November 7, 2008

connecting the Community of Christ staff community

Team Kick-off a Success!

Thanks to all who attended the team meeting, in person and through virtual means, with Todd Long on Wednesday afternoon. Many IHQ staff considered the time a success and people are looking forward to the next stages of the team process.

Todd outlined three key elements of dynamic teams here at IHQ.

• the worth of all persons
• we are all part of the whole
• we are companions on the journey.

The next stage of the team process will be team leader training on November 10 and 11.

Open Enrollment

Health and Dental Benefit Open Enrollment will begin November 12 and will close November 30. Human Resource Ministries be sending additional information out next week.

Holiday Closings

International Headquarters will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27-28 for the Thanksgiving (USA) holiday. The offices will also be closed for the Christmas break from Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, January 2.

Holiday Open House

Food, fun and fellowship are the order of the day at the Holiday Open House on December 3, from 10-11:30 and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Take time to visit with new and old friends throughout the complex as you check out areas you may not have visited for a while.

A scavenger hunt is in the works (more details to come). Make plans now to decorate your office suite area and if you’d like to provide snacks to share please feel free to make these available as we celebrate the joy of this season.

Hymnal Project

Help us sing what we believe! You are invited to participate in an open submission process and an online hymnal survey. Visit www.CofChrist.org/hymnal/ or complete details. The online survey will be available through December 31. For open submissions, songs that speak to our mission and identity that are not in Hymns of the Saints, Sing for Peace, Sing a New Song, or By Request should be submitted to the Hymnal Steering Team for consideration. The source of the piece must be able to be documented. Open submissions will be accepted through April 15, 2009.

E-subscriptions

E-subscriptions are a great way to stay connected and are now available for everyone! In addition to the 10-Minute News Report, you can get church news, media releases, event announcements, devotions, and resources through free subscriptions.

Sign up today and invite your friends! Visit www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp to choose what you want to receive in your inbox.

Looking for Writers

The Community of Christ Peace Support Network needs your help in identifying potential authors for the international magazine, PeaceLinks. Authors from all over the globe are wanted and needed. To suggest an author, model of ministry, or submit an article, please e-mail peacesupportnetwork@gmail.com. We welcome articles which highlight any area of peacemaking.

To view the inaugural edition of PeaceLinks in Spanish, English, and French, please see http://www.peacesupportnetwork.org/peacelinks.cfm  Articles should be 800 words or less. The next submission deadline is November 24, 2008, so please act now to help empower others to "do" and "be" peace where they live!

Book Store Hosts Employee Event

The Temple Book Store is hosting their annual Employee Event on Wednesday, November 12. Come and see the new Auditorium ornament, Tahitian shell necklace and more!

All employees receive a 15% discount on purchases.

Update to IHQ Staff Worship

The IHQ staff worship has been rescheduled for December 10, at 3:00 p.m. This new date was chosen to minimize the burden on our staff due to a full events calendar in November. Please mark your calendars and watch for more details.

If you would like to assist with planning or participate in the worship, please contact Carina Wilson at ext. 1389.

Messiah Performance

The Independence Messiah Choir will present George Frederic Handel’s Messiah with the Kansas City Symphony on Saturday, November 22, at 8:00 p.m. at Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri. Tickets are available through the symphony at (816) 471-0400.

Advent Concert

An Advent concert by the Graceland University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, University Chorus, and Orchestra will be held at Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, on Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Student and faculty soloists will be featured.

Generosity Stories

Join us each month for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your Mission Tithes impact lives… Generosity stories are a great way to share good news with your congregation during the offertory. Visit www.CofChrist.org/generositystories/  to read stories from Apostle Leonard Young’s North Atlantic (Europe/USA) Mission Field. Read more stories in the November Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

Called to Serve at Historic Sites

There is a very significant need for volunteers to serve as tour guides at Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio and at the Joseph Smith Historic Site in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Training and housing are provided. Serve for two months to two years or longer. Without additional help, we will soon be forced to close these sacred and historic landmarks for several days each week.

For information on volunteering, contact Lachlan Mackay at (440) 339-6398.

New U.S. Disaster Relief Line

When natural disasters strike and communities are evacuated, congregational pastors in affected areas often have difficulty communicating with their members to determine their situation. At the request of mission center officers affected by recent hurricanes, International Headquarters has established a phone number U.S. members can call in case of disasters. This provides callers a place to leave information about the situation in their area and the assistance they may need.

We encourage local leaders to advise members of this service in advance. The message is: After you are somewhere safe, call the Community of Christ U.S. Disaster Relief Line at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 1212. Leave the information requested and it will be passed on to those who can offer assistance for your area.

Submit news and announcements for consideration in NewsPEACE.