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.

MISSION CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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, summer, and fall. 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" Workshops

Save the Date Flyer

Summer Camping: Reunions and Youth Camps

Save the Date Flyer

SPEC

Save the Date Flyer

Racial Justice Week, Workshops, and MC Conference, OH MY!

Check out this save the date for GPNW MC Events you won't want to miss!

Save the date flyer

GPNW North Youth Group Meetings

Here is the schedule for January- March. The Youth Group meetings will be located at either the Auburn or Crystal Springs Congregations.

Auburn Congregation:

Dates: February 6 and 20, March 5 and 19

Address: 31720 116th Avenue SE Auburn WA 98092

Crystal Springs Congregation:

Dates: January 30, February 13 , March 12 and 26

Address: 20012 Filbert Drive Bothell, WA 98012

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 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

We look forward to welcoming you to our next scheduled gathering February 18^th, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Minthorn Lodge on the Lewis River Campgrounds. Let’s all pray for less weather drama!

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

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!

Nurturing Creativity of the Soul Retreat

When: March 8-10, 2024

Where: Stillwood Retreat Centre, Cultus Lake BC

Read more about the schedule here.

More to come on how to register!

Online or In-person Service at Eugene Congregation: Feb. 4

The Eugene Congregation Invites all to join us on-line or in-person on Sunday, Feb 4, 2024 - (10:55am Prelude / 11:00am Worship/Communion - Theme: "Mission by All Means") - We are honored to have Howard Kenyon, Sr. Advisor, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, with us as our guest speaker. Mr. Kenyon will share a brief history of EMO and his 13-year connection with it as well as its purpose and objectives. This will include ways that local churches can combine their efforts in supporting food distribution, helping the less fortunate, and other areas that emulate the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. An opportunity for questions and answers and sharing of insights will be part of our meeting. A light lunch will be provided for those who wish further conversation following the service.

We are located at 1485 Gilham Rd. in Eugene. If you have questions, please email - eugenecommunityofchrist@gmail or call or text Jeanie Kensler at 541-632-2979.

Zoom Info:

https://zoom.us/j/97274043053?pwd=MzBENUhmU2tTUkJLZVBTT2IrODRDUT09

Meeting ID: 972 7404 3053

Passcode: 681048

Alternatively, join by phone: 253-215-8782 

Samish Wake-up, Work Weekend: February 10

Are you missing some Samish Island in your life right now? Come help us wake up the Campgrounds from its winter slumber! You are invited to join us on Saturday, February 10th as we open up the dining hall kitchen and freshen up the sleeping cabins in preparation for the 2024 camping season. We are offering overnight accommodations for those wishing to arrive on Friday or stay through Sunday, although only Saturday lunch will be provided. Please contact Camp Manager Christine Campbell at samishislandcamp@gmail.com or 360-510-5724 to register.

February Climate Webinar: Feb. 25

The climate Justice Webinars return with a special guest, Dani Linamood of Guelph, Ontario Canada. Her passion for sustainable water management and grassroots organizing against injustice provide an amazing foundation for her presentation at our February webinar. Join us on February 25, at 2pm PT.

February Flyer

Webinar Info Page



Faith & Formation

Next Wednesday, we will be sharing in a prayer worship experience on February 7, and will take Ash Wednesday off before starting our book study for Lent.

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.

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.

San Jose Center for Peace and Justice at Community of Christ: January 30- April 4

GPNW is invited to join the San Jose Center for Peace and Justice at Community of Christ in " A season for Nonviolence" presented by the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace. 64 Daily practices that makes a difference.

The season beings on January 30 ( the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi) and ends on April 4 (the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination). Each practice, each day, takes only ten to fifteen minutes and includes quotes, an affirmation, reflections, art work, actions for teens and children, and an inspirational video.

The practices are like spiritual formation exercises and we find them to be of great value. Use the link below and scroll down to week one day one to begin.

https://www.gandhifoundation.ca/season-for-nonviolence.html

See below in Community Connections Section and our

Mission Center Calendar for all events.

Seattle University's Center for Ecumenical & Interreligious Engagement

Christian Skoorsmith (Highland Park Congregation, Seattle) is featured in this month's newsletter from Seattle University's Center for Ecumenical & Interreligious Engagement, in the "Your Voice at the Center" section. Read article HERE.  The GPNW Mission Center has a long-standing relationship with the Center, and we are thrilled to see Christian's essay featured this month.  Congratulations, Christian!



Ashley's Zoom Office Hours

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).

Lewis River Campground Seeking Creative Summer Intern!

Come embrace the gorgeous pacific northwest woods with the convenience of being 10 minutes from downtown Battleground, WA and 30 min from Portland, OR.

This is a 10 week summer internship program including 2 weeks PTO.

Interns are encouraged to choose an aspect of the campground, non-profit or business to develop and add to their resume and for future references. This could look like leading a community garden, landscaping, running social media, painting a mural, rescuing farm animals, renovating cabins, running the kitchen, life-guarding, etc.

Interviews will be held the last week of March 2024 and 2024 Summer Interns will be announced April 3, 2024

Email your resume and letter of intent to 

lewisrivermanager@gmail.com

Check out our website lewisrivercampground.org

must be 16 years+

Help spread the word with sharing this poster!

Graceland Alumni Endowed Scholarship

Each year Graceland accepts applications for this scholarship starting on January 1, with a final submission deadline of March 1. The Alumni Board Fundraising & Awards Committee works hand-in-hand with Graceland Admissions to determine each year’s recipients. Once awarded, the AES is renewable for up to four years.

Applicants must be the direct descendant of a Graceland alumni (anyone who completes 12 semesters hours is considered to be an alumni); apply for admission to Graceland University or be a current student in good standing; plan to attend Graceland the fall semester following application. Applications are evaluated on a potential recipient’s involvement with school, community, and/or church organizations; individual leadership; passion for Graceland; vision; mindfulness; and scholastic achievements.

Applicants must complete an online application and it can be found by visiting the following link: https://www.graceland.edu/AESApp

If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Programs Office at 866.484.3837 (toll-free in the US and Canada) or alumni@graceland.edu

Here is a bulletin Insert to share in your communities.

Generosity Minister Positions Open

The Presiding Bishopric recently posted two new ministerial positions on the Community of Christ website. These positions are for generosity ministers and have been identified as priorities for the Presiding Bishopric as the church continues to explore how to respond to current missional needs while also searching for strategies to connect with new generations of disciples. These two generosity ministers will work with church leaders and advisory teams to create entry points and missional expressions where new generations can encounter Christ’s transforming mission and respond through whole-life stewardship. 

We need your help in identifying individuals who might have the skillsets and talents to help the church connect and engage with young adults between the ages of 25-45 and adults ages 46-65 opening doors for engagement with the church’s mission that flow into opportunities for generosity. 

You can find a full description of these two positions and the types of skillsets the Presiding Bishopric is looking for at:

https://cofchrist.org/generosity-minister-1-independence-missouri/

https://cofchrist.org/generosity-minister-2-independence-missouri/

Celebrations of Life

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

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.

Upcoming Worship Schedule

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Theme: "Trees We'll Never See": Sacredness of Creation

Worship Leader: Laurie Sharpe

Speaker: Fae Jackson

* This will be a Communion service*

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Theme: "Better Days" : Grace and Generosity

Worship Leader: Melanie Grimes

Speaker: Carrie Welch

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.

Prayer Concerns

Please contact Brooke Schlenker with any prayer concerns.

Beyond Horizons

WORLD CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

To view all recent World Church Announcements, click here.

Upcoming Educational Opportunities through CIMM

CIMM is presenting live ZOOM broadcasts on theology, culture, and items of interest to Community of Christ in “bite-sized” sessions under an hour. These no-cost live sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 7pm Central time and will include:

·      Three Reasons the Trinity Matters – Tony Chvala-Smith and Charmaine Chvala-Smith

o  February 28 - Trinity as Community: The Messy Challenges of Life Together and God's Triune Nature

o  March 6 - Trinity as Dance: the Divine Partnership Teaching Us How Not to Step on Each Other's Toes

o  March 13 - Trinity as Love: God's Love as True Power Embracing a Wounded World.

§  Recommended Reading: Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Exploring Community of Christ Basic Beliefs: A Commentary, Volume 1. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 2020. The chapters are available free at https://www.cofchrist.org/basic-beliefs. A Kindle version is available.

·      Discerning the Way Forward: How the discernment process worked for us considering the new church president and how this process can work for decision-making in your congregation. – Katie Harmon-McLaughlin (Formation Ministries) and Apostle David Nii

o  March 20

·      2024 Reunion Materials – “Heal the Earth: A Restoration Imperative” with Rick Bunch. This will be designed for those teaching the adult reunion text, those who may not be able to attend Reunion, or those interested in the subject.

o  April 3 – The Earth, Lovingly Created

o  April 10 – Immersed in Creation

o  April 17 – The Stewardship of God’s Goodness

o   April 24 – Finding our Place – Q&A

·      Living the Mission Prayer – Apostle Shandra Newcom and other presenters

o  May 1 – Introducing the Mission Prayer Guide

o  May 8 – Connecting to Spiritual Practices

o  May 15 – The Mission Prayer and Ministry with Children

·      More to be announced!

You can receive access to the live ZOOM session by emailing “CIMM Sessions” to cimmgraceland@gmail.com with your name and location. We will send you the ZOOM link. Joining live will provide opportunities in some sessions for Q&A after the session. Edited versions of these sessions will be released at a later date. More information will soon be available on our website www.graceland.edu/CIMM. 

Online Event: Learn about Hybrid Ministry

Join Project Zion Podcast for their first live event at 7:30pm Central Standard Time, USA, on 5 February 2024! The online gathering will feature Project Zion Podcast co-hosts Blake Smith and Kelly Phipps, as well as a panel of guests engaged in hybrid ministry. The panelists will share their insights and experiences on hosting hybrid ministries. Read more here.

Guest Ministry Procedure

The Online Ministry Team of the Council of Twelve Apostles and the Council of Presidents of Seventy has created updated Guest Ministry Procedure documents to support consistent communication across the many fields of the church. Read more 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.

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.