Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President John 13:34-35 NRSV 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ We have just gone through Easter. Three days in the tomb and he rose up from the dead. He took away my sin. God sent his son to us through Mary who with Joseph, raised the baby Jesus to manhood. Jesus began preaching and teaching about God’s love for us. He gathered disciples to help spread his father’s love to all.
Our small church has plain glass windows. For the Easter season, the church had cellophane-stained windows, a gift from a talented member made over 20 years ago. Through her talent, she shared her love as a disciple. There are small things that people do almost automatically that are small offerings of LOVE. During this Easter season, my niece Joy has been in hospital. There have been so many expressions of love shared to Joy, her wife Haley and the family that may seem small but are so truly large. In this techno world, texts have come from all over. Cellphones have been placed by her head to hear words of love and encouragement from family in Australia, New Zealand and England. Food and mineral water has been provided to the family waiting for their chance to be in the ICU holding her hand. A ride to the hospital, a couch to rest on, a shoulder to lean on. Someone to check on and look after the family cats. All acts of LOVE. Today, I took down our cellophane-stained windows and the one of Jesus Christ on the cross was the last one. I was overwhelmed by the act of LOVE done for me. I need to be a true disciple, I need to share LOVE for one another.
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Thursday, March 28 @ 7 p.m.
Via Zoom (Scarborough Congregation) Come to the Upper Room with Jesus and the disciples as we tell the story of that last meal, share in an agape meal, and pray together. Then journey with us to Gethsemane and rest in the garden (*Remember to have your bread and 'wine' on hand as we share in this meal of love and fellowship. “Consider the lilies of the field—they toil not, neither do they spin.”
Some of us worry if we’ll have “enough” money for retirement. Some wonder if our neighbors have enough food. Others wonder if they’re doing enough to help our troubled world. What is enough, anyway? Join us as together we look at “enoughness” in terms of material goods, our spiritual selves, through a wider social justice lens and the climate and environment—and more. We invite you to journey with us as we learn how to live more simply so that others may simply live. 2 and 3 night packages are available, early bird rates until April 5th For more information and to register go to: https://nurturingspirit.corsizio.com/event/65c26f92e5c95197e1b04767 WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 10 am to 3 pm
WHERE: Guelph Office, 355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129 Cost: $15.00 per person Instructors: Pat Stoakley and Doug Bolger This Seminar is designed for ordained priesthood who wish to be licensed to perform weddings and as a review for those currently holding a license. In order to apply for a license, the church is legally required to provide training. Each registered participant will receive handouts and resources including wedding service samples. Registration is limited to 12 persons. Preference will be given to new officiants. The Seminar will address the following:
TO REGISTER: Contact Melissa Freer 888.411.7537 ext. 24 Make cheques payable to Community of Christ Bring a sack lunch During the summer camping season, the residents of Riverside maintain the Ziontario Campgrounds. This is your chance to give back to Ziontario in the form of cleaning up the grounds to prepare it for camping season.
To sign up contact Becky Grigsby: rebecca.e.grigsby@gmail.com GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Robert McLeman
WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 5pm ET WHERE: ZOOM Online Ministry Each year over 20 million people globally are displaced from their homes by floods, storms, droughts, wildfires and other extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. The World bank has estimated that, if no action is taken to curb global greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable development, over 200 million people may be displaced by the impacts of climate change by 2050. This webinar will review current science on the relationship between environmental change and migration and identifies pathways for action to avoid worst case scenarios from occurring. Dr. Robert McLeman is an Environmental Professor at Wilford Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. He specializes in research on the human dimensions of environmental change, with particular attention to the relation between climate change, migration, and security. He is currently a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, on Climate Change’s working group on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation. A foreign Canadian foreign service officer, Dr. McLeman has lived and worked in Belgrade, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seattle, and Vienna. He has advised UN agencies, the World Bank, and governments in Canada, the US, and Europe on issues related to climate change, migration, and security. If you registered for a past webinar or conversation, you do not need to register again. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link before each webinar and activity. If not registered for this Zoom series, please register at https://cofchristclimatejustice.org/register Written by Shannon McAdam Canada West Mission Centre Co-President I know it may not feel like it everywhere in Western Canada yet, but this past weekend I decided spring is definitely here! I was out for a walk without a jacket and enjoyed the feeling of sun on my face. Looking out at my patio I see bulbs coming up and leaves coming out on my little willow tree. And at work a client reminded me that our Iranian or Persian friends celebrate Nowruz this week – their new year festival that falls on the spring equinox.
This year Easter feels like it is arriving at just the right time as “Now the green blade rises” seems to be happening right outside my window! This Lent I have spent time journeying with some church companions and exploring Psalms of lament. What has struck me most is the way the Psalmist writes of both sorrow and joy, right next to each other, in all of these beautiful poems. It has been beautiful to see how similar our human struggles of today are with those of the ancient writer. They write of the difficulty of finding connection and community and long for God’s presence. And while I’ve enjoyed this journey into the depths with these Psalms, they’ve made me very excited for Holy Week and Easter. The breadth of experience from sorrow to joy are all encapsuled in this week that is so central to the Christian story. And just as the bulbs in the cold ground that have been asleep are waking up, so too do we awaken to Christ’s living presence. As the words of hymn 482 share: When our hearts are wint’ry, grieving, or in pain, your touch can call us back to life again, fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; Love is come again like wheat arising green. May your wintry heart find its awakening in the coming week as you gather in community. Even if you cannot see the green blades yet, I assure you, they will arise again. Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Friends, we are saying goodbye to our beloved Dar this week. When we met with Dar as a leadership team here in BC in January, he was full of stories about his beloved grandchildren and his beloved pups (well, Shari’s beloved pups!). With so much in his life he could be proud of, it was the fact that his grandkids wanted to spend time with him and weren’t shy about expressing love in public that lit up his face with joy. He got it right! It's easy to say that he held the whole church in Canada but hard to understand. Four years ago when I became co-pastor in Vancouver, I ‘held’ more concern and care than before – perhaps you’ve had this experience too. Then three years ago joining the Mission Centre President Team: more concern and care – a continuous call to attention and response. Dar not only served as financial officer for both Mission Centres and as bishop of Canada, he also carried the Canadian Corp and was financial officer for at least five congregations. What a scope of care and concern and ministry! He encouraged us at our last meeting to increase our vision too so that we are not limited by local concerns but turn our gaze to supporting the mission of Christ wherever it may be arising – the big picture of service. We are all touched by his passing. He was of invaluable service and support to us in the CWM, and as Gwyn just said, it’s hard to imagine him not in the picture with us. He kept the following words in his wallet to share in moments of grief. It is only fitting that we remember him through these words in our moment of loss. Grief never ends ... but it changes It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love ... May you be held in love through your own process of remembering and letting go.
The Doris Hillyard Library at Toronto Centre Place has a mandate to preserve books and documents relating to the history of Community of Christ in Canada. We are always looking for materials about the church published in Canada. In addition, we serve as a research library for the study of RLDS history. As such, we have the goal of collecting at least one copy of all books and periodicals published by the church and its printing houses.
Fortunately, our collection of books published since World War 2 is very complete. Therefore, if you have a book published in the 1950s or later, we likely already have a copy and do not need another. However, we are interested in most books published in the 1940s or earlier. We do NOT need copies of: • Any books published in the 1950s or later • Heman C. Smith and Joseph Smith III, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (multi-volume) • The Saints’ Hymnal • The Hymnal (the gray hymnal) • Scriptures published 1920 or later We are looking for copies of: • Church books and pamphlets published in the 1940s or earlier • Manuscript books containing minutes of congregational meetings, branch histories, anniversary service bulletins We are ESPECIALLY looking for copies of: • Any church book or pamphlet published in the 1800s • Historical photographs of the church in Canada • The Gospel Banner (Independence 1894-1906) • The Canadian Messenger (Stratford, 1903-08) • The Canadian Mirror (London, 1909-11) • The Bishopric of Canada (1909) • The Journal of History (1908-25) • Luff, Joseph, “Autobiography” (1894) • R.C. Evans, “Autobiography” (1909) • R.C. Evans, “Why I Am a Latter Day Saint” • R.C. Evans, “Why I Left the Latter Day Saint Church” (1918) • J.J. Cornish, “Cornish to Evans” (1919) We thank you for helping us preserve the history of the church in Canada for future generations! Please email John Hamer if you are thinking for making a donation to the library: JohnCHamer@gmail.com Our library is named in honour of Doris Hillyard, a lifelong member of the Toronto Congregation, who served for decades as the branch historian and book steward. As a follow up to the official announcement of Sam Smalldon’s appointment to Associate Bishop of Canada we want to share Sam’s bio. Some may not know Sam and this will introduce him to you. Many of us know Sam well and it’s still a very interesting read! We thank Sam for his dedication in stepping into this role. He is a blessing to Dar for being able to concentrate on his recovery and indeed to us all! Samuel (Sam) Smalldon currently lives in Calgary, Alberta. He grew up in St. Thomas, in southwestern Ontario, where he enjoyed attending church youth camps and reunions. He moved west to Alberta shortly after graduating from Graceland in 1978 with an undergraduate business degree and a psychology minor. Sam considers himself a lifelong learner. He continued his education with an MBA in 1991 (NWMSU), a CPA, CMA (Alberta) professional accountant designation in 2002, an MS in Data Science and Analytics in 2022 (Graceland), and is currently enrolled in a graduate PhD program (Capella) studying strategy and innovation in social enterprises. Sam has been in seniors housing for the past 15 years as chief administrative officer and president for two non-profit housing management boards in rural Central Alberta. Before this, he was part of executive management in chief financial officer roles for post-secondary, healthcare and municipal organizations in the public not-for-profit sectors across Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sam has been involved in leadership and financial management, overseeing many capital projects, working for large and small operations, and with various organizational models. Volunteering has always been part of who Sam is. He learned early to consistently work hard, not worry about having enough, and always be open to new ways to share and give back. He is currently a High Priest and Bishop within the Community of Christ, where he has been in leadership roles for local congregations in Calgary and Edmonton, campgrounds, as mission centre financial officer for western Canada and has been involved with both Canada and World church boards. Sam volunteers with Graceland University; he first served as president of the Alumni Board and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees, where he is an officer and committee chair for several committees. Sam also serves as a volunteer director for SkillPath, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Graceland. Sam and his wife, Shauna, have four adult children and three grandsons. They enjoy two grand puppies and two grand cats as part of their family. Sam tries to care for his well-being by enjoying various recreational activities, including road and mountain bicycle riding, road and dual motorcycle riding, pickup hockey games, and canoeing. Nothing he does for recreation is serious; it’s just about fun and getting a workout. As an accountant, he knows balance is more than just about numbers. |
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