Dear Friends,
It’s been an incredible summer in the Rocky Mountain Mission Center! I’ve been honored to be a part of a number of exciting moments of mission. When I stop and reflect on the many experiences of blessing I’ve been able to have, I’m deeply grateful. Many of my most special memories come from the youth camps I was able to attend including the Big Spruce Jr. High/Sr. High Camp and Spectacular. At camp I was able to spend time with some of our youth who are searching for a deeper relationship with God and we had powerful conversations about being a teenager in today’s world and what it means to have faith. At SPEC I saw people find their place in community and reach out to welcome others into their circle of friends.
I was also able to attend two Reunions this summer: Big Spruce Reunion and Rockies Family Camp. No matter if we were singing in a rain storm, learning stories of our faith ancestors, celebrating our own histories or sharing in testimony on a mountain top, we were a family of God. I still feel that loving Spirit that attended our activities and worships and I’m grateful.
There are a lot of changes happening in the church right now. But many things are staying the same. Our focus on our Enduring Principles, our love of Christ and His mission, our dedication to peace and justice in the world, our Mission Initiatives…all of these things remain constant. These are the building blocks of our faith journey. The people who surround us in Christ-like love are our support structures. The warmth of the Spirit in our lives covers us like the surest roof. And our hearts of joy are what welcomes the spark of God within the walls.
Change comes to us as well. The Rocky Mountain Mission Center is saying goodbye to Tim Ashburn who has served us with love and compassion as Mission Center President. We are sad to have him leave this role. There will be an opportunity for you to express your appreciation to Tim on Friday, November 6, 2015 at Mission Center Conference. We will be having a reception to honor Tim and I invite you to join us.
I am blessed beyond words to be able to serve the mission center as interim Mission Center President. I’m excited and ready to begin this new phase of our shared journey. If you need me, have a question, want to share an idea, or wish to have me keep you in prayer , please feel free to contact me. I look with anticipation and hope toward our future. I believe that God is at work in the world and this includes the RMMC. I invite you to listen for God’s invitation to you in your life and to us as a community. Let’s keep on walking forward in joy. And let’s praise God for the opportunity to do so together!
With deepest love,
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 Women’s Retreat: September 11-13, 2015! Come join a wonderful weekend with wonderful women! Guest ministers will be Shandra Newcom and DeziRae Astle. The event will begin Friday evening around 7:45pm and will come to a close after lunch on Sunday. The cost to attend is $50.00 (which will be collected at the retreat) and funding is available for those who need it. There is no registration deadline for this event! Complete flyer and schedule is available online at www.cofchristrm.org. Please contact Sandy Burkey with questions or to register at sandytwo@prairieweb.com.
Camp Paradise Men’s Retreat: September 18-20, 2015! Join guest minister Dave Nii for a great weekend of fun and fellowship. The event will begin on Friday evening and run through Sunday morning. Pricing and schedule details for this retreat will be announced in upcoming Weekly Updates, and will also be posted online once available at www.cofchristrm.org. For specific questions about the event or to register, please contact Jim Smith at smiths.villa@hotmail.com.
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.
Rocky Mountain Mission Center Conference, November 6-8, 2015, YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado. Mark your calendars for this fall’s conference. The theme will be “Discover Deep Joy.” Our guest ministers will be President of Seventy Robin Linkhart and Lauren Hall. Along with the budget and other possible items for our conference agenda we will also be electing delegates to the 2016 World Conference. Engage in your congregational business meetings and be a part of the process as the church looks forward to sharing in community at the mission center conference and World Conference.
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worldwide Ministries Contribution Update
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.
World Conference, One in Christ: A World Wide Community, June 4-11, 2016.
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
Interim Mission Center President
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
Community of Christ