wfn.org | Disciples News Brief Date: May 20, 2004

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Disciples News Brief Date: May 20, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Phone: 317-713-2492
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING SUPPORTS NEW CHURCH PLANTER TRAINING
"The New Church Planter Training Program was incredible. I feel blessed
to be a part of such an innovative church. It is obvious to me that we
Disciples are committed to growth and that we are passionate about
sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the world," comments Amy Piatt, a
new church planter in Fort Worth, Texas. Funds raised through the
Pentecost Special Offering will help train more than 120 new church
planters and core team members this year.

Your gifts to the Pentecost Special Offering aid new congregations by
providing them with training, coaching, project funding, congregational
materials, and extensive assistance. The Pentecost Special Offering,
part of the Disciples Mission Fund, is collected and distributed through
the Church Finance Council. The offering will be received May 23 and
30.

If your church has not yet ordered the "Lift Your Spirit!" Celebration
Packet, it's not too late!  Call (317) 713-2440 or email
customerservice@cfc.disciples.org today!

DISCIPLES HOME MISSIONS TO HOST FOURTH MONDAY CHATS
DHM is hosting the following online chats: May 24, 11 a.m.: Answers to
your congregational Web site questions (DHM staff Angela Herrmann,
director of Web site development) and June 28, 11 a.m.: The Five
Covenantal Values of the Disciples of Christ (Chris Hobgood, Disciples
General Minister and President). For more information, visit the DHM
website at: http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/RESOURCES/chathelp.htm

COMMON GLOBAL MINISTRIES BOARD MAKES DECISIONS ABOUT 'CRITICAL
PRESENCE'
Global Ministries held its board meeting in Indianapolis, April 14-16,
2004. At this meeting the board reflected upon the meaning of "critical
presence" and appointed 7 missionaries to service. The discrete board
for the Disciples' Division of Overseas Ministries (DOM) named Bill
Nottingham President Emeritus for DOM, named Julia Brown Karimu Vice
President for DOM, and set up a special fund in honor of former DOM
President Patricia Tucker. Go to Global Ministries website for more:
http://www.globalministries.org/news/news051404.htm

READ DISCIPLES CAMPUS NEWS FROM DHE
The Division of Higher Education provides news regarding Disciples
colleges, universities and seminaries. Among this weeks news includes: a
new chaplain named at Culver-Stockton, an interim president named at
Bethany and the announcement of new DHE Leadership Fellows. Visit DHE
website at: http://www.dhedisciples.org/dhe/04/052104.html for these and
other stories.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE NAPAD CONVOCATION
Join Asian Disciples July 28 to 31, 2004, at the University of Chicago
Disciples Divinity House and University Christian Church in Chicago.
This year's theme is "Living as God's Peacemakers." For more
information, visit http://www.napad.net/

CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS SUPPORT CLIMATE STEWARDSHIP ACT
Please join clergy and religious leaders as they support the Climate
Stewardship Act, tentatively scheduled for vote in the US Senate in
early June. This important and historic bipartisan legislation is a
great first step in climate stewardship. For more information from the
National Council of Churches or to view the sign on letter or submit
your name, visit http://www.nccecojustice.org or contact Cassandra
Carmichael, cassandra@toad.net, 202-544-2350 ext. 27.

About the Climate Stewardship Act: Protecting our climate is a
religious duty because it embraces everything and everyone on Earth. The
Climate Stewardship Act calls for domestic, mandatory, and economywide
reductions in emissions of heat-trapping gases to 2000 levels by the
year 2010. This historic bill creates a market-based system of tradable
allowances to achieve this reduction and takes the first steps toward
limiting heat-trapping gas emissions that are contributing to global
warming. The Climate Stewardship Act helps us work towards justice for
all of God's creation including future generations.
For more information: Resources for the Future CSA summary:
http://www.rff.org/rff/News/Features/Understanding-the-McCain-Lieberman-Stewa
rdship-Act.cfm;

Union of Concerned Scientist's summary
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/global_warming/page.cfm?pageID=1237

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed each Thursday or as needed by
Communication Ministries. For changes, additions or deletions to our
distribution list, please contact news@cm.disciples.org

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