May 2008

The Sanctuary reopening has been postponed. Work is progressing to replace worn flooring in the Temple Sanctuary and Worshiper’s Path. While much of the work is completed as scheduled, the implementation of the design has not met expectations. The Temple experience is important in the life and ministries of the Community of Christ. To ensure the best experience for our members and friends, we will delay reopening the Temple Sanctuary and Worshiper’s Path to address this issue. The reopening activities and worship service planned for May 2 and 4 are postponed. A new timeline is being established and details will be shared as soon as possible.

Koinonia Partners will receive the 2008 Community of Christ International Peace Award during the Peace Colloquy. Koinonia, named from the New Testament Greek word for fellowship, began in Americus, Georgia, as an intentional Christian community. From the beginning, Koinonia sought to provide a “demonstration plot” for the kingdom of God, particularly in equality between races. Habitat for Humanity, among other significant organizations, began in Koinonia. See the article in the May Herald and visit www.CofChrist.org/peaceaward/ to learn more. Representatives of this community will deliver a keynote at the Colloquy titled, “The Story of Koinonia.”


Register online for Peace Colloquy at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/. October 3–5 at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, explore the theme “Signal Communities—Hope of Zion” with leaders from throughout our worldwide church. More details can be found online, in the Herald, and from pastor mailings. Questions? Contact Jeanette Hicks, co-director, at ext. 2224.

Continue exploring Doctrine and Covenants Section 163 through monthly commentaries available in the Herald, and online at www.CofChrist.org/D&C163/. Also look for the new adult study resource Claimed by Christ’s Vision, which features insights on seven topics related to Section 163. Visit www.CofChrist.org/onlineresources/claimed/ to download it free or order the book through www.HeraldHouse.org.

Every pastor will soon receive a copy of Giving magazine for their congregation. This nationally recognized stewardship resource will reach more than 42,000 North American subscribers in 23 denominations this spring. Every Community of Christ congregation in Canada and the United States will receive a copy of this valuable tool. Why? When you receive your copy, turn to pages 14 and 15. This edition features three of our own stories of generosity (offertory stories). In addition to our own stories, you will find this edition of Giving packed with ideas for stewardship ministry. We suggest that you pass it on to those in your congregation who work with this ministry.

Young adults, don't let cash stop you from attending important World Church events. There are scholarships available for young adults to attend the Congregational LIFE Workshop (July 27–August 1 at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa) and the Peace Colloquy (October 3–5 at the Temple, Independence, Missouri). To find more information about both events, as well as an application for the CLW scholarship, visit www.CofChrist.org/emergence/events.asp. The deadline for CLW scholarship applications is June 1. For information about Peace Colloquy scholarships, e-mail Jeanette Hicks.

Women who attend the ecumenical women’s gathering hosted at International Headquarters June 19–22 will enjoy a special closing event for Community of Christ sisters. Following the final worship of the Church Women United-sponsored ecumenical event, enjoy a catered luncheon with Community of Christ women in the Auditorium Lower Assembly Room. (A suggested donation will cover costs.) Share with each other and church leaders including Presidents Steve Veazey and Becky Savage, Apostles Stassi Cramm and Mary Jacks Dynes, Central Mission Center President Barbara Borkowski and others about what we can do as individuals, congregations, and a worldwide church to respond in our communities to issues raised during the conference. The sending forth will conclude by 3:00 p.m.

Women ages 15 and up from Canada and the United States are encouraged to register for, “Claim a New Vision Together: Envision, Equip, Empower, Engage,” at www.gathering08.org for $200. Call ext. 2247 or visit www.CofChrist.org/womensconf/ for more details.

The MEADS program is open to any student interested in ministerial development. MEADS (Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies) is cosponsored by Community of Christ Seminary and Temple School. This twelve-course certificate program is designed to empower participants for ministry. The courses offer a concentrated study of foundational theology, church history, scripture, and practical ministry formation. The two courses available at this summer’s Congregational LIFE Workshop are:

• History of Christian Thought—Ruth Ann Wood, instructor
• Church Polity and Administration—Scott Murphy, instructor

Complete details on the Congregational LIFE Workshop, held at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, July 27–August 1, can be found at www.CofChrist.org/clw/ or by contacting Tammy Lindle or ext. 2383.

African American Ministries is hosting a retreat and providing scholarships for CLW. Scholarship applications are due May 15 and are available at www.CofChrist.org/aam/. The retreat will be held September 26–28 in Collinsville, Illinois. For more information on this event, including a flier, visit www.CofChrist.org/aam/retreat.asp.

Has your jurisdiction received a World Hunger or Tangible Love Grant for a project you have in your community? Please remember to send in your financial reports to Michelle McAuley no later than June 30. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle at mmcauley@CofChrist.org or ext. 2216.

Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your Mission Tithes impact lives. The May stories of generosity (offertory stories) feature Apostle Linda Booth’s Southern USA Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included with each week’s story except May 11. Read even more stories in the May Herald “Sharing in the Field” section. If you are not receiving the monthly stories, check with your mission center financial officer or find them online at www.CofChrist.org/offertory/.

The theme for International Youth Forum (IYF) 2009, “ONE,” will provide opportunities to explore various dimensions of Christ’s vision of the peaceable kingdom of God on earth as outlined in Section 163 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Activities will include worship, small group encounters, experiential learning, cross-cultural experiences, and personal faith exploration. Watch, budget, and prepare for the mystery of “ONE” to unfold. IYF in Independence, Missouri, USA, will be held July 21–24, 2009, with a registration cost of $200. Further details and materials will be shared soon. Other IYF sites will be Bangkok, Thailand; Santa Barbara, Honduras; and Malawai, Africa. Information is being finalized regarding partnering among Canada and United States mission centers for travel to these sites. For further information, contact Poul Wilson at ext. 2357 or kpwilson@CofChrist.org.

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.

• Claimed by Christ’s Vision —IABN 9780830913770 $12.95
  Explore insights on seven topics related to Doctrine and Covenants 163 and other scriptures with the following authors: Apostles Linda Booth and Susan Skoor, young adult ministers Adam Wade and Erica Blevins Nye, Presiding Bishop Steve Jones, Becky Savage of the First Presidency, and World Church secretary Andrew Shields.
   

• Looking for an Inspirational Graduation Gift?
  These two books by Jared Munson offer a collection of testimonies from a teen perspective about life on the front lines of missionary ministry and the need to face our fears of rejection and failure. These are must-reads for the recent grads in your life!
  Courageous Witness
  ISBN 9780830910694 $8.95
  Face Your Fears
  ISBN 9780830911530 $9.95

A new Community of Christ Seminary course is coming soon. Apocalyptic Literature will be available June 23–August 16. This course, taught online by Wayne Ham, will provide a survey of apocalyptic literature from various cultural traditions with special focus on the Hebrew canon, the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, and the impact of the apocalyptic movement on the Christian gospels and the Pauline epistles. Attention will also be given to the possible origins of apocalyptic literature and its expression in the Jewish Apocrypha and the Christian pseudepigrapha.

Health Ministries Association has a new bulletin insert, “Sabbaths of Hope: Faith Communities Responding to Depression” for May which is Mental Health Month. Thirty one percent of persons seeking help with a depressive illness reach out to their clergy or faith-based leaders. We need to be ready with accurate information! Go to www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download and print for your congregation.

At a recent World Church Human Resource Committee meeting, World Church minister Kathleen D. Clark was assigned to South Central States USA Mission Center, president, effective April 28.