Disciples News Service: August 6, 2008

GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT WRITES PASTORAL LETTER ABOUT WAR IN IRAQ: General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins has written a pastoral letter to all Disciples congregations which acknowledges the pain caused by the five-year old war in Iraq. Watkins letter, which was sent to congregations last week, addresses the impact of the war on people from many walks of life, including service men and women, their families, military chaplains, peace advocates, and the Iraqi people. “During the next year, I am calling each of us to continue our prayers for those whose lives have been disrupted or lost, to continue our prayers for peace and understanding, and to continue to be engaged in meaningful dialogue that seeks first to understand those who differ from us, before we seek to be understood,” she states.Her letter is written as part of the GMP’s actions called for in General Assembly resolution 0728, “The Church’s Response to the War in Iraq, passed at the 2007 General Assembly. To read the full letter, go to: www.disciples.org/watkins/news/2008/08/05a.aspTo read General Assembly resolution 0728, visit: www.disciples.org/ga/resolutions/0728

ECUMENICAL STEWARDSHIP CENTER CONTINUES TO PROVIDE DISCIPLE CHURCHES WITH ANNUAL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: The Ecumenical Stewardship Center has long been the source of stewardship materials for Disciples. ESC is committed to providing materials that help congregations grow in their understanding of Christian stewardship. Congregations may order their 2008 theme materials, bulletin inserts, giving cards, and other supplies directly through the Ecumenical Stewardship Center at 1-800-835-5671 or visit their website www.stewardshipresources.org.The center also sponsors educational events designed to encourage the stewardship ministries of congregations, denominations, church-related institutions and organizations.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES FAITHFUL SERVANT AWARD: The Disciples of Christ Historical Society has named Timothy M. James as the recipient of the 2008 Faithful Servant Award. The award goes annually to individuals who have given an extra-measure of service to causes in the whole Church. James is associate general minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and administrative secretary of the National Convocation. The award was presented during the closing banquet of the 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation, which was held in Memphis, Tenn., July 25-28.James graduated from Culver-Stockton College in 1974, earned his master’s of divinity degree at Christian Theological Seminary in 1978, and his doctorate in ministry at United Theological Seminary in 1994. He also served as student pastor at Hill Street Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., and as pastor of Fifth Christian Church in Cleveland, Ohio, 1978-2003. He has been director of the Inner City Ministers Training Program, a lecturer at Cleveland State University, a member of the Commission on Ministry of the Christian Church in Ohio, and on the board of directors of the Cleveland Christian Home for Children. In addition, James served as president of the National Convocation and on the affirmative action committee of the National Benevolent Association. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08073.html

LATINO MINISTERS GATHER AT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Latino pastors and lay leaders from seven states recently attended a first-of-its kind Spanish summer school program at Christian Theological Seminary. The course, called Curso Teologico de Verano, was offered to help participants enhance the skills they need to better serve their local congregations. The curriculum included instruction in worship, pastoral care and Christian education.The weeklong class, which took place from July 28 to Aug. 1, was made up of 18 people. Christian Theological seminary plans to offer the course again next summer with a capacity to handle twice as many ministers. “Latino pastors do heroic ministry with few resources,” said Carol Johnston, the seminary’s director of lifelong theological education. “Anything we can do to help equip them for their ministries is valuable.” For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08074.html

PASTORS FROM AROUND THE U.S. AND CANADA SOON TO GATHER IN CHICAGO: More than 325 Disciples pastors from around the United States and Canada will soon gather in Chicago for the 2008 General Minister and President’s Pastor’s Conference. The Sept. 8-10 event has been organized around the theme: “Wholeness in a Fragmented World: Body, Mind and Spirit.”Those attending will have the opportunity to participate in a number of workshops or panel discussions on such topics as stewardship, worship planning, community involvement and ministering to the five generations of the church. Speakers will include Will Willimon, bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church and noted preacher Floyd Flake, pastor of Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Although registration is now closed, you can learn more about the conference by going to: www.disciples.org/watkins/pastorsconference

FAITH-BASED WORKSHOP ON OFFENDER RE-ENTRY WILL BE OFFERED IN SEPTEMBER: A one-day workshop on faith-based offender re-entry is being offered by the Missouri School of Religion and its ecumenical partners. The workshop is entitled “Opening Gates, Opening Hearts: Faithful Responses to Offender Re-entry,” and will be held Sept. 6 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Jefferson City, Mo. The gathering will focus on meeting the needs of Christ in the person of the ex-offender.Break-out sessions at the workshop will discuss how to help ex-offenders get attached to a local church, find Christian mentors, become employed and not return to prison. The program is sponsored by the Randolph County Ministerial Alliance in Moberly, Mo., the Christian Fellowship Church, Missouri Union Presbytery, and Diocese of Jefferson City, all in Jefferson City, and the Missouri School of Religion. Registration is $25 prior to Aug. 22 and $35 thereafter. To find out more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08075.pdf (PDF)

U.S. HOUSE PASSES BILL BACKED BY FAITH UNITED AGAINST TOBACCO: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a landmark tobacco regulation bill, which has been endorsed by more than 680 public health, medical, faith and other organizations, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The bill, H.R. 1108, would give the Food and Drug Administration significantly enhanced authority over the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it has at least 57 co-sponsors.In 2007, the General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 0726, “Faith United Against Tobacco Use.” The resolution called for increasing FDA jurisdiction over tobacco products, and urged regions and congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to strongly support state and local public health measures that would increase tobacco tax rates to fully fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs and prohibit smoking in public places. For more, see:www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/fda/index.shtml

YOUTH GROUPS ENCOURAGED TO BECOME INVOLVED IN GLOBAL MISSION: Disciples youth groups can help change the world and be inspired through global mission at the same time. Congregations are encouraged to urge their youth groups to become a Global Mission Youth Group. Global Mission Youth Groups pray regularly for partners, missionaries, and the world. The youth groups also educate their members about global issues, seek justice for the "least of these" in the international community, give to the work of global mission, send their members into the world to share the good news of Jesus, and grow in sharing the story of God's mission with others. Congregations may download a guide on the youth group process and create an action plan for the coming year at: www.globalministries.org/global-mission-youth

DISCIPLES PASTOR URGES UNITY AT WORLD CONVENTION: Disciples minister Cynthia Hale reminded those who attended the World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ – Disciples of Christ) meeting in Nashville, Tenn., last week that Jesus has given specific instructions about unity among his followers as described in John 17. His prayer in that passage is that His Disciples “may be one” as He and the Father are one. Hale preached to the opening gathering of the World Convention. She is founder and senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Decatur, Ga.The World Convention was held July 30-Aug. 3. Christians from churches related to the Stone-Campbell Movement from around the world attended the meeting at the Nashville Convention Center. The movement was launched by Barton W. Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell in the early 19th century.B. J. Mpofu of Zimbabwe was inducted as the new World Convention president during closing ceremonies on Aug. 3. For more about the World Convention, see: www.worldconvention.org or www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=13847

OKLAHOMA CHURCH SENDS BIBLES TO SOLDIERS OVERSEAS: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Jenks, Okla., is making a major effort to help provide Bibles to U.S. soldiers serving overseas. The congregation recently presented Mardel Christian Book Stores with a check for the cost of five cases containing a total of 160 Bibles. Each case cost $124.99 and contains 32 Bibles. The program, called “Operation Worship Bible” puts Bibles into the hands of soldiers who are stationed far away from family and friends.Members of the congregation will sign the bibles and write notes to the troops that will accompany the books. After those books are returned to Mardel, the Oklahoma City-based book chain will ship them to soldiers overseas at no charge to First Christian. In addition, each soldier who receives one of the Bibles can choose to have another Bible sent to a family member, without charge. To learn more about First Christian in Jenks, go to: www.fccjenksok.com

FORMER MISSIONARY TO OKINAWA, PARAGUAY, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL DIES: Former Disciples missionary Itoko Maeda has died. Maeda, 89, died in Indianapolis, where she resided on July 24. She served as a missionary in Okinawa, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil and also worked as Director of Interpretation with the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Maeda was the first missionary of Japanese descent sent as a missionary by the United Christian Missionary Society in 1956.Maeda was born in Tokyo, Japan on Sept. 4, 1918. She immigrated to the United States in 1953, became a naturalized citizen and began her career as a school teacher. She later received a call to become a Disciples missionary. Maeda provided spiritual guidance to Japanese who were residing temporarily and permanently in Indiana. To find out more about her, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08076.html

LYNCHBURG COLLEGE SETS UP NEW VETERANS AWARD: Lynchburg College has instituted a program to make it easier for eligible veterans to qualify for grant assistance. The new Veterans Award program was established by the school in response to the 21st Century GI Bill, which was signed into law by President Bush in June. The new law will enable Lynchburg to offer the eligible veterans a tuition free college education. Lynchburg College is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and located in Lynchburg, Va.The bill “represents the voices of our nation’s veterans’ service organizations who truly understand the costs of war,” said Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, one of the legislation’s strongest supporters. “These advocates have called for a ‘21st Century GI Bill’ that provides returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with benefits that respect their service and reward their sacrifice like the WW II veterans that came before them.” To get more about the college’s GI education program, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08077.html

FORMER PRESIDENT OF CHURCH WOMEN UNITED DIES IN DALLAS: Mary L. Rowand, a former Disciples minister and trustee at Texas Christian University and Brite Divinity School has died. Rowand, 89, died July 14 at a nursing home in Fort Worth, Texas. She had been married to the late Edward C. Rowand, who had been senior minister at Central Christian Church (Disciples Christ) in Dallas, Texas. The couple moved to Texas in 1953, where Edward Rowand served as minister at Central Christian.The Rowands began leading tours of Christian sites in the Middle East in the late 1950s. They later led similar tours in Europe. Mary Rowand became international president of Church Women United, which gave her the opportunity to travel around the world. For more, see: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2008/08078.html

####Editor: Wanda Bryant Wills
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org