In this issue:
REGISTER NOW FOR UPCOMING HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUMMIT
As you consider how to make a difference as a leader in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), you are encouraged to register for the Health and Wellness Summit, which will be held in Indianapolis, Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. Hear from Gwen Halaas, M.D., family practice physician, author of "The Right Road: Life Choices for Clergy," and Director of Ministerial Health and Wellness for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Participants attending the summit will help strategize ways to revitalize leaders in the church, working to encourage spiritual, vocational, emotional, relationship, intellectual and physical wellness. To register, go to www.pensionfund.org or www.homelandministries.org
ART DETAMORE, FORMER FINANCE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, DIES
Arthur M. Detamore 85, the former president of the Finance Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), died Dec. 25. He retired in 1986, marking the end of 46 years in the ministry, including a long career with the council and its predecessor, Unified Promotion.
Before joining Unified Promotion in 1962 as director of promotional coordination, Detamore spent a number of years in the pastorate, serving as associate minister of Central Christian Church (DOC) in San Antonio, Texas, and as minister of First Christian Church (DOC) in Midwest City, Okla., and First Christian Church (DOC) in Norman, Okla. A native of Shawnee, Okla., Detamore earned an undergraduate degree from Phillips University in Oklahoma, and a bachelor of divinity from the Graduate Seminary of Phillips University. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Berta Jean (Buckles) Detamore, and three children.
CUIC URGES CONGREGATIONS TO JOIN IN THE DISMANTLING OF RACISM
A joint letter has been issued by all "heads of communion" of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) member churches, including the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins on behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), on the 21st anniversary celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the fifth anniversary of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC). The letter urges all "congregations to join with other CUIC congregations in your community to discern ways to exercise common witness and common service as together we seek to dismantle racism and, in so doing, to be the voice and presence of God's love in the world." For a copy of this letter, visit: http://www.cuicinfo.org/files/2007MLKletter.pdf (PDF)
HELM LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Applications for the HELM Leadership Fellows Program are now available online. The HELM Leadership Fellows Program recognizes and supports undergraduate students preparing to take leadership roles in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). An application is now available online, at: www.helmdisciples.org/aid/HELM_Leadership_Fellows_application_0607.pdf (PDF) or you can receive a copy in the mail by e-mailing: helm@helmdisciples.org or calling 314-991-3000
DOM/GLOBAL MINISTRIES NAMES NEW STAFF ASSOCIATE
David K. Owen has joined the Division of Overseas Ministries(DOM)/Global Ministries home-based staff as associate for resource development. Owen started on Jan. 1 and now works with individual Disciple donors, congregations and regions with an interest in making major or planned permanent gifts to the work of Global Ministries.
"David is well known to the Division of Overseas Ministries and Global Ministries family," stated David A. Vargas, president of DOM of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and co-executive of Global Ministries, a common witness with the United Church of Christ. "Part of Owen's childhood was spent in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a 'missionary kid' - son of former missionaries Dan and Sandy Owen." Owen graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, with degrees in political science and religious studies, and received a master in divinity from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. He was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1986. Owen will work from an office in the Austin, Texas area.
DISCIPLES YOUTH WILL GATHER IN CALIFORNIA IN 2008
The International Christian Youth Fellowship (ICYF) is scheduled to convene July 24-27, 2008, at Chapman University. Disciples high school youth gather every four years for worship, discussion and leisure activities. Those who are planning to attend ICYF may pick up registration packets at the 2007 General Assembly in Ft. Worth, Texas, and online after General Assembly. There also will be a pre-event mission activity.
Chapman, located in Orange, Calif., is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more information, contact Lee Yates and Kortni Ingebrightsen, at: icyfchapman@yahoo.com or visit the ICYF website at: www.icyfchapman.org.
BETHANY COLLEGE AWARDED GRANT FOR BIOLOGY INSTRUCTION
Bethany College recently received a $20,000 grant to bolster studies in biology. The money will be used to buy equipment that will enhance and expand teaching and research in physiology and behavior in the biology department.
The college, which is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Bethany, W.V., was awarded the grant from the West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (WVEPSCoR), which is responsible for development, administration, management and implementation of the state's experimental research improvement program. To read more, go to:
www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07001.pdf (PDF)
CHURCH EXTENSION SELECTS DIRECTOR OF ANTI-RACISM INITIATIVES
Gilberto Collazo, assistant vice president of New Church Ministry, has been named director of Anti-Racism Initiatives for Church Extension. Collazo replaces Luis Ferrer, who retired in December.
Collazo will implement and oversee anti- racism policies and procedures for Church Extension. An ordained minister from San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Florida and a master of divinity from the Evangelical Seminary in Puerto Rico. To learn more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07002.pdf (PDF)
FESTIVAL PLANNED AT CTS IN HONOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), the Indianapolis Peace Learning Center and Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 13 in the Shelton Auditorium and Community Room at CTS, which is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Indianapolis.
The community festival will feature music, dance, poetry and opportunities to create personal art with the IMA. Participants also will be able to learn African drumming and enjoy a free lunch. No registration is required. The official observance of King's birthday will be Jan. 15. For more information go to:
editor.ne16.com/he/vo.asp?FileID=57998&MemberID=26691322&MailID=2197848
DISCIPLES AMONG THOSE URGING CHANGES IN "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" LAW
More than 100 national religious, civil rights, education, and disability advocacy groups, including Disciples Home Missions (DHM) and Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN), are urging U.S. leaders to make changes in the "No Child Left Behind" Act.
The education law, which is up for reauthorization in 2007, will mark its fifth year on Jan. 8. A coalition of religious and civic groups, including Disciples organizations, signed a "Joint Organizational Statement" expressing concern about the law and its potential impact on the quality of public education, the morale of teachers, and the educational progress of public school students. For more information, visit: home.comcast.net/~disciplescenter/releases/04jan07.html
LEADERSHIP FELLOWS STUDY PUTTING FAITH INTO ACTION
All Disciples are called to be ministers, to live lives that are examples of Christ's call to love and care for each other. As young Disciples discern their vocation, however, often they are pushed in other directions, away from their passions and toward lucrative or more practical careers. They may sometimes feel that ordained ministry isn't a practical option.
Finding a middle ground - a place where Christ's call and a career can live together - was the focus of this year's HELM Leadership Fellows Conference. Seventeen undergraduate students gathered to examine how to do ministry beyond the pulpit. To read more, visit: www.helmdisciples.org/helm/06/HELM-LFconference.htm
MAJOR NEW INITIATIVE IN CHRISTIAN UNITY TO BE CELEBRATED
The leadership of 36 churches and national Christian organizations will gather in Pasadena, Calif. on Feb. 7 to celebrate the formation of Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT).
Christian Churches Together started in 2001 out of a need to broaden and expand fellowship, unity and witness among the diverse expressions of today's Christian faith. CCT today includes Evangelical/Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, historic Protestant and Racial/Ethnic churches among its participants. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is one of the founding members of the group.
The celebration will take place at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The five CCT presidents will speak on the significance of the CCT vision for faithful Christian witness. In the symbolic action of lighting candles, all CCT participants will commit themselves to "grow closer together in Christ in order to strengthen our Christian witness in the world. CCT invites church leaders and pastors to join in this celebration and to be present at the reception that follows. For more information visit: www.christianchurchestogether.org
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