Events this week: There are no mission center events scheduled this week.

New guidelines for serving the sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Communion) were shared by the First Presidency in 2019. Six meetings are being organized around the mission center for priesthood members to have an opportunity to learn more about the guidelines, ask questions, and share with one another. Please plan to join a gathering that fits your schedule.

Saturday, Mar. 21 - 10:00am at Gaylord Community of Christ.
Facilitator: Bill Curtis

Saturday, Mar. 28 - 1:00pm at Rose Lake Community of Christ.
Facilitators: Dave Premoe & Rick Ludy

TBD - Southwest MI
Facilitator: Kevin Anderson

Bread for the World - 2020 Offering of Letters

2020 Offering of Letters to Congress: Better Nutrition, Better Tomorrow

Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters to Congress engages churches, campuses, and other faith communities in writing personalized letters to Congress. Each year, for the focus of the campaign, we choose specific legislation or a legislative emphasis that can make a real difference to people struggling with hunger and poverty.

People write letters, usually as a group, and present them as an offering to God before mailing them to Congress. Hundreds of Offerings are held each year, resulting in tens of thousands of letters to Congress. Supported with prayer, these letters are a bold witness to God’s justice and mercy. Year after year, they continue to have a significant impact on the decisions made in Congress.

Congregations are encouraged to consider using the Open Table model for building relationships with people seeking to transform their lives from poverty to relationship in and with the community.

Open Table’s faith-based model draws together the community and relationship life of congregations around the country. It provides technical support, training, structure, process.
Each Table is composed of a group of volunteers that make a year-long commitment to act–through relationship—as a team of life specialists, encouragers, and advocates. Over the course of a year, the Table works together to set goals, foster accountability, and implement a plan to create change.

Table members invest what they have learned on their life journeys and connect to their personal networks in their congregations and community to bring skill building, services and door opening to the plan.

When: April 6th & 7th, 2020
Time: 8 am – 5 pm with registration from 7 am – 8 am
Where: Little River Casino Resort Conference Center, US 31 & M-22
2700 Orchard Highway, Manistee, Michigan 49660
Registration Information: You may attend one or both days. Register before March 27th online: www.victimservicesprogram.org/events/

Why Attend:Our goal is for attendees to walk away with an understanding of concerns that LGBTQ+2S victims face. This training will also help service providers become AWESOME ALLIES by learning to recognize their own internal biases or actions that imply the existence of a bias.

An Invitation to the Lenten Season

The season of Lent in the Christian calendar begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for the 40 days leading up to Easter. This year Lent begins on February 26.

"Throughout scripture, some of the most important, transformational moments for our spiritual ancestors happened in wilderness places. The wilderness was a place people were driven to enter in exile, transition, and discernment," said Katie Harmon-McLaughlin. "Ours seems to be a wilderness time. What if this Lent we rested for a while in this wilderness place to look around and appreciate what is already here?"

During Lent, we will share a story to dwell on throughout the week with questions for reflection. This slow, repeated practice of sacred reading and reflection is an invitation to simplicity and deepening during the the Lenten season.

You can follow along each day through Daily Bread online (www.cofchrist.org/daily-bread) or via email for the full experience. You can subscribe to receive emails from Daily Bread. We'll also be sharing elements of each weekly focus through eNews, CofChrist.org, and social media.

We hope you'll join us in this intentional practice of returning, little by little, to the awareness of oneness with God who desires wholeness for us and all creation.

Lenten Fast 2020 - Plastic

Each year, Michigan Interfaith Power & Light creates a Lenten Calendar to help you reflect, learn and take action on some dimension of sustainability and your faith. This year, we have created a Plastic Fast.

As a spiritual practice, fasting sharpens our intentions. Like a pebble in our shoe, the nagging feeling of hunger—or the discomfort of forgoing something we usually take for granted—is a persistent reminder to commit and recommit to inner transformation. While many of us grew up “giving something up” for Lent, only to gleefully indulge in the forbidden item when the season passed, we hope that this fast will be more than a temporary exercise in deprivation and will help you make lasting changes in your everyday practices and mindset.

Why plastic?
• If we continue to produce and discard plastic at the expected rates, our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
• As a byproduct of fossil fuels, plastics are the fastest growing and second largest source of industrial greenhouse gas emissions (according to the Center for International and Environmental Law).
• Throughout its life-cycle—from production through the hundreds (if not thousands) of years after its disposal—plastic harms wildlife and human health. Among humans, this harm is experienced first and worst by communities of color, low-income communities and other vulnerable populations.

A big shout out of gratitude to Nicky Marcot (@everydayhopemama on Instagram) for putting this Fast together!!

2020 Faith Climate Action Week Kits are now available! These kits contain all the resources needed to put your congregation's love for the earth into action during Interfaith Power & Light's Faith Climate Action Week, April 17 – 26.

Faith Climate Action Week is IPL's annual program of climate-themed worship services and sermons that spans ten days of activities in celebration of Earth Month. This is IPL's premier event to create a mass movement of people of faith making the moral call for climate action. This year's Faith Climate Action Week theme, "Love Made Visible" is partially inspired by 19th century Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran who said, "Work is love made visible". IPL invites your congregation to make their love visible by engaging in Sacred Activism to protect the people we love and care about who are most impacted by climate change.

The kit includes a Sacred Activism Guide on the importance of people of faith taking part in civic engagement, plus suggestions and tips for activism challenges including planning a prayer vigil, taking part in a rally or march, conducting a voter registration drive in conjunction with your local election officials, and more. Use the Sacred Activism Art Guide included in the kit to create eye-catching banners, placards, street paintings, and more with faith-based messaging.

Collect pledges to vote with the climate in mind using the provided printed Faith Climate Voter Pledge postcards and stickers for all who pledge. The kit also includes a "For Love of Trees" booklet with a tree planting ceremony, blessing, music, poem, and more.

This Earth Day let's joyfully do the sacred work of making the moral call for climate action.

Blessings,

Rev. Susan Hendershot
President
Interfaith Power & Light

Ministry of the Elder will be offered at Capital Area Community of Christ (1514 W Miller Rd, Lansing, MI 48911) on Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 6:30-8:30p. Kris Beckman will be facilitating the course. Please purchase your course materials in advance from Herald House.

Introduction to Priesthood Ministry will be offered at Crossroads Congregation, Saturday, March 14 from 9-2 and April 4 from 9-2. You can order your book from Herald House, bring a lunch and join in the course work!

Youth Camps Registration Update:

Over 70 campers have already registered for 2020 summer camps.  Invite a friend and encourage them to register for camp this summer!

Did you know Michigan Mission Center youth camps operate solely on donations? It costs about $50 per day per camper or about $300 per week for junior and senior high and $200 per week for junior camp. Consider donating today to make this life changing experience possible.

Camps sponsored for each grade level are listed below. Campers will register by their expected grade in fall 2020. When youth register by June 1, 2020 there is no fee to attend camp. After June 1, 2020 restrictions and fees may apply. Space is limited at camps based on the number of beds and licensing restrictions, so please register as soon as possible to reserve a spot.

Senior High Camps (Grades 10, 11, 12, Just Graduated)
June 20-26 at Sanford – Director Ben Crowley
June 27-July 3 at Park of the Pines – Director Jamie Lis
July 5-11 at Blue Water – Director Rich Allen

Junior High Camps (Grades 7, 8, 9)
July 12-18 at Blue Water – Director Shannon Mueller
July 19-25 at Sanford – Director Amber Billman
July 19-25 at Park of the Pines – Director Megan Hacker

Junior Camps (Grades 3, 4, 5, 6)
June 21-25 at Blue Water – Director Alley Lentz
July 5-9 at Park of the Pines – Director Falissa Richter
July 11-15 at Sanford (Late Junior – Grades 5,6) – Director Lisa Moler
July 15-18 at Sanford (Early Junior – Grades 2,3,4) – Director Lisa Moler

Blue Water Campground – 7291 County Farm Rd, Lexington, MI 48450
Park of the Pines – 4094 Beach Rd, Boyne City, MI 49712
Sanford Campground – 3500 N West River Rd, Sanford, MI 48657

Questions can be directed to Winnie Johnston, Youth Camp Coordinator, at (231) 340-1849.

Summer camp for young adults ages 

This is an event held at Blue Water Campground, Lexington, Michigan, USA. It is sponsored by Michigan Mission Center, Canada East Mission Centre, Mid-Atlantic Mission Center and Eastern Great Lakes Mission Center.

Enjoy amazing fellowship, team building and leadership training as well as theological and spiritual exploration. Identify and develop spiritual gifts. Campfires, service projects, recreation and more.

Registrants must be a minimum of one year out of high school and at least 18 years of age to register. Registrants may not dual register for Senior High Camp and Young Adult Camp. Financial support available, suggested donation $40 USD.

Post in the group (click the image above) or contact Linda with questions at linda@cofchristmi.org

Register for 2020 Family Camps

Community of Christ members and friends often gather together in fellowship and learning experiences called reunions or family camps. This relaxed and casual atmosphere provides space for spiritual growth, personal discernment, incredible amounts of fun, deeper commitment, new and renewed relationships, and so very much more!

Housing at the campgrounds is limited. Applications received by Mar. 15 will be considered following the mission center policy on housing. Notification of housing assignments will be sent by Mar. 30.

Family Camp at Sanford Campground – June 26 to July 1, 2020
Directors: Erica Nye, Adam Bouvertte, Dan Nowiski
Guest Ministers: Charmaine & Tony Chvala-Smith, Community of Christ Seminary and Theology

Family Camp at Blue Water Campground – June 27 to July 4, 2020
Director: Tim Ross
Guest Minister: John Wight, Senior President of Seventy

Family Camp at Park of the Pines – July 10 to 17, 2020
Director: Ruth White
Guest Minister: Scott Murphy, First Presidency

Family Camp at The Woodlands – July 29 to August 2, 2020
Directors: Kevin White & Lori White
Guest Minister: Mike Hoffman, Graceland University Campus Minister

A planning meeting for the July 10-17, 2020 family camp at Park of the Pines will take place at Gaylord Community of Christ (220 S Center Ave, Gaylord, MI 49735) on Sunday, Mar. 21 at 1:30pm. If you are not able to attend, please contact Ruth White at rmarshwhite1@charter.net with any input or your willingness to serve on staff at the camp.

A planning meeting for the June 26 - July 1, 2020 family camp at Sanford Campground will take place at Coleman Community of Christ (407 E Adams St, Coleman, MI 48618) on Sunday, Mar. 1 at 2:00pm. If you are not able to attend, please contact Dan Nowiski at dnowiski@cofchrist.org or (989) 506-1843 with any input or your willingness to serve on staff at the camp.

Blue Water Reunion Planning Meeting

Sunday, Mar. 1 from 4:00-6:00pm
Lapeer Community of Christ, 2062 West Oregon Rd, Lapeer, Michigan 48446
Contact Tim Ross as uofmtim@gmail.com with input if you are not able to attend.
www.facebook.com/events/490794141633715/

Sunday Dinners @ Journey House starting about 7:00pm.
Homemade meals provided by the East Lansing Community of Christ following the 6:00pm worship experience.

Taco Mondays @ Journey House from 6:00-7:30pm.
Please join us as we share a taco themed meal together. All are welcome. If you would like to volunteer one evening to prepare the meal contact Dan Nowiski at dnowiski@cofchrist.org. Desserts and/or additional food items are encouraged, feel free to just bring them along

Thursday Lunches @ the MSU International Center from 11:30 –1:30 pm.
You are welcome to join us at the MSU International Center food court and eat and share with us. Look for 1-2 tables with a “Journey House” sign. If needed, we will buy lunch for you and your friends and look forward to seeing you!

Check out the Journey House website www.JourneyHouseLiving.org for calendar updates, contact information, and additional details.

Journey House Staffing Change

Karyn Randall served her last day as the executive director for the Journey House Campus Ministry Center on February 29, 2020. We would like to thank Karyn for her service and ministry over the past fifteen months and pray blessings for her in her new employment.

Detroit Hope

Pizza Church for all ages takes place on Wednesdays at 6:00pm at Detroit Hope (16621 Lahser Rd, Detroit, MI 48219).  Join us for worship, food, and relationship building!  Small group worship is held at Detroit Hope on Sundays at 11:30am.

Detroit Hope is currently not accepting donations of food, clothing, or other items.  Thanks to all who have supported these ministries in the past!

Mission center officers are administering the Detroit Hope Emerging Congregation at this time.  Please contact Dan Nowiski if you have questions or would like to be involved with this ministry.

Campground Sales Update - November 2019

Blue Water Campground Board

Friends of Blue Water are individuals who desire to help improve Blue Water Campground by choosing to make an annual donation. Any size donation will be gratefully accepted but is suggested at $250 per year. The funds will be used for various projects to improve the appearance and functionality of the campground.

Donations can be placed in weekly offering envelopes by writing Friends of Blue Water on the campground line or by check indicating Friends of Blue Water and mailed directly to Jessica Montague, Mission Center Financial Officer, at 1322 Pinehurst Ave, Flint, MI 48507. Together we will take the vibrant and dynamic activities of Blue Water into the future. Thank you for your consideration of Blue Water Campground!

Park of the Pines Campground Board

Park of the Pines Endowment Fund

Church members and friends can make contributions to the Park of the Pines Endowment Fund! The earnings from the endowment fund will be used to supplement the operating fund budget of Park of the Pines. Those wishing to make a contribution may make their check payable to Park of the Pines and write Endowment Fund on the memo line of the check. Then mail to: Cathy Hopkins, 5679 Exodus, Traverse City, MI 49784

Young Adult Weekend

What: Weekend for Young Adults
When: March 6-8, 2020
Where: Park of the Pines
How Much: $55
Join us for a weekend of relaxation, games, food, some community service and even a fun class or two. Noelle Gaffka will be joining us as our guest. Sponsored by the Inland Congregation

To register please contact Isaac Mead-Renius (623) 205-8039.

Sanford Campground Board

Fundraiser Dinners for Sanford Campground

The Woodlands Campground Board

Support The Woodlands

As decided by the mission center conference The Woodlands remains operational while listed for sale. Your generous support is needed to meet expenses. Congregations and non-profit groups are encouraged to rent the facilities. Many dates are available in 2020. Contact Kathy Erwin at (989) 473-3160 or whistler4916@gmail.com for more information or to make a reservation.

We give great appreciation to Ervin Haley for his many years of service as the treasurer/financial officer for The Woodlands Board! Contributions from congregations and individuals to support The Woodlands should now be sent to Jack Tigner, PO Box 289, Coleman, MI 48618.

March Contribution Update

Worldwide Mission Tithes :
In 2019, the church gave $12.9 million USD to Worldwide Mission Tithes. Now, together in 2020 we can continue to support worldwide mission. Can you sustain or increase what you gave in 2019? If you're not already, can you start giving to Worldwide Mission Tithes as part of your stewardship? To sustain existing ministries and programs in 2020, the church needs at least $12 million USD in Worldwide Mission Tithes. The good news is that goal can be exceeded by at least matching the $12.9 million USD given in 2019.

Sustain Christ's mission around the globe by designating a portion of your tithing to Worldwide Mission Tithes. One easy way is through eTithing.org.

Bridge of Hope Tithes:
The most recent update on Bridge of Hope Tithes is at www.CofChrist.org/contributions-update.

Aid in Philippines

From Apostle Mareva Arnaud:

"On 12 January, the Philippines experienced an eruption of the Taal volcano located in the province south of Manila. Many people have had to move away and leave everything to save themselves. Fortunately, no victims have been reported but people are required to stay in the designated evacuation centre. Other people are staying with family and loved ones. We have been alerted to the difficulties of the situation for those involved.

Although the government is working to provide resources and services to victims, there are still families and hosts waiting for help. Even though the threat level has been downgraded, we are aware that this is a difficult situation for those who have lost resources and jobs. The mission centre made a proposal to CORD to find resources to respond to local needs. It was discussed by the CORD board and the local congregation. They gave their full support by adopting a fund that can be immediately available to provide rice packages and preserves to those in need.

We are pleased to share that the mission centre and CORD had a joint response to the disasters on 5 February by reaching affected families to deliver supplies."

eTithing Cards

A Smooth Way to Model Giving

These durable cards, which come in packs of five, are ideal for people who tithe online but still want to participate in the congregational practice of giving during worship. Each reusable card highlights all five Mission Initiatives. When the offering plate comes around, our eTithing contributors can have a tangible way to participate in this important practice.

Some congregations place cards in each pew and others have a basket centrally located where eTithing givers can pick up a card before worship begins.

Purchase a set for your congregation today! Available at www.HeraldHouse.org.

A Guiding Question

Join the Conversation. During 2020, the worldwide church is invited to journey with this guiding question: “Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful one?”

As we dive into World Conference Resolution 1319 this question can help us begin conversations to"discuss the role nonviolence plays in the pursuit of 'peace on and for the Earth' (Doctrine and Covenants 165:1d) and in the life and mission of the church."

Current resources to study and discuss include:
• Short introductory video
• Podcast episode with Stassi Cramm
• Herald article series (first article is posted online
• Elements of the 2020 Reunion materials (posting in mid-February)
Watch social media throughout the year for more opportunities to explore this question!

Connect Others to Worldwide eNews

If you receive the weekly Community of Christ International eNews and want to share it with others in your congregation or mission center, we've provided two simple options.

You can use the Current eNews button below for a link to this week's newsletter. Or you can invite people to access the newsletter on their own by sharing the subscribe link. Either way, thank you for sharing the information to those in your area.

Share Current eNews: mailchi.mp/cofchrist/enews-6-february-2020
Subscribe to eNews: cofchrist.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe

2020 Reunion Resources

Community of Christ members and friends often gather in fellowship and learning experiences called reunion or family camp. This relaxed and casual atmosphere provides space for spiritual growth, personal discernment, incredible amounts of fun, deeper commitment, new and renewed relationships, and so much more!

In 2020 we continue our journey with the theme “Living Jesus…Living Peace.” Plan now to join a camp to explore the question, “Why Jesus, Why Now?”. Walk the road to Emmaus again and live into the gospel stories of Jesus’ life.

Recent and ongoing conversations with current reunion directors have helped to shape our experiences. Direct suggestions, ideas, comments, and questions regarding reunion resources to Susan Naylor (snaylor@cofchrist.org), 2020 Reunion project coordinator.

2020 Theme: “Living Jesus…Living Peace”
Daily Themes
• On the Way
• Living Jesus Today
• The Audacity of Shalom
• Toward the Peaceful One
• Living Hope
Learn more at www.cofchrist.org/reunion-resources-2020

Midland Congregation Disorganization (Closing)

Apostle Lach Mackay has approved the recommendation of the Midland Congregation to disorganize (close) effective Mar. 1, 2020. Many thanks and much appreciation is given for all who have offered ministry and led mission over the years in and through the congregation. Congregation members provided recommendations for distributing remaining cash assets to support Sanford Campground, mission center ministries, youth camp ministries, Journey House Campus Ministry Center, Sanford Community of Christ, and Bridge of Hope Tithes. The generosity of the congregation will continue to bless ministries and the mission of the church both locally and globally.

Your prayerful support of members who have transitioned to other congregations to continue their discipleship is appreciated.

Wear your pajamas and enjoy a pancake bar! If you’ve never been to a pancake bar, there will be pancakes and assorted toppings—if you would like to bring a topping to share, that would be great—if not, just come and eat and socialize!
www.facebook.com/events/659438691469785/

Volunteers Needed for Lapeer Community of Christ Food Giveaway

The Lapeer congregation, every Saturday from 10am-4pm, is the host for a multi county free food giveaway with the Good Samaritans of Eastern Michigan. We are in need of help for Saturdays. It takes 2 people to be at the church. You can help the Good Samaritans by handing food out and unloading the truck. If your congregation could come help for one Saturday that would be awesome. Please contact Steve Qualman.

Home 810-667-1869
Cell 810-969-5483
E-Mail: qsawdust@yahoo.com
We serve an average of 140 families, 580 individuals weekly.

Request for Guest Ministry - Big Rapids

The Big Rapids congregation is looking for guest ministers for several Sundays beginning in June 2020 throughout the entire year. If you are available and would like to share your ministry, please call Dave Cushway at 231-598-4317, or email him at Honda3504@hotmail.com. Feel free to also contact Allison Pool at 231-408-7640, or email at jcfollower1111@sbcglobal.net or on Facebook.

Position Posting for Part-Time Pastor of Kalamazoo Congregation

Contact Kevin Anderson at kanderson704@gmail.com or by phone at (269) 462-2820 with any questions. Full posting available to view on Church Updates.

Young Peacemakers Club

A Young Peacemakers Club sponsored by Mt. Pleasant Community of Christ for youth in grades 1-6 will meet the 2nd Saturday of each month from 1:00-3:30pm. Focuses will be on peace for me, peace for us, peace for everyone, peace for the planet. Activities may include bible study, meditation, games, crafts, snacks

Meeting locations:
Mar. 14 - Farwell Community of Christ
Apr. 11 - Coleman Community of Christ
May 9 - Mt. Pleasant Community of Christ