RMMC Weekly Update
January 7, 2015
From Tim Ashburn
Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!
Hopes for 2015: (Reprinted from the 2014 Annual Report)
Along with most of Christianity in the western world, we are experiencing a decline in membership, giving, interest and activity. Our core membership is getting older and there are several generations missing from our fellowship. Our contributor base is thus shrinking, making financial resources and the ability to maintain ministry and structures increasingly difficult. It is a time of transition, not just for the Rocky Mountain Mission Center or the Community of Christ as a whole, but for all of Christianity, even though there is little comfort in knowing that we are not alone in the challenges that face the broader church, there is hope in discovering the new shape and form of the coming church in our time.
Currently, the Rocky Mountain Mission Center has two congregations engaged in the Leading Congregations in Mission (LCM) 5 year pilot, Colorado Springs and Greenwood Village. Through participation in this pilot we are learning along with 70 plus other congregations throughout the United States and Canada, possibilities for moving forward in this time of transition. At the heart of the pilot is the necessity for a cultural shift in our congregations. That means the way we have always been as congregations will not work for the ministry ahead. This calls for a vulnerable honest look at how we are the faith community proclaiming and living Christ’s mission in our communities. We cannot simply ignore our circumstances or be complacent about what is happening around us if we want to be communities that are the light, grace and peace of Jesus Christ, where people can find healing and hope and the expression of Christ’s mission.
All this may seem to indicate to work harder or faster or longer or do more than we are currently doing. In a time when there are less and less people to lead in congregations and provide ministry how can we expect more? Instead, we are called to cultivate our hearts and tune them to listen to the touch of the Spirit, to slow down and immerse ourselves in relationship with the divine and from that encounter move forward in vulnerability and invest ourselves in relationships because we love people, just as Jesus did. It is fairly certain that the model of “church” will look different. We have permission to organize and be community in whatever is best in pursuing Christ’s mission in our particular context. We can be a congregation with a building or without a building, we can meet in various places, we can focus on what our particular gifts and surroundings call us to, we can become whatever we discover in our dreaming with God.
In the coming year, I hope that we are willing to risk stepping out into the unknown with God. I hope that we can truly listen to the still small voice that calls us and respond with our giftedness of who we are, not what someone tells us we are suppose to be. I believe our movement flows out of our connectedness with God and at the heart of God is love and that love will draw us into streams of flow that will connect with who we are as a person and a people and relationships will naturally happen. Remember the saying, “if you do something you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.” May it be so with us as we step into God’s presence.
Blessings,
Tim
MISSION PRAYER:
“God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace.” Amen
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MISSION CENTER EVENTS: PLEASE SHARE THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN YOUR CONGREGATION!!!)
6th Annual Knit-a-thon, Saturday, January 10, 10am – 5pm at the Mesa County Central Library: This event provides a space for knitters/crocheters of all ages and skill levels to come together and create hats and other items for the newborn babies at St. Mary’s hospital and cancer patients in the oncology department, as well as the homeless who receive services at Homeward Bound in Grand Junction. If members cannot travel to attend this event, please consider meeting in your own community during this weekend, it could be the first mission center wide knit-a-thon, and items can be donated to local hospitals. Activities are planned for youth and participants. Please notify Naomi Barlow if you will be attending and if you need housing. nomebarlow@gmail.com, or (970)623-1455.
Sr. High Ski Retreat, January 23-25, Salida, CO:
The annual Sr. High Ski Trip is open to youth in grades 9-12. The weekend will include games, downhill skiing/snowboarding, or snowshoeing/cross country skiing, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, fun & fellowship! In past years, cost has varied from $75-$120 depending on ski activity and number of youth attending. Although the registration deadline for this event has passed, there are still a few remaining spots! For more information, contact Jordan Wight wight.jordan@gmail.com, and/or Naomi Barlow nomebarlow@gmail.com.
Emergency Preparedness Training in 2015. What would YOU do if an Emergency/Disaster hit Church – Home – Work – Community? Know how to plan for an emergency; Learn basic response skills focusing on emergency/disaster training
and safety. This is an opportunity to provide training, information and service for the communities in which our congregations reside. The Denver Office of Emergency Management has been working with David Cook, a priesthood member in Castle Rock. The Denver OEM wants to run a pilot program in emergency/disaster training preparation in which communities where we have congregations. The congregation would serve as a location and host for the community to receive such training. Please contact Rebecca, at the mission center office if your congregation is interested in being a part of this community project. brussell@cofchristrm.org Pastors are being sent more specific information. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHMENTS WITH THIS EDITION OF THE WEEKLY UPDATE!
Jr. High Retreat, March 6-8 at Fort Collins Congregation. The directors are Cherry and Shandra Newcom. Registration info will be coming soon. Questions? Contact Shandra at: snewcom@cofchrist.org
The next SITE (Seminars in Theological Education) class is scheduled to be held February 6-8, 2015. If you are interested in more information about SITE, please contact Shandra Newcom at: snewcom@cofchrist.org. SITE will also be offering 3 more classes in 2016! Even if you have attended SITE classes in the past (or graduated from the SITE program) you can return and take the three new classes. The classes are Peace and Justice, Spirituality and Community of Christ History.
When registering for an event using the RMMC website please note!: In order to receive an email confirmation of registration for an event, please make sure your SPAM manager setting allows you to receive emails from cofchristrm.org. If you are still not able to receive a confirmation of registration please contact Rebecca in the mission center office, brussell@cofchristrm.org
A Nichole Nordeman concert at the Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, January 23rd 7:30pm, will benefit the Feed-My-Starving-Children Slammin’ Famine event the following month. Information about this concert and event are attached to this email. There is opportunity to share this information in your congregation. This concert and event is being sponsored by The Gathering at Windsor.
Calling all Leaders! Leadership Weekend: March 13-14th. Apostle Ron Harmon will be attending the gathering this year which will be held at the Ft. Collins church facility. Online registration will be available soon! Please contact Rebecca at the mission center office with questions, brussell@cofchristrm.org.
From Graceland University: “Interested in advancing your education?”
If you are a school educator you may want to explore these M.Ed emphases:
- Mild/Moderate Special Education
- Curriculum and Instruction in a Quality Classroom
- Technology Integration
- Differentiated Instruction
- Management in a Quality Classroom
- Literacy Instruction
For non-school personnel, we offer an M.Ed in Instructional Leadership.
Our programs are online, highly accredited and some of the very best in the country.
In fact, our Master of Education Program is rated #11 in the country by U.S. News and World Report!
For information, please call or e-mail Jeanette Calipetro at 816-423-4715 or jcali1@graceland.edu.
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Disciple Formation News will be e-mailed automatically each month to all who have subscribed for Community of Christ News. There is no need to sign up for an additional subscription! News will include highlighted resources, ideas for small group ministries, and teaching tips. We would love to feature the exciting ministries taking place in your congregation, so please share your ideas (don’t forget to include photos!).
Questions? Contact Janné Grover
OTHER ITEMS:
10 Minute News: For more information from the World Church please go to
www.cofchrist.org/news/10min. The 10 Minutes News Report can be subscribed to electronically (see the side bar at the website titled E-Subscriptions.)