September 2008

Dear Pastor:           

Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine is a designated giving initiative that allows members and friends to share their blessings with five Community of Christ congregations in Russia and Ukraine: Novosibirsk, Moscow, Voronezh (Russia); Odessa and Kiev (Ukraine). The goal is to raise $330,000 to purchase and renovate buildings for these congregations who do not have worship spaces. Contributions received above the goal will be used for additional Russia and Ukraine congregations and to provide ministries of peacemaking in those countries. Here is how to give:

• Designate “Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine” contributions on the World side of your Mission Tithes offering envelope.

• Mail a check to International Headquarters (in Canada mail it to the Bishop of Canada).

• Click “Contribute Online” at www.CofChrist.org to use a debit or credit card.
  
  Learn more about the project and other ways to give at www.CofChrist.org/designatedgiving/ and in the September Herald.
   

The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Photo Poster Exhibition in the USA will be hosted at Community of Christ Temple, Independence, Missouri, September 1–14. The traveling exhibit is presented by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and is brought to Independence by PeaceWorks Kansas City. All are invited and admission is free.

On Friday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m., an A-bomb survivor will share testimony and be part of a panel discussion with a delegation of four people from Japan. For more details, visit the Community of Christ Web site at www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/aug/hiroshima-nagasaki.asp.


International Headquarters is hosting a peace vigil on United Nations Peace Day, Sunday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the United Nations Peace Plaza adjacent to the Auditorium. All are invited to join in prayer and candle lightings for peace every hour with musicians and guest speakers throughout the peace vigil on the United Nations International Day of Peace. A special Daily Prayer for Peace worship will be held in the Community of Christ Temple from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Learn more at www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/aug/vigil.asp.


September 7 is World Hunger Emphasis Sunday. For worship helps, offertory stories, and World Hunger references and materials go to www.CofChrist.org/hunger/. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Booth at ext. 2216.


Two live webcasts from the Peace Colloquy will be offered in English, French, and Spanish. Invite all who cannot come to Independence to participate in the following worships via computer:

• Friday, October 3, 7:30 p.m. central daylight time, presentation of the Community of Christ International Peace Award to Koinonia

• Sunday, October 5, 11 a.m., President Steve Veazey’s address on the Peace Colloquy theme “Signal Communities: Hope of Zion”

Visit www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/upcoming.asp for webcast details and helps. Learn more about Koinonia at www.CofChrist.org/peaceaward/.


Register online for the Peace Colloquy at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/ and join with leaders from throughout our worldwide church to explore “Signal Communities—Hope of Zion” October 3–5, in Independence, Missouri. There are options for an additional prayer retreat on October 3 and Temple School credit. More details can be found online, in the Herald, and from pastor mailings. Questions? Contact Jeanette Hicks, co-director, at ext. 2224.


Peace Partners for kids grades 1 through 6 at the Peace Colloquy will gather on Saturday, October 4 to explore the concepts of Peace, Zion, and Signal Communities. They will learn about families from many cultures and children who are making a difference in the world, and work together on projects. Register at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/registration.asp.


Nominations are requested for the 2009 Community of Christ International Peace Award. Please nominate possible candidates for the 2009 Community of Christ International Peace Award by November 1, 2008. The recipient will be honored during the 2009 Peace Colloquy (October 23–25) and the International Women’s Gathering (October 18–22, 2009). Female candidates of any nationality or faith are especially requested. Nomination forms in English, French, and Spanish can be found at www.CofChrist.org/peaceaward/ or from Jeanette Hicks.


Join the Community of Christ Peace Support Network at www.peacesupportnetwork.org. This Web site is an intentional linking of people throughout the world who believe in peace and want to make peace a reality. Join the network—it is free and open to everyone—and participate in an exchange of ideas and initiatives that “engages a creative power so expansive that all have the chance to build peace through the five major content areas of peace with God, self, relationships, society, and the planet.”


Reassessment regarding appropriate renovations to the Temple Sanctuary and Worshiper’s Path is in its final stage. With the help of design firm SFS Architecture, the First Presidency and the Temple Sanctuary Renovation Team are creating a holistic plan to meet our criteria for this magnificent space. Visit www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/july/temple.asp for more details.


Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your mission tithes impact lives. The September generosity stories feature Apostle Carlos Enrique Mejia’s Central and South America Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included with each week’s story except for September 14. Read even more stories in the September 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.

• Vulnerable to Grace by Danny Belrose immerses us in Doctrine and Covenants Section 163 through poems, prose, probing questions, and worship elements about this newest revelation. Watch for this book, coming in September. Perfect for adult Christian education classes, priesthood study, retreats, or personal reflection. $12.95          9780830914166
   

• The Best of Power and Light—Year A lessons have been edited and reformatted to provide continuity for children’s and youth classes.
  $10.95           Youth 9780830913558          Kids 9780830913541
   

• Worship Resources—Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ’s Peace continues its rich tradition of providing inspiring ideas for personal and congregational worship in 2009. This “must have” resource enhances worship with ideas for readings, stories, music, and sermon topics. Also included are suggestions for Advent, Easter, and special services—including sacraments of the church.
  $10.00           9780830913879 CD-Rom only
  $20.95           9780830913862 Book only
  $25.95           9780830913886 Book and CD
   

The following field changes were approved by the World Church Human Resource Committee:

• Effective immediately: Gregory Savage was assigned from Central USA Mission Center, Stone Church pastor, to Central USA Mission Center, Stone Church pastor and assistant to the financial officer

• Effective September 1: Jorge Omar Cerrato Valdez was assigned from Central America Mission Center, assistant to the financial officer, to Central America Mission Center, financial officer; Pam Cress was assigned to Lamoni/Heartland USA Mission Center, president.

• Effective June 1: Andrew Fox was assigned from British Isles Mission Center, youth minister, to British Isles Mission Center, financial officer.
   

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.


The International Youth Forum Preparation Study for the IYF Pilgrimage is an English-language resource to help adults and youth in preparation for IYF. It will help adults send youth on their pilgrimage and be open to their changed lives when they return home. It will help youth prepare for their pilgrimage to IYF and their pilgrimage back home. IYF will be held at four sites in 2009: Bangkok, May 24-30; Malawi, June 24-30; Honduras, July 4-11; Independence, Missori, USA, July 21-24. Learn more about International Youth Forum at www.CofChrist.org/iyf/. Download your Preparation Study for the IYF Pilgrimage at www.CofChrist.org/iyf/IYF09prepbook.pdf.