The World Convention General Secretary/Executive Director Jeff Weston and Assistant Director Clinton Holloway are both to conclude their ministries with World Convention in the New Year. Jeff and Rosemary Weston are from Australia and have been unsuccessful in gaining Permanent Residency in the United States. Unfortunately in the current economic climate World Convention cannot afford to have them work from their home country Australia. The Weston’s will conclude at the end March 2009. Clinton Holloway has been on part time staff for over 6 years. For the past 12 months his position has been funded with a generous gift from Aspen Grove Christian Church in Nashville. Unfortunately we are unable in the current financial situation keep Clinton on staff; he will conclude at the end of January 2009. The Board is currently negotiating with a potential part time US based person who will take over the role of General Secretary/Executive Director. We ask you to be in prayer for the Weston’s and Clinton Holloway as they seek God’s guidance for their future and also for the Board as they seek God’s person to head-up the work of World Convention.

A rather unusual church plant is taking shape in New Orleans East as a result of the greater ministry of Building Better Communities, begun by Journey Christian Church. The plant is bringing together a cappella Churches of Christ and instrumental ChristianChurches from Texas, Kentucky and Kansas in partnership to plant an urban, African American church. For more information on Building Better Communities go to www.bbcneworleans.com

This past July the Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ in Austin, Texas hosted a unity forum for members of the Stone-Campbell Movement throughout central Texas. Six presenters, two from each of the three American streams of the Movement, spoke about the nature of the Church and the nature and function of Scripture. The event was climaxed by a communion service, recognizing that we are all One with Christ at the Table. This collaborative event foreshadows the spirit that is anticipated for next year’s Bicentennial of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, (see www.greatcommunion.org) For more information on the Austin summit visit: www.unity-christian.com

National Profiles: Check out the World Convention website for new additions in our National Profiles at:http://www.worldconvention.org/nationalprofiles.php Forthcoming profiles include: Thailand. If you can add information to our national profiles contact the editor at the address at the top of this email.

Jeff Weston’s ebook The Traditions of Christmas has been revised and enlarged for 2008. We hope to shortly have it available on the website. If you would like an electronic version of this delightful little book offering insights into some of our dearly held Christmas traditions, please contact Jeff at worldconv@aol.com

Kentucky-based ministry MASTER Provisions recently shared an exciting story of how a shipment of 45,000 pounds of corn destined for one African nation –but turned away by the government- ended up becoming a demonstration of God’s power to provide in the African nation of Niger. Despite many difficulties, the maize was delivered on August 14 with grateful Hallelujahs! The corn became a symbol of God’s love for a tribal chief and his people who believed there was no such God of love. www.masterprovisions.org

Hmong CC recently raised thousands of dollars for a new church building in a rather unconventional way –by selling egg rolls! The congregation is made up of more than 150 Hmong speakers from China, Vietnam and Thailand. Chong Chang Her is HCC’s pastor. The congregation dedicated their new building on a ten-acre parcel of land this past summer. The Church offers worship services in Hmong and Sunday School in English.

NAPAD Convocation Draws Together Asian American Disciples The 15th convocation of the North American Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD) took place in early August in Stony Point, N.Y. The four day event included lectures, workshops, and opportunities to showcase cultural heritage. Geunhee Yu, executive pastor of NAPAD noted that the ministry has borne fruit by opening 100 congregations since Asian Ministries started in 1992. The ministry hopes to have 250 healthy NAPAD churches by the year 2020. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/110/NAPAD-Holds-Convocation.aspx

Campbell Historian and Archivist Honored Mrs. Jeanne Cobb was recently honored by the Disciples of Christ Historical Society in Nashville, TN for her two decades of service as the Archivist of Bethany College (West Virginia). Mrs. Cobb is a renowned expert on Thomas and Alexander Campbell and family, having dedicated much of her career at Bethany to preserving Campbell artifacts, papers and memorabilia. Mrs. Cob has recently retired from her Bethany post.

Prayer Requests: Violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is hampering much needed emergency relief there. In addition, a cholera outbreak in a sprawling refugee camp has spread to eastern Congo's provincial capital of Goma, increasing fears of an epidemic amid a tense standoff between troops and rebels. The Stone-Campbell Movement has had a presence in Congo for more than a hundred years. Recently, Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) spent time in the Congo. To read her reflections on the trip, visit: http://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/NewsandUpdates/CongoDiary/tabid/401/Default.aspx

World Convention on the Road: On November 24th Jeff and Rosemary Weston departed the US for an extended visit to Australia. Their return is slated for the end of January. Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, the World Convention office will close on December 23th and reopen on January 5th.