February 2012

Because we humans, we scientists, theologians, philosophers, archeologists, physicists, mathematicians,theorists, have yet to figure out all the mysteries of creation, some months have 30 days some have 31 and every 4 years the calendar by which we chronicle time is required to leap ahead from the penultimate day of February to the first of March. Every 4 years we call a mulligan, and skip one day ahead to reconcile our perception of time with the divinely conceived universe into which we were flung when God himself set the worlds in motion.

Now, it isn't that simple, it really isn't a mistake per se. We have chosen as a people to keep the hours in a day constant and since the sunset and sunrise fluctuate with the tilting of the Earth's axis we need to make an allowance for those accumulated/or lost minutes between sunrises and sunsets that don't fit neatly into our 24 hour days.

Similarly in life, we often veer off the best laid (God's intended) path for us. We wander or run from THE WAY. We take the long scenic route or the advertised short cut. Accumulating days of unproductive wandering or missing golden opportunities. We are made in God's image and yet in the exercise of our agency our journeys end up not being perfect. And every so often we need to Leap. Leap into the arms of God, for forgiveness for comfort for healing, to be set aright once again on the path toward God's Peaceable Kingdom.

May this Leap Year bring us to THE WAY once again.

~pastor nan 

This Month at Church:

Weekly Activities

Sundays: 9:15 Refreshment Fellowship

9:45 Sunday School Opening

10:00 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

6-9pm Boy Scouts

Wednesdays: 7:00pm Prayer service

Thursdays: 7:00pm Bible Study-Revelation

Other Events and Activities this month:

Feb 5: Boy Scout Sunday

Feb 9,16,23: 7:00 PM Bible Study The Book of Revelation

Feb 12: Pastorate Meeting

Feb 19: POT LUCK following 11:00 Worship

Feb 26: Guest Ministry by Linda Wiley

Feb 26: 1:30 Priesthood mtg

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LETTER FROM The USA Field of Apostles to the Church in the USA:

Community of Christ International Headquarters 1001 W. Walnut St. Independence, MO 64050 USA

www.CofChrist.org

January 2012

Bringing Civility into Our Political Process

Greetings in the Name of the Living Christ!

We are members of the world community where God views all persons equally, regardless of humanmade boundaries or borders. At the same time, we are also citizens of a particular nation. Our Enduring Principles guide us in how we allow our “citizenship” in God’s kingdom to guide our actions and choices in our particular national citizenships.

The following statements from our Enduring Principles serve as guides for how we behave and interact during state and national elections.

• We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute to the purposes of God.

• Community of Christ is a diverse, international family of disciples, seekers, and congregations.

• God views all people as having inestimable and equal worth.

• .…We commit to ongoing dialogue and lovingly uphold our common faith in Jesus Christ and the mission of the church.

One of the opportunities we have in the United States is the right to choose those who represent us as leaders of the country. Every four years that includes a Presidential election. It is a right not available to all persons around the globe and we should not take lightly this opportunity. As apostles for the church in the United States, we urge members to exercise this right of citizenship.

As you engage in this process, we encourage you to look to the Enduring Principles as a guide. Make responsible choices by taking time to study the issues and understand the positions of each candidate. Recognize we are a diverse community and good people can have different ideas of what is right for the country; in these circumstances seek to find unity in diversity. Find ways to be a living testimony of the “worth of all persons” by expressing personal viewpoints in ways that do not demean another whose opinion might differ. As we share our various viewpoints and opinions, let us speak and listen with mutual respect and Christ-like love for one another.

In recent years the political rhetoric in the country has become very disrespectful and caused many to feel divided and unheard. This should not be the case. As members of Community of Christ and citizens of the United States, let us be engaged in the political process; but let us do so with the same principles that shape and form our journey as disciples. Let our lives be a testimony of how “We are called to create communities of Christ’s peace in our families and congregations and across villages, tribes, nations, and throughout creation” (www.CofChrist.org/ourfaith/faq.asp).

In Christ’s Peace,

Linda L. Booth, Barbara L. Carter, Stassi D. Cramm, Ronald D. Harmon Jr., and Rick W. Maupin

USA Team of Apostles

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YOUNG ADULTS CHECK THIS OUT!