Dear Friends,
I met someone the other day who really has made an impact on my life. He was a participant in a class I was teaching about spirituality and mission. In that class we talked a lot about how mission begins with encounter and I introduced a variety of missional practices for use in the personal lives of the individuals as well as for use in the corporate lives of their congregation. This one gentleman didn’t have any experience with missional practices.
I talked about prayer as action: The idea that when we pray, we are taking action that causes change and brings compassion to the world. I also talked about action being prayer: The idea that spirituality runs through all of life. I used some examples from the Rocky Mountain Mission Center – stories you’ve shared with me about times when your congregation has acted in the world by making manna bags and handing them out to those living on the streets. I shared your stories about knitting hats for babies in the hospital, stories about the Street Retreat and our youth who learn how to live and love peace and justice, stories about hospital visits and feeding people and loving the lost and stretching outside the walls of a congregation by experimenting with Christ centered action in the world.
I had no idea how powerful your stories would seem to someone experiencing these ideas for the first time. But they were.
This student of mine made a decision after hearing these stories that changed his life. He decided to make a difference in the world and he did it the very next day. While he was on his way to work, he saw a man walking down the side of the road. It was obvious that the man walking down the road was homeless. He was carrying all his possessions. My student felt a nudge inside that led him to taking action. He stopped and went to talk to the man on the road. He introduced himself and sat with him and had a conversation. He entered into relationship with the man and learned his name and heard his story. He affirmed the worth of this man and helped him know that God loves him.
Both men’s lives were transformed.
Sometimes we think that living Christ’s mission is complex. And it can be. There are a lot of things to think about and talk about and learn about.
But it can also be quite simple.
It can be as simple as waking up tomorrow morning, praying the mission prayer, and deciding to follow the nudge you feel as you see someone who needs to experience the love of God through food and fellowship, through conversation and clothing, through peace and practicing kindness.
Gandhi said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
I invite you to be transformed through an encounter with God and through your encounters with one another. May you take some time today to engage with a missional practice that will draw you into action and may you follow the nudge of God calling you to be the change in this world desperately needing the love of God.
With 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!!!)
Visual Identity Standards of Community of Christ, “Our visual identity is part of what communicates, ‘This is who we are. This is Community of Christ.’ It is part of what builds a Community of Christ identity that is distinct among the world’s many faiths.
Careful management of visual identity is important. When people’s experiences with Community of Christ reinforce the values associated with our identity, mission, message, and beliefs, trust and loyalty develop.” Visual Identity Standards, Edition 1, November 4, 2014, p. 5.
In the past there have been several symbols that have been used on stationary, printed materials for classes etc. These new guides are standardizing the symbols, colors and layout of how and when they are used. Please use these standards in future publications and use of the church’s symbols.
To view a copy of the Visual Identity Standards for Community of Christ and to download stationery, envelopes etc. please go to www.CofChrist.org/visual-identity You can click on the items you need, download to your computer and type in the specific information for your congregation or campground. Please use these resources for communication both inside and outside the congregation. If you have questions about the use of these new visual standards please contact Becca in the mission center office. brussell@cofchristrm.org
May 1-3. The next SITE class will be taught by John Hamer. The class is: Community of Christ Scriptures. If you are interested in joining SITE and this class, please contact Shandra Newcom at: snewcom@cofchrsit.org by April 15.
Latter-day Seeker Ministry opportunity with John Hamer, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 6:30 Refreshments, 7-9 presentation/discussion at the Greenwood Village congregation. John Hamer, a member of Community of Christ, former member of the LDS church, historian and cartographer has taught in our SITE program in the past and will teach Community of Christ Scriptures in the May session. John is part of a team of Community of Christ leaders and members who are working with and providing resources and connection with Latter-day Seekers, persons who are becoming disenchanted with the LDS church. This evening would be a great opportunity to come and learn more about this ministry and to also meet some Latter-day Seekers who may come to hear what John has to present. I highly encourage those in the metro Denver area to come and be a part of this opportunity to learn and share.
Denver Street Retreat ***NEW DATE*** May 1-3, 2015: Encountering the World on the Streets of Denver Join us as we explore world religions, food from around the world, poverty and peace across the world all on the streets of Denver! Highlights include: meal at Mataam Fez, 16th Mall Scavenger Hunt, visit to Jewish & Buddhist Temples, laughing mob, freeze poverty demo and making music videos! Register by April 16th, $100 Registration cost after this date will include price increase for hotel and may not be guaranteed if more rooms can’t be reserved. To register please send registration form and payment to mission center office. Once registered/paid refunds will not be issued because hotel rooms and other activities must be paid in advance. Contact DeziRae Astle at dastle@cofchrist.org with questions. Register with Rebecca at brussell@cofchristrm.org
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.com NO CAMP FEES!
You are invited to attend “Ministry with Latter-Day Seekers- What it is and How to Prepare” taught by 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
Attention Pastors and CFOs: Congregational Grants and Annual Congregational Audit Reminder. April 30, 2015 is the due date for both Congregational Grant Applications as well as the 2014 Congregational Audits. Please go to www.cofchristrm.orgfor more information on both of these items. If you have questions please contact Tim at tashburn@cofchrist.org
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.
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/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.
Shandra Newcom
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
Community of Christ
303-426-5900