Except for fighting the crowds, everyone loves the idea of a summer trip. But if you’re itching to soak in a bit of church history, see an incredible site, and beat the crush of tourists, you don’t have to wait for summer.
     The Kirtland Temple in Ohio has begun its spring hours, which will run through April. Guests may visit from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. On Sunday, the hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
     Exceptions will be on Good Friday and Easter, when the Temple will be closed.
     The Temple, also known as the House of the Lord, is a National Historical Landmark. It still is used for worship, education, and leadership.

​     It’s time to make travel plans.
    If you like stories, learning about church heritage, and seeing spectacular fall vistas, you’ll want to sign up for a tour sponsored by the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.
    “A Story to Tell: Women in Community of Christ History,”  scheduled October 5–15, will offer stories of hardship, inspiration, and faith.
     The tour will span eight states and include stops at numerous church, historic, and scenic sites. Visit www.historicsitesfoundation.org/womens-history-tour.html for more information.

       If you’re seeking an internship, working for the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation checks all the key boxes.
        They bring college credits, a salary, an opportunity to deepen your faith, and a lot of fun.
        For more information about internships, visit  www.CofChrist.org/human-resources-job-opportunities.
     Interns at the Joseph Smith Historic Site in Nauvoo, Illinois, and the Kirtland Temple in Ohio will lead walking tours while serving as historical interpreters.
 

​            Thanks.
            It’s a simple word, but it comes from the heart of board members and supporters of the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.
            Thanks for caring. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for helping the foundation meet its December fundraising goal of $25,000 in 25 days.
            Your generosity is remarkable. It will help support new education programs, host more Storyteller events, and continue a fascinating series of tours. Most important, it will help people connect with their church heritage in meaningful and personal ways.
            Again, thanks!

                It’s January.
            Predictably, much of North America is wrapped in snow, ice, and cold. It’s the kind of weather that makes a person want to hunker down in front of the fireplace and avoid—at all costs—stepping outside.
            But if you’re forced to stay inside, perhaps you can use the time to plan something worthwhile, like a trip to one—or more—of the properties supported by the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation. Spring isn’t far off, and summer will bring a season of opportunities.
            You could check out the Joseph Smith Historic Site in Nauvoo, Illinois; visit the Kirtland Temple complex in Ohio; stop at the Plano Stone Church in Illinois; check out Liberty Hall in Lamoni, Iowa; or visit Heritage Plaza near the Temple in Independence, Missouri.
            Don’t let the weather get you down; start planning today!

      Preservation of a piece of church history will take place because of a grant recently approved by the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.
      The $6,500 grant will fund photographing of preaching charts. They’re relics from an earlier era, made from cloth. They contain folk art and illustrate sermon points and scriptural stories. They’re often huge, sometimes surpassing 20 feet.
            “They were the ultimate visual aid,” said Board Member Scott Britton-Mehlisch.
           Because of their size, special photography equipment is needed.
         “We want to document them and preserve them,” said Lachlan Mackay, director of the church’s historic sites. “You’re not going to do it with an iPhone.
          “We understand their importance from a historical standpoint.”
          Mackay said more than 100 are in the church’s collection.

In recent years, Storytellers events have offered guests fascinating glimpses into personalities and themes involving church history.
The program at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, will be no different. Guests will hear stories from Lachlan Mackay, Barbara Walden, and Carole Price about “Community of Christ Women of the Past.” Also, a few audience members might contribute stories of their own.
All are welcome to the event, which will be at the Village Heights Congregation, 1009 Farview Drive, in Independence, Missouri. Storytellers programs are sponsored by the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.

They’re back, and they brought smiles, memories, and insights with them.
Fifty-one guests who joined a tour to the Holy Land sponsored by the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation, shared in a memorable pilgrimage.
The event, the foundation's first to the land where Jesus walked, featured three stages.
The first, a "pre-tour" October 20-23, included visits to Petra and the Dead Sea. The main tour, scheduled October 22-31, featured Jerusalem, Nazareth, Caesarea, and Jericho. Finally, the “post-tour” event, Oct. 30-Nov. 4, treated guests to the pyramids and the Red Sea. Some even got to ride camels!
Along the way, guests heard stories and learned about the church’s history in the region.
​

The Joseph Smith Historic Site is renowned as a draw for visitors to the city of Nauvoo, Illinois. On Saturday, October 26, guests not only will have a chance to visit the site one more time before it closes for the winter, but they’ll be able to enjoy the city's annual Pumpkin Walk and parade.
The event, a Halloween treat suitable for the entire family, will feature hundreds of unique, hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns that will be displayed along Mulholland Street, route of a delightful parade. Many merchants will extend operating hours and offer special treats.