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Written by Gwyn Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre  Snowdrops! I have just seen my first snowdrops of the year! Spring is coming! Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 The snowdrops come every year, I look for them as my first sign of spring. (I know some places in the rest of Canada will not see green for a while yet.) The Lord God appearing is a sure as the dawn, as sure as the snowdrops. How do we “press on to know the Lord”? What are the signs that the Lord has appeared to us? I want to know the Lord better today than yesterday. I want to feel the spring rains on me. I believe that he will appear sure as the dawn and I hope to be the one to SEE the dawn. How do I prepare for the Lord coming? I need to study and pray, much like preparing the earth in the spring for a garden. I will then care for the garden, clean out the weeds, water the earth and…reap the bounty of the Lord God’s grace and blessings! What a bounty I will receive when I press on and open up to the Lord appearing at the dawn of each day. 
Written by Gwyn Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre  Photo Credits: Left (2): Samish Island Campground www.campsamish.org Right (1): Hills of Peace Campground www.hillsofpeace.ca Canada is suffering with lockdowns that are happening across the country. Covid-19 and the variant Omicron make human contact further down the road. What does this mean to you? Back to ZOOM church, family only gatherings, in some cases you are double masking and you may know someone who has the virus. When will this end? None of us knows. Where do you turn when you are feeling alone? Reach out to someone else. Call a church member, call a friend, chances are they are feeling isolated too! Mail a card, thinking about that person even if all you do is put their address on the envelope and sign your name. If you are computer savvy, you can be virtually in touch. If it helps, yell at God, he will listen! Pray about your situation and those who you wish you could help. We are still in the first month of 2022 and it might help for you to think about what you want to do in the coming year and plan for it. During Advent, we talked about the Hope that comes from the birth of Jesus Christ. There are events being planned and an opportunity to attend virtually. Look at the things coming up in the Weekly Wire. What appeals to you? Is this a time to start a class on line, both through the church or from your local learning centres? Plan to be at reunion this year. No promises from me that we will be able to gather at our camp grounds, but if the opportunity to gather happens, be ready! What can you think of that you might be able to bring to reunion for yourself and maybe for everyone? I have a project that I am gathering the supplies for. As I work on what I want to share, I think of who might be participating with me and I get a smile on my face! The time is now to plan for the future. 
 The Canada East Mission Centre continues to seek ordained members with a strong personal testimony of Jesus Christ to join the Volunteer MC Presidency Team. The team collaborates with the field apostle, the communications team, and the mission centre financial officer and staff to offer pastoral, spiritual, and administrative leadership to the mission centre. No single team member must do it all. Team members will serve according to their giftedness, calling, and availability.
This recruitment effort is a matter of prayer. Would you join me in prayer through this process? We pray that motivated and inspired leaders will respond to this call, and we pray that they will be blessed with discernment and strength to lead Christ’s mission. In Canada West, the Mission Centre Volunteer Presidency Team began serving officially on November 1st of 2021 and their ministry has already been a great blessing. Find out more about their inspiring work on our website’s blog. Please send your applications and suggestions to [email protected]. For details about the responsibilities, functions, and desired qualifications for this position please read the CEM Volunteer Mission Centre Presidency position description. Thank you for your consideration and for your prayerful support, Apostle Art Smith Written by Kat Goheen Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre  In this bright new year, our thoughts naturally turn to the future. Since becoming one of your Mission Centre Presidents, I find my heart is quite tender toward our congregations. I see the effort and devotion offered by our congregational leaders. I yearn for our communities to experience nurturing, hope, and growth! At the same time, a wise friend reminded me yesterday to appreciate what we already experience in fellowship, and the ways we are touched by the gifts of Spirit and community. In this new year, let us remember that all are called. Along with resolutions that focus on physical and economic well-being, please consider examining your discipleship. These questions may help:
Your pastor or Mission Centre Presidents would be more than happy to visit with you about your plan of spiritual response to God’s activity in your life. We can only grow and thrive together – the harvest is ready and all are called! 
Written by Gwyneth Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre  Happy New Year! 2022 has arrived with a world population that is striving to stay healthy. The world lost a great humanitarian over the Christmas season. Desmond Tutu lived a life of love for all. He promoted his objective as “a democratic and just society without racial divisions.” To Archbishop Tutu, forgiveness and reconciliation were the "only truly viable alternatives to revenge, retribution and reprisal". "Without forgiveness," he said, "there is no future”. Without forgiveness, there is no future. The beginning of the year 2022 is when people make resolutions. This year, forgive yourself and start the New Year with a renewed sense of self. The sacrament of the Lord’s supper is a time of preparation and should include reconciling with others, confessing our faults, and asking for and offering forgiveness. D & C Sec 163: 10a. Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. b. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. Whenever we meet at the Lord’s table to partake in the Lord’s supper, we have the opportunity to begin anew. What a great gift from God! 
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