Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President On the Sunday evening of Conference, we had an “Experience the Temple” event combining visual and musical arts all around the Temple complex. Shannon used her fabric art to stitch and visit with people passing by in Shalom Place upstairs by the World Plaza, surrounded by painters, quilters, and a synthesizer. I played my violin with the European delegation singing Taize music in the Meditation Chapel while a potter threw pots and vases. I love this image of the potter’s work-in-progress, watched over by portraits of our sacraments because it’s a good metaphor of our work that week. We got our hands right into creating our future, discerning its form and appearance while also sharing together the sacraments that connect us to God and feed us spiritually. Our potter, Stephanie, had some pieces she had to rework. In legislation, we also had some moments when we needed to amend the business before us, striking out and adding words in our attempts to get it right. Still, we were always framed by moments of blessing just as the pottery was held in that sacred space by sacramental images.
It was striking to see messy things happening in our sacred Temple space, like the bucket of water here that kept the clay flexible. We also had messy moments in legislation, gingerly discussing the need for articulating white supremacy in the motion on racism, lifting up the reality of sex in our conversation on marriage, confronting assumptions left and right in our conversations on environment and the meaning of baptism. Through it all, I felt a strong pastoral sense from everyone who spoke, so different from the combative tone of political discourse on television. Stephanie created fifteen pots and vases that evening in the Temple. We made strong statements in our legislative sessions. I pray that we live into the gifts that have come from our Unity in Diversity and Common Consent. I pray that we are strong, beautiful vessels for God in the world, as individuals, congregations, and altogether! You can see the legislative work that we did at Conference by clicking on the button below.
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Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President This past Sunday our Vancouver zoom service centred on a recap of our delegates’ experiences. Each person who spoke evoked memories of people and meaningful moments for me! One important thing that I want to share with you is the truly international feeling of this Conference. Shannon and I had roommates from Germany and Norway who shared with us daily about their church experience growing up in Europe and continuing today. We had apostles and delegates speaking in their native tongues as we English speakers waited for translations. All kinds of sessions were translated into French and Spanish as well as American Sign Language, and legislation and worship sessions were also translated into German and Tahitian (perhaps more!). It was such a reminder to me that faithful followers of Jesus in our Christian expression of Community of Christ eat, pray, worship, and sing in their own unique and beloved ways. During the week, we roomies realized that we have all studied different languages on the same learning platform, so we became language friends on the app and continue to do friend challenges together. I was studying French just for fun before, but after using it ‘for keeps’ during Conference, I have a renewed interest! I would encourage you to consider learning or brushing up on another language as a spiritual practice in solidarity with our spiritual siblings around the world. We sometimes forget that we are part of something bigger that is vibrant and beautiful: we truly have unity in diversity and it makes us stronger. PS – Email me if you want to be language buddies! Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President A great deal of my joy in World Conference came from deepening relationships. We had a crew of Canadians who would often end up in the Temple lunchroom after the morning legislative sessions with leftovers, bought brown bag lunches, or homemade sandwiches. It was a joy to visit with Doug and Becky Middleton, and I want to share what they’re supporting in Honduras. Becky writes:
I am attaching 2 photos. One is the completed renos on the school. It consists of 2 separate classrooms with a kitchen building in between. The walls of the existing school were ok but the roof, doors and windows and floors were all replaced as well as painting inside and out. New white boards and desks were also included. World Accord had some money that was contributed last year as it was a project promised last year and unable to complete due to Al Wigood's passing. The Senlac congregation and other people from the community contributed funds to take on the balance of it as well as build the office/admin building for Asocialayo. It is going to be a 2 story building as the footprint of land wasn't quite large enough to get it all in one story. It should be completed soon but attached is a picture in progress. Doug is exploring ways that building may be able to continue as there is an ongoing need for it. World Accord's partnership with Asocialayo is to do with agriculture and is not planning to continue with building projects but may be able to help with refurbishing projects - just not sure at this point. When I wonder what mission looks like, it’s this! Developing deep friendships, being with and listening to people, and then figuring out the best way to make a difference even before being asked. I am very grateful for the work Doug and Becky and the community in Senlac are up to, and I pray that you feel inspired to respond to your true capacity as well. If there aren’t any vibrant projects like this happening in your area right now, consider helping finance the rustic cabin reno’s at Samish Island, helping our eight campers go to SPEC, or responding to the June appeal for Hills of Peace. We’ve returned home from World Conference and are filled with inspiration from our experience.
Here are some early reflections: Gwyn: "I was so moved by the Tuesday night ordination service where the World Church was so prominent. The mission prayer was given in so many languages and during the ordinations, I felt God's spirit present!" Kat: “I really felt I’d come home at the end of the communion service when we stood and sang ‘The Spirit of God like a Fire is Burning’ in full voice with the Auditorium organ in all of our languages.” Shannon: “I was so inspired by the theme of ‘Courage’ and found that it was a spiritual practice to listen with love to each courageous person who rose to speak from their heart on the conference floor.” We will continue to share our thoughts in the weeks ahead, and if you’d like to learn more, keep checking the conference page of the church website (click on the button below). You can already see a beautiful recap video there! |
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