Category Archives: Messages from the MCP

First Presidency Updated Statement
Response to COVID‐19 Virus

20 March 2020

The First Presidency is extending the recommended suspension of church gatherings around the world through at least
Friday, 1 May 2020. Church gatherings are worship services, meals, conferences, funerals, and other group activities. The
Presidency continues to monitor guidance from government and public health agencies around the globe related to the
estimated spread and duration of the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, if local government and public health guidance is
more restrictive than the Presidency’s recommendation, follow local guidance. As new information is available it will be
released and posted at www.CofChrist.org/covid‐19.
As a reminder, the Presidency bases its recommendation on the following principles:
1. The church’s response should emphasize preventative, rather than reactive, strategies to keep the COVID‐19 virus from
spreading as quickly as many infection‐rate models indicate.
2. A primary prevention strategy is “social distancing.” The World Health Organization advises: “Maintain at least 1 metre (3
feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.” According to the USA Centers for Disease
Control, social distancing involves “remaining out of congregant settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining
distance” between people whenever possible. Social distancing is especially challenging for people in church settings.
3. The church’s response should emphasize “protecting the most vulnerable” (Doctrine and Covenants 164:6a) in our
congregations, cities, towns, and villages. This includes our senior members and those already affected by other health
challenges.
Historic sites will remain closed to the public through at least Friday, 1 May 2020. Based on guidance provided by the
Independence, Missouri, USA mayor, the Temple Complex, including the Peace Pavilion, will remain closed to the public
with all events canceled through at least Friday, 15 May 2020. Headquarters staff at all sites continue to support
operations, but staff presence in the offices is limited to maximize social distancing. Reopening all sites to the public will
continue to be evaluated as the situation unfolds.
Social distancing can cause us to feel isolated from each other and God. We are grateful for the many ways people are
staying “connected” and supporting each other in living Christ’s mission while upholding the strategy of social
distancing. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? …neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 38 NRSV).
As you connect and support each other through the Lenten journey into Holy week and then the Easter season, we ask
you to remember that your congregation, mission center, campgrounds, and World Church have financial
responsibilities even though we are not physically gathering. Please use online giving (www.CofChrist.org/give) or mail in
contributions to support Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes.
The First Presidency

March 13, 2020

Dear friends,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Uncertainty around how the coronavirus COVID‐19 will impact our lives in the days ahead is causing
anxiety and fear for many. Times such as this renew our awareness and deep gratitude for the strength
and comfort resident in the rich connections of our faith community. None of us walk alone.
We are working closely with mission center officers to monitor the situation and provide the best
support and guidance we can as things unfold. We will continue to direct members and leaders to
reputable sources that provide accurate, up‐to‐date information (see Community of Christ official
statement: COVID‐19 and the Church). Additionally, it is important to consult local and state authorities
as area‐specific directives can change daily.
As the current health situation unfolds across the United States, we realize that local leaders will need to
take action that limits opportunities to gather together in community. Even as we experience this as a
loss, it opens a sacred opportunity to explore new ways of being the church together in the face of what
can seem an overwhelming and isolating reality. Members are already identifying ways to connect that
will protect the health and well‐being of those most vulnerable among us.
We will be collaborating with mission center leaders to identify and create additional opportunities to
connect with one another through the multiple avenues of technology available. This is the time to
explore “all the surprising ways that Christ‐inspired community weaves diverse people together as
expressions of the gospel of peace.” (Stephen M. Veazey, World Conference Closing Sermon, April 13,
2019)
We know the coming weeks will be challenging. We invite you to join us in holding one another and our
neighbors across the globe in prayer. Let us trust in the Spirit that provides assurance for today and
hope for tomorrow.
In the peace of Jesus Christ,
USA Apostles

WOMC Pastors and CFO’s:

——– Forwarded Message ——–

Subject:	eNews – 12 March
Date:	Thu, 12 Mar 2020 22:22:09 +0000
From:	Community of Christ <communications@CofChrist.org>
Reply-To:	Community of Christ <communications@CofChrist.org>
To:	Vern <vcf@fuse.net>

COVID-19 and the Church World church leaders continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, now officially classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. We want to ensure Community of Christ leaders worldwide are taking measures to keep people safe when the church gathers. Protocols for Gathering If your local government has given instructions about social gathering or canceling worship, please follow those guidelines. If no specific instructions have been given in your community, use available sources to monitor the situation in your area to make appropriate decisions about gathering or canceling where the risk of infection may be high. Congregational leaders should consult with their Mission Center President and Field Apostle in making decisions. Credible Information Sources Information about the COVID-19 pandemic is everywhere. It is important to use official health department sources when making decisions. Several key websites are listed below. World Health Organization: Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html USA Centers for Disease Control: Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.html Other official national health department sources World church leaders will continue to monitor the situation and how it may impact operations in the future. Ongoing updates will continue for Community of Christ staff regarding travel and operations at International Headquarters and historic sites. Leaders are also considering how the outbreak may affect various large events that will occur in the coming months such as camps, reunions, Eurotribe, and Spectacular. Additional information will be shared if cancellation decisions are made. UPDATE The Kirtland Temple historic site will be closed for 3 weeks in coordination with local school district closures. The situation will be reevaluated at that time. This information and further updates will be available at www.CofChrist.org/announcements.

Please note below.  The cost is $30 for the class and $40 if you want Temple School credit.  Fee includes meals.  If anyone wants to spend the night  at camp please let Connie know.

Blessings,

Vern

Note here the syllabus for the next class taught by Mark Scherer on Journey of a People. We will be studying the 2^nd half of the first volume. The dates are April 3-4^th at Camp Bountiful. Times of the classes are on the syllabus. We look forward to having you with us. If you can come, please send a note to me at caltman@cofchrist.org. We would love to have our Western Ohio neighbors with us once again. Feel free to share this with anyone else you know who may be interested. I have sent it to the BMC pastors.

Bountiful Blessings,

Connie Altman

Bountiful MC President

740-988-2373

caltman@cofchrist.org

From Dale Luffman, retired Apostle:

Judy and I solicit your prayerful and heartfelt support for a journey that is ahead of us. Changes have been occurring in our lives given the recent discovery that I have esophageal and liver cancer.

I am currently in the hands of a wonderful team of medical professionals, with the commencement of chemotherapy as a course of palliative treatment on February 13, 2020.

We would be blessed by your support on our journey. A prayer borrowed from Mariann and Marcus Borg sustains us as we pray to the Triune God: ‘For all our yesterdays, thank you. For all of our tomorrows, yes!’

The Young Adult retreat  is now  called Jesus and Justice Retreat, is
for all and will be held only Saturday, March 28, from 9am to 5pm.  Cost
is $25 for the day, including lunch.

Shane Claiborne will share from 9-12pm. Register with Stephanie Harlow at sharlow74@hotmail.com

Shane Claiborne is a internationally known advocate for peace and
justice ministries, speaking all around the world. He has authored
several books and is part of the Red Letter Christian movement, who
essentially believe we should live and do as Jesus says (the  red
letters contained in some versions of the  Bible). Because of the
timeliness of his message, we are inviting all to attend the Saturday
morning session Shane.

For further information see his website at www.shaneclaiborne.com

Dear Saints,

Our hearts and country yearn for rain and calm. Amidst the preparation for the joys of summer in Australia, our people and our land are hurting. Some of the church’s earliest heartlands are burning with over 120 bushfires burning out of control, and our people and communities have been affected. There has been loss of life, loss of property, loss of lifestyle and these bushfires have impacted thousands of families in the coastal and hinterland regions of mid and northern New South Wales. Some of our members have been directly affected through loss of property. Our church buildings remain un-harmed; however the threat is not yet over with several in close proximity to fire fronts. Tuesday this week will see extreme conditions worsen with temperatures rise above 37 degrees Celsius and dangerous winds in the fire areas. Adding insult to injury, NSW is in its 8^th year of drought, meaning the ground is dry and water resources are scarce.

Our prayers are with communities affected by fire and we stand ready to assist in the recovery effort. We pray for the safety of those fighting these fires, caring for those who are injured, and those left behind to pick up the pieces.

We call for hope, and we call for unity. May we each reach out to our friends and families who are affected, and may we open our hearts, homes and hands to those in need.

Shalom,

Ben Smith

Australia Mission Centre President

Pastors and CFO’s;

I just received an email from someone claiming to be a member of the
Atlanta congregation and I know it has been received by some others,as
well.

I’ve been advised by Wim Van Klinken, who among other things is in
charge of cyber security for the church, of increasing phishing emails
being sent to people with church connections. Some have been more
sophisticated; for example, one has been circulating purported to be
from David Anderson, President of the High Priests Quorum. It looks very
official, other than it is not from a cofchrist.org address.

Please be alert and double check before responding to anything that
appears to be from a church connection.

Blessings,

Vern

Dear Pastors,

              I still need some volunteers to help with meals for weekends of summer camps. I need help on the following dates:

June 9 – dinner (feeding 125)

June 15 – breakfast (feeding 125)

June 29 – breakfast ( feeding 60) I have 1 person for this, but will need more

July 13 – breakfast (feeding 60)

July 20 – breakfast (feeding 125) I have 2 people but will need at least 2 more

July 21 – dinner (feeding 40) I have 2 people but will need at least 2 more

July 27 – breakfast (feeding 40)

July 28 – dinner (feeding 125)

Aug. 3 – breakfast (feeding 125)

Aug. 10 – breakfast (feeding 230)

Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 Harmony Retreat – Jackson branch has volunteered, but will need help

Please ask your congregation if some of them can come help for a meal or two. You can work with another congregation if you need to. I would love to give our paid staff the weekends off if possible. Thanks for all you do to help keep Camp Bountiful going.

Bountiful Blessings,

Connie Altman

Bountiful Mission Center President

740-988-2373

caltman@cofchrist.org