|
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.
|
Upcoming Events |
| September 1 |
International Headquarters
offices closed—Labor Day (USA) |
| September 1-14 |
Hiroshima-Nagasaki
Atomic Bomb Photo Phoster Exhibition |
| September 7 |
World Hunger emphasis |
| September 21 |
Heritage Day
Peace Vigil on United Nations International Day of Peace |
| October 3-5 |
Peace Colloquy |
| October 19 |
Children's Sabbath |
| November 22 |
Messiah
Performance |
| November
27-28 |
International
Headquarters offices closed—Thanksgiving (USA) |
| November 30 |
First Sunday of
Advent |
| Daily Prayer for
Peace—A brief worship service is
held daily at 1:00 p.m. central time at the Temple. Join in prayer from
wherever you are. For details and the text of each day’s prayer, visit
www.CofChrist.org/prayerpeace/. |
|