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The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: Remember! Celebrate! Act!

December/January: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the best-known Americans in history. He learned about racial discrimination first hand at a very early age, and consequently decided to make a difference in the lives of "his people." He was involved with numerous life-changing events, was influenced by many great minds and thinkers, and impacted the lives of many followers and colleagues. These experiences had a profound and lasting effect on his life and ministry.

Dr. King was a Baptist minister, scholar, trail blazer, civil/human rights advocate, and author. He made a connection between Christian faith and social justice.

The 2005 King holiday celebration, Jan. 17, 2005, is a day of community and humanitarian service across the country. Plan now to "help" somebody!

For further information or to order a "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Resource," please contact The Rev. Billye P. Bridges at (888) 346-2631, extension 2634 or William Culp at extension 2639.

Respond to the Call, Y'All

August/Stptember: The interfaith community of Huntsville, Alabama has already begun gathering for the September 11, 2004 "Respond to the Call" effort for unity, bridge-building and mission. This will mark the third year that the First Christian Church of Huntsville is participating in "Respond to the Call." Rev. Paul Koch, Senior Minister is anticipating a tremendous turnout from across the area. He says, "The first year, our 'Respond to the Call' probably sounded like a whisper with eight or so people

participating. The second year, a hiccup. But these were loud enough for others in the community to hear and say that they wanted to be involved in this wonderful opportunity for coming together."

The broad collegiality from the Huntsville Interfaith Mission Service, which includes people from the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Unitarian, Unity, Hindu and Ba'hai traditions, met early this year to begin planning. It was agreed that to have a beautiful harvest in September, the soil had to be tilled immediately, the seeds had to be sewn and the shoots watered and nourished.

Two preceding events were planned leading up to Sept. 11. On May 18, a public forum entitled "Becoming a Nation: the Birthing of Religious Freedom" was held to celebrate our nation's heritage as a multicultural and religiously inclusive society. John Ferguson from the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville spoke about the framers' true intentions of separation of church and state. "Benjamin Franklin" was on hand to entertain the crowd with his opinions of religious liberty in the 18th and 21st centuries.

The second in the series, a "Family Freedom Festival" took place on July 6 with intentions of a good 'ole Independence Day holiday picnic and community potluck. This was to be held at a public park in a diverse neighborhood with plenty of games, music and entertainment. A fast-moving thunderstorm scurried the crowd to a nearby restaurant where it became obvious that "God had a hand in the plan." The intimate setting brought in close confines a wide assortment of people, from Native American dancers in full dress, to a juggling mime in makeup — gay, straight, black, white, Christian, Muslim, Universalist — all shared in a special moment of prayer, song, presentation and dialogue. The Keynote speaker was the Rev. Jayna Powell, originator of "Respond to the Call" and Volunteers in Mission Project Coordinator with Disciples Home Missions.

In her keynote, she focused on the history of "Respond to the Call" and retold the story of one mother's cry for a day of service and building understanding between faiths and races as a response to her daughter's death on Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. Jayna told stories of Respond to the Call efforts from across the country for the past two years and lifted up Huntsville as a shining light, being "everything Respond to the Call was envisioned to be. If you are a person of faith", she declared, "you believe in a world of peace." The way to peace is knowledge and what better way to get to know someone than by spending a day cleaning up a community park or painting a house for someone in need? This year's theme of Bringing Teams, Building Dreams was unveiled and all were challenged to bring a team from their place of employment, faith institution, family, neighborhood, boy or girl scout troop to work side by side building dreams! All teams working together across the nation, will make a huge difference in our communities.

Rev. Powell used the opportunity to also speak with the Mission Team from First Christian Church in Huntsville to debrief youth and others who had just returned from a week's service of bridge-building at the Yakama Christian Center in Washington. A "Hands-On Mission Jubilee" followed at a special worship service.

Community response from the effort has been tremendous. Local TV news anchors conducted two interviews, along with a radio talk program devoting a segment; the newspaper ran a full front-page story with an above-the masthead headline. Rev. Frank Broyles of the Huntsville Interfaith Mission Service has seen the entire three-part community-wide Respond to the Call effort as an example of how one church's ministry can create a spark to light up an entire community's life. He looks forward to many other ways of bringing people of all faiths together, beginning in the hometown.

You can read more about Respond to the Call this year, or send us your plans for this year or stories from past years on our website: www.respondtothecall.org.

The Rev. Paul B. Loch Jr. is Senior Minister at First Christian Church in Huntsville, Ala.

Elders and Diacanote Training at Christmount

August/Stptember: Perhaps not since the first generation of Christianity has there been such a need for those drawn to the church, to be taught not only what ministry is, but what it means to be a faithful

Christian. An assumption the modern church can no longer make is that those who are members have grown up in the church, trained from childhood in the Bible and the mechanics of being a church member and Christian.

Walk into some Disciples churches these days and look at the bulletin for the name of the minister, and instead of "Rev. So-and-so," you see, "All Members of this Church," or something similar. There might be a "pastor" named, but the emphasis, more and more, is on what St. Paul called "the priesthood of all believers." The positions of both the elder and the diaconate are not seen so much as elected officers of the church; they are ministries to which laity are called.

In 1997, Christmount Christian Assembly, the conference center for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), began a joint program with Lexington Theological Seminary to help train elders and deacons for stronger, more committed and informed ministries. The Elders/Diaconate Workshop is held the first full weekend in March each year. The purpose is to offer elders and deacons a deeper look at the work they are called to do as well as to give them some specific tools for deepening their faith and their ministries.

Held Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, the workshop offers theological, biblical, historical, and spiritual studies led by a faculty member from LTS. These lectures challenge participants to think deeply and learn about a particular aspect of church leadership, including prayer, Bible study, the Disciples' understanding of lay leadership, church organization, the theology of lay ministry, and other general topics. Then, conferees choose two "skillshops," with topics as diverse as "The Spiritual Life of Deacons," "Working with the Discernment Process," "Visiting in Hospitals and Homes," "Christian Approaches to Conflict Resolution," "Creative Spirituality," "Praying in Public," "Reclaiming the Spiritual Work of the Diaconate," and "Choosing Devotional Material." Led by Disciples pastors, chaplains, regional staff, and others, these smaller groups, deal directly with particular issues of ministry.

Information on the 2005 Christmount/LTS Elders and Diaconate Workshop can be found at www.christmount.com.

Jamie Brame, Church Relations Director, Christmount Christian Assembly, member of First Christian Church, Black Mountain, N.C.

From Theme to a Reality

June/July:Faith in action implementing the 18th Biennial session of the National Convocation of the Christian Church will truly make our theme come true. "A NEW DAY. A NEW WAY. Equipping God's People to Lead", August 6 to 11, is this year's theme based on Isaiah 43:18-19. In these verses the prophet speaks for God and says, "Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

For many persons sharing in the National Convocation, this will be their first experience. The volunteers are many and from various churches in the city, demonstrating a fresh unity and fellowship that is already blessing our endeavor. To pray for the success of this event and to leave it in the hands of God is faith in action. I get anxious at times with some of the details. But every now and then I see something fall into place. I hear about another volunteer. I see more incoming registrations. I receive serendipitous cooperation. And the Praise goes on. God is doing a new thing as the National Convocation approaches and I get so excited. Our theme is coming true! And I pray that God is doing a new thing in you too!

Children Welcome! Past, Present and Future

June/July: Making children more a part of the present and future vision of this denomination is absolutely necessary to our continued life. By that I do not mean that we should use children to keep our churches alive. I mean we should focus on meeting the physical and spiritual needs of children, opening ourselves to receiving the ministry gifts of children, and taking time to be involved in mission and worship with children. Doing so will bring us all to a better understanding of what and who we are as the Body of Christ.

Children Welcome! Conferences are designed to deepen our biblical and theological understanding of ministry to and with children-children in our churches and children beyond our doorsteps. They are designed to help adults (lay and clergy) prepare themselves for receiving and appreciating the ministry gifts of children. They are designed to give people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds opportunities to worship together, do mission work together, and learn from each other.

In Matthew 18:5, Jesus told the Disciples that to welcome a child is to welcome him. In response to those who would keep children away from him, he said, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it (Mark 10:15, NVSV)." How can we expect to understand the meaning of these words if we keep children from significant involvement in the lives of our congregations? Children, all children need guidance, love and safe places to grow and play. They need beautiful places in which to explore their relationship with God. They need to hear the stories of God and God's people. And, they need to be valued for what they can and do contribute, as children.

Come to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia on September 30. Come ready to share your ideas and learn from others. You will discover new and exciting ways of welcoming children into your life, and letting children welcome you into a deeper understanding of God's realm.

The first Children Welcome! Conference was held in Indianapolis. This second one will be held in Roanoke, Virginia, September 30 to October 2, 2004. A third conference is being planned for the west coast area. These events are experiences you will not want to miss!

For registration information contact Kaye Edwards kedwards@dhm.disciples.org or Connie Metts (888)346-2631 in the Office of Family and Children's Ministries, DHM. Visit our Web site, www.childrenwelcome.org.

This Children Welcome! is being held at Belmont Christian Church, Roanoke, Va., September 30 to October 2, 2004.

Early Bird Registration Deadline July 1, 2004 www.childrenwelcome.org

UCC and Disciples Women Will Mix Music Together

June/July: "Dream On, Sisters!" is the theme for the 2006 Women's Event of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. The planning team of both UCC and Disciples women, is inviting songwriters and musicians from both churches to put this theme to music.

Release of a CD collection of selected original songs is slated for July 2005 at the General Synod and General Assembly when registration for the event officially opens. The 20-woman planning team, convened by Brenda Etheridge, Christian Church (DoC) from Michigan, and Linda Jaramillo, United Church of Christ from California, expects 5000 women to attend the Event in June 2006.

Names of songwriters must be submitted by June 1 to the 2006 Women's Event Office, 130 E. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46206. Email cgrant@dhm.disciples.org or phone (317) 713-2638. Coordinator for the event is Claudia Grant and Marcia Jewsbury is Associate Coordinator.

The Mix in '06 June 21-25, 2006, is a historic gathering in Indianapolis of the Disciples of Christ Quadrennial Assembly for Women and the United Church of Christ National Women's Event.

Claudia Grant is a member of University Park Christian Church, Indianapolis, Ind. She comes from Little Rock, Ark. Marcia Jewsbury is a member of First Christian Church in Kokomo, Ind. Marcia comes from Boone Grove, Ind.

Pray for Children

April/May: Light a Candle for Children is an advocacy and prayer vigil project that leads up to the observance of National Children's Sabbaths, October 15 - 17, 2004. The vigil begins on Sunday, September 5. To receive an information packet, contact Connie Metts: (888) 346-2631.

Closing Worship at Sessions 2004 to be at Cane Ridge

February/March: Attendees at Disciple Men's Sessions 2004 will have the rare privilege of celebrating closing worship at the historic Cane Ridge Meeting House. Built by a group of Kentucky's early settlers in 1791, it is believed to be the largest one-room log structure standing in North America. Cane Ridge served as the home congregation of Barton Warren Stone, one of the founders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and was the site of the great revival of August 1801. Sessions 2004 will run from Thursday July 15 through Sunday, July 18, 2004 at beautiful Midway College, Midway, Ky., near Lexington. Keynote speakers include Phillip Gulley, who has been described as Indiana's Garrison Keillor, Native American storyteller Ray Buckley, and Interim General Minister and President Chris Hobgood. Each day will include worship, community/fellowship, Bible study, recreation, personal reflection, education, entertainment, workshops, and a mission project.

The theme of Sessions 2004 is Running the Race based on Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Each day will have a separate sub-theme:

• Committing to Run: Exploring our own commitment to God and looking at where we are in our own faith journey;
• Preparing to Run: We will look at what it takes to prepare our bodies, minds, and souls after we commit ourselves to "Run the race of God;"
• Running the Race: How do we as Christian men run our race in today's world; what does it take to do God's work?
• Finishing the race: As a community of faith, and as individuals, we will gather together and look to the future.

At closing worship, there will be a remembrance of our church's "cloud of witnesses," with several "stump" sermons on the grounds followed by communion inside the Cane Ridge Meeting House.

Denomination-wide Conference on children to be held at Belmont Christian Church in Roanoke, Va.

February/March: September 30 to October 2, 2004 are the dates for the second denomination wide conference on children. The theme of this year's conference is Children Welcome! - Past, Present, Future. Registration is $125 and includes the Thursday night banquet, Friday evening hospitality time, and breakfasts and lunches on Friday and Saturday.

The Thursday night banquet speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon. Friday will be a day of exciting, innovative workshops. Saturday will be filled with opportunities for hands-on mission projects, fellowship, and a service of intergenerational/multicultural worship. The children's program will be a "Peace Camp" led by youth under the direction of Jim McGinnis of Parenting for Peace and Justice. Everything is being designed for you to duplicate in your own faith community.

For details, or to register for, Children Welcome! Past, Present, Future, go to www.childrenwelcome.org or call Connie Metts at (888) 346-2631, extension 2641

Gearing Up: 30th Annual Black Ministers Retreat

February/March: Sunny Florida, here we come! The 30th Annual Black Ministers Retreat will be in Silver Springs, Florida, March 1 to 4, 2004. The retreat will be held at The Christian Church Conference Center at 6455 East Highway 40. William C. Morrison Jr., Regional Minister, will host the event. Participants can stay at the conference center, or the Hilton-Ocala Hotel just minutes from the retreat center. Most travelers will fly into Orlando, and will be transported to the hotel and conference center. Guest speakers include W. Chris Hobgood, Interim General Minister and President and Timothy M. James, Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation.

This retreat is a time of worship, reflection, meditation and prayer for our African American pastors. The added advantage of sunny Florida will be the opportunities at Silver Springs and Ocala. Both are equipped for recreation and fine foods. Upon completion of the retreat many of the participants may choose to visit nearby Disney World.

The Planning Committee is looking forward to having this special event for our pastors as they renew themselves for ministry to their congregations and to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our goal is to minister to their spiritual needs. Cost of registration is $75 or $40 if you are retired or a seminarian. For lodging and other information contact Ana Contreras at (888) 346-2631, extension 2666 or see the details on our Web site at www.discipleshomemissions.org/BlackMinistry/retreat/.

What Is Sessions?

December/January: A SESSIONS to remember is coming July 15 to 18, 2004, to beautiful Midway College near Lexington, Ky. Disciples Men will gather on Thursday night July 15, 2004, to begin a journey together. As more than 500 men witness the opening ceremonial torch being brought into the main hall, each will have the opportunity to embrace his own personal sacred journey and how it relates to God.

Two well-known keynoters are expected. Phillip Gulley has been described as Indiana's Garrison Keillor. A graduate of Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Gulley is a pastor of a small Quaker meeting, speaker, and author of a series of novels about small town life in the fictional community of Harmony, Indiana. Published in 2003, Signs and Wonders is the fourth installment in the Harmony series and dispersed throughout are sentiments on family, acceptance and community.

A storyteller from a different tradition, Ray Buckley is a preacher, teacher, and director of Native American Communications for the United Methodist Church. The General Assembly 2001 speaker artfully weaves traditional Native American and personal stories of redemption and spirituality as he delivers powerful messages of his spiritual journey. Since childhood, Buckley has gathered and treasured Native American stories from his father and grandmother that speak to the sacred and spiritual aspects of life. He is author of a number of children's books, including God's Love is Like . . ., a collection of Jesus' parables retold as parents from different cultures might explain them to their children.

Highlights of the upcoming Sessions 2004

The theme of SESSIONS 2004 is "Running the Race," based on Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Each day will have separate sub-themes:

• Committing to Run: Exploring our own commitment to God and looking at where we are in our own faith journey;
• Preparing to Run: We will look at what it takes to prepare our body, minds, and souls after we commit ourselves to "Run the race of God;"
• Running the Race: How do we as Christian men run our race in today's world; what does it take to do God's work?
• Finishing the Race: As a community of faith and as individuals we will gather together and look to the future.

Built into each day will be worship, fellowship, Bible study, recreation, personal reflection, entertainment, workshops, and a mission project.

In planning stages are a golf tournament, 5k run, an Extreme event, and a mission project. There will be music, food, beautiful scenery, and time to reflect. We will remember our church's "cloud of witnesses" with a closing worship service at Cane Ridge where we will hear four or five "stump" sermons on the grounds. We will then have communion inside the meeting house of Cane Ridge, as we come to a close on Sunday noon.

Sessions 2004 is being planned to provide spiritual growth, build community, and invite God's presence. Come to Lexington, run your race and be a part of the cloud of witnesses of SESSIONS 2004. Registration is available online at www.homelandministries.org/Men. Registration forms are also available from the Office of Disciples Men.

Greg Hile, minister at Cottageway Christian Church, Sacramento, Calif., serves as a member of the General Conference of Disciples Men and a committee member for the Sessions 2004.

Quadrennial Assembly and National Women's Event Will Mix in '06 in Indianapolis

December/January: "We need to start planning ahead for the 'Mix,' " said a woman at the General Assembly to her friend. Disciples women for several decades have started early to save their money, recruit their friends and family, and dream of having a week every four years they knew for certain would be a lively, life-giving time.

The woman was referring to the 2006 Quadrennial Assembly which will be held for the first time with the National Women's Gathering of the United Church of Christ (UCC). After years of talking with our UCC sisters, the decision was made to combine our two great gatherings for a one-time historic combined assembly.

However, the event will be more than doing two meetings at one time. The planning committee consists of both UCC and Disciples women who are committed to making this a new experience for all the women of the church. It will allow both groups to mix-it-up. Brenda Ethridge, president of the International Christian Women's Fellowship, co-convenes the planning group with Linda Jaramillo of the United Church of Christ.

Quadrennial goers will be delighted to find UCC sisters who are invested in powerful worship and committed to caring for the world. Also, UCC women are eager to embrace the rich traditions of the "QA."

"We have a lot in common and a lot to learn from each other," said Adonna Bowman, Executive for Disciples Women. "The real payoff for this event will be when Disciples and UCC women find each other on a local and regional level and form new relationships to make plans to Mix in '06."

The gathering will be at the Indianapolis Convention Center June 21 to 25, 2006. The theme for the Mix is "Dream On, Sisters!"

Mission Projects Bring Meaning to Assembly!

August/September: Are you signed up yet? You can join hundreds in Charlotte, N.C., making a difference in the community. We'll work in the Latino community where a new church is already beginning to worship and work. Join this exciting ministry where you can:

• build shelters and bleachers for soccer fields;
• help "create" soccer fields;
• construct handicap ramps in homes;
• sort food at a local food bank;
• paint the Police Athletic League building;
• talk with young Hispanic kids about the Scouting program;
• spend time with forgotten elderly;

AND MORE!

Anyone can help! Any age, any skill level!

Pre-Assembly begins Wednesday night and you work Thursday and Friday (cost: only $35) Work during the Assembly is on Saturday or Monday afternoon. (Cost: $5 for lunch)

SIGN UP NOW! We need everyone pre-registered so we know how many projects we can complete. It's as easy as a click on the Internet: www.homelandministries.org/missions/vim or a toll-free phone call: Brenda at (888) 346-2631. Deadline to register is Sept. 1, 2003.

And if you can't work, sign up to give blood, the gift of life. OR buy a t-shirt to support Volunteers in Mission projects! You can be a part of making a difference in the world! Sign up today!

General Assembly AIDS Healing Service

August/September: The AIDS Ministry Network of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is happy to announce that Ellen Channels will be the featured speaker. This service will be held on Sunday October 19 at 8:30 a.m. Channels served for two years as a Global Mission Intern in Durban, South Africa. While in South Africa, she spent much of her time working with abandoned and traumatized children through the Christian Global Arts Network. All General Assembly attendees are invited to join this hour-long service of healing. An offering will be taken to benefit the work of the AIDS Ministry Network of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

If you have questions or want additional information, contact Kaye Edwards, kedwards@dhm.disciples.org or (434) 832-1119.

read previous events columns

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