Title: Correction: The Journey Now! 1999 General Assembly plans developing
Date: October 2, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
Correction: paragraph seven has been replace
98a-62
A renowned veteran of the civil rights struggle and former U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations will address "The Journey Now!", the 1999 General Assembly of the
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), Oct. 8-12, 1999.
The Rev. Andrew J. Young, Jr., an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, will
preach during the Cincinnati assembly's closing worship service on a day devoted to the
theme
"Unity in Community." Young also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and
as mayor of
Atlanta, Ga.
The Disciples General Assembly is devoted to strengthening congregations for mission and
ministry. This assembly's central theme, "The Journey Now!" draws on the rich
text of the fourth
chapter of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The church, Paul says, is made up of a
marvelous
assortment of people with a magnificent array of talents given "to equip the saints
for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) returns to Cincinnati 150 years after its first
assembly in the same city. The 1849 convention gathered on a site now occupied by the
Cincinnati public library. Events of "The Journey Now!" will include a parade
from that location to the Cincinnati Convention Center, site of the 1999 gathering.
Assembly organizers hope more than 8,000 Disciples will come together for the Cincinnati
assembly. One needn't be a voting representative to benefit from attending. The gathering
will
feature "MissionFest 99," the display and demonstration of congregations'
outreach ministry
successes. A wide variety of interest groups and forums will add to the ideas and
inspiration
attendees can take back to their home congregations.
Each day of the assembly will concentrate on a facet of strengthening congregational life.
Opening night, focusing on the church's roots, will feature the preaching of the Rev.
Michael Mooty, moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is expected to
reflect on the church's journey since its founding in 1832, through its first convention
in 1849, through all the triumphant and turbulent years leading to this final assembly of
the 20th century.
Saturday's focus on justice will include the celebration of the ministry of the Rev.
Feliberto Pereira. He is executive director of Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, which
provides relief and advocacy services to refugees, immigrants and other persons in need.
Pereira, pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Ebenezer, Los Fresnos, Texas, is especially sensitive
to the needs of refugees. A native of Cuba, he was persecuted severely for his faith in
early post-revolutionary Cuba.
Also on Saturday, a planned outdoor contemporary music concert will raise donations to
the
Disciples Volunteers in Mission project in Cincinnati during the assembly.
Sunday's focus on leadership will include assembly action on the re-election of General
Minister and President Richard L. Hamm. The assembly will take the decisive vote on the
renewal of Hamm's call for a second six-year term. A special recognition of leadership
from all expressions of the church will follow the re-election process.
The Rev. Michael Slaughter opens Monday, Oct. 11, a day devoted to the sub-theme
"Evangelism." The United Methodist minister from Tipp City, Ohio, is pastor of
Ginghamsburg
Church which has grown from 90 in worship to more than 2,700. He's a widely acclaimed
evangelism expert and author of the popular book Spiritual Entrepreneur.
Former associate regional pastor of Ohio and current pastor of Cleveland's Bethany
Christian Church, the Rev. Robin Hedgeman, will preach at Monday's evening worship.
Bethany is a growing congregation sharply focused on community mission and evangelism.
The General Assembly business sessions, fundamental to the Disciples biennial gathering,
will be designed as business items are submitted in 1999.
Disciples can support the 1999 General Assembly, even if they can't be there in person.
Anyone who registers as a non-attending supporter will receive, upon request, the assembly
business docket and the post-assembly newspaper. Non-attending supporters are asked to
read and discuss the assembly business, pray for those in attendance and are encouraged to
participate with a gift of $25.00 or more.
Registration information can be obtained by calling the General Assembly Office at
317-635-3113, 205.
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