Mike's Meanderings, August 25: Election Days and Vacation Days

Tuesday was my first opportunity to have my vote count as a citizen of Arizona. While I’m grateful to have the right to participate in elections, I’m glad it’s over. I realize that negative adds get attention and evidently influence voters, but I do not like them. I quickly get tired of repeat adds about the “sins” of candidates, of exaggerated statements, and automated phone calls. I could not work from the office at Phoenix Central Tuesday since only persons associated with working the election were allowed in the building; a small price to pay for Phoenix Central’s willingness to contribute to civic duty. However, when I drove up to the church on Wednesday morning I was once more reminded of the downside of an election. Across the front lawn of the church were 18 signs left by campaign workers from both parties supporting a handful of candidates… left to be cleaned up by someone else. That may be the real message of the political process in our day and time.

As a reminder, Nancy and I will be flying to Nashville Thursday to attend Ryan’s (our future son-in-law) graduation from diesel mechanic school on Friday. It will be the first time since their engagement that both families will be together. Ryan and Whitney have made plans which include trying on wedding gowns and taking a “duck” tour of Nashville. This is so “them.” On the night of their senior prom, while dressed in tux and gown, the young couple went four-wheeling (at least no mud was involved). We look forward to our vacation time with them. We will be back in Arizona on Sunday night.

May God bless you this week as you count down the days to our next election or your next vacation.

Mission Center Youth Ministry Team Scheduled to Meet

Immediately following the Mission Center Council meeting, Saturday, September 11, the Youth Ministry Team will meet at 4:00 p.m. at Phoenix Central. The agenda includes a recap of the summer camping program as well as planning upcoming events. The team will also discuss the Sustainable Youth Ministry initiative. Judy Padegimas now serves as the leader of the team.

CFO Page Update: Two Reports

Congregational Financial Officers: The Community of Christ CFO page has been updated including two reports available as PDFs:


Selected Investment Topics August 2010 http://www.cofchrist.org/CFO/fiscal/SelectedInvestmentTopicsAugust2010.pdf

Historical Returns and Asset Allocation http://www.cofchrist.org/CFO/fiscal/AffilPoolHistoricalReturnsFY10.pdf

Updates to Shelby on Report

Recorders, Pastors, and Congregational Financial Officers (CFO): Updates to Shelby instructions for running reports and preparing special reports are now available from the Community of Christ web site.


Running Reports: http://www.cofchrist.org/memrecords/reports.asp

Special Reports: http://www.cofchrist.org/memrecords/special.asp

We'd Like to "Hear" Your Voice on Facebook

The Herald magazine team will post a question near the middle of each month on Community of Christ’s Facebook page and print some responses in the magazine’s “Voices” section. Your comments will give you a voice on worship, spirituality, discipleship, programs, theology, and more. If you have a Facebook account, join in by clicking on the Facebook icon at www.CofChrist.org/connect/. Check us out…and then speak up!

USA National Conference Will Be Held July 18-22, 2012, at International Headquarters

Find out more about the USA Apostles Team’s planning for this delegate conference through a video interview with Apostle Ron Harmon. See it on the "Spirit Led" DVD mailed to pastors, financial officers, field ministers, evangelists, high priests, and seventies, and on the web at www.CofChrist.org/USAConf. Also online and in the August Herald, read text from the Ron Harmon interview, an article about “Journeying toward a US National Conference,” and Frequently Asked Questions.