Dear Pastor:
Resolutions for the World Conference to be held
April 10–17, 2010, must be approved by mission centers and sent to
the World Church secretary by December 11, 2009. Those preparing
legislation for submission are encouraged to send their drafts to
the Resolutions Committee in care of the World Church secretary. The
Resolutions Committee will help resolutions clearly reflect the
intent of the mover in the strongest possible way. Learn more about
the Resolutions Committee at
www.CofChrist.org/wc2010/announcements.asp or in the August 2009
Herald “Official.” Please send resolutions to Andrew Shields by mail
to International Headquarters or e-mail to
ashields@CofChrist.org.
Resolutions for World Conference consideration are being distributed
to mission centers as they become available and begin publishing in
the Herald this month.
Communication of World Conference legislation will go
through mission centers and the Herald. Among the legislative items
received to date are several regarding same-sex marriage and
homosexuality issues. After hearing from several of its leaders
serving in places such as Haiti, Africa, Central America, and South
America, the Expanded World Church Leadership Council learned
placing these items on the Community of Christ Web site would do
harm to our faithful leaders who serve in nations that do not
sanction or recognize homosexual issues.
To ensure the well-being of our leaders and members serving in
places that do not recognize homosexuality or have legal sanctions
against homosexuality, legislation will not be posted on the
Community of Christ Web site at this time. Legislation will be
communicated as it becomes available via:
- E-mail to mission center leaders, who will decide how to
best share legislation contextually with their congregations.
- Publication as “Official” announcements in the Herald
magazine, starting with the October 2009 issue.
Thank you for your understanding and support of this
communication direction.
Watch the World Conference website at
www.CofChrist.org/wc2010/ for updates to the schedule and
announcements.
Peace Colloquy will be held October 23 through 25
to explore “Justice for Women, Dignity for All.” Get details and
register online at
www.CofChrist.org/PeaceColloquy/. You can also
register by calling ext. 3077 or e-mailing
confreg@CofChrist.org.
Questions? Contact Jeanette Hicks
at ext. 2224.
Join the live webcast of the Community of Christ
International Peace Award presentation, October 23 at
7:30 p.m. CDT at
www.CofChrist.org. The award honors Darfur survivor Halima
Bashir for her for work as a medical doctor and activist for
women and children in Darfur. The ceremony will open the 2009
Peace Colloquy. It is free and open to all. Learn more about
Halima at
www.CofChrist.org/peaceaward/ or in the May and September
Heralds.
Webcasts from www.CofChrist.org may be viewed live
on the Internet using Windows Media Player 8 or higher at any
location around the world. When the URL addresses are live on
our website, you may either click on the link, or copy and paste
the URL into the address bar of your media player. For more
details on what you need, visit
www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/webcast_help.asp.
Join the live webcast of the Temple Advent worship
on December 13 at 7:00 p.m. CST from
www.CofChrist.org. The
Council of Twelve Apostles are planning, presiding, and
participating in this service, themed “Follow the Star.” If you
can join us in Independence, Missouri, please arrive early to
explore a special exhibit of more than 200 nativities from
around the world that will be on display.
The Vision Project is engaging young adults with
the First Presidency and the future of the church. See the
October Herald to learn about outcomes of the first Vision event
that was held in August in Des Moines, Iowa, with participants
from three mission centers. All young adults are invited to
participate in these events. Check out
www.CofChrist.org/emergence/vision.asp for dates and
locations of upcoming Vision Project events.
Check out the Enduring Principles Commentary article on
continuing revelation by President Steve Veazey. Follow
the series through April 2010 in the Herald and e-Herald, via
e-subscription (sign up at
www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp), and at
www.CofChrist.org/enduringprinciples/.
Check out the Disciple Formation (Christian
Education) website for two new recommendations for curriculum
beginning Advent 2009:
www.CofChrist.org/discipleformation/.
Want to plan a holistic event or use elements in a
worship service? There is an online library of video
clips, photos, and more resources from the May and August
holistic Temple events themed on Acts 2. Check it out at
www.CofChrist.org/OnlineResources/TempleEvent/ and please share
feedback and stories on your experiences by e-mailing
Communications@CofChrist.org.
Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the
world” your Mission Tithes impact lives… October
generosity stories feature World Service Corps. PowerPoint
presentations are included with each story except October 11.
Read more stories in the October 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/generositystories.
Just for 2009—a simple, convenient way to share the peace
of Jesus Christ. Contributors age 70 or older are
eligible to make an IRA charitable rollover gift to the church.
Because the required minimum distribution is waived for 2009,
many will find this a wonderful way to take a tax-free IRA
distribution and, at the same time, give to the church. To learn
more, view a short video about the benefits of an IRA gift at
http://cofchrist.giftlegacy.com/plgive_main.jsp?WebID=GL2004-0111
or contact Estate and Financial Planning at
efp@CofChrist.org or
1-800-884-7526.
Community of Christ Seminary has upcoming courses
available for graduate or continuing education credit (CEU) or
to be audited. Contact the Seminary office for enrollment and
fee information at 1-800-833-0524, ext. 4508, or
Luffman@graceland.edu.
Sign up for the online course RELG5030 Hebrew Scriptures II, or
three-week focus sessions: RELG6220 Preaching, RELG5040 New
Testament I, RELG6240 Contemporary Culture, RELG6140 Learning to
Teach/Teaching to Learn.
The eighth annual Seminary Convocation will be
held Sunday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Graceland University’s
Independence Campus, 1401 W. Truman Road. All are welcome to
attend.
A bulletin insert on H1N1 flu from Community of Christ
Health Ministries Association is available from
www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download, print, and share with
your congregation. As the new flu season is getting underway,
please use this insert to educate the congregation on who is at
greatest risk, major precautions, warning signs of serious cases
and the prevention they can use to stay healthy this year.
The first event of the 50th-birthday celebration
of the Auditorium organ features Dr. John Obetz, organist
emeritus of Community of Christ, in concert Sunday, October 4,
at 3:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Dr. Obetz and “The Auditorium
Organ” were heard weekly on radio stations across the United
States for more than 25 years. Admission is free; a freewill
offering will be accepted.
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.
- Are you reaching out to people in your community who
have questions about our church?
First Steps
is a 10-session intergenerational small-group study designed
specifically to answer questions of seekers. A variety of
activities and scripture support are provided in each
session of this facilitator’s guide. 9780830910588 — $6.95
- Is your congregation seeking new ways to become a more
inviting and nurturing community?
A Witnessing
Community is a four-phase guide that assists
congregations with growth and outreach. This concise
resource also contains a glossary of terms and an annual
missionary analysis form to evaluate current events and
review what new opportunities exist. 9780830911042 — $5.00
- Worship Resources continues its rich
tradition of providing inspiring ideas for personal and
congregational worship in 2010. Focused on the theme “Live
Generously, Love Courageously,” this critical resource
enhances worship by providing ideas for readings, stories,
music, and sermon topics for each Sunday of the year. Texts
from each of the church’s three books of scripture are
included in each week’s service outline.
Book and CD-ROM 9780830914401 — $25.95
Book
only 9780830914388 — $21.95
CD-Rom
only 9780830914395 — $10.00
Green tips – As disciples of Jesus Christ and
participants in the world community, we are called to be
stewards to the earth. Each of us can make a difference in
the world. The Earth Stewardship Team encourages each of us
to become more aware of what we can do to help the earth.
October’s green suggestion is: Take lukewarm or cold
showers. To see a complete list of tips, see pages 14–15 in
the February 2008 Herald.
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