops during the Bosnian war. Ronald L. Cobb, pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Holton, Kan., and a retired Army chaplain, and his wife, Kathleen, felt compelled to be at the wedding of Bosnian humanitarian worker Emina Jarasevic, in light of all of the help she had given to chaplain Cobb and other soldiers during the war.
"Emina and my wife, Kathleen, really bonded," said pastor Cobb, who retired from the Army in 2003. "I would take Emina on all of my military missions. So she desperately wanted us to be at her wedding. Bosnian tradition is if you help somebody, then they are at your wedding." www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07112.html
FORMER HISTORICAL CURATOR HONORED AS FAITHFUL SERVANT
The Disciples of Christ Historical Society has named May F. Lindsey Reed as the 2007 Faithful Servant. The award, which is given annually by the Historical Society to recognize long-term sacrificial service in the life of the Church, was presented to Reed on July 21 at the General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas.
Reed, who began singing in church at age 4, has served as a member of the board of directors of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She also was curator at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society for more than 20 years and continues as a volunteer. A poet as well as a singer, she is the author of "Come Sail with Me into a Sea of Poetry." To learn more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07108.html
BELOVED PACIFIC SCHOOL OF RELIGION PROFESSOR DIES
Doug Adams, a popular professor of Christianity and the arts at Pacific School of Religion for 31 years, died on July 24. Adams was a beloved scholar and teacher who touched the lives of generations of students and played a leading role internationally in religion and the arts. He also was the head of the doctoral faculty in art and religion at the Graduate Theological Union, a consortium of nine seminaries, including Pacific School of Religion, located in Berkeley, Calif.
Adams was born in 1945 in DeKalb, Ill. He earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1967, a master of divinity degree from PSR in 1970, and a doctorate of theology from the Graduate Theological Union in 1974. He began teaching courses at PSR in 1976. He also wrote two books on dance and religion and edited a dozen on the subject. To read more about his career, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07109.html
PASTORAL COUNSELORS TO HOLD FALL CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS
The 2007 Pacific Region Fall Conference of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors will take place Oct. 12-14 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Las Vegas, Nev. The conference theme is "Compassion and Competence: Working with Addicted Persons and their Families in the Faith Community." The conference will be a highly interactive workshop, integrating prayer, experience, discussion, theological reflection, and intellectual pursuit on the topic of addictions.
A keynote address and presentation will be made by C. Roy Woodruff, and there will be a Sunday morning sermon by guest preacher Joseph D. Driskill. Woodruff is the recently retired executive director of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Driskill is associate professor of spirituality, Ronald D. Soucey Lecturer, and dean of the Disciples Seminary Foundation at Pacific School of Religion. A panel of Las Vegas clinicians and sociological professionals who treat addictions will also present their perspectives. For more information, contact Ginger Jarman at 702-384-1444 or at ginger@fcclv.com or download a brochure and registration form at: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07110.pdf (PDF)
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY ENDOWS CHAIR IN THEATER
Transylvania University has announced that Tim Soulis, a drama professor who directed more than 70 productions before joining the university as a Bingham Fellow in 1994, is the recipient of the Lucille C. Little Endowed Chair in Theater. The chair, the first endowed chair at Transylvania, was established with a challenge grant of $500,000 from the W. Paul and Lucille Caudill Little Foundation.
"This is in harmony with the university's goals as a liberal arts institution to broaden students' intellectual and creative abilities," said Soulis. The new endowment will help bring guest artists to direct theater productions at Transylvania, fund trips to New York City for drama students, and underwrite workshops for visiting actors, directors, playwrights and designers. To read more visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07111.html
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