March 6, 2009

connecting the staff community

PRESIDENT VEAZEY TO ADDRESS THE CHURCH

From Apostle Linda L. Booth, Director of Communications:
We will be doing all we can to communicate with the World Church about this important event and webcast, and we know we need your valuable help! Please share this information in congregations and church groups this weekend. Thank you for all that you do!

Invitation to the Church

“There are many issues that could easily consume the time and energy of the church. However, the challenge before a prophetic people is to discern and pursue what matters most for the journey ahead” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:11b).

As we prepare for the 2010 World Conference, the church faces many critical issues that could distract us from God’s mission for Community of Christ. Prophet-President Stephen M. Veazey will address these issues in a major address to the church on Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m. CDT, at the Temple in Independence, Missouri.

The church is urged to participate in person and via webcast. See www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/upcoming.asp for details. The address will be presented in English, French, and Spanish.

Please join the World Church Leadership Council in prayerful support of this significant address to the church.

In Christ’s peace,
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

E-GROUP MEETINGS

The results of this year’s IHQ survey were shared this week. If you would like to see the results in more detail contact Charlie Browne at ext. 2255 to set a time to meet.

Mark your calendar for the working e-group sessions on March 25 in the Auditorium west dining room. If you have a question or idea you’d like the e-groups to work with, contact Judith Yager.  

• 8:30 a.m. – WCLC & Support
• 2:00 p.m. – Ministry Support Specialists
• 3:30 p.m. – Service Support Specialists

Thank you again for your participation and the ongoing ministries you share.

WHO’S WHO AT IHQ

Erica Blevins Nye is the Young Adult Disciple Formation Specialist.  You may not see her smiling face around IHQ too often because Erica works from her home in Troy, Michigan (Detroit area).  As she doesn’t have the opportunity to interact personally as often as those of us who work here, we’d like you to know a little more about her.

When asked about…

Favorite Books / Movies:  Wish I had time for fun books, but seminary is keeping me busy with reading!  My husband, Michael, and I are addicted to “House”.  We’ve been renting the episodes on DVD – so far we’re through Season 3.

Hobbies:  Acting and performance writing (my BA is Theatre Writing); stained glass art; kite flying; making chocolate desserts with Michael; eating chocolate desserts with Michael.

Personal Hero:  I’m gonna be Kermit the Frog when I grow up.

Greatest Joy:  My greatest joy has been my marriage (sappy, I know…)  Sharing a life with someone has been a delightful adventure so far!  I’m a lucky girl!

Family:  I grew up in Independence, and my parents Dale and Marla Blevins, still live there.  I have a twin sister, Melanie, who is working toward a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Colorado.  And my younger sister, Carrie, is pursuing her Ph.D. in School Psychology at University of Nebraska.  Michael is a patent lawyer and an electrical engineer.  We have been married for almost a year and we have no children or pets.

To Know About Me:   I am IHQ staff, working remotely.  You might not see me at IHQ too often, but don’t forget I’m here to help!   I’m eager to hear from you and to support the young adult facets of your ministry.  Don’t ever hesitate to give me a call or send an email.  517-881-6535 or eblevins@CofChrist.org.

Also, I enjoy creative worship – writing/performing dramas, readings, etc.  I’m always game to get involved with something creative – just ask!

I love this church and what it stands for – what a blessing to be a part of this ministry!  It’s a joy to live out my sense of calling with you all!   

Erica is currently working on communication to support young adults in their own ministries.  She also helps educate leaders and members about ministry and relationships with young adults.

Tanya Howery is a housekeeper on the Facilities team. If you appreciate getting mail delivered to your part of the complex, you can thank Tanya! She is responsible for sorting and delivering incoming and interoffice mail as well as cleaning break rooms, the book store and the museum. She also gets called to help with a lot of the odd jobs that get called in to Facilities.

Tanya enjoys going to the movies but generally rents and is especially fond of movies starring Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt. She’s also a fan of lots of old movies too. Her favorite ethnic food is Italian and she loves to work in her flower beds at home. She’s pretty bummed right now because the cold weather has her stuck inside cleaning the house instead!

She really looks up to her dad as a real-life hero and shares that her greatest joy is her 4 children: Natasha–a high school senior, Amy–12, Kayle–9, and Shaun–7. Next time you see Tanya, stop and say hello!

LENT SCRIPTURE READINGS

As we enter the season of Lent we encourage you to take advantage of the daily Lenten scripture readings available at www.CofChrist.org  The daily scripture text is accessible through the calendar in the Highlights section. Please share this opportunity with your mission center, pastors, congregations, family, and friends. May we each come to new insight and awareness this season as we study, pray, and rest in the Holy One we call Jesus Christ.

DUO ORGAN RECITAL

Community of Christ's Auditorium organ is unique in that it is really two organs, with consoles and sets of pipes 200 feet from each other at opposite ends of the room.

This Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. both main and antiphonal consoles will be used--a rare occurrence! Des Moines organists David Raymond (Cathedral Church of St. Paul) and Carl Gravander (Plymouth Congregational Church) will perform duet and solo works at the free recital.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

The following one-day seminars are available for IHQ staff. If you are interested in attending please contact your e-group leader. Contact Judith Yager, ext. 2358, with questions.

• Mistake-Free Grammar & Proofreading     
  March 12 – Overland Park, KS – Radisson Hotel
  Get a firm grip on grammar rules, learn to proofread with perfection – and enjoy yourself in the process
   
• Management Skills for First-Time Supervisors    
  April 24 – Kansa City, MO – Holiday Inn Sports Complex
  Get the solid skills you need to achieve exceptional results through others

SAVE THE DATE

Experience the Temple as life-giving symbol (Doctrine and Covenants 163:8) on Sunday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Watch www.CofChrist.org/events/mayaug09.asp and the Herald for more information.

CHARACTER PLUS

The little orange guy you’ve seen around town and here in NewsPEACE associated with the CharacterPlus traits has a name – Dr. Bob.  He is named after “Dr. Bob” Clothier who, as a member of the Independence School Board, championed character and children.  Those who knew Dr. Clothier knew that he personified each of the character traits that make up this logo. 

INITIATIVE is the word for March. 
Initiative – to act and make decisions on your own.

Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. —Eleanor Roosevelt

You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do. —Henry Ford

I would rather regret the things I have done than the things I have not. —Lucille Ball

If you can't feed 1,000 people, then feed one. —Mother Teresa

You can't cross a sea by merely staring into the water.  —Rabindranath Tagore, 1913 Nobel laureate for literature

What will you do with initiative this month?

Submit news and announcements for consideration in NewsPEACE.