Discernment – Chinook

Tag: Discernment

Discernment Journey Videos Released

Posted on May 20, 2022 by GPNW2020

In the fall of 2020, the Bridge of Hope Strategic Planning Team for the Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center followed a nudge to not just focus on how we were going to raise funds to meet our funding goal but also discern a “Bridge of Hope” to the future of who we are called to be as communities that live into our name, Community of Christ. What came out of the planning and conversations that followed was an invitation to our congregations and campgrounds to begin a journey of discernment. The discernment journey invitation provided a way for congregations and campgrounds to ground themselves in the holy work that was unfolding within God’s invitation for them as a community. To help with this, a discernment companion was assigned to journey with them. Many of our congregations, along with Lewis River Campground, have begun the journey!

At our recent Nuts & Bolts workshops, Kim Naten and I lead a session focused on discernment. As part of our planning, we recognized that we wanted folks to hear from disciples in our Mission Center who have been engaged in discernment. Therefore, three videos were created for this session.

The videos were:

“Discernment Within Community of Christ”: In this video, Pastors from Renton Community of Christ, along with their Discernment Companion, share with Kim Naten about their congregation’s response to the discernment journey invitation. Watch here: https://youtu.be/FyHcqvRJQi8.
“Discernment that Connects Us To the Community”: In this video, Pastor of Portland Community of Christ shares the journey that his congregation on when discerning whether to participate in a new missional opportunity in their community. Watch here: https://youtu.be/pv076ghQa3A.
“Discernment As A Way of Life”: In this video, leaders from Southridge Community of Christ share about a discernment journey that lead to the creation of their labyrinth. We hear their story through the lens as individual disciples, collectively as a congregation, and then how it connects them to the community. Watch here: https://youtu.be/6GcXmHljR5g.

We now share these videos with all of you as we learn from the wisdom shared by these faithful disciples.

Nuts & Bolts 2022

Posted on February 25, 2022 by GPNW2020

Remember that time, before the Pandemic? Many of you will recall that in March of 2020, the mission center was ready to launch our triennial workshop series, Nuts & Bolts, when the word “pandemic” entered our vocabulary. We canceled the first workshop, hoping to resume gathering by the second and third scheduled events. Ultimately, all 3 were canceled and we began a new (virtual) way of life on Zoom. However, we are again attempting to hold these important and informative workshops this spring, beginning in March.

Much has changed since our first Nuts & Bolts workshops back in 2011, and we intend our topics this season to go beyond the initial focus on the basics of congregational operation. We have grown, expanded our understanding of what it means to be a Christian community, and are continually exploring the question “What matters most for the Journey ahead?” Nuts & Bolts is NOT just for congregational leaders! All are invited and welcome to attend one (or more!) of the 3 workshops being offered this spring. The dates and locations are as follows:

March 19 | Register – University Place, WA
April 2 | Register – Portland, OR
April 23 | Register – Eugene, OR
April 23 | Register – Zoom option (hybrid)

Our theme for this year’s workshops is taken from our Mission Center Conference experience: A Spiritual Venture: Discern, Discover, Do and will feature such topics as discernment as a way of life, collaborative leadership, exploring what it means to be in Christian Community, stewardship of properties and facilities, the roles of priesthood, as well as moments of blessing focusing on the 3 areas within our theme. Workshops will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. (registration and settling in at 8:30 a.m.), and ending at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own beverages and lunch.

We look forward to offering what we anticipate will be a fun and informative learning experience, and opportunity to gather in fellowship. Masks WILL BE REQUIRED! Of course, if you believe you may have been in contact with someone with COVID, or are showing symptoms yourself, please plan to join the workshop on April 23^rd via Zoom. Once registered, you will receive additional materials, including the Zoom link for those joining on the hybrid workshop April 23^rd. Thank you! See you soon!