February 20, 2015

RMMC Weekly Update

February 20, 2015

From Tim Ashburn

 

Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!

 

More and more I am aware of the great diversity which makes up our community.  We are so very diverse in our theology, in our view of the world, in what we may believe is the most important aspect of the message of Jesus.  As I travel around the mission center these diversities are most apparent.  And yet we are the common community of faith known as Community of Christ.  Often times I wonder how such diversity can live together under one roof of faith.  Perhaps you have had the same question and perhaps even at times have wondered about this diversity.

Our diversity in the Community of Christ can be stimulating and nurturing. In the Rocky Mountain Mission Center, we have the capacity to enter into relationship and conversation about our different ways of looking at the world, what is most important about Jesus message, what it looks like to live the way of the disciple and hopefully have respect for those different views.  Tolerance and seeking to understand another’s perspective are key to walking together.  May we be willing to risk sharing our different perspectives with one another so new understanding and new perspectives can emerge that are shaped by our diverse community.  We are so blessed to be a part of a church where thoughtful and prayerful exploration of ideas is encouraged and valued.  It is in this place of creativity that a diverse community shines the most.  Let us dream, let us envision about the continuing unfolding presence of the reign of God in our midst.

 

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!!!)

 

March 13-14th: Leadership Weekend, Fort Collins Congregation. Calling all Leaders!  Apostle Ron Harmon will be attending the gathering this year. We expect this to be largely a time of spiritual renewal and inspiration for leadership. Online registration is now available!! $20.00 per person. Please contact Rebecca at the mission center office with questions, brussell@cofchristrm.org. (Add Schedule to website.)

 

North Platte Congregation Closing Celebration, March 15, 2015, 10:30 a.m. North Platte, Nebraska.   The celebration will be held at the AG Center located at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds: 5015 Rodeo Road, North Platte, NE 69101. Apostle Ron Harmon and the RMMC staff will be participating in the Celebration of the North Platte congregation’s almost 100 year ministry.  Everyone from the Rocky Mountain Mission Center is invited to attend this celebration of ministry; lunch will be provided after the service. Directions can be found online at www.cofchristrm.org   Please RSVP Rebecca, brussell@cofchristrm.org in the mission center office so we know how many to plan for.

 

April 10-12: Junior Retreat & Junior High Retreat, Fort Collins Congregation.

 

Big Peace Heroes Junior Retreat: 3rd – 5th Grade Using the concepts from Young Peacemakers Club for our learning and worship experiences and the movie Big Hero 6 as our adventurous backdrop we will explore what it means to be big heroes in peace for our selves, our families, friends, communities and planet. We will start our weekend out by making peace hero costumes and then join into teams to make big hero robots of our own in a challenge of teamwork and creativity. We will end the evening by watching Big Hero 6 of course! On Saturday we will delve deeply into the peace for me, peace for us, peace for everyone and peace for the planet concepts with hands on activities and vibrant, fun, kid focused and led worship; our service project will be to collect non perishable food for the hungry in a scavenger hunt challenge; a crazy obstacle course will bring a burst of energy mid day; and our evening mystery dinner will be surely be thrilling surprise. Sunday we will close with breakfast and an exciting worship full of God’s love for each child and affirmations of their ability to be Big Peace Heroes everyday.

 

We Are All In This Together:   Junior High Retreat:  6th-8th Grade

Join us as we learn how to be in community with each other and with God.  We will start our weekend in Madagascar as those wild and crafty penguins remind us that we are always with friends on our journey. Saturday we will experience God through learning about sacraments, taking some time to play outside and through community art.  Saturday night we will enjoy a mystery dinner (that’s all I can say about that…).  Sunday morning we will close with worship that will use everyone’s gifts in meaningful ways.  Plan on fun having a lot of fun with your friends!  The cost for both retreats is $50.   Questions? Juniors (3rd-5th grade) contact DeziRae at dastle@cofchrist.org and Junior Highs (6th-8th grade) contact Shandra at: snewcom@cofchrist.org

 

Sr. High Street Retreat is scheduled for April 24-26, 2015 in Denver, CO.   Encountering the World on the Streets of Denver!!! Join us as we explore world religions, food from around the globe, world poverty and what it means to be Christian peacemakers in the world. Highlights include: Friday dinner at Mataam Fez where diners eat with their hands, seated on the floor and shoes off, while beautiful music plays, a belly dancer and tea pouring trickster entertain. Saturday a Graffiti Run where participants dressed in all white run, dance, skip or walk to the finish line as they get doused with vibrant bursts of colored powder – youth are encouraged to get sponsors to donate money for the 5K which we will donate and split between Health Ed Connect and Outreach International. We will visit Temple Emanuel, Krishna Temple and Denver Buddhist Temple to gain a deeper understanding of our fellow friends in faith and their beliefs and practices. Of course we cant forget the favorite activity every year, the 16th Street Mall Scavenger Hunt! The grand finale of the weekend will also take place on the 16th Street Mall, starting with an orchestrated laughing mob on the shuttle ride, where we hope to spread smiles, giggles, laughs and joy to everyone that rides; a freeze mob on the sidewalk where we will hold signs with statements and statistics on world poverty; a music video performed, filmed and edited by youth and leaders; and an agape meal with the needy.  Cost is $135 and includes lodging, meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch – including meals at 3 amazing Denver restaurants, the Graffiti Run, all other materials for classes and activities, transportation and staffing. PLEASE ask your congregation or the mission center for financial assistance if needed, we want all youth to be able to attend these important disciple forming opportunities.  Contact DeziRae Astle at dastle@cofchrist.orgwith questions.  Register with Rebecca at brussell@cofchristrm.org

 

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 this year.  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.  (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.org for more information on both of these items.  If you have questions please contact Tim at tashburn@cofchrist.org

 

Nuclear Weaponry Development

The World Church Peace and Justice Committee is conducting a project to gather the stories of people who have witnessed or been affected by the development of nuclear weapons. This includes :

  • People with knowledge of the development of nuclear weapons
  • People who were affected by testing of nuclear weapons
  • People who have knowledge of or were affected by accidents involving nuclear material
  • People who have knowledge of the political and policy processes and decisions associated with the authorization, deployment, security, or training related to nuclear weapons  Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/888513177839524/  What: Join Presiding Evangelist David Brock and Katie Harmon-McLaughlin in a Spiritual Retreat focused on entering the Lenten Wilderness. For more information: http://spiritualformationcenter.org/news-and-events/into-the-wilderness-spiritual-retreat/Cost: $50.00 Registration Deadline: March 1, 2015STUBBORN HOPE: SPIRITUAL RETREATWHAT: Join us in a spiritual retreat focused on cultivating a spirit of stubborn hope in the Easter season! For more information: http://spiritualformationcenter.org/news-and-events/stubborn-hope-spiritual-retreat/WHERE: Community of Christ Temple (Independence, MO) COST: $60.00 (Student Cost- $30.00) 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/WHERE: Spiritual Formation Center 7809 Joseph St. Kirtland, OH 44094  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.
  • President Stephen M. Veazey looks forward to interacting with you on April 12, 2015.  Join the worldwide church in an interactive, webcast-only event April 12 at 6:00 p.m. (CDT).  The focus will be on oneness and equality in Christ (paragraphs 10-14 of the words of counsel presented to the 2013 World Conference).  An update on giving trends, budget numbers, and steps being taken to balance the budget also will be shared.
  •  
  • COST: $50.00
  • WHEN: October 23-25, 2015
  • A SPIRITUAL VENTURE: SPIRITUAL RETREAT
  • Registration Deadline: March 23, 2015
  • RETREAT FACILITATOR: Katie Harmon-McLaughlin
  • WHEN: April 10-12, 2015
  • “WE MUST CULTIVATE A SPIRIT OF STUBBORN HOPE.” -Stephen M. Veazey
  • Where: Spiritual Formation Center 7809 Joseph St. Kirtland, OH 44094
  • When: March 13-15, 2015
  • INTO THE WILDERNESS: LENTEN SPIRITUAL RETREAT
  • 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.
  • Registration Forms – http://www.123contactform.com/form-1269006/YA-Leaders-Retreat   Please feel free to contact Noelle Gaffka at ngaffka@cofchrist.org or Rachelle Smalldon at rachelle@steerempowerment.com  Financial support is available from the RMMC for persons interested in attending this retreat.  Contact Tim for more information on support at tashburn@cofchrist.org.
  • Young Adult Leaders’ Retreat happening March 6-8, 2015 at Bluewater Campgrounds in Lexington, Michigan. This is a unique opportunity for leaders of YA ministry to come, gain practical leadership skills and creative resources, and develop innovative strategies for improving the quality and success of young adult ministries in your area. This event is for young adult LEADERS, not just young adults. There is no upper age limit (must be 18 or older) and all interested participants are more than welcome! Blog post (includes an awesome YouTube video about the event) – https://youngadultministries.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/grow-lead-serve-connect-young-adult-leaders-retreat-march-6-8-2015/
  • WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • If you are able to share your story about these events, please contact Andy Horner at Horner_a@msn.com.