 Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter I will return to the “We Share” series next week. This column, “A Moment with the Mission Centre President,” got started back in March for the purpose of addressing the rapidly changing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the members and congregations of Canada West Mission Centre. The current situation with the pandemic of the last couple of weeks makes addressing it from a church context relevant again. The ”second wave” of the pandemic was predicted almost from the very beginning of the “first wave” in the early part of this year. Further, it was predicted to be worse than the first wave. That is exactly the situation in which we find ourselves across Western Canada at this time: more diagnosed infections than in the spring; more people in hospital and in Intensive Care Units; front-line workers who are even more exhausted than in the spring; and, sadly, more deaths in all jurisdictions. You, and your circle of friends, acquaintances, and associates, will all have experienced the last 8 months quite differently. You may or may not know people who have been infected – with or without symptoms, with or without hospitalization. You may or may not know anyone who’s death was attributed to COVID-19. You, or someone you know, may be confined to a continuing care facility where COVID-related restrictions have affected everyone, whether infected or not. Perhaps you or someone you know have had scheduled surgeries or treatments delayed due to the priority assigned to dealing with the pandemic. The church gave initial direction on closure of congregations around the world in mid-March. This was followed by several updates up to, and including, the release of guidelines for cautious re-opening of congregations in late May. Over the summer, church leadership released guidelines for the conduct of sacraments (other than baptism) in situations where officiating priesthood members and receiving members could not be in close proximity to each other. On the more “business” side, guidelines were also released to help local jurisdictions hold meetings to conduct needed business using video-conferencing tools. Pastors and leaders in all congregations in the Canada West Mission Centre have been doing what they can to maintain communication with members. Those efforts have included online meeting opportunities and/or regular messages or newsletters sent to members. I am also aware of some very intentional telephone ministry that has occurred to ensure contact is maintained, comfort is provided, and spiritual connection and support is reinforced. Over the summer some congregations were able to enjoy some outdoor activities that at least brought people together in a physically-distanced manner. Beginning in September some congregations initiated in-person weekly worship services while abiding by World Church and local health authority directives and guidelines. Most have discontinued in-person services again in the face of the “up-tick” in cases in their surrounding areas. Our camps and retreats were cancelled in their usual in-person formats. Many were “re-incarnated” in online formats that appear to have been mostly well-received. All of us are looking forward to getting back to some semblance of “normal” whenever circumstances allow. It is very likely that the new “normal” will be different from the old “normal” that we left behind in March. I expect that congregations will continue to offer online ministry for members and friends in some form. Camps and retreats may also very well continue some form of online components. Personal attendance and participation habits in all church activities have been interrupted by the pandemic and may or may not return to their habitual and traditional forms. Our collective and individual experience of church and of our life of faith may be quite different in the months following the pandemic. The world and life, generally, certainly will be quite different as well. Speculation about all of that will need to wait for another time. Let me close this review and summary with the affirmation that God, directly and through the Holy Spirit, continues to be with us and to bless us in all of our lives. A scripture shared in a “Virtual Visiting Fellowship” meeting this week seems appropriate to close with here: Do not be discouraged. You have not been promised an easy path, but you have been assured that the Spirit that calls you will also accompany you. … Do not be defined by the things that separate you but by the things that unite you in Jesus Christ. (Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 162:3a,5a) I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President [email protected]
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 Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter This is the 10th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1 Today, “We Share…Sacraments.” The sacraments of the church are shared or celebrated at times of the intersection of our human experience with God’s concern for our well-being. “Sacraments bring God’s grace, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the example of the life of Jesus Christ together with one’s personal commitment of faith. Through the sacraments, we discover the presence of God everywhere and realize that all life is sacred.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 44) Community of Christ has eight sacraments which touch people at different times in their lives. Baptism is celebrated when a person makes a decision to recognize the initiative of God in the person’s life. It is the culmination of a person’s choice to “follow Jesus Christ with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. … In baptism, we are immersed in water to symbolize death to sin and raised from the water to begin a new life.” (Sharing …, p. 44) Confirmation is a prayer of blessing that, first, “affirms the Holy Spirit’s continued blessing for each disciple,” and, also, “’confirms’ membership in Community of Christ.” (Sharing …, p. 45) Two elders of the church lay their hands on the head of the person being confirmed and one of them offers the prayer. Confirmation usually follows shortly after a person’s baptism. However, if a person has been baptized in another Christian faith tradition (other than as an infant) that baptism can be recognized, and the person can be confirmed as a member of Community of Christ. The Lord’s Supper (Communion) recalls the example set by Jesus in sharing in partaking in bread and wine for his disciples to remember him. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus told his disciples (Luke 22:19 NRSV). Communion is normally celebrated by congregations in their worship service on the first Sunday of each month. It is also often shared at other special occasions of gatherings of church members. Partaking of the “emblems” (bread and non-alcoholic grape juice) is open to all persons attending the service who have made a commitment to Jesus, even if in a different denomination. Ordination “recognizes the divine initiative to call certain disciples to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.” (Sharing …, p. 47) Ordination is normally conducted in a public worship service by two current priesthood members who lay their hands on the head of the person being ordained. One of the priesthood members offers the prayer of ordination to the priesthood “office” to which the person has been called. Blessing of Children is offered in commemoration of two events in Jesus’ life. First, when Mary and Joseph took him, as a young child, to the Temple “to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:21-35) and when during his ministry parents brought their children to him to be blessed (Mark. 10:14). Today parents may choose to bring their infant children, or children up to the age of 7, to be blessed in a public worship service. Typically, one minister holds the child and the other offers the prayer of blessing. For a child older than an infant, the child will sit in a chair and the ministers will lay their hands on the child’s head and one will offer the prayer. Laying on of Hands for the Sick involves two significant symbols of God’s presence: consecrated olive oil and the laying on of hands. When a person has a specific need – usually a physical illness or injury, or sometimes a challenge of a spiritual or mental health nature – the person may call the elders for a “prayer of administration” as it is often called. One minister will anoint the person’s head with a drop of consecrated olive oil, a physical representation of the Holy Spirit, and then both ministers lay their hands on the person’s head as one offers the prayer. This sacrament is normally conducted in private – sometimes in the Pastor’s Study of a church, or in a person’s home, or in a hospital room. Marriage. “Christian marriage is a sacred covenant between two people for lifelong, healthy, loving companionship. Marriage is also a legal agreement. The sacrament of marriage highlights God’s desire to strengthen and enrich the marriage.” (Sharing …, p. 49) “Community of Christ priests and elders may perform this sacrament, regardless of the couple’s membership in Community of Christ, as long as local laws governing marriage are followed.” (Sharing …, p. 50) Evangelist Blessing is a sacramental prayer that “expresses the universal love of God for the recipient(s) and brings assurance, clarifies choices, and provides light for a lifetime of faithful discipleship in response to God.” (Sharing …, p. 50) This sacrament is typically requested by an individual, but might also be requested by a couple, a family, or even an entire congregation. The Evangelist who will offer the prayer will spend some significant time in preparation with the individual (or group) to ensure there is a good understanding of the needs to be addressed by the prayer. It is possible for a person to have more than one Evangelist Blessing as a person’s life circumstances and needs change and evolve. These descriptions of the sacraments of Community of Christ are very brief due to the constraints of space in this format. Much more could be presented about each one. If you have an interest in any one or more of the sacraments of the church, please contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs. I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President [email protected]  Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter First, let me share this… I am writing late on Wednesday afternoon, the day after the U.S. election. It does not feel right not to mention this significant event. We may not know who has won this election until as late as Friday. It is in no way appropriate to express support for one politician or one party over another in a church ministry context. It is enough to note that there are strong feelings and emotions that have been generated in this election on both sides of the American electoral divide. I know that perspectives from both of those sides are shared and supported among members of Community of Christ in the Canada West Mission Centre. It is important that we pray for civil and peaceful actions in these days and that society avoids the potential for violence. I commend to you this Letter from the U.S.A. Team of Apostles, published last week. It is truly a prayer for this restraint written from the U.S. perspective. It is expressed far better than this concerned Canadian can. Let us pray for the well-being of all of our American brothers and sisters. Now, back to today’s theme… This is the 9th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1 Today, “We Share…Whole-life Stewardship.” Stewardship is the response of my people to the ministry of my Son and is required alike of all those who seek to build the kingdom. (Book of Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a) And, from the Gospels: From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. (Luke 12:48 NRSV) Stewardship is wisely managing the gifts and blessings of God in our lives and finding ways to give some of them back into God’s service. “Whole-life Stewardship” recognizes that gifts to us and gifts from us are in all areas of our lives, not just in our finances. “We serve through tithing of our time, talent, treasure, and testimony. We describe this as whole-life stewardship. Being good stewards of our lives is our ultimate calling as generous disciples.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 39) Six principles are defined as being a disciple’s generous response:
Practicing good stewardship takes intentionality and discipline. It is easy to use our blessings entirely for our own benefit. As a disciple we are called to resist that temptation and to use our blessings – of time, of talent, of testimony, and of treasure – to help further God’s purposes. “You are invited to a journey of whole-life stewardship in response to God’s amazing generosity in your life as we seek to build communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.” (Sharing …, p. 43) For more information about our Basic Beliefs, contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs. I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President [email protected] |
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