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In this issue:
- Israel Denies Re-entry To Global Ministries Missionary; Board Issues Statement Of Concern
- Santa Cruz Disciples Church Changes Its Name
- NAPAD To Hold Regional Event In Northern California-Nevada Region For First Time
- Disciples Clergy Invited To Fall Conference For Rest, Renewal, Rejuvenation
- Alternative Christmas Gifts Sure To Bring Smiles
- Future Church Leaders Benefit From Thanksgiving Offering
- Leadership Fellows See Road Map For Disciples
- Foundation Board Approves New Investment Fund
- Director In Office Of Disciples Women To Leave In January
- Christian Church In Southwest To Gain $1.2 Million From Sale Of Regional Office Building
- Virginia Church's Youth Will Walk To Benefit Homelessness
- 2008 World Convention To Draw Christians From Across The Globe
- Disciples Of Christ Historical Society Board Members Dies
ISRAEL DENIES RE-ENTRY TO GLOBAL MINISTRIES MISSIONARY; BOARD ISSUES STATEMENT OF CONCERN
 The Common Global Ministries Board of Directors has issued a statement of concern regarding the recent treatment of one of its missionaries by Israeli authorities. According to the statement, on Nov. 3 Israeli authorities at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, denied a Global Ministries missionary permission to return to Israel after the missionary had visited the United States. The missionary had been serving with the Palestinian Christian community in Jerusalem.
The board stated in part, "We are deeply concerned about the impact of systematic restrictions on access and movement on the daily life and future prospects of the Palestinian communities... We fervently assert that the structures that deny access must be addressed urgently as a matter of primary concern in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians." Global Ministries is a common witness of the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Wider Church Ministries, a covenanted ministry of the United Church of Christ. To read the board's full statement, go to: www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2018&Itemid=1
SANTA CRUZ DISCIPLES CHURCH CHANGES ITS NAME
 Garfield Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Santa Cruz, Calif., was renamed the Circle Church on Nov. 11, the same day that the church celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Steve DeFields-Gambrel is pastor of the Circle Church, which was built at the geographical center of a residential neighborhood where the homes were constructed in a circle pattern.
"Our unique location makes us a parish church," said DeFields-Gambrel. "Most people call it the circles neighborhood. People constantly walk, or bike, or skateboard through the property on the way to somewhere." Although the church only has 30-40 in worship every week, more than 500 people attend some activity at the church every week. To read more about how the church is trying to reconnect with its community, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07187.html
NAPAD TO HOLD REGIONAL EVENT IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA-NEVADA REGION FOR FIRST TIME
 The North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD) will conduct its first regional event in the Northern California-Nevada Region on Nov. 17. The gathering will take place at the First Korean Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oakland, Calif. Several NAPAD churches from the region will be represented at the one-day event, which will include music, worship, cultural dancing and an array of ethnic foods.
Geunhee Yu, executive pastor for North American Asian Ministries, will preach at the main worship service. Yu will also talk about the overall ministry of NAPAD. In addition, John Roh, Korean congregational service consultant, will speak about the Asian Disciples ministry today. The First Korean Christian Church in Oakland was the first NAPAD church in the region. For more details, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07184.html
DISCIPLES CLERGY INVITED TO FALL CONFERENCE FOR REST, RENEWAL, REJUVENATION
Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President, is calling all Disciples clergy to come together for a time of rest, renewal and rejuvenation this coming fall. The 2008 GMP Pastor's Conference will take place Sept. 8-10 at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel and CoCo Key Water Resort.
The gathering will feature Wilberforce University president and former congressman Floyd Flake as the conference preacher, Will Willimon, bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, and noted Disciples musician Bill Thomas. Registration for the conference will open in January. General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins will also address the meeting. Participants will take part in discussions on preaching, stewardship, administration, and other topics. Get more details and information on accommodations at: www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2007/11/16a.asp
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIFTS SURE TO BRING SMILES
As sale ads reach mailboxes across the United States in preparation for the day after Thanksgiving, the "busiest shopping day of the year," many find themselves wishing for an alternative. Through Global Ministries Alternative Christmas, you can honor your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of people around the world, all without a trip to the mall. How about giving a child the resources needed to go to school, or giving someone an opportunity for job training?
Giving alternative Christmas gifts ensures that your gift won't sit on a shelf gathering dust, leaves no worries about whether you know what size the recipient wears, and won't be part of the next massive product recall. It's perfect for the person who has "everything" and is sure to bring smiles - it can also make all the difference in the world. For more information about Global Ministries Alternative Christmas, check out www.globalministries.org or contact gifts@dom.disciples.org or 317-713-2555.
FUTURE CHURCH LEADERS BENEFIT FROM THANKSGIVING OFFERING
 As the Thanksgiving holiday season approaches, Disciples are encouraged to support an offering that promises to return benefits to the church over and over again. The annual Thanksgiving special offering goes to support ministries of higher education through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Fourteen Disciples colleges and universities and seven theological institutions receive support from the Thanksgiving offering, which will be received Nov. 18.
The offering helps to ensure that Disciples institutions of higher learning will continue to train the future leaders of the Church. Disciples congregations are encouraged to prayerfully consider supporting the Thanksgiving offering and its significance to the unique Disciples witness in the world. Find more information and resources at:
www.disciples.org/dns/newsletter/linkredirect.asp?id=071026a
 LEADERSHIP FELLOWS SEE ROAD MAP FOR DISCIPLES
Where is the church going? What makes the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) unique and gives us such hope and potential? And what do new leaders need to know to live into this vision? Answering those questions - and creating many, many more questions - was the core of the eighth annual Higher Education and Leadership Ministries Leadership Fellows Conference, held this year at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. To read about this year's conference, visit:
www.helmdisciples.org/helm/07/HELM-LFconference.htm
FOUNDATION BOARD APPROVES NEW INVESTMENT FUND
A fourth investment option for Disciples ministries will open up in 2008 as the Christian Church Foundation Board of Directors has created the Campbell Multi-Strategy Fund. The Campbell Fund, for long-term and endowment fund investments, provides church ministries with a different asset mix than existing funds, creating the opportunity for excellent returns with lower volatility. To read more about the fund and other news from the Board's recent meeting, go to: www.disciples.org/ccf/news/
DIRECTOR IN OFFICE OF DISCIPLES WOMEN TO LEAVE IN JANUARY
Lonnie Graves, a director in the Office of Disciples Women part of Disciples Home Missions (DHM), will be leaving her position in order to spend more time with her husband of 31 years, Roy, who has a business in California. Graves has also been serving as merger staff for women's ministries for the National Convocation. She will conclude her work for both ministries at the end of January 2008.
"The Office of Disciples Women and Disciple Women everywhere are grateful for the ministry provided by Lonnie," said Adonna Bowman, executive director of the Office of Disciples Women. Interim President of DHM, Dan Clark, stated, "Although I have known Lonnie only a few months, she has made a lasting impression on me. I am moved by her passion for the ministry she has served for the last three years, for the leadership she has provided, and for her love of Jesus Christ and this church." For more, see: www.discipleshomemissions.org/News2007/07.11.GravesResignation.htm
CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHWEST TO GAIN $1.2 MILLION FROM SALE OF REGIONAL OFFICE BUILDING
 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest has announced that it has received an offer to purchase its regional office building. On Sept. 5, the Southwest Regional Council voted to approve the sale of the building, which is expected to be finalized in early December. The council also approved a permanent fund policy for property, which allows the approximate $1.2 million proceeds from the sale to be invested in interest income to ensure physical space along with providing funds for mission in the region and in the whole church. To get more, go to: www.ccsw.org/courier/courier.pdf (PDF)
VIRGINIA CHURCH'S YOUTH WILL WALK TO BENEFIT HOMELESSNESS
Youth members of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Falls Church, Va., will participate in the Help the Homeless Walk-a-Thon on the National Mall in Washington D.C. on Nov. 17. Thousands of people will participate in the walk, which will raise money to benefit the homeless, and raise awareness of homeless issues. Some of the money raised from the walk-a-thon will go to support a local overnight shelter, which serves many of the guests who visit First Christian's Safe haven homeless day shelter.
November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. The Help the Homeless Program is the largest funding collaborative in the nation focused on homelessness. This year marks its 20th year. So far, the program, which culminates every year in the Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall the Saturday before Thanksgiving, has raised $62.5 million for local nonprofit organizations that serve the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. For more information, visit: www.helpthehomeless.org
2008 WORLD CONVENTION TO DRAW CHRISTIANS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
 Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of Christ, and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ from around the world will gather July 29-Aug. 3, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn., for the 2008 World Convention. The convention will convene under the theme "Together in Christ." The World Convention has called together the worldwide family of the Stone-Campbell Movement or Restoration Movement Churches to build understanding, common purpose, effectiveness and fellowship for more than 75 years.
The speakers scheduled for the main sessions include Bob Russell, former senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.; Cynthia Hale, minister of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., and Mike Cope, preaching minister at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. The Sunday afternoon communion service will be presided over by Robert Wetzel, the president of Emmanuel School of Religion and convention president. The convention will have workshops, seminars, meal events, an exhibit hall with more than 250 booths, a children's program and a teen's program featuring a house build to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. For more or to register, visit: www.worldconvention.org
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD MEMBERS DIES
A board member of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, Russell F. Blowers, has died. Blowers, 83, who also had been a trustee of Emanuel School of Religion and Milligan College, died at an Indianapolis hospital on Nov. 10. He served as senior minister emeritus of East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, where he was pastor for 45 years. Blowers became of friend of evangelist Billy Graham, and also helped organize three of Graham's crusades in Indianapolis in 1959, 1980 and 1999. To learn more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07186.html
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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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