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August 2008

Dear Pastor:
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.
Are your congregation and/or
mission center looking for grant funds from World Hunger or Tangible
Love? Visit
www.CofChrist.org/hunger/applyingforfunds.asp for information on
applying for a World Hunger grant and
www.CofChrist.org/tlove/apply.asp for Tangible Love. Turn in your
applications to your apostle, mission center president, and mission center
financial officer no later than September 1 for their review and letter of
support. Send the application to Michelle Booth at International Headquarters
no later than October 1.
Register online for the
Peace Colloquy at
www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/ before September 5 to save on fees.
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. 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 meet from 9:00 to 11:30
a.m. and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. 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. As a team,
children will participate in building a peace village, complete a service
project to share with a children’s hospital, and visit the interactive
Children’s Peace Pavilion. Register yourself (before September 5: adults $80;
junior and senior high and college students $20) and children ($20 before
September 5) 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.
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.
Join us for the
marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your mission tithes impact
lives. August stories of generosity (offertory stories) feature Apostle Susan
Skoor’s Pacific Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included with each
week’s story except for August 10. Read even more stories in the August
Herald “Sharing in the Field” section. To receive the monthly stories
directly, check with your mission center financial officer or find them at
www.CofChrist.org/offertory.
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.
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.
Promote
the kids in your congregation to the next Sunday school class in style with
these beautiful certificates featuring Jesus and the little children and
Community of Christ pencils.
Promotion
Certificate $0.99 707529011288
Community
of Christ Pencil $0.25 680121002000
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.
Health Ministries
Association has a new bulletin insert, “Food-Borne Pathogens,” for
August. Picnics, cookouts, and fresh fruits and vegetables present health
concerns. Common pathogens, symptoms, and ways to protect yourself are
outlined. Go to
www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download and print for your congregation.
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.
Graceland University recently
purchased the Southern Iowa Gateway Welcome Center as part of a
unique, visionary endeavor by Graceland president John Sellars to utilize the
synergy between the university and the local region, particularly Decatur
County, to foster economic development in the region and all of Iowa. The
Welcome Center is a hub for travel as well as historical and economic
information for the entire region. The retail operation within the facility
will include an Amish and Iowa general store, primarily marketing locally made
items by Decatur County Amish residents. The operation will also feature art,
antiques, furniture, and other items unique to or created by residents of
Southern Iowa and/or depicting life in rural Iowa. For more information,
contact Marjie Foster, director of operations for the facility, at (641)
784-5300.
|
Upcoming Events |
| September 1 |
International Headquarters
offices closed—Labor Day (USA) |
| September 7 |
World Hunger emphasis |
| September 21 |
Heritage Day |
| 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/. |
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