eNewsbriefs | April 5, 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.

MISSION CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Register Now!

Building Community Retreat: April 19- 21 or 26-28- POSTPONED

With much regret and disappointment, we have decided to postpone – not cancel – the upcoming “Building Community” retreats scheduled for later this month.  Unfortunately, the registration numbers were just too low for each retreat to make it feasible to go forward. While we did consider trying to combine the two retreats into one, that option just didn’t work out for a variety of reasons as well. Please know that making this decision was very difficult for us, but we feel that given the content and the hoped-for experience, waiting for a later date (and just one retreat) when more people might be able to attend will yield a much more meaningful experience for all involved. We hope that when that date is announced, you will choose to attend.  

 

Creating loving, supportive and inclusive communities is what discipleship in Community of Christ is all about, and while our disappointment is overwhelming at the moment, we know that building these communities is also a passion of YOURS, so that’s what brings us hope! Please watch for an announcement of a future Building Community retreat date!


2024 Northwest Spec Delegation

Registration is open NOW!

Dates: July 11-20,2024

Who Can Attend: Any high school student who is CURRENTLY in grades 9,10,11, or 12.



How to register for Northwest Delegation for SPEC:

1.Go to: https://cofchrist-gpnw.org/blog/spectacular-spec-2024-plan-now-to-attend/

2.First payment is due by April 24, 2024

Second payment is due May 31, 2024

3.Click the Eventbrite link (in the Chinook post) and register for Northwest Delegation.

4.Once you register on Eventbrite, we will send you the SPEC registration form once it is live.


Spread the word about! Share information with this flyer.

Want to help support the Northwest Delegation? Here is information on how to donate to the Terry Read Financial Assistance Fund.

Camp and Reunion Registration IS OPEN!


Head on over to our website https://cofchrist-gpnw.org then go to Campgrounds and go down to the Youth Camps & Reunions tab!


There you will find information about each camp and reunion and a register button! It is going to be a great summer!


Coming to a mailbox near you very soon! The 2024 Camping Brochure!

Save the Dates for 2024

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(Update: New Date), 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

Theology & Ministry Colloquy: October 11-13


Theology & Ministry Colloquy, Intersectional Theology: The Meeting Place of Justice. This event will host featured guest Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim.


Dr. Kim is author and editor of 22 books, including, "Intersectional Theology". Grace has appeared on PBS, BBC, MSNBC and more! She is a professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion.


Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information about this awesome event!


Events and Retreats

Caravan Auction: April 13th at the Eugene Congregation

Join the Youth Venture for Christ Caravan for their annual dinner and auction fundraiser Saturday, April 13. Doors at the Eugene Congregation will open at 4"30 pm with dinner at 5:30 pm. The auction will begin at 6:45 pm. If you can't make it in person, please join on Zoom starting 6:15 pm. 

Share the event with this flyer!

Caravan Auction Items


Can't attend the auction in person? Join by Zoom to be part of the fun and support Caravan. Zoom will open at 6:15. The auction will start at 6:45. 


Topic: Caravan Auction

Time: Apr 13, 2024 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)


Join Zoom Meeting

https://evergreenvirtual-org.zoom.us/j/83180362416


Meeting ID: 831 8036 2416

Passcode: 417240



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.



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 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

Gather in Community

Climate Webinar: April 7

The topic for our Climate Justice webinar is long overdue--a look at the way climate changes have affected migration and displacement of people around the world, including here in the US.  Dr. Robert McLeman is our guest presenter, and brings outstanding credentials and experience to his presentation.  This webinar will occur on Sunday, April 7.

Flyer

Information Page


SAVE THE DATE: We will host a second event in April:  the special pre-publication screening of the film "Climate Restorers" on Sunday April 21. This is the first in a series of 4 films produced by Dr. Phoebe Barnhard and John Bowey, with actor Peter Coyote narrating the film. You won't want to miss it. A separate flyer and info sheet will be sent out for distribution after the first of April.


Faith & Formation

Chapter 3 of our Book Study will be moved to share the final week with Chapter 6. We will continue with our normal schedule.


Free, Short Courses on Theology, Reunion, More

The Center for Innovation in Mission and Ministry will offer "CIMM Sessions" live Zoom events on theology, culture, and items of interest to Community of Christ in "bite-sized" sessions under an hour. The sessions will be held on Wednesdays at 5pm Pacific, gather on zoom for a presentation on Community of Christ theology. Beginning February 28 will be a three-part series on why the Trinity matters with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith. Other topics to follow in April and May. Click here for more info. To register, send an email to cimmgraceland@gmail.com with the subject line CIMM Sessions and include your name, location and course name in the body of the email. A zoom link will be emailed to you. Or fill out the form here.


CIMM Sessions - Follow-Up

GPNW will host a follow-up hour for questions and discussion the day after the presentation. On Thursdays at 7pm Pacific, we'll gather on zoom to discuss the topic more in-depth. Registration is not required for the Thursday Follow-up discussion. But make sure you register for the CIMM Sessions above!

Follow-Up Zoom Meeting Link for Thursdays:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85875431166?pwd=qLasJqUM34YpNoTyZObZihNCCopUrb.1

Meeting ID: 858 7543 1166

Passcode: 224014


Temple School Course: Ministry of the Priest

Join us online to focus on the ministry our Priests bring to our congregations and small groups. We'll meet Tuesday evenings, April 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 6-8:30pm PT/ 7-9:30pm MT. You can download the PDF for the book on Herald House. The Herald House is currently out of stock of the books, but you can download the PDF and take it to be printed if a physical copy would be helpful. Contact Ashley Whitham to sign up for the class (360-521-4562 or awhitham@cofchrist-gpnw.org).


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).


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.

In the know

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


Bold Moves Applications: Deadline is April 15th.

Anticipating a bold move in your group or congregation this Spring? A possible Bold Moves Grant may be just the thing that helps to bring it all to life! Applications for the Spring Cycle of the Bold Moves Grants ministry are available on the GPNW website, along with the guidelines and procedures. Application deadline is April 15th. Please direct applications or any questions to Steve Pomeroy (spomeroy@cofchrist-gpnw.org or 425-457-0739).

Celebrations of Life


Please contact Brooke Schlenker (bschlenker@cofchrist-gpnw.org) for celebration of life announcements.

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

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 14, 2024

Theme: "Creator of the Intertwined"

Worship Leader: Ashley Whitham

*This is a Communion Service*


Sunday, April 28, 2024

Theme: "The Sound of Silence": Continuing Revelation

Worship Leader: Ashley Whitham

Speaker: Zac Harmon-McLaughlin



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.

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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.


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.


Outreach International Announces New President

Outreach International announces that Dr. John Herron will serve as their new president and chief executive officer. Founded in 1979 and based in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Outreach International sustainably addresses poverty-related issues. Read more here.


"Witness the Word" Release

New "Witness the Word" video release today! Watch sermons by Ron Harmon, Carlos Enrique Mejia, and Joelle Wight, along with Disciples Generous Response moments from Carina Lord Wilson, Glenn Johnson, and Erica Blevins Nye on our Youtube channel. Read more here.


8 April Marks 150 Years of the Church Seal

On 8 April, Community of Christ celebrates the 150th anniversary of the church seal, originally a seal/stamp used on church legal documents. After World War 1, the seal began to be used on church books, stationary, and church buildings, becoming the beloved church logo. 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.