Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation has assembled a considerable collection of resources to bring church history to life for you, your family, and your congregation. Scroll down to see the wide variety of worship resources, lesson plans, biographies, historic photograph collections, publications, and other useful and engaging materials that you can download directly from this website or acquire by contacting the Foundation.
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Church History LecturesTake a moment to explore our online library of church history lectures. Our collection includes the life and legacy of a number of church leaders such as Marietta Walker, Joseph Smith III, William Blue, Charles Neff, Edward Ellsworth Guy, Alice Smith Edwards, and more. You can explore Community of Christ's global history from the comfort of your own home through our "Church History Without Boundaries" series. This series explores church heritage in England, Korea, the Philippines, Nigeria, and more. The lecture topics are as diverse as the many guest speakers delivering the lectures. Click the button below to find a lecture topic that matches your interest in the past.
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Church History eBooksOur latest resources feature a collection of stories from over 180 years of church history. From compassion in Kenya to the women in the Sandwich congregation extending a hand to a family in need, the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation has collected a wide variety of stories that shine a light on the powerful lessons from the past.
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Storytellers Publication
The story of the Community of Christ includes fascinating stories from the all over the world. Church members have pursued peace and justice, encountered the divine, and built vibrant congregations in countries across the globe. Our new "Storytellers" publication, "Go Ye Into All the World," includes a few stories from countries where church members have made a difference.
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Mission Initiatives
Discover the many examples in church history where members of the early church were living and practicing the Mission Initiatives. The Mission Initiatives Resources page gives you access to the Mission Initiative Storyteller, as well as Herald articles and Heritage Day worship services to illustrate the Mission Initiatives in action in church history.
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Enduring Principles
Although the Enduring Principles were first introduced only a few years ago by President Veazey, the full sweep of Community of Christ history is filled with examples of members living the Enduring Principles. Download a copy of our 6-page resource that includes a story from church history for each of the Enduring Principles.
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Kirtland Temple Pilgrimage
This resource is designed for individuals and congregations interested in exploring the relationship between spiritual discipline and church heritage. The twelve lesson plans cover topics including discernment, sacred space, solitude, spiritual preparation and prayer in the context of the historic Kirtland Temple.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Our enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers are the backbone of our historic sites. Find out how you can contribute your time and talents to the Community of Christ Historic Sites. By volunteering, you will build a deeper connection to church history and heritage, build lasting relationships with your fellow volunteers, and assist the mission of the church in teaching and preserving our history.
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Heritage Day Resources
Each year, Community of Christ celebrates church heritage during the Heritage Day worship service held the third Sunday in September. Our Heritage Day Resources page has special worship services we have prepared over the last several years, as well as links to other online materials you can use to celebrate church heritage with your congregation.
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History Activities for Children
Get your kids excited about Community of Christ history with our library of short stories, worksheets, and lesson plans for today's active youth. The resources are designed for families, youth programs, and Sunday school instructors interested in sharing church heritage.
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Worship Resources
Testimonies, biographical sketches, and stories that will help enhance any worship experience. Whether at an evening gathering, prayer and testimony service, or a weekly Sunday morning worship, the brief readings are designed to help create a "heritage moment" for you and your congregation.
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Joseph Smith III Lesson Plans
As one explores these fifteen weekly lesson plans, instructors and students alike will discover the "power not my own" that led Joseph Smith III to guide the Community of Christ for 54 years. The devotion of our "pragmatic prophet" to fulfill God's will sparked a faith movement to express a passionate desire for a world as God perceives it, rather than a world through human eyes.
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Emma Smith Lesson PlansSimilar to the Joseph Smith III educational resource, the Emma lesson plans capture the age old story of Emma Hale Smith. Her life was filled with triumphs and tragedies, powerful life lessons, and meaningful examples of grace, generosity, and sacrifice. Each of the twenty-two weekly lesson plans include stimulating discussion questions, class activities, and meaningful reflections on how our "Elect Lady's" story continues to speak to us today.
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The ForumCommunity of Christ Historic Sites Foundation's exciting semi-annual newsletter. The Forum features stories of people experiencing the power of Community of Christ heritage, volunteers serving at the historic sites, community and youth programs, and the significant impact of your generous contributions towards the preservation of our historic sites.
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