RMMC Weekly Update
June 11, 2015
From Tim Ashburn
Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!
Whatever is happening in your life right now, whatever circumstance, be it a joyful one, a sorrowful one or a very challenging one, God is. And because God is there is hope, there is joy, there is love and there is the promise of peace. Of course, the “now moment”, the only moment we have, is what impacts us the most, not the what has happened moment or the what will happen moment and so I realize that my opening sentence may simply be words to you in this very moment, because depending on what you are experiencing right now, impacts how you receive and process information.
The world is a changing and challenging place, as humans we experience and know this to be true. Often we look for what is, something that is not changing, something that is the rock to hold on to in times of uncertainty. And yet without the constancy of change, life would cease to exist. According to Brene Brown, “whole-hearted” people are those that embrace vulnerability, allow themselves to be open to what comes and to feel completely both the sorrow and sadness and joy and happiness of life. As we look at the life of Jesus, he was vulnerable, open with his sharing, open to being either accepted or rejected, open to relationship with God that informed him of his journey and ministry. I believe at the heart of being vulnerable, to allow divine grace to be operative in our lives requires us to let go of the overwhelming tendency to control our present moment. Naturally everyone wants to control their environment, their lives etc. We would not be human, nor would we be normal if we did not. However, the journey of faith, turning toward a source that is not completely our own does require a certain amount of trust and connection.
Beyond the Sunday morning worship, beyond sermons and public prayers as important as they are, is the absolute need to cultivate and nurture a personal profound relationship with the divine. Our communities, our people hunger to connect deeply, to share the challenges of life’s moments. We need relationships that nourishes our souls during moments of hunger, that replenishes our dryness, that brings life to a tired soul, after all “connection is what we are wired for…” according to Brene Brown. Connection and relationship with God and each other by far serve to bring us wholeness.
In this moment, right now, whatever is happening, know that you are loved, you are a sacred creation, regardless of what is happening around you, the rock of generous love calls to you to be connected. May you feel the simple abiding love of God in your life and in the lives you connect with.
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!!!)
Big Spruce Junior High Camp (completed grades 3-5), June 12 – 15, 2015 (Friday 6 pm to Monday 12:00 Noon), Big Spruce Campgrounds, Cedaredge, Colorado, registration fee is $140.00, please contact Camp Director Shyree Kirkpatrick at shortiekirk@msn.com or the mission center office at brussell@cochristrm.org to register. More information can be found at www.cofchristrm.org.
Camp Paradise Junior/Junior High Camp (Jr: completed grades 3-8, Jr High: completed grades 6-8), Juniors – June 21-24, 2015 (Sunday 6 pm to Wednesday 12:00 noon), Junior High – June 21- 27, 2015 (Sunday 6 pm to Saturday 12:00 noon) Camp Paradise, Wheatland, Wyoming, Junior registration fee is $140.00, Junior High registration fee is $240.00, please contact Camp Director Beth Reilly at diamond7bar@yahoo.com or the mission center office at brussell@cochristrm.org to register. More information can be found at www.cofchristrm.org.
Camp Paradise Sr. High Retreat, July 9-12, 2015 (completed grades 9-12) (Thursday 6 pm to Sunday 12:00 Noon) registration fee $140.00, please contact Kat Palmer at katparmer@yahoo.com or the mission center office at brussell@cofchristrm.org to register. More information can be found at www.cofchristrm.org
Camp Paradise Reunion: Live, Love, Laugh, Share in Community, June 17 – 21, 2015. You’re invited to a time of renewal and rest, fellowship and fun, relevant learning and vibrant worship, and entering into deeper relationships with God, one another and ourselves.
Guest Minister: John S. Wight, John is field missionary coordinator for the North Central USA/Canada Mission Field and currently serves as president of the Quorum 10 and senior president of seventy.
Music Director: Jena Wight, Jena has served as a Temple tour guide at the Community of Christ Headquarters, a World Service Corps volunteer in Malawi, Africa, an intern with Outreach International, and a World Service Corps intern in Independence.
Graceland Rep: Bryan Tidwell , Bryan was very involved in Community of Christ Leadership Program, Res Life, he was a House President and also Apartment Manager at Graceland University.
Costs are as follows: $100 ages 12 and up, $75 ages 5-11, $50 ages 0-4 (Registration closes 6/15/15)
Go online to www.cofchrist.org to see schedule, details and to register. For questions please contact DeziRae Astle at dastle@cofchrist.org
Big Spruce Women’s Retreat: June 26-28, 2015! The theme for the retreat is “Jesus Calling.” Guest ministry will be women from the Farmington, NM congregation, who will talk about how some daily entries from Jesus Calling have affected their lives. For those who would like to purchase the daily devotional book, Jesus Calling is written by Sarah Young and published by Thomas Nelson Nashville, 2011. Irene Olive with have the Saturday afternoon activity involving a craft project to honor the big spruce that fell last year. This will be a very special event that will provide people with a visual memory of the giant spruce that stood for decades along the creek at the campground’s baptismal site. Registration and tentative schedule can be found online at www.cofchristrm.org.
Big Spruce Reunion, Live, Love, Share, July 4-11, 2015, Guest Ministry Tom and Vicki Morain, Ministers in Lamoni Heartland Mission Center. Experience, Tie Dyeing T-Shirts, All Camp George Party, Fine Arts Classes, Outreach International Focus Day, Yoga and other opportunities for recreation and fellowship. In years past, the reunion has focused on a country or culture of the world, this year the cultural focus evening will be “An American Experience.” Come dressed as your favorite American in History!, Share your family’s American story, Explore American Culinary Treats, Play Pioneer and Pilgrim games. For more information and to register, check the mission center website at www.cofchristrm.org (Information should be up soon) or contact Bill Grimes at 8 Garden Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 or call 719-635-9439.
SPECTACULAR 2015, July 16-26, Teenagers who have completed 9th-12th grades are eligible to attend. The early registration deadline is June 15th. Please go to www.cofchristrm.org to view all the information on the largest Community of Christ youth camp.
Rocky Mountain Mission Center Family Camp, July 29th thru August 2nd 2015, to be held at Peaceful Valley Ranch located near Estes Park, CO 475 Peaceful Valley Road (Hwy 72), Lyons, CO 80540
Theme: LIVE, LOVE, SHARE: Visibly One in Christ
Guest Ministers: Mark Sherer, Church Historian; Barb Walden, Executive Director of Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation; Graceland University Rep: Sara Mongrain; Music Director: Andrew Murphy
Classes with Mark from his books “The Journey of a People” & “Restoration Reorganization World Wide Community”
Classes with Barb: A Hymn Festival Celebrating Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, The Storytellers: An evening of Tales with Friends Explore the Five Mission Initiatives from a church history perspective. Come join with us to “Live, Love and Share”
On-line registration forms: cofchristrm.org/RMMCFamily Camp
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SYMPOSIUM Restorative Justice and Forgiveness?
(For more information please contact Dorcas, Wilkinson at dorcas.w@comcast.net)
Thursday, September 24 & Friday September 25, 2015, Beth-El Mennonite Church.
Join us for deeply moving, interactive presentations on restorative justice. Dr. Mark Umbreit, Professor and Director of Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking, University of Minnesota, School of Social Work, will deliver the keynote address Thursday, September 24on The Energy of Forgiveness: Lessons from Those in Restorative Dialogue. On Friday, September 25, State Representative Pete Lee will discuss restorative justice legislation in Colorado and his passion for bringing change and healing to those whose lives have been affected by violence. Then meet Patty Kiefer, Jessica Kuhn and Andy Ulferts; listen to their stories and the power of restorative justice in their lives. An inspiring and interactive circle presentation about High Risk Victim Offender dialogue you won’t want to miss! 12 Contact Hours for Educators 10 General CLE credits REGISTER NOW a registration form is attached to this Weekly Update.
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
STATEMENT TO THE CHURCH:
President Stephen M. Veazey made a statement to all worldwide ministries staff about the financial situation of the church during a meeting on May 18.
That statement is also addressed to all Community of Christ members. In the course of your ministry, please share it with others to give a clear picture of the challenges we face as a worldwide church and what that means for our journey and future.
Video and text of the statement will be posted at www.CofChrist.org/announcements, text will be shared in the July Herald, the 10-Minute News (sign up for the e-subscription at www.CofChrist.org/subscribe), and other media.
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/announcements You 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.
Tim Ashburn
President/Financial Officer
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
800-783-6760, ext. #2