PHOTO BY JIM HANNAH

Sanctuary Reopening Postponed

April 2, 2008 —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 our 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. 

The Prayer for Peace will continue to be held in the Temple Meditation Chapel at 1 p.m. (Central Daylight Time) each day and in the many places throughout the world where people join in lifting their voices in prayer.

Thank you for your understanding and all that you do to share the peace of Jesus Christ.

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

02/27/2008

Celebrate May Reopening
of Temple Sanctuary

The Community of Christ Temple Sanctuary and Worshiper’s Path will reopen the first weekend of May with events to engage staff, the community, and leaders and members from around the world. Please join with us in prayer and worship, in person and via the Web for these significant moments:

• Friday, May 2 at 12:40 p.m. staff and visitors will take a reflective, guided journey up the Worshiper’s Path in preparation for the 1:00 p.m. Prayer for Peace. A reception with World Church leaders, who will be in Independence for leadership council meetings, will follow from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 7:00 p.m., guides will be posted along the Worshiper’s Path to offer a special experience for all those who can stop by.
• Sunday, May 4, the 1:00 p.m. Daily Prayer for Peace will be followed by Temple tours with guides positioned on the Worshiper’s Path from 1:30 to 2:30 and 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. An organ recital will be held at 3:00 p.m. A worship service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

May 4 Worship and Webcast

Become a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace

Acappella group All-4-One gets things started in the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m.  President Steve Veazey will share a message on our expanding understanding of Doctrine and Covenants 163:8 and how Temple Ministries are moving forward—from the sacred space in Independence to the many places throughout the world where members work to share the peace of Jesus Christ

Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m. CDT in the Temple Sanctuary and will be broadcast live via the Web site at www.CofChrist.org in English, French, and Spanish. For tips on receiving live webcasts, visit www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/webcast_help.asp.

PHOTO BY JIM HANNAH

Jane Gardner, co-leader of the Temple Ministries Team, said the concept that guides Temple Ministries is “Restoring God’s Shalom: Individual and Community Journey of Transformation.” She explained, “This firmly places God at the center of Divine activity and uses journey language, emphasizing ministries with the power to transform individuals as well as communities.” The processes evident in Temple Ministries are worship, formation, and praxis (practices).

Temple Ministries throughout the world are those that uphold the purpose of restoring God’s Shalom; integrate the processes of worship, formation, and practice; and bring about transformation. Jane said, “Integration of these processes is key to understanding Temple Ministries.” For example, a workshop on the spiritual disciplines, if approached as a Temple Ministry, would integrate worship (praise, confession, proclamation, commitment) in which the disciplines are modeled, reading and learning about the different disciplines, and the hands-on experience of trying them out.

“This integration says something to us about mission and service,” Jane explained. For example: how might such a workshop on spiritual disciplines impact an individual’s or congregation’s commitment to stand for peace and justice? What transformation is possible? How might the spiritual disciplines be engaged to further the outreach and service projects of the congregation? And so on.

Daily Prayer for Peace Emphasis

The Prayer for Peace is a Temple Ministry that happens at the Temple and around the world 365 days a year. As a house of prayer for all nations, the Temple serves as a sacred space where all countries of the world are prayed for and all people are welcomed to worship together. Each day since December 1993, a prayer has been offered in the Temple for a specific country. Each day’s prayer is available at www.CofChrist.org/PrayerPeace/.

In addition, many congregations, mission centers, individuals, and event planners incorporate the Prayer for Peace as a daily discipline. This supports a vision of a denominational practice of praying for peace every day and at every worship and gathering. The Prayer for Peace is a wonderful opportunity to engage local communities and incorporate local peace and justice concerns with those of a worldwide focus.

Grounded in Mission

The Sanctuary and Worshiper’s Path have been closed since January 8 to replace worn flooring after 14 years of daily use. The new elements will come together with the existing design to better reflect and engage people in the purpose of the Temple and its ministries. The 195-foot spiral ceiling in the Sanctuary will continue to draw our eyes up, while new elements symbolize the grounding required to pursue our call to share the peace of Jesus Christ on earth.

On the Worshiper’s Path artwork, lighting, and new carpet will come together to create a reflective atmosphere along the scripturally-based path. Temple tours with guides posted on the Worshiper’s Path will be offered throughout the reopening weekend to purposefully engage people in new ways as they prepare for worship in a holy place.

PHOTO BY JIM HANNAH

Two newer pieces of art will be seen on the path. The Tree of Life was installed for the 2007 World Conference. It is a stainless steel, copper, and brass sculpture. Using Revelation 22:2 as a foundation, the tree can represent enlightenment, spiritual growth, generosity, healing, hope, and bringing forth new life in the springtime of our souls. The Burning Bush, a dimensional tapestry, will be installed at the base of the Worshiper’s Path at the end of April.

All are invited to take part in celebrating the reopening of the Temple Sanctuary and Worshiper’s Path. “…the Temple calls the entire church to become a sanctuary of Christ’s peace, where people from all nations, ethnicities, and life circumstances can be gathered into a spiritual home without dividing walls, as a fulfillment of the vision for which Jesus Christ sacrificed his life” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:8c).

—Kendra Friend reporting