Disciples News

From Disciples News Service - Dec. 11, 2008

In this issue:

• Mission Alignment Coordinating Council Meets In Fort Worth
• Church Leaders Call For Obama To Make Poverty And Peace A Priority
• New Church DVD On Disciples Identity And Beliefs Is Now Available
• Kansas Disciples Youth Get Surprise Lesson On Homelessness
• Religious Groups Ask President-Elect To Make Middle East Peace A Priority
• Disciples Can Attend Church Transformation Events In 2009
• Reconciliation Ministry Issues A Call For Sermons
• Eureka College To Host Visit Of Former Soviet President
• Former Florida Disciples Pastor And Community Leader Dies
• Christmount Initiative Will Use Donations For Relief Program
• Nominations Sought For Undergraduate And Ministry Fellowships
• Earl Lectures To Focus On 'Emerging Church'

MISSION ALIGNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL MEETS IN FORT WORTH

The Mission Alignment Coordinating Council (MACC) held its third meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, recently and reviewed feedback from several church groups. The 12-member council looked at information received from those attending the September Pastors' Conference, as well as from Obra Hispana, North American/Pacific Asian Disciples, the National Convocation and three other ministry groups, Church Extension, Disciples Home Missions, and Higher Education and Leadership Ministries. The MACC is working to develop a plan that is focused on three key outcomes: giving clarity about the General Board's responsibility for the mission of the Church, ensuring that congregations are resourced for mission, and moving closer to one church embracing diversity.

The MACC will hold its next meeting in January to summarize its work for presentation to the April 2009 General Board Meeting. To read a press release about the progress of MACC's work during its recent meeting, go to:
www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/151/Mission-Alignment-Coordinating-Council.aspx

CHURCH LEADERS CALL FOR OBAMA TO MAKE POVERTY AND PEACE A PRIORITY

General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins preached to a gathering of senior U.S. church leaders at a public ecumenical service in Washington, D.C. last week. Watkins sermon, "Glory to God, and Peace on Earth," was part of the United States Conference for the World Council of Churches, and was themed: "Making Peace: Claiming God's Promise." The ecumenical service took place at National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where Watkins was joined by several other Disciples clergy, including Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Stephen Gentle, Senior Pastor of National City Christian Church.

The faith leaders met in the nation's capital from Dec. 2-4. As part of their work, the group began drafting a message to President-elect Barack Obama expressing the hope that the incoming administration will quickly look at ways to reduce poverty, improve education, and look at issues such as Iraq and immigration. For more, see: www.ncccusa.org/news/081206usconfobama.html

NEW CHURCH DVD ON DISCIPLES IDENTITY AND BELIEFS IS NOW AVAILABLE

Communication Ministries has produced a new Church-wide DVD entitled "A Movement for Wholeness" that can be used in churches for new member orientation, discussion at men's or women's meetings or for general church use. The title of the video is taken from a portion of the Disciples' new identity statement, "We are Disciples of Christ, a Movement for Wholeness in a fragmented World."

The 9 minute 57-second DVD talks about the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and shows how Disciples strive daily for wholeness and unity through global mission work, new church development, transformation and other efforts. One copy of the video recently was sent to most congregations. Additional copies can be purchased for $10 each by contacting news@cm.disciples.org or by calling 317-713-2492. You may also view the video online at: www.disciples.org/Video/tabid/422/Default.aspx

KANSAS DISCIPLES YOUTH GET SURPRISE LESSON ON HOMELESSNESS

More than a half-dozen Disciples youths recently spent a cold Kansas night learning an unforgettable lesson about homelessness. Seven youths from First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Girard, Kan., went to their church on the evening of Nov. 15 for a sleep over. But what they got instead was a sleep out. Their pastor, Douglas Amend, informed the youth that they were locked out of the church and would be spending the night outdoors - in 20-degree temperatures!

The frigid experience was part of a church lesson on "Hungry for Jesus," which taught the young people about homelessness and hunger in the United States. The group was visited during the night by a police officer and church elders, who served them communion, told stories about homelessness and attended their needs. Their evening meal consisted of Vienna sausages and crackers. For more about their experience, see: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/148/Disciples-Youth-at-Kansas-Church.aspx

RELIGIOUS GROUPS ASK PRESIDENT-ELECT TO MAKE MIDDLE EAST PEACE A PRIORITY

Disciples have signed at least two letters from religious leaders asking President-elect Barack Obama to make peace in the Middle East a top priority. Religious leaders of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East sent a letter on behalf of Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders. The letter calls for urgent U.S. leadership in the Middle East that will bring about Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace. General Minister and President Sharon Watkins was one of several signatories to that letter. To read the letter, visit: www.nili-mideastpeace.org

A broad spectrum of American Christian leaders - from Catholic and Orthodox to mainline Protestant, Evangelical and historic African American churches and institutions also has made an appeal to President-elect Obama to place Israeli-Palestinian peace as an immediate priority during his first year in office. On Dec. 1, the group sent a letter to Obama as well as key members of his transition team. In that letter, the Christian leaders state that as people of faith and hope, they believe a peace agreement is possible in the Middle East. Global Ministries has posted the letter on its website. To learn more or to sign the letter, visit:
globalministries.org/news/mee/christians-call-for-holy-land.html

DISCIPLES CAN ATTEND CHURCH TRANSFORMATION EVENTS IN 2009

Transformation is the intentional spiritual journey that a congregation undertakes systemically to realize what God has called that congregation to be as church and to do in mission in today's world. There is still time for Disciples to participate in four God's Positioning Spirit (GPS) congregational transformation meetings in 2009. The GPS gatherings will take place in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Atlanta, Ga.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and St. Joseph, Mo., at various times from January to March.

Organizers of the meetings say a congregation's transformational journey is spiritual because transformation is the work of God. It is systemic because it is about everything a congregation is and does, not just one aspect of a church's program. It is connected denominationally and to the whole church. It is a strategic journey because it addresses change in an intentional process of action steps. Transformation is also a continuous process. To get more information or register online, go to www.discipleshomemissions.org and select on online registration.

Resources on congregational transformation are available as well. To order them, visit: www.discipleshomemissions.org or contact Lois Robinson at lrobinson@dhm.disciples.org.

RECONCILIATION MINISTRY ISSUES A CALL FOR SERMONS

There is a "movement" afoot within and without our Church that is propelling us toward unity and away from language and behavior that divides. Sunday, January 18, 2009 will be an historic worship opportunity in the life of our country and our Church. It is the eve of the celebration of a great American hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States. Reconciliation Ministry is seeking submissions of sermons, meditations and reflections that will be preached on this historic Sunday to be compiled later next year in a Churchwide resource for publication for congregational and small group study.

The goal of this resource is to serve as a tool for our congregations and communities to advance a conversation around reconciliation and racial justice. This resource is not meant to be a political commentary. It is intended to equip churches with models and ideas that acknowledge our divisive history while simultaneously uncovering new ways of living into our call to unity, reconciliation and an anti-racist identity. Forward submissions and/or questions to April Johnson, Minister of Reconciliation at ajohnson@ogmp.disciples.org. Submissions will be considered through Friday, January 30.

EUREKA COLLEGE TO HOST VISIT OF FORMER SOVIET PRESIDENT

Eureka College has announced that former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will visit the Illinois college this spring to help promote the school's new Ronald W. Reagan Society. Reagan, the 40th U.S. president and Eureka's most famous alumnus, was in the White House in 1987, when he called for Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall dividing East and West Germany.

Gorbachev will visit Eureka on March 27, when he will speak at a town-hall meeting with the campus community and have a private reception with Eureka's Ronald Reagan Fellows. The Ronald W. Reagan Society supports the transformation of people into leaders through the study of the best values, skills and principles of Ronald Reagan. To find out more, see: www.eureka.edu/news/releases/fall_0809/gorbachev.htm

FORMER FLORIDA DISCIPLES PASTOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER DIES

Disciples minister Robert P. Kelley of south Florida, who retired from the pulpit to become involved in public service, teaching and counseling, has died. He died unexpectedly Dec. 4 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., of pulmonary embolism, after a routine operation for a broken leg. He was 77. Kelley formerly served as a minister at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He had been chair of the Commission on Budget Evaluation in the 1970s and served more recently on the Division of Homeland Ministries and UCMS boards.

"Bob Kelley was an exceptional leader," said Ann Updegraff Spleth, vice president for external relations at Christian Theological Seminary. "He brought the issue of fiscal accountability to the fore of the church's consciousness through his leadership of the then Commission on Budget Evaluation (later the Commission on Finance) in the 1970s, and his leadership in DHM and UCMS in the 90s. ...His loss to the church, the community, and to countless individuals personally, including me, is incalculable." To find out more, see: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/149/Former-Disciples-Pastor-Dies.aspx

CHRISTMOUNT INITIATIVE WILL USE DONATIONS FOR RELIEF PROGRAM

Disciples who visit Christmount next year will have a chance to bring along items that will either help the medically underserved abroad or those who are hungry in this country. The Christmount Board of Directors has announced a new outreach initiative that will apply to Disciples who spend time in retreat or other activities at Christmount, the camp and conference center for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

For the overseas mission projects, Disciples are being asked to bring gauze pads, children medicines or tape to include in the International Medical Assistance (IMA) medicine boxes. The donated materials will be assembled during events at the center beginning in January. The items will be dedicated and sent to Week of Compassion's partner agency, IMA World Health for distribution.

Disciples also can participate in the outreach activities by bringing food for the local ecumenical crisis ministry, Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry. Christmount is located in Black Mountain, N.C. To find out more, see:
www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/150/Christmount-Begins-New-Outreach.aspx

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND MINISTRY FELLOWSHIPS

The Fund for Theological Education is asking college, university and seminary educators and clergy to nominate diverse students with leadership gifts for undergraduate and ministry fellowships. College educators and campus ministers are urged to nominate sophomores and juniors for $2,000 FTE undergraduate fellowships. Additionally, congregations may nominate young church members for Congregational Fellowships ranging between $2,000 and $5,000. Seminary deans or presidents may nominate first-year Master of Divinity students for $10,000 FTE Ministry Fellowships.

"Church and society are in need of capable, compassionate, young leaders who reflect the diversity of community and country," said FTE Director of Ministry Fellowships Ellen Echols Purdum. FTE provides more than $1.5 million annually in fellowships and support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. For more details, including nomination and application forms, see:
www.disciples.org/Portals/0/PDF/DNS/2008/20081211-FTERelease.pdf (PDF)

EARL LECTURES TO FOCUS ON 'EMERGING CHURCH'

The 108th Earl Lectures and Leadership Conference will take place at the Ecumenical Center of Berkeley, the former University Christian Church, Jan. 27-29 in Berkeley, Calif. The conference, entitled "Behold...a New Thing: Emerging Expressions of Faithfulness," will provide an opportunity to experience and reflect critically on new forms of spirituality and worship associated with the "emerging church." It will be held over three days of public lectures and workshops. The lectures are free and open to the public. For more information or to register, go to: www.psr.edu/earllectures, or call 510-849-8218 or 800-999-0528, ext. 8218.