 Happy New Year! As we enter 2026, let’s pause to look back at what happened in 2025. Throughout the last year, members and friends across Canada made history together. The unique and creative ways in which we all participated in the life of the church inspired many to share their experience. From reflecting on what happened during World Conference to life-changing experiences at camp events, and from simple pastoral visits to making the bold decision to become a single mission centre, the stories we shared speak of who we are, what we do, and what we believe in. This is Community of Christ! Community of Christ members tour the Toronto LDS temple (February 20, 2025) Members of Community of Christ were invited to tour the Toronto Ontario Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was a unique opportunity that offered insight into their worship spaces and practices while strengthening relationships between Restoration traditions. A congregation sharing Light with its community (March 12, 2025) In Stratford, a congregation leans into a simple practice: showing up with warmth, consistency, and welcome. “Light” is not an abstract theme here—it’s what happens when we quietly choose to be present for our neighbours. Edmonton congregation partnering to provide hope (April 16, 2025) In Edmonton, a long-standing partnership with Y.E.S.S. becomes a living rhythm of service. A “Fun Walk” and “Service Sundays” gather members, friends, and staff to support youth in crisis. Encounter World Religions on CBC News and CityTV (April 23, 2025) Director Brian Carwana was interviewed by CBC News Network and CityTV Toronto following the death of Pope Francis. This affirms Encounter’s growing reputation as a Canadian voice on global religious issues. Inspired by Celebrate Mission, a seeker answers the call to serve (April 30, 2025) A seeker from Texas—who has since become a member of Community of Christ in Canada—shared how participating online led to concrete service in his local community. This experience illustrates how mission can emerge wherever people find meaningful ways to serve. New Priesthood and Personal Relationships policy now in effect in Canada (May 17, 2025) After months of shared discernment among members in Canada, the First Presidency approved a policy change removing cohabitation as an automatic barrier to priesthood service. The decision reflects careful listening, respect for differing responses, and the realities of ministry today in the Canadian context. Stassi Cramm ordained prophet–president; Resolution G-3 ruled out of order; Nonviolence Statement adopted (June 3, 2025) World Conference opened with the ordination of Stassi D. Cramm as prophet–president, marking a historic leadership transition. Shannon McAdam ordained apostle for Canada; gun violence resolution passed (June 4, 2025) In a moving ceremony at the Temple, with the chamber filled, Shannon McAdam was ordained by Apostles Art Smith and Robin Linkhart. Experiencing World Conference for the first time: A Canadian perspective (June 4, 2025) A first-time attendee describes the scale of World Conference and the impact of worship, debate, and participating in common consent as part of a global church. Reflections from the Kitchener Remote Site (June 4, 2025) A member of the Lowbanks congregation, shares highlights and personal insights from her experience attending World Conference 2025 at the Canadian remote site in Kitchener. Calgary member shares experience from Kitchener remote site (June 4, 2025) Another perspective from the remote site points to accessibility, cost, and community as reasons this model matters for future conferences. Richard James new president of the Council of Twelve. Art Smith honoured at Canada pizza night. Harmony service offers hope (June 5, 2025) Canadian delegates and friends gathered for a pizza night—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. Flashback to a 1917 reunion: Letter from a Canadian young adult at Erie Beach (June 11, 2025) A recently discovered letter offers a window into a Canadian camp reunion a century ago, reminding us that gathering, friendship, and shared purpose have long shaped church life in Canada. Get to know our new World Church leaders (June 18, 2025) Newly ordained apostles introduced themselves through short video profiles, helping names from World Conference become familiar faces and voices. Gratitude and Joy: Kathy McAdam reflects on her first World Conference (June 18, 2025) A first World Conference at age 70 becomes a personal milestone—full of worship, people, and big moments held with gratitude. Connection and calling: Jada Middleton’s first World Conference (June 25, 2025) A young adult reflects on her experience at World Conference—not just as an event, but as a turning point. How we found hope and renewal at the Summer Solstice Women’s Retreat (July 9, 2025) The retreat created space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with others. Hope showed up through conversation, care, and time together. Generosity is at the heart of mission at St. Thomas congregation (July 23, 2025) In St. Thomas, community life spills outward through open doors, shared meals, and practical support for neighbours. Generosity is not a one-time action here—it becomes a culture. Healing and belonging in Community of Christ – A seeker’s journey (August 6, 2025) A seeker describes the long road toward belonging and what makes it possible. His reflection tells us that growth comes through acceptance, relationship, and a community willing to make room. Developing young leaders at Hills of Peace (August 20, 2025) Youth Camp focused on leadership formation through participation, cooperation, and learning together. Junior Camp thrives within Family Camp at Hills of Peace (August 20, 2025) A “camp within a camp” model allowed two reunions to flourish together, showing that when we risk something new, wonderful things may happen. Choosing hope together at McGowan’s Lake Reunion (August 20, 2025) At McGowan’s Lake, the theme “Choose Hope” took shape through worship, service projects, learning, and the simple rhythms of being together. From silence to confidence: what we learned at the Noronto Sr. High Camp (September 4, 2025) Senior High Camp became a place where youth found their voices, grew in confidence, and experienced leadership as shared responsibility. Here and now: reflections from the Hills of Peace young adult retreat (September 9, 2025) Young adults slowed down, built relationships, and created space for honest conversation, discovering how presence itself can be transformative. Love in Action shone through at the 2025 Canada West Mission Conference (September 17, 2025) The Canada West Mission Conference was a celebration of community as members made the significant decision to move toward one mission centre for Canada. Just like coming home: Wendy’s journey back after 50 years (September 17, 2025) After decades away, Wendy’s return shows how welcome and relationship can make reconnection possible, even after a long absence. Welcome our new Canadian Seventies: Lisa Neudorf and Gwyn Beer (September 24, 2025) Two new Seventies were ordained during the Canada West Mission Conference, joining others in this important ministry of the church. Fellowship and camaraderie at the Hills of Peace Men’s Retreat 2025 (September 30, 2025) Fifteen men gathered for conversation, reflection, and practical support of camp life. Retreat and work blended naturally, and relationships were strengthened in the process. Noronto Canoe Camp – Reflecting on 26 years of tradition (September 30, 2025) A long-running canoe camp continues to form friendships and traditions year after year. CEM Conference 2025 – A weekend of community, dialogue, and joy (September 30, 2025) Canada East gathered for worship and decision-making at Ziontario campground. Delegates voted yes to joining Canada West as one mission centre. Carload of donations for children in need collected at CEM Conference (October 1, 2025) A simple invitation at CEM Conference resulted in a carload of donations for a local elementary school, turning our gathering into real mission that impacts lives. Continuing Revelation 1889 style! (October 8, 2025) A piece of Canadian church history is brought forward as a living reminder of how discernment has been recorded and remembered. It offers a small window into the long continuity of church life in Canada. History enthusiasts tour Community of Christ heritage sites in Canada (October 15, 2025) A heritage tour connected participants with early Canadian church history, reminding us that the events that shaped the early story of our church also took place in our country. A new model of shared leadership to move Onward Together (October 15, 2025) Apostle Shannon McAdam introduces the five directors who will share the duties that have traditionally been Mission Centre President responsibilities, as well as adding additional support, ministries, and programs to help us expand our possibilities as we walk onward together. Federal government recognizes Sionito as a model in the fight for housing justice (October 29, 2025) Our affiliate’s long work in affordable housing was recognized at the federal level. This experience exemplifies what it looks like when vision, hard work, partnerships, and justice commitments result in solutions that make our world a better place. Onward to the Future: Highlights from the 15th annual Young at Heart Retreat (October 29, 2025) People gathered at Noronto campground for learning, companionship, and reflection. A pastoral visit brings connection and care to members on Vancouver Island (November 5, 2025) A week of visits became a blessing of meals, conversations, and listening—small moments that keep people connected across distance. Thank you for turning imagination into generous action this Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2025) The year closed with an overwhelming display of generosity. Together, 761 donors from Canada, the USA, the UK, and Europe raised $858,738 USD, including a $375,000 USD matching fund. In Canada alone, 101 donors contributed $54,280 CAD. As 2026 begins, these stories stand together as more than memories: this is our shared history. I look forward to continuing to write history together with you in 2026. Our first opportunity will be when we gather on January 17 to affirm the bold step we took last September to move onward together as one mission centre in Canada. Walking together this new year with hope in our hearts, let’s celebrate our mission and share our story. As our hymn Now in This Moment says: “This is our story, this is our song!” Have a blessed and prosperous 2026, Leandro Palacios Director of Communications Community of Christ in Canada |
All Categories
All
Archives
January 2026
|
RSS Feed