Friends,
I hope that each of you is finding ways to be in community. Last weekend we created community with a group of leaders from around the mission center. It was such a wonderful experience with such rich ministry, delicious food, singing, praying and sharing deeply. We sent almost 80 thank you cards to different world church leaders and staff and our offering went to the world church mission tithes too. How blessed we are to be able to participate in these kinds of gatherings. Make plans now to attend world conference, a reunion, the men’s or women’s retreat and mission center conference. These experiences are an amazing source of inspiration, spiritual care and growth, and connection that can bless you and your congregation when you return. Have a wonderful week.
We Long for Community by Ann Weems
O God, the source of our common life, When we are dry and scattered, When we are divided and alone, We long for connection, we long for community. Breath of God, breathe on us.
With those we live beside, Who are often strange to us, Whom we may be afraid to approach, Yet who have riches of friendship to share, We long for connection, we long for community. Breath of God, breathe on us.
With those we have only heard of, Who see with different eyes, Whose struggles we try to imagine, Whose fierce joy we wish we could grasp, We long for connection, we long for community. Breath of God, breathe on us.
With those we shall never know, But whose lives are linked with ours, Whose shared ground we stand on, And whose common air we breathe, We long for connection, we long for community. Breath of God, breathe on us.
Blessings,
DeziRae Astle
Rockies Mission Coordinator
dastle@cofchrist.org
303-426-5900 x4
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MISSION CENTER ANNOUCEMENTS:
The First Presidency and World church leaders want to share financial updates and related information with the church. Please visit www.cofchrist.org to learn more about the financial situation facing the church at this time. If you have questions, concerns or comments, please contact Mission Center President, Shandra Newcom, at: snewcom@cofchrist.org.
Junior & Jr. High Retreat, April 8-10, 2016: Community IN Christ. We invite YOU to join us for a weekend adventure! We will explore relationships with one another and Christ using exciting team building activities, unique youth focused worships, meal times and fun fellowship to build a deep and meaningful community, together, In Christ. The event will be held at the Ft. Collins Community of Christ located at 220 East Oak St, Ft Collins, CO 80524. Check in begins Friday at 6:00 p.m. and the retreat ends at noon on Sunday. The cost to attend is $40 per camper. To register, please contact Rebecca Russell at the Mission Center office: brussellcofchrist@gmail.com. Register before April 1st to avoid a late fee. Please contact DeziRae Astle (dastle@cofchrist.org) with questions regarding junior campers, and Cherry Newcom (jcnewcom@comcast.net) with questions regarding Jr. High campers. See you soon!
Sr. High Street Retreat, April 22–24, 2016. Join us for an adventure on the streets of Denver. We will explore poverty as well as the use of art as self expression and social commentary by those in poverty. We will stay in a downtown hotel and do a service project benefitting a local shelter. We will also attend Denver Urban Ministries Urban Education Day, go on a walking art tour in the Rhino & Santa Fe Art Districts, walk/run the Denver Retro Graffiti Run, plus there will be fun activities on the 16th Street Mall. Cost: $150 (please speak to your congregation or the Mission Center if you need financial assistance to attend). Contact DeziRae Astle (dastle@cofchrist.org) with questions or Rebecca Russell (brussellcofchrist@gmail.com) to register for this event.
Leading Congregations in Mission, Saturday, April 30, 2016: Colorado Springs will be having its first Leading Congregations in Mission ‘Mini-retreat’. We feel the best way to ‘share’ the LCM experience is to provide a condensed version for our congregation. Since Apostle Ron Harmon is coming to lead this event, we are opening it up to folks in the RMMC. It would be best if you come as a group with others from your congregation. Date: Saturday April 30, 2016 from 8am to 5pm. [lunch and snacks provided]. Preparation: read the book “In The Name of Jesus” by Henri Nouwen. Please sign up with Jandy Barentine by April 20th at mjbarentine@comcast.net.
Developing Disciples to Serve is an important ministry of the Mission Center. Grocery cards are available for sale to support this initiative. When you use these cards at King Soopers, City Market or Safeway, you help earn FREE MONEY for ministry. The Mission Center is selling grocery cards for $10 (they are preloaded with that amount). Every time you buy groceries, you can add funds to the card for your purchase. The stores then donate 5 percent of your purchase back to the Mission Center. It is fast, free to you, easy, and a very effective way to raise money for our ministries in the Rocky Mountain region! In just the first month, we raised $463. We expect to earn much more in the coming months. If you would like to purchase a grocery card, please contact Phyllis Modica at 303-426-5900 x-1, or pmodica@cofchristrm.org.
The Mission Center staff are updating and revising some of the forms and policies used by the Mission Center. Please refer to the web site each time you need to access the latest versions. When traveling for the Mission Center, please be sure to use the current expense reimbursement request form posted at: cofchristrm.org under MC Forms.