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| Herald Magazine |
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 click to enlarge | September 2008 Herald
John Sellars, who will be inaugurated in October as Graceland University's 17th president, reflects on the strong spiritual ties between the university and the church. The role of scripture in Community of Christ is explored by Anthony Chvala-Smith, theologian in residence, in this month's featured commentary on Doctrine and Covenants 163:7a-b, "An Indispensable Witness." Church members in Rochester, Minnesota (home to world-renowned Mayo Clinic), offer compassionate ministry in their "church without walls." A large group of young adults in Florida experienced a spiritual breakthrough earlier this year, and a story of healing ministry is shared by a woman who faced a serious medical crisis while a long way from home. Apostle Carlos Enrique Mejia updates the church on exciting developments in Central and South America. Testimonies are offered by some of the more than 1,000 women who attended the Church Women United "Gathering '08" at International Headquarters in Independence, Missouri, in June. Issue 09/2008 5.2MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | August 2008 Herald: Church members in Malawi, Africa (featured on the cover), share their moving testimony of being a "proper church" in this month's Endnotes column. Former presiding evangelist Danny Belrose is interviewed regarding his new book, Vulnerable to Grace. Becky Savage of the First Presidency reflects on Doctrine and Covenants 163:6c-d in her feature commentary, "Faithfulness in Ministry." The Community of Christ congregation in Hot Springs, Arkansas, lives out its Christian discipleship in multiple ways, and in Huron County, Michigan, church members help staff a highly valued baby pantry. Apostle Andrew Bolton shares his testimony of the "signal communities" that have nurtured him and his family over the years. Paul Davis of the Presiding Bishopric discovers a new worldview among Haitian church members in Aruba: "When we give we receive." And exciting developments in the Pacific Field, from Alaska to Baja, Mexico, to Australia, are highlighted in Apostle Susan Skoor's report.
Issue 08/2008 3.4MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | July 2008 Herald
David Brock, presiding evangelist of the church, challenges priesthood and members alike in Community of Christ to grow in their capacity to bring blessings to others in his feature commentary on Doctrine and Covenants 163:6b. Three representatives of the Koinonia Community in Americus, Georgia, reflect on their life in this "signal community," which will receive the 2008 International Peace Award. Two Community of Christ congregations reach out in unique and effective ways in Cary, North Carolina, and Columbia, Missouri. The seven presidents of Seventy become the first group to engage in spiritual formation at the new center in Kirtland, Ohio. A first-time pastor and participant in the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative, Greg Bassett, shares how he and his congregation in Grandview, Missouri, have been transformed. Issue 07/2008 3.6MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | June 2008 Herald
The servant ministry aspect of priesthood is examined by Jane Gardner, president of the Quorum of High Priests, in her commentary on Doctrine and Covenants Section 163:6a, "A Sacred Covenant." President Stephen Veazey offers a personal testimony of the Holy Spirit's presence at the time of his father's death last year. The new adult study text, Claimed by Christ's Vision, is featured in an interview with its editor, Andrew Shields. Church members at the Memphis Peace Chapel are bringing abundant generosity to life in a unique collaboration with fellow Tennessee disciples in Nashville. Wonderful, life-changing ministry is happening throughout the world because of church members' support of the World Hunger and Tangible Love Funds. And a North Carolina woman joins a group of other Community of Christ members as they bring the Bible to life during a recent tour of Israel and Jordan. Issue 06/2008 3.4MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | May 2008 Herald
Senior President of Seventy Bob Kyser reflects on a central challenge for apostles and seventies to lead the way in sharing the peace of Jesus Christ, in his commentary feature on Doctrine and Covenants 163:5b-c, "Forerunners of Peace." Apostle Susan Skoor is interviewed about her pathway through grief into an unexpected future following the tragic death of her husband on a Mexican beach a year and a half ago. Plans for a major new international song and hymn resource are revealed by Ken McLaughlin of the Temple Ministries team at International Headquarters. Don Welch, a field specialist for the church in Arizona, likens his surprising transformation as a runner to his relationship with Christ. A suburban congregation in Missouri has had success in launching community outreach events at Easter and Christmastime.
Issue 05/2008 3.7MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | April 2008 Herald
"Signal Communities: Hope of Zion" is this month's commentary on Doctrine and Covenants Section 163. Apostle Anderw Bolton focuses on paragraph 5a, which calls the Council of Twelve Apostles to lead the church in establishing communities of justice and peace that reflect the vision of Christ. The current pastor and historian of the Stone Church congregation reflect on the important role played by that Independence, Missouri, congregation throughout the church's history. Gail Mengel, who directs the church's interfaith and ecumenical efforts, shares her hopes for the Ecumenical Gathering for Women sponsored by Church Women United at the Temple and Auditorium in June. Also featured are: testimonies of faith by Marian Matthews Clark and Kathryn Zuber Middleton, reviews of excellent new reference books for ministers, a field report on the generosity of church members in Texas, and the lead news story on SPECTACULAR '08 to be held at Graceland University in July.
Issue 04/2008 3.7MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | Easter provides the focus for the March Herald, including a testimony of an Easter morning's powerful rekindling of faith and restoration of hope for a woman whose adult son had died unexpectedly two months before. "Suffering as a Missionary Tool" draws on deep truths in the Book of Mormon and New Testament in a timely feature as we approach Good Friday. "Fresh Vision" is this month's feature commentary on Doctrine and Covenants 163:4c, written by Becky Savage of the First Presidency. Three outstanding examples of living discipleship are featured this month, along with the regular feature and news departments. Endnotes this time deals with the challenge of writing about a very early Easter when Christmas is still being celebrated. Issue 03/2008 4.0MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | February 2008: "The Earth Shudders in Distress" is the featured commentary based on Doctrine and Covenants 163:4b, written by Lori and Brad Martell. This insightful look at earth stewardship is paired with a special Lenten feature, "Forty for Forty: A Disciple's Challenge" by Christie Skoorsmith, which is an action plan for the 40 days of Lent. Dennis Fox, a retired chief master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, offers his perspective on being a peacemaker in a violent, unstable world. A chance encounter with a homeless man in a fast-food restaurant led to a testimony by Rachel Porter of Portland, Oregon. Paul Davis, of the Presiding Bishopric, offers a moving challenge to church members to "Break Free of the Shackles" in sharing their witness and resources. And a full list of 2008 reunions is presented in the news section, along with highlights of the 2007 Peace Colloquy and Tangible Love programs in Liberia. Issue 02/2008 4.0MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | January 2008 e-Herald
The plight of the world's poor, marginalized, neglected, diseased, and displaced receives special attention in "Unnecessary Sufffering," this month's commentary on Doctrine and Covenants Section 163:4a by Apostle Bunda Chibwe. An interview with appointee Tom Mountenay examines the value of the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative to the church since its beginning three years ago. Marge Troeh and Karen Freberg recall how their decades-long participation in Church Women United has strengthened their spiritual lives. Kevin Bryant, religious historian and former John Whitmer fellow at the Kirtland Temple, sheds light on how historical figures can be models of Christian discipleship in the 21st century. Apostle Stassi Cramm reports on putting discernment into action in her field, which includes Michigan and Central USA mission centers. And a book review of "Who Stole My Church?" may be of particular interest to church members in the 50-to-70 age group. Issue 01/2008 4.3MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | December 2007 Herald The pursuit of peace is the unifying element to this month's Herald, beginning with Apostle Susan Skoor's commentary on Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b. Two remarkable stories of Living Discipleship are featured: an Ohio church member whose life was dramatically changed as she responded to a personal call to be a peacemaker, and creation of the Gateway to Peace Museum in metropolitan St. Louis. Florida pastor Ron Wood offers reflections on being the "Salt of the Earth." Youth ministry is the focus of the report from Apostle Dale Luffman's field and with the successful conclusion to the "Chattanooga Kids: Planting Christ's Peace" initiative. Also, WorldService Corps participant Mandi Sills recounts her amazing experiences in Nepal earlier this year. Issue 12/2007 3.3MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | November 2007 Herald
Apostle Linda Booth examines "The Hope of Zion" this month in the ongoing commentary series on Doctrine and Covenants Section 163. A moving testimony by Betty Peck of Atlanta, Georgia, USA relates how she overcame life-long fears by participating fully in a women's retreat earlier this year. Two markedly different expressions of Living Discipleship are featured: a Kansas pastor actively involved in multiple roles after a devastating flood and a California congregation providing compassionate ministry to an immigrant family. Cathi Cackler-Veazey reflects on the impact of family and community heritage in the formation of a spiritual people. Richard Betts updates activities of young adults involved with WorldService Corps. New life has come to a small Pennsylvania USA congregation as its pastor has used her training in the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative. And evangelism is the focus of reviews of three new--and very different--books. Issue 11/2007 3.7MB - Click here to download. |  click to enlarge | A special eight-page report, "Your Generosity Supports a Worldwide Mission," highlights the October Herald. It brings to life stories of ministry made possible by World Mission Tithes and special offerings. President Dave Schaal presents this month's commentary on Section 163: "Share the Peace of Jesus Christ." An interview with International Peace Award recipients Virgilio Elizondo and Dolores Huerta helps prepare the church for this year's Peace Colloquy, to be in late October at the Temple in Independence, Missouri USA. Apostle Len Young reports on exciting outreach to young adults in Ukraine and Russia. One of the featured news articles follows the story of a retired schoolteacher in Iowa whose life has taken a wonderful turn as a participant in the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative. Also, planning is underway for an extraordinary interfaith gathering in June 2008, when thousands of women attend a Church Women United event at Community of Christ International Headquarters.
Issue 10/2007 5.3MB - Click here to download. | |
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