RMMC Weekly Update
June 27, 2014
From Tim Ashburn
Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!
I am writing to you from the Echo Valley Reunion near Avon, Montana. The evening is chilly and rainy, but like so many events where Community of Christ gathers I am encountering new friends, new relationships and thus new encounters with God. We are all unique and I find here in this place the constant reminder of how important it is to let newness of friendship wash over me. Tonight at campfire, I heard new songs, I saw a new sunset this evening as the beams of light broke through the stormy clouds that surrounded us most of the day. Perhaps most important in all the newness is the becoming familiar sounds of new faces. As day two begins tomorrow, our souls, our lives, our pains, our fears, our hopes and joys blend. With each encounter, each hug, each smile, each note of affirmation we grow the community of Christ. All of this is not a new undertaking for reunions. It has become what we expect. And yet for many in the world this experience is quite profound! Let’s not take the opportunity of reunion or the experience for granted. Even in common places, with familiar expectations can lurk the newness of encounter with the divine. May we continue to find ways to jar us out of our unknowing complacency; to risk without regard to cost, to step forward without fear of falling, to love without the thought of disappointment. This is the path of the Christ, unfettered by fear and graced with love. Bring on the new experiences, bring on the new faces, bring on new encounters. I invite you to review the “Encountering Experiences” tab at www.cofchristrm.org as a way of allowing God to wash you with the newness of encounter.
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!!!)
Big Spruce Women’s Retreat is June 27-29. The theme is Practicing Love and Forgiveness. Speaker is Evangelist Ruth Smith. We look forward to seeing you there! Margaret Cheasebro is coordinating. Margaret can be contacted at margaretcheasebro@yahoo.com
Big Spruce Reunion is July 5-12. Guest ministry will be John VanDerWalker, Western USA Field Mission Research Assessment and Support Specialist. The theme is Create Shalom: Abolish Poverty, End Suffering. We will be sharing in an evening adventure celebrating Ireland. Bring your best Irish costume, hunger for Irish food, and excitement to explore the culture of Ireland. For registration information please contact Bill Grimes at wlgrimes@gmail.com or call 719-635-9439. More information can be found at www.cofchristrm.org.
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.
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.)