In this issue:
RECONCILIATION MINISTRY ENCOURAGES CONGREGATIONS TO VIEW FILM; SUPPORT OFFERING
Reconciliation Ministry is following the maiden voyage of the Freedom Schooner Amistad, a near exact replica of a 19th century slave ship. The replica of the historic ship docked in Liverpool, England, last week just in time to help commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the British Parliament vote to ban slave shipments from Africa.
The Amistad, which sailed from New Haven, Conn., on June 21, is on a 14,000-mile journey to celebrate the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade. In 1839, the Amistad was en route to Cuba when 53 captives mutinied, landed in New York harbor, were jailed in New Haven and eventually freed by court rulings. Reconciliation Ministry, the special ministry of the Church that works to eliminate primary causes of racism in North America, is one of the sponsors of the Amistad voyage.
Among the resources for the observance of this year's Reconciliation Offering is the "Winds of Change" discussion guide of the film Amistad, a 1997 movie about the ship. Disciples are encouraged to use this resource for a special meeting of a Sunday school class, or a youth or adult fellowship group. The offering will be received on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. The Amistad film is available at most video stores or can be ordered from amazon.com. The curriculum can be downloaded at: www.reconciliationmission.org
OHIO CHURCH TO HONOR ACCOMPLISHED ORGANIST FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kettering, Ohio, will shower accolades on Lois Sutherland, the church's organist for the past half century on Sept. 9. Sutherland was just a teenager when she began playing organ for the suburban Dayton, Ohio, congregation in September 1957. Since then, she has become an accomplished realtor and musician in the Dayton area.
"It's something that I can give back to God," said Sutherland, who began playing music at age six. "It's the only thing that keeps me going, I guess. It's part of my life, and I've never wanted to give it up." To see a story about her remarkable accomplishments, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07127.html
MINISTER CALLED TO SERVE IN OFFICE OF DISCIPLES WOMEN
Gloria Hernandez has been called to be the new program associate in the Office of Disciples Women (ODW). Hernandez, a clergywoman from Carlock, Ill., serves as a member of the 2006-2010 International Disciples Women's Ministries (IDWM) Executive Committee. Among her new duties as program associate, Hernandez will coordinate the 2010 Quadrennial Assembly for women, according to Adonna Bowman, executive director of ODW.
Hernandez earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Otterbein College and a master's degree in education from West Virginia University. She graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1992. For more information about her call to her new position, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07128.html
FORMER PACIFIC SCHOOL OF RELIGION TRUSTEE DIES
Pacific School of Religion announced that Robert James Riddell Jr., a PhD and theoretical physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, died Aug. 16. Riddell, who had volunteered widely in his community, served PSR, which is located in Berkeley, Calif., as a trustee and was a lifetime trustee at the Graduate Theological Union, a consortium of nine seminaries, including PSR.
"A very pleasant and welcoming person, he was unfailingly helpful to his colleagues," said J. D. Jackson, professor emeritus and former chair of physics at University of California, Berkeley. For more information about Riddell, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07129.html
DISCIPLES WOMEN TO VISIT BOSNIA AND CROATIA IN OCTOBER
Seventeen women, representing 13 regions, will spend two weeks in October on a Woman-to-Woman journey in Bosnia and Croatia. Co-led by Amy Gopp, associate with Week of Compassion, and Adonna Bowman, executive director of the Office of Disciples Women (DHM), the group will visit sites reflecting efforts to rebuild following the Civil War in Bosnia, including hospitals, orphanages, schools and churches.
Prior to leaving, funds are being raised to support the start-up and on-going operating costs of a milk producing plant begun by the Bosnian Association of Women in Grahovo. This effort was started by the women to help them rebuild their community. Anyone who wishes to contribute to this project should contact the Office of Disciples Women at odw@dhm.disciples.org or visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/Women. Funds collected will be presented to the Women's Association by the Disciples Women during their visit.
RENOWNED ORGANIST CALLED BY DISCIPLES CHURCH IN FORT WORTH
University Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas, has called Mary Preston as director of music and organist. Preston, who has performed in the United States, Europe and Asia, is the resident organist and principal/lay family chair with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She is recognized as an international recording artist and has received outstanding reviews for her performances.
Preston was awarded undergraduate and master of music degrees from the University of North Texas. She also studied at the Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, San Jose University and Southern Methodist University. To learn more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07131.pdf (PDF)
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON GLOBAL WARMING SET FOR OCTOBER
Disciples have been invited to participate in a nationwide discussion on the challenges and solutions associated with global warming in local communities during town hall meetings that will take place across the United States on Oct. 4. Local business, government, environmental and faith community leaders will talk about how to build local awareness on global warming and support for local action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The National Conversation on Climate Action is sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives-Local Governments for Sustainability, the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. To learn more about this historic effort, contact Meleah Houseknecht, project coordinator, at meleah.houseknecht@yale.edu or 203-432-8823 or visit www.climateconversation.org
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE SCHEDULED FOR SEPT. 21
Disciples have been urged to join other churches and communities around the world for the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21. The World Council of Churches (WCC) office for the Decade to Overcome Violence has made prayer and liturgical resources, which were developed for 2007 in the context of the Decade to Overcome Violence.
The international day offers an opportunity for church communities throughout the world to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the world. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a member of the WCC. For more information about the International Decade of Peace and other WCC activities, visit: www.oikoumene.org/en/news/upcoming-events/all-events-english/single-event-english/article/1637/international-day-of-pray-3.html
LYNCHBURG COLLEGE SEES LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS
Lynchburg College's enrollment of more than 600 freshmen for the fall term is a record. The Lynchburg freshmen are from 31 states and enter the Virginia school with above average grade point averages. Twelve percent of the students are multicultural. Lynchburg College is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Lynchburg, Va.
"The continued record classes illustrate the demand for and value of a Lynchburg College education," said Rita A. Detwiler, vice president for enrollment management at the college. Overall enrollment is about 2,400. For more information about the college's enrollment and academic achievement, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07130.html
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