Designated Ministry: Oblation—July 5, 2009

To view entire suggested worship service for this day, click here.
Click here for a PowerPoint presentation to support the story.

For stories about what’s happening in Apostle Ron Harmon's East Central USA Mission Field, read the July Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

St. Louis, Missouri—God’s Grace is Sufficient

Each Sunday we are invited to “share equally” with Mission Tithes for local and world ministries. These stories are provided to keep us in touch with how your contributions to Mission Tithes are spreading the peace of Jesus Christ.

This story, God’s Grace is Sufficient, takes us to St. Louis, Missouri, in the Gateway Mission Center. The director of the restorative justice program relates: Last week, I found myself sitting on the floor with 25 eighth graders as we passed a bright red remote control (our talking piece) and listened as everyone share about a place where they feel safe. Sitting in circle is a weekly event at Long Middle School. Students here are predominantly first generation immigrants from Bosnia, Africa, Viet Nam, and Asia. Many are refugees from war torn areas of the world. English is not their native language and the parents need interpreters when dealing with school issues. Rising numbers of suspensions resulted from violence among the students. That’s when I found myself sitting around the table in the Family Court Annex Building representing the Community of Christ with lawyers, juvenile detention officers, medical professionals, mediators, and other religious leaders. Together we developed a restorative justice program to bring into the school to address the rising problem of violence.

Last year, the program began in the fall with the help of a Tangible Love Grant. The first step began with training the teachers in the process of sitting in circle—for daily check-in, communication, and exploring values. The teachers were amazed as they began to use this process in the sixth grade classes—suspensions in that grade level dropped to an unbelievable number of two for the semester. Now we use the student's final period of the day to sit in circle once a week. That is how I find myself sitting on the floor with 20-25 teenagers—some who speak confidently and defiantly, others who barely whisper in their broken English. Through this program, the students find that God’s grace is sufficient. Your contributions to Oblation, which includes the Tangible Love Fund, create this circle of peace in St Louis, Missouri. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Ron Harmon, apostle, East Central USA Mission Field

B. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: Local

What is happening to you or in your congregation as a result of giving to local ministries through Mission Tithes? Share those experiences as part of your congregation’s Disciples’ Generous Response.

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C. Blessing on Our Offering

From Doctrine and Covenants 163:10a we read: Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries is part of sharing the peace of Jesus Christ. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.