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Immigrant representatives visit legislators
By Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, director of Refugee & Immigration Ministries
Seven meetings in one day. Such was the schedule for a group of 12 Bunong and four Jarai Disciples in Washington D.C. in September. Hosted by Refugee & Immigration Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the group was on Capitol Hill and in National City Christian Church.
Among the offices visited was North Carolina Senator Richard Burr's office and heard of proposals that Senator Burr will introduce in the next year related to Montagnard concerns. Senator Kay Hagan's office expressed interest in ongoing contact.
The third visit was with a staff member in the 12th District House Office which represents the Charlotte, Greensboro, and High Point district where all the Disciples live. The fourth was with staff to Representative Frank Wolf, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission which has studied Montagnard testimony and drafted a letter this summer urging that Vietnam not be included in the TransPacific Trade Partnership until human rights are improved.
The marathon continued with afternoon meetings with leaders from the Institute for Global Engagement which meets with officials to encourage adherence to human rights in Vietnam and Freedom House leaders, administrators of a Religious Freedom Rapid Response Fund which provides financial assistance to at-risk survivors of religious persecution and human rights defenders and organizations.
The last meeting of the day was with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom who encouraged sharing details of persecution as they are received. They will continue to work on Country of Particular Concern status for Vietnam until human rights are improved.
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Wondering how to explain Disciples Mission Fund as you enter the budget season?
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How Your Offerings to DMF Support Mission in the Church
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Find this video, graphs and other options at disciplesmissionfund.org
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News in the Church Other News |
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Jordan Hall Dedication at Bethany College
Bethany College recognized Greg and Ellen Trebilcock Jordan, both 1981 Bethany graduates, with the dedication of Jordan Hall during a dedication ceremony on campus Oct. 11. Greg is a strong believer in the importance of a liberal arts education. "The evidence is compelling that no matter where you want to go in life, no matter what you want to do, you can get there from here," Greg said. "You can get anywhere in life from here." The Jordans met while students at the school.
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Familiar Face
For the many people who have done mission trips to Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries over the last 18 years, administrative assistant Raquel Garcia was their hostess. More than 100 gathered from Washington, D.C., Arizona, and cities all around Texas on Oct. 10 to celebrate her retirement. Rev. Feliberto Pereira said, "Raquel has been the heart and soul of Good Samaritan Ministries."
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Peace planning
It's easy to think Peace Sunday in Advent is the only time to commemorate the work of peace, but there are actually a number of dates that lend themselves to the practice. As you plan your calendar for the remainder of 2014 and head into 2015, here are some international dates to consider.
- Nov. 11 - Veterans Day and Feast of St. Martin of Tours and Martin Luther
- Second Sunday of Advent - Peace Sunday
- Dec. 10 - United Nations Human Rights Day
- Jan. 1 - World Day of Peace
- Jan. 17 - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Feb. 4 - Birthday of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Sept. 19 - UN Day of Peace
- Oct. 2 - Birthday of Mahatma Ghandi and International Day of Non-Violence
- Oct. 4 - Feast of St. Francis Assisi
The Disciples Peace Fellowship is providing a new resource that includes some portions in Spanish. You can find it on their website along with other suggested readings.
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| Thanksgiving offering received in most congregations Nov. 9 & 16 |
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Navy chaplain, Brite center featured in Stars and Stripes
Church's update on Ebola
Christian Board of Publication/Chalice Press signs distribution agreement
Disciple pastor helps lead racism discussion
Florida pastor one of several to meet with local police
North Carolina pastor one of many polled re: new law
Indiana church celebrates 100 years
Mid-America Center for Ministry offers online intro class in January
Clergy continuing education scholarship applications due by Oct. 31
Young Adult Commission applications due Nov. 1st
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Woodhaven CEO receives recognition
The Department of Sociology at Iowa State University honored C. Mark Palmer with its 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Alumni Honors and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. Palmer currently serves as the chief executive officer of WOODHAVEN in Columbia, Mo. The Distinguished Alumni Award was established by Iowa State's Department of Sociology to recognize outstanding professional achievements by a distinguished alumnus.
"The Department of Sociology takes great pride in recognizing Mr. Palmer's achievements in combining business management and leadership skills to the world of social services in advocating for quality living for developmentally disabled individuals and their families," he said. "His leadership philosophy includes the core values that are at the core of the liberal arts education Mr. Palmer received at ISU, and they have served him well in his career in social services."
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Search for Regional Minister begins
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Capital Area Region is seeking to call an ordained minister and Transformational Leader in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to the position of Regional Minister. A Regional Profile and Position Description are posted on their website.
All applicants are required to provide updated Search and Call paperwork in order to be considered. Furthermore, all applicants are required to submit a Letter of Interest to the Christian Church Capital Area Regional Office addressed to:
Search Committee Chairperson
The Christian Church Capital Area
8814 Kensington Parkway
Suite 208
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-6743
The application deadline is 24 October 2014.
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Events
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Resources
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July 18-22, 2015 Columbus, Ohio
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Ministry in Action
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If you are interested in advertising in future issues of the Disciples News Service, please contact Fred Jones
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The Disciples News Service, also known as The Disciple�, is distributed weekly or as needed by Communication Ministries. For changes to your subscription options or to subscribe to this newsletter, please visit: www.disciples.org/Default.aspx?tabid=76 If you are interested in submitting news for distribution in the Disciples News Service, please review our "Guidelines for Submitting News and Information to Disciples News Service": www.disciples.org/Default.aspx?tabid=79 The next deadline to submit news for consideration in the Disciples News Service: Friday, October 24, 2014 |
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