| July 2010
Keeping the Church Connected On June 6, the World Church Finance Board approved a $23.45 million budget for fiscal year 2011, $1.28 million less than last year’s budget. This decrease was necessary because of the depressed global economy. It has caused the anticipated development of the church’s real estate assets to be delayed significantly and securities portfolio returns to fall considerably.
The budget decrease was achieved without staff reductions. However, unless the decades-long decline in World Ministries Mission Tithes is reversed, anticipated budget decreases in the future will require minister and staff reductions, as well as decreases in educational and missionary resources. For more details, see the Herald, pages 8–9 in July, followed by in-depth World Church Finance Board coverage in August. To contribute online, visit www.CofChrist.org/give.
Contribution Update Exploring Section 164: Small-group Discussion Guide helps groups and individuals more fully understand the newest section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Questions provide for three separate discussions. - Topic 1—Baptism, Confirmation, the Lord’s Supper (164:1–4)
- Topic 2—Moral Behavior and Relationships (164:5–6)
- Topic 3—Closing Words of Challenge and Promise (164:9)
Explore the newest Community of Christ scripture and continue to discern how God’s Spirit is leading us forward. The discussion guide is linked from www.CofChrist.org/D&C164/. Continuing exploration of Doctrine and Covenants 164 will be offered through a Herald series that begins this month with an overview by Presiding Evangelist David Brock. To have these articles delivered free to your e-mail, subscribe to the series at www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp. To subscribe to the Herald ($32) or e-Herald ($20), visit www.HeraldHouse.org or call 1-800-767-8181. Live your discipleship at Community of Christ Historic Sites. There is a critical need for long-term volunteers at Community of Christ Historic Sites. If your life circumstances allow you to serve for a period of one year or more, please contact Lachlan Mackay: LMackay@CofChrist.org, (217) 453-2246. Housing, utilities, and training will be provided. The Community of Christ Hymnal Project announces an international contest for English-language hymn writers. We have identified a tune in the church that needs new text: hymn 424 in Hymns of the Saints, "Send Me Forth, O Blessed Master," by author and composer Elisha A. Hoffman (1839–1929). Please see detailed Conceptual Guidelines at www.CofChrist.org/hymnal. Entrants should include an anonymous copy of each hymn-text entry with a cover letter that has your name, address, telephone number, e-mail, and title of your entry or entries.
Submissions will be acknowledged within two weeks of receipt. The deadline is November 10. The author may retain the copyright for the winning hymn, but agrees to allow the use of this hymn text by Community of Christ in perpetuity and for possible inclusion in the next hymnal, scheduled for release in 2013. Send entries and correspondence to lhall@CofChrist.org or mail them to: Hymn Contest, c/o Lauren Hall, at International Headquarters. Register for Peace Colloquy at www.CofChrist.org/PeaceColloquy. Learn more about the Community of Christ International Peace Award and this year’s recipient, Greg Mortenson. Come to the International Peace Award ceremony, which will open the colloquy on October 29, or join the ceremony via live webcast. Check the website for more information about keynote addresses, workshops, prayer retreat, art show, youth retreat, and children’s program. Join us for the marvelous adventure of "where in the world" your Mission Tithes impact lives… July generosity stories feature Apostle Susan Skoor’s Canada and Pacific Mission Field and Apostle Scott Murphy’s Western USA Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included with each week’s story except July 11. If you do not receive the monthly stories, check with your mission center financial officer or find them at www.CofChrist.org/generositystories. Health Ministries Association offers healthcare information nearly every month that can be used as a bulletin insert or a great discussion starter for Christian education classes, small group meetings, or health ministries teams. This month’s insert is part of a series on Congregational Health Ministry entitled, "Advance Directives". Visit www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download and print inserts for your congregation. Ready for the adventure of your life? Learn more about World Service Corps, current volunteer opportunities, and apply online at www.worldservicecorps.org. Subscribe to the Herald or e-Herald. Subscriptions are $32 for the print publication ($34.43 for Missouri residents, includes sales tax; US$39 for Canada residents) and $20 for the e-Herald. Subscribe online at www.HeraldHouse.org/herald-magazine.htm (print) or www.HeraldHouse.org/e-herald.htm (electronic). For subscriptions outside the United States: e-mail subscriptions@HeraldHouse.org or call 011-816-521-3015 or 1-800-373-8382 in Canada. If you receive a subscription through the Herald-in-Every-Home program, express your personal commitment to the congregation by making a donation to your local budget. Restoration Studies invites submissions. Restoration Studies has been published by the church on an occasional basis since 1980. For the last two years (volumes X and XI) it has been published annually by the John Whitmer Historical Association under special arrangement with the church. This publication includes articles on theology and culture in the church and the broader Latter Day Saint movement.
Although most articles are scholarly, research-based works, papers of a more reflective, testimonial nature are also included. Request specification information (length, format, etc.) and submit articles to the editor, Peter Judd, at pjudd@CofChist.org by August 1 for the 2011 issue. Restoration Studies promotes the free expression of carefully considered points of view on matters related to Community of Christ and the broader tradition of which it is a part. 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. Memoirs of President Joseph Smith III – His influence and leadership remain evident in our faith movement today. His memoirs originally were printed as a serial in nearly every issue of the Saints Herald from November 1934 to July 1937. They are gathered here into a single volume of reproduced Herald pages with a new introduction by Richard Howard, Community of Christ historian emeritus. 9780830914920 $29.95 It’s T-Shirt Time! - We Share – Featuring the four-block print with "We Share" in 10 languages on the front. Community of Christ nameplate is across the back. Sizes: S–3XL. $15.95
- Cross and Spiral – The Cross and Spiral is displayed on the left pocket area. Community of Christ nameplate is across the back. Sizes: adult S–3XL; child XS–L. Colors: red or tan. $14.95
Upcoming Events July 5: International Headquarters offices closed—Independence Day USA
July 24-31: SPECTACULAR
August 1-6: Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies classes (MEADS)
August 20-22: YMCA Blue Ridge Mountains Vision Project
September 5: World Hunger Emphasis
September 6: International Headquarters offices closed—Labor Day (USA)
September 19: Heritage Day
September 20-23: Expanded World Church Leadership Council
September 27-30: World Church Leaders Meeting 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/. | 
Church President Steve Veazey will be preaching at the Vancouver congregation of the Community of Christ on August 1. Please plan to attend church in Vancouver this weekend if you are available. 
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