September 4, 2014

RMMC Weekly Update

September 4, 2014

From Tim Ashburn

 

Greetings Rocky Mountain Mission Center!

 

From a little book called, Teach Me To Pray, by W.E. Sangster, p.17. “Now this is serious.  There is no progress in religion without prayer. We can be sure of this both by the testimony of the saints and the experience of the Church.  All those who have gone forward with God have gone forward by prayer. There are some things on which the saints do not agree. But they agree on this: Prayer – and more prayer!  If you would be close to God, there is no other way than prayer.”

Perhaps you are aware of the great emphasis on Missional Practices.  You may even be tired of hearing about them.  Even to the point of rebelling against the idea. If you are rebelling just a bit, I can understand.  After all it may seem like the latest “spiritual fad” to come along, or perhaps the latest “in thing” to do.  Perhaps the practices are simply not your thing in regards to how you live out your life as a Christian disciple.  And yet, if we look at the story of God throughout history, the above quote points to truth for those that have chosen to take this mysterious journey of faith.

The plan forward has never been clear, the need for embracing our current world views that match its challenges are drastically needed.  And I doubt there would be little argument, even in our larger congregations, that visioning for a world in constant change is needed.  I have more questions than answers and at a recent staff retreat have discovered anew that knowing the questions is a vital part of the journey.  In all the change that comes, in all the questions and concerns that rise, the one thing that is constant is the possible connection we have to the God we try to follow.  There is no greater need than to nourish the relationship with the one who is the author of our journey.  During perplexing moments, when after all the most thoughtful planning and care have seen little movement, stop, pause and pray.  Let the familiar spiritual practice of prayer wash over us and revitalize our souls.  Let prayer lead us into other forms of connection with God that can broaden our experience.  And if “prayer” is not the path for you, I invite you to enter into other missional practices that lead you into the presence of the divine.  Whatever the path, there is no substitute for walking closely with God, for the way forward.

 

Blessings,

Tim

 

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!!!)

 

Camp Paradise Women’s Retreat, September 5-7th, 2014, has been cancelled for this weekend due to a needed repair at Camp Paradise.  It is being rescheduled for a later date and location.  Please watch for updated information on this event.  Please contact director Sandy Burkey at sandytwo@prairieweb.com or (308) 641-1275 with questions or to register. We hope to see you!

 

LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS September 4TH!! TODAY! Silent Retreat, September 12-14, 2014, Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Sedalia, Colorado, Silence is sometimes a difficult thing for us to do in this busy world of ours and it can be a little scary. The reward can be a quiet and reflective time between you and God. You can use the silence to listen for that still small voice or to rest in the Lord. The guest ministers for this retreat will be Dave and Carolyn Brock. The retreat director is Evangelist Marlene Krueger and the cost to attend is $140 per person. More information about this event as well as registration can be found online at www.cofchristrm.org. 

 

Camp Paradise Men’s Retreat, September 12-14, 2014. The retreat will begin on Friday evening with a worship at 9 pm after arriving and settling in.  There will be time for classes, relaxation, and sharing.  The full retreat schedule can be seen at www.cofchristrm.org.  Please contact Jim Smith at smiths.villa@hotmail.com for registration information.  THIS EVENT IS ON!  THE REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR MEN’S RETREAT!

 

4th Annual Retro Night- Saturday, September 20th 7:00pm at 607 Strong St, Brighton, CO 80601. The Brighton congregation would like to invite you to join them for a FUN and FREE evening of dancing, games, music, raffle door prizes, a costume contest, retro photo op and retro snacks. Come dressed up with your dancing shoes on- bring a retro snack and a friend! (some snack ideas may be Cool Ranch Doritos from the 80’s, Tang drink from the 60’s or even Tuna Noodle casserole with chips on top from the 50’s) Contact Mark Mauzey with any questions: 303-601-7853.

 

The Applewood congregation is celebrating its 50th year anniversary! Please come join the celebration on Sunday, September 21, 2014 for service at 11:00 a.m. followed by a pot-luck. The Applewood congregation has extended an invitation to anyone in the mission center who is interested in helping celebrate this special occasion.  The church is located at 3780 Ward Road, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Please contact pastor Tim Hakes for more details: applewood@cofchristrm.org.

 

The fall SITE (Seminars in Theological Education) class held September 26-28, 2014, will be: Christian Theology taught by Steven Hatch.  If you are interested in SITE, please contact Shandra Newcom at:  snewcom@cofchrist.org!

 

Prepare for the October 5 President’s Address when President Stephen M. Veazey will talk with the worldwide church through an interactive, webcast-only event. For this address, President Veazey said, “We will focus on the joy of generosity as a spiritual practice that draws one closer to God and others. I will also provide an official interpretation of the church’s teaching and practice of tithing to support Christ’s mission throughout the world.”

Following the address, President Veazey will answer your e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook questions live.

In preparation:

All addresses will be webcast live in English, French, and Spanish. Details about how to receive a webcast are at www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/webcast_help.asp.

 

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! Oct 24-26- Peace Colloquy and Jr./Sr. High Peace Colloquy Retreat.” 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

 

Rocky Mountain Mission Center Conference, November 7-9, 2014, YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado.  Our guest ministry will be Becky Savage of the First Presidency, Zach McLaughlin, Congregational Support Minister and Daniel Harmon, Congregational Support Minister.  Zach and Daniel will be sharing their ministry of music with us.  Our theme is “Encounter.”  We will be exploring and providing opportunity for encountering the divine, each other, and community.  Please plan on joining us in Estes Park this November!

 

WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

World Hunger Emphasis Day is Sunday, September 7. Please remind the person bringing offertory thoughts to remember hunger and poverty needs in the local community and nations around the world. Contributions to Abolish Poverty, End Suffering provide funds for ministries that offer hope and promise to people experiencing poverty and hunger. Visit www.CofChrist.org/hunger for worship resources, including two downloadable videos: a new hunger meditation video (also available on DVD), and a video that highlights two projects that are alleviating poverty. Hunger No More packets and a recently-published World Hunger brochure are also great to use.

 

Heritage Day is right around the corner—September 21. What will your congregation do for the annual Community of Christ Heritage Day service Sunday, September 21? Each year, your friends at the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation share a unique Heritage Day service for congregations to sample. The 2014 Heritage Day service complements reunion and Peace Colloquy themes as we focus on the Mission Initiative of Abolish Poverty, End Suffering. Check out the worship service along with plenty of other creative ideas (from hymn festivals and worship service outlines to sermons and testimonies) on the Foundation’s website: www.HistoricSitesFoundation.org. Make Heritage Day an opportunity to celebrate and share your congregation’s unique story.

 

We need photos of your congregation’s meeting place! Thank you to the many who have already responded. We are building the new find-a-congregation directory that will be part of a redesigned Community of Christ website (coming soon). The directory will include a photo of your location/church building along with the congregation information. Submissions need to be sharp, high-resolution photos, framed as a landscape (horizontal) with sky and ground showing. This will allow for any necessary cropping. E-mail photos along with your congregation’s name, address, mission center, and pastor name(s).

 

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.)