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In this issue:
- Disciples Praying Initiative Moves Beyond 10,000
- Enhance Your Congregation's Spiritual Practice With Chain Of Prayer
- Please Give Generously To The Christmas Special Offering
- Churchwide Summit Will Focus On Health And Wellness
- Eureka College Gift Will Build Addition To Fitness Center
- Children Worship And Wonder Trainings Set For January
- Center For Public Witness Adds Four Senior Advisors
- CCF Names James P. Johnson President Emeritus
- Young Adults Should Plan Now For Pre-Events At General Assembly
- Week Of Compassion Supports Darfur Relief Efforts
- Students At Lynchburg To Build Home For Two Employees
- Global Ministries Supports Human Rights Struggles Of Church Leaders In The Philippines
- Pension Fund Board Names New Assistant VP Of Development
- Congregations Should Consider Hiring A College Intern This Summer
- UCC Insurance Board Will Relocate To Cleveland, Ohio
DISCIPLES PRAYING INITIATIVE MOVES BEYOND 10,000
 The 10,000 Disciples Praying initiative has exceeded its initial milestone! Earlier this week, churches in Oklahoma and Washington, along with a number of individual commitments, helped the nine-month old initiative enlist more than 10,000 people worldwide in prayer for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and its leaders.
"The story of God's transformation of Disciples is being written even as we speak," said General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins, in hearing of the benchmark numbers. "That transformation begins with and is nurtured with prayer. Thanks be to God that 10,000 people and more from around the world are praying daily for our church and its leaders as we are transformed into the church God needs us to be in the 21st century."
Watkins has prepared a video greeting that expresses her appreciation to those participating in 10,000 Disciples Praying. That greeting can be viewed at: www.disciples.org/10000/about/over10k
A variety of prayer resources, as well as prayer requests, continue to be added to the 10,000 Disciples website, which is available at: www.disciples.org/10000
ENHANCE YOUR CONGREGATION'S SPIRITUAL PRACTICE WITH CHAIN OF PRAYER
Disciples Home Missions also is encouraging congregations to join Chain of Prayer, a 24-hour vigil maintained by participating congregations through Easter Sunday. This church-wide prayer partnership starts Jan. 1 and runs through April 8, 2007.
A prayer vigil is continuous prayer by many persons during a certain period of time. It is a powerful force in spiritual preparation for expressing the evangelistic mission of the Church. These unusual days require more than the ordinary. Our strength reinforced by God's power, through personal encounter, is required to meet the demands of our times.
The vigil offers persons who share in it the opportunity for a time of uninterrupted dialogue with God.
Congregations can download the PDF registration form. (Acrobat Reader required for this 749 Kb document). To learn more visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org/ChainofPrayer
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFERING
 "Go Tell it On the Mountain" is the theme of the 2006 Christmas Special Offering that supports the works of the church's 33 regions. The offering will be received in congregations on Dec. 17 and 24 or other dates chosen by your congregation. With the gifts they receive, Regional Ministries support congregations through planning, visioning, pastoral care and conflict management. Regions also empower leaders through workshops, resources and networking, as well as a variety of other functions.
Congregations are encouraged to give generously to the offering. A new PowerPoint presentation for use in worship is now available. It can be downloaded at www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/christmas06
Worship materials developed by the Regional Ministers as well as materials produced by the Church Finance Council also have been prepared and can be found at: www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/christmas06
CHURCHWIDE SUMMIT WILL FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS
A key part of the 2020 Vision of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is "the calling and forming of new leaders and the continuing re-forming of current leaders." How can we call, form and re-form leaders? Make a New Year, "New You" Resolution! Church leaders interested in identifying and creating a movement to develop spiritually healthy, well and vital leaders for the church are invited to participate in the Churchwide Health and Wellness Summit, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2007, in Indianapolis.
Dr. Gwen Halaas, author of "The Right Road: Life Choices for Clergy," will facilitate, with additional leadership from William "Bill" Lee, pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Va. and Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Participants will engage in plenary and working groups during the summit. Sponsored by the Pension Fund and Disciples Home Missions, the summit will engage participants in developing strategies for clergy spiritual health and wellness. Those attending should leave with recommended actions for promoting an integration of physical, emotional, relational, vocational and intellectual wellness.
Go to www.pensionfund.org, scroll down to the ad for the Summit and download enrollment information and register on-line today. Registration is $100, which includes program costs and four meals. Housing is available at the Marten House at a special rate of $72 per room, plus tax. Participants must make their own reservations by calling the Marten House directly. (800) 736-5634.
EUREKA COLLEGE GIFT WILL BUILD ADDITION TO FITNESS CENTER
 Eureka College has received a $1 million gift for a state-of-the-art fitness center and scholarships for students. The donation from Christine Bonati Bollwinkle is the largest single gift from a living donor in the history of the college. The gift was donated in memory of Bollwinkle's late husband, Ronald P. Bonati, and her friend Mary Jo Finch, both of whom were Eureka alumni.
The gift will be used to build the Bonati Fitness Center, which will be an addition to the Reagan Physical Education Center at Eureka. Construction is scheduled to be complete by April. It also will be used to establish four $6,000 scholarships named for Bonati and Finch, which will be awarded annually to freshmen interested in fitness or music. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2006/06164.pdf (PDF)
CHILDREN WORSHIP AND WONDER TRAININGS SET FOR JANUARY
 The next Children Worship and Wonder training events will be held Jan. 12-14, 2007, at Disciples churches in Martinsville, Ind., and Orlando, Fla. The events will be at First Christian Church (DOC) in Martinsville and Central Christian Church (DOC) in Orlando. Participants will learn the theological rationale behind Children Worship and Wonder and develop a basic understanding of the approach. They also will receive help in developing story telling skills and have opportunities to practice telling stories and leading other parts of the children service of worship.
Kaye Edwards, director of Family and Children's Ministries for Disciples Home Missions will conduct the training in Martinsville. Stephen Lesher, pastor of Slash Christian Church in Ashland, Va., will lead the Orlando event. The early registration cost for the training sessions at each location is $120. For more information go to: www.discipleshomemissions.org/FamilyandChildren/CWW.htm. If you have questions, contact Kaye Edwards, kedwards@dhm.disciples.org, at 434-832-9111 or Connie Metts, cmetts@dhm.disciples.org, at 888-346-2631.
CENTER FOR PUBLIC WITNESS ADDS FOUR SENIOR ADVISORS
Four well-known Disciples have joined the Advocacy Team of the Disciples Center for Public Witness. They are Jennifer Kottler, Thomas McCracken, Richard Myer and Oscar Haynes. The four will help the staff, fellows and interns of the Advocacy Team deal more effectively with issues and concerns in the advisor's field of expertise.
Kottler, Deputy Director of Protestants for the Common Good in Chicago, Ill., will be the senior advisor to the Disciples Center on anti-poverty policies, projects, ministries, and campaigns. McCracken, an attorney who serves on the national board of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, will serve as a senior advisor on religious freedom and civil liberties. Myer, former moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada, will be a senior advisor on public policy and justice advocacy in Canada. Haynes, an elder and trustee emeritus of Twelfth Street Christian Church (DOC) in Washington, D.C., will serve as distinguished senior advisor to institutional development and church relations. To read more about the new members, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2006/06165.html
CCF NAMES JAMES P. JOHNSON PRESIDENT EMERITUS
James P. Johnson, who served as president of the Christian Church Foundation (CCF) from 1992 to 2003, has been named president emeritus by the foundation's board of directors. Johnson led the foundation during a period of tremendous growth, demonstrating vision and integrity as the foundation expanded its services and permanent fund ministry. The designation will be formally conferred on him at the board's spring 2007 meeting in Indianapolis.
A complete story about the designation, as well as other business conducted during the board's recent November meeting, can be found at: www.disciples.org/ccf/news
YOUNG ADULTS SHOULD PLAN NOW FOR PRE-EVENTS AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
 Young adults who are considering attending the General Assembly in July should plan to arrive a day early so they can join in the Young Adult Pre-Assembly event. Keynoters for the pre-event will be representatives of Missiongathering Christian Church in San Diego, Calif. (www.missiongathering.com.)
Rich McCullen, Matt Reece, and their team will lead two emergent worship experiences and share new ideas for young adult ministry. Registration is only $25, and childcare will be available. Fellowship, worship, service, and stimulating conversations are all part of the package. For more information on the pre-assembly event or to register, visit: www.disciples.org/ga/yya/youngadults
WEEK OF COMPASSION SUPPORTS DARFUR RELIEF EFFORTS
 Week of Compassion (WOC), the relief, refugee, and development ministry fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is among those responding to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. The Darfur Emergency Response Operation (DERO), working with Action by Churches Together and Caritas Internationalis, is providing critical help to thousands of Sudanese victims of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
WOC's goal is to donate at least $50,000 for Darfur relief before the end of the year. Designated gifts are needed and can be made online by clicking on www.weekofcompassion.org or sent to WOC, attention: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.
STUDENTS AT LYNCHBURG TO BUILD HOME FOR TWO EMPLOYEES
 Two dining services employees at Lynchburg College (LC) will get a new home courtesy of the Lynchburg College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. By the time the college holds its graduation ceremony in the spring, Donald and Renee Walker will be the proud owners of the new house that is within walking distance of the campus, which is located in Lynchburg, Va.
"It's the most generous gift that a student population can give to a family," said Elizabeth Richardson with Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity. This will be the fourth house the LC chapter has built for its own employees.
A dinner dance on the campus on Dec. 19 will be the biggest fundraiser for the project. Other monetary contributions can be made to the Lynchburg Habitat chapter online at: www.lynchburghabitat.org. To read more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2006/06166.pdf (PDF)
GLOBAL MINISTRIES SUPPORTS HUMAN RIGHTS STRUGGLES OF CHURCH LEADERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
 Global Ministries' East Asia and Pacific area office is providing strong support to church partners in the Philippines, who are struggling against human rights violations that include murders, attacks and harassment. Through Global Ministries, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ (UCC) have worked ecumenically with a number of groups to support churches in the Philippines.
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) has expressed gratitude for Global Ministries' active presence and support during this critical time, especially after the visit of two UCC executives in May 2006 during the UCCP General Assembly.
Congregations are encouraged to mobilize in advocacy on this issue. The Asia Human Rights Commission (AHRC), where Global Ministries' missionary Bruce Van Voorhis serves, has provided an easy opportunity to take action. Click on the following link, read the urgent appeal and follow the instructions to send your letter: www.globalministries.org
PENSION FUND BOARD NAMES NEW ASSISTANT VP OF DEVELOPMENT
 The Pension Fund Board of Directors of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), at their November 9-10 meeting, named Ruth Chavez Wallace assistant vice president of development. She has served as the director of development since September 2004. During her ministry with the Pension Fund, she has shown a commitment to ministerial relief and assistance, as well as gift giving and Will emphasis.
Wallace is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and Lexington Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to the Pension Fund, she worked for Northern Arizona University, the Christian Appalachian Project, Monterey Christian Church, the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti and more recently with Overseas Ministries. She and her husband, Charles, are active members of the Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis.
CONGREGATIONS SHOULD CONSIDER HIRING A COLLEGE INTERN THIS SUMMER
Would a college student be interested in a summer internship at your church or service organization? Your congregation could have a lot to offer a young leader. Dozens of Disciples college students will gather in New Orleans, La. this month for "Celebrate," the national ecumenical Christian student event that draws hundreds of students from across the country. Organizers are planning a special session focusing on summer internships and service work. This is a great opportunity to recruit a summer intern. Send news about internships to Brad Lyons at Higher Education and Leadership Ministries at: blyons@helmdisciples.org or by calling 314-991-3000, ext. 104, as soon as possible.
UCC INSURANCE BOARD WILL RELOCATE TO CLEVELAND, OHIO
 The United Church of Christ Insurance Board (UCCIB) will move from its Gaithersburg, Md. offices within the next six months and relocate to Cleveland, Ohio. The chair of the UCCIB Board of Directors said the move will give UCCIB "better connection to churches, a closer proximity to business partners and office cost savings." The group also intends to outsource some services to provide more efficient support to participating churches. A not-for-profit corporation, UCCIB administers property and liability insurance programs for churches and related entities of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2006/06167.pdf (PDF)
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Editor: Wanda Bryant Wills
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org
If you are interested in submitting news for distribution in the Disciples News Service, please review our "Guidelines for Submitting News and Information to Disciples News Service":
www.disciples.org/dns/dnsguidelines.pdf
(in Adobe PDF Format)
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