Disciples News Service March 20, 2024 ~ DR. VITUS BLOG

March 20, 2024

Leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have penned a Pastoral Letter regarding the Crisis in the Middle East.

During this Lenten Season, the Leaders write, “In remembering the experiences and teachings of Jesus’s life, and the crisis and suffering of his last days, we are especially cognizant of the fragmentation of the world around us, near and far. In fact, when we think about Jesus’s last days, and our hearts turn toward Jerusalem today, our eyes are flooded with images of a place nearby to its southwest, the Gaza Strip.”

Read the Letter

Rev. Bruce Barkhauer, Minister for Faith and Giving and Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Giving (CFG), has shared his intention to retire from the CFG. Bruce’s intended date of retirement is August 31, 2024.

Bruce has served in this role since the inception of the CFG in 2010. Under his leadership, the CFG has worked to fulfill its mission “to create a culture of generosity across the life of the whole church.” Bruce has effectively engaged the church at large in conversations around generosity and helped us think more broadly about stewardship.

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Yale University’s Center for Public Theology and Public Policy will host its Inaugural Conference: “What are the Moral and Spiritual Issues Facing Our Democracy in the 2024 Presidential Election?” led by ordained Disciple, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.

Whether you are actively involved in religious leadership, academia, or simply interested in understanding the pivotal role of spirituality in public discourse, this event provides a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and advocacy. Register before March 15th for early bird pricing.

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In July 2023, the General Assembly gathered and passed Resolution 2343: "Amendments to the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)." This historic vote represented an affirmative response to our continued call to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world by adjusting how we engage and become a more connected church.

The Implementation Team gathered in January 2024 to continue this work.

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General & Regional Ministry Opportunities

Global Ministries has two positions open - Program Associate for Resource Development and Global Relations Minister, Latin America and the Caribbean. Learn more here.

Disciples Church Extension Fund is seeking a Director of Financial Services as well as New Beginnings Assessors and Facilitators/Coaches. Learn more here.

Bethany Fellows, a ministry rooted in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is seeking to call a new Director/Pastor. The position and application details are here.

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The Disciples Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry will be hosting a Zoom Meeting, “Interfaith Communities in Crisis: Navigating the Impacts of the Gaza Conflict” on Monday, April 8, at 6 pm EDT. This gathering is in response to the challenges faced in our local interfaith activities, heightened by the recent Gaza conflict. This initiative will provide a platform where local church leaders can come together to share experiences, seek solace, and find strategies to maintain and foster relationships with our interfaith counterparts during these trying times.

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Christ is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!! On Easter, we celebrate the power of resurrection. Gifts to the Easter Special Offering, collected in most congregations on March 24 & 31, 2024, support ministries that help Disciples share the limitless love of God.

Plan to share the 2024 Easter video during Sunday Service and find additional resources to promote the Easter Offering by clicking the button below.

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