Dear Pastor:
New membership policies will be released by the
end of October. When the 2010 World Conference
approved the counsel to the church for inclusion in the
Doctrine and Covenants as Section 164, it created a need
for the First Presidency to provide policies for
accepting individuals into Community of Christ
membership who have been baptized in other Christian
settings. By the end of October, new policies related to
baptism, confirmation, and church membership will be
available through mission center officers, World Church
ministers, pastors, and priesthood. Details will also be
published on the website:
www.CofChrist.org.
Please continue to remember the World Church
Leadership Council and Standing High Council in your
prayers. These leadership groups will meet in retreat
September 18–19 to discuss extremely complex issues in
the church’s life. See
www.CofChrist.org/news/2010/july/councils.asp for
more details.
Expanded WCLC Becomes ILC: The Expanded World
Church Leadership Council will now be called the
International Leadership Council (ILC). The name is
being changed to increase clarity and better reflect the
strategically international makeup of this council. The
ILC has members from more than 20 countries. It includes
the 24 members of the WCLC and nearly 50 cultural
interpreters. The cultural interpreters are ethnic
ministers from throughout North America and
representatives from other mission fields who are
selected by apostles to bring the perspectives of more
cultures. The WCLC meets to consider priesthood calls,
field organization, and other matters of church
administration. The ILC focuses on strategic issues,
explores questions arising in the life of the church,
and reflects on intersecting policy and theology. The
ILC will be reconstituted with its meetings September
20–23 at Community of Christ International Headquarters.
Make nominations for 2010–2013 World Church Team
member appointments. Standing teams of the World
Conference and First Presidency appointed teams are in
the process of being chartered for the 2010–2013
inter-Conference period. We are interested in drawing
broad participation from throughout the church. If you
or someone you know has interest and expertise in an
area listed below and would be interested in serving on
a team, please fill out the nomination form at
www.CofChrist.org/standing-teams/nominationform2010-13.doc
and return it to Andrew Shields, World Church secretary:
ashields@CofChrist.org, or fax to (816) 521-3096.
Recommendations need to be submitted by September 10.
Standing Teams of World Conference
• Conference Organization and Procedures Team (WCR 1188)
• Earth Stewardship Team (WCR 1224)
• Human Rights Team (WCR 1197)
• World Church Peace and Justice Team (WCR 1177, WCR 1267)
• World Hunger/Tangible Love Team (WCR 1148)
First Presidency Appointed Teams
• Diversity Team
• Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministries Team
• Human Sexuality, Faith, and Community Team
• Theology Formation Team
Check out the new Herald blog at
http://heraldmagazine.wordpress.com. Excerpts from our
monthly denominational magazine will be published here to help us
reach new audiences, expand readership, and make missional content
easy to share with online seekers. You can even sign up to have
alerts sent to your e-mail when new content is posted. This blog
will feature stories to “connect, engage, and inspire” us to go
deeper in our discipleship and remain centered in the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
Facebook users, speak up! Our Facebook page connects you
to the latest news and event listings, and puts you in touch with
more than 4,000 Facebook fans all over the world. Now there’s a new
opportunity to make your voice heard. Near the middle of each month,
we’ll post a question about worship, spirituality, discipleship,
programs, theology, and more. Your response is instantly shared with
our Facebook fans and may be printed in the Herald “Voices” section.
Facebook users can take part by clicking on the Facebook icon at
www.CofChrist.org/connect.
When you become a fan of Community of Christ on Facebook, you will
get regular updates, be able to post comments, and meet others via
this social media.
Explore Doctrine and Covenants 164 more deeply. A series of
feature articles continues in the Herald and online at
www.CofChrist.org/D&C164/.
Sign up at
www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp to receive the series via
e-mail. In the September article, World Church Secretary Andrew
Shields explores Prophet-President Stephen M. Veazey’s introduction
to Section 164 in the article “God Un-answers and Invites.”
Mark your calendar for the president’s 2011 and 2012 annual
addresses to the church. During special worship services at the
Temple in Independence, Missouri, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 10,
2011, and Sunday, April 15, 2012, Prophet-President Stephen M.
Veazey will talk about critical issues and opportunities facing our
worldwide church as we pursue God’s mission. All who can attend in
person are encouraged to come to the Temple. These services will
also be webcast at
www.CofChrist.org in English, French, and Spanish.
Register online for the 2010 Peace Colloquy at
www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/. Join in workshops and
keynotes on the theme “Children Cry, We Resond!” October 29–31.
Community of Christ International Peace Award recipient Greg
Mortenson will speak at the opening worship October 29 at 7:30 p.m.
central time. Learn more about Mortenson’s life and work at
www.CofChrist.org/peaceaward. Join us for the award presentation
at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, or watch the live webcast.
Calling all volunteers! There continues to be a great need
for volunteers at Community of Christ historic sites in Nauvoo,
Illinois; Kirtland, Ohio; Lamoni, Iowa; and Independence, Missouri.
Volunteers may give two weeks to two years of service at various
sites. Opportunities are not limited to retirees. A number of young
adults have enjoyed volunteering in Kirtland and Nauvoo while
pursuing degrees at local universities. All ages and talents are
welcome. Volunteers have served as gardeners, greeters, guides, and
assisted with site maintenance. For more information, contact
Lachlan Mackay at
lmackay@kirtlandtemple.org or (217) 453-2246.
New website offers news about the USA National Conference.
Visit
www.CofChrist.org/USAConf/ for new and background information
about the July 2010 conference. Watch the video interview in which
USA Apostle Team members Linda Booth and Ron Harmon discuss the work
of the visioning team and hopes for the event. Check this page often
for event updates.
African American Ministries retreat will nurture diversity.
All are invited to spend October 1–3 at the retreat for networking,
sharing cultures, and learning to create and nurture diverse
communities of Christ’s peace. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/AAM/AAMrtreat2010.pdf for more information.
Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your
Mission Tithes impact lives… September generosity stories
feature Apostle Andrew Bolton’s Asia Mission Field. PowerPoint
presentations are included with each week’s story except September
12. To receive monthly stories, check with your mission center
financial officer or find them at
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories.
The new Worship Resources 2010-2011 (Year A) offers
lectionary-based worship service outlines and sermon helps, with
choices to give you maximum flexibility when planning vibrant
worship. Download services free at
www.CofChrist.org/worship10-11/ or buy the book, CD-ROM, or
book/CD-ROM set at
www.HeraldHouse.org.
Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies (MEADS) in the
USA just finished the August session. Twenty-nine students
participated in Community of Christ History with Art Smith and
Community of Christ Theology with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith.
The next MEADS session will be held at the Temple in Independence,
Missouri, February 7–11. Courses offered will be Church Polity and
Administration with Scott Murphy and History of Christian Thought
with Mark Oiler. To register, please contact the MEADS registrar at
mbooth@cofchrist.org or
ext. 1459. For more information, go to
www.CofChrist.org/MEADS/.
Health Ministries Association offers a new bulletin insert on its
website, “Extending the Communion Table.” Communion is an
activity that connects body, mind, and spirit. The first Sunday of
the month, Communion Sunday, is a special day for many Christians.
People who are homebound, in a long-term care center, or in the
hospital are also often in great need of the sacrament of the Lord’s
Supper, which can feed them emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
This form of health ministry is an important link back to the
congregation, church, and an on-going personal relationship with
God. Look at the bulletin insert at
http://hmacofchrist.org/CongregationaHealthMinistry/BulletinInserts/Topics/Bulletin_Insert-Extending_the_Communion_Table.pdf
and share it with your priesthood and congregation. Plan how you
will offer Communion to people who are not able to come to church
and then take it to them.
Please share the following information with those 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.
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Carabineer Key Chain - Blue 6mm aluminum carabineer is great
for clipping keys to a belt loop or bag strap for easy access.
Removable split-ring key chain keeps keys secure. 680121043003
$2.50
-
Water Bottle - 18-ounce, royal-blue, stainless-steel, water
bottle with Community of Christ name is made of 100-percent
recycled stainless steel. Twist-off lid protects against spills.
Included carabineer can be attached to a bag strap or belt loop.
680121043201 $13.50
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Adhesive Notes - Notepad displays beautiful, full-color image
of a dove carrying an olive twig with Community of Christ name
printed along the bottom. Pad is 3"x4" with 50 sheets.
680121042808 $1.95
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Shopping Tote Bag - Tote just about anything. Royal-blue
reusable bag is 12" x 12" with 8" gusset and 26" handles.
Perfect for groceries, kids’ toys, potluck dishes, and more!
680121041207 $3.95
The following World Church Minister assignments and changes have
been approved by the World Church Human Resource Committee:
- Effective August 1: Madison Parker to Chicago USA Mission
Center president; Matthew Frizzell from field specialist,
Chicago USA Mission Center president, to field specialist, field
support minister, North East USA Mission Field
- Effective September 1: Robin Linkhart from field specialist,
president of seventy, field missionary coordinator, Western USA
Mission Field, to president of seventy, field missionary
coordinator, Western USA Mission Field; Charles D. Carter from
field specialist, missionary coordinator, Brush Creek USA
Mission Center, to field specialist, Mid-Atlantic USA Mission
Center president.
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