Number 63 – July 2008

The 17^th World Convention is now less than two weeks away! If you have not yet registered, the time to do so is now! There are several options for registering. You may register online or print the registration forms and mail them to the office. There will also be a registration booth in the lobby of the NashvilleConvention Center for those who have not pre-registered. Register online at: http://www.worldconvention.org/conventionregistration.htm

Workshop rate available: For those who wish to attend the Convention for only one day may pay a special workshop rate to attend the workshops for one day at the Convention Registration desk. All of the worship services are free and open for everyone to attend.

Issue 57 of the World Christianmagazine contains a preview program of the 17^th Global Gathering including speakers, workshops and a list of exhibitors, at date of printing. Please be advised this is only meant as a guide. The printed program and daily announcements will take precedence over the preliminary schedule. To see this schedule visit http://worldconvention.org/worldchristian.php

On the evening of August 2join us for theSaturday Night Celebration,a fun eveningof entertainment, featuring Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, the MountainMissionSchool Choir, the Music of Cane Ridge and a host of other musical talents. Everyone who has registered for the week of World Convention will have a free ticket to this wonderful event. Additional tickets for the concert can be purchased during Convention, at the Registration Desk, at a cost of $30 each.

Hotel: Only eight rooms remain in our block at the Nashville Sheraton Downtown at a substantial savings off of their regular price with free breakfast. To book one of these rooms contact our AAA housing agent Karin Adinolfi at kadinolfi@aaasouth.com or call Mrs. Adinolfi at 615-297-7700 ext 2228

Meal Tickets:For those who have not purchased these in advance, tickets for Friday’s Minister’s and Spouse’s Luncheon and tickets for the Saturday Men’s and Women’s Luncheons may be purchased at the Convention Registration Booth. With the generous support of the Pension Fund we have been able to reduce the cost of the Minister and Spouse Luncheon to $10 per person.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon August 3, 208 those attending the 17^th global gathering of the World Convention will come together for the closing worship service with President Dr C. Robert Wetzel bringing the message. This service has been seen as the culmination of convention and has traditionally included partaking of the Lord’s Supper as a witness to the unity we share at the table as the Stone-Campbell Movement and the body of Christ. The 2008 Convention has the added feature that the closing communion service will inaugurate the bicentennial observance of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, one of the foundational documents of the Stone-Campbell Movement. In recognition of World Convention Sunday we ask all churches and individuals around the world to join us on August 3^rd in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, lifting up Jesus prayer found in John 17:21 that we might all be one. To assist in your observance of World Convention Sunday and the Bicentennial a communion meditation/pre-communion talk has been prepared for your use. It can be found at: www.worldconvention.org

The Cypriot is a novel based upon the amazing story of the biblical figure Barnabas, from his early boyhood years to his final days and death. The novel was written by the late Christopher T. Garriott, a longtime Disciples Minister in Illinois and Virginia. The book’s manuscript was found among Dr. Garriott’s papers three years after his death and prepared for publication by his son, Max. To order The Cypriot go to www.barnabasthecypriot.com Thanks to the generosity of Max Garriott the first 75 people registered for the Global Leader’s Forum at the 17^th World Convention will receive a free copy of The Cypriot.

Prayer Focus:Pleaseprayfor all of those who are traveling to attend the 17^th World Convention. At present almost twenty-five nations are represented as well as many US states. Pray also for the World Convention Board as they will be meeting during the Convention to make key decisions about the future of the ministry of World Convention.

World Convention office to be closed. From August 4^th through August 15^th the Nashville office will be closed. Any inquiries to the office should be made after the office reopens on August 18^th. The August ChristiaNet will be later in delivery, as well. Thank you!

Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon has recently changed its name, according to Disciples News Service. On July 1 the school became Northwest Christian University to reflect the expanding academic offerings. Also, the institution has launched a new School of Christian Ministry, for more information see www.nwcc.edu

The 20^th biennial Session of the National Convocation will take place in Memphis, Tennessee July 25th-28^th. The theme is “God is Our Weapon in Spiritual Warfare” based on II Corinthians 10:3-5. To learn more about Convocation go to: www.disciples.org/convo/biennial.htm

Christian Standard magazine recently asked the question, “Does the Restoration Movement Matter?” What do you think of our heritage? Are we still relevant in this era? In the US? Around the world? Write to Editor Mark Taylor and let him know your thoughts at christianstandard@standardpub.com

The Banban Church of Christ Vanuatu, is a new church south east of Luganville on the Island Espiritu Santo. Simon Tambe (Conference Secretary) and six other leaders have been working to plant this new church for the past six months. The first communion service was held on Sunday 15th June. Each week more people keep coming. To date there is 107 attending including children. They do not have a building yet, they just worship in the open.

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.
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