RMMC Weekly Update
July 14, 2014
From Tim Ashburn
Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!
My apologies! I am a week behind with the Weekly Update. It wasn’t until I looked at the Weekly Update schedule that I realized it. Today, I am writing you from a bus, loaded with IYF/SPEC youth. We are on our way to The Temple in Independence, where we will have a wonderful experience; one that is unfolding and exciting.
This month DeziRae has challenged us to “Walk the Neighborhood” a spiritual practice that calls us to encounter our neighbors by intentionally praying for their welfare, comfort, needs and joys all while we risk bumping into one of them as we venture into their spaces. The concept of neighborhood implies that the people that reside there are our neighbors, that means, not strangers! And yet overall we find it difficult to approach people that are not our friends.
I remember my first semester at Graceland, I didn’t know a single person. Everyone was a stranger! My shy nature didn’t help to make friends quickly and I was terribly homesick. I was constantly writing letters to family members back home and talking with my family on the phone quite often. It was excruciating to feel alone, left out, and uncertain of how others would respond to me. I was unfamiliar with my surroundings, I was ungrounded. I lacked confidence and fear of rejection was a constant companion. After making the final decision to stay at Graceland, I found that opportunities abounded to make new friends, to turn strangers into neighbors, by the end of the semester I couldn’t wait to return, I was excited by the people who had become friends and the relationships that were forming.
Engaging with people we don’t know especially in intentional ways, can be daunting and difficult, yet new possibilities arise out of the willingness and openness to try. And it is especially important to understand that we encounter our neighbor, pray for our neighbor, even love our neighbor because we genuinely care for our neighbor. It is out of our authenticity that possibility for real relationships are born. So, shall we take a chance and possibly change our lives and the lives of others? Let’s take a walk in the neighborhood and see what happens!
Blessings,
Tim
The following is the mission prayer being used by participating congregations in the Leading Congregations in Mission Pilot. However all congregations are being encouraged to incorporate this prayer into the life of the congregation as well as in the lives of individual members. The prayer has been shared in various settings.
“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!!!)
International Youth Forum (IYF): July 15-18, 2014 at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, MO. Early registration deadline is June 10, 2014 and the theme this year is Courage. The cost to attend is $210, with transportation and delegation costs approximately $300 per person (transportation fees combine if attending both IYF and SPEC). Eligible students will have completed 9th grade through the first year of university (approximate ages 15-19). We are now accepting online donations for those wanting to support youth attending IYF at: www.cofchristrm.org.
Spectacular: July 18-26, 2014 at Graceland University. Expanded age range for this year; campers who have just completed 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades are invited to attend! The early registration deadline is June 10, 2014. The cost is $380 – sibling and first time friend discounts apply. Transportation will be coordinated by the mission center and will be approximately $300 (transportation fees will combine if attending both IYF and SPEC). Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to gather with nearly 1000 youth from around North America!
Peaceful Valley Family Camp, July 30th-August 3rd. The theme is “Create Shalom: Abolish Poverty, End Suffering. Guest minister is Apostle Linda Booth. Go to www.cofchristrm.org/RMMCFamilyCamp/registration/ to register.
We look forward to your participation. PLEASE REGISTER!!!!
DON’T FORGET!!!Silent Retreat, September 12-14, 2014, Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Sedalia, Colorado, guest ministry Dave and Carolyn Brock, retreat director Marlene Krueger, cost is $140 per person. Mark this date on your calendars. Registration Form available online at www.cofchristrm.org
Registration for Events: Please consider registering for summer events as soon as possible! It helps directors in their planning if they know numbers of people attending. Thank you!
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Plan to attend 21st annual Peace Colloquy October 24–26 on the theme, “Poverty: God Weeps.” The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. (CDT) Friday with the Community of Christ International Peace Award ceremony at the Temple in Independence, Missouri. Throughout the weekend we will explore many vital issues we need to understand to Abolish Poverty, End Suffering throughout the world. We will learn about root causes of poverty, poverty traps, and how our best intents may hurt rather than heal. Come learn how Community of Christ ministries and strategic partnerships can lead to approaches that work and are sustainable. The Colloquy will include programming for adults, junior and senior high students, and children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Learn more at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy.
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.)