ChristiaNet
Monthly Global News and Information of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches
from World Convention
ChristiaNet Number 10 - January 2004
To contact us, or discontinue, write to worldconv@aol.com - ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.
Our Prayers and Best Wishes
for you in this new year - a special year for your global church family.
Celebrating 200 Years!
Christian Churches/Churches of Christ/Disciples of Christ have a number of bicentennial celebrations in the early 21st Century but the signing of 'The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery' in the Cane Ridge Meeting House on June 28, 1804, is a key event. On this day our movement in the United States was effectively born. From this event in the USA and parallel developments in the United Kingdom a 'Restoration Movement' grew which has become a family of churches in no less than 167 countries today. During the weekend of June 26-28 there are specially planned bicentennial celebrations at Cane Ridge (near Paris, Kentucky, USA) - some in the original log meeting house. For information email canerdgmtg@aol.com General information on Cane Ridge: www.caneridge.org
Convention Year!
This year also sees the 16th gathering (the first in Washington, DC in 1930) of the World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ) in Brighton, England, July 28 (evening) - August 1 (noon). We had a flood of registrations at the end of the year. It is going to be an amazing gathering and we urge you to come if you possibly can. Fellowship, celebration, learning, equipping, inspiration and visioning. The pre-convention Leaders Forum on Wednesday 28th will be an outstanding time to find out what is happening in your global church family today and anticipate tomorrow. Contact World Convention for information about registration, travel, accommodation and tours.
Are We There Yet?
The latest issue of 'World Christian' (fourth quarter, 2004) has an eight page insert on the direction and shaping of our movement in its third century. Email us with your mailing address if you would like a complimentary copy.
'Celebrating 200 Years: From the Last Will to the First Encyclopedia'
This is the theme for the third annual 'Stone-Campbell Journal' Conference being hosted by Cincinnati Bible Seminary, March 26-27. The theme honours both the Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery and the June 2004 publication of the Encylopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement by Eerdmans Publishers. Two encyclopedia editors (Doug Foster, Abilene Christian University and Newell Williams, Brite Divinity School) will make presentations. Guest speaker is Randall Balmer of Barnard College. Register at stone-campbelljournal.com
European Midwinter Rally 2003
52 Christians (European nationals, missionaries, and American military) met in Hermeskeil, Germany from Dec. 27-31, 2003 for the European Midwinter Rally. The retreat is sponsored by Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Countries represented were Italy, France, Romania, Czech Republic, Poland, England, USA and Germany. The speaker was Greg Comp from First Christian Church in Brazil, Indiana. The Theme was: Building Up One Another. A joint Sunday morning service was held with the Christian Church (American Military) in Landstuhl, Germany. More information about the retreat can be found in German and English at: www.MidWinterRally.com The planning committee consists of Matt and Angie Crosser (Ancona, Italy), Stefan Duckeck (Peine Germany), Cherie and Scott Caulley (Tübingen, Germany), Brett and Heather Seybold (Peine, Germany), and Heather Casey (Ancona, Italy).
Catch the Vision
The 2000 congregations of The United Reformed Church (Churches of Christ - Congregational - Presbyterian) in the United Kingdom are discussing a vision statement which is part of 'a radical review in the United Reformed Church's life'. 'Listeners' will meet with a steering group to prepare a final version of the vision statement for consideration by the Assembly meeting in Wales at the beginning of July - not long before 'World Convention'. After Assembly strategies will be developed to implement the vision. (The URC is co-hosting World Convention with the Fellowship of Churches of Christ.)
17th President at Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia
Dr Patricia L Poteat became President of Bethany College, founded by Alexander Campbell in 1840, during 'Celebrate Bethany' weekend, October 24-28.
Support for Khayelihle Children's Village.
Women from our movement around the world have contributed US$74,513.26 for this home in Zimbabwe for children orphaned by AIDS. Huge progress is being made in this ministry. The current major need (so that more children can be added) is a school bus to take them to schools. It has been the World CWF project for 1996-2000 and 2000-2004. Recommendations for the 2004-2008 project are being received. Contact Muriel Garrow at mgarrow@fish.co.uk with questions.
World Convention updates
- The fourth quarter, 2003, issue of 'World Christian' has information about the World Youth Convention and special women's meetings at Brighton.
- Almost fifty national profiles of our movement have been written and can be seen on www.worldconvention.org
Items for prayer:
- The 14th All India Convention of Churches of Christ/Christian Churches at Kottayam, Kerala - January 29 - February 1. Theme: Christian Witness in a Corrupted World.
- The 94th national convention of the Churches of Christ in the Philippines, April 16-18 at Liliw, Laguna. The Liliw will also celebrate its centenary. Theme: One Soul, One World, One God. Alfredo M Polistico and Conrado I Montefalcon are Chairmen. www.94thcocnatlcon.cjb.net
- The Jamaican Churches of Christ/Christian Churches Youth Convention in Kingston on February 25th. The theme will be: Time to Take a Stand.
- Odessa Theological Seminary (Ukraine) and its new distance education project.
World Convention seeks to build up fellowship, understanding and common purpose within the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches, now serving and witnessing as part of Christ's church world wide, in at least 167 countries.
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'Be alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be brave and strong. Do all your work in the spirit of love.' (1 Cor 16: 13)