In this issue:
DHM LAUNCHES MISSION STATION PRE-PLANNING PROGRAM
Disciples Home Missions has embarked on a program that takes a proactive approach to natural disasters. Carl Zerweck, director of the Office of Disciples Volunteering in Disciples Home Missions (DHM), spoke at Diamond Springs Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia Beach, Va., about "making decisions before a disaster."
DHM has decided to create a formal disaster relief program in concert with regional partners. Zerweck went to Virginia to educate churches on how to become a mission station church like the churches that have hosted mission teams in the Gulf region. As part of his presentation, Zerweck provided the congregations with a packet on how to become a mission station and a sample covenant agreement between the mission station church, the regional church, the Office of Disciples Volunteering and Week of Compassion.
After hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted the Gulf Region in 2005, DHM set a goal of recruiting 750 work groups for relief and recovery work in the region from Sept. 1, 2006 to Aug. 31, 2008. So far, almost 500 groups have gone to the Gulf region. To learn more about the meeting at Diamond Springs Christian Church, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07132.html
GENERAL ASSEMBLY SERMONS NOW AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES
The inspiring messages delivered by evening plenary speakers at the 2007 General Assembly are now available in four languages. Transcripts of the sermons can be read in English, Spanish, Korean and French.
The uplifting and power-packed addresses delivered by Professor Daisy Machado; Moderator William Lee; The Boston Women, which includes three women who have lived in Boston, Mass.: Elizabeth Myer Boulton, Belva Brown Jordan and Stephanie Paulsell can now be reviewed. The inspirational "State of the Church Address" by General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins, delivered on Sunday night, July 22 also is included. The speech by Jim Wallis, executive director of Sojourners/Call to Renewal was not available.
To view translated texts of sermons by Machado, Lee, Boulton, Brown, Jordan, Paulsell and Watkins, see: www.disciples.org/ga/sermons
NAPAD MINISTRY WEEK BEGINS WITH DAVID KAGIWADA SUNDAY
All Disciples are encouraged to join NAPAD (North American Pacific Asian Disciples) in celebrating two special events this month. David Kagiwada Sunday will be observed on Sunday, Sept. 9, and the North American Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD) Ministry Week will be celebrated Sept. 9-15. The theme of this year's celebration is "Share the Feast," the same theme of the 2007 General Assembly.
Kagiwada was a second generation Japanese and the first convener of the group that is now known as NAPAD. He also faithfully served five congregations in California and Indiana. One focal point of Kagiwada's life and ministry was to help reconcile and heal antagonism among all people. Ministry Week is a week of reflection and prayer that helps to support and promote NAPAD ministries. Disciples who wish to join NAPAD in the celebration can download resource materials at www.napad.net. For further assistance call 888-346-2631 or 317-713-2685.
DISCIPLES HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORTS WILL BE PROFILED ON MINNESOTA RADIO STATION
Tod Iseminger, who is coordinating Disciples efforts for hurricane recovery in the Gulf Coast, will be the guest this Sunday. Sept. 9, on "Considering Faith," an hour-long radio talk show in Minnesota that airs at 2 p.m. (Central Standard Time). Iseminger will talk about the role Disciples are playing in helping rebuild parts of the Gulf Coast that were devastated by hurricanes two years ago. Listeners will hear more about the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, a major project that already has sent nearly 500 mission groups to the area, and hopes to send a total of 750 work groups by August 2008.
Iseminger will be interviewed by Considering Faith's Executive Director Peg Chemberlin. The program is sponsored and hosted by the Minnesota Council of Churches. The show can be heard on the air at AM 950, or on the Air America Minnesota website at www.AirAmericaMinnesota.com. To learn more about Considering Faith and to download past shows, visit: www.consideringfaith.org
FORMER PRESIDENT OF WORLD CONVENTION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES DIES
Forrest D. Haggard, former president of the World Convention of Christian Churches, has died. Haggard, 82, passed away at his home in Lenexa, Kan., on Aug. 10. He was also the former pastor of Overland Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Overland Park, Kan., for 37 years. A public remembrance will take place Sept. 8 at the church.
Haggard had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for more than six years. He earned his bachelor's, master's and doctor of divinity degrees from Phillips University and Phillips Theological Seminary. He also earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has served the Church in several local, national and international positions. To read his obituary, see: www.fccscottsbluff.org/app/w_page.php?id=23&type=section
PRAYER VIGIL FOR CHILDREN, EXPLORING LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT CONFERENCE COMING UP
Sept. 9 marks the beginning of the "Light a Candle for Children" prayer vigil leading up to the annual Children's Sabbaths, celebrated on the third weekend of October. For information on the prayer vigil and Children's Sabbaths, call Disciples Home Missions at 888-346-2631, or e-mail Connie Metts at cmetts@dhm.disciples.org. Or visit www.discipleshomemissions.org/familyandchildren.
In addition, online registration is now available for "Exploring Life Through the Spirit," a joint conference of the Association of Christian Church Educators (ACCE) and Children Welcome!, which will take place at Chapman University located in Orange, Calif., Jan. 24-27, 2008. To register, go to: www.childrenwelcome.org. The keynote speaker will be Mark Yaconelli, co-founder and director of the Youth Spirituality Project.
CHRISTIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION OFFERS DISCOUNTS FOR 'NEW DAY' MATERIALS
The Christian Board of Publication is again offering customers a special rate for early purchase of "New Day" magazine and other materials. New Day is a window into the lives and experiences of women. People who order and prepay for the magazine before Nov. 15 will receive the pre-publication special price of $10.99. New Day is used as a tool by women of faith and others to deepen their spirituality and grow their faith. For ordering information, see: www.cbp21.com/ProductFiles/ORDERFORM-2008-2009NewDaymaterials_545_1.pdf (PDF)
DISCIPLES AMONG VOLUNTEERS FOR ECUMENICAL WORK WEEK IN GULF REGION
Disciples were among the volunteers from several churches that participated in Ecumenical Work Week in the Gulf region Aug. 19-25. Volunteers helped to repair or rebuild six homes in New Orleans, La., and Biloxi, Miss., areas that were impacted by hurricanes in 2005. Ecumenical Work Week was sponsored by the National Council of Churches (NCC) USA's Special Commission for the Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast.
Robert Hill, pastor of Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas City, Mo., preached to the volunteers at a night prayer service during the work week. Hill preached following a tour of New Orleans' slow recovering lower ninth ward. The project was held to stress the ongoing need for volunteers and the work already accomplished by church volunteers and organizations in the areas devastated by the storms. For more, visit: www.ncccusa.org/news/070828workweek.html
SUMMER PROGRAM FOR SMALL CHURCH CLERGY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Summer Collegium, a project that supports small congregations is now accepting applications for next summer's program. The Summer Collegium is a nine-day intensive residential program, ecumenical in scope, for clergy in mid-career, serving small parishes which have worship attendance of 100 or fewer. The program will take place June 25-July 3 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va.
The Summer Collegium serves 25 clergy in addressing the specific needs of clergy and clergy households committed to small-church ministry. Non-ordained pastors also are welcome to apply. It is funded through the Lilly Endowment and offered to participants at no cost. Applications and more information may be found at: www.vts.edu/education/collegium, or contact Marilyn Johns at mjohns@vts.edu or call 703-461-1760. Applications must be postmarked by Dec. 15.
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE LAUNCHES WALKS TO BENEFIT HUNGRY
Church World Service has begun its fall CROP Hunger Walks. Church World Service (CWS) expects about 2,000 communities to participate in hunger walks in the coming year under the banner of CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty). Proceeds from the walks benefit both domestic and
international poverty-reducing efforts.
Participants in CROP Hunger Walks usually encourage friends, neighbors, colleagues, merchants and places of worship to donate dollars in support of their participation in walks of up to 10 kilometers. Up to a quarter of the money donated is returned to the community where it was raised to help local soup kitchens and food pantries. To find out more, see: www.churchworldservice.org/news/archives/2007/09/754.html
BETHANY COLLEGE UPGRADES TV STATION; ADDS NEW MEDIA ADVISOR
Bethany College has added improvements to the school's television station, BethCom TV, and a new media advisor. Bethany's TV station has been upgraded with a rebuilt fiber optic cable delivery system and new hardware and software upgrades, courtesy of Comcast Cable. The rebuilt delivery system was installed in time to be ready for broadcast students beginning the fall term.
Bethany College, which is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Bethany, W. Va., has also hired Jim Forbes as its new media advisor. Forbes was most recently with WTRF-TV in Wheeling, W. Va., where he was managing editor and anchor. To read more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07133.pdf (PDF)
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