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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Weekly Wire for January 9, 2013

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Upcoming Events at a Glance

January 18-20 Theology Jam Vancouver

February 15-17 Nurturing Spirit Weekend Calgary

March 1-3 Nurturing Spirit Weekend Samish Island

April 24-28 Fine Arts Retreat Samish Island

Apr 29-May 3 Samish Island Work Week

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Isabella Goheen

Sleeping Princess

Congratulations to Greg, Leila and Emelia Goheen on the birth of Isabella Jewel Grace Goheen. Isabella was born on Greg’s Birthday, December 28th. She has red hair and blue eyes, weighs 6lbs 10oz, and is 18 3/4 inches tall.

Girls 4Me and DaddyI love to read

Welcome Isabella!

Meeting Mommy for the First Time

Greg will be on paternity leave until January 16th.

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World Conference April 13-18

World Conference 2013 April 13-April 18

Have you considered attending World Conference this year?  Follow the link to get all the details.  Early Registration deadline is February 15th. We have one delegate spot open for the CWM and 34 alternates, but of course anyone can attend.  If you are registered as a delegate and your plans have changed, please let Debra know debra@communityofchrist.ca

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Ordination of Barry Williams – Chilliwack

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Barry Williams was ordained to the office of Elder on December 2, 2012. He was ordained by Elder Fred Robbins and Elder Janine McCully.

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Remember to order your new Hymnal

Community of Christ Sings

Community of Christ Sings (2013 Hymnal)

order by April 30 for the discounted price of 19.55 US, Regular 23.00

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Don’t forget!

What’s Up…In the CWM Christmas in Review

Remember to have your assigned person send in photos and write about your Christmas activities for our Christmas in review newsletter in January! Please send to Debra debra@communityofchrist.ca by January 7th. (or advise that it’s coming and when I can expect it)

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Theology Jam in Vancouver!

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Nurturing Spirit Weekend at Samish Island

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Letter of Counsel Regarding the Presiding Quorums
3 January 2013

As communicated previously, vacancies were created in the Council of Twelve and Presiding Bishopric by the release of people from these quorums since the last World Conference. In response to the guidance of God’s Spirit, I was able to present the call of Barbara Carter to serve as apostle-designate and James Poirier to serve as Presiding Bishopric member-designate. While these two ministers have carried certain responsibilities related to their future roles, their functioning was within the prerogatives of their current priesthood offices. This was done with the clear understanding that their calls would need to be approved by the next World Conference. This letter of counsel makes provision for those calls to be officially approved at the 2013 World Conference.

A vacancy in the First Presidency also was created by the release of David Schaal from the Presidency in May 2012 as previously communicated to the church. This letter of counsel makes provision for filling that vacancy at the 2013 World Conference.

Additional vacancies in the presiding quorums will occur as a result of granting requests for retirement. This counsel also presents calls to fill those pending vacancies for consideration at the 2013 World Conference.

To the church:

1.  The Spirit has borne clear and consistent witness that Apostle K. Scott Murphy is called to extend his apostleship in the Presidency. Brother Murphy is called to serve as a member of the First Presidency and as a counselor to the president of the church. His broad experience in various church leadership roles, such as stake and mission center president, director of Human Resource Ministries, member of the Council of Twelve, president of the Council of Twelve, and director of Field Ministries has honed his natural leadership and ministerial abilities and prepared him well to serve in the Presidency. Scott’s strong advocacy for inclusiveness based on the Worth of All Persons and cultures will be a blessing to the church. Scott also brings to this call a strong emphasis on the importance of supporting all discipleship, ministry, and leadership with spiritual formation. This emphasis will help the church better understand that effective engagement in the mission of Jesus Christ can be achieved only through ongoing immersion in the Spirit of the Living Christ.

2.  Apostle Dale E. Luffman has served more than 18 years in the Council of Twelve Apostles. In harmony with his wishes, and with the Spirit’s blessing, Apostle Luffman is released from the Council of Twelve and will be afforded the honor of retirement on an appropriate date. Throughout his apostolic ministry, Brother Luffman has provided effective leadership in his field assignments, including being instrumental in the expansion of the church. He also has provided vital theological perspective in World Church Leadership Council and Council of Twelve meetings, as well as other church settings. In addition, he has been instrumental in Community of Christ Seminary development and increasing church engagement in ecumenical and interfaith ministries. In retirement, Dale will be free to serve as a high priest and to pursue his interests in theological studies, teaching, and writing. During the next three years he will continue to serve as the church’s ecumenical and interfaith officer as he mentors another to serve in that role.

3.  As previously communicated, Barbara L. Carter is called to serve as an apostle and member of the Council of Twelve Apostles. As a World Church minister she has served as a stewardship commissioner, bishop, stake and mission center president, and apostolic assistant. Her vibrant testimony of the Living Christ, mission leadership skills, and pastoral sensitivity combine to offer evident capacity for apostolic ministry. Barbara’s ministerial gifts are magnified by her strong, yet calming personality, genuine humility, and overflowing love for people of all ages and life circumstances. This love streams through her from the Living Christ, who has chosen her as an open vessel for pouring his lavish grace into creation to bring healing and redemption. Barbara is called by the One who is our peace and is seeking to bring God’s just and peaceful reign to fuller expression in a conflicted world.

4.  The Spirit’s witness is that Mareva M. Arnaud Tchong, a citizen of French Polynesia, is called to serve as an apostle and a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles. Sister Arnaud is a humble, yet dynamic witness of the Living Christ. She has served in various church ministry and leadership roles, including most recently as the French Polynesia Mission Centre president. Sister Mareva has been prepared for additional church responsibility through theological education, language study, and acceptance of various ministerial assignments in culturally diverse settings. Over the years, the church in French Polynesia has abundantly blessed the worldwide church with many gifts that have helped it better experience essential dimensions of the gospel such as loving community, abundant generosity, warm hospitality, vibrant singing, and joyfulness. Now the church in French Polynesia blesses the World Church once again by offering an apostle who is prepared to lead church mission and who will enrich the leadership councils of the church.

5.  The Spirit also has borne witness that Arthur E. Smith, a native of Quebec, Canada, is called to serve as an apostle and as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles. Brother Smith most recently has served as an apostolic assistant for the Central and South America Mission Field. Previous assignments have included education and leadership development coordinator in the Latin America and Caribbean Field; service in the Pacific Mission Field while living in French Polynesia; and as children, youth, and young-adult minister in the Canada East Mission Centre. Art’s broad intercultural experience, fluency in multiple languages, and passion for justice and the Worth of All Persons will be magnified as he accepts this apostolic calling. In addition, his knowledge of theology, history, and scripture will be a blessing to the church, its leadership councils, and its educational endeavors.

6.  According to his desires, and with the Spirit’s blessing, David J. Brown is released as a member of the Presiding Bishopric and counselor to the presiding bishop of the church. He will be afforded the honor of retirement on an appropriate date after almost 40 years of church employment. Called and ordained to the Presiding Bishopric in 2007, Brother Brown has served effectively as the Presiding Bishopric has led the church in expanding its concepts of generosity, true capacity, and sources of funding for mission. His comprehensive and detailed understanding of church finances and accounting standards has ensured high integrity in all aspects of World Church fiscal management. Beyond this, Dave has expressed ministerial giftedness and spiritual sensitivity that have blessed his colleagues and the fields where he has offered ministry. In retirement, Dave will continue to serve for a time as a bishop as he continues to offer support to the Presiding Bishopric by accepting specific assignments.

7.  As previously communicated, James A. Poirier, born in Ontario, Canada, where he resides, is called to serve as a member of the Presiding Bishopric and counselor to the presiding bishop of the church. Bishop Poirier’s work in banking systems, professional financial planning, and various church financial officer roles provides extensive experience and insight that uniquely equip him to serve in the Presiding Bishopric. His demonstrated ability to mobilize congregations around spiritual principles of grace, generosity, and discipleship formation to support Christ’s mission is matched well to current opportunities. Jim’s ministerial passion, international experience perspective, and visionary outlook will be a blessing to the worldwide church as he responds to his call.

8.  To complete the organization of the Presiding Bishopric, the Spirit’s witness is that Steven E. Graffeo is called to serve as a member of the Presiding Bishopric and counselor to the presiding bishop of the church. Brother Graffeo’s previous assignments as a World Church appointee include serving as World Church Human Resource Ministries director, bishop and financial officer for the French Polynesia Mission Centre, and executive assistant to the director of Field Ministries. Steve also has served as a French and Tahitian translator and congregational pastor. His extensive ministerial gifts are enhanced by his professional business administration background and formal education in political science. These gifts are further enriched by his multicultural upbringing, passion for the church’s mission, and compassionate spirit. As Steve takes his place in the Presiding Bishopric, he may do so with the full assurance that he is fully capable of responding to the opportunities and needs before the church.

In conclusion, I am deeply grateful for how the Spirit has blessed me with heightened insight and peace as I have prayerfully considered calls to the presiding quorums of the church. And, because of my experience with the calling process, I remain confident that God is always aware of the leadership needs of the church and is, even now, preparing others to serve in the future. Now, I humbly invite the church to consider these calls and, if it is the will of the body, to approve them and provide for the necessary ordinations.

In the Peace of Jesus Christ,

Stephen M. Veazey
President of the Church
3 January 2013


The letter is posted online at www.CofChrist.org/wc2013/official/letter01-2013.asp.
Other information, legislation and registration forms are available also.

 

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2013 Camping/Event Calendar

January 18-20 Theology Jam Vancouver

February 15-17 Nurturing Spirit Weekend Calgary

March 1-3 Nurturing Spirit Weekend Samish Island

April 24-28 Fine Arts Retreat Samish Island

Apr 29-May 3 Samish Island Work Week

May 4-5 Ribstone Enrichment Weekend

May 12-13 Hills of Peace Camp Opening

May 24-26 Arts on the Lake Hills of Peace

May 31-June 2 Camp Genesis (8-9 yrs) Samish Island

May 31-June 2 Adult Spiritual Retreat Hills of Peace

June 7-9 College Age Young Adult Retreat Hills of Peace

Jun-08 Samish Island Work Day

June 8-14 Adult Reunion Samish Island

July 1-7 Canada West Youth Camp

June 30-July 6 Camp Mungai (10-11 yrs) Samish Island

July 6-12 Family Reunion Hills of Peace

July 14-18 Junior Camp (8-11 yrs) Hills of Peace

July 13-20 Family Reunion Samish Island

July 20-27 Spectacular Graceland University

July 22-28 Camp Planning Retreat - Hills of Peace

July 21-27 Camp Kluane (girls 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

July 28-Aug 3 Camp Chimacum (boys 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

August 9-11 Young Family Weekend Hills of Peace

August 4-10 Camp Kimtah (15-18 yrs) Samish Island

August 11-17 Singles’ Reunion Samish Island

Aug 30-Sept 1 Canada West Mission Conference Edmonton AB

September 27-29 Men’s Retreat Hills of Peace

September 27-29 Singles’ Retreat Samish Island

October 4-6 Young Adult Retreat Samish Island

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“The only creatures that are evolved enough to

convey pure love are dogs and infants.”

~Johnny Depp~

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