July 2008

Dear Pastor:

To Sisters and Brothers in the USA: During the 2007 World Conference, the First Presidency shared our intent to hold a special assembly of church members in the United States. This non-legislative gathering would give opportunity to confer on issues of importance about the church’s mission in this nation.

The need for a USA Assembly is still a reality, and we are pleased to announce that a special USA assembly will be convened during the April 10–17, 2010 World Conference. (Other fields and language groups will also have opportunity to meet at this time.)

Our original intent was to convene a USA assembly in 2009. However, the combination of economic concerns, staff capacity at International Headquarters, and other international events scheduled for that year prompted the World Church Leadership Council to look toward 2010 for the USA Assembly.

In 2009, members of the church in the United States will have opportunity to study, worship, and fellowship with brothers and sisters from around the world. We encourage the USA church to maximize its support of these opportunities:

• International Youth Forum (IYF)—July 21–25

• SPECTACULAR—July 25–August 1

• International Women’s Gathering—October 18–23

• Peace Colloquy—October 23–25

We thank God for the many ways in which the Holy Spirit is uniquely moving within every nation of the world. We look forward to the USA church having opportunity to discuss issues of importance when it assembles in 2010. May God bless you as you seek to be a blessing to others.

In Christ’s peace,
The First Presidency

Register online for Peace Colloquy October 3–5, at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, explore the theme “Signal Communities—Hope of Zion” with leaders from throughout our worldwide church. More details can be found online, in the Herald, and from pastor mailings. Questions? Contact Jeanette Hicks, co-director, at ext. 2224.

Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your mission tithes impact lives. July stories of generosity (offertory stories) feature Apostle Ron Harmon’s East Central USA Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included with each week’s story except July 13. Read even more stories in the July Herald “Sharing in the Field” section. If you are not receiving the monthly stories, check with your mission center financial officer or find them online at www.CofChrist.org/offertory.

Please share the following information with book stewards and others who are serving in a capacity to share information about resources and coordinate group orders through Herald House. Remind your congregation they can always shop Herald House online at www.HeraldHouse.org.

• 2008 Daily Bread sale! For less than 3¢ per day you can enjoy uplifting stories from church members and leaders around the world that are perfect for quiet moments of meditation. Don’t miss this special opportunity to fill the rest of 2008 with testimonies of God’s love.
  Sale Price: $6.00!        9780830913497

• Share our message of peace with the new church seals, which are replicas of the large bronze seal at International Headquarters. These resin seals feature a UV-resistant coating, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor display. Choose a bronze or full-color finish.
  17" Seal—$149
           Bronze finish        680121038801
           Full-color finish    680121038504
  52" Seal—$549
           Bronze finish        680121038900
           Full-color finish    680121038603

The Master of Arts in Religion degree, now only 30 semester hours, provides a strong academic foundation in the Bible, Christian history, and theology. These subjects offer essential preparation for Christian ministry and/or doctoral study in religion. Students must attend at least one residential session (January or May/June three-week focus session or semester-long evening course). Note: Not all required courses are available online; attendance at several residential sessions may be needed to complete all required courses. Be sure to monitor Seminary course schedules when planning enrollment and selecting courses for graduation. Visit www.graceland.edu/seminary for details or call (816) 833-0524, ext. 4903, and speak with Tere Naylor, executive assistant to the dean, for more information.

Help us sing what we believe by participating in the hymnal survey on the church Web site at www.CofChrist.org/hymnal/. Based on recommendations from a hymnal exploration team, the World Church Leadership Council endorsed creation of an international song and hymn resource. It will be presented at the 2013 World Conference and the work has already begun. We want the entire church to be part of this project as we focus on clearly articulating the church’s identity, mission, and message through song. Please log on and take the survey. It will be available through December 31.

Youth ministers—get in the know about special opportunities for youth ministry and participation in the 2008 Peace Colloquy and 2009 International Youth Forum (IYF). Send postal and e-mail addresses for congregation and mission center youth ministers to Poul Wilson to get updates on the special opportunities at these events.

The Community of Christ International Women’s Gathering will be held October 18–22, 2009, at the Temple and Auditorium in Independence, Missouri. Kathy Robinson and Susan Naylor will co-lead this event. Invitations will be sent to prospective international planning team members soon.

Enjoy Graceland University Homecoming 2008. More than 1,000 Graceland alumni and friends from around the world will come together October 10–12 on Graceland’s Lamoni, Iowa, campus to celebrate Homecoming 2008, “Great Moments: Memories and Destinations.” This is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to learn about what’s happening at our church college today. For more information, contact the Alumni Programs Office at alumni@graceland.edu or 1-866-GU-4EVER.

The following are field changes that were approved by the World Church Human Resource Committee May 21, 2008.

• Effective June 1: Wayne D. Rogers was assigned to Headwaters USA/Canada Mission Center, president, and Advanced Leadership Studies.

• Effective July 1: Larry G. Cleveland was assigned from Central USA Mission Center, assistant to the financial officer, to executive minister in Estate and Financial Planning.

• Effective August 1: Barbara A. Robinson was assigned to Michigan Blue Water USA Mission Center, president, and Advanced Leadership Studies; Arturo Valentin was assigned from Dominican Republic Mission Center, youth minister, to Dominican Republic Mission Center, president; Angela Ramirez was assigned from Dominican Republic Mission Center, assistant to the financial officer, to Dominican Republic Mission Center, financial officer; Dave Long, termination of contract as Inland West USA Mission Center, financial officer; John D. Chatburn was assigned from Central USA Mission Center, Young Adult Ministries and Disciples’ Generous Response minister, to West Central USA Mission Field, Disciples’ Generous Response minister, and Inland West USA Mission Center, financial officer.

• Effective September 1: David M. Nii was assigned from Rocky Mountain USA Mission Center, president/financial officer, to West Central USA Mission Field, assistant to the apostle/field bishop; Mark A. Euritt was assigned from Coastal Bend USA Mission Center and Heart of Texas Mission Center, president, to Caribbean, Mexico, and Texas Mission Field, assistant to the apostle and Caribbean Mission Center, president and financial officer; Carman W. Thompson was assigned from Southwest International USA/Mexico Mission Center, president/financial officer, to Pacific Mission Field (primarily USA locations), assistant to the apostle, and Southwest International USA/Mexico Mission Center, president; Barbara L. Carter was assigned from Sierra Pacific USA Mission Center, president, to East Central USA Mission Field, assistant to the apostle; William D. Gardner was assigned from New England USA Mission Center, president/financial officer, to North Atlantic Mission Field (USA locations), assistant to the apostle, and New England USA Mission Center, president/financial officer; K. Paul Hardwick was assigned from Australia Mission Centre, president, to Asia Mission Field, assistant to the apostle, and South Central Asia Mission Center and Southeast Asia Mission Center, president/financial officer; Jan-Waldemar Stabno was assigned from Caribbean Mission Center, president/financial officer, Caribbean, Mexico, and Texas Mission Field, Haiti Mission Field, assistant to field apostle, to Africa/Haiti Mission Field, field bishop, and Central and South America Mission Field, assistant to the apostle; Terry D. Shelton was assigned from Dominican Republic Mission Center, president/financial officer, and Central America Mission Center, financial officer, to Coastal Bend USA Mission Center and Heart of Texas Mission Center, president; Greggory S. McDonald was assigned from Northern Great Lakes USA/Canada Mission Center, president, and Africa Mission Field, financial officer, to Northern Great Lakes USA/Canada Mission Center, president; Ronald W. Smith was assigned from Asia Mission Field, assistant to the apostle, and South Central Asia Mission Center and Southeast Asia Mission Center, president/financial officer, to Sierra Pacific USA Mission Center, president.