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E ASTERN G REAT L AKES M ISSION C ENTERT HE B EACOND ECEMBER 2021Jesus Loves MeBy Denise Hoyt“Jesus loves me, this I know – forthe Bible tells me so ” Admit it –you just sang those words, didn’tyou?!? I don’tremember everlearning thissong – I justalways knew it,and most in my congregation feltthe same when I asked thequestion a few weeks ago. If youfall into this category it is becauseyour grownups sang it to you longbefore you could identify notes andwords. What a heritage andblessing they gave us!We don’t tend to identify this songwith the Christmas season, but I’mthinking that maybe we should.What is Christmas about if not thatJesus loves us? Jesus loves us somuch that he left his heavenlyhome for abit to live thehuman lifeand show usthe best wayto dothat. Heloves us so much that evenwhen we make choices that moveus away from the Divine, there isalways reconciliation waiting whenwe are ready. You may get tired ofhearing me say this, but there isnothing you can do to make Godlove you more and nothing youcan do to make God love youless. True knowledge of the depthand breadth of that love is apriceless gift, given by the HolyI NSIDESpirit. Be thankful if you have evena tiny portion of that gift.T ENTATIVE E ASTERNG REAT L AKES MCC ALENDAR2AND don’t hog it all to yourself!!!!!People News3Wanted: YourStories for DailyBread3D EVELOPMETRICSU PCOMING C LASSES3Online AdventService3N EWS FROMK IRTLAND4N EWS FROM E LYRIA5N EWS FROMA KRON /B ARBERTON5If we are to be the hands and feetof Jesus in the places where wedwell, we must actively show thesame love toward all of creation. Ifwe say with our mouth that ALLPEOPLE HAVE WORTH, we needto back that up with actionsto communicate that loudly. Eventhose of us who have been wellloved from our beginnings havetrouble truly believing that God canlove us as we are. How much moredifficult must it be for those whohave not experienced human love?This path is not easy, but if we canremember that Jesus loved Judasas much as the other eleven wemight be able to show morecompassion to thatperson that takes afull cart through the“7 items or less”checkoutline. Good wordsare great, butactions will always speaklouder. The little thing youdo to show someone how muchyou value them could be the onething that helps them realize howmuch Jesus loves them.This Christmas and beyond, let usfollow our best example.

T HE B EACONP AGE 2Tentative Eastern Great Lakes Mission Center 2022 CalendarNew Mission Center Office Hours:Tuesday 9am-3pm & Wednesday 9am-3pmWeb site: eglmc.org Church Updates: https://cofchristeglmc.churchupdates.orgJanuary 1January 6January 16January 17JanuaryNew Year’s DayEpiphanyRacial Justice DayMLK DayFebruary 13February 14February 21FebruaryYouth Ministries DayValentine’s DayPresidents DayMarch 2March 6March 13March 18-20March 25-27April 6April 10April 14April 15April 17April 22May 8May 13-15May 30MarchAsh WednesdayFirst Sunday of Lent/World Hunger Emphasis DayDaylight Savings Time BeginsEGLMC Jr & Sr high spring retreat(TENTATIVE)EGLMC Young Adult retreat(TENTATIVE)AprilAnniversary Church 1860Organization & ReorganizationPalm/Passion SundayMaundy ThursdayGood FridayEasterCall in Day for Reunion Housing(TENTATIVE)MayMother’s DayTemple Grove Work Weekend(TENTATIVE)Memorial DayJunePentecost/Endowment DayWorld Church Event 2023 WorldConference PreparationJune 19Father’s Day/JuneteenthJune 26-July 2 EGLMC Summer Youth Camp(TENTATIVE)June 5June 9-11July 2-8July 4July TBAJuly 23-30JulyEGLMC Reunion/Family Camp(TENTATIVE)Independence DayEmma Smith Hymn FestKirtland TempleSpectacular, Graceland University(Lamoni, IA) (TENTATIVE)AugustSeptember 4September 5September 17September 18September 21SeptemberWorld Hunger Emphasis DayLabor DayFall Festival (TENTATIVE)Heritage DayInternational Day of PeaceTBAMission Center Fall ConferenceOctoberWomen’s Retreat at Temple Grove(TENTATIVE)October 16Children’s SabbathOctober 21-23 Young Adult Retreat (TENTATIVE)October 7-9NovemberNovember 1 All Saints DayNovember 4-6 Jr & Sr High Fall Retreat(TENTATIVE)November 6 Daylight Savings Time EndsNovember 24-25 Thanksgiving MC Office ClosedNovember 27 First Sunday of AdventDecemberDecember 4 Independence Temple AdventService Live Webcast (tentative)December TBA Kirtland Temple Hymn FestivalDecember 23-1/4 MC Office Closed for Christmasand New Years

T HE B EACONPeople NewsBlessings:Liam Thomas Cummings son ofJeremy & Rebecca Cummings wasblessed August 25, 2021 by HighPriest Nina WarrinerLydia Lynn Cummings daughterof Jeremy & Rebecca Cummingswas blessed August 25, 2021 byElder James WarrinerMarriages:Whitney Lynn Davidson marriedAndrew Clark September 10, 2021.Evangelist Steve Davidsonofficiated.Brandon McCaffrey marriedRebekah Humphrey June 5, 2021.Sam Humphrey officiated.Staci Cope married MikeHammary September 4, 2021.Elder Patty Spears officiated.Moved:Will & Karen Davidson—Kirtland, OhioDale & Vicki Gowins–St. Marys, West VirginiaDeaths:Elsie Baker—GreenwoodMark DiSantis—New PhiladelphiaBeth Hibbs—New PhiladelphiaP AGE 3:Your Stories for DailyBreadDaily Bread stories are alwaysneeded, but particularly now.What is God’s invitation to you inthe new year? When have youexperienced the sacred lately? Shareyour story today through the DailyBread Writers Guide pageat www.cofchrist.org/daily-bread-O NLINE A DVENT S ERVICED ECEMBER 12 THJoin the worldwide church in anAdvent worship service planned for12 December. Special music andministryfrom around the world will connectus to ways “The People Walk.”This experience will be streamed,available at 4:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.Central Time USA on thechurch's Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/CofChrist,and YouTube channel. An archivedversion will be available later.As plans are completed, members ofthe First Presidency are anticipatedto take part, as will Grammynominated organist Jan Kraybill, andmembers of the church from manylocations.DevelopmetricsUpcoming SessionsBlue Session (Winter) – Starts January 8(Enroll starts in mid-December) Ministry of the Deacon (MP 302) This6-week class explores what Deacons need toknow, be, and do in their essential role in thecongregation. Students learn how the Deacons’ministry connects ministries of hospitality,preparation, and stewardship with households,families, the congregation, and community.Required for all preparing for ordination to theoffice of Deacon. Introduction to Priesthood (MP300) This course explores the covenantprinciples at the heart of faithful priesthoodministry. These covenant principles form thefoundation on which responsibilities of specificpriesthood offices are built. Required class forall new ordinands. Introduction to PastorsMinistry Those who accept the responsibilityto lead in Community of Christ congregationscan benefit from this basic 6-week course thatexplores:– Pastor as Representative Minister– Pastor as Listener Leader– Pastor as Presider– Pastor as Priesthood Shepherd– Pastor as Administrator– Pastor as Resource Ministry of the High Priest (MP307) This 8-week class gives new insights intothe ministry of high priests in congregations,mission centers, and communities. The lessonsgive special attention to collaborative leadership;expectations and role of World Churchministers; and building bridges between people,congregations, and communities and where Godis calling them to be. Generational Overview (miniclass) This 3-week class will review the rapidlychanging generational paradigms in westernculture and their effect on people’s approach tofaith and world views. Challenging questionshave affected our concepts of mission inCommunity of Christ and areconsistently viewed through each lens ofgenerational experiences. This class will help uspeer through different lenses and consider futureprospects for relevance in the future.

T HE B EACONP AGE 4News from Kirtland CongregationBy Ruth CampbellAs we all struggle with living with Covid, Kirtland continues to be creative and work to meet community andcongregational needs.Pre Covid contacts have returned. Individuals from two separate AA groups call thebuilding home to therapeutic and operational meetings.A local square dance group, Broken Wheel, uses the facility for meetings and specialevents.Kirtland frequently hosts group dinners and special events for the community due tothe resource of the adjoining auditorium and kitchen facilities.October 11th the congregation served the Kirtland Area Service Council for the seniorpopulation.Whatever Wednesdays has been moved to Tuesdays. This has been a popular activity.Kirtland Area Service CouncilThe first one held since re-opening of the congregation was a chili dinner and gamenight on October26th.Thirty folks attended.On Wednesday October 27th the Kirtland Visitor Center did the community trunk ortreat. Over 100 children participated.On November 9th a turkey dinner was held for whatever Tuesday. Forty folks enjoyed adelicious meal along with turkey games.As it has been almost two years since we have met it seemed prudent to catch up on ouryoung folks. A lot can happen in two years!!!!Cierra Thomas plans to graduate next fall with an Associate Degree in Early ChildhoodEducation.Upon graduation Hailey Thomas will complete college prerequisites locally for two yearsfor microbiology engineering.Nancy Cervi and Myra Elliott,volunteer from Nauvoo Illinois, Ethan Smith had a long band season as Mentor High School played up to state finals.Kristin Ryhal has one semester to go and will graduate from Bowling Green Stateserving treats at trunk or treatnight at the Visitor’s Center.University with a nursing degree.Anna Ryhal is working from home as an IT consultant in North Canton.Kaeleigh Corrigan has been accepted at Bowling GreenState University and will major in studio art. Upongraduation she plans to attend Vancouver Film Institute tomajor in special effects makeup. She is marching with thehigh school band in Disney on November 20th. She islooking forward to marching with the BGSU band in thefall.Kirtland is excited to learn of one returning and one newfamily. Bruce and Gloria Crockett have returned to thearea. Bruce will direct the Spirit Formation Center. RogerRose and family will move to the area as Roger will beginduties January 1 as Director for the Historical Site ofKirtland. The Rose family are moving from Birmingham,Alabama. The congregation warmly welcomes bothfamilies.Photo by Nancy Cervi