2007 World Conference Announcements

Come, Let Us Confer Together
All are welcome and urged to attend the 2007 World Conference, March 24–31, at International Headquarters in Independence, Missouri, exploring the theme, “Share Christ, Share Peace.”

The First Presidency encourages delegates and members to read the legislation that will be coming before the World Conference. Please engage Conference business with intelligence, prayer, and openness to God’s will for the church. Those not planning to attend can assist in the church’s discernment process through prayer and study. Please consider the legislation in ways appropriate to your congregation, whether through classes, congregational meetings, newsletters, mission center gatherings, or personal study. Your preparation will enhance the Conference experience. (2/23/2007)

Saturday Opens Conference (12/23/06)
The opening legislative session, flag ceremony, and worship are all scheduled for Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. There are plans to feature the Graceland orchestra during the opening festivities. Make sure you are in Independence for the start of World Conference!

Worship in the Temple on Monday and Thursday nights during Conference. Register for Conference to ensure your ticket for these services. (A limited number will be available each evening at the foyer desk for guests.) For the first time since the Temple was dedicated in 1994, significant time for evening worship has been planned on Monday and Thursday nights during World Conference. “Worship in the Temple will use the inspiring space as it was designed,” said Jane Gardner, worship specialist. In addition to the large assemblies, guided individual meditation will also be incorporated. These experiences will help us grow and deepen our understanding of the ministries of the Temple and how they inform our identity, mission, and message. (2/23/2007)

Live World Conference Broadcasts (2/23/2007)
Broadcasts of the following services will be available by webcast in English, French, and Spanish (high and low bandwidth or audio-only) and C-band satellite (Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico, southern Canada, USA, U.S. Virgin Islands) and Comcast Cable (channel 16 in Eastern Jackson County, Missouri, and channel 20 in Olathe, Kansas).
For details about receiving broadcasts, visit www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/upcoming.asp.
All times are central daylight time:

Downloadable bulletin inserts to help you share information in your congregation about the World Conference special offering, important Conference announcements, and opportunities for volunteering at this gathering of our World Church are available to print and then copy for distribution or posting from www.CofChrist.org/wc2007/bulletininserts/. (2/23/2007)

2007 World Conference Special Offering. The 2007 World Conference promises to be unlike any other Conference the church has experienced—yet only a portion of the approximately US$550,000 cost is covered by registration fees. No matter where you live, you can help to provide for this exciting event. (2/23/2007)

We need you to volunteer! (2/23/2007)
Volunteer to share your gifts and talents in any of the following areas during World Conference. To volunteer, call the following people at (816) 833-1000 unless a different number is specified:

• Communion Servers—Penelope Belrose, ext. 2433—Priests and elders

• Ushers—Penelope Belrose, ext. 2433—Volunteers must attend the rehearsal on Saturday, March 24, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the conference chamber.

• Heritage and Visitor Services—Cathy Loving, ext. 2030—Information booth, book store, museum, receptionists

• Facilities—Kathleen Ryan, ext. 1308—Room set-up, receptionists, security

• Floral/Plant Decorations—Cara Casey, ext. 3071—Moving plants (must be able to lift 50 pounds), arranging flowers

• Laurel Club—Shirley Johnson, (816) 254-8853; cell (816) 718-3454—Lunch and dinner—dining room and dish room support

• Health Care—Jeanie Wesselschmidt, (816) 478-9299—RNs, LPNs, and EMTs to assist in first-aid room

• Library—Sue McDonald, ext. 2399—Catalog, check-in, file, shelve books, answer reference questions

• Chaplains—Finis Easter, ext. 2268—Melchisedec priesthood: perform administrations, counseling, etc.

• Other Opportunities—Shelley Ruhlman, ext. 2148—Prepare large-print materials for the visually impaired; more

• World Market—Roxy Kellogg, 816/796-44-7. rdkellogg@sbcglobal.net —Staff shops or Temple information booth on Friday during legislative session and open market. Runners, set-up and support needed during the day.

Meals: Laurel Club, Snack Bar, Stone Church
Laurel Club Meal Hours: Laurel Club will be serving lunch and dinner during conference. 
      Saturday, March 24 – 12:30-2:00pm; 4:30-6:30pm
      Sun-Fri, March 25-30 – 12:00pm-2:00pm; 5:30-7:00pm (No evening meal on Wed.)
      Saturday, March 31 – no meals

Snack Bar Hours:
      Sat, March 24 – 10:30am-6:30pm
      Sun, March 25 – noon-7pm
      Mon-Fri, March 26-March 30 – 7:30am-7pm (except Wed. will close at 3:30pm)
      Sat – 7:30am-10:30am

Stone Church Meal Hours: Lunch only
      Sun-Fri, March 25-30 – 11:00am-1:30pm

Canadians — World Conference Donations made at World Conference (2/14/2007)
The Church is accepting donations made at Conference in Canadian dollars in support of World Conference expenses. Donations over $20.00 will be issued an income tax receipt from the Canadian Headquarters. Donations will be accepted at Conference in Canadian Dollars (cash, cheque, credit card). Make cheques payable to the Bishop of Canada. Please ensure that cheques display your name and address. If your donation is in cash, please enclose the cash in an envelope indicating same. Contributions by credit card will be received in US$ and converted to the CDN$ equivalent for income tax purposes.

Community Share/Exchange (1/25/2007)         More Information
Members from all cultures and age groups are invited to express their sense of community through the sharing of stories, which will be recorded on video for use in church resources and archives. See http://www.CofChrist.org/wc2007/communityshare.asp for preparatory questions and go to the suite adjacent to the greeter’s desk on the second floor of the Temple during Conference to reserve a 30-minute interview slot within the following times:

Stage Performances in the International Village (1/25/2007)
If you, your group, or mission center has a talent to share on stage in the lower assembly room, e-mail stage manager Delanne Carlson for advance signup at jondel1985@yahoo.com. Performers will receive a form on which to indicate plans and preferences. There will be no tryouts. People of all ages are invited to sign up. Signups will also be accepted at the Village office during Conference at booth 107, Auditorium first floor east side, next to the registration desk. Scheduling will depend on total number of performers and available times. Village Stage Performance Form (PDF)

World Conference Days of Preparation (1/2/2007)
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 21, a collection of 32 daily scriptures, reflections, actions, and prayer thoughts will be provided on the Web site at www.CofChrist.org/wc2007/prepare/ in preparation for World Conference, a sacred and special time in the life of the church. Written by Mikal Shedd, Midlands Mission Center USA financial officer, and Jane Gardner, worship coordinator, these materials are available in English, French, and Spanish. Use them each day before World Conference to participate with others around our worldwide church in disciplined efforts of discernment so that God’s desires for our world and church might emerge. We look forward to Conference and focus our daily meditation and prayers to open ourselves to God’s Spirit. 

Sample press releases (1/2/2007)
Announce your congregation’s delegates to local media as a way to share news with your community about Community of Christ World Conference and local leader participation in this international event. Visit www.CofChrist.org/wc2007/pr/ for the sample press release. 

 International Village
Share friends, culture, talent, music, and joy during World Conference 2007 in a wonderful new way at the International Village. Enjoy meeting and learning about your sisters and brothers from around our worldwide church throughout the week in this unique setting, where mission centers will share about their people and region. Rather than a formal talent show at the end of Conference, everyone is invited to sign up to share a talent with the Village, designed to feature ongoing entertainment. Watch for more details on the Village in future Heralds and on the Web, and how to sign up to share a talent.

All singers are invited to participate in the World Conference Hymn Festival choir on Friday, March 30, at 8:00 p.m. There are two mandatory rehearsals in the conference chamber: Thursday, March 29, at 6:30, 7:30, or 8:30 p.m. (choose one), and Friday, March 30, from 4:15 to 6:45 p.m. Come ready to participate!

Youth Service Corps
The Youth Service Corps will assist at the 2007 World Conference. This select group of young people will play a major role in helping the event run well. Assignments range from serving as pages and assisting with microphones, to helping with various parts of worship and legislative meetings. The experience is open to young people ages twelve to eighteen. Application Form

Children’s Daycare — SPACE STILL AVAILABLE
Daycare services will be available for children ages six weeks to five years. The program will be held at Stone Church and serviced by TLC Caregivers. TLC has an exciting week planned, including daily themes! The week includes daily age appropriate activities, crafts, games, G-rated videos, toys, and a morning and afternoon snack (and evening snack, if applicable). They will also periodically go outside (weather & age permitting) to play. Space is still available. Register online ASAP at www.CofChrist.org/wc2007/registration/asp  or call or e-mail the 2007 World Conference registration office at (816) 521-3077 or confreg@Cofchrist.org. To make individual arrangements, contact TLC directly through their Web site at www.tlckansascity.com.

Conference Kids
Children participate in Conference, too! The Conference Kids program is for children in grades one through five, approximately ages six to eleven. Conference Kids is intimately connected with the World Conference vision and objectives. Children will perfom in a choir, learn meditation and discernment skills, celebrate in the International Village and World Market, and connect with church message and mission through activities, games, crafts, and more. Come share with children and leadership from around the world. Register early since space is limited to one hundred children.

International Young Adult Event
Young adults are invited to celebrate the theme "We Are Many, We Are One" Saturday, March 31 – Sunday, April 1, at International Headquarters with their sisters and brothers from around the world. There will be vibrant worship, in-depth classes, dynamic speakers and instructors, and many opportunities for sharing cultures. Learn more at www.CofChrist.org/iyae2007/ .

Recognitions and Awards Bulletin (PDF)
A “Service of Honor and Recognition” will be held in the Temple sanctuary at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23, to honor many who have typically been recognized during legislative sessions. This service will include presentations of the International Human Rights Award, the World Community International Youth Service Award, and the Elbert A. Smith Award for excellent writing published in the Herald. In addition, the church will recognize field ministers who are retiring or who have served the church full-time for twenty-five years.

The church offers ministry through its people, and this service will provide an opportunity for the church to recognize some of those who have given excellent ministry over extended periods of time. Presenting these awards and recognitions in this worshipful setting will also allow the World Conference to give more concentrated attention to the business before it during legislative sessions. There will also be an opportunity to recognize World Church ministers during Conference week.

A reception will follow, and the service is open to all who wish to attend. We hope members of the church will demonstrate their appreciation by attending this service if possible.—The First Presidency

Habitat for Humanity Service Project (12/5/06)  More Information
Come join the partnership between Community of Christ and Habitat for Humanity in building a house during World Conference week! The house will be built at 727 North Crysler, about a three-minute drive from the Temple. Transportation, tools, snacks, and supervision will be provided. Please sign up at the Habitat booth during Conference.

Discipleship in Action (12/5/06)
The Conference schedule provides several opportunities to learn about proven strategies and programs for sharing our resources and witness. “Best practices” of successful ministries currently being offered by congregations and mission centers throughout the International Church will be spotlighted in multiple forty-five-minute sessions. Each session will provide information about a project, ministry, or practice that has a proven track record, measurable success in increasing the sharing of witness and resources, and can be replicated in other venues. These sessions will also provide an opportunity for networking with people who have similar interests.

World Café (12/5/06)
Activities for youth ages twelve to eighteen will be held Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Monday and Thursday from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Activities are based in the Temple continents room and break room. A different activity will be held each evening. A detailed schedule of events will be available at the first activity on Saturday night.

World Market and International Hymn Festival (12/5/06)
On Friday, a celebration of food, music, and crafts from around the world will fill the world plaza and Temple. Come sample representative foods from around the globe while enjoying music or purchasing crafts provided by church members. Conference attendees are encouraged to extend an invitation to friends from the community to come and join the festivities. The market will open at noon and close with a parade processional to the Auditorium conference chamber, where we will join our voices in praise at the International Hymn Festival at 8:00 p.m.

Deadline for World Conference Resolutions (12/6/06)
Resolutions for World Conference must be approved by mission centers and sent to the World Church Secretary by January 23, 2007. Those preparing legislation for submission are encouraged to send their drafts to the Resolutions Committee care of the World Church Secretary. The Resolutions Committee will assist in helping resolutions clearly reflect the intent of the mover in the strongest possible way. Please send resolutions to: Andrew Shields, 1001 W. Walnut, Independence, MO 64050-3562 USA. Visit www.CofChrist.org/wc2007/legislation07/ for the current index of legislative items.