 Last Saturday, November 22, more than 30 members from across Canada participated in our first Communications Town Hall—including eight from the Chilliwack congregation. This was an opportunity to meet face to face with the members of the Communications Team and learn more about what we do and what our priorities are for 2026. We also had a chance to hear questions and insights from attendees across the country, helping us better understand how our team can support ministries and programs at the local level as we move onward together.
In this article, we share key takeaways from this event, including highlights from the presentation and answers to some of the questions we heard from attendees from across Canada. Who We Are The Communications Team is currently composed of Jeanny Jakobsen from Saskatoon, SK, serving as Operations Specialist; Quinlan Stevenson from Stratford, ON, serving as Communications Coordinator; and Leandro Palacios from Toronto, ON, serving as Director. We are hoping to add a Graphic Designer to the team (if you are interested, you can find more details here). What We Do
To do that, we aim to clearly express who we are, what we do, and what we believe. This is why we uphold visual standards and communicate our identity, mission, message, and beliefs as stated in Sharing in Community of Christ, while reflecting the Canadian cultural context. Our Priorities for 2026 Key priorities include:
Feedback and Questions from the Town Hall 1. How do we develop and maintain relationships with local members who can no longer attend in person? The local community is unique and we want to continue to support this type of gathering. However, connecting with those who cannot attend in person does not have to be centered around the Sunday service (by adding more cameras and microphones), but by trying something new. For example, the Scarborough congregation holds their regular in-person service some Sundays but gathers every Thursday for a fully online service. That allows people who can no longer attend in person to participate fully, and “quality” becomes less about production and more about community. Our team is hoping to create and nurture connections with people across Canada, no matter what congregation they come from. Onward Together does not only mean that two mission centres are becoming one. It also means that to fully take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us, we must let go of thinking that our church community is only the people who used to come in person to our building. Identity based on a building has not helped us invite people to church in the last few decades. Instead, we want to promote Canada-wide communities that share common passion and vocation. This question was related to how to run a successful hybrid service. While IT recommendations and support are not functions of the Communications Team, we remind everyone that a guideline for online and hybrid services is available on our website. 2. Can you blur faces in photos we share with the Communications Team? No. Before sharing photos with us, you need to ask permission from anyone whose face is clearly visible. 3. What are the minimum communications channels a congregation should manage? We heard questions like: Can someone help us update our website? Should we be on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X? How much time should we dedicate to these things? You don’t have to be on every social media platform and you don’t need to have your own website. But of course, you can. However, the more channels the more time it will take to manage them. Here's what we suggest: Appoint a Communications Officer if you haven’t yet. This way we can ensure that all the information about your events, ministries, and contact information are up to date on the website of Community of Christ in Canada. This is more important than managing your own website because communityofchrist.ca will normally rank higher on Google searches. If someone in the congregation uses Facebook regularly, they can dedicate one hour per week to manage your congregation’s Facebook page. If someone in the congregation uses Instagram regularly, they can dedicate one hour per week to share photos on a church account. Instagram posts can be automatically shared on Facebook. What about TikTok, X, YouTube? These platforms require more content creation. Content has to be about a topic, not about promotion or invitation to a church event, the algorithms don’t like promotional content unless you pay for it. Online channels are not the only way to promote your activities. For example, in Toronto, a small note in a free magazine brought hundreds of people to our in-person lectures. Think of what might work in your area, like a bulletin board at the library or community centre. 4. Are you creating media content that we can post on social media? We encourage you to share in your congregation’s social media channels all the content that we publish online as Community of Christ in Canada. But we do not create content tailored for your local events and ministries. We can work with your Communications Officer to build templates so that you can create quality graphics and video that will look professional and follow current social media trends. 5. Are we developing guidelines for congregations to effectively and safely promote their work on social media? We are. Once those become available early next year, we will publish them on the website and announce them in our newsletters and social media. I want to thank all those who participated in the first of many Communications Town Halls. I am looking forward to seeing you at our next session (the date will be published shortly). In the meantime, should you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Leandro Palacios Director of Communications – Community of Christ in Canada [email protected]  As the Generosity Cycle draws to a close, we carry its spirit of daily and spiritual generosity into Giving Tuesday on 2 December—a time to extend that same spirit through financial giving. Together, we can help the church’s global ministries continue to support life-changing work through Worldwide Mission Tithes.
This week, we’re focusing on Empowering People and Communities. Imagine barriers being lifted as people gain access to education, training, and opportunity. Across Canada and around the world, your generosity helps create spaces where people can grow, gain confidence, and build sustainable futures rooted in dignity and hope. From community food programs to youth leadership initiatives, every contribution supports efforts that strengthen resilience and open doors to a better future. On December 2, join us for Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity that supports ministries of compassion, justice, and peace. A generous $250,000 USD matching contribution will double every gift—amplifying your impact. Visit our Giving Tuesday page to learn more about this year’s theme and how your gift makes a difference:  Imagine communities coming together to care for the Earth and live sustainably. Your generosity supports global efforts to protect natural resources, address climate change, and inspire people to live in harmony with creation. Community of Christ has declared a climate emergency and is committed to taking practical steps like installing solar power, reducing waste, and hosting more virtual gatherings to reduce emissions. These initiatives are helping model sustainable ministry and care for our shared world. On December 2, join us for Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity that supports ministries of compassion, justice, and peace. A generous $250,000 USD matching contribution will double every gift—amplifying your impact. Visit our Giving Tuesday page to learn more about this year’s theme and how your gift makes a difference:  A very meaningful and memorable part of travelling the British Isles and Europe was our experiences of the sacraments. We participated in Communion 4 times and observed or participated in 3 ordinations, 2 baptisms, 2 laying on of hands, and 1 confirmation.
Communion in particular was memorable as we took the elements outside on a playground, in a schoolroom during a conference, in a hotel room, and in a conference room of a hostel. All were deeply moving and sacred times.  By Lana Cullis, Co-author of Spiritual Life Writing Workbook Yesterday I had coffee with a new friend. And we told each other stories carried close to our hearts. The kind of stories that usually go untold. The kind of stories that begin, “I had this experience…it’s hard to describe…but it changed me.” You know—faith and spirit stories. She and I first met about 18 months ago at a meeting to organize a new book club. Since then, our club of ten has read and discussed over a dozen books. We take turns selecting books, leading conversations, and hosting meetings. The books chosen, authors, and subject matter vary widely. Invariably, before every meeting, one or two members will research the “story behind the story” and share their discoveries during the meeting. With some books, the plot itself becomes less important than the question, “What drove the author to write this story?” My new friend and I have both retired from careers that required us to formally document the stories of our clients. And both of us took great care to ensure that our clinical notes conveyed our client’s voice alongside medical documentation. Why? Because stories matter, and because storytellers matter too. We all have that uncle or grandmother who keeps us spellbound around the dinner table; they are often the same people who give toasts at weddings, eulogies at funerals, or theme talks at church. You might be that person. We all wish we could hear or tell such important stories again—or even read a whole volume of stories of faith and spirit. During Advent we are especially mindful of messages about hope, peace, joy, and love. Ironically, though, it’s stories about faith, religion, and spirit that are the most likely to become lost. Because we hesitate to write them. It is normal to think, “But I am not a writer. I could never do that.” But what if, with a little help, you could? Take the next step in sharing your own story. Join us for the Spiritual Life Writing Online Retreat, on Zoom, January 24–25. The Early Bird registration price of $60 is available until November 29 and includes a copy of the Spiritual Life Writing Workbook.This guided experience offers support, encouragement, and practical tools to help you begin writing the stories that matter most. This Christmas season, tell someone their story matters. And remind yourself that your story matters too. Susan Scott, Lana Cullis, and Sharon S. Hines published The Spiritual Life Writing Workbook: From Concept to Bookshelf because too many important stories remain untold.  By John Hamer, Canada East Historian Stained-glass windows have deep roots in Christian history. They were popularized and made important by Abbot Suger of St. Denis in the 12th-century Kingdom of France. Suger’s abbey housed the royal crypts where most of the kings and queens of France have been buried. He wanted to renovate and rebuild his abbey church on a grand scale in a new style, using the latest engineering technology. He ended up building what we now think of as the first “Gothic cathedral.” The most important component of the new church were its windows — much larger and letting in far more light than earlier Roman and Romanesque structures. These were decorated with stained-glass images of the saints and vignettes of Bible stories. But these were not meant simply to be pretty or to tell stories to the illiterate. The windows had a theological purpose. Drawing upon the Gospel of John’s description of the divine Christ — “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” — Suger allegorized light as the source of divine revelation. In his conception of stained glass, the natural light of the sun was lux, which was then mediated through the gem-light prism of the windows, becoming lumen or metaphysical light. Finally, that lumen entered the eyes of individuals as “illumination” — a spiritual light that elevated the mind and fed the soul. Suger developed his ideas from The Celestial Hierarchy, an important theological text he believed had been written by Dionysius the Areopagite. Dionysius was an Athenian leader in the Book of Acts who converted because of Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:34). Tradition in Suger’s day held that Dionysius became a Christian missionary in Gaul, ultimately serving as the first bishop of Paris, winning renown as “the apostle of France.” After Dionysius’ martyrdom, he was buried in Suger’s abbey, which was named in his honour — “Denis” being French for Dionysius. (Modern historians have concluded that Denis of Paris, the author of The Celestial Hierarchy, and the character from the Book of Acts were actually three different individuals.) Stained glass has continued to provide illumination within our own Community of Christ tradition in churches across Canada. Magnificent stained-glass windows from the historic Maitland Street church in London were preserved and are now housed in the Woodfield church. Stained-glass windows from the historic Soho Street church in Toronto are preserved in the heritage rooms of Toronto Centre Place, the Reaching Out Centre in Mississauga, as well as the church history museum in the Temple in Independence. Other beautiful examples of stained glass include renditions of the church seal in buildings as far afield as Edmonton, Calgary, and Proton. Does your church facility include stained glass? Do you know its history? Please share photos and the story with us: [email protected]  Council of Twelve updates The World Church Leadership Council has reorganized the Council of Twelve into two teams to meet the evolving needs of the worldwide church. Since October 9, 2025, Apostle Catherine Mambwe has led Team A, which includes fields 1, 2, and 3. Team B brings together fields 4 and 5 under the leadership of Apostle Lach Mackay, grouping Canada, the USA, Australia, and Western Europe as areas of contextual overlap. Additional updates include:
Policy updates: Priesthood and Personal Relationships New policies on Priesthood and Personal Relationships have been implemented in Canada, the USA, and the British Isles Mission Centre. These updates were developed in response to World Conference Resolution 1327 (2023), which authorized apostles—working with the Council of Twelve and the First Presidency—to create policies that align with local laws and cultural contexts.
Church Bylaws Survey closes November 14 Please review the current bylaws and share your feedback. Baptism and Membership Survey is open until December 31 Explore the study resources and share your voice regarding baptism and membership. Jamaica and Philippines Relief The Presiding Bishopric is sending funds to local leaders in Jamaica where church members and property were affected by Hurricane Melissa. Also, a donation was sent to members in the Philippines in areas greatly affected by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi). The Generosity Cycle concludes November 23 The 2025 Generosity Cycle wraps up on November 23. There’s still time to participate through worship, study, and daily expressions of generosity. Resources and ideas for closing celebrations are available online.  Imagine lives being changed as people grow in faith, develop new skills, and build communities of peace. Your generosity helps strengthen congregations, empower leaders, and support ministries that nurture learning, connection, and hope in practical, life-giving ways. As Apostle Joey Williams reminds us, “We… are better together, forming communities where we not only grow, but where we thrive.” One U.S. congregation lived out that vision by welcoming Congolese refugees and creating a thriving community of belonging and peace—an inspiring example of what generosity can make possible. On December 2, join us for Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity that supports ministries of compassion, justice, and peace. A generous $250,000 USD matching contribution will double every gift—amplifying your impact. Visit our Giving Tuesday page to learn more about this year’s theme and how your gift makes a difference:  By Leandro Palacios, Director of Communications How do we keep members connected across great distances? To what extent should we embrace new technologies and trends in our efforts to spread the Gospel? How far should we go in adapting our places of worship to new tools? Although we might think these questions belong to the modern age, they have a long history in Community of Christ. A century ago, as the church was re-establishing its presence in Independence, Missouri, while maintaining strong roots in Lamoni, Iowa, President Fred M. Smith saw the need to reach out to members scattered across the world. Travelling often between the two cities, he envisioned a new way to connect them: through the airwaves. Radio was still new and exciting, and very few Christian denominations had dared to use it. That didn’t stop our church leaders from setting up a radio station, authorized by the U.S. government under the call sign KFIX (later KLDS). This made the RLDS church one of the first denominations in the United States to own a licensed station. The first broadcast took place in January 1925 from Lamoni and reached members in several nearby states. Later, a radio antenna was installed on the tower of the Stone Church in Independence, and the broadcasts began reaching listeners as far as Canada and beyond. A hundred years later, these same questions still echo — perhaps louder than ever. Many members today wonder how we can stay connected across great distances while still honouring regional traditions as we move onward together as one mission centre. The internet and social media give us powerful ways to reach each other, but they also bring new challenges. Is TikTok an appropriate way to share the Gospel? How do we communicate effectively on Facebook? How do we keep our online spaces safe and inclusive? The choices we make today are as significant as those made by our pioneers who once raised an antenna over one of our most sacred spaces. And because what we do today is history, we are called to tell the story — so that 100 years from now, someone else might be inspired to boldly try something new, something we cannot yet imagine! Where to start? We will consider how to tell the story at our first Communications Town Hall. Everything we do when we gather can become part of our shared story of community and discipleship if we remember that these moments belong to a greater story that reaches all the way back to the first disciples. Storytelling can transform the way we live and share our mission. Join us as we learn how to tell the story of Community of Christ in Canada—together! Communications Town Hall 📅 Saturday, November 22 ⌚ 10 am PT / 11 am MT / 12 pm CT / 1 pm ET 🖥️ On Zoom – open to members and seekers Meeting ID: 878 5553 5695 Passcode: 081015  As we continue to move Onward Together, we are committed to strengthening our current and emerging programs across the country. Community of Christ in Canada invites talented and passionate individuals to join the team!
A new posting for Camping and Events Specialist has just been added to our Opportunities page. This is a one-year, full-time position within the Camping and Campgrounds Team, with the possibility of renewal. The person filling this role will help coordinate and support camping programs across Canada—bringing together young people, families, and leaders in experiences that teach us to love one another. From staff recruitment and training to ensuring safe and inclusive programming, this position will help build the foundation that makes our summer camps and retreats thrive. We’re also still accepting proposals for the Graphic Designer contract, a role that will work closely with the Communications Team to create visual content for web, email, and social media—helping tell the story of Community of Christ in Canada in ways that inspire and connect. These and other opportunities represent the first steps of our Onward Together implementation as we begin to nurture the teams that will sustain our shared mission in the years ahead. In the coming weeks, directors will continue to identify new opportunities and areas where additional support is needed. Please take a moment to visit our Opportunities page to learn more about these roles and others to come. Share the link with your congregation, friends, and networks—you might know someone who has been waiting for the chance to bring their skills, creativity, and calling into the work we are doing together across Canada. |
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