Your UCC and Disciples Global Ministries Update - July 24, 2008

Disciples and UCC: together in God’s global mission - Visit us at: http://www.globalministries.org/


Please download the MONTHLY MISSION STORY for your church bulletin or newsletter:
July 2008: pdf or text only or espanol
August 2008: pdf or text only

To download the WEEKLY PRAYER for Sunday worship, click here: Paraguay

Recently changed your address? Please contact Marcia Harris at 317-713-2575 or mharris@dom.disciples.org to update your contact information. Don’t forget to tell us if the church has gone to a post office box.

Come to ¡Missionworks! / MMI in Cleveland October 2-5, 2008 for an inspiring and uplifting time! Disciples and UCC laity and clergy will meet to celebrate God’s mission and to be encouraged and strengthened for ministry. Click here for more information and registration material:
http://www.globalministries.org/calendar/missionworks.html .


Africa Office Executive Reports on Zimbabwe Summit
Sandra Gourdet traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa and gathered with church leaders from around the globe from July 14-17, 2008 around the theme "Overcoming Fear by Faith: Churches in Solidarity with Zimbabwe". The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, the South African Council of Churches, and the Council on World Mission hosted more than 70 Christian participants to discern ways in which one can demonstrate practical solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Zimbabwe. Participants saw tangible evidence of state sponsored violence and intimidation against the people of Zimbabwe before, during and after the March and June elections, yet worked to ensure that they maintained an open ear and heart to the cries of the people. To read Sandra’s full report and the statement made to President Thabo Mbeki, the African Union mediator between the two parties in Zimbabwe, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/africa/zimbabwe-summit.html .

Global Mission Youth Group Resource Now Available
Your youth group can help change the world and be inspired through global mission! Global Ministries would like to accompany you on the journey of being a Global Mission Youth Group. A Global Mission Youth Group PRAYS regularly for partners, missionaries, and the world; EDUCATES members about global issues; SEEKS JUSTICE for the "least of these" in the international community; RECEIVES the gifts of the global church; GIVES to the work of global mission; SENDS its members into the world to share the Good News of Jesus; and GROWS in sharing the story of God's mission with others. To download the Be A Global Mission Youth Group guide that will help your youth group create an action plan for the coming year, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/global-mission-youth/ .

Middle East & North Africa Council Will Forge Just Peace
Leaders from Religions for Peace, the largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, forged a consensus to build peace in the region and launched the Middle East and North Africa Religions for Peace. With representatives from more than 20 countries in the region, the Council will engage in a number of activities aiming at greater understanding between religions and communities. The participants agreed to give priority to building inter-religious platforms in the region by reinforcing the efforts of the inter-faith initiatives that already exist in the Middle East. To read more about the Middle East and North Africa Religions for Peace, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/mee/religious-leaders-of.html .

Young Adults Participate in a WCC Interfaith Summer Seminar
Muslim, Jewish, and Christian young adults from around the world are exploring the question: "How can we affirm our religious identities not in separation or against each other but in relation to one another?" at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland from July 7 to 31, 2008. Their experience of living under the same roof, sharing meals and prayers, and sports and recreation is enriched by lectures offered by specialists from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities. The month long program "Building an Interfaith Community" prepares future leaders of churches, other faith communities, and the society-at-large for the challenges of living peacefully in a world of religious plurality. To read more about the Interfaith Summer Seminar, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/mee/young-muslims-jews-and.html .

Rev. Crabtree Reflects on Her Pilgrimage to Colombia
Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, Conference Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC, shares a reflection from a recent trip to Colombia. The group Rev. Crabtree traveled with met with families who fled from their homes on June 23rd, the third time they have been displaced since 1996. There are close to 4 million Colombians living in displacement, on the mountain hillsides outside cities in "zones of despair;" yet, they are resilient and full of faith. They find hope in the work of Global Ministries partners, Justapaz and Sembrandopaz, who have worked to acquire land to resettle families on farms and are documenting the human rights violations. To read Davida’s complete story, as well as her prayers for Colombia, visit:
http://www.globalministries.org/lac/missionaries/displaced-in-colombia.html .


If someone forwarded this e-mail to you and you would like to receive directly to your inbox these weekly Global Ministries updates, please send your name, e-mail address, physical address, phone number, and home church to: bshebeck@dom.disciples.org

Please contact us, if you want any further information:

For Disciples: For the UCC:
Bob Shebeck Jan Aerie
bshebeck@dom.disciples.org aeriej@ucc.org
317-713-2571 216-736-3204