eNewsbriefs | January 12, 2024

Any Mission Center events, news, or prayer requests, please submit to Communications and Administrative Specialist, Brooke Schlenker at bschlenker@cofchrist-gpnw.org by Thursdays at 7pm.


Some announcements are posted on our blog - the Chinook - if they're too long to fit in the eNewsbriefs. Be sure to click "Read More" to see the announcement in full.


Prayer requests need to have permission from the subject person or their immediate family and will be included in the eNewsbriefs for three weeks, unless otherwise communicated with Brooke.

World Church Announcement

Update on President Veazey's Health and Request For Continued Support


As we reflect on this past year, we are grateful for the blessings of community. Through the challenges and triumphs of life together, it is heartening to witness the strength of loving community, especially in times of need. As we anticipate what will unfold in the coming year, we want to provide an update on President Veazey's health.


Steve is continuing to work with his medical care team and is experiencing progress in response to his treatment plan. He deeply appreciates the loving messages, cards, notes, and prayers extended on his behalf and in support of his family.


As part of his journey to health, Steve will gradually resume more normal activities outside of home. He will also begin part-time participation in his role in the First Presidency with anticipation that he will be full-time by March.

MISSION CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Save the Dates for the New Year!

The Mission Center has many wonderful camps and retreats planned for 2024! Below you can find flyers to save the date for these events for this spring and summer. Please share with your communities. You can also find these dates on our Mission Center Calendar . More details about themes and registration links will come in early Spring.

Caravan 2024

See Flyer here

* See more information in section below.


Building Community Retreats

Save the Date Flyer


Summer Camping: Reunions and Youth Camps

Save the Date Flyer


SPEC

Save the Date Flyer


Retreats and Events

GPNW North Youth Group Meetings

Stay tuned for the January - March schedule.

Contact Jean Cravy with questions.

cravyjean@gmail.com or 360-969-3188


Caravan 2024

Attention All Youth! Caravan 2024 is just around the corner. Join us as we tour the great Pacific Northwest while we participate in this year's program Feed My Sheep: The No Hunger Games. The first huddle will be at Tuality Community of Christ February 17-18th. See the attached flyer for more information. Please contact Michael Jaycox, Katie O'Keefe-Knoble, or any other Caravan staff member if you are interested. Everyone who wants to see what Caravan is all about, please come! It's gonna be excellent! 

See Flyer here

See Registration Form here


Sabbath in the Woods

You are invited to join us on Sunday afternoon, January 21st . . .

We are being beckoned to remember our sacred relationship with Nature.

The Lewis River Campground invites us to join the trees and the birds and the earth in worship. 

 

On the third Sunday of every month, you are invited to join us from 2 – 4 p.m.

On January 21st, we will gather on the porch of the Lodge. 

Please dress for being and walking outdoors! 

 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Fae Jackson, 360-910-7476 / faej1005@gmail.com or

Laurie Sharpe, 360-824-0112, ld.sharpe@yahoo.com


Orphans Africa Benefit and Luncheon: Feb. 24th

You are invited to the annual Orphans Africa Benefit and Luncheon in Tacoma on Saturday, February 24th, from noon to 2pm (doors open at 11:30). Every year, Orphans Africa depends on the gifts from the Benefit to fund their educational programs for orphans in Tanzania. The support from Community of Christ is essential and has literally saved lives. The Benefit is at the Emerald Queen Casino (5700 Pacific Hwy S., Fife, WA 98424), and will include an African marketplace, no-host bar, buffet lunch, and engaging speakers who have just returned from Tanzania. We are happy to announce that Bill Campbell from the Auburn, WA congregation will be the Master of Ceremonies! Orphans Africa was founded in 2007 by three Community of Christ members. We are truly walking the talk! Go to https://orphansafrica.org/events/ to purchase your tickets online. Alternatively, please call 253.252.3544. Thank you!

Gather in Community

Faith & Formation

For January 17, please watch this video "Every-body Has a Place." We'll be discussing the content at Faith & Formation. Also, follow our schedule on our website page. 


Plan ahead: Faith & Formation will be doing a book study for Lent. "Witness at the Cross: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Friday" by Amy-Jill Levine. We'll discuss one chapter per week from February 21st thru March 27th. Reading the book isn't required, but will enhance your experience. Our class sessions will begin with a 10 minute video by the author about the chapter and then we'll spend the rest of the time in discussion about what we read and learned. Click here to watch a brief video about this book. 


New Expressions Mondays in 2024

Starting in January, we are going to be journeying through the book, "The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door" by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon. On the first Monday of every month from 6:30-8:00pm, we will join on Zoom as we take a closer look at the material found in this book. We hope that this experience will help us go deeper in considering the possibilities of creating New Expressions of Community in our neighborhoods. Though you can certainly participate without reading the book, doing so will help provide a richer experience. To order the book on Amazon, click here:https://a.co/d/dRq6eV8 

 

New Expressions Mondays are the first Monday of the month. PLEASE NOTE: In January, our New Expressions Mondays will be Monday, January 8, 2024, as the first Monday is New Year's Day.

 

To sign-up to receive more information as we get closer and monthly reminders about our sessions, contact Sean Langdon (slangdon@cofchrist.org).

 

New Expressions Mondays are co-sponsored by the Greater Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain Mission Centers.


Western USA Field Racial Justice Worship: Creator of the Intertwined

Sunday, January 21, 2024 | 6:00pm (PAC) / 7:00pm (MTN)


God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare. - Doctrine & Covenants 163:4a


We know this sacred text well in Community of Christ, but how well do we put it into practice when solutions to conflict are too complex for us to comprehend? We watch the news and see conflict in Palestine and Israel and are sometimes left wondering, "How can I contribute to peace?" Racial Justice Sunday is January 21, 2024, and in this special Western USA Field online worship, we will explore Racial Justice through the lens of multifaith relations. 


Join us online for "Creator of the Intertwined" as we open our hearts and seek to better understand through songs, prayers, readings, and more. Our worship will feature a sermon from Brittany Longsdorf, a multifaith Chaplain with Bates College in Maine. In our Disciples' Generous Response we will highlight the work of World Central Kitchen (https://wck.org/). All are invited to bring a rock with a smooth surface as well as markers and/or paint for an interactive worship element. This worship will begin at 6pm (PAC)/7pm (MTN) but join earlier for a chance to share in "Foyer" Greetings and the Prelude at 5:40pm (PAC)/6:40pm (MTN). 


To connect to the Online Worship, click here:

https://zoom.us/j/841448115?pwd=WDFQTzdIYWpPM0p1MWJyTlF0aHZDZz09

To listen in to the worship, dial 1-669-900-6833

Meeting ID: 841 448 115/Password: 043423


See below in Community Connections Section and our

Mission Center Calendar for all events.

In the know

Ashley's Zoom Office Hours

For the new year, Ashley's office hours will be 10-11am Pacific on Mondays and Fridays. Anyone in the Mission Center who has a question or wants to talk is invited. 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86099130723?pwd=mVx16nQjflXXRzd4Bk0bdBWbjovg20.1

Meeting ID: 860 9913 0723

Passcode: 399665


Temple School Course: Introduction to Priesthood Ministry

What does it mean to enter into the covenant relationship of priesthood member in Community of Christ? This 5 week course is mandatory for all new priesthood calls, but also is a great refresher course for those who have been in the priesthood a long time. It's also great to have pastors of new ordinands take this class with them, so that they can know how best to support the new priesthood member of their congregation as they grow and learn. Classes will begin February 20th thru March 19th, meeting every Tuesday from 6-8:30 pm (Pacific). The only cost for this class is to purchase the text from Herald House either as a book or download the pdf. To sign up for this course, please contact Ashley Whitham (awhitham@cofchrist-gpnw.org or 360-521-4562).

Celebrations of Life


Please let Brooke Schlenker know at bschlenker@cofchrst-gpnw.org for information to share about celebrations of life.

Weekly Online Fellowship Opportunities

Online Worship

  • 2nd and 4th Sundays
  • 6:30 pm (PT)

Breakfast Club

  • Monday, Thursday & Saturday
  • 9-10 am (PT)

Faith & Formation

  • Wednesdays at 7 pm (PT)

ONLINE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Evening Online Worships

Click here to learn more.


Community Connections

Join us as Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center and Rocky Mountain Mission Center continue to co-sponsor Community Connections, our New Expression of Community focused on Online Community. Sean Langdon will be the lead for the Rockies and Ashley Whitham will be the lead for GPNW. Sean will continue to coordinate our Sunday Evening Online Worships which will now be feature ministry, and attended by, folks in the GPNW and the Rockies, among other locations.


All are invited to join Community Connections for "Music of My Heart", the new Worship Series for our online Sunday Evening Worships. In this series, we use a popular song to serve as the theme for a worship which goes deeper in exploring one of our Enduring Principles. This week we will be using "long Live" by Taylor Swift to explore Blessings of Community.

 

Upcoming Worship Schedule


Sunday, January 14, 2024

Theme: Long Live: Blessings of Community

Worship Leader: Sean Langdon

Speaker: Larry McGuire

*Communion Service*


Sunday, January 28, 2024

Theme: Rainbowland: Worth of All Persons

Worship Leader: Bob Walker

Speaker: Art Smith


To connect to the Online Worship, click here: https://zoom.us/j/841448115?pwd=WDFQTzdIYWpPM0p1MWJyTlF0aHZDZz09


Don't have internet access? You can always call! To listen in to the worship, dial 1-669-900-6833.

Meeting ID: 841 448 115

Password: 043423


A separate bulletin will be sent out the Friday before the service.

Facebook  Instagram  Youtube  

Prayer Concerns

Please contact Brooke Schlenker with any prayer concerns.

Beyond Horizons

If you would like to receive eCommunications from Beyond Horizons so that you can stay current on these upcoming events and news from your Beyond Horizons Team, please sign-up. Contact Sean Langdon, Beyond Horizons Team Lead, with any questions at beyondhorizons@cofchrist-gpnw.org.

WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

To view all recent World Church Announcements, click here.


Prayer for Peace Live-Stream Begins 3 January

Changes are coming to a popular daily practice, Prayer for Peace.

Community of Christ's Formation Ministries Team has announced that beginning 1 January, Prayer for Peace will live-stream on the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel at 1:00pm Central US Time each Wednesday. The weekly worship is also open to the public at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA. Join us for the first live event on 3 January. Read more here.


Online Doctrine and Covenants Available

As we approach Christmas, International Headquarters shares a special gift that will enrich our spiritual journey and deepen our connection to the scriptures.


An online searchable version of the Doctrine and Covenants is now available in English, French, and Spanish on CofChrist.org. Read more here.




December 2023 Financial Update

In December 2023 Financial Update, the Presiding Bishopric shares details about Community of Christ's current economic situation and other information from the recent meeting of the World Church Finance board. The next financial board report will be in June 2024. Read more here.


2024 Worldwide Mission Budget

Read the the budget here.


Human Rights Team Statement on Israel-Hamas War

The Human Rights Team shared a statement with the church about the Israel-Hamas war. In the statement, the team affirmed World Conference Resolution 1311. "Palestine and Israel", "which affirms God's love for Muslims and Jews, and denounces Islamophobia and anti-Semitism." The team also expressed support to a ceasefire and advocated for, "unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza to allow humanitarian actors to reach children and civilians in need." Read more here.


Send Your Advent, Christmas Photos

As you enjoy Advent and Christmas this year, we'd like you to capture your memories in photos and send them to us for consideration in next year's Herald and at CofChrist.org. Read more here.


Spring 2024 Classes Announced

The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission through Graceland University Community of Christ Seminary has opened classes for enrollment. Read more here.


Reunion 2024 Theme

The 2024 Reunion Theme has been released! The theme is.... "Heal the Earth: A Restoration Imperative."

Read more here for the description.