<![CDATA[Community of Christ in Canada

<![CDATA[Community of Christ in Canada - NEWS & STORIES]]>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:25:32 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Seeds of Peace: Connecting across Canada and around the world]]>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:02:53 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/seeds-of-peace-connecting-across-canada-and-around-the-world

By John Hamer, Director of Outreach and Innovative Mission

You won’t want to miss the church’s biggest event of the year! Stassi Cramm and other world church leaders will be hosting the 2026 Peace Forum at the Temple in Independence this October 16–18. The theme is “Seeds of Peace”: in a world distracted by so many ongoing crises, what can we do to plant seeds that can one day develop into enduring peace and justice?

If you are not able to travel to the United States this year, Community of Christ in Canada is holding two in-person gatherings: one in Vancouver, the other in the Greater Toronto Area. Events of the Peace Forum will be livestreamed to both locations, including the keynote address by environmentalist Bill McKibben, author of Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? In addition to the livestream, both Canadian gathering sites will host their own in-person workshops, presentations, and activities.

What to expect at the Greater Toronto Area Gathering

All generations are welcome! Saturday October 17 will include a youth and intergenerational track with activities including a young peace-maker scavenger hunt and team puzzle-solving challenges. There will be presentations about:

💥 The ongoing suffering in Gaza and the West Bank and how Churches for Middle East Peace can help us learn about, connect, and support local NGOs working to help
☢️ The accelerating danger of nuclear weapons proliferation and how Community of Christ has teamed up with churches across Canada through Project Plowshares to address the crisis
🧡 Specific calls to churches from Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission and ways we can foster justice for peoples of the First Nations
🤝 Religious intolerance on the rise around the world and in Canada and how Encounter World Religions promotes peace through learning about our neighbours
🎨 Workshops, crafting peace and good will cards, spiritual practices, a game night and more!

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER - GTA

What to expect at the Vancouver Gathering

Get ready for hands-on activities, including:

🧵 A “Sew it, Don’t throw it” workshop promoting re-use over recycling
🌲 A tour of Canada’s Temperate Rainforest
🌎 A group river clean-up
🧘‍♀️ Spiritual activities including guided meditation.
🗣️ Joshua Bennett from Chennai, India, will talk about ways the church is confronting the injustice of the Caste System
🗣️ Christian Skoor-Smith who will help us unleash the power of positive thinking.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER - VANCOUVER

Cross-Canada discussion groups

Both gatherings will include a session where younger adults across Canada will connect via videoconference to answer the question “What should ‘being a peace church’ look like in the 21st century?” Plan to connect, even if you cannot make it to Vancouver or the GTA.

Because our Canadian Mission Centre Conference will be held online this year, the Peace Forum is our biggest opportunity this year to connect as a church in groupings beyond congregations and reunions. You won’t want to miss out on either local gathering. And the activities and topics provide a great opportunity to invite children and grandchildren or friends join you. Please do! We hope to see you there.

]]><![CDATA[Not the typical Community of Christ guest minister type, if there is one]]>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:26:59 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/not-the-typical-community-of-christ-guest-minister-type-if-there-is-one

Here’s what happened when Mary Cusack, newly graduated from seminary, risked something new and agreed to serve as guest minister at McGowan’s Lake, a camp she had never been to.

I couldn’t really fully process what Vonda was suggesting at our graduation ceremony in December of 2025. We had just completed all the assigned work to earn a Master of Arts in Religion from Graceland Seminary and were about to celebrate the successful conclusion to this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Vonda DenBoer, Pat Pallister and I had been Seminary pals and were so excited to be together receiving our masters’ hoods and ministerial stoles together. Vonda hinted that I should be prepared to be called to possibly serve as a guest minister in Canada! I didn’t have too much time to let it sink in, but I was kind of stunned at the suggestion.

A few months later Vonda contacted me again to ask me to participate in a reunion at McGowan’s Lake and described the people there as friendly, spiritually minded, and as being a group of folks who would have an appreciation for sacred formation. She said that she thought that I would really connect with them. I wasn’t sure why she felt this to be true, and I definitely didn’t believe I had the ability to participate as a guest minister, but I let my insecurities go and just said yes. I had learned in life never to say no when I perceived that God was asking me to do something. I also thought that if Vonda trusted that I could serve this way, there must be something to it.

I initially met Wanda White and Elizabeth Young, who immediately responded to me and helped me with all aspects of putting the reunion plans into reality. I was fortunate to have them offer support and hard work to get things in order for me. I had a few requests for things to make the classes work and everything I asked for was provided! God was definitely and directly involved for us all, in that the group wished to have the children be able to participate in some way, and my wife Miriam was a teacher and had gotten the necessary Community of Christ certifications to work with the kids. I pursued this certification as well. While I held active and involved classes with the adults, Miriam designed fun, hands-on activities that mirrored the material presented for the children at the back of the hall.

I admit I am not the typical Community of Christ guest minister type, if there is one. I have numerous tattoos and piercings as well as bleachy highlighted hair. I wondered if this might be a hindrance for me to give a faithful presentation to the group? I needn’t have worried. Everyone was welcoming, warm and interested in talking to Miriam and I from the start. I told everyone that I had a lot of trouble remembering names, but I found that it was really easy to remember everyone because they were all, every single person, so kind and engaging with us. The kids related well to Miriam and the adults participated thoughtfully and openly in all the classes. Despite some rain that week, we were able to sit out together in a small group outside in a circle and get into some really intimate conversation. It was at times humorous and at other times pretty deep sharing together.

Although it was important for me as a first time presenter to learn the material and sit in the zoom meetings or attend the recorded zoom meetings, I was also encouraged by Vonda and other spiritual mentors to make it my own and be myself. People at McGowan’s Lake reiterated this idea by encouraging me as well.

In addition to all this, we were blessed to have Leandro Palacios come join us for rousing campfire songs that everyone loved! We had some percussion instruments to add to the fun and the kids even led a few songs. Pat Pallister also came up to McGowan’s Lake for the week. I can’t express how much support I felt from her. Pat led some cool campfire activities and got us all up and moving!!! Even Vonda came overnight to offer her support and calming presence.

The whole week was amazing and combined lots of fun with a real Community of Christ spiritual connection. I was privileged to be part of the 55th anniversary of McGowan’s Lake worship service and could really see the reality of becoming aware of what a sacred place looks like. Miriam and I found wonderful friends and plan to definitely return to this holy, spiritually connected place!

]]><![CDATA[What is a temple? The Bible has more than one answer]]>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:19:54 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/what-is-a-temple-the-bible-has-more-than-one-answer

By John Hamer, Director of Outreach and Innovative Mission

The focal point of Community of Christ’s international headquarters complex in Independence, Missouri, is the Temple. Across Christian denominations, significant places of worship are commonly called cathedrals or basilicas. Very few use the designation “temple.” The primary exception is other denominations within the Latter Day Saint or Restoration movement, especially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church) headquartered on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Temples have become ever more central to the LDS church, which has constructed hundreds of them around the world and is currently engaged in building dozens more. Entrance into LDS temples is restricted. Only fully committed church members who pay a “full tithe” (understood as 10% of their income) and pass other tests of “worthiness” are allowed inside. The interiors of LDS temples are set apart for temple rituals unique to the Mormon tradition, including proxy baptisms on behalf of the dead, the “sealing” of married couples and families in the afterlife, and the “endowment” ceremony, which is also seen as a preparation for the afterlife.

Our own Temple in Independence is very different. It is open to everyone. There are no tests of fellowship to enter. It is the symbol of our mission initiative of “developing disciples” by fostering a culture of life-long learning. The Temple houses the library and archives of the church and our Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). Most importantly, the Temple in Independence is dedicated to world peace, and our sole temple ritual is the prayer for peace.

Though very different today, both the LDS and Community of Christ temple traditions ultimately spring from the same source. This was the longing of members in the 1830s to “restore” the practices of the earliest Christian community as described in the Book of Acts. Acts chapter 2, verse 46 says that “day by day” the first Christians in Jerusalem “spent much time together in the temple.” Having read this passage, members of the Restoration longed to restore the same experience by building a temple of their own in Kirtland, Ohio, the headquarters of the church in 1836. This vision of the earliest Christians sharing and worshiping together in the Jerusalem temple has continued to inform our understanding of the Temple in Community of Christ.

The LDS understanding of temples changed when early members moved from the original goal of “restoring” the early Christian church to an expanded goal of “restoring all things,” including ideas and practices found in the Old Testament. According to the traditions recorded in the Hebrew Bible, the worship of the God of Israel was confined to a single location: the Jerusalem temple (and its predecessor, the tabernacle). It was in this single location that Aaronic priests and Levites ritually sacrificed offerings of animals and plants. And God’s presence was understood to dwell behind a veil or curtain within the temple’s innermost precinct, the Holy of Holies. No human was allowed to enter this sacred space, except the High Priest, who entered it on a single day, to offer a sacrifice that atoned for the entire people. While LDS temple practices did not revive animal sacrifice, Mormon temple rituals were believed to be based on rituals practiced in the Jerusalem temple at the time of Solomon. (In fact, the direct inspiration were rituals of contemporary Freemasonry, which were inaccurately thought to have great antiquity.)

Besides the idea of temples found in the Old Testament and Acts, the Bible includes a third vision of the temple. The gospels tell the story that at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, the veil covering the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem was torn open—symbolizing the end of the idea that God’s presence was confined to a single, physical house. The universal God is present everywhere in the universe and can be worshiped everywhere. Christ himself served as the ultimate atoning sacrifice, ending ritual sacrifice at a physical temple.

This third Biblical view of temples is found in the First Epistle of Peter. The author of First Peter names Christ, the living stone, as the cornerstone of a spiritual temple:

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4–5)

In this understanding, the meaning and imagery of the temple as “the house of the Lord” lives on for Christians—even as the physical temple in Jerusalem lost its function and was soon afterwards destroyed forever. Disciples who follow Christ’s example allow themselves to become the living stones of a temple that is spiritual rather than material. Thus, in the same way that God’s Church is not a building—it is the people—the true, living temple—the house in which the Lord’s Spirit can dwell—consists of all of us, everywhere, as we seek to embody Christ in the world and in our own communities.

]]><![CDATA[What struck me most at the Healing and Freeing Reunion]]>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:58:55 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/what-struck-me-most-at-the-healing-and-freeing-reunion

By Debra Donohue, Creating Connection Program Director

I recently stepped into the role of National Director for Creating Connection after Troy Roach transitioned from Creating Connection in Eastern Canada to his new position as Canada's IT Coordinator.

Last week, I made my first official visit to Ontario, where I had the privilege of being the guest minister for the Healing and Freeing Reunion at Ziontario. Although it was a smaller reunion—with about 40 participants at the beginning of the week and 25 remaining through camp closing—the impact it had on those who attended was anything but small.

Throughout the week, I heard story after story about how meaningful this reunion has been over the years. Many described it as a place that helps them "reset"—a space where healing can begin, relationships can deepen, and people can simply be themselves. The atmosphere of generosity, compassion, and acceptance was evident everywhere. I witnessed people freely sharing their time, resources, listening ears, and open hearts.

Some came seeking healing for themselves. Others came to support the healing of someone else. Still others returned because they longed for a community where they knew they would be welcomed, valued, and included.

What struck me most was the people themselves. Everyone I met was genuinely interested in others, eager to share their stories, and deeply caring. I left feeling encouraged and grateful for the connections I made.

One of the exciting possibilities that grew out of my visit is bringing a Nurturing Spirit Retreat to Ontario within the next year. We've been offering Nurturing Spirit retreats in British Columbia and Alberta for the past 15 years, and I'm excited to share these experiences with our friends in Eastern Canada. I also know that we'll learn just as much from one another as we share ideas, resources, and experiences across the country. I believe this is the beginning of even stronger connections between our regions.

This fall, I'll be hosting a series of Zoom gatherings for anyone across Canada who would like to learn more about Creating Connection. We'll offer sessions on different days and at different times to make them as accessible as possible.

I hope you'll join us—not only to learn more about Creating Connection and the work we're doing, but also so I can get to know you. I'd love to hear your ideas, celebrate your successes, and learn about the projects and ministries you're passionate about. Together, we can continue finding new ways to build meaningful connections in our communities.

I look forward to meeting many of you soon.

]]><![CDATA[From a simple invitation to a heartfelt poem — a story from Erie Beach]]>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:46:01 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/from-a-simple-invitation-to-a-heartfelt-poem-a-story-from-erie-beach

By Vonda DenBoer, Director of Camping & Campground Sustainability

Chuck had hoped to return to Erie Beach Reunion this year—a campground that held many cherished memories from his youth—but he didn't want to come alone. So he invited his friend, Tom, to join him with no expectations or strings attached. Tom accepted the invitation, expecting simply to relax in the sun, enjoy the beach, share meals, and spend time with his friend.

When I arrived on Tuesday, I discovered Tom fully participating in the adult class and embracing the reunion experience. Later in the week, Mark, who was organizing the talent night, invited Tom to take part. Once again, Tom said yes. He wrote a poem and shared it with the community.

Chuck said yes to extending an invitation. Mark said yes to creating another opportunity for participation. Tom said yes to stepping beyond what he had expected and trying something new.

What a beautiful reminder of the power of invitation. A simple invitation can open the door to new experiences, new relationships, and unexpected moments of growth. It also takes courage to accept an invitation—to risk participating, to be vulnerable, and to share something of ourselves with others.

With Tom's permission, I am delighted to share his poem with you.

  The Tapestry
  by Tom Daly

  God led me to a group this week.
  I am but a tiny bee,
  just a thread in the completion
  of the Erie Beach Reunion tapestry.

  I arrived without any expectation,
  only to enjoy the water, the food, and the sun.
  There will always be people to talk to;
  it would add up to a week of fun.

  I thought I'd be supportive and courageous,
  try something new, attend the Sunday service,
  practically in the front row pew.
  God jogged my memory, past experiences anew.

  I felt Community of Christ surrounding me.
  Then I felt all the peace and the love,
  renewed peace to accept my own presence,
not like a stranger, unaccepted, but God's plan from above.

]]><![CDATA[What reunion is the greatest? — Reflecting on my visit to McGowan’s Lake]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:35:22 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/what-reunion-is-the-greatest-reflecting-on-my-visit-to-mcgowans-lake

By Leandro Palacios, Director of Communications

“You are leading campfire tonight,” the camp director said to me. I think she sensed the anxiety I was trying to hide behind a big smile when I said, “Sure, let’s do it!”

When I visit reunions, I usually skip campfire because the songs are unfamiliar to me. I didn’t grow up in this church, and I didn’t grow up going to camps at all! But when camp director Wanda White invited me to the McGowan’s Lake Reunion specifically to lead the closing campfire, I thought, “Risk something new!”

I wasn’t feeling very confident—this was uncharted territory for me—but I was able to rearrange my schedule to arrive a day earlier than planned. I thought this would give me a chance to learn which songs people usually sing at this camp. Instead, when I arrived, I learned that I had about an hour to decide what to do.

This was my first visit to McGowan’s Lake Campground, located an hour southwest of Ottawa. I had seen a few old pictures, but I did not anticipate what it would feel like to be there. So green. So quiet. So peaceful. I noticed something very spiritual that was making me feel at home. What was that?

But there was no time for philosophical reflection. It was campfire time already. Honouring the theme “Risk Something New,” we tried some new songs interspersed with old favourites. Then something happened. I guess this is what Vonda DenBoer, Director of Camping & Campground Sustainability, calls a “God moment.”

The youngest person at the reunion stood beside me and confidently began leading the group in singing, “The wheels on the bus go round and round…” Everyone joined in, singing and doing the hand motions. I didn’t know the song, but unlike at previous campfires, I joined in and had an awesome time. Something changed at that moment. I was no longer an outsider or just a guest. I belonged.

The following night, the campfire led by guest minister and fellow seminarian Mary Cusak was a great success. I sang and played as if campfire had been my favourite thing my whole life!

“For the least among all of you is the greatest” came to mind at that “God moment.” In Luke 9:48, Jesus points to a little child to end a dispute among the apostles who were fighting over who was the most important. But I was not thinking about the little child standing beside me. I was thinking about the church. This reunion was smaller than any other reunion I had visited. Does that make it the least? What about congregations with just a handful of members? Are they also the least?

When I studied this passage during seminary, I learned that a better translation may be, “For the least among all of you is great.” The gospel here may be telling us that the smallest and weakest can be as great as the largest and most powerful. “Greatest” suggests a hierarchy. “Great” suggests equality.

So often in Community of Christ, I have heard the expression “although we are small in number” used as a kind of disclaimer, as though something were wrong with our congregation, our camp, or the whole church. But what if our greatness had nothing to do with our size?

I heard some lamentation about small numbers during this visit, but the small size of this group allowed me to connect with everyone, including those I was meeting for the first time and those who were different from me. I had a chance to discover their diverse gifts and how each of them contributed to making this reunion truly great.

Of course, we want more people attending our events, and we must continue to invite them. But I think our sadness about being small sometimes causes us to stop inviting people—the very thing we need to do if we hope to grow. Risk something new: What makes your group great? Talk about it. Invite others to experience it. They might see how great your group is, just as I saw how great McGowan’s Lake Reunion is.

I hope to return in future years whenever my schedule allows, and I encourage everyone to try a reunion or retreat they have never attended before.

Who is the greatest disciple? The least among us is great, just as the others are great. What is the greatest reunion? Large reunions are great, just as the smallest one is great.

Upcoming camp events

]]><![CDATA[A place where we were loved first — Reflecting on SPEC 2026]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:54:05 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/a-place-where-we-were-loved-first-reflecting-on-spec-2026

By Apostle Shannon McAdam

Imagine a place where instead of being judged first, you are LOVED first. Imagine the risks you might be willing to take, the new things you'd try, the relationships you'd build if "Love First" was the rule that everyone lived by.

"Love First" was the theme for the week-long youth camp for Community of Christ youth and their friends that I got to attend as staff from July 11–18, 2026. This was my second year as staff for this camp, and I again was amazed by what a supportive and kind community formed in such a short time.

For my part, I offered a daily "Adventure Class" in embroidery where youth got to tell their story through a project unique to them. Thanks to lots of donated and thrifted materials, more than 40 campers made meaningful projects to take home with them. Campers of all genders attended, and most of them had never done embroidery before. We also made an altar cloth for the communion table as a group project.

Most of my time, though, was spent cheering on youth, which I love doing. From applauding many a great volleyball rally to hyping up campers about to audition for the talent show, I got to recognize their hard work and encourage our young people to try new things. It was incredible to witness their willingness to step out of their comfort zones and meaningful to see them cheer one another on as well.

More than 11 youth and two adult chaperones from Canada attended Spec this year with the Northwest delegation, who enthusiastically welcomed their Canadian siblings with open arms. Our Canadians did incredibly in a wide variety of activities, representing Canada very well. Many thanks go to the individuals, congregations, and the mission centre for financially supporting these folks to travel and experience the transformative Spec community.

Next year will be extra special as youth from around the world will gather for three days before Spec at our Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, for the International Youth Forum (known as IYF). It will be the first time since Covid that IYF has taken place, and I am looking forward to seeing how even more youth from Canada and across our Aurora Belt field will be able to partake in loving, sacred, multi-cultural community.

So think about youth in Grades 9–12 who you think would benefit from this transformative, inclusive experience, and let them know to put two dates on their calendar for 2027: July 7–9 for IYF, and July 10–17 for Spec. And think about what you might do to help them go, maybe volunteering your time and talents, or through financial generosity. Together let's make 2027 a memorable year for even more of our youth!

]]><![CDATA[God moments in community]]>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:13:19 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/god-moments-in-community

By Vonda DenBoer, Director of Camping & Campground Sustainability

I know that every moment we are given on this giant blue ball we live on is a God-given moment. Yet I also recognize certain moments that seem to reveal God's presence in a particularly powerful way. I call these God moments.

At one camp, as someone was sharing a painful testimony about a difficult season in their life, K, who is autistic and can be loud and persistent, quietly moved beside the person and gently rested her head on their shoulder. In that simple, silent act, she expressed compassion and solidarity more profoundly than words ever could.

I witnessed another person become emotional while sharing an experience. Without hesitation, someone else quietly crossed the room and placed a comforting hand on their shoulder, reminding them that they did not have to carry their burden alone.

I learned of a father who mentioned to his best friend that he was bringing his child to camp. That simple conversation stirred memories of the friend's own camp experiences—memories filled with joy, belonging, and faith—and reminded him of the lasting impact camp had made on his life.

I see God moments when a young person has the courage to say, "I don't think that's right," and an adult responds with humility by listening and changing course.

I hear God in the enthusiasm of someone who comes to camp and is filled with such genuine joy that it becomes contagious, lifting the spirits of everyone around them.

When wildfire smoke, unsafe water, mosquito infestations, or the unexpected cancellation of guest ministry threaten to disrupt camp, and people respond quickly, wisely, and collaboratively to care for one another, God is present in those moments too. God is revealed through courage, compassion, wisdom, and community.

I invite you to watch for the God moments that surround you each day. They are often found in quiet acts of kindness, unexpected courage, gentle compassion, and faithful service.

And don't just look for God moments—create them. As you respond with courage to the promptings of the Spirit, you become part of God's work in the world. Someone else's God moment may begin with your willingness to listen, care, encourage, or simply be present.

May we pray that God will open our eyes to recognize these sacred moments and give us the courage to create them wherever we go.

]]><![CDATA[Everyone is invited to share the path]]>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:50:47 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/everyone-is-invited-to-share-the-path

By John Hamer, Director of Outreach & Innovative Mission

Community of Christ in Canada provides a number of resources for sharing invitation, including source files that can be printed as posters, framed pictures, or art on canvas. These include a set of images, representing our understanding of the church’s sacred inheritance: the Old Covenant, the New Covenant, and the Restored Covenant.

The first is an image of Mt. Sinai with a quotation from Exodus 3:5: “The place where you’re standing is holy.” In the Exodus story, the God of Israel communes directly with Moses on the mountain sharing the name “I Am” — revealing God as divine being and the source of all being.

The second image is the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with the simple words Mark 1:17: “Follow me.” In the gospels, Jesus walks along the shore, and seeing simple fishers, Simon-Peter, Andrew, and others, says “Follow me” — an invitation to embark on the path of the disciple.

The third image represents the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, and shares the quotation from The Epistle of James 1:5: “If you lack wisdom, ask God.” Two centuries ago, a young spiritual seeker named Joseph Smith Jr., troubled by doubts, came across this verse, rendered in King James’ English: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Taking this invitation seriously, he went into the woods near his home to pray. In later recollections, he remembered a spiritual experience that became known as his “First Vision” by members of the Restoration movement that grew up around him.

Sinai, Galilee, Palmyra — Old Covenant, New Covenant, Restored Covenant. These stories of connecting with the divine have long been rich sources of inspiration, but they have also been abused when people have looked back and interpreted the individual experiences as sources of authority and then misused the stories to make authoritarian claims.

By the 2nd century BC, the Torah had taken its final form, and tradition had imagined Moses as its author. When a Judean priest named Judas Maccabeus, outraged at the desecration of the Jerusalem Temple by King Antiochus IV, led a revolt — his family, the Maccabees or Hasmoneans, successfully established an independent Judean kingdom. Although short-lived, the Maccabean kings took the opportunity to conquer their neighbours, destroying the rival Samaritan temple. They also conquered the Idumeans to the south and the Galileans to the north. And using Moses as a source of authority, they forcibly converted these new subjects to Mosaic law.

In the Christian era, Jesus’ calling of Simon bar Jonah has been used to make incredible claims to divine authority. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus renames Simon “Peter” (rocky) and says: “upon this rock I will build my church” (6:18). Tradition named Peter the first bishop of Rome, and later Roman bishops — considering themselves the heirs of Peter — developed claims to primacy over everything on earth.

In the Restoration era, Joseph Smith's first vision led to the claim of the church he organized to be “the one and only true church on the face of the earth.” An exclusive claim to divine authority we originally maintained as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and a claim that is still made by many other expressions of the Restoration, including the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

From our perspective in Community of Christ today, all three of these authoritarian interpretations of scripture miss the point of the stories themselves. In all three cases, God chooses an ordinary individual. Moses is “slow of speech and tongue” — not the most obvious candidate for God’s spokesperson. Simon-Peter is a simple fisherman, seemingly ill equipped to spread a gospel message in the culturally sophisticated Greco-Roman world. Joseph Smith was a farm boy from a poor, downwardly mobile family in the American countryside. The conclusion we should draw is that God is not focused on powerful leaders; God is available to the most humble. God’s revelation is available to everyone.

That is the clear message in the scripture from The Epistle of James that inspired Joseph Smith to pray. It does not predict a chosen one will come in the latter days, to whom all authority will be given. It says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God gives generously to all. Not to just one state or kingdom. Not to just one church. Not to just one leader. God gives generously to all.

If you would like to make use of this set of three posters in your congregation or campground, you can download the source files here.

Posters and Media

]]><![CDATA[Are all truly welcome if we only speak to ourselves?]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:13:28 GMThttps://www.communityofchrist.ca/blog/are-all-truly-welcome-if-we-only-speak-to-ourselves

By John Hamer, Director of Outreach & Innovative Mission

Churches from many denominations put signs out in front of their doors that read “All are welcome.” Most are placed with honest intent by church members who believe that their congregation is welcoming. But being truly welcoming isn’t as easy as saying so. Humans by nature are most comfortable with people they already know and next most comfortable with people who feel familiar — who look and act more or less like they do. Being truly welcoming requires effort on the part of members within the church—both congregations and camp communities—to learn about issues different people experience.

If a congregation in a particular country includes only natives of the country, they may not be aware of issues faced by members of the immigrant community. People from a nation’s historically dominant or privileged race do not share the experience of individuals from one that experiences regular discrimination. We are not born understanding issues faced by members of the transgender community. For this reason, Community of Christ’s affiliate Harmony sponsors a program that helps congregations learn how to become truly affirming and welcoming. If you’re part of a local congregation of the church and would like to find out how you can participate in the program, the details are on their website: Harmony.lgbt

Even congregations with the best intentions of being welcoming can be unwelcoming. When someone is writing a sermon, a lesson, or a prayer, the audience they picture is usually the people they know — the same members of the church who come back week after week. Those regulars share the same experience, language, and traditions of what church is and what church means. And since everyone knows what we do in church, people never think to explain what it is we’re doing and why. And that works fine when everyone’s in the know. But it fails to work when a new person walks into the church and doesn’t know what’s going on. The church has unintentionally become unwelcoming.

When I travel across Canada and around the world, I love to tour the Community of Christ buildings and campgrounds that exist in each location. These always have their own unique character and back story. One of the first things I do is ask: what about this space says “Community of Christ”? How does this building communicate our particular distinctives? Next, I try to think to myself: what would this look like to someone who has no prior experience with Community of Christ? What does it say about us as a sacred community? Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised by welcome centers that tell our story, share our principles, and our initiatives.

For myself, each week as I lead a team preparing the component parts of our Beyond the Walls worship services, I try to be welcoming by going through a similar exercise. When I read the text of a sermon, lesson, or prayer, I ask myself: what would someone joining us for the first time make of this or that phrase? If it’s completely opaque, can we add a sentence or even a few words to introduce the idea and give it context? It’s not the easiest thing to do — and, moreso, it’s not the easiest thing to remember to do.

As a church, I think Community of Christ members desire to be true to our word that “all are welcome.” But as with so many things, being truly welcoming requires self-reflection, thought, and effort. As you go through the next week sharing in church-related activities as a leader or participant, I invite you to go through this same exercise. Ask yourself, if you had no experience with the church, would you understand what was being said during this worship service or in this camping activity? You may be pleased to find that people are already doing a good job of making sure we’re explaining ourselves to others. Or we may uncover subtle or even substantial areas for improvement. Let’s be intentional about being welcoming. Let’s say “All are welcome” and truly mean it.

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