New Mission President

Dear Saints,

Receive my loving and respectfull greetings.

It is with humility and pleasure that I am able to announce that, after having respected the recruitment process, after reflection, with prayers and spirit of discernment,
brother Ben Smith has accepted the position of Mission President designate for the Australia Mission Centre effective March 31, 2017.

This appointment will be presented to the delegates to the Australia Mission Centre conference on May 27-28 for a sustaining vote.

A formal letter of appointment will be forthcoming from the First Presidency.

I share this announcement to provide you advance notice of the official appointment.

Once brother Ben Smith assumes the role on March 31, 2017, brother Ken Barrows will shift to the position of a special assistant to the Mission Centre President to provide assistance according to the needs and contexts.

We thank Brother Ken Barrows for the good, valiant and unique ministry given to the Mission Centre for these past eight years.

We celebrate God’s love and light, which continues to guide us in this journey to Zion.
Let us continue to pray and tosupport one another in the Peace of Christ.

Blessings,

 

Mareva Arnaud,

Apostle

February 6th, 2017

 

Download the official letter here

Giving Tuesday

#GivingTuesday

It's coming - 29th of November!

Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back.  Be part of this world-wide movement as people come together to celebrate generosity and to give.

In our world-wide church 2015 Giving Tuesday campaign raised $197,700 USD in less than 24 hours to support world-wide mission.  This was thanks in part to six generous families that came together to match all online contributions that day, doubling the impact of hundreds of contributors from five countries.  Let’s see what we can do in Australia in 2016!

Check Community of Christ Facebook on 29 November for the 2016 goal and to watch how much and why people give to Christ’s mission.  Contribute online at www.CofChrist.com.au/give  Please join us and be part of this worldwide celebration of a new tradition of generosity.

Watch for further announcements and information across Australia during November.

Mission Centre President Position

A message from Apostle Mareva Arnaud.

“Here I am Lord”: A Call for applications to serve as Australia Mission Centre President 

It is with much anticipation that we announce our call for applications to the position of Australia Mission Centre President. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Ken Barrows in this role, and note his assignment will effectively end 30 June 2017. In order to fill the vacancy created, the position of Australia Mission Centre President is being advertised. Applications are invited from individuals with relevant qualifications and experience from Australia and across the world-wide church. We are seeking applicants who can bring their ministerial vision, committed discipleship and organisational skills to lead the Australia Mission Centre in living Christ’s Mission. 

Applications will be received up until 30 November 2016. An interview and selection committee will be formed, comprised of 3 Australian representatives, along with the Field Apostle, and world church Director of Field Ministries and Director of Human Resources. This panel will review the applications and make a selection. 

The recommended candidate will be presented to the Australia Mission Centre conference scheduled for 27-28 May 2017 for a sustaining vote to confirm appointment. They are expected to assume the role effective 1 July 2017 and are required to live in Australia. 

In order to facilitate this leadership change, Ken Barrows will serve as an assistant to the newly selected Australia Mission Centre President for a short period of time before and after he or she takes office. How to apply: 

1. To review the position description and complete an online application form go to: http://www.cofchrist.org/human-resources 

2. Prepare resumé and letter of interest 

3. Reply by email at: HRM@CofChrist.org

 

 

2016 Mission Conference

Australia Mission Centre Conference 23-24 April 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Australasian Mission Conference held in Australia in 1916.  Plans are now being made to celebrate this anniversary in April 2016 in Sydney, NSW.  If anyone has any photos, documents, memorabilia or stories that can assist with the celebrations we invite you to send them to: Margaret Morris, 77 Jacaranda Drive, Bass Hill, NSW 2197 or email mjmorris@pacific.net.au

Expressions of Interest 2017 Cruise Reunion

I’m grateful for your response to our ‘expression of interest’ for a 2017 Cruise Reunion.  The good news is that there’s favourable interest in the idea and we will now begin to move forward with planning this special event.

With all your responses came a variety of preferences for the cruise.  Some prefer the ocean, others a river; some prefer the Pacific Islands, others Europe or Asia; others a witnessing trip to Tahiti or Auckland , others fly to Hawaii fora witnessing weekend and cruise home.  All wonderful suggestions and I’m ready to board each one!

Such is the interest that perhaps we need two different reunion cruises?  So, here’s where I need to enlist your wonderful help.

Heather Gillard has kindly prepared the following questionnaire to assist with the thought provoking process and preliminary planning.  If you wish to participate in the 2017 Cruise Reunion please complete the following so we can determine if we need two different cruises.

1.     A Pacific Cruise leaving from Sydney and sailing around the Pacific Islands.

2.     A European Cruise where we fly to a European country and have either a cruise on a large boat, small ship or a river cruise. If we book well in advance then there are deals that include your air fare.

If your option is number two, can you select your choice of countries and number them in preferences as this well help determine where the majority of people wish to go and what cruises are available.

Please number the 21 countries in order of your preferences.

Austria

Belgium

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Italy

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

The Netherlands

Turkey

 

 

 

 

Preferred Option:  1._______________________________2. ________________________________

 

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________

 

Phone: ____________________________________________________________________________

 

Email: _____________________________________________________________________________

Return your completed questionnaire prior to Monday 7 September 2015 to htaylor@cofchrist.com.au or Helen Taylor, 12 Taylor Street, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125. 

I’m excited that you’re interested in travelling together and look forward to sharing this experience with you.

All aboard!

Helen Taylor
Administrative Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             

Health and Wholeness Survey

The First Presidency chartered the World Church Health and Wholeness Team in response to 2013 World Conference Resolution 1305 Wholeness and Well-being. This resolution directs the church to renew emphasis on health and well-being of body, mind, spirit, and relationships.The resolution also says the church needs to develop support and resources for health and wholeness.

We  invite you to take a short survey about health and wholeness. The purpose of the survey is to gather information. The survey results are not intended to change World Church policies. We will use the information to create resources that encourage health, wholeness, and well-being for Community of Christ members and friends. 

 

Please complete the survey by clicking this link by the end of July.

National Gathering

The National Gathering convenes 6 – 9 August 2015 at the Collaroy Centre, Collaroy NSW.  Guest ministers are Tony and Charmaine Chvalva-Smith who presently serve at Community of Christ International Headquarters as Scripture and Theology specialists, and reside in Independence, Missouri.

Here is a flyer to give you a sneak peak!

Contact Robert Thompson for more information on rthompson@cofchrist.com.au

 

Bequests

Come, be a part of the future of Community of Christ!

Leaving a Gift in your Will

Making a Will is an important way to secure the future of your loved ones and to make known your wishes to those you leave behind.  Leaving Community of Christ in your Will (a bequest) is a tremendous and thoughtful way of supporting Christ’s mission, our mission.  Come, be a part of the future of Community of Christ.  For a confidential discussion, contact our interim Financial Officer, Julie Crittenden ph. 02 9871 7400 or 1300 889 855 or jcrittenden@cofchrist.com.au