Dear Friends,
It is still summer. I’m very aware of the sun as it shines on my face when walking my sweet dog Happy. I feel the warm breeze while I’m sitting outside waiting for my son Drew to come home from school. My car is hot when I get in at the end of the day and I am appreciating the air conditioning cooling hot steering wheels and seats.
But that doesn’t mean autumn is far away.
Soon it will be time for turning leaves and brisk outside air. There will be pumpkin scented/flavored everything and I will start wearing my carefully (for a time) packed away sweaters.
I find comfort in the changing seasons. I love each one for the gifts it brings and I measure the passing of time by mission center events: Winter’s Sr. High Ski Retreat and SITE, spring’s Street Retreat and Leadership Weekend, summer’s Reunions, Family Camps, Youth Camps and Spectacular, Autumn’s Mission Center Conference.
There’s a lot going on in the mission center and you are invited to be an active participant. I would like to suggest, and invite you to, Mission Center Conference Nov. 4-6 at the YMCA of the Rockies. We always have an amazing experience as we encounter the living Christ and engage in His mission. If you would like more information, feel free to contact me (snewcom@cofchrist.org) or Rebecca in the office (303-426- 5900 / brussellcofchrist@gmail.com).
I wish you warm days and cool nights. I wish you a safe and healthy end of summer. And I wish you the knowledge that the Spirit of God rests in this moment and every moment. May God’s love carry you as you move through the seasons is my prayer.
Shandra
President
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MISSION CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Congregational Business Meetings: It is that time of year again and most congregations in our Mission Center have had their annual business meeting or are scheduled to have it soon. Please make sure to send the results of all business meetings to Rebecca Russell (brussellcofchrist@gmail.com) so that we can document RMMC Conference Delegates, 2017 Generosity Funding for the Mission Center (which is used to prepare budget items addressed at the RMMC Fall Conference) as well as any pastoral or office changes. As a friendly reminder, all meetings should be held by the end of September with results submitted to the Mission Center soon thereafter.
Women’s Retreat, September 9-11, Camp Paradise, Wyoming: The Woman at the Well: A Study in Living Water. Barbara Gardner of Casper, WY will provide guest ministry and Karen Hutchinson of Loveland, CO will be the retreat director. Please contact Karen with questions or to register for this event.
In the middle of a hot, sunny day at a dusty village well in Samaria, Jesus meets a woman. He asks her for a drink of water. “Ah;” you say, “the story of the woman at the well. I know that pretty well.” But wait, not so fast! There is a lot more to it than you might think.
The story of the nameless Samaritan woman at the well, recorded only in the Gospel of John, is a revealing one, full of many truths and powerful lessons for us today. We will explore many of them during the weekend. We’ll learn more about the author of the book of John, we’ll examine the meanings and nuances of the story, we’ll share about the story, we’ll experience the story, and we’ll live the story. Come travel with us on this extraordinary journey!
Men’s Retreat: September 16-18, Camp Paradise, Wyoming. Jim Smith will be directing this fun weekend camp themed, “The Journey”. On Friday evening, dinner will be on your own and we will gather together for an evening worship at 9pm.
Saturday morning there will be an open discussion class followed by some afternoon free time to enjoy the beautiful campground. There will be an ATV onsite to give tours of the grounds and see some of the new tree restoration project. At 6pm we will come together for dinner followed by at 7:30 evening worship.
Sunday morning we’ll have a dedication service at 9am and then we will pack sack lunches before camp comes to a close. The cost to attend is $40/per camper which includes lodging and meals. Please contact Jim Smith with questions or to register for this event: smiths.villa@hotmail.com.
SITE: September 23-25, 2016. The topic for September’s class is: Spirituality and Mission taught by Shandra Newcom. There are still spots available if you would like to join the class. Our text will be: Soul Feast by Marjorie J. Thompson. Please register by contacting Rebecca Russell at the Mission Center Office: brussellcofchrist@gmail.com.
Ft. Collins Congregation 100th Anniversary Celebration, October 15-16, 2016: All are invited to share in the activities celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Ft. Collins, CO congregation! This will take place at the church in Ft. Collins. Activities start at 2:00 PM on Saturday in the Activity Center with a slide show, sharing of experiences, honoring past leaders, and refreshments. A banquet will be held in the evening at 6 PM (call in reservations to Marilyn Garner 970-493-4137 orgarner.marilyn@gmail.com). Sunday activities will begin at 9:45 AM with an information Q&A session with President Steve Veazey, followed by a worship service at 11:00.
Rocky Mountain Mission Center Conference, November 4-6, 2016, Estes Park, CO. Join alongside 200 members and friends for the biggest event of the year at the 15th Annual RMMC Conference in the heart of the Rocky Mountains! We will gather again at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park for what is sure to be a spirit filled weekend. The theme for the weekend is “Be Transformed”. We will be talking about transformation through Christ as we become a community that lives, loves and shares together. Our guest ministers will be: Bill McFarlin (teaching and preaching), Dave and Dustee Heinz (Dave will lead music and Dustee will be our spiritual companion) and Kinsey Horringa (youth ministry). Registration for this event will open mid September. We can’t wait to see you there!
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! ***UPDATE*** In the first six months we have raised over $3850 and we expect to continue earning more the coming months! If you would like to purchase a grocery card, please contact Phyllis Modica at 303-426-5900 x-1. |
