Dear Friends,
I’m spending some time with the Words of Council from the 2013 World Conference. This line stands out when I read through it:
“Lovingly invite others to experience the good news of new life in community with Christ. Opportunities abound in your daily lives if you choose to see them.” (Words of Council, 2013)
These words bring a lot of questions to my heart:
* What is it we are inviting others to in our congregations and in the mission center?
* What does new life in community look like in our congregations and in the mission center?
* How are we individually and corporately open to opportunities that come in our lives to be invitational?
* How can you and I show one another love? How can we love those who the world says are unlovable?
* How can you and I open our eyes and see the opportunities around us to bring connection and the love of God to the world?
These are just a few of the questions I’m considering. And let me tell you…I love questions! Questions lead us to conversation. They open us up to opportunity. They aren’t bad nor do they symbolize a lack of faith or understanding. Questions guide us into new ways of seeing and new understandings.
I hope that when you read the Words of Council as you prepare for Steve Veazey’s address on October 4 and World Conference in June you will read it open to the questions that arise. And I hope that you will prayerfully consider those questions as remain open, yes listen, for the gentle answers of God and God’s love.
May you ask the important questions and may you dedicate yourself to love in the world this week.
Blessings!
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 ANNOUCMENTS: Rocky Mountain Mission Center Conference: November 6-8, 2015, YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado. Mark your calendars for this fall’s conference. The theme will be “Discover Deep Joy.” Our guest ministers will be Apostle Ron Harmon, Dave Nii, and Lauren Hall. Along with the budget and other possible items for our conference agenda we will also be electing delegates to the 2016 World Conference. Registration for this event is now open and can be found online at www.cofchristrm.org. You may print off the registration form and mail to the mission center office, or use our online registration. Looking forward to seeing you there!
President’s Address: Steve Veazey will be giving a President’s Address on October 4, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. CDT. Following the address, President Veazey will answer questions. E-mail questions can be sent to: AskSteveVeazey@cofchrist.org or you can send questions on social media using #AskSteveVeazey.
Please note: Rebecca Russell, the Rocky Mountain Mission Center’s Administrative Assistant and Recorder has a new e-mail address! You can reach her at: brussellcofchrist@gmail.com or call her at : 303-426-5900 ext. 1.
WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS: A SPIRITUAL VENTURE: SPIRITUAL RETREAT What: A spiritual retreat with President Stephen M. Veazey exploring the connection between Spirit and Mission. For more information please visit: 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
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.
Shandra Newcom
Interim Mission Center President
Rocky Mountain Mission Center
Community of Christ
303-359-4295