Disciples News Briefs
August 12, 2010
Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
NAPAD CONVOCATION MEETS IN SEATTLE; FORMALIZES STEPS FOR SELF-DETERMINING MINISTRY
NAPAD leaders held their 16th biennial convocation in Seattle, Wash., Aug. 4-7, and took steps toward formalizing the ministry's role as a self-determining entity within the Church. Representatives at NAPAD unanimously approved new bylaws and elected a 14-person board of directors. The convocation actions follow a 2009 decision by the General Board to bring NAPAD more in alignment with the church's other racial/ethnic ministries.
"We are a people of diversity, said NAPAD Executive Pastor Geunhee Yu. "We fully embody the church's identity statement of being a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. We have now come of age as a ministry and believe we are best able to take care of our business as part of the whole church."
Read more about actions taken at the convocation at:
www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/679/NAPAD-meets-in-Seattle.aspx
DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR QUESTIONNAIRE ON GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT
Disciples have a few more days to take part in an online questionnaire that evaluates the ministry of General Minister and President Sharon Watkins and seeks information about the Church's hopes and goals for the next six years. The deadline for participating in this forum has been extended to midnight on Aug. 15. Participants are encouraged to complete the questionnaire online or handwritten. Mail written responses to: Review/Search and Call Committee; P.O. Box 162327, Memphis, Tenn., 38186-2327. To participate online, visit www.disciples.org and click on Review/Search and Call Committee.
During the 2010 General Board meeting in April, GMP Watkins outlined her desire to serve another six-year term. The new term would run from July 2011 to July 2017. The committee is looking for sincere responses to assist in its recommendation to the Administrative Committee, which meets in October. So far more than 500 responses have been received with more than the majority coming from the general church body. GMP Watkins would value immensely the input from those who have worked closely with her especially past moderators and general board members. Your gift of feedback will greatly serve GMP Watkins and the whole church during this time of discernment.
FIRST DISCIPLES YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER
How do young adults view church? Does it really matter to them? Is it relevant, and if so, to what degree? Do our churches' views on racism, sexism, sexuality, politics and culture still have relevance, or does the church need to revisit and renew these topics in order to relate to an ever-changing world?
All young adults are invited to come together and discuss such topics and more at the first Disciples Young Adult Conference this fall in Las Vegas, Nev. Sponsored by the Young Adult Commission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (YAC), the conference will take place Oct. 7-10 at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Las Vegas, Nev. Registration, which is now open, can be made early for savings. Visit www.docya.org and click on "conference" or email the YAC at docyoungadults@gmail.com for more information.
FLOOD DESTRUCTION DEVASTATES PARTS OF PAKISTAN
Monsoon-related floods have killed more than 1,100 people in Pakistan, where authorities are worried about the spread of waterborne diseases. At least 1.5 million people have been displaced and thousands more stranded. Housing, crops and livestock have been lost. People in general have little to eat and no means to earn money.
Week of Compassion, through Church World Service, is contributing to a flexible response that will adapt as needs emerge. Plans include providing emergency and food assistance, emergency shelter supplies and mobile health access. The latest natural disaster continues to test the resilience of the people in the country.
Donations for Pakistan Flood Relief are needed and welcomed, and may be made online or by check to WoC, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206. To read more go to:
www.weekofcompassion.org/updates/2010/8/10/resilience-tested-in-pakistan-grief-in-afghanistan.html
DISCIPLES COLLECTING BEANS AND RICE FOR HUNGRY IN NORTHERN MEXICO
The Tres Rios Area in the Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has initiated a drive to collect beans and rice for the hungry in the Juarez and Chihuahua/Copper Canyon region of Northern Mexico. Organizers of the food drive are hoping to collect thousands of pounds of rice and beans and donations that will be collected at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in El Paso, Texas. Beginning in November, the food will be delivered across the border by Julian Ibarra, pastor of Disciples of Christ churches in Juarez, Mexico and in El Paso.
There has been much violence and unrest in the region, resulting in an increased need for basic foodstuffs. Financial support as well as beans and rice may be sent to First Christian Church of El Paso, 901 Arizona Ave, El Paso, Texas, 79902, Attention: Senior Minister Leslie Dalstra. To learn more, see:
www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/678/Beans-and-Rice-Tres-Rios-Area.aspx
LIGHT A CANDLE PRAYER VIGIL AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCE OF CHILDREN'S SABBATHS APPROACHES
Materials can now be downloaded from the Disciples Home Missions website for the Light a Candle for Children - Forty Day Prayer Vigil, which begins Sunday, Sept. 5 and ends on Children's Sabbaths Weekend, Oct. 15-17. The prayer vigil, which started 16 years ago in a Disciples church in Kentucky, helps congregations focus on the needs of children and spiritually prepare for the annual observance of Children's Sabbaths.
"Blessed to be a blessing: Lifting up the Next Generation" is the theme of this year's Children's Sabbath. During the Oct. weekend, congregations are invited to pray, worship, study and be a blessing to all of God's children. The weekend will focus on lifting our nation's 14 million poor children out of poverty so they can fulfill their God-given potential. Materials from the Children's Defense Fund also are available for download from the DHM website. To learn more, go to:
www.discipleshomemissions.org/pages/FCM-LightACandle
DISCIPLES URGED TO WALK AND RUN IN BATTLE AGAINST AIDS
Disciples are being encouraged to support walks and runs to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and assist in the battle against the deadly disease. The walks and runs will take place across the U.S. and Canada in the coming months. Indianapolis will be the site of a 5K walk and 10K ride on Oct. 9. In addition the Indiana AIDS Fund will host a day of entertainment for all ages and a health fair on that date. Proceeds will provide financial assistance for food, clothing, medications, utilities and more. For more information, see: www.indianaaidswalk.org
In September, AIDS walks and runs will take place in Canada, Washington, Nebraska, Louisiana, New York, and Massachusetts, among other sites. In addition to Indianapolis, AIDS walks and runs in October, will occur in Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Virginia, as well as a number of other states. To find out about events happening in your area, visit:
gaytravel.about.com/od/partiesevents/qt/AIDS_Walk_Calendar.htm
RESEARCH ON PASTORAL EXCELLENCE TO BE UNVEILED
A Disciples minister will be among two persons presenting new research on ways to enhance the health, happiness and ministerial success for clergy and other church professionals at a November conference. Janet Maykus, an ordained Disciples minister, along with Bruce Roberts will discuss the potential that peer group collaboration has transforming participants' ministries and fostering congregational growth. "I was also surprised by the correlations between participation in clergy peer groups and congregational growth," said Maykus.
The research will be unveiled Nov. 2-4 at the Procter Center in London, Ohio, when Seabury Western and Bexley Hall seminaries sponsors Sustaining Excellence in Ministry: Accountability, Friendship and Hope in Peer Groups. The conference is a Lilly Endowment Sustaining Pastoral Excellent (SPE) project. "The findings of this massive study have extraordinary relevance for lifelong learning and the ongoing education of clergy and laity," said Robert Reber, dean and president of Bexley Hall Seminary. To learn more about the conference, see:
seabury.edu/enrichment/sustaining-excellence-in-ministry.html
BETHANY COLLEGE HELPS TO OPEN NEW COUNTRY MARKET
Bethany College is helping to usher in the local food movement in Bethany, W.Va. Vendors at Bethany's Open Air Country Market will sell produce from local farmers, backyard gardeners, handmade crafts, fresh-cut flowers and plants, recycled products, estate sale items and antiques. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the last Saturday of each month. All items available at the market have been grown or made within a 25-mile radius of Bethany.
"The Country Market idea represents an innovative way for a small town like Bethany to make the most of its resources, provide a valuable service to the community, and bring visitors to the town, said Kathy Furbee, director of the Bethany College social work program. "The social work program is proud to be an active participant in this venture." Bethany College is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more, see:
www.bethanywv.edu/about-bethany/news/bethany-open-air-country-market-scheduled-for-ju
THE EMERGING CHURCH, POSTMODERNISM AND THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY WILL BE EXAMINED AT OCTOBER CONFERENCE
A conference entitled, "Subverting the Norm: The Emerging Church, Postmodernism, and the Future of Christianity," will take place at Drury University on Oct. 15-16. Keynote presentations will be given by prominent theorists such as Peter Rollins, John Caputo, and Karen Ward. The conference offers pastors, scholars, and lay leaders an opportunity to engage in conversations on postmodern theology, emergence Christianity, transformative community, and the future of the church.
General registration for the two-day event is $20, although registration for students and faculty from any school is free. Drury University, in Springfield, Mo. is related by covenant to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more information, including a full list of presenters and a schedule of activities, please visit www.subvertingthenorm.com
The Disciples News Brief is distributed bi-weekly or as needed by Communication Ministries, Indianapolis, IN.
