October 2023

Celebrating the wounded healers 

Depending on whom you ask, the month of October is important to different people for different reasons. If you are fighting cancer, you may know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you have battled depression, you may know that October is Depression Awareness Month. If you are an abuse survivor, you may know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. 
 
Did you know that there is a special group of people who can find October important for all these reasons? This group is clergy. Not only have they walked alongside the members of their faith communities as they struggled to escape abusive situations, endured cancer, and battled depression, but clergy themselves have experienced abuse, struggled through cancer, and fought depression. They accomplish the extraordinary feat of attending to the hurts, pains, and distresses of others at the very same time they deal with their own. In his book, The Wounded Healer, author Henri Nouwen asserts that there needs to be a “deeper understanding of the ways in which ministers can make their own wounds available as a source of healing.” (pg. 4) As a result of their ability to care for others amid their own struggles as a reflection of Christ, clergy are known as wounded healers.
 
Associate Minister of New Church Strategies
 
 
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Since November 2020, the New Church Know-It-All has arrived in your inbox every month, filled with updates on New Church Ministry events and programming, faithful reflections from leaders across the church, and much more. Since then, a lot has changed, but through it all, we’ve kept YOU at the heart of what we do. So that’s why we’re looking to you to help us find a new name for the New Church Know-It-All! Send us your ideas and suggestions to ncmadmin@disciplescef.org.
     
    Disciples Church Extension Fund names new CFO

    A certified public accountant with nearly two decades of experience has joined     Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) as Chief Financial Officer.
    Nene W. Anyanwu, CPA, served most recently as the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Controller. Her work includes non-profit and for-profit financial management, extensive knowledge of accounting systems, software and processes, loan portfolio management, and staff leadership.
     
    “We are excited to welcome Nene to our leadership team,” said DCEF President and CEO Belinda R. King. “Her experience managing complex budgets and loans in the non-profit sector is great preparation for our work at DCEF. We look forward to all she will bring to this ministry.”
     
    Work in the Chamber “opened my eyes to how fulfilling it is to work with a non-profit,” said Anyanwu, whose experience includes for-profit positions. “I’m grateful to work with leaders who share a common mission. As a Christian, I find it even more gratifying that DCEF supports the ministries of faith-based organizations and congregations.”
     
    Outgoing Interim CFO, Christy Paddock, of Christy Paddock Advisors, LLC of Indianapolis — who has provided contract support for the position for the last year — will provide transitional support as the new CFO comes on board.
     
       
      To access the full Water the Plants prayer list, become a prayer intercessor, or submit a prayer request, visit our website.
       
       
      Where We're Going

      10/24 – 10/27 | Leadership Academy
      11/10 - 11/20 | Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez, Minister of New Church Strategies, trip to Canada region

      What We're Thinking About

      Get your building ready for winter with DCEF’s green loan

      Becoming Antiracist
       
      NCC Statement on Israel and Palestine, and the Current Hostilities

      Support Week of Compassion in providing medical relief, sanitation, and shelter in Palestine and Israel