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.

• Vulnerable to Grace by Danny Belrose immerses us in 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             ISBN: 9780830914166         
• Promotion Certificates

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.