Disciples News

From Disciples News Service - Oct. 9, 2008

In this issue:

• GMP Issues Pastoral Letter To The Church During This Period Of Economic Uncertainty
• Disciples Home Missions Names New President
• Economic Stabilization Act Includes IRA Charitable Distribution Provision
• Pastors' Conference Brings Together Disciples For Networking And Fellowship
• Connecting Threads Documentary To Air On NBC-TV Stations
• National Convocation Draws Hundreds To Memphis
• Disciples Kentucky Minister And Former Missionary Dies
• Bethany College's New President Seeks To Build Alliances
• HELM's Autumn Newsletter Features Article On Disciples Leadership Institute
• Concert To Commemorate Music Of 20th Century Composer
• Disciples Care Network 2009 Annual Meeting To Be In January

GMP ISSUES PASTORAL LETTER TO THE CHURCH DURING THIS PERIOD OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins has issued a pastoral letter that asks Disciples to remain faithful during the tough economic times facing our country and many parts of the world. Watkins also encourages Disciples to be in a time of prayer for those who are most adversely affected by the downturn in financial markets and find ways to reach out to our neighbors.

In the letter, Watkins shares comments from the presidents of the Church's three financial ministries: Pension Fund, Christian Church Foundation and Church Extension. She also states that Christians should "refocus on our calling to be stewards of the financial and spiritual gifts God has given to us. It is time to model faithful dependence upon the God of abundance." To read the letter, go to: www.disciples.org/Default.aspx?TabID=396

DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

Ron Degges, senior pastor of the Little White Chapel Christian Church in Burbank, Calif., has been called to serve as the new president of Disciples Home Missions. Degges also has been pastor of churches in Virginia, Delaware, Iowa and Maryland.

An ordained Disciples minister, Degges graduated from Carson-Newman College and received his master's degree from Yale Divinity School. He will succeed Don Shelton, former regional minister of the Pacific Southwest, who has served since January as the DHM interim president. "Ron has always been involved in ecumenical and interfaith communities," said Shelton. "He brings a rich diversity of ministry to Disciples Home Missions." To read more about Degges, go to: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/85/Disciples-Home-Missions-Names-New-President.aspx

ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT INCLUDES IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION PROVISION

President Bush has signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which extends for 2008 and 2009 an expired provision permitting IRA owners, age 70½ and older, to make distributions to qualified charities of up to $100,000 per year (Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008, H.R. 1424).

Ruth Weaver, Christian Church Foundation's senior vice president, said this two-year provision can help donors with small IRAs who don't want to bother with them, or donors who already receive the maximum charitable tax deductions yet still want to be more philanthropic. She also said congregations could benefit from the IRA charitable giving provision, especially in cases where a donor would like to make a gift to a capital campaign. No income tax deductions are available for IRA "qualified charitable distributions," but donors may save taxes anyway, where gifts take the place of required minimum distributions (which otherwise are 100 percent taxable). To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/ccf/news/irarollover.asp

PASTORS' CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER DISCIPLES FOR NETWORKING AND FELLOWSHIP

Nearly 350 Disciples pastors met in the Chicago area recently for three days of conversation, inspiration and learning. The conference was coordinated by the Office of General Minister and President and featured well-known preachers, panel discussions, workshops and conversations about the future of the Church.

"We are pleased with the response of so many pastors choosing to attend the conference," said General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins. "It is important to have occasions such as this when clergy can support each other and find time for rest and renewal." To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/84/Pastors-Conference-Allows-Disciples-Pastors.aspx

CONNECTING THREADS DOCUMENTARY TO AIR ON NBC-TV STATIONS

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the United Church of Christ, through Global Ministries, have produced a video documentary about ordinary folks sharing their time and talents to work with people around the world. The documentary, called "Connecting Threads," began showing on NBC stations across the U.S. on Oct. 5. It introduces its audience to people in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and Europe.

The documentary is a one-hour edited version of the "Connecting Threads" DVD series. It is available to NBC affiliates for a 30 to 60 day period for broadcast on their stations. If the video is not showing in your area, you are encouraged to contact your local NBC-TV station to ask about air dates. To find a list of all the NBC stations, along with their email address and phone numbers of the program managers, go to: www.ucc.org/connecting-threads

NATIONAL CONVOCATION DRAWS HUNDREDS TO MEMPHIS

African-American Disciples celebrated their achievements and discussed their challenges during the 20th biennial session of the National Convocation, held July 25-28 in Memphis, Tenn. The event attracted more than 600 Disciples from across the United States. Attendees participated in worship, business, panel discussions, and a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. Activities also were held for children, youth and young adults.

New officers were elected for the 2008-2010 biennium, as well as four new board members. To read more, go to:
www.disciples.org/default.aspx?tabid=58&itemid=83

DISCIPLES KENTUCKY MINISTER AND FORMER MISSIONARY DIES

A Kentucky Disciples minister known widely for her social work and leadership accomplishments has died. Nina J. Poage, 72, senior minister of Mount Zion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Richmond, Ky., died Sept. 22 at her home in Richmond of complications from leukemia. Poage was city manager of Richmond from 1986 to 1990.

Dedicating her life in service to others, Poage served as a missionary in Jamaica with Disciples of Christ Overseas Ministries. She helped organize MATCH, Inc., an Appalachian federation of more than 5,000 crafters in seven states, was a regional volunteer for the Kentucky Ecumenical Employment Project, and oversaw downtown revitalization in Barbourville, Ky. She is survived by her husband and Disciples minister, Bennett D. Poage, two daughters and a grandson. For more about her, go to:
www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/82/Former-Kentucky-Disciple-Who-Dedicated.aspx

BETHANY COLLEGE'S NEW PRESIDENT SEEKS TO BUILD ALLIANCES

With a colorful, vibrant backdrop, Bethany College held installation ceremonies for its 19th president Oct. 3. Scott D. Miller, 49, the college's new president, said he plans to form synergistic partnerships with other public and private institutions, which would allow broader opportunities for students, faculty and the communities they serve. Miller moves to Bethany from Wesley College in Delaware, where he served as president from 1997 to 2007.

Bethany College is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Bethany, W.Va. To find out more, visit:
www.bethanywv.edu/about-bethany/news/dr-scott-d-miller-installed-as-19th-bethany-pres

HELM'S AUTUMN NEWSLETTER FEATURES ARTICLE ON DISCIPLES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

The autumn edition of "Tomorrow's Leaders Today," the newsletter of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries, is now online at www.helmdisciples.org/helm/08/TLT-September08.pdf (PDF). Articles include: "Disciples Leadership Institute goes in search of "the truth"; Ministerial Student Grants open doors for learning; Where did HELM go on our summer trips?; Lost and found: Campus ministry count up 69% and counting; Five doctoral students share HELM's post-graduate scholarships; Church-college relationship focus of new panel and news from Disciples higher education institutions.

Tomorrow's Leaders Today is produced by Higher Education & Leadership Ministries. HELM, which is dedicated to the nurturing of higher education institutions, is affiliated with 17 universities and colleges and 10 theological institutions. To learn more about HELM, visit: http://www.helmdisciples.org/

CONCERT TO COMMEMORATE MUSIC OF 20TH CENTURY COMPOSER

The Sanctuary Choir of the National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington D.C., and the Thomas Circle Singers will present a choral concert Oct. 26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The concert is entitled "O Clap Your Hands: Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and His Circle," and will be held at Thomas Circle Church.

Williams (1872-1958) was an English composer of symphonies, opera, chamber music, choral music and film scores. For more information, see:
www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/81/Choral-Concert-At-Thomas-Circle-Church.aspx

DISCIPLES CARE NETWORK 2009 ANNUAL MEETING TO BE IN JANUARY

Disciples Care Network is accepting registrations for its 2009 Annual Meeting, which will take place Jan. 25-26 in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting is entitled "Leadership Succession: Are You Ready?" and will feature Ray A. McLeod, vice president of client services and communications at the Center for Non-profit Management in Dallas, Texas. McLeod is an expert in executive transition management and succession planning.

Those who attend the meeting will have an opportunity to learn and prepare for planned and unplanned departures, ways to communicate with key stakeholders through the process and the role a governing board plays in the transition process. For more, go to: www.disciplescarenetwork.org/PDF/DCNAnnualMeeting0901.pdf