RMMC Weekly Update
December 11, 2014
From Tim Ashburn
Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!
The gift of God, among us, is coming! A new baby is about to be born to a world that did not fully accept him, and to change the world by his very presence. Each day requires a conscious effort and intentional breaks of focused pause on the fact that we have been and are blessed by a love that is best described as mystery. Even though mystery, it is nonetheless real, potent, with the power to change life itself. One might think of ourselves as switches in an electrical circuit. The power runs through and we have the ability to pass it on and make the places we are lighter and brighter. Our ability to be a good conductor of the Spirit, to take on the likeness of Christ really depends on our ability to stop, pause, clear our minds and hearts and allow ourselves to be filled with the presence of the Holy. In the process, we experience a newness that can only be described as life-giving.
To enter in this place of encounter requires willingness to risk, to honor relationships that are and to anticipate relationships that are yet to be, it also means recognizing our own sacred origins of divine creation. I am reminded of the phrase “the God in me sees the God in you.”
My feet were as close as they could be to the vents where the warm air was forced out of the large gas heating stove in our living. It was a regular routine of mine to get up in a semi-warm bedroom and run to the heating stove in the living room. On this morning I smelled Christmas coming from my mother’s kitchen. The aroma made my mouth water as I wondered when the fudge mixing bowl would be ready to be licked clean. As I patiently waited to satisfy my taste buds, I focused on the decorated Christmas tree on the other side of the living room. The lights were sparkling and I crawled across the floor and looked up through its branches. My young heart was bathed in wonder and imagination. Ornaments took on a life of their own and I watched as a whole story played out among the community of decorations.
There were no risks that morning. I was not worrying about anything, but instead was surrounded by comfort and love, carefree, except for my desire to lick the fudge bowl! Our encounter and relationship with God can be even more nurturing, comforting, loving and enticing as it was for that 5 year old boy on a Christmas like morning. It is from this place of calm, this place of love which fills our own souls that we then, are able to invite another. May you experience the wonderful mystery of the coming of the baby Jesus. May you be blessed with abundance as God gives graciously. May you be blessed with the ability to give in abundance as you encounter God’s greatest gift in Jesus.
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!!!)
6th Annual Knit-a-thon, Saturday, January 10, 10am – 5pm at the Mesa County Central Library: This event provides a space for knitters/crocheters of all ages and skill levels to come together and create hats and other items for the newborn babies at St. Mary’s hospital and cancer patients in the oncology department, as well as the homeless who receive services at Homeward Bound in Grand Junction. If members cannot travel to attend this event, please consider meeting in your own community during this weekend, it could be the first mission center wide knit-a-thon, and items can be donated to local hospitals. Activities are planned for youth and participants. Please notify Naomi Barlow if you will be attending and if you need housing. nomebarlow@gmail.com, or (970)623-1455.
Sr. High Ski Retreat, January 23-25, Salida, CO:
The annual Sr. High Ski Trip is open to youth in grades 9-12. The weekend will include games, downhill skiing/snowboarding, or snowshoeing/cross country skiing, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, fun & fellowship! In past years, cost has varied from $75-$120 depending on ski activity and number of youth attending. Deadline for registration is Saturday, January 3. For registration or more information, contact Jordan Wight wight.jordan@gmail.com, and/or Naomi Barlow nomebarlow@gmail.com.
Emergency Preparedness Training in 2015. What would YOU do if an Emergency/Disaster hit Church – Home – Work – Community? Know how to plan for an emergency; Learn basic response skills focusing on emergency/disaster training
and safety. This is an opportunity to provide training, information and service for the communities in which our congregations reside. The Denver Office of Emergency Management has been working with David Cook, a priesthood member in Castle Rock. The Denver OEM wants to run a pilot program in emergency/disaster training preparation in which communities where we have congregations. The congregation would serve as a location and host for the community to receive such training. Please contact Rebecca, at the mission center office if your congregation is interested in being a part of this community project. brussell@cofchristrm.org Pastors are being sent more specific information.
SITE to offer 3 more classes: Three more classes are being added to SITE (Seminars In Theological Education), an entire year! If you have attended SITE in the past, even if you have graduated you can return and take the three new classes. They are Peace and Justice, Spirituality and Community of Christ History. Please contact Shandra Newcom for more information at snewcom@cofchrist.org. Several new students committed to SITE at the 2014 Mission Center Conference.
When registering for an event using the RMMC website please note!: In order to receive an email confirmation of registration for an event, please make sure your SPAM manager setting allows you to receive emails from cofchristrm.org. If you are still not able to receive a confirmation of registration please contact Rebecca in the mission center office, brussell@cofchristrm.org
A Nichole Nordeman concert at the Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, January 23rd 7:30pm, which will benefit the Feed-My-Starving-Children Slammin’ Famine event the following month. Information about this concert and event are attached to this email. There is opportunity to share this information in your congregation. This concert and event is being sponsored by The Gathering at Windsor. (see attachment for more information)
From Graceland University: “Interested in advancing your education?”
If you are a school educator you may want to explore these M.Ed emphases:
- Mild/Moderate Special Education
- Curriculum and Instruction in a Quality Classroom
- Technology Integration
- Differentiated Instruction
- Management in a Quality Classroom
- Literacy Instruction
For non-school personnel, we offer an M.Ed in Instructional Leadership.
Our programs are online, highly accredited and some of the very best in the country.
In fact, our Master of Education Program is rated #11 in the country by U.S. News and World Report!
For information, please call or e-mail Jeanette Calipetro at 816-423-4715 or jcali1@graceland.edu.
The Mission Center Office will be closed December 23 thru January 4 for the Christmas and New Year Holidays. The office will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2015. If there is an emergency situation during this time, please call the office number and dial the appropriate extension of the person you are trying to contact.
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Peace Award at 2016 Conference
The next Community of Christ International Peace Award will be presented at the 2016 World Conference to be held June 4–11. We believe the World Conference provides a larger and more internationally diverse assembly to participate in the presentation of this significant award and to hear the remarks of the recipient. Because we are integrating the International Peace Award and related activities into the 2016 World Conference, there will not be a Peace Colloquy in 2015. We look forward to sharing a memorable and inspiring 2016 World Conference with all delegates and attendees.
The First Presidency
The Disciple Formation News will be e-mailed automatically each month to all who have subscribed for Community of Christ News. There is no need to sign up for an additional subscription! News will include highlighted resources, ideas for small group ministries, and teaching tips. We would love to feature the exciting ministries taking place in your congregation, so please share your ideas (don’t forget to include photos!).
Questions? Contact Janné Grover
OTHER ITEMS:
10 Minute News: For more information from the World Church please go to
www.cofchrist.org/news/10min. The 10 Minutes News Report can be subscribed to electronically (see the side bar at the website titled E-Subscriptions.)