By Parker Johnson from Calgary, Alberta

Earlier this year, a team was formed with a big task and a bold name: the Mission Alignment Committee. Our job? To help design a unified, Canada-wide mission centre capable of supporting the mission, programming, and diverse needs of people across the country. We were asked to look at everything from how we fund mission, to how we gather, to how we support leaders and ministries in different contexts. And we were asked to do it in a way that aligns with the Canadian Strategic Plan and the broader mission of the church.

But let’s be clear from the outset—before we launch into any new ideas or big plans to save the church: many of us are exhausted just keeping the doors open. We’ve been doing too much with too little for too long. Leading, organizing, caregiving, showing up… and still left wondering if it’s making a difference. And I want to set the record straight: that is not failure. It’s the byproduct of systems that haven’t kept pace with the realities of ministry today. What you do matters, and it always has.

Which is exactly why this committee was established—to take charge of our systems while being fully aware of the limitations and opportunities before us—and designing something purposeful and visionary for a church in 2025. Something that doesn’t just ask more of you but actually supports you and amplifies your contributions beyond your own immediate ministries.

We’re not here to pile on. We’re here to align. We want to bring clarity, connection, and capacity to the work we’re already doing. And we’re hoping to do it by adapting tools that work in other sectors and scaling them to fit our sacred purpose as a church.
We need a new way of being the church that doesn’t allow for disparity between ministries simply because one may have a larger budget than another. Because in this vision, one ministry’s success is the success of the whole Canadian church. When a congregation finds a creative way to engage their neighbourhood, or a camp develops a sustainable model, or a new ministry launches with clarity and energy—we all benefit.
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That’s the kind of alignment we’re after. Not uniformity, but unity. Not competition, but collaboration. And that’s why we’ve been crunching numbers and reviewing feedback. Because the Spirit doesn’t just move in sanctuaries. She moves in systems. In spreadsheets. In shared goals. And when we align those with our mission, we create space for real transformation.

Our Recommendations:

• Create a national database of congregational profiles: This isn’t just about collecting stats, it’s about capturing stories—who we are, what we care about, and what we’re working on. This database will help us connect congregations with similar missional priorities, identify emerging needs, and build networks of support.
• Cluster congregations for peer support: These clusters won’t be based solely on geography—they’ll be formed around shared mission, challenges, and opportunities. Think of it as spiritual ecosystems, where congregations and ministries can learn from and lean on each other.
• Launch a two-step listening process: This will begin with a survey, followed by non-evaluative conversations with congregational leadership. These conversations will be led by spiritual companions (Seventies, High Priests, Evangelists) and will focus on what’s working, what’s needed, and what’s possible.
• Nationalize key goals for collective impact: We believe the church in Canada can benefit from shared, measurable goals. For example, what if we committed to making our sacred spaces more environmentally friendly? Each ministry and campground could participate according to its context—urban or rural, large or small, building-based or mobile ministry—and report their progress. With guidance from teams like Climate Justice, we could track our collective impact and celebrate our shared wins.
  

This is where we feel we’re being called to go. A church that’s more connected, more collaborative, and more aligned with the mission we say we believe in. We aren’t going to be asking you to do more. You’re being invited to do it together. Our recommendations are available on our website. We hope you will add your voice to the conversation as we prepare for our 2025 Mission Centre Conferences in Canada.
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We look forward to receiving your reflections by email at: [email protected]

Sometimes, transformation begins with something as simple as a shared meal—or even a box of cinnamon rolls. In one remarkable instance, someone who had never set foot in a church found themselves moved to offer what turned out to be a moment of grace. Was it an action led by the Spirit in someone who didn’t yet know how the Spirit leads? Whatever the cause, it opened a new path of connection, belonging, and ministry.

At the St. Thomas, Ontario, congregation, the mission of Community of Christ is not an abstract idea—it’s something you can taste, share, and experience. Over the past several years, St. Thomas has cultivated a powerful ministry of connection through meals, partnerships, and community gatherings.

Their $2 Dinners have become legendary, drawing hundreds of neighbours each time for a full roast beef meal at “yesteryear’s prices.” The initiative, inspired by the work of another congregation, has grown into a local tradition that fosters dignity, joy, and generosity. Many guests pay more than the suggested amount once they understand the spirit behind the meal. The impact is tangible—hundreds fed, friendships formed, and even spontaneous $1000 donations in support.

This same ethos of trust and accessibility shapes their open-door policy for their Social Hall. Rather than charging standard rental fees, the congregation invites user groups to donate what they can. As a result, clubs and community groups feel welcomed, not exploited—and often respond with generous support for other outreach efforts.

Their missional spirit extends into local schools, where the congregation supports snack programs and contributes to events that foster parent–teacher connection. It all began with a fundraiser years ago that provided playground equipment and blossomed into lasting relationships with educators and families.
Sociables like Chocolate Bar Bingo, potlucks, and puzzle contests draw neighbours and newcomers alike into fellowship. Signature events like the annual Chili Cookoff and Dessert Auction blend laughter with generosity, raising thousands for local needs while building a resilient, joyful community.

One story illustrates the quiet, transformative power of this ministry. A man attended the Celebration of Life for Jennifer, the wife of his friend Todd. Jennifer, a beloved member of the St. Thomas congregation, passed away suddenly in 2023. This man had never been to a service before and did not consider himself a believer, yet something stirred in him that day. The next evening, unprompted, he showed up at the family’s home with a box of cinnamon rolls. He did not know that Jennifer and her young daughter Avery had a tradition of sharing a cinnamon roll every time they visited the mall. He unknowingly offered a deeply meaningful gesture of comfort, becoming an instrument of ministry to the grieving family.

That experience opened a door. Todd's friend and his wife began attending church, asking simply, “Are we allowed to come?” They not only came, they stayed—volunteering, serving, repairing parts of the church building, and becoming deeply engaged in the life of the congregation. His story reminds us that ministry happens not only through sermons, but in acts of kindness, hospitality, and presence. St. Thomas has created the kind of environment where people—sometimes without even realizing it—step into the work of the Spirit.
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The St. Thomas congregation reminds us that mission doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with what brings people together—meals, fun, service—and you may just find the Spirit in the midst of it all.

Have you heard about the work of the Mission Centre Design Team over the past six months?
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The team has shared its recommendations at Ziontario, McGowan’s Lake, and Beyond the Walls. More presentations will be shared at Erie Beach, Noronto, Samish Island, and Hills of Peace, and upcoming Beyond the Walls services.

Invitational postcards are available at these presentations and are also being mailed to members we may not see often. We encourage you to share these with family and friends, especially those who may not have attended a camp this year. It’s a great way to stay connected and informed about the future of our community.

Don’t miss this chance to join the conversation about the future of Community of Christ in Canada with Shannon McAdam and Vonda DenBoer during our upcoming Town Hall gatherings:

• August 17 – 1:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PT
• August 17 – 4:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. MT / 1:00 p.m. PT
• August 28 – 8:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. MT / 5:00 p.m. PT

Please register in advance to attend one of the Town Halls.
Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation with the Zoom link and a reminder closer to the event. ​

We look forward to your participation and feedback as we continue moving Onward Together!

By Emelia Goheen from Ribstone, Alberta.
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I am honoured to share some updates from the “Preserving & Integrating Traditions, Fostering Prayerful and Spiritual Support” committee, on which a number of folks from both Canada East and Canada West served (including myself). An important part of preserving traditions and spiritual practices is advocating for space for that to occur. We were tasked with ensuring that important things related to tradition or spirituality are considered — not just in the final product of one Mission Centre, but in the conversations of other committees in the Design Team.  This led to our mission as a group, which was to recommend ways for integrating traditions and formation of spiritual practices into the design of the new Mission Centre for Canada.

To better represent both Mission Centres, we published a survey to which members across Canada could respond, letting us know the traditions that were most cherished and the spiritual practices that were most valued, as well as ideas for the creation of new practices and the release of those that no longer guide us. Our key recommendations have evolved from the survey results and revolved around concrete ways to implement these suggestions in alignment with broader goals for the Mission Centre.  For example, many responses mentioned the importance of online and in-person options for Mission Centre and congregational events and resources. From that, our recommendations included that the new Mission Centre provide resources for congregations to have online and in-person interactions (such as virtual visiting). Though Community of Christ has had a rich heritage across Canada, the survey responses indicated a growing challenge within many congregations of diminished attendance and fewer leaders to fill roles. However, with the amalgamation of the two Mission Centres into one, our committee foresees the opportunity to draw from each other’s knowledge, creativity, and skills, thereby filling in the gaps that may currently exist. 

Other feedback ideas included having alternatives to sermon-based worship (like meditations or theological services), and for the Mission Centre to offer new spiritual or leadership development courses and resources that reach all ages and are accessible to — or have the opportunity to benefit — all involved. We also proposed retaining certain traditions or spiritual practices within the new Mission Centre, such as camps, retreats, Temple School, and Canada West’s tradition of a “fun” night at Mission Conferences. Of course, if you’re interested in reading our recommendations in full, they’re available on the Mission Centre Design Team website at communityofchrist.ca/mcdt.html

From the ocean air of Vancouver Island to the historic cobblestone streets of Montreal, with the majestic Rockies and amber waves of grain on the Prairies between, our congregations, members, and seekers are moving Onward Together, infusing elements of our “Canadian-ness” into our shared life as a church. I believe our team’s purpose was to protect and uphold a foundational aspect of Community of Christ across Canada, and my hope is that we will continue to move forward in love and seek enlightenment with the Spirit. I am excited for this new Mission Centre and I trust in the opportunity for us to be divinely guided as a community.

Graceland has always been part of the story for many in Community of Christ. For generations, Canadian students have crossed the border to study, grow, and find lifelong friends in Lamoni. Thanks to the Graceland Canadian Foundation Endowed Scholarship, there’s extra support to help you make that journey possible. 

This scholarship offers $3,000 (USD) each year for up to four years to Canadians attending Graceland’s undergraduate program on the Lamoni campus. This endowed scholarship was established by the Graceland Canadian Foundation. These funds are awarded directly by Student Financial Services in conjunction with the Admissions process. 

Graceland University is a safe place for self-discovery: “You'll feel an undeniable sense of belonging, unconditional love and acceptance from our entire campus community—one that gives you the courage to discover and embrace who you truly are.”
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To learn more or begin the application process, contact Maria Metcalf, Director of International Recruiting:

 📞 641.874.4070
 📱 +1.641.489.0756 (WhatsApp)
 📧 [email protected]

By Vonda DenBoer.
As I write this, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. Three very successful camps— Women’s Retreat at Hills of Peace, Loaves and Fishes Reunion at Ziontario and Noronto Children’s Camp—have recently concluded, touching lives and creating sacred, lasting memories. And the momentum continues! Three more camps are currently underway: Erie Beach Kids Camp, Jr. High Camp at Ziontario, and Spectacular at Graceland. (Although, our delegation from CEM cancelled their intended trip to Spectacular, one youth was still able to make the trip and join the delegation with Canadian youth from CWM).

And by the time you read this Healing and Freeing camp at Ziontario and McGowans Family Camp will be underway! Closely following that will be Canada West Reunion at Samish Island, Erie Beach Reunion, Noronto Reunion, Hills of Peace Reunion, Jr Camp, and Youth Camps, and Sr High Camp at Noronto. That is a remarkable lineup creating space for memorable camp experiences across much of Canada! It is no wonder that the importance of camping was indicated in your reflections on the church in Canada and why it was built into our Onward Together Strategic plan.

We are truly blessed to have such dedicated individuals committed to nurturing meaningful and transformative experiences in our camp communities. These sacred spaces shape lives and inspire spiritual growth—not just within a single camp, but across the broader network.

On a personal note, I’ve seen this ripple effect in my own family. My grandson’s experience at Loaves and Fishes Reunion was so impactful that it played a key role not only in his decision to attend Jr. High Camp but his invitation to a friend to join him in that experience. These connections matter deeply.

Thank you for the passion, energy, and love you pour into these experiences. Your ministry is making a difference, and I’m honored to walk alongside you in this important work.

But let's not stop there. Let’s Dream Bigger. Plan Smarter. Build Better.

When the camping season winds down, it's the perfect moment to reflect, share, and shape the future together—while the memories, ideas, and challenges are still fresh in our minds.
We are planning a virtual Camping Summit for September 28th — Whether you are a current or future leader, this is your chance to help develop something bigger and better for our camp community—and maybe be part of leading it forward.
Whether you’re full of new ideas or just want to lend your voice to the conversation, your input matters! Let us know you're interested, and we’ll follow up with the Zoom session details.

Let’s build the next great camping experience—together.

Vonda DenBoer Canadian
Director Camping and Campgrounds
Contact [email protected] 

Camp reunion season is in full swing, and we want to see it through your eyes! Community of Christ in Canada is inviting members, friends, and seekers to share your favourite camp and retreat photos with us.

Whether you’re capturing campfires, communion, canoe paddles, or quiet moments of connection—show us how Canadians do camp. Your images will help us tell the story of what makes our reunions and retreats so special.

We’ll feature these photos on both the Canadian and World Church social media channels to help remember this summer and inspire others to experience camp in the future. A selection may also be included in an upcoming issue of Herald magazine later this year.


📷 Send your photos to: [email protected] 
🗓 Deadline: End of August 2025

​Let’s show the world what Canadian camp reunions look like!


By submitting photos, you confirm that you have the consent of those pictured (or their parent/guardian, if minors) for the image to be shared on the church’s communications channels. If possible, please include the names of those in the photo and where it was taken.