Dear Friends,
By now you’ve heard it – maybe over and over: spiritual practices are central to living a life of mission in Christ. Maybe you’ve heard it so many times you’re tired of even thinking about it. Maybe you’ve tried a spiritual practice or two and nothing “took”…it didn’t really mean anything. Maybe you tried taking time every day to pray or meditate and you quickly got too busy or easily forgot and never made it a habit. Maybe you feel asleep last time you tried centering prayer. Maybe you felt left out when everyone else was getting in touch with the Spirit during a Dwelling in the Word and you didn’t feel anything.
Spiritual practices are not meant to be a source of fear or frustration or annoyance. They are meant to bring life to the dead bones of your soul, water to quench your spiritual thirst, a window into the heart of God, a connection where now you find separation.
They are called practices because we are meant to do them over and over. And when we think we’ve done them enough, we are meant to do them again. We practice them. There is no perfection when it comes to spiritual practices – we never do them “just right”. Instead, we try them and find they fit or challenge or call. We discover God in the practice and God fills us. Practices bring connection. They move us into the cycle of creativity. They transform us.
A practice that speaks to one may not speak to another. I know many people who would rather never have to sit in silence to engage in a spiritual practice like centering prayer. They prefer something like sharing in the round. Some people love the spiritual practice of singing and some love Dwelling in the Word.
The spiritual practice that moves and calls you is unique to you even though we have these practices in common. The mission prayer is a practice with which we can all engage. If you haven’t seen the prayer, it’s listed for you below.
So this is my invitation: Visit the website – misisonalleaders.org – and click on Missional Practices. You will find there a wealth of options for your consideration. And then, try something new. The practices are described with clarity and detail. Be open to the Spirit and just jump in! You will find that you are welcomed into the practice fully and with love. You will find a new way of being in the world. You will find the heart of God, present for you, today and every day.
In Christ,
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!!!)
This Weekend! 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. $20.00 per person. Please contact Rebecca at the mission center office with questions and to register, brussell@cofchristrm.org. The schedule for the weekend is post online at www.cofchristrm.org
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
May 1-3, SITE class will be taught by John Hamer. The class is: Community of Christ Scriptures. If you are interested in joining SITE and this class, please contact Shandra Newcom at: snewcom@cofchrist.org by April 15.
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 and woold love to see you there!. 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. Please note: (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
If you are able to share your story about these events, please contact Andy Horner at Horner_a@msn.com.
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
INTO THE WILDERNESS: LENTEN SPIRITUAL RETREAT
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/
When: March 13-15, 2015
Cost: $50.00
Where: Spiritual Formation Center 7809 Joseph St. Kirtland, OH 44094
Registration Deadline: March 1, 2015
STUBBORN HOPE: SPIRITUAL RETREAT
“WE MUST CULTIVATE A SPIRIT OF STUBBORN HOPE.” -Stephen M. Veazey
WHAT: 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/
WHEN: April 10-12, 2015
WHERE: Community of Christ Temple (Independence, MO)
RETREAT FACILITATOR: Katie Harmon-McLaughlin
COST: $60.00 (Student Cost- $30.00)
Registration Deadline: March 23, 2015
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.
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.
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
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
Community of Christ
303-426-5900