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

NEW! Special Mission Center Conference to consider World Conference 2025 Resolution

A Special Mission Center Conference will be held via Zoom on Thursday, May 9th, at 7:00 pm PDST, to consider a Resolution prepared by the North American Climate Justice Team for the next World Conference in June 2025. World Conference Resolutions must be approved by a Mission Center prior to submittal to the World Church Secretary, so, as sponsor of the Climate Justice Team, the GPNW Mission Center is the appropriate body to consider and approve such a resolution.  Members of the Climate Justice Team will present, and answer questions related to the resolution during this conference. As this is an official special business session of the mission center, Roberts’ Rules of Order will be observed, and this will be the only item of business conducted.

Please read the proposed resolution “Climate Emergency – Response to Fossil Fuel” here and plan to join us on May 9th to consider and vote on the resolution. Anyone is welcome to attend the Special Mission Center Conference, however voting is restricted to members of Community of Christ and you must be present on Zoom to vote.  

The Zoom link to join is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204993744?pwd=ZGtMRzlFdUd6YVdhbGtKSlNybEIvdz09; if you are dialing in, please use one of the following numbers:

+1 253 205 0468 US

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 872 0499 3744

Passcode: 245088

We hope to see you at this Special Mission Center Conference!

Information for Reunion Planners and Teachers!

Heal the Earth

In response to World Conference Resolution 1325 on the Climate Emergency adopted on 25 April 2023, Community of Christ declared a climate emergency. Reunion 2024 serves as an opportunity for education, formation, and a call to action inspired by this World Conference Resolution. Through classes, worships, and additional invitations for reunion directors and planning teams, communities will be invited to explore the many intersecting issues of justice and peace that find root in the climate crisis.

Created by members of the Community of Christ Earth Stewardship Team, Formation Ministries Team, and members of Climate Justice Teams around the global church, these opportunities invite us to find our place in the web of life with humility and urgency as we pursue God's vision of shalom for all creation. The authors of these resources lean deep into the restoration tradition and the call to restore and heal as an imperative for climate action today.

Resources

Reunion resources for 2024 are now accessible on HeraldHouse.org. These include: 

• Adult study
• Youth lessons
• Children's activity guide
• Worship and sharing services
• Reunion director ideas
• PowerPoint template

Online Gatherings for Reunion Planners

In partnership with Formation Ministries and the Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM), the North American Climate Justice Team will offer three free opportunities for directors, teachers, and worship planners to prepare for reunion.

 Meeting Climate Resistance with Faithful Disagreement

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

7:00 p.m. Central US Daylight Time

Explore the challenges of engaging with the climate crisis in contexts where it remains a contentious political issue. Led by the North American Climate Justice Team, this session will delve into responding constructively and faithfully in discussions about this important topic within the church. This session will be offered in English.

Register 

Register for this online opportunity on the Center for Innovation in Mission and Ministry website.

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.

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

Racial Justice Flyer *NEW*

What is Enough? Making Space for What Matters Retreat at Samish Island: May 30-June 2

A Nurturing Spirit/Creating Connection Retreat May 30th to June 2nd at Samish Island Washington

“Consider the lilies of the field—they toil not, neither do they spin.” 

Some of us worry if we’ll have “enough” money for retirement. Some wonder if our neighbors have enough food. Others wonder if they’re doing enough to help our troubled world. What is enough, anyway?

Join us as together we look at “enoughness” in terms of material goods, our spiritual selves, through a wider social justice lens and the climate and environment—and more.

 We invite you to journey with us as we learn how to live more simply so that others may simply live.

 2 and 3 night packages are available, early bird rates until April 5th

For more information and to register go to: www.NurturingSpirit.CreatingConnection.ca

See schedule here.

Young Adult Game Night: May 4

Are you a Young Adult? If so, you are invited to a game night!

When: Saturday, May 4 from 6-9pm with a nacho/taco bar provided

Where: 1130 SW Fox Ct, Troutdale, OR 97060

What to Bring: Sides for dinner and favorite games to play

See you there!

All Kids Invited: "Where Is God?"

GPNW is hosting three afternoon activities introducing spiritual practices to elementary-aged children. Find the location closest to you and bring your kids for a fun afternoon! Pastors, Parents, and Sunday School teachers are very welcome to come as well; you might get ideas on new ways to include our kids, and make our church events and worship more inclusive for all ages. We will have a labyrinth with us for the event. There will be time for the kids to walk, but also there will be a time when any adults who come can walk the labyrinth separately.

Download the flyer for your event:

• Central: May 4th at Southridge. Flyer.
• South: May 18th at Eugene. Flyer.
• North: June 1st at Bremerton. Flyer.

Youth Group Gatherings: New Schedule

Calling youth kindergarten to high school see the new schedule for Youth Group gatherings below! We would love to see you there! We will rotate between the Auburn and Crystal Springs Congregations.

Auburn Congregation: April 30, May 21,June 4

31720 116th Avenue SE, Auburn WA 98092

Crystal Springs Congregation: May 7, May 28, June 11

20012 Filbert Drive, Bothell, WA 98012

Young Adult Retreat at Samish Island: June 7--9

Those who are 18 (high school graduates) - 35 years old are invited to gather at Samish Island Campground, June 7-9 for a Young Adult Retreat! Save the date for fun and community! Be on the look out for more details to come!

Racism & Gun Violence People of God Respond: Redwoods Peace Colloquy: September 6-9

The Redwoods Peace Colloquy will be held this year in Washington DC! Come to learn from activists, faith leaders, and scholars about the intersections between racism and gun violence. We'll also learn the tangible skills needed to meet with members of Congress to lobby for policies that can make a difference.

This is an invitation to live out our Mission Initiative to Pursue Peace on Earth, as well as our Enduring Principle that proclaims the Worth of All Persons. We fully believe that working to dismantle racism and end gun violence is an expression of who we are called to be in Community of Christ, and we hope you'll join us!

See Info Packet here

Faith & Formation

Faith & Formation is an ongoing opportunity to gather in community and deepen our discipleship through discussion on a variety of topics. Whether we’re doing a book study on scripture or watching a video about modern theology, we continue to engage and ask questions about what God, us, love, and more.

We will continue with our normal schedule.

New Expressions Mondays in 2024

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

To sign-up to receive more information as we get closer and monthly reminders about our sessions, contact Ashley Whitham (awhitham@cofchrist-gpnw.org).

Thirsting for God: April Events: April 27

Our 4th Saturday workshop for April will address the difficult paradoxes and spiritual responses to suffering. We are perhaps beginning a long conversation that may continue in the future with other facilitators and approaches. It's important to begin, however, since attempting to do "spiritual bypasses" around the reality of suffering does not lead in the direction of wholeness. 

Workshop description and details are found in the attached flyer. 

Carolyn Brock will facilitate at our usual Saturday morning time: 9-11 am, PDT. 

 RSVP to ckbrock49@gmail.com  OR: Call/text Carolyn at 541-527-6390

See flyer here.

Samish Island Camp Work Week: Saturday, April 20 - Sunday, April 28

Samish Island Camp Needs Your Help!

A wonderful opportunity to give back to your sacred space is right around the corner with Camp Samish Work Week! Please come and stay in a cabin of your choice or bring your RV. There’s no charge for coming and being at the camp and we will feed you three delicious meals each day. We even have coffee break! If you can’t come for the full time, come and help when you can.

Participants, please wait to arrive AFTER 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 20, as we have a camp closing that day. We are including both weekends to accommodate those of you who work during the week or would like to come and work for a longer week. 

Our task list is long and varied and there is something to do for everyone. Tasks waiting are mowing and edging, cleaning inside buildings, wood cutting, splitting and stacking, cabin roofing, completing the inside of the rustic cabin remodels, furniture assembly and arranging, trail clearing and brush cutting, pressure washing and lots and lots of painting. Pick and choose your favorite activity. And, of course there’s the fellowship that always attends those of us who visit the camp and our friends who go there. 

We are also still looking for cooks for the week and volunteers who would assist cooks and help, with the food preparation.

If you have any any questions, please call our camp manager, Christine Campbell at (360) 510-5724 or Bill Campbell at (253) 709-8444. We hope to see you there!

See below in Community Connections Section and our

Mission Center Calendar for all events.

Ashley's Zoom Office Hours

Ashley's Mission Center Office Hour will now be Fridays at 10am. The link remains the same. Information is always available on our website: https://cofchrist-gpnw.org/our-staff/ashley-whitham/

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 860 9913 0723

Passcode: 399665

Celebrations of Life

Passing of Dale Rasmussen

A memorial will be held for Dale M. Rasmussen on May 11th, 2024 at 1pm, at the Cowlitz Valley Congregation of the Community of Christ, 20th & Delaware, Longview, WA. Refreshments will be served following.

Passing of Susie Dunlap Tucker Boer

With great sadness I am sharing with you the unexpected passing of Susie Dunlap Tucker Boer of Samish Island, WA. While on a recent trip to visit family in New York, Susie suddenly became ill and did not recover. She was the daughter of Cleo Sargeant, who passed away last October. Many of you may remember Susie from camping experiences at the Samish campground. More information regarding a memorial service will be forthcoming. Condolences can be sent to Susie's husband Steve Boer, 11680 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232.

ONLINE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Breakfast Club - Zoom Change

Beginning Saturday March 9th, Breakfast Club will use a different zoom link. Join Breakfast Club on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9am Pacific using this zoom link from now on:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82127748100?pwd=AFJQ3gA3DFA0GUbqKaAWJadHiUzk1Z.1

Meeting ID: 821 2774 8100

Passcode: 571937

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. Ashley Whitham will be the lead and 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. For questions about Community Connections, please reach out to Ashley Whitham, awhitham@cofchrist-gpnw.org

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, April 28, 2024

Theme: "The Sound of Silence": Continuing Revelation

Worship Leader: Ashley Whitham

Speaker: Zac Harmon-McLaughlin

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Theme: "A Beautiful Noise" : Pursuit of Peace (Shalom)

Worship Leader: Jana Horner

Speaker: Kathy Sharp

*This is a Communion Service*

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.

Summer 2024 Classes with CIMM

The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission through the Graceland University / Community of Christ Seminary has opened the following classes for enrollment:

SUMMER A SESSION, 6 MAY - 30 JUNE

• "Introduction to Scripture": $25.00 USD
• "Children and Youth Worker Core Training": $25.00 USD (two weeks; no CEU credit)

SUMMER B SESSION, 1 JULY - 2 AUGUST

• Ministry of the High Priest: $25.00 USD
• Ministry of the Evangelist: $25.00 USD
• Children and Youth Worker Core Training: $25.00 USD (two weeks; no CEU credit)

Most classes include nondegreed continuing credits. To enroll or for more information on these classes and the certificate programs, please visit website. 

Read more here.

Free Courses on Reunion Materials, Mission Prayer

The Center for Innovation in Mission and Ministry will offer two free CIMM Sessions, live “bite-sized” Zoom events of interest to Community of Christ. These sessions will be offered Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Central US Daylight Time and include:

-2024 Adult Reunion Materials, Heal The Earth: A Restoration Imperative

-Living the Mission Prayer

Read more here.

Climate Change Series Programs

An informational climate change series sponsored by the Community of Christ Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center has scheduled a film discussion and presenters through June. One-time registration is required. The series is free. All are at 4:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time.

Read more here.

Lecture Traces Path to Women's Ordination

This special presentation hosted by the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation honors the 40th anniversary of the vote to include women’s ordination in Community of Christ. 

On Friday, April 5, we welcome back historians, David Howlett and Nancy Ross, for their encore presentation on Community of Christ’s historic path towards women in the priesthood. Their talk will trace the evolution of RLDS feminism from small consciousness raising groups in the late 1960s to more formal advocacy and educational organizations in the 1970s. They will pay particular attention to the grassroots group known as AWARE and its advocacy for egalitarian relationships in the church and society. 

We hope you will join us!

Even More AWARE: RLDS Feminist Activism in the 1970s

Encore presentation Friday, April 5, at 7 pm (Central)

Read more here.

Watch Bridge of Hope Information Session

The Presiding Bishopric met with the church on 25 March 2024 for an online meeting to share details about the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility and the road ahead for Community of Christ. Read more here.

Leadership Transition at Graceland University

Graceland University President Patricia Draves has been named president at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, USA. She will assume this position in the middle of the year. Vice President for Academic Affairs Joel D. Shrock, PhD, will serve as Interim President following the conclusion of Draves' term.

Community of Christ extends its deep gratitude to President Draves for her leadership and service.

For further details, please visit Graceland.edu.



New Course Session from Center for Hispanic Formation Ministries

The Center for Hispanic Formation Ministries will offer three courses in the April-June session:

• Introduction to Priesthood Ministry,
• Ministry of the Teacher, and
• Ministry of the Elder.

Read more here.