Community of Christ - Apostle Susan Skoor

Apostle Susan Skoor - Invitation Videos

Video 4 - Open/Closed

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Open/Closed

There are several possible outcomes for the Canadian National Conference:

There may be sufficient support among the Canadian church members to recommend to the First Presidency that Community of Christ priesthood be allowed to perform same-sex marriages.
There may be sufficient support among the Canadian church members to recommend to the First Presidency that persons called of God who are living in same-sex marriages be ordained priesthood in Community of Christ.
There may be sufficient support on both issues, to include both in a recommendation to the First Presidency.
There may be sufficient support against both issues to recommend to the First Presidency that no change in policy should occur in Canada.
There may be insufficient support to identify a clear path forward in either direction. In this case, the dialogue would continue and the issues would need to be considered again in several years, when the Canadian church is ready.

Which of these possibilities will occur? No one knows.

The outcome is completely open. It is our task to seek God’s will and guidance as we move toward the conference on June 16, 2012.

May the voice of the Canadian people clearly reflect the will of God, whatever it may be, as we meet to confer and discuss.

Video 3 - Prayer

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Prayer

Each of us must consider our personal viewpoints on the issues facing the church at the Canadian National Conference on June 16, 2012. Through the dialogue sessions, we can also hear and consider viewpoints that may be quite different from our own.

Performing same-sex marriages and ordaining people in same-sex marriages are controversial issues.
Wide diversity of ideas exists across Canada on these topics. Listening to one another is an important step in preparation for the conference.

But we must also listen to God’s voice and guidance.

Prayer, meditation, and spiritual discipline can open our minds and hearts to listen for God’s promptings. You may choose your own spiritual practices in drawing closer to God, and being open to hearing God’s will.

Pray often about the issues we will consider at the Canadian National Conference.
Pray for the Canadian Community of Christ – but also for the Community of Christ around the world, where people of other nations and cultures are concerned about these topics.
Seek God in silence and listen for the still small voice of God’s Holy Spirit.
Read and reflect on scripture that helps guide you. Use the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Open your heart to the scriptures.
Use meditation practices to quiet your mind and center your thoughts on God.
Be aware, present, and mindful of the holy in everyday life.
Fast from a favorite food, and each time you desire to eat that food, let it remind you of the purpose of your fasting: to seek God’s will.

May God bless you on your journey of exploration, listening, and seeking.

Video 2 - Facilitators

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Facilitators

The Canadian National Conference will be held on June 16, 2012. But in one way, it’s already begun! The preparation for this conference is a journey of discussion, prayer, and listening. And that journey includes dialogue sessions in each congregation, led by trained facilitators.

Sandee Gamet and Susan Skoor held two-day workshops with the dialogue facilitators in both Canada East and Canada West
Sandee trained the facilitators in the techniques of dialogue and listening, so they can better lead the Canadian church members in open discussion

Facilitated dialogue enables people of varying perspectives to talk and listen to one another as they share differing viewpoints on an issue.

Rules of good dialogue include the following:

Uphold confidentiality.
Demonstrate respect for each other.
All perspectives/points of view are honoured.
Offer perspectives without attempting to persuade another to your point of view.
Speak for yourself, not for others.
One person speaks at a time.
Cell phones are turned off.

Questions used for dialogue usually relate to a person’s experience and background. For instance, here’s a question that might be used:

“What in your background or life experience has led you to your current views on homosexuality?”

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in a dialogue session in your congregation, led by a trained facilitator.

Your voice is important. Your efforts to share in this journey of exploration are appreciated. You can facilitate the process by participating honestly and compassionately. Let’s listen to one another.

Video 1 - Connections

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Claim the Connection

Connect with other church members across Canada on June 16, 2012 at the Canadian National Conference.

Proposed gathering sites are the following locations:

CWM locations: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg
CEM locations: Sudbury, Owen Sound, Faubert Drive-Chatham, Woodfield-London, Kitchener, GTA West-Etobicoke, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton
Watch for updates as plans progress...

Connect with the two key issues which are under consideration for the conference:

What is your level of support for authorizing priesthood of Community of Christ to perform same-sex marriages in Canada?
What is your level of support for ordaining those in same-sex marriages who are called of God to serve in the priesthood?

Connect with your own feelings and perspectives on these issues:

What experiences in your life have led you to your current views on these topics?

Connect spiritually:

Pray about the issues. Spend time with God, listening for direction and guidance.

Connect with those whose ideas differ from yours. Share your story, and listen to theirs.

We are connected in the body of Christ, as a community of faith. Claim the connection.