HUNTINGTON -- Madison Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), pastored by the Rev. Russell Smith, is gearing up for an assembly -- the 120th annual Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in West Virginia -- at 722 12th St. West.

At least 200 disciples from as far as Cumberland, Md., and Weirton, W.Va., are expected for the biennial gathering Thursday, April 24, through Saturday, April 26. However, speakers and leaders travel from as far as Oklahoma, Washington, D.C., and Indiana. More from the Huntington congregations and ecumenical church are also expected to attend worship events and communion, which is offered at each worship service.

The theme is "Where Is the Body of Christ?" and explores the variety of ways in which the presence of Christ in the world is seen in his body, the church, says Roger A. Rash, elder and long-time member of the host church.

Worship and celebration are the primary business of the assembly as shared ministries of all God's people, lay and clergy are lifted up.

"The gathering provides a great time for church leaders and members to be together in worship and community," said the Rev. David T. Chafin, associate to the regional minister and past minister of Huntington's Central Christian Church.

A pre-assembly Elders workshop with the Rev. Dr. Peter Morgan, president emeritus of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society and historian in residence at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Vinson Memorial Christian Church. A bookstore and displays will be featured at 3 p.m., followed by worship and preaching by the Rev. Gloria Hernandez, program associate and quadrennial assembly coordinator with Office of Disciples Women's General Ministries at 8 p.m.

The Friday agenda features singing and prayers at 9 a.m.; Bible study with Larry Grimes, dean of arts and sciences at Bethany College and pastor of Community Christian Church in Beech Bottom, W.Va., at 9:30 a.m.; and the keynote address by the Rev. Arnold Nelson Jr., long-time friend of the West Virginia region serving local, regional and general expressions of the church, at 10 a.m.; and a ministers and mates luncheon follows at 12:30 p.m., with group discussions beginning at 2 p.m.

The all-assembly dinner banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. at Central Christian Church. Then it's back to the host church at 8 p.m. for the highlight of Friday's events, a service of consecration and installation of former pastor of the host church, the Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen, to the office of new regional minister with the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), presiding. Chafin also will be installed as associate regional minister. An overnight youth gathering begins at 10 p.m.

Saturday's events include a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m.; followed by singing and prayers at 9 a.m.; Bible lecture at 9:30 a.m.; business meeting at 10 a.m.; and a Disciples Women's luncheon with Hernandez and Disciples Men's luncheon with the Rev. Dr. Glenn Thomas Carson, Disciples of Christ Historical Society president, at 12:30 p.m.

For the first time in several years, the Disciples congregations of Huntington will gather for a joint Sunday worship service at 10:45 a.m. at Central Christian Church. The Rev. Thaddaeus Allen will preside at the table and the Rev. Dr. William B. Allen, regional minister emeritus, will preach.

"Whenever Disciples gather, a powerful time is had, and a powerful statement is made in the church and in the world," said Thaddaeus Allen. "Assemblies remind us that God has given us one another, and that God is made known to all when Christians gather in the name of Christ Jesus."

For more information on the assembly costs and registration, visit the Web site at www.WVDisciples.org, or call the regional office in Parkersburg, W.Va., at (304) 428-1681.

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