October 20, 2016

Dear Friends,

Here is something I know:  We are better when we are together.  I’m trying to remember that this next two weeks as we move fully into the election.  We are better when we are together.  To me, this does not mean we have to vote the same.  Or look the same.  Or believe the same.  It means we are called to do these things: vote and believe and be who we are  – all together.  Side by side.

I am better when you are with me than I am when you are against me or when you judge me or when you hate me because of our differences.

We have an enduring principle that speaks to this:  Unity in Diversity.  We are better together – not because we are exactly the same, but because we find hope and beauty and possibility in our differences.

Who does unify us?  Christ.  The peace of Jesus Christ is a call to unity that transcends those things that divide us.  We can work and pray and love side by side as we follow the example of Christ.  We can learn and listen and journey together.  We can be a people.  A people on the Way of Christ.  A people of God.

I would like to invite you to join in community with the Rocky Mountain Mission Center in a specific way.  Church Updates is a online platform that brings people in the mission center together.  Many of you have already signed up.  Once you sign up, you will receive an update every Tuesday telling you of prayer concerns in the community, volunteer needs, funding needs and announcements.  I plan on using Church Updates to share information and bind us together as a community.  I would love for you to join!

If you haven’t already done so and you are interested, please respond to this e-mail with your name and e-mail and let me know you are willing to be apart of this great program.  I will sign you up!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Shandra

p.s. Mission Center Conference is two weeks away!  Are you registered yet?  If you know your are coming, please register with the office as soon as possible.  I can’t wait to see you there!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MISSION CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Rocky Mountain Mission Center Conference, November 4-6, 2016, Estes Park, CO. Join alongside 200 members and friends for the biggest event of the year at the 15th Annual RMMC Conference in the heart of the Rocky Mountains! We will gather again at the YMCA of the Rockies for what is sure to be a Spirit filled weekend. The theme for the weekend is “Be Transformed”. We will be talking about transformation through Christ as we become a community that lives, loves and shares together. Our guest ministers will be: Bill McFarlin (teaching and preaching), Dave & Dustee Heinz (Dave will be lead music and Dustee will be our spiritual companion) and Kinsey Horringa (youth ministry). **Youth K-12 attending conference please be sure to bring your swimsuits this year! There will be a swim activity on Saturday afternoon that you don’t want to miss.  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Please visit www.cofchristrm.org to register online or print off a registration form and mail in. Registration forms have been sent out to congregations and delegates. See you soon!

 

All Pastors and CFOs are invited to a Dessert Reception on the Friday of RMMC Conference, November 4th from 9:00-10:00 PM. The exact room location will be announced soon. This event gives us a chance to say thank you for all you do for the Mission Center. We hope you can make it!

 

RMMC Conference Snacks: We would like to invite those interested to bring along a snack to share at the upcoming RMMC Conference.  Snack tables will be set-up near the back of Willome and you are welcome to place your “community snacks” there. As a reminder, there will not be a refrigerator available, so please only bring non-perishable items. Please also make sure to label any containers that you would like returned! Items not picked up Sunday morning will be either thrown or given away.

 

We will welcome display tables at the RMMC Conference again this year! If your congregation, retreat, camp/campground, or organization would like to share a display table at the upcoming fall conference, please reserve your spot now. There are limited spaces available and they always fill quickly. Contact Rebecca Russell at the Mission Center office to reserve your space: brussellcofchrist@gmail.com or 303-426-5900 x1. 

Developing Disciples to Serve is an important ministry of the Mission Center. Grocery cards are available for sale to support this initiative. When you use these cards at King Soopers, City Market or Safeway, you help earn FREE MONEY for ministry. The Mission Center is selling grocery cards for $10 (they are preloaded with that amount). Every time you buy groceries, you can add funds to the card for your purchase. The stores then donate 5 percent of your purchase back to the Mission Center. It is fast, free to you, easy, and a very effective way to raise money for our ministries in the Rocky Mountain region!  ***MID-SEPTEMBER UPDATE*** In the first six months we have raised over $4600 and we expect to continue earning more the coming months! If you would like to purchase a grocery card, please contact Phyllis Modica at 303-426-5900 x-1.