World Church Staff Begins
40 Days of Spiritual Preparation

This morning, members of the World Church staff gathered in the Temple sanctuary to share in worship as a beginning event for the 40 days of spiritual preparation, which the entire church will be entering into on Sunday, February 25.

Linda Booth, Rich Kohlman, and Carolyn Brock led the World Church staff in worship.

Rich Kohlman, Staff Pastoral Services, opened the service. “Can we be our new name…allow ourselves to be claimed by our new name…commit ourselves to become that kind of community?” he asked.

Apostle Linda Booth, director of Communications and a member of the Name Change Implementation Team, shared her testimony regarding the name change. She spoke of the challenge, fear, and grieving involved in this process, as well as the joy and anticipation. She reminded us that this is a personal process-and that God is involved.

Through Linda’s role at World Church headquarters, the details of how we express who we are to the community (including signs, letterhead, business cards, etc.) have been a major focus. However, she reminded worshipers that “Community of Christ is not just for our signs--it’s for our hearts.” She pledged to participate in the 40 days of spiritual preparation and invited all to do the same. “I believe the power of God calls us to be a community centered in Jesus Christ,” Linda said, “a community of Zion, for all people.”

Jan Kraybill, Worship Ministries, played the organ as everyone rose to sing “Take the Path of the Disciple,” a new hymn written by Randall Pratt, Stewardship Foundation, and arranged by Jan. Carolyn Brock, Peace and Justice Ministries, concluded the service with a pastoral prayer.

--Kendra Friend