August 12, 2005

Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has been in communication with interfaith partners from the Jewish community following the Disciples adoption of the "Breaking Down the Dividing Wall" resolution at the July 23-27 General Assembly. To read a release that summarizes the contents of a letter she sent to seven Jewish leaders and emphasizes the Disciples continued commitment to positive interfaith relations go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0551.htm.

The 2005 General Assembly Brings Thousands to Portland, Oregon

More than 5000 people participated in the 2005 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The July assembly at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon involved worship, praise, and outstanding mission work. A new General Minister and President was elected and major changes to the Design were approved. Resolutions on a number of issues were debated and approved during business portions of the assembly, including several on international issues, as well as a plan that will enable the continuation of healthcare coverage for ministers and other church employees. To read more about the Assembly go to: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0552.htm.

TCU's Brite Divinity School Announces $3 Million Gift for Building Campaign

Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, recently received the single largest gift provided by living donors in the seminary's history. The Harrison family of Texas pledged $3 million as the naming gift for the Building a Brite Future capital campaign, aimed at expanding academic facilities adjoining Robert Carr Chapel on the TCU campus. To date, Brite has received gifts of $9 million toward the campaign goal of $19.5 million. Read the full release at: http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2005/0550.htm.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles Names DHM Mission Center Agency of the Year

All Peoples Christian Center, a Disciples Home Missions (DHM) mission center, in Los Angeles, Calif., was named the 2005 Agency of the Year at the United Way's Celebration of Caring campaign closing event. All Peoples Christian Center provides comprehensive services that allow the entire family to take part in the various programs. Services include day care, a gang prevention program for middle school youth, an emergency food program, parenting classes, an after-school program for students in grades one through 12, and a program for retired senior citizens. In 2004, All Peoples served 8,671 individuals. Learn more about All Peoples at: http://www.allpeoplescc.org/.

Search Committee Named for National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries

A search committee has been named to select a nominee to serve as the next national pastor for Hispanic Ministries to replace Pablo Jimenez, who recently left to join the Christian Board of Publication as Senior Editor.

The committee chair will be Lyndon Rogers of Austin, Texas. Other committee members are: David Vargas, Indianapolis, Ind.; Xose Escamilla, San Diego, Calif.' Evangelina Perez, Miramar, Fla.; Raquel Garcia, Los Fresnos, Texas; Silvia Tiznado, Glendale, Ariz.; Timothy James, Indianapolis, Ind.; Gary Kidwell, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Jorge Cotto, Miami, Fla.

The Committee, with input from the whole church, will create a profile for the position that will be circulated throughout the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The committee will select the candidate and make the presentation to the Hispanic Caucus and Pastoral Commission for Hispanic Ministries. More details about the process, search, timeline, and posting of the position will follow in upcoming weeks. Lucas Torres, a retired Indianapolis Disciples pastor and a member of Iglesia Hermandad Cristiana, is serving as interim national pastor. To learn more about the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries go to: http://www.obrahispana.org/.

Week of Compassion Announces 2005 Year to Date Response Fund Figures

Thanks to donations from Disciples everywhere, Week of Compassion's (WOC) funding for the second quarter has surpassed that of last year. At the end of the second quarter Week of Compassion's annual giving was more than $1.9 million compared to over $1.7 million for the same time period in 2004. That's an increase of $147,222 or 8.39 percent. Designated giving was $2.1 million for the same period. Much of this money was in response to the Dec. 26 tsunami, however directed giving for Sudan continues to grow. The single largest line item is the Compassion Response Fund. This fund and special designated accounts enable WOC to respond promptly to emergencies, disasters and other humanitarian requests. Go to: http://www.weekofcompassion.org/ to learn more about Week of Compassion funding for humanitarian efforts.

Two Consultants Join Church Extension

Two part-time consultants have joined Church Extension's staff in order to help "build up" new and established congregations.

Beginning Sept. 1, Donggook "John" Roh, former officer in the Korean Disciples Convocation in the USA and Canada, and in the North America Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD) will assume the position of Korean Congregational Services Consultant. During the past year, Roh served as pastor of Yeunmoo Christian Church in Korea, where he was also the vice president and a professor at Choongnam College for Preschool Teachers. In his new position, Roh will consult with new and established congregations and pastors, assisting them with strategic planning, investment services and capital funding.

Earlier this year, Frantz LeBlanc began serving as Northeast Haitian New Church Consultant. LeBlanc is pastor of Restoration Christian Church in Philadelphia, Penn., runs a seminary and also offers counseling services. In his work with Church Extension, he supports some 45 new and established Haitian congregations and their pastors in four regions: Pennsylvania, Capital Area, Northeastern and Canada. Learn more about the consultants at: http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm.

Former Global Ministries Board Member Passes Away

Dorothy Gentry Kearney, lay minister and deacon at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C., passed July 27. Her funeral was held July 29 at Plymouth Congregational UCC. Kearney was a life long member of Plymouth Congregational UCC and was chairperson of the United Church Board for World Ministries. She had also served as a board member for Global Ministries, a common witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. She traveled the world viewing the church's work in international settings.

New Land Stewardship Resource Available for Churches

A new resource for study, worship and action on land stewardship is now available to churches and others interested in protecting and redeeming God's earth. Developed by the National Council of Churches' (NCC) Public Land Stewardship Initiative, a project of NCC's Eco-Justice Programs, "Rooted in God's Word and Lands" contains background information on land issues, sermon starters, a bulletin insert for a themed worship service, suggestions for adult and youth study activities, and ideas for personal and congregational action.

Copies of "Rooted in God's Word and Lands" can be obtained on NCC's Eco-Justice Programs' website at http://www.nccecojustice.org/ or by contacting Christine Hoekenga, the Public Lands Initiative Coordinator, choekenga@nccusa.org.

Disciples News Brief
by Kenethia Jackson