Foundation Names Symposium
in Sarton's Honor
In recognition of the retirement of Rev. Dr. Donald Sarton as vice president, the Christian Church Foundation has become naming sponsor of the 2012 Symposium on Preaching and Stewardship.
The event, titled “Speaking Generously,” is organized by the Center for Faith and Giving of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and will feature Dr. James Forbes June 12-14, 2012, at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Click to register.
“In honor of Don’s ministry after 13 tremendous years at the Foundation, we thought of no better tribute than to match his passions for stewardship and great preaching with our sponsorship of this premier event,” said Foundation President Gary Kidwell. The naming of the event in Sarton’s honor was announced during a retirement celebration Nov. 5 at the Board of Directors’ meeting in Denver, CO.
Sarton also received the Pension Fund’s Honored Minister Pin, presented to him by his wife, Bev, who also has retired as an administrative assistant with the Foundation.
Special remarks were offered by Foundation President Emeritus James Johnson, who had hired Sarton in 1998; Rev. Bob Bock, senior minister of First Christian Church of North Hollywood, CA, where Sarton began his career as a student minister; and colleague Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont, Foundation vice president of its Southwest Zone.
They noted how Sarton has “already flunked retirement” by becoming the new minister of faith and giving at First Christian Church, Colorado Springs, CO, and being elected chair of the trustees of the Disciples Seminary Foundation – the first graduate of that institution to become chair.
Bock recalled Sarton’s passion for youth work, social justice issues and worship. It was on a mountain with youth that Sarton, learning the one responsible for communion had forgotten to pack supplies, pulled out an apple and passed it around for everyone to share. “The meat of the apple is the bread, the juice is the cup, and they symbolize the life of Jesus,” Bock recalled. “It may well have been one of the most interesting, as well as sacred, communion celebrations I’ve ever experienced. There wasn’t much left of that apple, but there were a lot of thoughtful expressions on the faces of the youth.”
During other business, the Board:
· Approved a $3.45 million spending plan for 2012, about 4 percent higher than the 2011 budget.
· Elected Board leadership for 2012: James Sullivan of Danville, KY, chair; Linda Hernandez Williams, of Highland, CA, vice chair; Rev. Suzanne Webb of St. Louis, secretary; Rod Witte of Denver, CO, chair of the budget/program committee; Rev. Thad Allen of Parkersburg, WV, chair of the investment committee; Lynne Haley of Kingwood, TX, chair of the audit committee; and Rev. Fred Harris of Hagerstown, MD, chair of the nominating committee. Others serving are on the executive committee will be Greg Smith of Lafayette, IN, at-large; and Bob Williams of Dallas, Foundation representative to the General Board.
· Honored retiring Board members: Peggy Brittan of Spring, TX; Rick Lance of Overland Park, KS; and Rev. Don Shelton of Duarte, CA.
The Christian Church Foundation is a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the mission of undergirding ministry through permanent funds, planned gifts and prudent investment of funds owned by Disciples ministries. It is a donor-directed Foundation designed to benefit Disciples ministries and institutions.