In this issue:
CHURCHES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN "TENTS OF HOPE" FOR DARFUR
Global Ministries and Week of Compassion have joined with the United Church of Christ to heighten relief and advocacy efforts for the people of the Sudan by participating in "Tents of Hope."
War has changed the lives of thousands of people in the western region of Darfur, Sudan. Since 2003, over 2.5 million people in Darfur have permanently lost their homes and between 250,000 and 400,000 have been killed.
Tents of Hope is a major project in which churches are invited to buy or make simulated refugee tents for their communities as a way to raise funds and conduct year-round education. Tents of Hope asks each congregation to purchase a canvas tent, at a discount rate, to display in their community. Once purchased, the congregation can hold a "tent-raising" to design and decorate the tent. Through painting, quilting and needlepoint, people will have the chance to artistically express their concern for the Sudanese people.
The project will culminate with a nationwide event in Washington, D.C., in October. Each congregation that has created a tent will have the chance to display it there and join in a national lobbying day. The following websites contain more information and resources:
WATCH FOR SPECIAL MESSAGES FROM GMP AND HISTORIANS ACCOUNTS OF DISCIPLES HISTORY
Be sure to check your e-mail each month for special messages from General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins that are a part of Disciples News Service. Watkins will share reflections and inspirational comments of interest to members of our Church. Her first reflection was distributed on Jan. 18 and can be accessed by going to: www.disciples.org/watkins/lettersmedia/2008/moveforward/
"I am so fortunate to be able to see our Church from so many different angles," said Watkins. "My hope is to be able to share with you a perspective of a faithful church being used by God to transform many lives."
Glenn Carson, president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, will coordinate "historical moments" that will be distributed once each month. His first historical overview will appear Wednesday, Jan 30.
LEXINGTON SEMINARY PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
R. Robert Cueni, president of Lexington Theological Seminary, recently announced that he intends to retire this year, effective upon the naming of a new president.
Cueni, 66, has been president at LTS for six years. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), his career has included 34 years as a pastor of local congregations and two years as an area minister in Texas.
A search committee is being formed. A national search will be conducted using the executive search model developed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). To read more, visit: www.lextheo.edu/AboutLTS/News.htm#CueniRetir
PROMOTIONAL RESOURCES FOR TWO SPECIAL OFFERINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB
Congregations are now able to access resources for both the Easter and Pentecost Offering via the web. Several promotional items are available for use with the Easter Offering, which will be received in congregations on March 16 and March 23. A PowerPoint and a DVD featuring General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins will be mailed to congregations in the next three weeks, but can be downloaded from the web at: www.disciples.org/dns/newsletter/linkredirect.asp?id=080123b
Be on the lookout for posters, inserts, envelopes and other items that can be used to promote the 2008 Easter Special Offering.
Pentecost Special Offering materials also can be downloaded at: www.disciples.org/dns/newsletter/linkredirect.asp?id=080123a
BLACK MINISTERS RETREAT WILL BE HELD IN EARLY MARCH
It's time to make reservations for the 34th annual Black Minister's Retreat that will be held March 3-6 in Louisville, Ky. "More than Conquerors through Jesus Christ," taken from Roman 8:31-39 is the theme for the conference, which is sponsored by the Office of Black Ministries, Disciples Home Missions.
Speakers will include Raymond L. Brown, pastor of Third-Central United Christian Church in Louisville; Marilyn Fiddmont of the Christian Church Foundation; Donald K. Gillett, II, pastor of East Second St. Christian Church in Lexington, Ky.; David Emery, pastor of Middletown Christian Church in Louisville and Edward L. Wheeler, President of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Middletown Christian will serve as the host church.
Reservations for lodging must be made by Feb. 1. Online registration for the retreat is available at: www.discipleshomemissions.org/BlackMinistry/retreat/index.htm
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES TOGETHER HOLDS ITS SECOND ANNUAL MEETING
Christian Churches Together, (CCT), a young inter-church body that represents the broadest national table of conversation among Christian churches in the country, held its second annual meeting in early January.
The meeting provided an opportunity for representatives of the 43 participating churches and organizations of CCT to discern how to move forward together in confronting domestic poverty. As part of the meeting, the outgoing moderator was thanked for his services and a new moderator was commissioned along with the first full-time executive administrator, Richard L. Hamm. Hamm served from 1993-2003 as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.)
The 90 representatives at the meeting visited several groups in Washington, D.C., that work toward the elimination of poverty. The group also met in small discernment sessions to pray and think together about what God might be calling CCT to do as individuals, as churches and as CCT together in regard to poverty. To read more about the meeting, visit:
www.disciples.org/ccu/news/2008/0801.CCTSecondAnnualMeeting.html
DEATHS CONTINUE TO MOUNT AS A RESULT OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN KENYA
As the nation of Kenya remains embroiled in violence surrounding the disputed presidential election, Global Ministries is asking Disciples to pray for the African country and for our missionary in Kenya, Phyllis Byrd.
Protests started last month as supporters of Raili Odinga's, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, have clashed with President Mwai Kibaki, of the National Rainbow Coalition.
Two Kenyan human rights organizations have reported that paid militias directed by politicians have been responsible for some of the violence, that has killed 700 people since the unrest began. About 250,000 Kenyans have had to flee their homes.
Global Ministries has posted an extensive article on its home page that explains the background leading up to some of the present turmoil. To read the article go to: www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2096&Itemid=1
Week of Compassion is working with its partners to provide humanitarian aid to Kenyans displaced by the crisis. To read more about Week of Compassion, visit: www.weekofcompassion.org
CHURCHES UNITING IN CHRIST COMMIT TO RECONCILIATION AND HEALING
In a plenary meeting in St. Louis, Mo., on Jan. 11-14, Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) agreed to work toward bringing all member communions toward reconciliation and healing as its top priorities. The ecumenical gathering set aside much of its agenda to give full attention to the absence of two member communions - the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) churches.
Robert Welsh, the Disciples ecumenical officer, stated that all the participating churches agreed that reaching out to the AME and AME Zion churches should be a top priority. CUIC declared a moratorium on its task forces' work, and asked the heads of communions to draft a letter to the two denominations, expressing the desire to work toward reconciliation. The letter was drafted immediately.
To read more about the meeting, visit DisciplesWorld website by going to: www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=12805
DISCIPLES INVEST IN FUTURE OF LEXINGTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
A Florida couple has given a $500,000 gift to Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS) to enhance excellence and expand opportunities in theological education.
LTS recently announced the gift from Blanche B. and Luther Coggin of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The gift establishes the Blanche B. and Luther Coggin Endowment for Excellence in Theological Education.
"Ministry is a difficult and high calling," said Blanche Coggin. "We want to help provide men and women with the best seminary education possible and help them graduate without a burden of debt from student loans."
The Coggins are active members of First Christian Church of the Beaches, in Neptune Beach (Jacksonville), Fla. The Endowment will include providing financial assistance for students to study world mission abroad and enabling LTS faculty to partner with professional school in disciplines related to ministry. For more information, go to: www.lextheo.edu/AboutLTS/News.htm#Florida
PENSION FUND RELEASES TAX INFORMATION FOR CLERGY
Tax season is upon us, and the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has released information that will be helpful to clergy as they prepare their tax forms. The Minister's Guide for 2007 income tax is being mailed soon, along with the 2008 parsonage allowances, retired parsonage allowances, the 2008 social security tax rate and standard mileage rates for the year. To read more: go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08009.pdf
YOUTH CAN STILL PARTICIPATE IN SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
There's still time for youth groups to participate in this year' Souper Bowl of Caring. On Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, Disciples youth will join with young people from around the country to raise money for hunger and poverty-related charities. Last year, 370 Disciples groups participated, collecting $114,000 for charities. In total, more than 14,000 youth organizations generated over $8 million in 2007 for charities around the country.
All that is required for participation this year is that youth grab a soup pot and take up a collection on that Sunday. You will then report your total to Souper Bowl of Caring by going online to www.souperbowl.org or by calling 800-358-7687. Finally, donate your collection to the charity of your choice.
Groups that register by Monday, Jan. 28 will be able to get the free resource kit. After that date, groups will need to go online and visit the Souper Bowl of Caring Resource Center at www.souperbowl.org to download materials.
Week of Compassion and Disciples Home Missions are partners with Souper Bowl of Caring.
NEW JOB POSTING WEB SITE TO BE MANAGED BY DHM
A new "ministry position" web site will help Disciples find and identify jobs that match their skills and expertise. Disciples Home Missions, (DHM) in cooperation with Communication Ministries, has developed the site that will allow congregations, regions, general ministries and other Disciples institutions to list open positions of ministry for which they seek potential candidates.
A position posting can remain online from two to eight weeks. Warren Lynn, the director of the Office of Search and Call, says the new system for listing ministry position openings will serve as a "comprehensive denomination-wide system of listing all available positions of ministry from which potential candidates can discern where God may be leading them in future ministry endeavors."
You can check out the new Disciples Home Missions Available Ministry Positions Center at: https://secure.disciples.org/jobcenter/
NEW PENSION FUND OFFICERS NAMED
The Pension Fund has announced two new officers. Richard A. Cohee has been named Senior Vice President/Treasurer of the fund. Cohee has been with the fund since 1977. Before coming to the Pension Fund, he was an investment officer with the Indiana National Bank of Indianapolis.
T. Eugene Fisher has been named Assistant Vice President of Membership. He began serving at the Pension Fund in 2006 as Director of Membership. Fisher has given primary leadership to recruitment of Pension Plan members and has been instrumental in leading activities to enhance services to fund constituents. To read more: visit www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08010.pdf
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE LAUNCHES 2008 TRUSTEE LECTURE SERIES
Northwest Christian College will launch its 2008 Trustee Lecture Series on Leadership and Ethics with former Eugene, Ore., Mayor Jeff Miller as the inaugural speaker. Miller will speak on Thursday, Jan. 24 on the topic, "Ethics, Leadership and the Responsible Citizen."
"As a graduate and trustee, along with being a leader in this community, Jeff is an embodiment of our mission: to develop competent, ethical leaders for leaders for service in the workplace, community, Church and world," said David Wilson, Northwest Christian president, regarding Miller's presentation.
To read more about the lecture series, visit, www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08011.html
DISCIPLES MEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND SESSIONS 2008
Plans are being finalized for Sessions 2008 that will take place in Oklahoma City, Okla., from July 17-20. Join Disciples men from across the United States and Canada for this exciting event that will allow for fellowship, education, and spiritual renewal.
Speakers include Rick Lowery, Interim Dean and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Lexington Theological Seminary; William "Bill" Lee, pastor of Loudon Ave. Christian Church in Roanoke, Va., and Mark Briley, a Disciples pastor who focuses on worship for young adults.
Housing will be within easy walking distance of First Christian Church, Edmond, where most meetings will take place. Register today to get the early bird registration. To learn more, visit: www.sessions2008.org
PACIFIC SCHOOL OF RELIGION HOSTS 2008 EARL LECTURE SERIES
The 2008 Earl Lectures feature prominent religious scholars and social leaders delivering free public lectures. The lectures, which started on Jan. 22, continue through Jan. 24. Speakers are commenting on the theme: "O for a World: Faith, Community and Sustainability." Lecturers include Karen Baker-Fletcher, associate professor of theology at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas; Daniel A. Buford, associate minister of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif.; Chandra Muzaffar, president of the International Movement for a Just World, an international NGO based in Malaysia; and Mayra Rivera Rivera, assistant professor of theology at Pacific School of Religion.
Preachers include Clarence L. Johnson, senior minister of Mills Grove Christian Church in Oakland, Calif.; and Mary Westfall, senior minister of the Community Church of Durham, N.H. Ken Medema of Brier Patch Music will perform a special music worship service. All activities will take place at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif. Lectures begin at 9 am each day. For a detailed schedule, see www.psr.edu or call 510-849-8218.
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