 Congregations across Canada are coming together to draw the circle wide for World Accord. The goal is to raise $45,000 in 45 days, working together as one.
Instead of asking the same generous folks again, we’re inviting you to each reach out to 4–5 new people or organizations—friends, family, coworkers, or local businesses—and invite them to support World Accord’s crucial work. By connecting with a few, we can accomplish something big together. Let’s see if we can do it! Reach out to 4–5 people in 45 days to raise 45K. Share the vision. Invite them to give! Questions? Contact Kristin Parmera: [email protected] or 519-747-2215
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 By Sandra Hunter
I served on the Budget and Funding Systems Committee. I am thankful for this opportunity to share our recommendation with you. Our group considered the two existing models of funding—generosity and assessment—to recommend a model that will lead us Onward Together as a unified Mission Centre grounded in financial sustainability. Switching to one Mission Centre in Canada may sound like an administrative change—but we saw it as much more. It’s a vision coming to life. When I was in my early twenties, a group of us living in southern Ontario imagined a united Canada in our church—one mission, one family. It’s taken time, and not just time, but courage, patience, and faith. And now we are here. I know “financial sustainability” might not sound very sacred. But friends, this church is also a kind of business. Not a business for profit—but a business for mission. We have real costs: campgrounds, retreats, staff, technology, and buildings. The things we care about. The things that support old and young, those in cities and those in rural communities. If we want our sacred spaces to remain sacred spaces—not just memories—we need to plan wisely. We live in a time when our world—and our church—is changing fast. We’ve got a shrinking population in many congregations, rising costs, and wide distances between us. But through Beyond the Walls, we know what connection looks like. We already worship as one people across geography and time zones. Unity isn’t a theory anymore—it’s a living reality. And yet, to keep that reality alive, we need a foundation that is spiritually strong and financially sustainable. We recommend:
Can we imagine a church that is stronger, more nimble, more loving, more just? Can we support a structure that doesn’t just survive—but serves? We believe we can. And we believe in the people of this church. We’ve seen our generosity. We’ve seen how deeply we care for each other. As we continue to envision how to move Onward Together as Community of Christ in Canada, we invite you to be part of the conversation. Camp reunions this summer will be spaces of discernment with members of the Mission Centre Design Team and Canadian leadership. We look forward to receiving your reflections by email at: [email protected]. The recommendations will continue to take form, and you can follow updates on the website. About the Mission Centre Design Team The Mission Centre Design Team is a group of volunteers from across Canada who answered the call to imagine how we will embody Christ’s mission through a new, unified structure—one Canadian Mission Centre that honours the Spirit moving uniquely in every region. The team was subdivided into five groups. Each group drafted a recommendation for all members and friends to review and share their feedback with the Design Team.  Community of Christ is looking for a Director of Leadership Development to join their leadership team. This role reports to the Apostle of Canada and is a full-time, permanent role.
Job Overview: The Director of Leadership Development will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of Community of Christ’s leadership development strategy across Canada. This role is designed to nurture and equip current and future leaders to support Community of Christ’s mission. Responsibilities and Duties:
Skills and Qualifications:
How to apply: Applications should be sent to [email protected]. Each application should include the title of the role applying for as well as a cover letter and resume. Applicants will receive a confirmation email indicating their application has been submitted. Learn more about this position and other opportunities to serve on the website.  Mission Centre Design – What Is It?
You are invited into a journey of discovery and discernment about the future of Community of Christ in Canada. Over the past year, the Mission Centre Design Team (MCDT) has been listening, imagining, and making recommendations for how we might structure and live out our mission more effectively. How can you engage? We want to hear from you! There are several opportunities in the coming weeks for you to learn more, ask questions, and share your insights: Living Lessons – Beyond the Walls For the next four Sundays, a Design Team member will speak during the Living Lesson segment. Tune in via Facebook or YouTube to hear about their experiences and the team’s work. In-person presentations at reunions Each reunion will include a presentation on the Mission Design recommendations and how they could shape our shared future. There will be time for open discussion. Join us at:
Virtual town halls – Coming Soon We understand not everyone can attend in person. We’re planning virtual town halls, so everyone has a chance to be part of the conversation. Stay tuned for dates. Your voice matters Additionally, Vonda would love to hear your thoughts on our camping programs—what’s working, what could be better, and how camp can be a more meaningful experience for all. She’ll be at all the reunions listed above. Please take a few moments to connect with her and share your ideas, concerns, and hopes. Let others know! Pastors, please announce this or share with your congregation by email. We don’t want anyone to miss out on this important season of discernment. The future of Community of Christ in Canada belongs to all of us—come and be part of the conversation.  By Troy Roach.
This year, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Communications and Transparency Committee of the Mission Centre Design Team. Our role was to explore how we—across Canada—might communicate more effectively as we consider transitioning to a single national mission centre. This isn’t just about information, it’s about connection, clarity, and trust. At our very first meeting, one of our members said something that stuck with all of us: “Communication can build bridges—or it can build barriers.” That became our guiding principle. We heard from pastors and volunteers across the country who struggle to reach people who already come to church. And when they try to reach new people, bringing them into community—the struggle is even more challenging! From these conversations, it became clear to our team that no single tool reaches everyone. We focused in on the question: “How do you want to be communicated with?” This doesn’t have just one answer. Some people check email daily. Others prefer a phone call, printed bulletin, or text reminder. Some browse Facebook or websites. A few want all of it—while others say, “Please, not another newsletter!” As we tried to envision a healthy and effective culture of church communications, five guiding priorities came into focus. These are our team’s recommendations: First, nurturing a culture of two-way feedback can help people feel seen and heard—not just through announcements, but through town halls, surveys, story sharing, and visible follow-up on what’s been shared. Second, equipping congregations with accessible tools, templates, and clear guidance on how to share events and updates can help reduce frustration and create consistency. Third, there’s value in exploring an intentional engagement strategy—one that speaks to younger adults, seekers, and folks who may not be actively attending church, but still long for connection and meaning. Words matter. How we communicate, especially in times of change, shapes how people feel about belonging. Fourth, transparency can serve as a form of spiritual hospitality. Clearly articulating who makes decisions and why helps build trust across our community. Fifth, embracing a mix of communication tools—both digital and print—can help us better reflect the generational and technological diversity of our church. There’s also value in practices like in-person surveys or story-based listening, which invite the perspectives of those less active online. As we envision how to move Onward Together as Community of Christ in Canada, we invite you to participate in the conversation. Camp reunions this summer will offer opportunities for dialogue with people like me who serve on the Design Team along with other Canadian church leaders. We are looking forward to hearing from you by email: [email protected] We will continue to offer updates to our recommendations as we integrate your feedback. You can find these on the website. Effective communications is a big part of our shared vision for the church’s future. Let’s move onward together. About the Mission Centre Design Team The Mission Centre Design Team is a group of volunteers from across Canada who answered the call to imagine how we will embody Christ’s mission through a new, unified structure—one Canadian Mission Centre that honours the Spirit moving uniquely in every region. The team was subdivided into five groups. Each group drafted a recommendation for all members and friends to review and share their feedback with the Design Team.  Join the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation this fall for a 10-day journey through eight U.S. states and Canada, exploring the global stories of our faith community. From French Polynesia to Ireland, Nigeria to Japan, this tour highlights the diverse roots of early members who helped shape our shared heritage. You'll visit places like Nauvoo, Kirtland, Plano, Lamoni, and even Niagara Falls and Toronto—seeing where early members lived, gathered, and made history.
This year’s journey includes a historic moment of our own: a special dedication of new grave markers for early church members John and Marie Defoury Avondet at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Nebraska. The tour concludes with a communion service in the lower court of the Kirtland Temple. Dates: October 6–15, 2025 Tour price: $2,000 USD per person (double occupancy) $2,850 USD per person (single occupancy) Included: Luxury bus travel from Independence, Missouri to Kirtland, Ohio Overnight accommodations Most meals Site admission and tour fees Note: Seating is limited—reserve soon to guarantee your spot! Contact for details or questions: Barb Walden – [email protected] or (440) 477-9562 Wendy Eaton – [email protected] or (217) 453-2246  The World Church has created a playlist of Leader Profiles on the Community of Christ YouTube channel. These profiles are a chance to hear directly from those who have accepted calls to lead with vision, humility, and love.
Of special note are interviews with our newly ordained apostles: Shannon McAdam, Matthew Frizzell, Carrie Welch, Kat Hnatyshyn, Adam Wade, and Joey Williams. Click the links below to watch the interviews.  Whether you made your way to Independence, joined in from the Kitchener remote site, or followed along online, this video recap captures the celebration, worship, and community of World Conference 2025.
Beautifully produced in the Auditorium studios you will be able to see the theme “Hope is Here” shining in every face and moment.  By John Hamer, Canada East Mission Centre Historian J.H. Yager, a young member of the church in 1917 wrote his pal, L.C. Riegle, in Michigan. (It was popular at the time for people to be known by their first two initials.) J.H. had just attended the Erie Beach Reunion, which included a youth service held on the sand of the beach itself. According to J.H., the youth service was “wonderful” — “the best I ever attended.” In his retelling, the youth service lasted four hours! “We numbered 132 and marched 4 abreast about a mile down the beach.” The youth service included “99 testimonies, 13 prayers, 29 songs” along with “26 administration[s]” (laying on of hands). RLDS practice at the time included speaking in tongues, along with the interpretation of tongues, and J.H. notes that the service included “10 gifts of Prophecy.” J.H. says that the Reunion overall was attended by about 1,000 people camping in 100 tents. He and his friends were eager to head next to the Lowbanks Reunion (one of the other traditional reunion grounds in Ontario in the early 1900s). The letter, recently discovered by volunteer archivist Lee Updike, is an incredible window into our past reunion practices and excitement shared by young adults in Canada over a century ago. The US had just entered the First World War, and J.H. has heard the news that his pal in Michigan has been drafted. Lee has donated the letter to the Doris Hillyard Memorial Library and Archives at Toronto Centre Place where it will be preserved as part of the history of Community of Christ in Canada. Transcript Follows: INTERIOR PAGE 1 Bothwell, Ont. Aug. 10, 1917 Mr. L[eo].C. Riegle Flint Mich. Dear Bro, Your letter just read and am sure glad to hear from you but am sorry to hear that you have been drafted and hope you will not pass the examination. But then you are not the only one who has been called for service. Well Leo, I am fine and the reunion has past and a wonderful reunion it was too, I wish you had been there. There were about 100 tents on the grounds and the last Sun[day] there were about 1,000 people present and 24 were baptized. On Thursday morning the young people held a prayer meeting on the beach sitting right on the sand. We numbered 132 and marched 4 abreast about a mile down the beach [–] opened our service about 7:45 and did not close until 11:45. 99 testimonies, 13 prayers, 29 songs, 26 administration filled in the time with 10 gifts of Prophecy and some were instantly healed. It was wonderful the best I ever attended; a number of the young people were spoken too. INTERIOR PAGE 2 I am now at Bothwell for a visit but not to visit Miss Dent as there is a new girl now. Yesterday we motored to Chatham 35 mi[les] and back. Tomorrow night we start for Lowbanks Reunion 150 miles in auto and from there to Niagara Falls about 45 miles farther. Some trip. There will be five of us men. A regular lark. I saw Bro & Sr Belile at Erie Beach. Tell all the folks Hello -- Love from your Pal, J.H. Yager Bothwell, Ont. ENVELOPE: J.H. Yager Bothwell, Ont. 130 young people 4 abreast walked a mile down the beach at prayer meeting Reunion Report Erie Beach Reunion Mr. L.C. Riegle 752 Baker St. Flint Michigan POSTAGE: 1 cent Canadian stamp, 2 cent Canadian stamp POSTMARK: BOTHWELL ONT. AUG 10 [19]17  Photo courtesy of Stephen Thompson On Wednesday, Richard C.N. James was announced as the new president of the Council of Twelve Apostles. The Conference also welcomed two new presidents of Seventy, including Leslie Pascua from the Philippines, who is a familiar presence in the Beyond the Walls community and will participate in the June 8 Sunday service. Delegates passed Resolution A-3, which eliminates formal “whereas” statements from future resolutions. While some raised concerns about losing contextual background, an amendment was approved to allow authors to provide non-editable background statements instead. Debate continued on Resolution G-5, which addresses the climate emergency and calls for a reduction in fossil fuel use and investment. Delegates shared differing perspectives on feasibility, impact, and readiness. Deliberations will continue today. The International Youth Service Award was presented to Andrew and Cheryl Fox in recognition of their ministry with children and youth. The Human Rights Award was presented to Randie Marsh, director of Hand in Hand Kenya, for her work operating a safehouse supporting girls and women, and to Rev. Jimmy Munson of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for his community ministry providing food, safety, and support in reducing crime. On Wednesday evening, Canadian delegates and friends gathered for a pizza night in Independence, Missouri. The event was an opportunity to reconnect, make new friends, and share stories over delicious food. Apostle Art Smith was honoured with a memory book and a painting of The Old, Old Path, commemorating his many years of ministry in Canada. New apostles Lachlan MacKay and Shannon McAdam, along with new field presidents Karen Peter and Joelle Wight, shared their hopes for working together with Canadian members in the years ahead. Later that evening, more than 100 2SLGBTQIA+ members and allies gathered for a worship service organized by Harmony. Ministers from around the world—including Parker Johnson from Canada and Tiona Horning from the USA—shared testimonies and a message of comfort, inclusion, and hope amid the many threats queer persons are facing today. They affirmed that it is a Christian priority to align our mission with efforts to address these injustices. Presiding Evangelist Mareva Arnaud blessed the assembly with a homily, and the service concluded with the celebration of communion. World Conference Hub Find the schedule, legislation, bulletins, and ways to connect online to worship services and key legislative sessions. |
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