July 21, 2010
In this issue: Church Extension president transitions into new role; transitional president named Hispanic Disciples meet in Orlando for 15th Biennial Assembly; approve resolution opposing Arizona immigration law Faith communities weigh in on FTC's review of children online privacy Candidates sought for next moderator team and General Nominating Committee North Carolina Disciple honored by new stamp for Negro League Players Chalice Press to join with New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good Former Montana regional minister D. Franklin Kohl dies Share 2010 connects student ministries across geographic, denominational lines National Convocation releases new book about Disciples history Disciples will serve as chaplains at Chautauqua Institution Eureka College placed on National Register of Historic Places N.Y. congregation extends 'lifeline' to those with addictions CHURCH EXTENSION PRESIDENT TRANSITIONS INTO NEW ROLE; TRANSITIONAL PRESIDENT NAMED James L. Powell, president of Church Extension of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will step down from that position on Aug. 1, and assume a new role as Senior Advisor for Advancement. Lori Adams, currently Church Extension's vice president for Missional Development and Operations, has been appointed transitional president until permanent leadership is determined. Powell has served as president of Church Extension since 1995. Prior to that he led the denomination's new church initiative and served as vice president for congregational services. As president, he has made major contributions to Church Extension's efforts to better serve the ever-changing face of the Christian Church. Powell will work as senior advisor until his official retirement on July 31, 2011. Church Extension is in a discernment process to determine the type of leadership needed for the emerging organization. When the search begins, an open Executive Search Process will be used. To learn more visit: www.disciples.org/Portals/0/PDF/DNS/2010/20100721-CELeadershipTransition.pdf HISPANIC DISCIPLES MEET IN ORLANDO FOR 15TH BIENNIAL ASSEMBLY; APPROVE RESOLUTION OPPOSING ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW More than 300 Hispanics from the United States and Canada met in Orlando, Fla. from July 8-11 for the 15th Hispanic and Bilingual Assembly. The important role of family was highlighted at the four-day event where worship, youth activities, and workshops looked at the impact of the family in strengthening church and community life. Representatives at the Assembly also approved an emergency resolution declaring Arizona's new immigration law unjust and asking the entire church to take a stand on the immigration issue. To read more about the Assembly, go to: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/666/Hispanic-Assembly-focuses-on-the-family.aspx FAITH COMMUNITIES WEIGH IN ON FTC'S REVIEW OF CHILDREN ONLINE PRIVACY Several faith communities, including Disciples, have urged the Federal Trade Commission to update and make the guidelines that regulate children's online privacy clearer. Family and Children's Ministries of Disciples Home Missions, the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops responded to the FTC's request for public comment on the agency's implementation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. In a June 30 letter to the FTC, the faith communities expressed gratitude that the commission has begun a comprehensive review of its children's privacy regulations. However, the faith groups cautioned that new emerging technologies, such as Internet-connected mobile phones, online games and data collection Web sites that specifically target children have increased the risks to children's privacy. To learn more, see: www.disciples.org/Portals/0/PDF/DNS/2010/20100721-COPPALetterfinal.pdf CANDIDATES SOUGHT FOR NEXT MODERATOR TEAM AND GENERAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE Qualified persons are being sought from across the life of the Church to serve on the moderator team and the General Nominating Committee (GNC) to the General Board. Brenda Etheridge, chair of the GNC, notes that each biennium, the GNC seeks nominations for persons to serve in these positions. The committee also hopes to develop a database of people with specific gifts and skills, which will be available to general ministries that are searching for qualified board members. The moderator team, which is comprised of a moderator, first vice moderator and second vice moderator, serves a two-year term. GNC members serve four-year terms, and have the responsibility of ensuring diverse leadership in the life of the Church. Nominations are being received through Oct. 1. https://secure.disciples.org/gncnominations/ NORTH CAROLINA DISCIPLE HONORED BY NEW STAMP FOR NEGRO LEAGUE PLAYERS A North Carolina Disciple is among a group of former Negro League baseball players, who helped celebrate the issuance of a commemorative United States postal stamp which honors the league. Carl Long, who played with the Black Barons of Kinston, N.C., was recognized with the dedication of a new stamp on July 2 in Washington, N.C., along with several other former athletes from the Negro League. Long is a member of Grove Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Kinston. Long is the father of Sotello V. Long, regional pastor of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in South Carolina. Sotello Long and his wife, Dee, congregational services consultant for Church Extension, were involved in the unveiling of the new stamp. In addition, "Carl Long's Day" was observed in Kinston on July 3 during the Kinston Indians baseball game. CHALICE PRESS TO JOIN WITH NEW EVANGELICAL PARTNERSHIP FOR THE COMMON GOOD Chalice Press has entered into a publishing collaboration with The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good (NEP). Through this cooperative effort, Chalice Press will publish print, digital, and multimedia resources that provide a "new evangelical" perspective on human rights, creation care, and other critical issues in order to "connect, inform, and mobilize people of faith." Chalice Press publishes content for people who want their Christian faith to matter, and who want to make a positive difference in the world. "This cooperative venture with NEP is a powerful extension of both our missions," said Chalice Press Publisher Cyrus N. White. "By collaborating with NEP, we look forward to adding the ideas of leading evangelical activists to the public conversation." NEP principals Richard Cizik, David P. Gushee, and Steven D. Martin will guide the selection of authors and projects offered under the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good series. For more, go to: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/665/Chalice-Press-to-Collaborate-with-The-New.aspx FORMER MONTANA REGIONAL MINISTER D. FRANKLIN KOHL DIES D. Franklin Kohl, former regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana, has died. Kohl passed away in Helena, Montana on July 6, after a short illness. He had been regional minister of Montana from 1967 to 1981, when he retired. Kohl also served congregations in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Montana. He was pastor of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Great Falls, Mont., from 1955 to 1966. Kohl earned Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity degrees at Drake University. He also attended Pacific School of Religion. Christianity, world peace and reconciliation were constant themes in Kohl's life. He also loved the outdoors and once toured England on a bicycle. Married for more than 70 years, he and his wife, LaVern, and their family frequently traveled to spots around the world including time spent exploring the wilderness of Glacier National Park. To read Kohl's obituary, visit: www.mtstandard.com/news/local/obituaries/article_ae194f30-8a3e-11df-8c62-001cc4c002e0.html SHARE 2010 CONNECTS STUDENT MINISTRIES ACROSS GEOGRAPHIC, DENOMINATIONAL LINES Share 2010, the national student ministry gathering of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, gathered more than 50 representatives of campus and student ministries from across the country on the campus of Texas Christian University June 28-July 2. Open to all college students and student ministers, the gathering was organized by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM), the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Texas Christian University, Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ, and the Student Ecumenical Partnership (STEP). Based on the word-of-mouth from participants, the gathering was a tremendous success. Learn more about Share 2010 at: www.helmdisciples.org/helm/10/Share2010.htm NATIONAL CONVOCATION RELEASES NEW BOOK ABOUT DISCIPLES HISTORY On the eve of the 21st Biennial Session of the National Convocation, the Convocation has released the new book Know Us Our Story Shall Be Continued: A History of Black Disciples in the Mid-Atlantic Eastern North Carolina and Virginia by Rev. J.O. Williams Sr. Know Us Our Story Shall Be Continued is a detailed study of the development and establishment of the Assembly Churches along the eastern seaboard. Williams has played a historic role in Disciples' history. He was the first African-American pastor to a white congregation in North Carolina and is the father of Second Vice Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Marilyn F. Williams. Each registrant to National Convocation's Biennial Session, which will take place July 29-Aug. 1 in Oklahoma City, will receive a copy of the book. To find out more about National Convocation, visit: www.disciples.org/convo DISCIPLES WILL SERVE AS CHAPLAINS AT CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION Two Disciples leaders will serve as weekly institutional chaplains at the Chautauqua Institution next month. Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary, will be chaplain during week eight, on Aug. 15. Jones is a prolific and popular scholar in the fields of theology, religion and gender studies. Cynthia L. Hale, founder and senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Decatur, Ga. will lead Week Nine, Aug. 22-27. Her church has been honored as one of 300 excellent Protestant congregations in the United States. In addition, Nathan Day Wilson, pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Shelbyville, Ind., will be chaplain at the Disciples of Christ House at Chautauqua for week three, where he also will teach three courses and serve as liturgist for the Department of Religion for one week. The Chautauqua Institution, located near Jamestown, N.Y., is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to life-long learning. For nine weeks each summer, the institution offers a blend of arts, programming and recreational activities. Its department of religion provides a wide variety of worship services and programs. To learn more, go to: www.ciweb.org EUREKA COLLEGE PLACED ON NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Eureka College has been designated as a Campus Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. The college was recognized for the unique architecture of its buildings, some of which date to the mid-1850s. Eureka College was founded in 1848 as Walnut Grove Academy by abolitionists who were members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The distinctive architectural buildings on Eureka's campus include Italianate, Romanesque revival, Colonial revival and collegiate gothic revival. Burrus Dickinson Hall, the college's oldest remaining building, was constructed in 1858. In addition, the distinction recognizes 156 years of graduating leaders who have had an impact on American education and history, most notably Ronald W. Reagan, the 40th United States president, graduated from the college in 1932. To learn more, go to: www.disciples.org/Portals/0/PDF/DNS/2010/20100721-EurekaNationalRegisterHistoricPlaces.pdf N.Y. CONGREGATION EXTENDS 'LIFELINE' TO THOSE WITH ADDICTIONS Park Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in New York City operates a unique ministry for those struggling with addictions of one sort or another. Meetings take place at the church on Sunday evenings for a program called "Lifeline: a God-centered Recovery Community." Lifeline is an effort to meet a significant ministry need in the community, according to Alvin O. Jackson, senior minister at Park Avenue Christian Church. "The focus of Lifeline is on spiritual practices that move us to health, healing and wholeness," said Jackson of the program that the church started about four months ago to minister to those with addictions. "About half of the population (of society) are folks struggling with some kind of addiction," he said. Find out more at www.lifelinenyc.org #### The next deadline to submit news for consideration in the Disciples News Service: Friday, August 6, 2010 Stay Connected: Facebook RSS Feeds Twitter YouTube Editor: Wanda Bryant Wills E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org For more information and news about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please visit our web site at www.disciples.org. If you are interested in submitting news for distribution in the Disciples News Service, please review our "Guidelines for Submitting News and Information to Disciples News Service": www.disciples.org/Default.aspx?tabid=79
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