'ChristiaNet'

Monthly Global News and Information for members and friends of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches around the world from 'World Convention’

Number 33 – December 2005
To contact us, or discontinue, write only to worldconv@aol.com 
ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.

 

This holiday season the World Convention staff and volunteers extend to you warmest Christmas wishes as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We join with that great company of heavenly host who proclaimed on that first Christmas:

 

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace to men

On whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:14

 

Merry Christmas from Jeff and Rosemary Weston, Julia Keith and family, Clinton J. Holloway and family, Judy and Everett Davis and Ed Dodds.

Your World Convention Staff and Volunteers 

 

Church Registration Approved in Kenya

For several years the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in Kenya have been working toward registration and thus legal status in Kenya. Recently it was announced by the Kenyan Registrar of Societies that the registration has been approved and the certificate issued. The new name of the national church is Community Christian Church. This name was selected because several other names previously submitted were rejected. James Sinkua is the Interim Chairman. As a result of this new registration there was much joy among the Maasai and Turkana villages. Plans are underway to call together the first national meeting of the CCC to formalize details, select national officers and finalize the constitution.     

 

Plans Underway for Turkish Study Bible

Among Turkey’s 70 million people there are an estimated 7,000 evangelical Christians. Turkey was once a major force in world evangelism-the Apostle Paul’s birth country and the place where disciples were first called Christians-is now more than 99% Muslim.  Turkish World Outreach is serving as the U.S. agent for the Translation Trust to generate funds to produce a non-sectarian Turkish Study Bible. For more information contact Turkish World Outreach at 508 Fruitvale Court, Grand Junction, CO (USA) 81504 or by telephone at (970) 434-1942 and via email at two@onlinecol.com.

 

News Briefs:

·         Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tennessee, where World Convention President, Bob Wetzel, serves as President, is celebrating her 40th anniversary with the 2005-06 school year. For events see www.esr.edu.   

·         Congratulations to Leroy Garrett, friend and partner in the ministry of bringing together the body of Christ, on reaching the milestone of his 87th birthday and the publication of his 100th online essay. To see the archive of Leroy’s essays go to www.leroygarrett.org.

·         Visit Disciples News Service at www.disciples.org to view an Advent Greeting from General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Sharon E. Watkins. 

·         World Convention in the news: in the last several weeks World Convention has received some “good press.” Recent articles in the Christian Standard and the online newsletter of the Fellowship of British Churches of Christ highlighted the 75th Anniversary of World Convention.  A recent article in the New Yorker magazine profiled a day in the life of former U.S. President and noted member of the Movement, Lyndon Baines Johnson. On the 1965 date profiled President Johnson was presented with the World Convention Citation that had been awarded to him at the Puerto Rico Convention.    

 

Our Condolences on the Passing of Christian Friends

Ron Bartlett, step-father of former Associate General Secretary of World Convention Lorraine Jacobs, age 92, passed away in New Zealand on November 25 after a lifetime of involvement in the Movement. Ron attended World Conventions in Jamaica (1984) and Auckland (1988). He leaves a large extended family.

Hilary Gunn died suddenly and unexpectedly at his centuries old home in Felmersham, England of a heart attack on November 16. Hilary was the Personnel Officer of the United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom. In this capacity he gave great assistance in preparations for the 2004 Convention in Brighton. Hilary retired on the final day of the 2004 Convention. In the passing of Hilary World Convention has lost a dear friend and valuable ally. He is survived by wife Gina and adult sons Edd and Alex.

John Mark Pemberton, lifelong missionary in the Mashoko/Hippo Valley mission in Zimbabwe died of a massive heart attack on November 21 while flying from Portland, Oregon to Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States. He leaves many in Zimbabwe and the United States who mourn his passing. See the Zimbabwe profile o the World Convention website for more information on Pemberton’s ministry.       

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

The World Convention is considering an invitation to take a team to visit Zimbabwe in 2006. This would not be a tour! The team would visit a number of Churches and institutions offering encouragement to leaders and churches. Living conditions may be demanding at times and team members will be expected to share in teaching and preaching. We would like to have a team that has representatives from all parts of the movement. Numbers will be limited. If you would be interested and like more information please email Jeff Weston at worldconv@aol.com

 

Coming Events:

Restoration Forum XXIV will be held February 20-22, 2006 as a part of the annual Abilene University Lectureship. Register for free at www.acu.edu/events/lectureship.html or contact Kate Miller at telephone (325) 674-3750.   

19th Biennial Session of the National Convocation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be held in Dearborn, Michigan July 28, August 1, 2006. The theme is “Reclaiming Prophetic Ministry: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.”  For more information and upcoming events see www.disciples.org/convo/index.htm 

 

Christmas Giving/Diamond Anniversary Gifts

As you consider your end-of-the-year giving please remember the ministry of World Convention. 2005 has marked the 75th Anniversary of the life of World Convention. The goal for the year has been to raise $75,000 to mark the occasion. We are closing in on that goal. Please help in what ever way you can. Those donors in the United States are reminded that The Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 provides substantial charitable giving incentives. Cash gifts made between August 28 and December 31, 2005 will not be subject to the 50% annual charitable deduction limitation. For more information on the Katrina Tax Relief Act contact your tax adviser.

 

There was some confusion in the World Convention address due to a misprint on the return envelopes included in the last World Christian.  The World Convention mailing address is:

 

World Convention

P.O. Box 41487

Nashville, TN 37207-1487 USA

 

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 in no less than 178 countries.
SHARE YOUR NEWS BY MAILING OR EMAILING TO WORLD CONVENTION

17th World Convention

“Together in Christ”

NASHVILLE

July 30 – August 3, 2008