Dear Friends,
Sometimes there are just no words for the soul wrenching experiences of life. In those times our most cherished blessing is community. When I cannot find the voice to sing my community sings with me. When tears just wont stop coming my community cries with me. When I feel too weak to stand on my own my community sits with me. We sit, in a small intimate circle softly lit by a candle singing hymns of loss, sorrow and comfort, praying and in the end finally sharing bits and pieces of a life gone too soon. The shocking and tragic loss of my dear friend Terry Read has devastated thousands of people. As I lay there crying yesterday I could feel the immensity of our collective grief and I knew I needed to be with community that night. For that one hour of worship I found solace with my brothers and sisters. I was reminded that WE are the good news, the community that is the body of Christ is the Gospel, our shared life together is proof of that. When we gather together Christ comes to us and works through us and healing begins. Might we all remember that WE are the good news and that lives touched by tragedy are waiting for us to share this astounding blessing with the world.
Peace be with you,
DeziRae Astle
Rockies Mission Coordinator
dastle@cofchrist.org
303-426-5900 x4
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MISSION CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Beginning Wednesday, November 18, 2015, the Denver Congregation will be holding a Prayer for Peace Service in our desire to share in the experiences of the Temple in Independence every day. We are planning on a monthly version of this service over the next several months being held on the third (3rd) Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary at 480 Marion St, Denver, CO.
All are invited to share in this experience as they are able. In addition, we are also inviting those who would like to participate in leading the service or offering music ministry as well.
In particular, we hope to involve all congregations in the Denver area, as well as anyone who may be traveling through on the day we are holding this service. Maybe we could also add the number of times we do this in a month, with different congregations leading a service in other weeks of the month.
Please feel free to email me (Rick Argotsinger) with any questions!! Or other ideas!! rla1977@comcast.net
World Conference Delegates have been elected! The Rocky Mountain Mission Center is allotted 53 delegates for the 2016 World Conference, and these delegates were voted on while at Mission Center Conference last weekend. There will be 53 delegates (3 delegate alternates) to represent the RMMC at World Conference, which is wonderful! A list of these delegates & alternates will be sent to pastors to share with their congregations. If you have questions regarding delegates, please contact Rebecca Russell at: brussellcofchrist@gmail.com. If you are interested in becoming a delegate alternate, please contact Mission Center President Shandra Newcom at: snewcom@cofchrist.org
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS:
As the holiday season nears and our largest contribution months approach, we would like to share with you a giving challenge issued by Mark Euritt, bishop of generosity for multi-nations; David Nii, bishop of the United States; and Dar Shepherdson, bishop of Canada. This challenge will appear in the December Herald.
Year end challenge! Last year in an amazing outpouring of generosity, members and friends of Community of Christ gave $1.9M in worldwide mission tithes in the month of December. World Church leaders were grateful for this wonderful blessing which provided insights on our capacity as a community to share when we are focused on our opportunities for mission.
Can we exceed that number this year? We believe the answer is yes. And so we challenge you to give again what you gave last year in December and prayerfully consider giving even a small amount more. If each contributor were to give just $10 more than last year, and if new contributors joined the effort, that could make the total for December 2015 more than $2M! What an incredible blessing that would be as we seek to restore and grow ministries around the world. Will you accept the challenge?
WORLD CONFERENCE: One in Christ—a Worldwide Community
Can you imagine an international reunion? Worship, learning, games, and fellowship—all wrapped around World Conference. Mark your calendar for 4-11 June 2016, and plan to be in Independence, Missouri.
You may think this is just World Conference, but it will be so much more. Experience a picnic on the lawn, stay for fellowship at the Canteen after evening worship, be part of a worldwide community that is “One in Christ.”
Delegates will spend time in deliberation, intentional listening, and making decisions that will move the church forward in its mission with Christ.
And if you aren’t a delegate, you’ll still have much to choose from—educational opportunities exploring the theme and elements of peace and justice, acts of service for our host community, time in Celebration Village, walks in the new labyrinth, time spent in reflection and contemplation, many fun opportunities to volunteer, and much more.