In this issue:

• Tropical Storm Noel Causes Damage In Caribbean; Becomes Hurricane
• Kenyan Women Continue To Weave Despite Challenges
• Week Of Compassion Sends Grants To California Churches Affected By Wildfires
• Thanksgiving Offering Benefits Future Disciples Leaders
• General Minister And President To Discuss Future Directions Of The Church With Young Adults
• Nebraska Congregation Grows Corn To Fight World Hunger
• Congregational Leaders Invited To Give Input About DHM
• Brite Divinity School To Present Two Seminars Featuring Disciples Leaders
• California, Northern-Nevada Region Holds 'Miracle Day'
• Disciples Church Welcomes Growth Of Diverse Membership
• CBP Seeks Volunteers For Advisory Groups To Create, Critique, Collaborate
• CTS To Present Dialogue On History Of Prayer In America
• Conference On Terrorism To Be Held At Bethany College
• Ecumenical Group Urges U.S. To Better Prepare For Scheduled Mideast Peace Summit
• NCC Briefs Congress On Dangers Of Climate Change

TROPICAL STORM NOEL CAUSES DAMAGE IN CARIBBEAN; BECOMES HURRICANE
Tropical Storm Noel slashed through parts of the Caribbean this week, where the death toll has reached 115 people. The storm was upgraded to a hurricane late in the week. More than 70 people have died in the Dominican Republic where Alex Morse, a global mission intern, is working. Morse reports that he made it safely through the storm. Noel dumped 8 inches of rain over a 48-hour period in the town of Boca Chica, where Morse is staying.

"One friend of mine, living in cinder block housing with a tin roof, told me that she has a river running through her house," wrote Morse, the son of Rick Morse, vice president of New Church Ministry and Mission Initiatives. Rick Morse and his wife, Cecilia, happened to be visiting Alex in the Dominican Republic when Noel hit the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. To read more about Alex's experiences, see the Global Ministries Update at:
www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2006&Itemid=1

KENYAN WOMEN CONTINUE TO WEAVE DESPITE CHALLENGES
For years the handcrafted work of the Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers in Kenya has produced beautifully woven products, such as shawls, purses, rugs and blankets, which have been sold to buyers around the world. The village of Nanyki is located in one of the major wool producing areas of Kenya, where 13 people from the United States visited on Sept. 22. The Americans were participating in a Global Ministries People-to-People pilgrimage Sept. 17-29.

But the women's work, which has helped some of them earn enough to move from the slums to their own homes, was challenged a few years ago when their source of raw material - wool - became limited. Nonetheless, through faith and prayer, the women are beginning to reverse their fortunes and now even own their own sheep. For more on the story, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07175.html

WEEK OF COMPASSION SENDS GRANTS TO CALIFORNIA CHURCHES AFFECTED BY WILDFIRES
Week of Compassion is assisting two Disciples churches in the Pacific Southwest Region that were impacted by the wildfires that have swept through the region since Oct. 20. Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and development ministry fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has sent grants to Casa de Oracion in San Diego, and to United Church of the Valley in Murrieta to assist members who have been affected by the California wildfires.

Firefighters were working on Nov. 1 to contain the 28,500-acre Santiago fire, the last of the major wildfires that have destroyed more than 1,900 homes and taken at least seven lives. Week of Compassion and other faith organizations were being cautious about whether or not the worst was over, however. Forecasters predicted that the Santa Anna winds, which has aided in rapidly spreading the fires, were expected to return to the region this weekend. For more, go to: www.weekofcompassion.org/pages/updates/nov0701.html

THANKSGIVING OFFERING BENEFITS FUTURE DISCIPLES LEADERS
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. 11 and 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. For more information and offering resources, see: www.disciples.org/dns/newsletter/linkredirect.asp?id=071026a

GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF THE CHURCH WITH YOUNG ADULTS
Nineteen college students will hear General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins and three other church leaders share perspectives on their visions for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) this weekend during the Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) Leadership Fellows Conference.

The theme of this year's meeting is: "Naming Our Hopes: Where Are We Leading the Church?" Watkins will address that topic, as will Marshall Dunn, recently retired pastor of University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hyattsville, Md., and soon to be interim minister in the Capital Area region while the regional minister is on sabbatical; Yvonne Gilmore-Essig, chaplain at John Hopkins University Hospitals, and currently interim minister at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Baltimore, Md.; as well as D. Newell Williams, president of Brite Divinity School and the current moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The conference runs from Friday, Nov. 2, through Sunday, Nov 4 at National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington, D.C. For more information go to: www.helmdisciples.org/helm/fellows.htm

NEBRASKA CONGREGATION GROWS CORN TO FIGHT WORLD HUNGER
About 20 Nebraska farmers, in partnership with East Lincoln Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lincoln, Neb., Pella Reform Church, and the Foods Resource Bank, harvested corn on Oct. 27 to benefit world hunger. The corn was grown on 20 acres of land located about 20 miles southeast of the East Lincoln Christian Church on property that surrounds Pella Reform Church. East Lincoln raised more than $2,000 toward the project, which will be matched by a grant from Week of Compassion. A similar corn crop project last year raised more than $60,000 to fight hunger. The Foods Resource Bank works with missionaries abroad to support sustainable food projects overseas.

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS INVITED TO GIVE INPUT ABOUT DHM
Disciples Home Missions (DHM) is here to serve congregations and build up the body of Christ by providing those programs and services that strengthen congregations for mission. How is DHM doing? Dan Clark, acting interim president, seeks answers from Disciples congregational leaders. He will coordinate the responses in a report to the DHM Board and to the longer-term interim president, Don Shelton.

The survey is now available in Chinese, English, Korean, or Spanish. The deadline has been extended to Nov. 16. To view the survey and get more, go to: www.discipleshomemissions.org/DanClarkStatement.htm

BRITE DIVINITY SCHOOL TO PRESENT TWO SEMINARS FEATURING DISCIPLES LEADERS
Brite Divinity School's lay and continuing education program is offering two seminars in November that will be led by two retired national leaders within the Christian Church. On Nov. 9 and 10, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Midland, Texas and the Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity at Brite Divinity School will offer a two-day seminar centering on the Lord's Supper. Peter Morgan, president emeritus of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, will share his thoughts about the Lord's Supper and its centrality in the church.

Also on Nov. 10, Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity will honor James C. "Jim" Suggs, the retired president of the Christian Board of Education, with a quadrennial seminar on Christian Communications. Suggs will deliver the inaugural "James C. Suggs Seminar on Christian Communication," which is named in his honor and will take place every four years. The inaugural seminar is entitled "In Communication, Truth Counts," and will be held at Northway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dallas. To get more on both seminars, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07176.html

CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN-NEVADA REGION HOLDS 'MIRACLE DAY'
Four Disciples churches were scrubbed, painted and shined during "Miracle Day 2007" in the California, Northern-Nevada Region on Oct. 20. At least 425 volunteers helped to refurbish First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Sparks, Nev., First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Watsonville, Calif., First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in San Jose, Calif., and Fruitridge Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Sacramento, Calif.

All four of the churches were selected because their buildings were in need of repair, there was no way they could get the work done without the Miracle Day, and they had members who were willing to work for the project. A roof was slated to be replaced, parking lots were striped and a good deal of painting was done both inside and outside of the churches. So far, more than $60,000 has been raised to pay for the repairs. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2007/07177.html

DISCIPLES CHURCH WELCOMES GROWTH OF DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP
An Indiana Disciples congregation is continuing to build programs in an effort to reach all members of its increasingly diverse congregation. Iglesia del Pueblo-Hope Center Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a predominantly Hispanic church in Hammond, Ind., wants to gear its programming to fit the needs of a congregation that is growing more multicultural, according to Juan A. Rodríguez, the church's senior pastor.

While it's still predominantly Latino, Iglesia del Pueblo has a mix of European, African, Asian and Native American members. This coming together of people with different backgrounds is seen as a gift from God by the church's leaders. The church's worship style incorporates gospel, salsa, soul and rock reflecting the experiences of its members. They read scripture, pray, preach, and celebrate communion in Spanish and English.

Learn more about Iglesia del Pueblo in the January/February newsletter from the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries at:
www.obrahispana.org/Adobe/OBRA%20Jan-Feb2007.pdf (PDF)

See more on Hispanic ministries in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at: www.obrahispana.org

CBP SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR ADVISORY GROUPS TO CREATE, CRITIQUE, COLLABORATE
Christian Board of Publication marketing and sales director Cindy Meilink is calling for volunteers. "To be sure that we are doing things that matter, we are hosting advisory groups to create, critique, and collaborate. One of these will be of Disciples women and men, 18-35 years of age and from varied professions, to play with ideas for young adult resources. Another group will be diverse women who want to have a voice in the big conversation about what is available to them in their congregations. In all the groups, these will be people for whom Christian community matters, mission matters, relationship with God matters," said Meilink. "There are lots of ideas in play, so the big fun will be seeing who steps up and then choosing the places to start."

If you want to join in, or if you know someone who does, contact Meilink at 314-231-8500, ext. 1326 or email: cmeilink@cbp21.com. Christian Board of Publication (CBP) will ask participants to spend about two hours per month on a conference call as well as an annual one-two day gathering.

CTS TO PRESENT DIALOGUE ON HISTORY OF PRAYER IN AMERICA
Christian Theological Seminary will host a dialogue on the subject of the "History of Prayer in America" on Nov. 8 at the seminary's Shelton Auditorium on its campus in Indianapolis. The featured guest at the gathering will be Georgetown University professor James Moore, author of "One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America." Moore has conducted research at the Library of Congress and at seminaries and university libraries across the United States, Europe and Australia.

Moore will explore how musicians, writers, slaves, corporate executives, American Indians and a host of others have helped shape the history of America with prayer. The gathering is free to the public. For more information, visit:
editor.ne16.com/he/vo.asp?FileID=112947&MemberID=26691322&MailID=3446288

CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM TO BE HELD AT BETHANY COLLEGE
Presenters from across the United States and world will be at Bethany College for an international conference on "Terrorism, Pacifism and the Culture of War" Nov. 8-10. Speakers from Indiana, Japan, France, South Korea, and Canada will be at the conference along with presenters from states such as Oregon and California. Papers presented at the meeting will be submitted for publication.

"Terrorism isn't the only violence we're dealing with as part of our daily lives," said Chandara Chakrabarti, conference director. "The violence has now spread to school campuses, such as the tragedy at Virginia Tech." To get more, go to:
www.bethanywv.edu/welcome/news/bethany-hosts-international-conference-on-terror

NCC BRIEFS CONGRESS ON DANGERS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Clergy members of the National Council of Churches and other faith leaders briefed lawmakers at the United States House of Representatives about the moral need to address climate change to protect the poor. The faith leaders stressed that unless action is taken now to address the effects of climate change, irreparable damage could be the result.

"As Europeans and Americans, it is our responsibility to act first to ensure that we protect those who are least able to adapt while empowering the rest of the world to make the necessary changes to prevent climate change," said Brenda Girton-Mitchell, associate general secretary for justice and advocacy at the National Council of Churches USA. To learn more, go to: www.ncccusa.org/news/071026climatechange.html

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Editor: Wanda Bryant Wills
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org

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