June 26, 2009

connecting the staff community

World Church Finance Board

Hopeful.

That one feeling permeated the World Church Finance Board recently as it met over a weekend to consider a new budget clouded by the economic recession.

To arrive at that optimistic state, the board looked to the past and gazed into the future before supporting a $24.73 million World Ministries budget for the 2010 fiscal year, which will begin July 1. Approval by the fifty-plus members—a group from nine countries with some spots filled by position, such as apostles, and others by election—came June 14, just one day before the World Church trimmed staff members at International Headquarters and in the field because of the economic downturn. The board mourned the losses, but members also found encouragement.

Read the entire article by Greg Clark at www.CofChrist.org/news/2009/june/wcfb.asp.

A Defining Moment:
What it means for you and your congregation

President Steve Veazey’s April 5, 2009, address to the worldwide church, “A Defining Moment,” helps us focus on what matters most. The address has been organized into video chapters with thought-provoking questions to guide your exploration of what it means to become who God is calling us to become.

This resource is wonderful for Sunday school classes this fall or for reunion, retreat and mission center settings or as personal meditation.

Fourth of July in Independence

Enjoy the 10th annual July 4 celebration in Independence at the Mormon Visitors Center.  Gates open at 8 p.m. and fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. (dusk). Bring blankets or lawn chairs for the viewing and food and beverages are also permitted. No alcohol, drugs, open flames or personal fireworks are allowed.

IHQ staff and their family and friends are invited to use the Temple rooftop garden to view the fireworks. Please wear your Community of Christ nametag so that if asked, your family and friends can say that they belong with you.

Visit the City of Independence website for more information.

Summer Interns

Welcome to our summer interns serving at historic sites and International Headquarters!

Kirtland Temple

Holly, Alice G., Alice R., Amanda

Holly Curtis is a recent graduate from Graceland University with majors in History and International Studies, as well as a minor in political science. Currently at the Kirtland Temple, she was in Nauvoo, Illinois as an intern for the Joseph Smith Historic Site two years ago. Her family traces its church history back to the 1840s and has been living in the Independence, Missouri area for a few generations. Next summer she plans to marry her fiancé, Jared Beck.

Alice Garrity has been a part of several congregations. She was born and blessed at the Follansbee, WV congregation. As a toddler she moved to Cambridge, Ohio, where a church was just beginning and finally attending the New Philadelphia, Ohio congregation in her teen years. Alice will be in her senior year at Graceland this fall.

Alice Ross is currently enrolled as a sophomore at Graceland University. She is majoring in Athletic Training and Physical Education and runs cross country and track. Her hometown is in Los Fresnos, Texas. This is her first time at Kirtland and she’s enjoying the fascinating history.

Amanda Batey will be a senior at Graceland University in the fall. She is majoring in Math Education and plans on being a high school math teacher. She also runs track and cross country for Graceland. Her hometown is Mentor, Ohio and she is returning to Kirtland for her second year as a guide.

International Headquarters

Julianne and Rachel

Julianne Jones is a junior at Graceland, majoring in Nursing. She spent last summer in Nauvoo as an intern and has worked as a Memorial Student Center (MSC) supervisor at Graceland. Julianne enjoys movies and their history. Ask her a few questions and see if you can stump her.

Rachel Cash is a senior at William Jewell, majoring in Political Science and Economics. She brings two summers of previous intern experience to this position, serving as a summer intern in Kirtland in 2006 and Nauvoo in 2007. Rachel has a dog––Trouble and a cat––Temple Cat, each has a unique history she’d be glad to share with you.

Please take a few minutes to stop by the Temple Foyer desk or Temple Book Store and welcome Rachel and Julianne.

Summer Organ Recitals

For fifty years, our staff organists have been sharing the story of the Auditorium—and now the Temple—organs and answering questions visitors have about the instruments and Community of Christ.

Recitals are about 30 minutes long and begin at 3:00 p.m. each day. Weekday recitals are held in the Temple and weekend recitals alternate between the two organs. Come be inspired by great music!

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