November 2008

Dear Pastor:

Check out and share Peace Colloquy video and audio archives. Learn more about signal communities with video of President Steve Veazey’s address on the colloquy theme, “Signal Communities: Hope of Zion;” video of executive director Bren Dubay’s sharing “The Story of Koinonia,” the community that received the 2008 Community of Christ International Peace Award; audio of other keynotes; and more at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/.


U.S. Disaster Relief Line: 1-800-825-2806, ext. 1212. When natural disasters strike and communities are evacuated, congregational pastors in affected areas often have difficulty communicating with their members to determine their situation. At the request of mission center officers affected by recent hurricanes, International Headquarters has established a phone number U.S. members can call in case of disasters. This provides callers a place to leave information about the situation in their area and the assistance they may need.

We encourage local leaders to advise members of this service in advance. The message is: After you are somewhere safe, call the Community of Christ U.S. Disaster Relief Line at ext. 1212. Leave the information requested and it will be passed on to those who can offer assistance for your area.


Oblation aid continues to help members in Haiti recover from hurricanes. An additional $30,000 was sent in early October after further assessments confirmed many church members homes were damaged or destroyed. Their animals and gardens were also washed away. Thanks to the generous ongoing support of Oblation Fund contributors, Community of Christ is able to respond as a worldwide church to these needs in Haiti. Thank you for sharing this news with others, offering prayers, and giving generously. See more at www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/sept/Haiti.asp.


Call to Serve at Historic Sites: There is a significant need for volunteers to serve as tour guides at Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, and the Joseph Smith Historic Site, Nauvoo, Illinois. Training and housing are provided. Serve for two months to two years or longer. Without additional help, we will soon be forced to close these sacred and historic landmarks for several days each week. For information on volunteering, contact Lachlan Mackay at (440) 339-6398.


The Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies (MEADS) schedule and course descriptions are at www.CofChrist.org/meads/. This twelve-course program is open to all who are interested in ministerial development. For more information, see the website or contact Tammy Lindle ext. 2383.

Get connected to mission with E-subscriptions. Have the 10-Minute News Report delivered to your e-mail and end the post copy. Subscribe free online. By signing up for the electronic copy, you will stop receiving the paper version. Visit www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp to subscribe today!

There are more e-subscriptions available too. You can sign up for

• Community of Christ News

• 10-Minute News Report

• Doctrine and Covenants 163 Commentary

• Weekly Devotions from Daily Bread

• New French Content

• New Spanish Content

Do you want to make peace a reality? Join Community of Christ Peace Support Network. This virtual, global network links people and groups with peacemaking ideas, information, resources, models, education, and action opportunities. Many effective, practical, field-tested tools are ready to help you “do” and “be” peace where you live. Membership is free. Don’t miss the inaugural edition of the new magazine! Go to www.peacesupportnetwork.org/signup.cfm and sign up now.


Inspire millions with “Create Peace.” Community of Christ Peace Support Network is sponsoring a video contest on YouTube with a $1,000 grand prize. Create a video yourself, another with your family, and another with your neighbors. Post them all—share your passion for peace! For more information, please see www.peacesupportnetwork.org/videos.cfm.


As of October 12, the Saints have given $86,446 to Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine. Thank you! The designated-giving goal of $330,000 will assist in providing sacred spaces for three Russia and two Ukraine congregations to worship, provide social ministry, and experience the peace of Jesus Christ. Buildings will be purchased and converted into sacred spaces. We can do it, with your help!


Please share this information with contributors in the United States: Recent legislation provides an excellent way to give to Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine through IRA charitable rollovers in the United States. If you are older than 70½, you are eligible to make an IRA charitable rollover to Community of Christ. These IRA distributions will not be included in your federal taxable income. While there is no added deduction for an IRA charitable rollover, avoiding up to $100,000 of taxable income may save substantial income taxes not otherwise available. Your IRA charitable rollover this year will qualify for all or part of your required IRA minimum distribution.

Charitable IRA Rollovers – Five Popular Reasons:

1. Convenience – simple and easy to make a gift.

2. Standard Deduction Benefit – allows the standard deduction. Since the IRA rollover is not on your return, it may reduce your taxes.

3. Lower Tax on Social Security – Because of an IRA distribution, you may be paying tax on 85% of your Social Security. Using the IRA charitable rollover may lower your income and only 50% of Social Security is taxable.

4. No Giving Limits – With an IRA charitable rollover, you may give more than the usual deductible amount of 50% of income.

5. Lower Income Level Saves Tax – Persons with higher incomes often lose part of their charitable deductions and other tax benefits. Using an IRA charitable rollover for part or all of your IRA required distribution may lower your income and save taxes.

Contact Estate and Financial Planning Ministries at efpm@CofChrist.org or 1-800-884-7526 for further information.

Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your Mission Tithes impact lives… November generosity stories feature Apostle Leonard Young’s North Atlantic (Europe/USA) Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included for each week except November 9. Read more stories in the November Herald “Sharing in the Field” section. Check with your mission center financial officer or visit www.CofChrist.org/generositystories/ to receive these stories.


Please share the following information with book stewards and others who are serving in a capacity to share information about resources and coordinate group orders through Herald House. Remind your congregation they can always shop Herald House online at www.HeraldHouse.org.

• The 2009 Daily Bread was edited by Dick and Barbara Howard. Enjoy 365 days of personal stories and inspirational reflections from church members and leaders. A wonderful gift for family and friends that keeps giving all year long!
  ISBN: 9780830914159

• Worship Resources – Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ’s Peace continues its rich tradition of providing inspiring ideas for personal and congregational worship in 2009. This “must have” resource enhances worship with ideas for readings, stories, music, and sermon topics.
  $25.95 9780830913886 – Book and CD-Rom set $20.95 9780830913862 – Book only
  $10.00 9780830913879 – CD-Rom only

• The Three-in-One, Celebration Edition of the scriptures was the first to feature the Community of Christ nameplate and is embossed with the peace seal and gold foil stamped on the cover and spine. Limited quantities are available.
  ISBN: 9780830910083 Sale price: $36.00

Help us sing what we believe! You are invited to participate in an open submission process and an online hymnal survey. Visit www.CofChrist.org/hymnal/ for complete details. The online survey will be available through December 31. For open submissions, songs that speak to our mission and identity that are not in Hymns of the Saints, Sing for Peace, Sing a New Song, or By Request should be submitted to the Hymnal Steering Team for consideration. The source of the piece must be able to be documented. Open submissions will be accepted through April 15, 2009.


Community of Christ Health Ministries Association (HMA) will hold its 6th annual Health and Spirituality Workshop, “Healing Self & Community,” November 7–8 at Community of Christ Temple. The workshop is for health professionals, pastoral ministers, caregivers, seminarians, hospice, families, volunteers, and students with continuing education credit. For more, contact HMA@CofChrist.org or ext. 1262 or visit www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/sept/Health_Sprituality_wkshp.asp.


Community of Christ Health Ministries Association has a new bulletin insert, “Be a Responsible Patient” with simple reminders of what to take with you when you seek medical treatment and how to have the most productive appointment. Go to www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download it to share.


Health education classes for 2009 reunions can be staffed by HMA, which seeks to help increase knowledge and encourage people in their efforts to take charge of their health as part of their stewardship of “wholeness”. See www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/oct/hma.asp for possible class topics then contact HMA at HMA@CofChrist.org or ext. 1262.


The Independence Messiah Choir will present George Frederic Handel’s Messiah with the Kansas City Symphony on Saturday, November 22, at 8:00 p.m. at Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri. Tickets are available through the symphony at (816) 471-0400.


An Advent concert by the Graceland University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, University Chorus, and Orchestra will be held at Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, on Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Student and faculty soloists will be featured.

The following World Church minister assignment was approved by the World Church Human Resource Committee. Effective September 18, Holly Norton was assigned to Southwest International Mexico/USA Mission Center as the mission center financial officer.