ChristiaNet 62 - June, 2008

The 17^th World Convention is now only weeks away. Despite record prices for gas/petrol and rising airline costs many are making every effort to attend this once in a lifetime experience, there will never be another chance quite like this one! Your church is coming together from around the world to fellowship, share, build relationships, learn and worship. It is not too late to make plans to be present. The world is coming to Nashville; are YOU?

Issue 57 of the World Christian magazine is off the presses and in the mail. This issue contains a preview program of the 17^th Global Gathering including speakers, workshops and a list of exhibitors, to date. Also included is an article on Emmanuel School of Religion; it is the last in a series of Partner Profiles highlighting those ministries who have underwritten this Convention. Look forward to its arrival soon or check the website under World Christian at www.worldconvention.org

Many schools, mission organizations and special groups will be hosting meal functions throughout the time of Convention. A full listing of these will be presented in the program booklet. Does your ministry want to host a function or reunion? Call the office for available times, locations and catering options.

Emmanuel School of Religion will host a breakfast Friday August 1 at 7:30 a.m. at the Millennium Maxwell House. Dr. Paul Blowers will be the speaker. Tickets are $15 in advance and may be ordered by contacting Mary Page at pagem@esr.edu

European Evangelistic Society will host a breakfast for the Walker Lecture on Thursday July 31 at 7:30 a.m. at the Millennium Maxwell House. Dr. Barry Blackburn will be the speaker. Tickets are $20 in advance and may be ordered by contacting Vicki Huxford at Vicki@eesatlanta.org

Milligan College will host a dessert reception on Saturday August 2 from 3-4:30 at the Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant, 1722 Galleria Blvd, Franklin. The reception is free but reservations must be made with Theresa Garbe at tmgarbe@milligan.edu

At 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon August 3, 2008 those attending the 17^th global gathering of the World Convention will come together for the closing worship service with President C. Robert Wetzel bringing the message. This service has been seen as the culmination of convention and has traditionally included partaking of the Lord’s Supper as a witness to the unity we share at the table as the Stone-Campbell Movement and the body of Christ. The 2008 Convention has the added feature that the closing communion service will inaugurate the bicentennial observance of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, one of the foundational documents of the Stone-Campbell Movement. In recognition of World Convention Sunday we ask all churches and individuals around the world to join us on August 3^rd in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, lifting up Jesus prayer found in John 17:21 that we might all be one. To assist in your observance of World Convention Sunday and the Bicentennial a communion meditation/pre-communion talk has been prepared for your use. It can be found at: www.worldconvention.org

This is a final call for resources (books, curriculum, websites, DVD’s, music, children’s ministry, etc.) to be shared at the 3^rd Global Leaders Event preceding the World Convention. Email us your information to be included in our resource handouts or send sample copies and/or 100 promotional brochures/fliers to be placed in the resource bags for the leaders and church workers from around the world who will be involved in this pre-event. Email info to worldconvclint@aol.com or send to World Convention, C/O: Clint Holloway, 1279 Brentwood Highlands Drive, Nashville, TN 3721.

There is still plenty of space available to register for the Global Women Connecting Retreat All Women Together in Christ, July 28-August 30 at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Registration fees apply. Go to www.worldconvention.org and click on the registration button to find downloadable forms. The retreat will draw attention to the spiritual gift of Hospitality and the gifts of the Table of the Lord’s Supper.

Volunteers: Scores of volunteers will be needed throughout the Convention to usher and greet, serve communion, house guests, serve meals at teen convention, act as a tour guide, and much more. Convention Volunteers will receive a registration special discount! Contact Mary Ingmire, our Volunteer Coordinator, at maryji321@comcast.net

Tours: There are a great range of pre & post convention tours available from GoodTime Travel. Go to www.goodtimetravel.com for the tour information to make reservations and to pay for tours online.Also check out the great range of half day tours during convention.

Hotels: Only a few rooms are left at the Nashville Sheraton Downtown at a substantial savings off their regular price and includes free breakfast. Also we have a block at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Cool Springs (for those participating in the teen Convention). To book a room at one of these hotels contact our AAA housing agent Karin Adinolfi at kadinolfi@aaasouth.com or call Mrs. Adinolfi at 615-297-7700 ext 2228

Prayer Focus: A number of international participants are in the process of applying for visas to travel to the United States to attend the 17^th World Convention. Please pray that these international representatives are granted visas and the opportunity to share in this important family gathering! Please pray for the World Convention staff, volunteers and local arrangements Committee as we prepare to bring you the 17^th World Convention.

Continue to pray for the political situation in Zimbabwe where President-Elect B.J. Mpofu and his family live and work, the continuing effects of flood in China and recovery efforts in Burma following Tropical Storm Nargis.

Christian Churches New Zealand will hold their 2008 Convention Tuesday August 19-Friday August 22 at the Anesbrook Church, Nelson. Pastor Sam Monk of the Equippers Church, Auckland, will be the keynote speaker. The theme is Move ’08. For more info contact admin@ccnz.org

Jeremiah’s Hope, a ministry dedicated to meeting the needs of orphans in the Ukraine, broke ground in May to build a Christian camp outside the capital city of Kiev. Covering an area of 12 acres, the camp will accommodate 150 people. More than $120,000 has already been raised for the project; another $20,000 is still needed. Visit Jeremiah’s hope at www.jeremiahshope.org

World Convention on the Road: The Stone-Campbell Dialogue recently gathered in St. Louis, Missouri to discuss the role of mission work within the three branches of the Stone-Campbell Movement. World Convention’s Executive Director Jeff Weston was present to lend an international voice. President Bob Wetzel has recently been in Korea. Convention Executive Doug Foster is spending a month on teaching assignments in Africa.

World Convention seeks to build up fellowship, understanding and common purpose within the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches, now serving and witnessing as part of Christ's church in no less than 178 countries.
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