It's almost here!
General Assembly begins Saturday night
So now we are ready to SOAR!
You can still register on site if you have cleared your schedule to attend. If you can just come for a day, a one-day registration is available for $50 and will gain you entry into the exhibit hall and educational events and, of course, you will want to stay for worship!
Worship services will be streamed live on the web. A link will be available at http://ga.disciples.org/live. You can download a docket to see the order of worship and also check out the melodies for the congregational songs. Some evenings start at different times so you will want to check the schedule for when the music begins. Three of the evenings are being sponsored by Phillips Theological Seminary, Lexington Theological Seminary and the National Benevolent Association. If you would like to help sponsor the remaining two evenings, you can do so online.
If you would like to give to the offerings that will be collected during worship, follow the links below.
Pension Fund 13th Check | Reconciliation Ministry | Week of Compassion | Disciples Mission Fund
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Some highlights
Monday business session
You will want to make sure you are there for the first business session. General Minister and President Sharon Watkins will present a two-year pilot program known as Mission First! More info will be available after the Monday afternoon introduction.
Tuesday worship
Wednesday all-assembly dinner
Just before we join for our final worship service, dinner attendees will hear from Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church and leader of the Moral Monday movement.
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by the Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president
Two different discussions are stirred by the June 2015 Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. One relates to social, biblical and theological understandings of marriage. The other is about religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) places a high value on both religious freedom and individual interpretation of scripture. We expect followers of Christ to act according to their beliefs. As a Church, therefore, we intentionally do not create church-wide policies on these matters for congregations or ministers. Our general assembly may offer counsel but not policy.
Consistent with our value for religious freedom, Disciples have historically insisted that the basic civil and human rights of all people be respected legally - even while sometimes still debating related issues in the church. Our General Assembly has affirmed the civil rights of women, persons of color, persons of different religions and of all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
In the church, marriage is about covenant, love and God-centered relationships. So what does the Supreme Court decision means for the church? Ministers whose consciences call for them to conduct weddings for couples regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity may now do so legally in every state. Ministers whose consciences call for them to refuse to conduct weddings for some couples may still refuse in every state. Congregations have the same freedom when considering policy on the use of their buildings.The First Amendment protects our freedom to exercise theological and pastoral judgment. Read full text of blog
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Disciple Center receives chalice sign
 Disciples have been tenants in the Landmark Building since August last year, but this past weekend it became obvious to the rest of Indianapolis. There is now a chalice on the southeast side of the building thanks to a generous gift from a local couple.
When Christian Church Services was negotiating to relocate to the Landmark Center in 2014, Drew Augustin was serving as the Disciples' commercial real estate broker. A member of Geist Christian Church, he told then-chair of CCS, Gary Kidwell, he wanted to make a gift that would benefit all the ministries in the building. Kidwell mentioned there had not been a budget for a sign and Augustin immediately agreed to provide one.
 "Becky and I felt that it was important for the Disciples to have a prominent presence in our home city. This was one way we could help out," said Augustin, president of Alliance Commercial Group.
"We are grateful for this gift from Drew and Becky. This sign provides a visual symbol of our Disciples presence in downtown Indianapolis, and serves as point of pride for our denomination's members and employees," said Kidwell.
It obviously didn't happen immediately. Between design questions, negotiations with building owners and weather, the sign didn't get installed until July 11. And even that sunny day, Dave Staley of Staley Sign said the crane was late in arriving.
But now the work is done and even at night, the chalice will be visible to Indianapolis.
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| News in the Church Other News |
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NBA expands program for 2015-16
The National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is pleased to welcome the 2015-16 cohort of NBA XPLOR Residents. Seven host sites are opening their doors to 24 Residents, doubling the size and span of NBA XPLOR in its second year.
NBA XPLOR is a prophetic movement of and for young adults who are discerning lives of care and service. The 10-month Residency provides professional development and vocational discernment opportunities for young adults ages 21-30 to live simply in community and engage in direct service and justice work. Through NBA XPLOR, Residents are partnered with Disciples host congregations, regions, general ministries, and wider communities - positively impacting all involved. Full story | Resident bios and photos |
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Christmount opens search
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"When was it that we saw you..."
Many people have never set foot in a prison. In one way, that's a good thing! However, once you have visited someone behind the bars, you realize how demoralizing and dehumanizing that experience can be. That loud "clank" speaks volumes. Reminding those who find themselves imprisoned that they have not been forgotten is a gift that is priceless. The blessings flow both ways. Read the blog from National Benevolent Association's Prison and Jail Ministries
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| Events, Resources and Ministry in Action |
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 Events |
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 Ministry in Action |
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 The Disciples News Service, also known as The DiscipleŽ, is distributed weekly or as needed by Communication Ministries. For changes to your subscription options or to subscribe to this newsletter, please visit: disciples.org/dns/subscribe-to-dns/
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": disciples.org/dns/submitting-news/ The next deadline to submit news for consideration
in the Disciples News Service: Friday, July 17, 2015 |
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