ChristiaNet

from

World Convention

April 2009

We welcome you to the new format for ChristiaNet. We are attempting to deliver to you matterial in an attractive and readable format. If you have any feedback Clinton Holloway would welcome this.

May you have a wonderful celebration of Easter as you rember God's grace through the cross of Christ.

Jeff Weston

Happy Birthday, ChristiaNet!
April 2009 marks the sixth year of ChristiaNet which first appeared in April 2003. Help us celebrate this milestone by forwarding it to six of your friends who would also enjoy being involved in the ministry of World Convention and the global Stone-Campbell Movement.

Also, April 12 marks the observance of Resurrection Sunday or Easter.The World Convention Staff, Board and Volunteers wish you and our global Stone-Campbell fellowship the blessings of a life in Jesus Christ and the assurance that comes from the knowledge that HE LIVES!

Great Communion News and Notes
The South Australian Conference of the Churches of Christ in Australia has established a website dedicated to Thomas Campbell's Declaration and Address and the bicentennial observance, Great Communion.The website, http://shapingidentity.wordpress.com, includes pages to detail Australian observances of Great Communion as well as "Conversations shaping Churches of Christ in Australia."

Partner Churches for Great Communion
Recently, a ChristiaNet reader made an interesting proposal. As a way of transcending our nationalities and "denominational streams," and in the uniting spirit of the Declaration and Address, that World Convention link congregations from around the world, partnering two (or more!) congregations together so that they might open the lines of communication and communion, thereby sharing together in some way the observance of Great Communion. For example, an Australian Church of Christ congregation might be paired with an African congregation or a North American Disciples church might be paired with a Christian church in Brazil. Once in contact these congregations would then correspond to determine the bes way to share together in Great Communion, perhaps a chalice exchange, using the same liturgy or sermon, or even a live video feed! If your congregation would like to be paired with one from another part of the world to share in Great Communion, please send your contact information to Clinton J. Holloway at milligan95@yahoo.com (We do strongly advise that no congregation should see this as a way of fundraising or soliciting another church for assistance.)

New Stone-Campbell Movement Resource
DNA of Churches of Christis a new book written by Aussie, Dr Graham Carslake available now. The volume collates many of the personal stories of the early pioneers of the Stone-Campbell Movement in 80 pages. According to Dr. Carslake this is his contribution to the bicentennial celebrations in 2009 to promote our identity as a people. Orders to Graham Carslake, 47 North Beach Rd, North Beach Western Australia, 6020. grahamfreda@hotmail.com

Global Aids Conference
FAME and Christian Missionary Fellowship International, will host a one-day conference called Your Church and AIDS, which will focus on the Church's compassionate response to the global AIDS emergency. Participants will be equipped with practical ways that you and your church can minister to those lives touched by AIDSat home and around the world. This year, the conference will be on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at Chapel Rock Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. Speakers include Heather Larson, Director of Compassion/Justice Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church; Dr. Patrick Railey, Director of Medical Ministries at Operation Mobilization; and Mary Kamau, Director of Missions of Hope International-Nairobi, Kenya. Register by visiting http://yourchurchandaids.com

Puerto Rican Church Celebrates Centenary
February 12-15 marked the Centenary Convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico (see national profile on World Convention's website for a brief history). The assembly was held in Bayamon, the same setting as the first convention in 1909. The theme was "A Church That Lives and Celebrates Unity."Puerto Rico was the site of the seventh World Convention in 1965. Congratulations, Puerto Rico, on reaching this historic milestone!

News Briefs
Leaders from more than 100 Christian Churches throughout Chile gathered March 17-19 for a leadership conference. The event was "the largest gathering of its kind in the 50-plus year history of Christian Church mission work in Chile," writes Steve Bond, Senior Pastor at Summit Christian Church(Sparks, NV). Dr. Humberto Lagos, who serves the Chilean president as a special representative for affairs dealing with the evangelical church, was one of the conference speakers.

Australian, Dr. William J. Tabbernee, President and Distinguished Professor of the History of Christianity at Phillips Theological Seminary (Oklahoma), will retire as President effective June 30. Dr. Tabbernee is an ordained Disciples minister, and has served as president of Phillips since 1991. Prior to that, he served as Principal of the Churches of Christ Theological College in Australia. He will continue teaching the History of Christianity at PTS.

News from the Women's Desk
World Convention and Global Women Connecting have partnered together to support "The Women's Desk", an initiative to further develop communication among the women of the World Convention. The GWC Executive Committee has long been aware of the difficulties in maintaining timely communication between the women of the Stone-Campbell Movement. In February 2009, World Convention Office Coordinator, Julia Keith assumed responsibilities in the project to connect sympathetic women for the purposes of building friendships and sharing prayer, concern, and issues quickly on a global scale. The March issue of World Christian included '...from the Women's Desk', the first run of a planned feature of Global Women Connecting news. If you have news of interest to Stone-Campbell women, contact Julia at worldconvjulia@aol.com Please note that the March issue of World Christian is available only in electronic format now at http://www.worldconvention.org/wc/worldchristian59.pdf

Prayer Request
April 16-19 the World Convention Board will gather in Nashville to discuss the exciting prospects of the future day-to-day ministry of World Convention and the 2012 Global Gathering in Goiania, Brazil. Please pray for safety in travel as well as decisions to be made. On April 22 Executive Director Jeff Weston and his wife, Rosemary, will make their departure from the US for their new home in Melbourne, Australia where Jeff will be on Staff of Southern Community Church of Christ in Melbourne, Victoria.

World Convention of the Road: On April 17, Clinton J. Hollowaywill present at the Declaration and Address Symposium, part of the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference at Cincinnati Christian University. Board member Doug Foster will moderate the Symposium. Visit http://www.stone-campbelljournal.com for the Conference schedule.

A Note from Executive Director, Jeff Weston
Dear friends thank you for your support of my ministry with World Convention over the past 4.5 years. Rosemary and I leave the US with many wonderful memories of our time with World Convention. Our thoughts, interest and prayer will continue to be with the World Convention as it faces the future. In particular in these difficult financial times we pray that the Lord will supply all that is needed for this wonderful work of unity to continue.

Please remember that your financial gifts make possible the ongoing, day-to-day ministry of the World Convention.
If you prefer to mail in a cheque just put your gift in an envelope and mail it to us:
World Convention
1279 Brentwood Highlands Drive
Nashville, TN 37211
For those who prefer Pay Pal click here.

Thought
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. - Matt 5:3-9