In this issue:
WEEK OF COMPASSION RESPONDS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS
Week of Compassion (WOC) continues its record-breaking pace of assistance to those affected by natural or human disasters. It is responding to yet another round of severe weather in the American heartland. Tornadoes and flooding pounded the Midwest triggering evacuations and power outages in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Central Indiana experienced some of its worse flooding in decades.
WOC also responded to tornado damage in Colorado and Kentucky, fires in Ohio, hurricane recovery efforts in Louisiana and community mission projects in California. It also assisted with recovery following flooding and landslides in Costa Rica last week. WOC is the relief, refugee, and development ministry fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It responds around the world around the year on behalf of congregations and individuals of the Church. To find out how to assist WOC, go to: www.weekofcompassion.org
PASTOR’S CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE WORKSHOP ON FORGIVENESS
Registrations are continuing to be received for the 2008 Pastor’s Conference that will be held in Chicago, Ill., from Sept. 8-10. Clergy from around the U.S. and Canada are taking advantage of the three day meeting where they will hear from General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and other noted speakers.
Several workshops also are on the conference agenda. Joretta Marshall, professor of Pastoral Theology and Care at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas, will lead one of the workshops, entitled, “The Faithful Struggle to Forgive.” The workshop will engage participants in wrestling with the call of forgiveness in our lives even as it seeks to unpack the complexity of forgiveness in diverse situations and contexts. The workshop is designed to help pastoral leaders discern how best to respond to individual, interpersonal and communal pain and injustice through the work of forgiveness. To register for the Pastor’s Conference and read more about the full schedule of events, go to: www.disciples.org/watkins/pastorsconference
To learn more about Joretta Marshall, who is ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church, visit: www.brite.tcu.edu/about/jmarshall.asp
CANDIDATES SOUGHT FOR MINISTER OF FAITH AND GIVING POSITION
A spiritually-grounded, dynamic and creative individual is sought to serve as the new Minister of Faith and Giving. The person serving in this position will lead and empower the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in creating a holistic and biblically-based stewardship movement. The Minister of Faith and Giving will provide primary oversight to five key areas of Christian Stewardship: spiritual disciplines, cultural diversity, congregational resources, personal wealth management and ecumenical partnership.
Those interested in the position should submit a cover letter by July 7 describing your interest and qualifications for the position.
A full job description is now available for review. To learn more about the position, go to: www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2008/05/20a.asp
DISCIPLES IN NOVA SCOTIA CONVENE ECUMENICAL SERVICE
A community ecumenical service organized by a Disciples minister in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia recently turned out to be a great success. The meeting, held at a meeting hall in Milton was organized by Jennifer Garbin, pastor of Milton Christian Church and Summerville Christian Church in Summerville Centre, Nova Scotia. Turnout was better than expected and included people from various denominations, including Disciples, Baptists, and United Church of Canada.
The ecumenical service was aptly named “Searchlight,” because the surrounding coastal area is dotted with lighthouses. The churches that participated are planning to hold another service in a month. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08054.html
A FREE BACKPACK TO HELP YOUTH MINISTRIES IMPROVE SERVICE
Are you a youth leader doing your best to serve God by ministering with youth, but all too often feel like you don’t know what you’re doing? Or are you in a church where someone has been asked to work with youth, and this person has gifts, but not much experience or training in youth ministry? If so, then check out “The Volunteer Youth Ministry Backpack” at www.disciplesyouth.com developed by Disciples Home Missions Youth Ministry Commission.
The backpack is free to download. It includes a wide variety of articles by Disciples youth leaders, including a theology and vision of youth ministry, different facets of understanding and supporting youth, and how-to’s on specific tasks like leading Bible study, organizing a mission trip, and planning youth Sunday. The backpack also contains lists of suggested books and web sites to use as resources, and sample health waiver, and volunteer forms.
If you like the backpack, go to www.discipleshomemissions.org and leave your e-mail address, so that you may receive regular messages with “Ideas for your Youth Ministry.”
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION PICKS DISCIPLES MINISTER AS TOP PRESENTER
An Indiana pastor will be a featured teacher at the Chautauqua Institution during the second week of this year’s season, which begins June 22. Nathan D. Wilson, senior minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Shelbyville, Ind., will teach the top listed religion course for the institution in week two.
Wilson also will serve as chaplain of the Disciples House. One minister from throughout the United States is picked to serve as chaplain each of the nine weeks of the summer season. For more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08055.html
NEW VERSION OF HYMN COMMISSIONED AT KENTUCKY CHURCH
A bell choir at First Christian Church in Lawrenceburg, Ky., recently performed a special song that reminded members of their history. The bell choir played a newly commissioned version of the hymn “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer,” written by Disciples musician J.H. Fillmore, who was born 159 years ago.
The new version of the hymn was commissioned by Fillmore’s great-granddaughter, First Christian member Sheila McFarland, in memory of her mother, who also had belonged to the church. Holding true to her family’s musical roots, McFarland performed as part of the bell choir.
“Mr. Fillmore’s music has long been a part of our worship services because of his family’s presence in our congregation,” said Sue L. Smith, the church’s music director. “For the family to commission such a special piece for us is truly an honor and a first.” For more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08056.html
CHAPLAIN SERVICES BECOME AVAILABLE TO SENIOR ADULTS IN ILLINOIS
Senior adults who live in the Barton W. Stone Home in Jacksonville, Ill., can now receive chaplaincy services through DBS Chaplaincy Care, a pilot program operated by Disciples Benevolent Services. Approximately 200 senior adults live at Barton W. Stone, which was once owned by the National Benevolent Association. The program is being offered in response to requests by senior adults for ministerial services and pastoral care.
The service, which is offered throughout the Jacksonville area, is available to senior adults at no charge. The program “responds to a need for so many of our residents and we plan to make DBS Chaplaincy Care part of our care plan,” said Mike Schneider, administrator at Barton W. Stone Home. To learn more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08057.pdf (PDF)
OUTSTANDING SEMINARIANS GIVEN CHALICE PRESS BOOK AWARDS
Chalice Press has selected 28 seminarians as recipients of the 2008 Chalice Press Book Awards. Besides being recognized as outstanding seminarians, as determined by their seminaries, the honored students receive a voucher allowing them to select several Chalice Press books for their personal library. The Christian publisher sponsors the awards in collaboration with Higher Education Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Oreon E. Scott Foundation.
Chalice Press is a progressive Christian publisher which serves individuals and congregations active in spiritual formation and service. Chalice Press books often pertain to aspects of congregational leadership and faithful living, as well as textbooks in theology, biblical studies, homiletics/preaching, and pastoral ministry. For more on Chalice Press, see: www.chalicepress.com
MSR OFFERS CERTIFICATES OF PASTORAL MINISTRY THROUGH ONLINE COURSES
Missouri School of Religion is offering four online courses this year, beginning in August. These courses are part of the Certificate of Pastoral Ministry program, a licensed ministry training curriculum, but may be taken by any interested persons.The courses are “Evangelism in Your Local Context,” taught by Bill Tenny-Brittain; “History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ,” taught by Kenneth Watson; “Introduction to Christian Thought,” taught by Christine Isham-Walsh and “Social and Global Mission of the Church,” taught by David Avery.
The “Evangelism in Your Local Context” course will help students develop successful evangelism efforts in the local church. The “History and Polity of the Disciples of Christ” class will assist students in analyzing and exploring the history, polity and characteristic beliefs of Disciples. The “Introduction to Christian Thought’ course will focus students’ attention on significant theologians and social movements that have impacted the contemporary landscape of thought. Registration deadlines, tuition, course outlines and other information may be found on the MSR web site, www.missourischoolofreligion.org or by calling Krystal Jacobs at MSR at 573-635-1187 or by email, krystalmsr@earthlink.net
DBS BOARD FORMS COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE WHERE TO FOCUS SERVICES
Nine Disciples in the St. Louis, Mo., area have been named to a steering committee by the Disciples Benevolent Services Board of Trustees. The committee’s job is to help determine how the ECHO/Emergency Children’s Home might best serve the community. Since 1889 when it opened as an orphan’s home, ECHO has offered services and residential programs to children in the St. Louis area. The steering committee will assess where services could be best utilized, particularly for children, and report back to the board.
The current trends in child care have shifted the focus away from group home settings and towards foster and permanent care. This has significantly impacted residential and transitional living programs such as ECHO and The Olive Branch, a temporary housing program for expectant adolescents located on the ECHO campus. At this time, the campus has no children or youth in residence.
Dennis Hagemann, president and CEO of Disciples Benevolent Services, however, believes that once needs have been identified, ECHO can adapt to meet those needs. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08058.pdf (PDF)
ADM CONFERENCE EXTENDS EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION TO JUNE 30
The Association of Disciples Musicians annual conference is just weeks away. The July 19-24 meeting in Tulsa, Okla., will offer options that address new worship styles and provide non-music alternatives, as well as the programs that participants have come to expect.
One of the conference highlights will be the Sunday evening, July 20 hymn festival featuring David Cherwien at the organ at Boston Ave. United Methodist Church. An online brochure is available as well as a link that details some of the many visitor’s attractions in Tulsa.
Go to www.adm-doc.org to take advantage of the early-bird registration and to learn more about the upcoming conference.
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