May 4, 2007

connecting the Community of Christ staff community

E-mail Migration Update

See TeamCentral for the latest news, issues, solutions, and training modules. Use the TeamCentral link at the top left of this page and then scroll down to Microsoft Exchange Migration.

Redesign Survey Results at TeamCentral

The survey conducted by Schuster-Kane Alliance is complete and was discussed at the staff meeting on April 25. To see results of the survey you can visit TeamCentral at http://cofchrist.netcipia.net/xwiki/bin/view/Main/Post+Redesign+Survey.

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Habitat Photos

The last IHQ team to work on the Habitat house finished work on Thursday, May 3. Several additional groups from local congregations will help finish the house that is scheduled for completion later in June. A huge thank you to all who were able to participate in this service project!

Dirk - appropriately attired - and Lisa get the drywall hung in a closet.	Becky checks to make sure all the drywall screws are dippled correctly.
Susan and Janice work on framing the windows	Kendra shows her prowess with a drill as she works  around the windows.

Staff Appreciation Subteam

A Staff Appreciation subteam has been created under the E-group leader’s charter. This team is tasked with creating opportunities to show staff appreciation. Susan Naylor is acting as team lead and would like 2 volunteers from each e-group to serve on the team. If you have an interest in hospitality, showing staff appreciation, and building community please e-mail Susan or call ext. 3045.

Summer Break for E-group Meetings

All e-groups will be taking a break from regular meetings during the summer. Watch for information about informal gatherings in the next few months.

World Conference DVD

A DVD featuring the 2007 World Conference will be sent to pastors and field ministers in the June 10-Minute News. The three programs include:

• “Words of Counsel to the Church”
  The message delivered by President Stephen M. Veazey was approved as Section 163 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

• “2007 World Conference Highlights”
  A feature capturing the spirit of discernment, worship, deliberation, and fellowship.

• “Since Last We Met”
  This short video shown at Conference celebrates significant moments in the life of the worldwide church from 2005 to 2007.

Saints, Supper, and Service: Volunteer and Intern Appreciation at Kirtland Temple

All past and present Kirtland Temple volunteers and students are invited to attend the dedication of the Kirtland Temple Visitor and Spiritual Formation Center June 8-10, 2007. The weekend will begin with an appreciation reception on Friday evening to recognize past students and volunteers for their commitment and passion to the church while serving as temple hosts, gardeners, greeters, and interpreters.

The weekend continues with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday afternoon followed by an open house. The celebration will draw to a close in the Lower Court of the Temple as President Steve Veazey delivers the Sunday morning address. Please RSVP to Lachlan Mackay, Community of Christ Historic Sites Coordinator, if you are interested in attending at (440) 256-1830 or temple@ncweb.com.

—Barbara Walden reporting

New Approach for Volunteer Ministries at IHQ

Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the operations of the church and its worldwide mission.  Creating a more equitable culture for volunteers at International Headquarters (IHQ) was a priority addressed through the redesign.  The ongoing evaluation that has been part of this process, has led to the understanding that a separate Volunteer Enrichment Group is not the best way to meet the varied needs of our volunteers.

Volunteers who serve with regularity on various teams at IHQ feel most at home in E-Groups that complement the skill sets they share with their teams.  Volunteers who are at IHQ with less regularity turn to their team leaders for information and support at times that complement their diverse schedules.

One such team is Volunteer Resource Ministries (VRM), a support service team that recruits and places volunteers in a way that matches their talents and interests with needs of teams at IHQ.  This team works closely with Human Resource Ministries.

Shelley Ruhlman, who had been the Volunteer E-Group leader, was a lead advocate for this change.  She is now serving in Volunteer Resource Ministries and Project Management.  Her position is assigned to the Ministry Specialists E-Group. 

Shelley will serve as the VRM Team leader during the search for a volunteer to lead that team.  Recruitment for this volunteer position will be ongoing through Human Resource Ministries.  Once a new leader is in place, Shelley will continue as a member of the team who helps recruit, interview, place, and train volunteers. 

Shelley will also spend time doing project management.  She has already been fulfilling project management responsibilities related to office moves, the e-mail migration, and IHQ completion of the World Conference Habitat for Humanity build.  Her next major project will be serving as director of the Peace Colloquy, working closely with Andrew Bolton.

The service of volunteers is integral to our mission to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.  The church appreciates and recognizes each volunteer as a significant team member at International Headquarters. 

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