RIO GRANDE MISSION CENTER

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1 Page 1 August 2017 RIO GRANDE MISSION CENTER In this issue: Abundant Blessings Retreat s coming up Pics from Reunion Amarillo Blessings If you haven t had a chance, check out what Nanci Wallace has done with the Website, rgcofc.com. I know that she would love for you to give her updated information for your congregations. her at nanci@rgcofc.com Rio Grande Mission Center 2017 Calen- Aug Leadership Retreat Sacramento Mountain Retreat Sept Women s Retreat Sacramento Mountain Retreat Nov Mission Center Conference Clovis NM Some years ago, the Juan Tabo Congregation in Albuquerque saw a need to help persons who walked through the doors of the sanctuary and asked for help (usually in the form of a few dollars) for various reasons. The oblation fund by definition is held exclusively for members and requires an administrative process. These friends were not members and their need was immediate. Most of the time these needs were met out-of-pocket with no record of such help and sadly to say at other times the request was refused. Some fewer years ago, it was proposed that we fund a separate account to which congregational contributors could give and from which walk-throughs could be helped to meet a specific and immediate funding need. Our congregation designated this funding account Compassionate (Continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) Outreach. A couple of years ago, the congregation took action to make another commitment step along this journey to reaching out to friends and strangers in need we made our Compassionate Outreach fund a budget line item. This business meeting decision (to me) meant that the body was truly committed to helping to meet such ongoing needs and was serious about outreach. This budget line item is generous in relation to our other commitments and we find that some help is given to several different friends during the financial year. Probably the most important aspect of this whole ministry is that we recognize the courage that it often takes to ask for help. Equally important is to make every effort to preserve the dignity and avoid any embarrassment of those that make such requests (reference Mosiah 2:28-32). I think that this particular congregational budget line item is a strong example of the Community of Christ enduring principle of Blessings of Community. May the Lord bless you in your ministry, Larry Rollstin and set aside...i m hoping everyone has already marked their calendars the weekend in order to gather at the campgrounds. Important info: *Place: Sacramento Mtn. Retreat. Mayhill *Date of retreat: September 22, 23, and 24th. *Cost: $70.00 *Time: Retreat will begin with a short activity on Friday evening at 8:00pm. If you could plan your arrival time to be here by 7:30/7:45 it would be helpful. Retreat will be over by 11:30ish on Sunday morning. Meals will be provided during the weekend except for Friday evening and Sunday lunch. If you have special dietary needs please let me know so I can make Holly aware. *Housing---Three rooms- the 2 handicap rooms and one more have been reserved - one for the guest minister and the other two for our sisters who need those facilities. We have another guest Minister this year. Her name is Susan Quass. Susan is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Conference of Churches. She is an experienced retreat leader. I will be sharing more information in the packets that I will be distributing in a week. Last but not least, please call or text me at to let me know you are coming. I would so appreciate it and I know Holly would appreciate it too. This way she knows how much food to prepare. I'm so looking forward to everyone being together, sharing, laughing, singing, and learning. Please bring a friend as well. Come enjoy a weekend in the mountains. Melina Williams Retreat Director

3 Page 3 Announcement: Everyone in all of the Rio Grande Mission Center congregations is invited to attend our upcoming Mission Center Retreat at the church campgrounds (Sacramento Mountain Retreat), starting Friday evening August 11, and ending Sunday August 13 at noon. Please come and join the good fellowship and listen to and benefit from the Invitational Message/Training given by our Guest Minister: President of Seventy Keith McMillan, from Independence, MO. The cost for the weekend is $60 per person (for 2 nights plus 3 meals Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday). Friday evening you are on your own for dinner -- target arrival time at the campgrounds is 7 PM for check-in/ registration, settling into your assigned cabin/room, and free time visiting with others, followed by a short devotional before bedtime. Please let John Williams know if you are planning to attend, so we will know how to plan for housing assignments and meal preparation. I am sure I am not reaching everyone in every congregation with this , so please help in getting the message out to everyone, through posting this invitation in your church bulletins, verbal announcements in your church services for the until the 11th, and personal invitations. I hope to see you there! In Christ, John John Williams, Mission Center President Rio Grande Mission Center (home) (cell) Here and on the next page are a few pics from Reunion. (hopefully I ll have more to come in future editions. This year we were short on numbers, but not on smiles! I truly enjoyed teaching the children s classes, even though we didn t accomplish (really anything) that I intended to, It was fun getting to know the kids and having fun with them. We had great services, and Linda Booth brought some great ministry. I truly hope that you consider attending next year. Start planning now! ~ Carol Bevel

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5 Page 5 On July 30th, Amarillo had 3 children blessed. Then followed it up with a Mexican Pile On Pot Luck.

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