 Are you a singer or instrumentalist? Whether you’re currently active or haven’t picked up your instrument in a while, you’re invited to be part of a collaborative music group for the Thursday evening worship service at World Conference (5 June).
Graceland University’s Director of Bands is organizing this group, and all rehearsals and meetings will take place online before the event. All ages and experience levels are welcome to participate. If you’re interested, please complete the form below so the director can begin shaping the group. Let’s make music together!
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 In this statement from the Human Rights Team, Community of Christ uphold the fundamental and equal human rights of all people regardless of sex and gender differences. The team challenges individuals and communities to uphold the equal worth of all persons, across all nations, societies, and cultures and to seek justice and equality for all persons regardless of sex and gender differences.
Community of Christ believes God created all human beings diverse, of equal value, and of inestimable worth. World Conference Resolutions and recent passages of the Doctrine and Covenants also challenge the church to confess limitations in human understanding and to celebrate human diversity in creation.  By Andrew Bolton, World Church Peace and Justice Team We mourn what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. We mourn the 1,200 Israelis killed on 7 October 2023. We are in grief over the 48,000 Gazan Palestinians killed since, and a further 1,000 West Bank Palestinians. The wounded now total around 130,000. The International Criminal Court and Amnesty International have spoken out. In February, President Trump’s offer for the USA to take over Gaza and move Palestinians to other countries seems like ethnic cleansing. The ceasefire brought some hope and respite—but that was devastatingly broken recently. What can we do? John Hamer and I were part of a peace delegation of Community of Christ members last November to Israel/Palestine. We were on a study tour with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), based in Washington, DC. Community of Christ is a member. This was my second study tour with them. I have been involved with this organisation for nearly 20 years. I trust their spirit, analysis, and commitment to making a just peace. The first thing you can do is go to their webpage (https://cmep.org) and become a member. Meet Destiny Magnett at a Lunch and Learn session at World Conference in June. Destiny is a dynamic young adult. This bewildering conflict is rapidly changing. It is becoming more violent. The suffering of Palestinians is increasing dramatically. How do I make sense of it? What can we do? There are two kinds of Zionism at work. First, Jewish Zionism. This goes back to 1897 with the launch of Theodor Herzl’s political and secular Zionism. It resulted in Jewish settler colonisation of Palestine, victory in the war of independence in 1948, and the occupation of Palestinians since 1967. The Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, rules 12 million people, but 5 million cannot vote—the Palestinians. Some of us fear that the end game is the forcible removal of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. Second is Christian Zionism. This Zionism supports the return of Jews to the Holy Land; the whole land is theirs, given by God, they say. There are 50 million Christian Zionists in the USA. They are a big political lobby for Israel. President Trump has Christian Zionists in key positions. There is no concern for Palestinians, whether they are Christian or Muslim. Simply, the land they have lived in for centuries is no longer theirs. The resolution G2 at the coming World Conference opposes Christian Zionism. Both these Zionisms are nationalistic. Jews in. Palestinians out. There is a third view of Zion. In Community of Christ, Zion is for the flourishing of all people. All humans are of equal worth and dignity. No one is excluded. It is this kind of Community of Christ vision of Zion that will bring a just peace in the Middle East. Others—Muslim, Jewish, and Christian—using different language, advocate this vision. So, pray for this vision of “inclusive Zion” to grow. Write to your senators, representatives, and members of Parliament to end military support for Israel and to support a just peace with democratic and human rights for all in Israel/Palestine. To do nothing is for us to be complicit in ethnic cleansing and genocide. I live in Leicester, England. There are as many Muslims as there are Christians, and Jews live here too. Leicester is a super diverse city, like Toronto, and in both cities, people live with dignity, without violence, and all of us can vote. This too can happen in Israel/Palestine. Salaam, shalom, peace is possible—with your help.  Harmony invites you to the next Sacred Pause gathering on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Central (6:00 p.m. Pacific / 7:00 p.m. Mountain / 9:00 p.m. Eastern) . This month’s theme is Wilderness Journeys, and the gathering will include Communion (Lord’s Supper).
Sacred Pause is a monthly online gathering created for Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies—a space for connection, rest, and spiritual renewal. Hosted by Harmony (a non-profit advocating for full participation of Queer voices in Community of Christ), this hour-long gathering includes a centering activity, time for reflection or small group conversation, spiritual practice, and prayer. Everyone is welcome to bring their whole selves—whether you're grounded in faith, questioning, or simply seeking community. Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81963030597?pwd=fNeR3u9aa0aAQbiAUtjLUYKJUqK7Rm.1#success Meeting ID: 819 6303 0597 Passcode: 276646 Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome. Come as you are—and bring a friend.  By Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
There are a lot of wonderful reasons for going to World Conference this year! For me, yes, it is part of my new job, so I will be there to excitedly embrace this new call. And even before I received this call, I had already bought my plane ticket to Conference because I did not want to miss the historic moment of celebrating the first time a woman has been called to be president of our church. I want to vote to support Stassi, and I want to witness her ordination in person, to feel what it is like to be in the room for such a celebratory occasion. But this week, yet another reason has emerged for me to attend, and it is one I do not take lightly. As I observe national political divisions, I find myself looking for ways to both support my country and yet also recognize that, as a follower of Jesus, my loyalties are to the kin-dom of God, and not to human-created borders and national divisions. So, while I am excited that I have found a Canadian company that makes my favourite notebook and that a local clothing company that mills their fabric in Toronto and sews their clothes in Vancouver has new pieces I’ll be buying, I am also not cancelling my trip to the USA for World Conference. This is a personal choice, based on my own life circumstances. I acknowledge the privilege I have in being white and cisgender, making it safer for me to travel than it would be if I were a transgender person or not white. I will, of course, travel wisely—taking documents with me that talk about the conference I am going to, making sure others know when I am supposed to arrive, and regularly checking in throughout my journey. Leaders are currently working to ensure that safety steps will be made available to anyone who is travelling to the conference from outside the USA. For a myriad of reasons, Jesus’ call to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and pray for those who persecute us seems particularly poignant for me right now. One of the things I love most about Community of Christ is that we are an international church—with all the beauty and struggle that come with that Unity in Diversity. Being an international church is not easy. It takes listening to understand before speaking to be understood. It takes curiosity, kindness, and forgiveness. It takes assuming positive intent of our siblings in Christ who we journey with. I can only imagine how some of our American Community of Christ siblings are feeling right now, knowing that the principalities and powers of their nation are making choices that do not align with our Enduring Principles—like the Worth of All Persons, Sacredness of Creation, and Pursuit of Peace. Perhaps some are frustrated, angry, sad, and even embarrassed. So, in solidarity with them, I will gladly defy those principalities and powers and travel to be part of something much bigger than any nation—something that defies borders—a movement of people committed to pursuing peace on Earth and oneness in the kin-dom of God: the worldwide Community of Christ. I hope to see you there.  By Apostle Art Smith.
Shannon and I have been in ongoing communication with the First Presidency, the church’s Risk Management and Security personnel, and Canadian mission centre officers regarding concerns about travel to the USA for World Conference. We deeply acknowledge the uncertainty and anxiety some are experiencing and want to assure you that we take these concerns seriously. We recognize that each person must make responsible choices based on their unique circumstances. We understand that travel comes with varying levels of privilege and vulnerability, and we long for the day when God’s vision of Shalom and our Enduring Principles hold more sway than nationalism, animosity, and fear. To support those considering participation as World Conference delegates, we are committed to the following: 1. Ongoing Monitoring: Church leaders will continue tracking Canadian Government travel recommendations and guidance from International SOS, a risk management partner to the church. Currently, both advise taking normal precautions for travel to the USA while noting that stays beyond 30 days require registration with the US Government. More information can be found here: (https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states). 2. Invitation Letters: Canadians planning to travel for World Conference may request an official invitation letter from World Church. Please fill out the provided form to receive a personalized letter and submit it to Nicole Robison, Administrative Specialist for the Council of Twelve Apostles, ([email protected]) as soon as possible. 3. Emergency Contact Support: We will provide emergency contact information for those who may encounter difficulties while travelling. 4. Travel Check-ins: Mission Centre Leaders are available to help travellers find a buddy to check in with on either side of the border to confirm safe arrival. 5. Remote Participation Option: We are setting up a Remote Site in Kitchener, Ontario. We recognize that a single location may not be convenient for everyone, but given the short timeframe ahead, we appreciate this special exception granted by the First Presidency, which requires our immediate attention. Current delegates, or anyone interested in serving as such who wish to participate remotely, please contact Sam Smalldon ([email protected]) for more information. We hope these provisions will help each person make the best decision for their situation. Whether in person or remotely, we look forward to coming together as a global church, united in purpose and faith. Art Smith Council of Twelve Community of Christ  You are invited to “Percolating Purpose: Brewing Ideas for Inspired Leadership”. A space for deep, forward-thinking conversations about the future of church leadership.
The world is changing, and so is the role of the church. How do we lead with vision when the old ways no longer resonate? These sessions offer real, honest dialogue about the shifts we face and the opportunities ahead. Upcoming Session – April 3 at 7 p.m. EDT Topic: Responding to the Global Economic Climate: A Faithful Posture in a Shifting World Discussion Questions:
Key Question: How do we uphold our mission of peace, justice, and the worth of all persons in the face of economic and political shifts? Join the Zoom Meeting Click here to join Meeting ID: 854 6676 8718 Passcode: 505051 Join us at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). Upcoming Sessions & Topics April 23 – Leadership in Times of Change: Setting Healthy Boundaries and Releasing the Past May 21 – Beyond Nostalgia: Reframing the Church’s Role in Society June 18 – Co-Creating the Future: Church as a Partner in a Changing World Join fellow pastors and leaders in engaging conversations that challenge, inspire, and equip us for what’s ahead. Let’s brew bold ideas together—we hope to see you there!  By Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
On Monday, new field assignments were announced that will come into effect if all anticipated calls are accepted at our upcoming Community of Christ World Conference. You can read the announcement here. There are a lot of things that excite me about this new configuration, so I wanted to share that with you! Exciting Thing #1: Shared Leadership! As part of a three-person Mission Centre President team, I have learned to deeply appreciate the shared leadership model. It makes the work feel less lonely and provides people to bounce ideas off of and share burdens with. I’m really excited to be working with Lachlan MacKay. Lach has dual USA and Australian citizenship, so is a fellow member of the Commonwealth! We are both eager to explore how we can best support our new, diverse mission field. Additionally, we will collaborate with the USA Apostle team to support mission in the USA. I think it will be great to have a Canadian voice in that mix to broaden horizons and forge cross-cultural connections. Exciting Thing #2: A Diverse Mission Field I’m excited that Lach and I will get to serve a diverse yet unified group of church members around the world. The mission centres in our field have many things in common, and we are already looking for ways to make connections between them. Especially in our current global political climate, transcending borders to build relationships is incredibly important. Exciting Thing #3: Solid Foundations The Apostles who have previously been assigned to the various mission centres in our new field have done a wonderful job in providing ministry and building solid foundations for the future. Each area has been working on how to re-imagine church as we move forward in an ever-changing world, and I’m excited to build on what Art, Mareva, and Richard have all worked so hard at. Exciting Thing #4: New Opportunities for Mission With all these solid foundations, it is even more exciting to look at where the new opportunities lie. It is also exciting to have Karin Peter and Joelle Wight, presidents of 70, as our partners in mission. Their wisdom and enthusiasm will be a gift to this field. Things like refugee ministry and creative new expressions of the church are emerging in many places. I cannot wait to see what new things will continue to grow as we foster a focus on mission across the church through these new field assignments. I hope you, too, are excited for what is to come!  Looking for an online worship service? The Communications Team has gathered all weekly online worship services offered by Community of Christ congregations across Canada into one easy-to-use page. In addition to Beyond the Walls, the global of ministry of Community of Christ in Canada, many of our congregations offer regular worship services that you can join via Zoom or live stream. Is your congregation hosting regular online services?
If your congregation's online worship service is not yet listed, please let us know at [email protected]. We update the page regularly, and the full listing is also emailed every Friday to keep everyone informed, especially since some congregations may occasionally change their programming. By keeping your congregation’s information current, you help members and seekers easily connect online with your ministry. We hope this experience leads new online visitors toward future in-person connections at a Community of Christ congregation near them.  The Conferences and Representation Model committee is one of the five groups comprising the Mission Centre Design Team. This committee is pleased to present to the church the following draft recommendation on representation models (member vs delegates). The goal is to ensure equitable representation at Canada-wide conferences.
We would love to receive your questions, ideas, and comments via email at [email protected] and [email protected]. Team: John Scherer, Bryce Taylor, Marian Thompson Co-Chairs: Vonda DenBoer and Shannon McAdam Please visit the the Mission Centre Design Team page to learn more and stay up to date on the latest information. |
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