June 19, 2009
Dear Friends,
It’s another of our biweekly e-bulletins, complete with good news and important information about upcoming activities in the Southern California Mission Center. This edition’s good news comes from our Financial Officer, Michele McGrath. As always, please send us your good news…we can never have too much! And thank you for all you do in the service of God's people.
- Good News: “Discerning Together”
- Proposed Merger Items
- SCMC Reunion – July 11-17
- NEW! Family Day at the Beach
- Upcoming Events
Good News: “Discerning Together”
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” - Proverbs 1:5 NIV
We are involved in a conversation. We, as a community, as a center for mission, are considering the question of whether to merge with our neighbor, SwIMC. We are facilitating this conversation in many ways: mass mailings, PowerPoint presentations in congregations, teleconferences, regional town hall meetings, chats under the pine trees at Reunion, weekly discernment exercises, web pages, FAQ’s, videos, and lots of phone calls and emails. (See www.CofChristLA.org/merger for info.)
I’m not sure if the ultimate answer will be to merge, not merge or something else entirely. But I am in awe of the process. People are getting together, using every means readily available, to discuss how we can best proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love and peace - in short, whether the merger will further our pursuit of mission in this time and place.
And regardless of the final outcome of the vote, wonderful things are coming out of our shared listening. I have heard incredible ideas about re-energizing and re-commissioning our high priests and evangelists, how our pastors might gather in training and support of one another, how we might gather more frequently and meaningfully in fellowship and study as disciples of Jesus Christ on a spiritual journey together, and how we might better deploy staff, volunteer and paid, to reach those yet unreached by the gospel message. What an amazing time to be part of this community. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Proposed Merger: Discerment
We are now in our fourth week of a discernment process in which each of us is invited to participate individually and corporately in listening for God’s guiding voice through the Spirit. Each week congregational leaders will receive (and also posted on the website) a set of suggested exercises including prayer prompts, scripture reflection and activities designed to get us more in touch with the voice of the Spirit. Please join us in this shared endeavor as together we seek divine direction.(These can be found on the web at www.cofchristla.org/merger under “Discernment Resources”)
Proposed Merger: Upcoming “Town Hall” Meetings
As the conversation concerning the proposed merger continues, there is still at least one more “town hall” gatherings designed to bring folks from different congregations together in clusters to consider the decision. Each gathering will include time focused on the individual discernment work (see above). In addition to a session that will occur at Reunion, here is the remaining schedule of meetings:
- Sunday, July 19, 3PM – Long Beach Congregation – 3525 Elm Ave., Long Beach (target congregations: El Segundo, Gardena, La Nueva Esperanza, Long Beach, Temple City)
Congregations from SWIM have two cluster gatherings – 1) June 28 at El Cajon and 2) August 9 in Las Vegas.
Proposed Merger: Special Mission Center Conference – August 30
The mission center leadership has announced a Special Conference for the Southern California Mission Center on Sunday, August 30, at 3:00 PM at the Temple City Center for Christian Ministries, 9468 Broadway in Temple City. Please make plans to attend this important gathering. The primary agenda item for this special conference is consideration of the proposed merger between our mission center and the Southwest International Mission Center (SWIM). Please join in the preparation for the conference by participating in the discernment process as well as the opportunities for dialogue (information above), and attending this special conference.
SCMC Reunion – July 11-17
We’re less than a month away from our annual Reunion! Please continue to talk it up in congregations, and make sure everyone gets a copy of the Reunion registration form (and get yours in if you haven’t already). It is also available at http://cofchristla.org/reunion.htm.
We look forward to the ministry of Tom Mountenay who most recently directed the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative.
Thank you in advance for your efforts to make this year’s Reunion a week of fellowship, education, service, spiritual renewal, and FUN!
Also, will you please uphold our Reunion in your personal and congregational prayers, that people might come with an open and vulnerable heart and leave overflowing with God’s generous grace?
Family Day at the Beach
Come join with your church family at the beach! Saturday, August 22, SCMC will host a beach party beginning at 2PM with activities until 9PM, including a campfire. Designed as a family event, all are welcome to this day of fellowship and fun at Huntington Beach. Please bring a picnic dinner for your family – S’mores will be provided. More details on exact location and directions are forthcoming. For more information contact Kyle Logan (klogan@cofchristla.org or 909-562-9308).
- Download the Flyer (pdf)
Upcoming Events
- June 27-28 — Primary Camp – Temple City
- July 11-17 — SCMC Reunion - Buckhorn (More information)
- July 21-24 — International Youth Forum – Independence, MO (More information)
- July 25-August 1 — SPECTACULAR – Graceland University, Lamoni, IA (More information)
- August 14-16 — Junior Camp - Buckhorn
- August 23 — NEW! Family Day at the Beach - Huntington Beach
- August 30 — Special Mission Center Conference – Temple City – 3PM
- September 19-20 — LEADS: Faith Formation in the Congregation – Sue McLaughlin
- October 16-17 — Priesthood Retreat – SCMC/SWIM – Guest Ministry: Apostle Susan Skoor
Terry A. Read
Community of Christ
Southern California Mission Center President
909-606-8636
909-631-0499 (mobile)
tread@cofchristla.org
www.cofchristla.org
All rights reserved.
Community of Christ, Southern California Mission Center
PO Box 4077, Huntington Beach, CA 92605-4077
