| November 2011
Keeping the church connected Join in the Advent worship and webcast December 11. Come worship at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, or participate through the live webcast at www.CofChrist.org at 7:00 p.m. central time. The First Presidency will share in scripture readings and the Spire Symphonic Chorus and the Emporia State University Faculty Brass and Percussion Ensemble, with conductor Ben Spalding, will be featured. The Service of Lessons and Carols is a traditional format for Christmas worship that goes back as far as 1880 to the Cathedral of Truro in Cornwall and tells the story of our salvation in Christ. The lessons include nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels. Readings will be interspersed with carols by the congregation and anthems by the choir. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How do you celebrate Advent, Christmas? As you and your congregation journey through Advent, you’re going to take photos. We’d love to share some through the Herald. Please send photos (one megabyte or larger) with captions that tell us where you took them, what is happening, and who is pictured. Photos may be sent to Herald@CofChrist.org or to Herald, 1001 W. Walnut St., Independence, MO 64050-3562 USA. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A November Herald article by President Stephen M. Veazey presents a visual model for “Ways of Discovering God’s Will” that identifies many “lenses” through which we gain a better sense of the Spirit’s witness about the purposes of God. The dynamic movement of the Holy Spirit connects these lenses as it seeks to illuminate truth and to grow us as “responsible” disciples of Jesus Christ. To subscribe to the Herald, visit www.HeraldHouse.org or contact subscriptions@HeraldHouse.org or 1-800-767-8181.
For video of President Veazey presenting this topic, along with a listening guide, visit www.CofChrist.org/discernment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out PeacePathways at www.peace-pathways.org. This church affiliated organization aims to help us Pursue Peace on Earth by “creating pathways for justice and peace by connecting people, ideas, and actions.” Find information about the categories of personal, interpersonal, environmental, and world peace, and organizations that are already peace partners in this initiative. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The third edition of the Witness the Word: Sermons on Demand DVD series was mailed to pastors and field ministers in Australia, British Isles, Canada, and the United States at the end of September. We are hearing good things about the first two editions. In order to evaluate whether this is an effective way to share our identity, mission, and message through congregations, we are asking people to participate in a survey about the Witness the Word series.
Please visit www.CofChrist.org/worship/sermons.asp to take the survey and share your thoughts and recommendations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Hymnal Team and volunteers will offer Joyful Noise Workshops over the next two years in preparation for the next hymnal’s release in 2013. Musicians, song leaders, instrumentalists, and worship leaders will explore the diverse musical styles, languages, guitar chords, and arrangements in the hymnal. Familiarize yourself with the theological content, scriptural references, musical styles, worship-planning skills, topical indexes, and more. Simultaneous sessions will be offered, tailored to the skill sets of attendees. Come to one workshop or many to prepare for the new book. The first workshop will be February 11–12, 2012, at the Temple in Independence, Missouri. Other Joyful Noise Workshops are being scheduled across North America. Get more details and watch for announcements of dates and locations at www.CofChrist.org/hymnal/workshops.asp. For more information, contact Pam Robison at ext. 2324. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry Tempest Williams accepted the Community of Christ International Peace Award at the opening of the Peace Colloquy on October 21. Visit www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy to see video of her keynote address, “Finding Beauty in a Broken World,” and other archived media from the “Creating Hope, Healing Earth” event. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wonderful news for parents, caregivers and congregations! Jeri Lauren Lambert, Community of Christ Children and Family Ministries, recommends a new website: www.childhoodspirituality.com. Created by Monica Bradford, the site explores with depth and compassion the issue of childhood spirituality. Monica brings the wisdom of a faith-informed parent and the gifts of a teacher to the topic. This site is highly recommended for parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in engaging children in spiritual practices. In addition, Monica Bradford is available for workshops on childhood spirituality. It is an ideal congregation or mission center event. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catch the November generosity stories at www.CofChrist.org/generositystories. PowerPoint presentations are included with each week’s story except November 13. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are 70, you can make mission real through an IRA rollover gift in 2011! Contact Estate and Financial Planning to learn more: 1-800-884-7526; efp@CofChrist.org. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Community of Christ Seminary will offer four courses during its spring session. They may be audited or taken for graduate or continuing education credit (CEU). Each course includes mandatory attendance at a face-to-face focus session January 23–27, 2012, at the Temple in Independence, Missouri. Courses will begin online January 2, and run for seven weeks. Contact Judy Luffman at Graceland University for more information, including tuition and fees: Luffman@graceland.edu; (816) 423-4676 or 1-800-833 0524, ext. 4508. RELG5040 New Testament I (Chvala-Smith)
RELG6220 Preaching (D. Luffman)
RELG6240 Contemporary Culture (Eppinger)
RELG6140 Learning to Teach/Teaching to Learn (D. Leialoha) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Days are getting shorter and the Earth is preparing to rest and rejuvenate during the next few months. The November health brief from Community of Christ Health Ministries Association, “Dare to Self Care,” talks about ways for each of us to pause from life’s busyness for some inward time and energy. Looking in Genesis, even God took a day to rest after creating the world. We are among “the least of these” talked about in the Bible who deserve ministry and healing of the spirit. Go to www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download the health brief for your congregation’s bulletin or a class discussion starter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your reunion listings for 2012 are requested. The 2012 reunion list will be in the February 2012 Herald. To make sure your reunion date is listed in the Herald, please send information to Patty Wilson before December 1. Please include reunion name, dates, location, and the reservation contact person’s name, address, and e-mail address. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission initiative lessons in the Disciple Formation Guide (DFG) are designed to engage adults in exploring the mission initiatives in classes or small group settings. If you are interested in connecting the mission initiatives to what’s happening in your congregation, then check out the latest postings on the Lesson Plans tab of the DFG at www.CofChrist.org/dfg. These six lessons, taught in sequence, explore the mission initiatives and help members see how their congregation’s efforts connect with World Church goals: lesson 1 – The Mission Matters Most! Poised to Fulfill Christ’s Mission (introduction); lesson 2 – Invite People to Christ; lesson 3 – Abolish Poverty, End Suffering; lesson 4 – Pursue Peace on Earth; lesson 5 – Develop Disciples to Serve; lesson 6 – Experience Congregations in Mission. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out curriculum resources for Young Peacemakers Clubs at www.kidpeace.org. Click on the Young Peacemakers Club tab to access the latest curriculum for your club. While on this page, please sign up for the mailing list to receive curriculum updates and resources. For additional information contact Dr. Rebecca Newcom Belcher. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How does your congregation support the mission initiatives? How do you Invite People to Christ, Abolish Poverty and End Suffering, Pursue Peace on Earth, Develop Disciples to Serve, and Experience Congregations in Mission? All five are needed to be true to the whole mission of Jesus Christ. We’d like to read about your ministries and consider giving them a voice in the Herald. Please send photos (one megabyte or larger; not taken by cell phones) and stories of how you, your congregation, or your mission center is carrying the mission initiatives into community. Send to herald@CofChrist.org. We’ll be waiting at the Herald. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The First Presidency and Graceland University seek nominees and applicants to serve as dean of the Community of Christ Seminary. The seminary offers a master of arts in religion degree for people who wish to increase their theological understanding and gain the skilled wisdom vital for church leadership, ministry, and mission. A PhD is required, and ordained Community of Christ priesthood is strongly preferred. Review of applications will begin November 30. The position will remain open until filled. See full position description and application process at www.CofChrist.org/hr/jobs.asp. For further information, interested persons should contact Parris R. Watts, vice president for Academic Affairs at Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140; (641) 784-5115. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The “Jack and Jenn” video series helps teach the principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response and explain mission initiatives. Check them all out at www.CofChrist.org/jackandjenn. • “The Story of Jack and Jenn”
• “Jack and Jenn and the Not-so-secret Mission”
• “Jack and Jenn Invite People to Christ”
• “Jack and Jenn Abolish Poverty, End Suffering”
• “Jack and Jenn Pursue Peace on Earth”
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Upcoming Events November 24–25: International Headquarters offices closed—Thanksgiving (USA)
November 27: First Sunday of Advent
December 2–4: 95th Annual Independence Messiah Choir Performance—Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
December 5–9: Council of Twelve Apostles meet
December 11: Temple Advent Service: Lessons and Carols (webcast)
December 12–15: World Church Leadership Council
Dec. 23–Jan. 2: International Headquarters offices closed—Christmas and New Year’s holidays
January 1–2: International Headquarters offices closed—New Year’s holidays
January 6: Epiphany
January 15: Racial Justice Day
January 16: International Headquarters offices closed—Martin Luther King Jr. Day (USA)
January 23–27: Seminary Focus Session Daily Prayer for Peace
A brief worship service is held daily at 1:00 p.m. central time at the Temple. Join us in prayer from wherever you are. For details and the text of each day’s prayer, visit www.CofChrist.org/prayerpeace/. 
Contribution Update
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