In this issue:
DISCIPLES THEOLOGIANS TO LEAD DISCUSSIONS ON TOUGH TOPICS AT ASSEMBLY
With passions running high on critical issues, can Christians witness to a better way to engage the important issues that face us? Disciples theologians say, "Yes." They will lead a Monday and Tuesday afternoon "Issues Forum" to take on some of the most volatile issues - whether we agree or not - in a way that is consistent with our respect for ourselves and others as God's children. Topics include: war, health care, immigration, global warming, poverty, and interfaith dialogue. To learn more, visit: www.disciples.org/ga/promotion/text/DNS/070713a.asp
The Issues Forum is one of four continuing education opportunities offered for registered participants of the 2007 General Assembly on July 23 and July 24. The other tracks are "Faith: The Journey of a Lifetime"; "Transformation: A Starting Place for Congregations;" and "Embodying Creativity."To learn more about continuing education opportunities at the Assembly, visit: www.disciples.org/ga/fromourdoorsteps
Continuing education credit certificates are available through a pre-registration process only. For more information about online registration for continuing education credit, visit: www.disciples.org/ga/fromourdoorsteps/register. The learning tracks are open attendance for all registered Disciples Assembly participants.
DISCIPLES CENTER FOR PUBLIC WITNESS FORMS GOVERNORS COUNCIL
The Disciples Center for Public Witness has formed a "Council of Governors" to help guide and support its ministry. The council consists of nine members, all of whom are leaders of congregations and other units that partner in and support the shared ministry of the center.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the Center will benefit tremendously from their leadership and support," said Ken Brooker Langston, director of the Disciples Justice Advocacy Network (DJAN) and coordinator of the Disciples Center for Public Witness. Several members of the Council will be present at a special after-session for Disciples advocates on Saturday night, July 21 at the General Assembly in the Fort Worth Convention Center. To read more about the center's new council, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07104.html
DARFUR HUMANITARIAN CRISIS SPILLING OVER INTO CHAD
Members of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) network, including Week of Compassion, have begun emergency relief operations to thousands of displaced persons on the Chadian\Sudanese border following the recommendation of an assessment team last month to eastern Chad.
Thousands of displaced people are in need of assistance as violence in Darfur impacts neighboring Chad. Victims of the strife have received little or no assistance from the outside. The ACT response includes food relief, emergency shelter, water and sanitation, special support of women, youth and children's activities and psycho-social care. Week of Compassion has sent an emergency grant from the Compassion Response Fund in support of the ACT response. To read more about the humanitarian response to the crisis in Darfur or to learn how to help, visit: www.weekofcompassion.org
21ST CENTURY VISION TEAM WANTS YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT CHURCH IDENTITY
Because identity is a concern for all parts of the church, the 21st Century Vision Team wants to hear from you. The Team has been working for more than a year to identify the marks of a faithful church. It believes a church's identity must be firmly rooted in scripture and yet be flexible enough to adapt to changes in culture and shifting demands of mission. "We want to be able to see how Disciples view themselves," said Adonna Bowman, a team member and Executive Director of the Office of Disciples Women. ""Where does our consensus lie? In what ways can we create this common language that all can live with?"
The team's goal is to create an identity statement that all parts of the church will find acceptable. As a first step in this process, the team has developed a survey that will be widely distributed during this month's General Assembly in Fort Worth. The survey can be completed by going to the Cyber Café located in the Disciples Home Mission exhibit area. Interested persons also can access the survey by going online at:
www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=jPYbty63FJ3u4JtG9DrDkg_3d_3d
Those who want to know more about the work of the 21st Century Vision Team, appointed by General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and moderated by Cynthia Hale, founding pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., can attend a 90-minute workshop on Tuesday afternoon, July 24 in Room 100 of the Fort Worth Convention Center.
SPIRIT WALK TO BENEFIT WORK OF NEW CHURCH MINISTRIES
Disciples can contribute to a great cause by participating in the 4th Annual Spirit Walk, which will take place beginning at 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 22, at the Fort Worth Convention Center during the General Assembly. The Spirit/Prayer walk will be dedicated to praying for the witness of the Disciples, the unchurched and the healing of the nation.
Participants are asked to register and recruit sponsors. Donations from sponsors in support of the Spirit Walk will be used to help start new churches and to support outreach through Week of Compassion. Participants may register by visiting www.newchurchministry.org or by calling 800-274-1883. Onsite registration can be made near the 11th Street entrance to the convention center. Participants are asked to go to the Spirit Walk registration table at the convention center by 7 a.m. on the 22nd. They will receive a t-shirt and instructions for the walk.
GREAT DISCIPLES LEADERSHIP QUIZ, PART II WILL BE JULY 23 AT ASSEMBLY
Come to the Great Disciples Leadership Quiz, Part II, sponsored by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, Monday, July 23, in the air-conditioned comfort of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Enjoy your choice of box lunches and drinks, meet emerging leaders in the church, and play Disciples trivia - all for only $19! (Less if you have a group of 8 or more.) It's the least expensive dinner at the General Assembly!
To pre-order tickets call HELM at 314-991-3000. If any tickets remain, you can buy them at the convention center. Ask for event #9. For more information on the Great Disciples Leadership Quiz, Part II, and other HELM activities at General Assembly, visit: www.helmdisciples.org/helm/ga07
PROMINENT DISCIPLES AUTHOR AND LEADER DIES AT AGE 99
The former editor of "The Christian," Howard E. Short, has died. Short, 99, died in his sleep on June 8. In addition to having served as the editor of The Christian, Short had been professor of Church History at College of the Bible in Lexington, Ky., (now Lexington Theological Seminary), and a Disciples leader for many years in the national and ecumenical life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
An ordained minister since 1929, Short was the first exchange professor from the United States to the World Council of Churches in 1952. He was the author of "Doctrine and Thought of the Disciples of Christ," which he wrote in 1951 and has since been reprinted numerous times. Short was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Duncan Short, who died in 2000, his parents, a sister, and two brothers. He is survived by two daughters. A memorial service honoring his life took place today in Indianapolis. To read his obituary, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07105.html
NORTHWEST CHURCHES LEAD IN RAISING MONEY FOR CONGO HOSPITAL
A handful of Disciples churches in the Northwest Region have begun raising money to help rebuild the Bolenge Hospital in the Congo. A major section of the hospital, which is located south of Mbandaka, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was destroyed by fire in June of 2006. The hospital was the center of life for many in the community there, as well as for those with the Congolese Disciples Church, known as the Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC).
Recently, the Bolenge Hospital rebuilding project was not selected by American Express as one of the 50 programs in which the financial corporation would invest funding. Therefore, about $2.5 million will have to be raised to restore the hospital from all sources, including international and Congolese health organizations and the Congolese government. For Disciples in the Northwest, the fundraising campaign is being led by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bellingham, Wash., in coordination with Global Ministries. Two other Northwest Region churches, Mount Vernon First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Greenacres Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), also are helping. Gifts to the Bolenge Hospital Project may be sent to Office of Resource Development, Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
'DISCIPLESWORLD' TO PROVIDE ONLINE NEWS FROM ASSEMBLY
DisciplesWorld Magazine will offer daily news updates from the 2007 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). DisciplesWorld plans to report on the major plenary sessions at the Assembly, including business discussions, worship services, banquets, dinners and awards, missions projects, youth programs and other major news events. Although the General Assembly is not scheduled to begin until Saturday, July 21, DisciplesWorld will begin coverage on July 18 and will report on several pre-events. For more information about DisciplesWorld Assembly news that will available online, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07106.pdf (PDF)
MUSIC COMPANY RELEASES TRANSYLVANIA PROFESSOR'S TRACK
A music track composed by Transylvania University professor Larry Barnes has been released by Capstone Records. Barnes's composition "Toccata: Act of War," is featured on "Sonance: New Music for Piano," which was recently released by Capstone Records. The track was chosen in an international competition from over 150 entries. Barnes' musical piece was originally composed in 2002 for a commission by Gregory Partain, a professor of piano at Transylvania.
"Both the title and music took on a new meaning after the nation was plunged into vulnerability on September 11, (2001)," said Barnes. His music has been featured in North America, Europe and Asia. He further described Toccata as "passionate, barbaric, moody and impulsive." Read more about Barnes' achievement at: www.transy.edu/news/content/arch_story.asp-id-352-storyDate-7/9/2007-object-index
PUBLIC BROADCASTING NEWS BUREAU ESTABLISHED AT BETHANY
Bethany College students are getting an opportunity to expand their broadcast education skills. Officials at West Virginia Public Broadcasting in Charleston and at Bethany have announced the establishment of the West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Northern Panhandle News Bureau at Bethany.
The partnership "is an opportunity for Bethany to serve the wider community for which we are particularly glad," said Bethany College President G.T. "Buck" Smith. The new agreement will allow Bethany students a variety of new learning opportunities, from field trips, to internships, to classroom instructions and visits by West Virginia Public Broadcasting's reporters and executives. To find out more about the new arrangement, go to:
www.bethanywv.edu/welcome/news/west-virginia-public-broadcasting-establishes-no
DISCIPLES WILL SHARE IN MISSION WORK AT FORT WORTH CONVENTION CENTER
Disciples who attend the 2007 General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas, including those who will spend most of their time inside the Fort Worth Convention Center, will have plenty of opportunities to serve others through the "Disciples Can, Disciples Share" mission project. Disciples will have the opportunity to work at local missions stations before and during the Assembly. But they will also be able to participate in mission without leaving the convention center.
Under "Disciples Can," canned goods and other non-perishable food items will be collected in bins strategically placed around the exhibit hall in the convention center. The collection bins will be identified with the "Disciples Can, Disciple Share" logo. The food will be distributed to food banks in various local food banks. The "Disciples Share" project encourages Disciples attending the Assembly to bring toothbrushes, combs, socks, hats and caps, safety razors for shaving, underwear, particularly for women, bottled water, and one-gallon sealable bags to be distributed to the homeless in the Fort Worth area. A blood drive will also be conducted at the Assembly on Monday and Tuesday, July 23 and July 24 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For further information, go to: www.disciples.org/ga/mission
Please Note: Disciples News Briefs will not be distributed the weeks of July 20 and July 27 because staff will be attending the 2007 General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas. We encourage you to check out www.disciples.org, starting Friday, July 20 for updates and photos of the Assembly.
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