Samish Fall Young Adult Retreat

The retreat was so much fun and uplifting! We all had a good time in fellowship, fun, and worship. We had a Murder Mystery dinner Saturday night which was acted out by young adults at the retreat. Might I add that they did a superb job! We had classes from our guest minister Erica Nye which focused on our need for church and the churches need for young adults. After the communion service someone suggested we sing some more and it morphed into a spontaneous song service for over an hour. It was followed by the traditional What If/Then game! Sunday we shared with one another testimonies, struggles, blessings, and prayers. It really was a great weekend! I hope that more people can make it out next year.

Justice For Darfur

Many of the MAYAs have participated in efforts to better inform ourselves about the events in Darfur over the past several years. We have attended documentary showings, lectures, interfaith services, and held a fundraiser for aid in Darfur.

Today is a great day for the international criminal court has finally filed genocide charges against the Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir. This a very large step in helping end it for good. There are still many steps that need to be taken and hurdles to over come. Please make it a matter of earnest prayer that everything will work together to put an end to this.

For the news article, click here.

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

From local Portlander Dan Merchant

"Though nine out of ten Americans claim a belief in God, public expression of faith is more contentious as ever. Even as discussion of religion floods the media like never before, the rhetoric is divisive and hyper as the 2008 elections loom on the horizon.Lord, Save Us From Your Followers is the energetic, accessible documentary that explores the collision of faith and culture in America. Fed up with the angry, strident language filling the
airwaves that has come to represent the Christian faith, director (and follower) Dan Merchant set out to discover why the Gospel of Love is dividing America. Utilizing a broad array of expert interviews, man-on-the-street bits, hilarious animations and “I’ve never seen that before” stunts, Lord, Save Us From Your Followers brings everyone into the conversation that this country is aching to have".....continue with Movie Synopsis

It will be at the Hollywood Theatre in NE Portland 6.13-6.19

Go to the website for interviews, clips, and more.

Spring Young Adult Retreat at Lewis River

The young adult retreat at Lewis River went off very well. We had a lot of fun sharing, laughing, exploring, and enjoying ourselves up at the campgrounds. Susan Gregory did a wonderful job helping us explore faith, discernment, and action in our interactive and fun classes. We had plenty of time to share our experiences and testimonies with one another. We worshipped and prayed with one another. All in all it was an amazing weekend. Here are some pictures from this weekend...

February Herald

Check out the February Herald, the Community of Christ denominational magazine. Local young adults, Christie Skoorsmith, Shannon McAdam, and Rachel Porter, have featured pieces. You can purchase the e-herald and save on paper waste (what a novel idea?). If you have testimonies or reflections you can submit them to the Herald House to possibly be published. It is also a great way to keep up on what is going on with the church not only in North America but all over the world.

Reply From Outreach International President, Matt Naylor

Good morning Rachel,

Conditions in Haiti are exceptionally difficult for many people. You are right to be shocked by the report of people eating dirt to quell their hunger.Outreach International provides schooling in Haiti for about 9,500 children, including daily meals for about 1000. In addition, we have a new gardens project, and are increasing our support of this over the number of years to develop model gardens for families in communities where the schools are. While this report is new to many, the fact that many are hungry and are suffering in Haiti has long been a problem. That is why Outreach International has been working with the communities to develop school opportunities, which over time will lead to economic opportunities and increased self sufficiency. Our regular meals program also makes a difference.

We would, of course, like to do more - and will do so, as more generous hearted people make gifts to help the families and children in Haiti.Another place of desperate need that gets little attention is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Outreach International also works. You might have seen the report last week about the peace deal that is struggling to go through (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/23/congo/index.html?iref=newssearch) 5 million people have been killed in that civil war since 1998 - 45,000 people per month, and many are women and children. Outreach International works in the south east corner of the country. Many of those with whom we work are refugees from the central and north east who are fleeing the war - where their experiences were horrific.We live in a broken world. I am grateful that we have the capacity to join with people in poor communities who have a passion for a world free of poverty. Working together - donor, field staff, and community residents - sustainable good can be accomplished. And is.

Thanks for your email.

Kind regards,Matt

"Posted with permission from Matt Naylor, 1.31.08 10:16am, via email"

"In hungry Haiti, dirt is food"

Many of you may be familiar with Outreach International and how they are positively effecting our world for the better. I just recently came across this article, "In hungry Haiti, dirt is food", on Yahoo! News. It should be of interest to us all that Outreach International as well as the Community of Christ have a presence in Haiti. We have several congregations there. Outreach International works to help provide adequate education in this impoverished nation.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Yet, they are just south from the United States, one of the most affluent countries in the world. I have contacted Outreach International as well as the field Apostle for Haiti, Bunda Chibwe, about how the church is handling the poverty in Haiti. I will keep everyone posted on what I find out. This last World Conference while we were in session we were informed that many of our brothers and sisters in Haiti had died in flash floods. Money from the World Church Oblation Fund went out to help those in need. Please be mindful when you are planning for your giving to the church to also remember the World Oblation Fund which provides the funds for services, food, and countless other needs for church members world wide.

Yolen Jeunky, 45, collects dried mud cookies to sell in Cite Soleil in Port-au-Prince,Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007. Rising prices and food shortages threaten the nation's fragile stability, and the mud cookies, made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening, are one of very few options the poorest people have to stave off hunger.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

For more photos click here.

If you are interested in reading the US Ambassador to Haiti speech on the US relations and Haiti please click here. It will help you better understand how the US is involved with Haiti given that we are the single most substantial supporter of help to Haiti.

Rachel

Captivating

There are many books that have been written regarding the nature of males and females both from within and outside the church. Many seek to explain the different roles of men and women, maybe the differences of how we each handle various aspects of our lives, and so forth. In spite of others attempts John and Stasi Eldredge have created a book which goes deeper(in my opinion).

Instead of pointing out differences or trying to delegate specific gender roles, John and Stasi work together to help the reader come to a better understanding of the desires women find within thier hearts in the deepest spiritual sense. Through the use of scripture, testimonies, and life experience the authors help the reader search thier hearts for thier own deepest desires which the Lord has placed there. They search the questions in our hearts. Those questions we have asked all our lives. Am I beautiful? Am I worth it? Am I lovable?

With each chapter the reader will find themselves searching thier own life, past hurts and pains, struggles, and questions and begin to understand why so many of us never believe how amazing we truely are. I began to understand more about who God created me as a woman, an image bearer of the character of the Lord in this world. You also come to a stronger realization that nothing, not a relationship, material possession, or compliment can fully answer your question or fill the void. Only that love found in a relationship with Christ Jesus makes us whole and heals us from the past. This is an amazing book and I think would be a good read for anyone who wants to better understand thier heart.

John Eldredge has also written a book that coincides with "Captivating" for men titled, "Wild at Heart", which challanges men to also look at the deepest desires of thier own hearts and to allow God to make them fully alive.

If you want to look into buying click on "Captivating" or "Wild at Heart". Both can be bought used.

John and Stasi reside in Colorado Springs, CO and work with Ransomed Heart Ministries.

Rachel

Blog Issues

For some reason the side bar has relocated to underneath the blog posts...until we get it fixed just scroll down for it. thanks

New Young Adult Minister For the World Church

Hi there! My name is Erica Blevins and I’m happy to introduce myself as Young Adult Disciple Formation Specialist for Community of Christ. Let me tell you just little about who I am….

Currently, I live in an apartment in Lansing, Michigan, and I’m serving in this role long-distance. I'm engaged to my fiancé, Michael, and we're looking forward to moving into married life very soon! I am 27 years old and enjoy volleyball and theatre. For fun I also love reading, laughing with friends, eating peanut butter by the spoonful, playing Frisbee, and I must also admit to an undying love of Kermit the Frog. God has been very faithful in my life, an intimate Friend and constant Hope for the future. Following Christ's call to discipleship has been a surprising and challenging adventure for me! I’m passionate about responding to God's faithfulness and sharing God's Hope through our peace-focused faith community, Community of Christ. I am so excited for the possibilities for this world if we take action in response to God's promises!

I grew up in Independence, Missouri, USA as a member of Community of Christ. I have two sisters – one is a twin! I went to college at Missouri State University, where I gained some experience leading a small campus ministry group. And from there I moved to Michigan, USA. In East Lansing, Michigan I have worked at a mission center office, as a pastor, and done campus ministry work at the Community of Christ Journey House Campus Ministry Center for 4 years. I have loved the energy, creativity, and mentoring that is involved with campus ministry work!

What does that “Young Adult Disciple Formation Specialist” mean? It means I have an overwhelming Hope for the world-changing people that God is calling Community of Christ to be – and I wholeheartedly believe that our young adults are made to be the lifeblood of that movement! It’s my role to help us take on that adventure! I hope to help Community of Christ young adults become unified - to support one another in the ministries we’re doing around the globe and unified to rally one another in our vision and hope for the world. And I hope to help as we look into our congregations to discover ways that ministry to young adults and from young adults can be a lively and integral part of the community.Now, I want to get to know you!Please contact me to let me know who you are and what you’re up to in your area of young adult ministry. Feel free to call (517-881-6535) with questions for ministry support, or just to chat.

Erica is currently working on a new website for young adults that will be available on the World Church website, http://www.cofchrist.org/, at the beginning of the year. Erica is very interested in hearing your ideas and thoughts about young adult ministry. Don't hesitate to comtact her!

Petition For Dedication

Petition for Dedication from Tim Soper

Members of the Community of Christ, brothers & sisters of faith and all those who feel a calling to receive all the eternal gifts promised to you by our Holy Lord. Do you have an unceasing desire to spread love, peace and joy throughout our communities? Would you like to? If so, come lift our creator up to the majesty, honor and respect to which He deserves. Get involved. Help make this world a better place for all. Develop your skills as peacemakers.

Refine your bodies and consciences in preparation for your rightful place in heaven. Through the perfecting of your unique and personal gifts, which have been bestowed upon you by God, learn to grasp your full potential. Practice forgiving your enemies and prepare to wage war on all that defies the most high will of God the Creator who embodies Christ's Shalom. Make new friends and allies in Christ Jesus. Develop the "know how" to obtain inner peace and happiness in a world that can all to often be such a bleak and broken planet.

The M.A.Y.A.'s are a great group of young adults dedicated to Christ. We meet on a regular basis to fellowship and share in all sorts of really fun activities. Together we plan to engage in what's most meaningful to each of us. We are constantly looking to expand our base and attract souls who share our desire to be disciples of our Lord. We are one in the spirit. We are one in the Lord.

You deserve greatness and the young adults of the Pacific NW Mission Center, Community of Christ are striving to do great. We have a powerful will but we need you. If this is your place, open your heart. Ask Jesus to come into your life and direct you to places only the true Love of God could inspire. If one of our month to month activities sounds cool and fun, come join us. We want to show you love. We would love to have you. We want to grow strong and together overcome the turmoils that plaque this world with you. We want your company and we would love to fellowship with you. he Community of Christ is a faith tradition dedicated to the Pursuit of Peace, Reconciliation and Healing of the Spirit. We are dedicated to God our Maker and desperately want to serve him and do good.

Through righteous living and blameless conduct, we not only stand upright in the eyes of the Lord but we serve as agents of love and our light shines through the darkness of an impoverished and war-stricken planet when we engage in Kingdom building activities. Come, be moved. Attend a service. Lift our family of friends and Christians up in prayer so that we may more effectively serve our God and help humanity help itself. What are you waiting for? Send an e-mail our way, give us a call and set aside a time to come join us and enrich your life and ours. The state of this world calls for steadfast dedication and devotion to a set of high ideals and firm trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every opportunity to overcome evil and win battles for His glory are blessings and gifts we can not overlook or underestimate. Win with God. Love Him. Know Him. Come to His alter and lay your life before Him. Take upon you His yoke for it is light. Pick up your cross and walk. Become a fisher of men. Spread the Good News. Spread peace, for this world thirsts. Spread love, for the world hungers. My heart goes out to you if your tired and you need relief. Maybe you've lost friends and family like me and miss them. If the world is moving too fast in your life I hope you can find the answers you need. There are tons of things that can weigh heavy on our hearts. We can all use as much support as we can get. Hopefully the Lord places positive souls in our lives to help aid along life's difficult times and the Lord knows we can use friends to share life's good times too. So basically I am trying to recruit you.

I want you to join in with our group. I want you to develop peacemaking skills. Truly, I believe we have a lot to gain from a union together. However, if that's not where your being led. If you don't think sharing time with us is the direction towards which you are being called. Please, consider praying for our groups and if you do, please pray that God will move our members to unite as well. Consider praying that our ministries will be effective, vibrant and powerful. Pray that we may be the agents of love we seek to be. Finally, dedicate your life (as your able) to the pursuit of fulfilling the Kingdom of God on earth.

For me, don't let another "calling" pass you by unanswered if you haven't connected with God's will and plan for your life. There really is a loving God out there and all around who wants to be your friend and desires that you invite Him into your life. It is my prayer that if you don't know Him but want to, that He lower the walls between you and Him and that a bond begins to form right now ,at this moment, that shall be the beginning of an unending friendship and journey. All in all, may the light of God's love direct you in every avenue of your life and all humanity. God speed. May Peace be with you.
-God Bless

“Community of Christ,” your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation. Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go.

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult questions and struggles of life. Follow Christ in the way that leads to God’s peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation.

Generously share the invitation, ministries, and sacraments through which people can encounter the Living Christ who heals and reconciles through redemptive relationships in sacred community. The restoring of persons to healthy or righteous relationships with God, others, themselves, and the earth is at the heart of the purpose of your journey as a people of faith.

You are called to create pathways in the world for peace in Christ to be relationally and culturally incarnate. The hope of Zion is realized when the vision of Christ is embodied in communities of generosity, justice, and peacefulness." Doctrine and Covenants 163: 1-3a

Welcome-First Blog

I envisioned this site being something that everyone could utilize not just for updates on events and so forth but a site you could go to to post a prayer request, share a testimony, or read something interesting that is going on in the church or the world. It is pretty amazing to think about how far the Lord has brought us as a group already in these few months. I know the Lord will continue to bless us in our endeavors as we continue to strive to strengthen our own lives in Him as well as our congregations and our young adult group. I hope everyone realizes how important they are to the Lord and to the church. Your presence at services and activities adds to the community and stregthens the body. Your relationship with Christ is of extreme importance to the Lord. He wants you to grow closer to Him. Our only hope is that our group will be a part in helping you do that.

In closing...my more enthusiastic nature, in line with the possibilities we have for this group and our congregations, would like to say, "Let's Rock This! Peace." :)

Rachel