• Upcoming Youth Events
• December Generosity Stories
• Mission Center Financial Officer
• Risk Management Newsletter - Fall 2011

Upcoming Youth Events

• Journey Takers (youth in 9-12 grades) is January 21-22 at the Victor Valley Congregation. We will be starting at 10am on Saturday and will end after church on Sunday. Cost is $10
• Jr. High Snow Camp (youth in 6-8 grades) is February 3-5 at Buckhorn. The camp starts at 8pm Friday and ends at 10am Sunday. Cost is $90
• Sr. High Snow Camp (youth in 9-12 grades) is February 17-20 (4 Days!!) at Buckhorn. The camp starts at 8pm Friday and ends at 10am Monday. Cost is $130

CEPA is available for those who need it. CEPA is where the individual pays 1/3, the congregation pays 1/3, and the MC pays 1/3.

For more information, go to youth.cofchristla.org

Mission Center Financial Officer

I am happy to announce that Ryan Sharp from Escondido, California has been selected by the World Church Human Resources Team to become our new Financial Officer for Southern California and Southwest International Mission Centers, effective January 1, 2012. Apostle Ron Harmon joins me both in welcoming Ryan to the role as well as in commending him to each of you:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am very pleased to share the Human Resources Committee has approved the appointment of Ryan Sharp as Mission Center Financial Officer for the Southwest International and Southern California Mission Centers effective January 1, 2012. I had the opportunity to visit with Ryan during the process and appreciate his sense of call and the skills he brings to this new role.

I am also very appreciative of the work of the mission center selection team as well as those individuals who expressed a willingness to be considered for the position. Please join me in remembering Ryan in prayer as he transitions to this new responsibility.

In Christ's Peace,
Ron

Ryan is a longtime high school mathematics teacher and brings his considerable acumen for handling numbers to this new role. An elder, he has served the church in various roles including as youth leader, Counselor to the Pastor, Co-pastor, and Congregational Financial Officer. Ryan and his wife Sarah and daughter Fiona attend the Vista Congregation in Southwest International Mission Center.

Please join me in welcoming Ryan to this new role of servant leadership.

Shalom,
Terry

New Apostle for Western Field

Please see the Letter of Counsel (in English and Spanish) as well as the document Apostolic Assignments (also in both languages) linked below. You will note that we now have a new apostle in the Western Field – Ron Harmon. Many know that Ron’s daughter Katie and son-in-law Zac currently serve as Associate Pastors in our Orange Congregation. We welcome the presence and ministry of Ron to our field and mission centers.

• Letter of Counsel 05-11-2011 (pdf)
• Carta de Consejo 05-11-2011 (pdf)
• Apostolic Assignments 05-11-2011 (pdf)
• Asignaturas Apostólicas 05-11-2011 (pdf)

Please see the letters below from President Stephen M. Veazey and from President of the Council of Twelve and Director of Field Ministries James E. Slauter. These letters will be shared with the worldwide church by publishing them to our website late this afternoon and in the June Herald.

• Letter of Counsel from President Veazey(pdf)
• Letter From Apostle Jim Slauter (pdf)

Risk Management Newsletter

The Fall Risk Management Newsletter is now available. It is only one page and worth reading.

• Risk Management Newsletter - Fall 2011 (pdf)

December Generosity Stories

Below are the generosity stories for December. Please make sure they get to the people responsible for worship planning. Thank you!

Access the stories, along with links to additional offertory ideas, at www.cofchrist.org/generositystories

• December 4 (doc)
• December 11 (doc)
• December 18 (doc)
• December 25 (doc)

• Generosity stories
• PowerPoint presentations corresponding to each story (except the Contribution Update). REMEMBER to include the link www.CofChrist.org/generositystories in your transmissions for easy access to the slides. Download free PowerPoint Viewer software (www.CofChrist.org/generositystories or www.Microsoft.com/downloads) to enable users to view PowerPoint presentations (presentations cannot be edited in PowerPoint Viewer).
• Tips for Preparing an Effective Offertory: located on the left-hand navigation bar (also on www.CofChrist.org/generositystories ).
• Survey of Stewardship Scriptures: located on the left-hand navigation bar (also on www.CofChrist.org/generositystories).

Use of this material is strongly encouraged so that members get a better picture of the ministry of the church, both locally with Congregational Ministries Mission Tithes, and also throughout the world with how World Ministries Mission Tithes supports this ministry. Remember to include pastors and congregational financial officers in your generosity stories communication loop.