Disciples News Brief
Oct. 22, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org

DISCIPLES WOMEN TO VISIT KENYA
Women representing 12 regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will participate in the 2004 Woman-to-Woman Worldwide (WWW) delegation. This year’s trip will take 19 participants to Kenya, East Africa from Nov. 8-23. WWW allows Disciples women to travel internationally each year to experience life with Christian women in other parts of the world. The delegates go as representatives of their respective regions and return as resource persons for local churches, their regions and Disciples Women’s groups. For more information go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0440.htm.

FORMER DHM STAFFER PASSES AWAY
The Rev. Enoch W. Henry, Jr., 81, passed away on Oct. 11. Funeral services were held October 14 in Palestine, Texas with his pastor, the Rev. Margaret Clark of Los Angeles, Calif. officiating.

Henry was the first person to direct what is now the Office of Black Ministries and gave leadership to Disciples Men. Both offices were part of Disciples Home Missions, which at the time was known as the Division of Homeland Ministries.

His 40-year ministry included serving more than 14 years at United Christian Church in Los Angeles, and its predecessor congregation, East 28th Street Church. He also served pastorates in Texas, Kentucky and Oklahoma. He retired from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in December 1982. Expressions of condolence can be sent to his brother, the Rev. Kenneth Henry, 2255 Troutdale Drive, Decatur, Georgia, 30032.

DISCIPLES STRUCTURAL REFORM COMMITTEE ADVANCES PROPOSALS
The Standing Committee on Renewal and Structural Reform has put forward two proposals aimed at enhancing church effectiveness. The proposals were presented at a recent meeting. One proposal seeks to “right size” the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The other proposal is aimed at updating the Design of the church. The committee deals with the structural design of the church and makes recommendations to the General Board and General Assembly. For further information go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0441.htm.

AINSLIE LECTURE ONLY DAYS AWAY
The 22nd Peter Ainslie Lecture will take place on Saturday, October 30 at 7 p.m., at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. Peter M. Morgan, retired president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, will speak on the topic, “Life After the ‘Last Will and Testament’: the Stories of Two Faithful Executors.”

The lecture is a continuation of this year’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of “The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery,” a historic document that resulted in the birth of a movement that sought to unify all Christians for the causes of evangelism, common mission and glorifying Christ. Several churches, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), trace their roots to this event.

The lecture is sponsored by the Council on Christian Unity. To learn more about the lecture, as well as make reservations for the 5:30 p.m. dinner that precedes the lecture, go to: http://www.disciples.org/ccu/news/ainslie04.htm.

AFRICAN AMERICAN SUMMIT LOOKS AT NEW CHURCH MINISTRY
The first ever African American Summit for New Church Ministry will take place October 28-30 at Bethany Christian Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The summit will help to create awareness about new church ministry among African American Disciples leaders, as well as study demographics of African American growth through the U.S. and Canada, and give insight into “churches starting churches” models. Included will be worship services, information sharing, fellowship and communion. For further information contact Nadine Burton, Minister, New Church Leader Development at 800-274-1883, ext. 2519, or Molly Carlson, Program Manager, at 317-713-2523.

BRITE DIVINITY SCHOOL AND TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY INVEST WITH CHURCH EXTENSION FOR FIRST TIME
Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, have both recently invested for the first time with Church Extension, a financial ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Both organizations cited Church Extension's attractive rate of return and the opportunity to participate in its mission as their primary reasons for investing.

Carol Campbell, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Texas Christian University, comments, "Our primary responsibility is to look for the best return - so to be able to find that return and support Church Extension's mission at the same time is truly a win-win situation."

D. Newell Williams, President of Brite Divinity School, says, "Investing with Church Extension provides us the opportunity to receive a good rate of return while at the same time helping congregations get the space they need for growth." For more information visit: http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm.

$MARTCAMP RECEIVES FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Two grants have been awarded to the Church Finance Council to support its biennial $martcamp program. The grants will assist in providing scholarships for youth interested in attending $martcamp, which will be held in Indianapolis at Butler University in July of 2005. $martcamp is a two-week program for high school juniors and seniors that helps them link faith values with financial decisions. For further information on the recent grants go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0442.htm.

For more information on $martcamp go to: http://www.thesmartcamp.com/.

100th YEAR CELEBRATION OF ROANOKE CHURCH
Belmont Christian Church in Roanoke, Va., has observed its 100th anniversary throughout the year with a variety of activities. The theme for the anniversary has been "100 Years of Commitment-Forward with Faith" and each month the theme has been highlighted by a special observance.

A homecoming service on Oct. 10 capped off four days of activities, including two revival services, a catered meal attended by members and friends and a musical review featuring talent from within the congregation. Another interesting observance was Founders Day in March when members dressed in period clothes from each of the decades that Belmont has been in existence.

Rev. David Walton is the senior minister at Belmont.

FOURTH MONDAY CHAT LOOKS AT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Disciples Home Missions will sponsor its Fourth Monday chat with Kyle Harris, associate pastor, Woodmont Christian Church, Nashville, Tenn., and Janet Chapman, associate minister, Raymore Christian Church, Raymore, Mo., on Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. (Indianapolis time – EST). The topic this month is Christian Education. To enter the chat room, go to: http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/RESOURCES/chathelp.htm and follow the link to "Begin chatting."

Please note that this is a change in speakers from last week’s announcement.

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

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed weekly or as needed by Communication Ministries. For changes, additions or deletions to our distribution list, please contact news@cm.disciples.org.

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