Dear Friends,
Greetings! I have a sign in my house that says: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” I got it after the floods of 2013 when my home and life were directly affected. You may have been affected too during that terrible September weekend. Maybe you lost some belongings, your basement was flooded, roads you drive on were impacted, or you lost your home. Even if you simply knew someone who was hurt by that flood, it impacted us all and whenever it rains now, we are reminded of that terrible time.
As I sit here I’m preparing for a large rain storm to pass through Colorado over the remainder of this week. It makes me jittery, this waiting for the rain to come. I wonder, will flooding happen again? Will my life be impacted in the same way? How will I manage it if it all happens over again? I’m waiting for the storm to pass – not quite ready to dance in the rain.
There’s one thing I know about tragedy – God is present in and through all we experience. God is there, right now, in Nepal. God is present, right now, in Baltimore. God is here, with me now, as I wait for the storm to come. As I look back over my life I see – sometimes clearly and sometimes dimly – God’s love and presence in my life. I’ve experienced this love through others who have reached out to me in compassion and friendship. I’ve seen this love as I’ve managed to survive struggle and pain in my own life. I’ve known this love in communities of hope that have surrounded me in my darkest times.
This love that I’ve known, that I’m convinced surrounds us always, moves me to bring love to the world. I’m the one who can become God’s hands and feet of love if I will be open to being used in this way. You are the one who can become the sign of compassion and tenderness in a painful situation if you will allow your heart to be opened to the presence of the living Christ in your life. We are the ones who can make a difference in the world when we act in justice -action that is born in love.
So maybe this is my dance: the dance of hope that comes when we reach beyond ourselves in mission to love our neighbor. If so, then I’m committed to dancing through whatever storm may come. Let’s hold one another in prayer as we face this weekend of storms – and let’s remember that when the sun shines outside, many we love are still experiencing storms of the heart.
May we be there for one another. May we make the phone calls and visits, listen carefully and hug generously. May we know that God walks beside us every step of the way. And may we, together, dance.
In Hope,
Shandra
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!!!)
Camp Paradise Opening, May 8-10, 2015, You are invited to assist with the opening of Camp Paradise for the 2015 camping season. Come and camp or stay in the lodge, bring you own food and help get the camp ready for another season of ministry, fun and fellowship. All types of skills and help are needed. The weekend begins at 6 pm on Friday, May 8th and ends Sunday, May 10th at 12 noon. If you have questions please contact Michael Nelms at 970-215-5423 or by email at mnelms66@gmail.comNO CAMP FEES!
“Ministry with Latter-Day Seekers- What it is and How to Prepare” taught by President of Seventy, Robin Linkhart on Wednesday May 13, from 6:30-7:30 at the Longmont Community of Christ, 641 Martin St. Soup and salad at 6pm; pease rsvp to Cheryl at 303-776-5498 or cherylmbarnett@comcast.net
Young Adult Retreat May 22-25 in Boulder, CO. The theme for this year’s retreat is: “One Voice in the Crowd.” We will be experiencing a peace, justice and spirituality retreat together and woold love to see you there!. Cost is: $120 per person. Everyone ages 18-35 is invited to join us. We start Friday night at 6 p.m. and go through Monday at noon. Please note: (If you’re interested in running the Boulder Boulder, we will be in the perfect spot for it!) Questions? Contact Shandra Newcom at : snewcom@cofchrist.org
Camp Paradise Reunion, June 17-21, 2015
Join us for a time of… renewal and rest, inspiration and challenge, fellowship and fun, meaningful learning and vibrant worship, entering into deeper relationships with God, one another and our selves and of building the beloved community of God in our little piece of paradise and beyond. Our 2015 reunion resource Live, Love, Share focuses on words of counsel brought to the church by President Stephen M. Veazey at the 2013 World Conference—to be and do God’s vision and mission in a more practical and transformative way than ever before.
We are looking forward to learning from and sharing with John Wight this year! John S. Wight, a minister of Community of Christ, is field missionary coordinator for the North Central USA/Canada Mission Field. He has served as a president of seventy since 1998. He currently serves as president of the Quorum 10 and was set apart as senior president of seventy in 2010. John will be teaching the adult class and sharing in several different forms of public ministry throughout the reunion.
In addition Jenna Wight a recent GU grad and very gifted musician is coming out to provide children and campfire ministry. In the summer of 2014, Jena taught a class and provided music ministry at the Brush Creek Mission Center Reunion. During the summers of 2012 and 2013 Jena served as a Temple tour guide at the Community of Christ Headquarters. She served as a World Service Corps volunteer in Malawi, Africa in the summer of 2011. In 2010, she was an intern with Outreach International, and in 2009 she served in Independence as a World Service Corps intern and also traveled to Nicaragua with Outreach International in January of that year.
And we also have a GU representative joining us and returning to his home campground, Bryan Tidwell! He will be providing intergenerational community building and youth ministry.
Look for a brochure with more details, a schedule and registration information coming soon. The cost is $100 ages 12+, $75 ages 3-11, $50 ages 0-2 (childcare provided). Contact DeziRae Astle with questions dastle@cofchrist.org
Stay tuned for details on schedule, opportunities to serve, the reunion service project and more!
Attention all you 14er Summit Climbers, from Outreach International comes the 2015 Summit Challenge! “We want to invite you to hike one of Colorado’s 54 14ers and participate in our first annual mountain climb charity –the 2015 Summit Challenge…The Summit Challenge is taking place in colorful Colorado this summer on the date of the participant’s choosing….Challenge yourself individually, or get a team together. Invite your family, friends, coworkers, congregation, school or sports team to join you. People of all ages are welcome – especially mountain-climbing enthusiasts!” Want to learn more about the challenge? Check out our website at www.outreach-international.org/summit
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Emerging Leaders Seminary Grant
The Advanced Leadership Seminary Selection Team has the privilege of providing financial assistance to Community of Christ members who are potential emerging church leaders attending the Community of Christ Seminary.
If you know students who might benefit by receiving an Emerging Leaders Seminary Grant, please encourage them to apply online before May 15.
Grant funding will range from tuition for one course, fees, and textbooks with the possibility of renewal, to full tuition, fees, and textbooks for the entire seminary program. Funding will be awarded by the Advanced Leadership Seminary Selection Team by May 31 each year.
Community of Christ Seminary is committed to the preparation of Christian leaders for mission through ministries of proclamation, justice, peace, and reconciliation in religious, educational, political, and public settings.
If you are interested in a Masters of Arts in Religion (MAR) take a look at Community of Christ Seminary. You can enroll in the Masters of Arts in Religion program or you can opt to take one or two classes as continuing education or audits.
For those seeking a degree, a new cohort starts every August. To enter the cohort, a person needs to apply for admission to the Seminary by 31 May.
Information is available at http://www.graceland.edu/seminary/ or by emailing Seminary@Graceland.edu.
2015 Priesthood and Ministry Commentary Series
Beginning in January, the Herald has included a commentary series about Ministry and Priesthood. In order to make the commentary and supporting articles available in an accessible way, we’ve created a PDF of the Herald pages for you to read and review.
Each month we will add to the commentary PDF and update the document.
In this issue you can read:
April issue
• Ministry of the Priest – by Shandra Newcom
• Surprise Turns to Realization – by Rachelle Smalldon
• Learning about Jesus as Friend – by Shandra Newcom
Spiritual Formation Retreats at the Independence and Kirtland Temples, please see below for more information about 2015 retreats. “You can find more information about what we offer at www.spiritualformationcenter.org.
A SPIRITUAL VENTURE: SPIRITUAL RETREAT
What: A spiritual retreat with President Stephen M. Veazey exploring the connection between Spirit and Mission. For more information: http://spiritualformationcenter.org/news-and-events/a-spiritual-venture-spiritual-retreat/
WHEN: October 23-25, 2015
WHERE: Spiritual Formation Center 7809 Joseph St. Kirtland, OH 44094
COST: $50.00
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2015
If you have any questions or would like to schedule spiritual retreat or pilgrimage to the Kirtland or Independence Temple, please feel free to contact Katie Harmon-McLaughlin at khmclaughlin@cofchrist.org.
OTHER ITEMS:
Announcements: For more information from the World Church please go to www.cofchrist.org/announcementsYou may also subscribe to the following blogs and resources to receive them in your email: Daily Bread Blog, Evangelist Blog, CofChrist News, CofChrist Announcements, Commentary Series, Music Matters, and the High Priest Newsletter. You may select which information sources you receive, just go to www.cofchrist.org then from the “Connect” drop down menu click on “Subscribe” and select which items you would like to receive.
Shandra Newcom
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
Community of Christ
303-426-5900