Conference Elects/Sustains Leadership, Approves Resolutions and 2009 Budgets

The Kentucky-Indiana USA Mission Center conference was held Saturday, November 15, at New Albany, approving three resolutions and sustaining and electing mission center leadership and approving association board members.

Jackie Barnes, Beth Durbin, and Lori Maymon were elected to the Community Youth Camp Association Board of Directors. They join Rhonda Renfrow as the four members elected by the mission center. The other directors, all person who live and/or work in either Perry County or Spencer County. This includes Cindy Taylor, who is the newest appointed board member, and the resident manager of Glenn Wood Hills.

Stan Ratcliffe, Paul Renfrow, and Sherrill Satterfield were all elected to another three-year term on the Glenn Wood Hills Board of Directors.

Changes approved in the mission center leadership structure included sustaining:

• John Middleton as a new member of the mission center leadership team
• Wanda Mercer as the Mission Center's Temple School/Education coordinator
• Kevin Blanchard as the Youth Camping and Retreat Coordinator
• Nancy Hoffman as Mission Center Recorder and Secretary.

The mission center council, which was elected last year, was sustained as well, including Wanda Mercer who was appointed to fill a vacancy.

Vern Montgomery and Barb Weathers were approved to serve with the Mission Center Financial Officer and Mission Center President on the Graceland University Matching Grants Fund Committee.

The Mission Fund Committee was sustained, including Don Maymon, Mike Weathers, Terry Meloan, Val Brennan, John Middleton, as well as the Mission Center Financial Officer and Mission Center President.

The conference approved three resolutions. The first one raised the daily use fee for Glenn Wood Hills from $12.00 per day to $13.00 per day. Another one authorized $4000 be used from the operating reserve fund to purchase an electric generator, an automatic external defibrillator (AED), and a portable oxygen device. These three items are to be used for retreats, camps, and reunions at Glenn Wood Hills. This past year's windstorm and health emergencies pointed out the need for these items.

The final resolution passed authorizes the mission center leadership team to hire a youth and young adult minister for the mission center. The resolution sets aside $150,000 of the Mission Fund to serve as a method of payment for the expected expenses, should other funding not materialize. This allows a three-year commitment to a person hired to fill the position.

The conference also approved budgets for 2009 for the mission center and the Glenn Wood Hills and the Community Youth Camp associations. Those budgets are available on request from the Mission Center Financial Officer, Blake Rosbury.

The conference included a fund-raising lunch provided by the youth and youth ministers of the mission center. The offering for the lunch and the conference, which is to go toward IYF/Spectacular 2009, was just over $1000.

Mission Center Meets in Conference This Saturday

The Kentucky-Indiana USA Mission Center will meet for its annual conference, 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, Saturday, November 15, at the New Albany church, 1221 Silver Street, New Albany, Indiana.

The conference will include an address by Apostle Ron Harmon on the theme, "More Than We Can Imagine," from Ephesians 3:20-21. The conference agenda includes the sustaining of mission center leadership, consideration of the 2009 budgets for the Mission Center, the Community Youth Camp, and Glenn Wood Hills Camp & Retreat Center. Business will also include consideration of two resolutions, one on hiring a full-time youth minister for the mission center, and one on purchasing safety and emergency equipment for us during camps and reunion.

Lunch will be served at noon by the Mission Center youth as a fundraiser for Spectacular and IYF (International Youth Forum) 2009.

The conference will be available by conference call for approximately 20 participants/phone lines. Instructions for conference calling is listed in the right column at the bottom of this blog.

Junior High-Senior High Retreat Focuses on "Waiting in the Wings"

The upcoming Junior High-Senior High Youth Retreat, November 7-9 at Glenn Wood Hills will focus on the theme “Waiting in the Wings.” The retreat will look at giftedness and how it can be used for ministry in congregation and community. Kevin Blanchard will serve as the director. The cost for the retreat is $50 per person.

The theme reflects the need to spend time “waiting off-stage” discerning gifts, rehearsing, before we go “on-stage” for ministry. If you would like to join the “cast” and have an Oscar-winning good time, register now! Send your name, contact information, and photo to Nancy Hoffman at the mission center office, kyinmc@bellsouth.net, or mail to 2401 Merriwood Drive, Louisville, KY 40299. Registration fees are due when you arrive at camp or payable by your family or congregation after the event. Camperships are available. You, too, can be a “star” for God!

Oblation Aid Offers Honduras Flood Relief

More than a quarter million people have been affected by torrential rains during October in Honduras. Landslides and flooding have resulted in deaths, forced thousands from their homes, and damaged roads, bridges, and crops. More heavy rain has been forecast.

Oblation aid of $18,000 will help church families, repair church buildings, and meet needs of people in communities. Approximately 20 church families need help with home repair and reconstruction, beds, and clothing. Church buildings in Agua Caliente and Tegucigalpa received minor damage.

Apostle for the Central and South America Field Carlos Enrique Mejia said, “Thanks be to God we don’t have a large number of families or members of our church that have been affected.”

With so many victims throughout the country, the local church is already reaching out into communities. Food has been distributed “thanks to the solidarity and generosity of our local members” with help of two coordinating government agencies, reported Mejia.

Thanks to the generous ongoing support of Oblation Fund contributors, Community of Christ is able to respond as a worldwide church to these needs in Honduras. Thank you for sharing this news with others, offering prayers, and giving generously. Contribute online at www.CofChrist.org/worldministries/.

What's Your Opinion About Hiring a Youth Minister?

The Mission Center will consider hiring a full-time youth minister at our conference in November. What's your opinion? Share it with us here.

If the link above doesn't work, cut and paste the address below in your browser:
www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ofx98_2bbpuFt3ccIsK9_2fkhg_3d_3d

Rosburys Participate in Hunger Walk

Cassie and Megan Rosbury stepped out in faith last Sunday, October 19. Literally. The two were among over 2000 participants in the Hunger Walk on the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky. The event, in it's 30th year, helps two different organizations feed the hungry.

In an article by Andrea Uhde of the Louisville Courier Journal, it was noted that the crowd was three times the size of last year's, according to Stan Siegwald, the director of development at the Dare to Care Food Bank. "We've had a real surge by both the faith communities and the corporate communities to sponsor" and promote the event, he said. Kindred Healthcare presented the event, and it was co-sponsored by Kroger, Aramark, and Yum! Brands. "I also think our community is recognizing that hunger is becoming an increasing issue, given the current economic climate," Siegwald said. He said organizers expect to make more than $50,000 from the walk, which went across the Clark Memorial Bridge into Southern Indiana and back. Siegwald said 75 percent of the proceeds will go to the food bank's emergency food fund, and 25 percent to the World Food Program's international hunger relief work.

Thanks to Cassie and Megan for working for peace in our world!

Plan Now to Help at Glenn Wood Hills Work Day This Saturday, October 25

The fall workday at Glenn Wood Hills will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT) October 25. Mark your calendars to come spend the day and help prepare the campgrounds for winter. According to resident manager, Cindy Taylor, the following projects need to be done:

Cabins

• Check all curtains and tiebacks for repair/replacement
• Check curtain rods for replacement or reattachment
• Check for needed screen repair/replacement
• Return beds and mattresses to proper locations

Dorm

• Open all curtains and sweep window sills
• Return beds and mattresses to proper locations

Canteen

• Clean thoroughly
• Move freezable supplies to dorm supply cabinet
• Winterize pipes and water heater
  

Dining Hall

• Winterize coffee maker and ice machine
• Clean fireplace
• Repair pulpit
• Sweep window sills
  

Bath Houses

• Winterize all plumbing
• Move washer to heated location
• Repair/replace exterior locks on screen doors
  

Pentagon

• Sweep and/or blow out dirt and debris
• Move chairs and tables to center and cover with tarp
• Move all wood benches and extra trash barrels to Pentagon for storage during winter
  

Houston Glenn

• Clean thoroughly
  

Flower Beds

• Remove fallen and dead debris
• Trim back overgrowth
  

Donations

• 10 miniature burning bushes
• Any number of tulip bulbs (any/all colors)
• 2 Butterfly bushes
• Any number of other butterfly plants
• Brooms
• Large plastic trash barrels with lids
• Preen-n-Green weed preventer
• 3 canister sprayers (new) for weed prevention, insect control, and bleaching
  

Please contact Cindy Taylor if you plan on helping. E-mail: ctaylor@psci.net or 812-836-2769 (home) or 812-719-1037 (cell).

E-Subscriptions Now Available

Connecting You to Mission! E-subscriptions are available for everyone! In addition to the 10-Minute News Report, you can get church news, media releases, event announcements, devotions, and resources through free subscriptions.

Visit www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp to choose what you want to receive in your inbox. Please share this information with your members and friends and encourage them to get connected! For questions, contact Communications@CofChrist.org.

Mission Center Council to Meet Saturday

The Mission Center Council meeting is scheduled for 11:00 AM Eastern this Saturday, October 18, at the New Albany church, 1221 Silver Street. Both the date and time have been changed from the original schedule. Lunch will be provided.

The agenda includes consideration of a resolution on hiring a youth minister for the mission center and other items preparing for the upcoming mission center conference in November.

The conference phone system will be in operation. To participate from a remote location, call 1-800-825-2806, enter 1 and the extension when prompted. You will then need to enter conference ID 7259342 and your name if you wish to be announced as you call in. If you have any problems with the system, call 502-303-8808.

Rally Day, Special Offering Successful

According to Blake Rosbury, the mission center's financial officer, Rally Day, held September 28, and the special offering across the mission center on September 21, raised a total of $11,266. These two combined successes allows Glenn Wood Hills to meet its financial obligations through the end of 2008. Thank you!

A special thanks to Suzanne Ponder who organized Rally Day this year, and all of the volunteers who supported it. Games included a bean toss tournament and a fishing pond for children. The yard sale (with the great signs) was a great way to sell (or exhange?) a lot of unwanted items. That kept the auction shorter focusing on antiques (like the sewing basket), hand-made items (art, plant stands, etc.), tasty treats (pies, brownies, and such), and the newest addition, time and talents. This included lawn care, meals, tax help, computer help, and other great services. Besides the "Scotty Burgers," thanks to Washington Congregation, fried fish was added to the menu this year.

Rally Day to Feature Time & Talent Auction

Rally Day, a fundraiser for Glenn Wood Hills, will be Saturday, September 27, at the campgrounds.
This year, several new items have been added to the day’s schedule, including a Time and Talent Auction. This type of auction involves individuals, groups, and congregations committing either time, talent, or both to be auctioned to the highest bidder. This might include “two hours mowing grass,” or “fixing dinner for four at your place or mine,” or “helping prepare your 2008 taxes.” The ideas are endless and should provide for some fun.

The day begins at Noon (Central Time) with a yard sale (we still need for you to bring your unwanted items) and lunch at the Canteen. Games for all ages start at 1:00 p.m. There’s a hayride scheduled for 2:30 p.m. At 3:00, the Glenn Wood Hills board will make a presentation, donations from congregations will be announced, and the auction begins (only hand-made or high-dollar items).

The goal is to raise $5000 or more for the Glenn Wood Hills operating fund, which needs help due to fewer outside groups renting this year. Don’t miss out on the fun and the opportunity to help. Glenn Wood Hills is located at 10747 Tide Road, Derby, Indiana. Visit www.glennwoodhills.net for more information.

Wind Storm Affects Southern Part of Mission Center

The remnants of Hurricane Ike came through the Ohio Valley Sunday, September 14, downing trees, powerlines, and damaging property. One television station reported that winds of 50 m.p.h. were sustained for over four hours, with gusts up to 75 m.p.h. Cindy Taylor, Glenn Wood Hills Camp and Retreat Resident Manager reports limbs down, windows damaged, and expectations to be without power for several days.

Pastors in the greater Louisville area have reported some minor damage to buildings. Power remains out at Forest Hills and the Mission Center office. Several families are without power in our area.

International Youth Forum Preparation Study Now Available

Preparation Study for the IYF Pilgrimage is a new resource now available to help adults and youth prepare for the 2009 International Youth Forum. It is designed to help with preparing for the pilgrimage to the Temple and to be open to their changed lives when they return home. The materials are available through the hyperlink on the name of the resource above, or by visiting www.cofchrist.org/iyf/IYF09prepbook.pdf.

IYF will be held at four sites: Independence, Missouri, July 21-24; Bangkok, Thailand, May 24-30; Lilongwe, Malawi, June 24-30; and La Buena Fe, Honduras, July 4-11. Learn more about IYF at www.CofChrist.org/IYF.

Shop Herald House On-Line

Remember to shop Herald House on-line for resources specific to the Community of Christ. This includes children and youth church school materials:

The Best of Power and Light Year A lessons have been edited and reformatted to provide continuity for children and youth church school classes. Each book is only $10.95. Lessons are also available free as downloads from the Internet here.

Worship Resources Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace continues it's rich tradition of providing inspiring ideas for personal and congregational worship in 2009. It is available as a CD-Rom ($10.00), a book ($20.95), or they can be purchased together ($25.95).

Vulnerable to Grace by Danny Belrose, former presiding evangelist, immerses readers in Doctrine and Covenants 163 through poems, prose, probing questions, and worship elements. Perfect for adult Christian education, priesthood study, retreats, or personal mediation. $12.95

Visit Herald House at www.heraldhouse.org. The link is always available on this website in the right column under "Community of Christ Links."

Join the Community of Christ Peace Support Network

The Community of Christ Peace Support Network, launched during Spectacular, is a network linking people throughout the world who believe peace and want to make peace a reality. Join the network, which if free and open to everyone, and participate in an exchange of ideas and initiatives that engage a creative power so expansive that all have the change to build peace through the five major content areas of peace with God, self, relationships, society, and the planet.