NORTH CAROLINA CALLS RICHARDSON AS NEW REGIONAL MINISTER

The Rev. John McKinney Richardson currently interim minister of First Christian Church, Athens, Ga., has been called as regional minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina beginning on March 17, 2003.

He received his bachelor of science in business administration in 1973 from Harding University, Searcy, Ark., and master of divinity degree at Austin (Texas) Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1983.

Richardson, a veteran Disciples minister, has served in a variety of avenues over the past 20 years, as senior minister, youth minister, resident chaplain in a large hospital, and as director of development for a National Benevolent Association center.

He and his wife Jeannine are the parents of two daughters, Julie and Joy.

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GEORGIA REGIONAL MINISTER AND ASSOCIATE RESIGN

Today, in a letter sent to all congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia, Sandra Kay Barnhill, Regional moderator announced the resignations of the Revs. Tom Neal, Regional Minister, and Alfred Dotson, Associate Regional Minister for Administration. The resignations were tendered to the Executive Committee of the Regional Board, effective Wednesday, December 18, 2002.

Barnhill acknowledged the service both provided. "We are grateful for the work they have done in our region and support them as they move to the next ministry opportunity God has for them. We thank Tom and Alfred for their gifts to our region and wish them the very best," wrote Barnhill.

The Rev. Michael Weeks will serve as acting regional minister until an interim minister is called.

For the full text of the congregational letter go to: http://www.gadisciples.org.

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CHURCH EXTENSION ANNOUNCES NEW ONLINE INVESTING OPTION

New online purchasing capabilities just launched by Church Extension of Disciples of Christ place the opportunity to support church growth at the fingertips of investors, according to the organization's treasurer.

"Since 1883, Church Extension investments have served to assist local Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in planning, financing and maintaining the facilities that are used as tools of ministry for the gospel of Christ," said Erick D. Reisinger, executive vice president and treasurer. "This new service represents the 21st century version of delivering information and access our investors need to support Church Extension's mission -- from the comfort of their own keyboards."
http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm

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LILLY ENDOWMENT ANNOUNCES 2003 NATIONAL CLERGY RENEWAL PROGRAM

Ministers and their congregations around the country are invited to participate in the 2003 National Clergy Renewal Program offered by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. This will be the fourth year for the program in which the Endowment funds congregations whose pastors and parishioners, working together, produce compelling plans for an extended sabbatical time for the minister and a complementary set of activities for congregational renewal.

For more information, please contact the program Web site at http://www.clergyrenewal.org, send an email to clergyrenewal@yahoo.com, call 317-916-7302 or write Lilly Endowment, Religion Division, 2801 N. Meridian St., PO Box 88068, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

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WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE REPORTS DECISION BY NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

In an article on December 10, 2002 the Washington Post reported a recent decision by the elders at National City Christian Church. In a unanimous vote, the elders agreed to allow the Rev. Alvin O. Jackson to perform a commitment ceremony for two members of the congregation.

The following is a portion of a release issued by National City. "For National City Christian Church this is not a matter of political correctness, but theological correctness. It is a matter of standing up for what we believe about the gospel. We believe that we cannot ask people to check at the door a significant part of their identity before they enter the church. All we can require of people is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ and a willingness to live a life of commitment. This then is a matter of commitment to each other, commitment to the faith, commitment to National City Christian Church and a commitment to commitment itself. We welcome your comments, your prayers and your support as we continue on our journey," the release said.

Within the Disciples tradition, individual congregations make policy decisions that govern their expressions of ministry.

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GRANT FROM LILLY ENDOWMENT TO FUND NATIONAL CITY RESIDENCY PROGRAM

National City Christian Church of Washington, D.C., has been selected by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. to receive a grant of $824,999 from the Endowment's Transition-into-Ministry Program. As part of its Pastoral Leadership Development efforts, the Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based foundation, "seeks to support efforts to improve and enhance the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes."

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DRURY CHAPLAIN HONORED AS OUTSTANDING TEACHER

The Rev. Dr. Peter Browning, associate professor of religion and university chaplain, received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching during a luncheon in Jefferson City, Mo. He was one of 65 teachers from Missouri postsecondary schools, colleges and universities recognized with the award. http://www.drury.edu/multinl/story.cfm?ID=6755&NLID=124

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FIRST YEAR-LONG HOMELAND MISSION INTERN

Laura Hamm will serve as the first year-long Homeland Mission Intern serving at Yakama Christian Mission in White Swan, Wash. Ministry at this Disciple Mission Center is accomplished through worship, pastoral care, and its program ministries. Hamm will be working with the After School Program, School to Work program, ESL class, coordinating youth volunteers and developing an environmental program for the mission. http://www.homeland.org/WhatsNewDHM.htm#Hamm