Disciples News Brief
December 31, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org

DISCIPLES RESPOND TO SOUTHEAST ASIA CATASTROPHE
Countless people in Southeast Asia are now without food, shelter and basic living supplies following Sunday’s earthquake and resulting tsunami. The global catastrophe has claimed over 120,000 lives, and left in its wake thousands of injured and stranded individuals. Disciples are responding with donations to assist with the worldwide humanitarian efforts. Week of Compassion (WOC), which provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of natural and human catastrophes, is coordinating donations on behalf of Disciples in North America. Already, WOC has pledged $250,000 for Asia relief. To learn how you can help WOC reach its goal as well as to read the latest updates on the crisis, visit the WOC website: http://www.weekofcompassion.org

GLOBAL MINISTRIES ASKS FOR PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS
Global Ministries, a common witness of the Division of Overseas Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, is also paying close attention to developments in Southeast Asia. Global Ministries asks that people everywhere continue to pray for partners, missionaries, and the people in the region who have been devastated by the tsunami. Their web site contains several articles written earlier this week about the on-going disaster, including a letter from the Southern Asia Area Executive and a missionary living in Sri Lanka. For more information, visit Global Ministries web site at: http://www.globalministries.org/

OTHER LETTERS OF CONCERN ABOUT THE SOUTHEAST ASIA SITUATION
Click here to read a letter from Chris Hobgood, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Charisse Gillett, Moderator. http://www.disciples.org/hobgood/tsunami_response.htm

The link below contains a letter from Geunhee Yu, Executive Pastor for North American/Asian Disciples (NAPAD) that was sent to NAPAD pastors and congregations.
http://www.disciples.org/internal/news/tsunami_NAPAD.htm

DISCIPLES CHURCH IN TENNESSEE DESTROYED BY FIRE
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oak Ridge, Tenn. was gutted by fire early today. Fire officials are calling the blaze “very suspicious.” They believe two fires may have been set- one in the bottom half of the church and another in the top half.

The church’s pastor, Jack F. Russell, remained optimistic early Friday morning. “This is just a building,” Russell said. “I don’t know how, but I truly believe something good will come from this. When God closes a door, He opens another one.”

First Christian Church will worship this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the lobby of Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. The location of a congregational meeting/lunch at a local restaurant will be announced during the church service. Week of Compassion has sent a grant on behalf of Disciples to the church.

CHURCH EXTENSION ADDS SPANISH TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE LINE
As part of its continuing effort to provide excellent customer service, Church Extension has added a Spanish toll-free telephone line.

The new line will allow Church Extension and New Church Ministry to offer persons who speak Spanish a direct line to a staff person who speaks the same language. Church Extension believes this will encourage Spanish-speaking Disciples to better utilize Church Extension services, including mission-driven investments, strategic planning and capital loans for congregations. Pastors and organizers of new Hispanic congregations can also use the line to contact New Church Ministry.

“This new line gives us a chance to put into action our commitment to serve all Disciples congregations,” said James L. Powell, president. “Starting with the first words of greeting on the phone, we want to make working with us as easy as possible for our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters.”

The phone line, 1-866-534-1949, began operation Dec. 6, and is available during business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST. Church Extension’s original toll-free line will continue at 1-800-274-1883.

HELM's "TOMORROW'S LEADER'S TODAY" WINTER EDITION ONLINE
The newest edition of HELM's quarterly newsletter is online at http://www.helmdisciples.org/helm/04/TLT-December04.htm
Find out what's happening at HELM (Higher Education and Leadership Ministries) -- Leadership Fellows converge in Florida as the next Fellows download applications. Also: "Joshua Generation" heads to the Lone Star State while seminarians head for Music City.

PETER MORGAN INDUCTED INTO HALL OF HONOR
Peter Morgan, historian-in-residence for National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Washington, D.C., has been recognized for his contributions to the ecumenical witness among the churches who trace their origins to Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone. On October 15, he was inducted into the hall of honor of the Restoration Forum. The forum has been an ecumenical dialogue group primarily between Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. In recent years they have sought to involve Disciples of Christ.

Other previously honored Disciples include Perry Epler Gresham, President of Bethany College, and Lyndsay and Lorraine Jacobs, General Secretaries of the World Convention of Churches of Christ.

Morgan presented the Peter Ainslie ecumenical lecture for 2004 at National City Christian Church on October 30. Morgan served as President of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society for nine years, retiring in July.

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For more information on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) visit http://www.disciples.org.

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