General Assembly News - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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Disciples “Get Dirty for Jesus” at 2013 General AssemblyBy Tanya J. TylerDisciples Volunteering teamed up with the local arrangementscommittee for volunteer opportunities at Second HarvestFood Bank of Central Florida, Wycliffe Bible Headquarters, theHarry P. Leu Gardens and Orlando Healthcare.Mindy Hamm (Indianapolis) said, “Iwas looking forward to doing it againthis year.” She put together shelvesfor the Wycliffe warehouse. StarrEllis, (Arkansas) was using a hammerto pound pieces of the donatedshelves together.The group that went to SecondHarvest was greeted with thankfulenthusiasm. Second Harvest serves500 agencies in six counties anddistribution has increased 75 percentin the past four years.The Disciples were taping labels oncans of corn. Rev. Kathryn Wilson(Ohio), was there with her daughter,Candis Wilson, and grandson KobeHughlett, 14.“We try to do this every time wecome to General Assembly,” Kathrynsaid. “Even when my daughter waslittle, we’d try to go at least one day.”“At Quadrennial I had done somethinglike this, and I absolutely loved it,”MJ Fitch (Illinois) said. “I wanted myhusband to experience it as well, sowe both signed up.”A third group of volunteers fromNaples, Fla. headed to the Harry P.Leu Gardens. Vegetables from thepublic gardens are donated to SecondHarvest.“One of the volunteers was fascinatedby all the tropical vegetation becausehe was from Colorado and it was sodifferent from what he was used to,”said Mary Beth Hodges, who, withhusband, Terry, worked with the localarrangements committee.Josh Baird, director of DisciplesVolunteering, was glad to see theturnout of volunteers despitecompetition from local attractions. Atotal of 60 people helped.“Because local folks have contacts inthe community, they know where togo,” he said. “They really do all thelegwork in terms of establishingcontact with those places. It takes alot of work to make that happen.”Youth did more than ‘party’ and collect pensBy Revs. Michelle Harris-Gloyer and Lee YatesThree hundred forty-sevenregistered middle school andhigh school youth participatedin General Assemblyyouth programming inOrlando. Though brightlycolored balloons marked thegathering space, they didmuch more than play. Theseyouth had their own worshipservices, learning opportunities,and they had a greattime building relationships.Some highlights included:• Exhibit hall scavenger hunt to understand how wedo ministry. Prizes provided by ministries andcolleges including Chapman University scholarships.• The Food Drive Prayer Wall that collected well over1000 food items• The Middle SchoolXP-erience with 92 sixththrough eighth gradersthat included guests fromBrite Divinity School,National Convocation andthe Office of GeneralMinister and President.• Discovery Tracks allowed youth to exploreeverything from Christian vocation to sexuality.• Business session learning and attendance atTuesday’s session followed by small groupconversations• Evening sessions included one sponsored byDisciples Colleges and Universities and another withphoto support from Disciples of Christ HistoricalSociety• “Many Cultures, One World” Disney YouthEducation Series at EPCOT. Follow-up curriculumavailable at www.discipleshare.net10CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST | JULY 13-17, 2013
Disciples Women at General AssemblyThe women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) celebratedthe opportunity to reunite and celebrate together at theGeneral Assembly 2013. Disciples women led Sunday Schoolon human trafficking, shared leadership in learning tracks,checked in attendees seeking continuing education credits,assisted learning track leaders, staffed the Disciples Womenboutique, and served as hostesses at the DW luncheon.The assembly also was the kickofffor registration for the 2014Quadrennial Assembly. More than200 women registered at a reducedrate and received a free t-shirt.Pat Donahoo, the executive director,shared highlights from the ministryreport during a business session andat the luncheon reminding womenthat together “We are DisciplesWomen” which includes a widerrange of individuals than is oftenunderstood. These reports sharedthe many ways women are involved in leadership and ministry. A YouTubechannel has been created for Disciples Women where videos and a recordedbusiness report are posted. The use of the channel will be expanded to provideinformation to a broad audience on many topics of interest to womenacross the Church.Many were guests of “the Well” provided as a place forrelaxation and recuperation during the event whether inneed of a place to put your feet up or nurse your baby.After sessions were sponsored each evening offeringopportunities to reunite Woman-to-Woman Worldwidetravel mates, former committee members, etc.Disciples Women hosted a luncheon on the final day ofAssembly with nearly 600 women attending. Togetherthey celebrated the new ministry of Sheila Spenceras she moves her ministry from DisciplesWomen to Disciples Home Missions toserve as assistant to the president and directorof Christian Education and Faith Formation.Foundation honorscongregationJames P. Johnson, president emeritusof the Christian Church Foundation, atright, presents the James P. JohnsonStewardship Award to Sandy SpringChristian Church representatives Rev.Danny Gulden and Rev. Linda Whitmireduring the Foundation’s GeneralAssembly banquet. The award honorscongregations for commitment to overallstewardship and the stewardship ofaccumulated resources, development ofoutreach ministries and support ofDisciples Mission Fund. Sandy SpringsChristian Church, located north ofAtlanta, GA, has developed a plannedgiving ministry -- called the Fellowshipof Legacy Builders -- that encouragesand mentors individuals to put end-oflifegifts in place that will bless andenhance the congregation’s futureministries. In the past two years, 33church members have indicated theyhave included the church in their estateplans. To learn more about the SandySpring program, go to www.christianchurchfoundation.orgor call (800)668-8016.CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST | JULY 13-17, 2013 11
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General Assembly News - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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