 By John Hamer, Director of Outreach and Innovative Ministries
In the 21st century, the word Zion has become contested because of the nationalistic political movement born in the 1890s. Our use of the term “Zion” in Community of Christ predates that usage by many decades. For us, Zion represents the peaceable and radically equitable community described in the opening chapters of the Book of Acts. Acts of the Apostles represents the earliest written attempt to tell the story of Christianity’s growth as a movement after the events of the first Easter. The book was written at the end of the first century, when the movement had already expanded with well-established congregations in cities and towns across the Roman Empire and beyond its frontiers. This was a time of transition as the first generation of disciples who had known Jesus in the flesh had passed away and the apostolic age, where mendicant prophets, traveling in pairs, speaking in the Spirit, boldly announced the good news of a new covenant and sacred community open to everyone. Now, as congregations had become more established, the roles of traveling apostles and prophets were giving way to local officials: deacons, elders, and bishops. Words spoken by the Spirit were giving way to the reading of written text, the emerging canon of Christian scripture. The author of Acts is creating their narrative from this vantage and perspective: knowing what the movement has become and imagining how it might have gotten started. The author’s belief and testimony is that Christianity’s impetus and spread was fueled by the Spirit of God. That the movement was led by committed disciples who were in turn empowered and led by the Spirit. And so the text begins with the great baptism of the Holy Spirit experienced by the disciples at Pentecost. The author of Acts envisions what the first Christian community ought to have been like. We read that in coming together to build sacred community, to embody Christ, the disciples were of “one heart and mind,” and fully committed themselves to living as the spiritual Kingdom of Heaven on earth in stark contrast to the physical kingdom that they experienced in the material world: the Empire of the Romans. In this way, they sought to create a perfect, peaceable, equitable, inclusive, and just community: a utopia. Some of them applied the name “Zion” to this community — which refers to the idea of a perfected, heavenly Jerusalem at the heart of a new, Edenic world. For us, Zion is the term for a peaceable and just community that abolishes poverty by empowering all, a community that does not privilege any one racial or ethnic group at the expense of others, but is radically inclusive, and welcoming of all. It is with definition in mind that members in Ontario named one of our church campgrounds “Ziontario.” It is with this definition in mind that members of the church in Toronto named our social housing charity “Sionito” — when it became a little piece of Zion for Spanish speaking refugees who moved to Canada in the 1970s and 1980s. It is my hope that we can experience a glimpse of this kind of Zion, God’s radically inclusive, peaceable, equitable community as we continue to move Onward Together. May we open ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to embody Christ in our mission across Canada.
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 By Lanette Vawter, Director of Leadership Development
In Community of Christ, many people work and serve their communities, congregations, or camps all across Canada with creativity, dedication, and loving presence. This year the leadership team for the Canada Mission Centre will be providing annual awards for persons from your camps or congregations who have demonstrated outstanding service in Community of Christ! The awards will be presented at our Mission Conference on Nov. 7, 2026. The Unsung Hero Award recognizes individuals who quietly make a significant impact as a response to one or more of Community of Christ’s five Mission Initiatives:
The Leadership Team of Community of Christ in Canada would love to hear from members about the wonderful work being done in our congregations, campgrounds, and all the places where communities of joy, hope, love, and peace are being promoted across our country. We would like to recognize the work that is faithfully carried out and share this across our Mission Centre as a way to inspire and remind us how God's purposes are constantly unfolding. Please complete this form to nominate someone who exemplifies dedication and service in one of the five mission initiative categories. Nominations can come from anybody in Community of Christ who would like to recognize and honour the contributions that various people make for our church. All nominations must be submitted to Lanette Vawter at [email protected] by September 30, 2026. The award winners will be announced at the Canadian Mission Centre Conference on Nov. 7, 2026. May all of us be blessed and inspired by the commitment and steadfast love exhibited by so many of our dedicated church friends, members, and priesthood.  By Apostle Shannon McAdam
Several years ago I read the book The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker and it changed the way I think about every gathering that I plan. As we move into the season of camps and retreats, then quickly into Mission Centre Conferences as well, I think Priya Parker’s work can be helpful for all of us. The book is available in multiple languages, (see links below) and is an accessible, thoughtful read, but here are a few of the main takeaways:
 The Reaching Out Centre's "Be a Blessing" initiative is something we have wanted to begin for some time. We were made aware of a need at a local school where students were coming to school hungry and teachers were working to provide food for them. Some of the teachers were making it themselves. We believed that we could help so we set out to create a program where we could help. Our program prepares food packages that the children can access on Mondays and Tuesdays every other week. This past Sunday (Mother's Day), we packaged up food that will be available the following Monday. We are trying to get two days’ worth of food out of our efforts and so far, we have been successful. Our next Be a Blessing prep day will be on May 24, starting at 11AM. This is also an All In Sunday for us, another separate program but one which integrates the Be a Blessing Program for this month. We encourage you to come out and help. It is a great way to give back! If you would like to learn more, visit reachingout.ca/events to see when our next Be a Blessing prep day is. You can also sign up for emails to receive the latest news and updates. If you would like to support this amazing initiative, contact James at [email protected]  By Apostle Shannon McAdam
Recently I watched a video that warned against losing hope in the face of what’s happening in the world today. At the end, the creator said: “and don’t worry, if you are losing hope, you can have some of mine, I’ve got loads!” I liked this because I feel the same way much of the time: a big part of my job is to share my hope with you when yours is waning. I want to tell you about how you can help build hope in three places (though really there are way more than three!) where hope is needed today. I noticed these three places when I was preparing for a recent meeting of the Canadian Community of Christ Corporation Board. These three places stood out to me when I was reviewing how Worldwide Mission Tithes, generously given by Canadians, were used in 2025. The first place I noticed is the Philippines! Right away I paid attention due to my recent trip there for the International Resource Summit. The specific project listed was funding Marylou’s position as the Mission Centre Financial Officer for the Philippines Mission Centre. It was a delightful surprise to see her name because I had the joy of meeting Marylou at the summit, and her deeply faithful ministry of generosity impressed me. Her wise, hospitable approach, and care for every person are evident in everything she does. As I read the report of all her travels in 2025, I pictured the dirt roads and rural landscapes that I, too, visited. Marylou brings hope to many in places where life can be very hard. The second place I noticed was Zambia, and I noticed it because I saw the name of the person employed there, Patrick, and wondered “is this the Patrick I met at the Summit?” I looked deeper and discovered to my surprise and delight that indeed it is the same Patrick. Patrick who I had meaningful conversations with over lunch and in the jeepney rides back to our hotels at night. Patrick is a dynamic, deeply thoughtful, and hope-filled minister of vision. Investing in Patrick is not only an investment in growing the church in Africa, where he is bringing hope to people in need through supportive community, but also an investment in future leaders in Community of Christ around the world. And the third wasn’t a surprise so much as a reframing. The third is the whole Aurora Belt mission field that I help lead – because I am one of those line items that Canadian Worldwide Mission Tithes pay for! And as I mentioned at the beginning, I see one of the key parts of my job as bringing you hope. I bring it by encouraging your experiments, by maybe challenging you to see the world and your discipleship in new ways, and by sharing stories of hope with you. I have deep gratitude for the fact that my livelihood relies on your generosity, and I do not take that generosity for granted. These three places are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of how your generosity can grow hope in the world. So, the next time you are thinking about where to share generously, I encourage you to consider what you give to Worldwide Mission Tithes. Your response brings more hope than you can imagine – hope that our world desperately needs today. Thank you for your generous response  By Vonda DenBoer, Director of Camping & Campground Sustainability
I had the privilege of attending my grandson’s school talent show recently, and it left a lasting impression on me. About 500 children from kindergarten through grade eight assembled. Many stepped onto the stage and when they did, they shared their talents with remarkable courage. Some sang, others played instruments, some danced, and others performed gymnastics. There was a wide range of experience—some polished, some just beginning—but every single performance carried something meaningful. What stood out most wasn’t perfection, but bravery. A few children performed right after particularly strong acts, which could easily intimidate anyone, yet they stepped forward with confidence and gave their best. In a world that often demands flawlessness, it was refreshing to witness such authenticity. Even more powerful was the atmosphere in the room—one of respect, encouragement, and genuine appreciation for every performer. Each child was seen, supported, and celebrated. It reminded me of our camping programs, where similar values take root: building confidence, nurturing courage, and creating space for everyone to participate and grow, where they also experience lifelong sacred connection. That is why I so strongly value our camping programs. Experiences like this leave me hopeful. When children are given the chance to be vulnerable and are met with kindness and affirmation, they grow into individuals who value inclusion and lift others up. That kind of environment doesn’t just shape better individuals—it shapes a better world. I’m grateful to have witnessed such joy and humanity.  Emerge: An online meetup for youth ages 14-18—May Be part of something special—Emerge is an online space where youth ages 14–18 can meet new friends, share experiences, and grow together in community. Everyone is welcome, and we’d love to see you there! 🗓️ Sunday, May 24 🕕 7pm ET/ 6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT Bylaws survey summary A summary of responses from the October 2025 bylaws survey, conducted in response to World Conference Resolution 1335, is now available for review. The First Presidency extends its gratitude to all who participated in the survey. New worship resources and guided meditation now available New resources are now available through When We Gather: Pentecost, including a guided meditation video based on Chizaso Chunga’s poem “Not Alone, But Together,” written during the International Resource Summit in the Philippines. Additional resources inspired by Acts 2, including the full poem, are also available to support personal reflection, prayer, and gathering in community during the Pentecost season. Partnering with local organizations in the Philippines Community One Resource Development (CORD) and Outreach International are partnering to support community-led development work in the Philippines, building on more than fifty years of ministry and service. The partnership combines local relationships, leadership, and development work to support families and communities across the country.  What happens when people from different cultures who speak different languages sit together to create resources for worship, devotion, and learning? Chad Godfrey from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, reflects on his experience at the Community of Christ International Resource Summit in the Philippines, highlighting the connection between the transformation described in Acts 2 and what is taking shape in the church today. Chad shared his reflection on Beyond the Walls on May 3.
You could see it everywhere: shared meals, small-group conversations, worship that moved between stillness and celebration. Music spilling out into the streets. Singing in markets. Dancing, laughing…creating. It honestly felt like a real-life “We Are the World” unfolding in real time. And I had the privilege of capturing it through photography and film—documenting not just what was happening, but what was being formed between people. Because this summit wasn’t just about creating new resources. It was about becoming a new kind of community. One of the most meaningful ideas we encountered was a Filipino word: damayan. It’s often translated as “mutual help,” but it means so much more than that. “Damayan” is about showing up for one another—not to fix, not to solve, but to stand alongside. To say, “you don’t carry this alone.” And that spirit shaped everything. People listened deeply across language barriers and cultures. Stories that might have been overlooked were honoured. Voices that hadn’t always been centred were lifted. There was a kind of courage in the room—the courage to decentre ourselves, to make space, to trust that something better could emerge when everyone belongs. And it did. I saw people offering their stories, their music, their prayers, their art—not as performances, but as gifts. I saw friendships form that crossed continents. I experienced what it means to be a global church—not in theory, but in practice. And while filming interviews, we heard story after story of how meaningful this gathering was. Here’s a short reflection from one of the participants I had the privilege of interviewing, Bishop Chizaso Chunga in Malawi: “As an international church, I can see that connection through the resources that are there. And I saw talent. I saw God inspiring the group, inspiring us to write poems, songs. The material that will come out of these, the resources which will come out of this event will be wonderful and a turning point for the church. We are really creating a new community for Community of Christ internationally because the resources that are coming up—the songs that are coming up from the group, the poems, the prayers—they are very much inspiring. You look at how, from nowhere, a group can sing a song, a chorus together without any problems. This is really amazing, and our church really will be inspired internationally. And they are contextually relevant because from Malawi I can see either a poem or a prayer from there… I can see from Kenya, from Honduras, from Canada—as a church united and together singing songs. I see God working throughout this week.” What he describes—that’s exactly what it felt like. A new kind of community taking shape. Not built on sameness, but on shared purpose. Not led by one voice, but carried by many. Outside of our sessions, that same spirit continued—in the rice fields, in the barangays, in the marketplaces full of life and colour. In the quiet beauty of early morning dew. In the overwhelming generosity of the Filipino people. Everywhere, there was this reminder: we belong to each other. And maybe that’s what I’ll carry forward the most. Not just the images. Not just the stories. But the way people leaned toward one another—with curiosity, with humility, with love. Damayan. A way of being that feels like justice. Like kindness. Like the Spirit made visible. I left the Philippines with new friendships I know will last a lifetime. But more than that, I left with hope—hope that the church can be more global, more inclusive, more connected. Hope that we don’t do this work alone. Because in the end, this is Christ’s mission: one we were always meant to live together  By Lanette Vawter, Director of Leadership Development I’ve just returned from a vacation to the south of France, where I spent several days visiting medieval villages. As we walked through narrow cobblestoned streets, I noticed the charm and beauty of the thresholds and doorways. These are everyday homes that are still occupied, although updated with modern conveniences. It occurs to me that to cross a threshold is an opportunity to encounter the holy. The beauty of a threshold can make us pause and encounter ourselves, the world, and the holy in a deeper way. These medieval thresholds had me pausing and contemplating a thousand years of souls crossing a similar threshold across a vast span of time. The beauty of the old cathedrals, the azure colour of the Mediterranean Sea, and the ringing of a church bell can all be thresholds to the sacred if we pause long enough to sense this. Closer to home, it might be our church doors, campgrounds, the forests, or beautiful music that open a threshold within us to the holy. Today, as you go through a doorway or move from one location to another, perhaps try pausing for a moment to notice the beauty and the holiness as you cross this threshold.
Serving amid conflict and need: stories of church members in the Democratic Republic of Congo4/29/2026  Elvis Mwimba of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reflects on Acts 2 and the call to unity in diversity as expressed through the work of the church. In the midst of cultural, religious, and social challenges, he shares how Community of Christ in the DRC seeks to embody peace, justice, and Christ-centered community. This reflection was shared on Beyond the Walls on April 26.
I am one of the many people who gathered in the Philippines to develop resources for the life of the Church based on the central chapter of Acts 2, which presents us with a powerful image of the early Church. People from different nations, languages, and cultures come together in Jerusalem. This reminds us of a fundamental truth: unity does not mean uniformity. God does not eliminate diversity, but uses it to build a community founded on love, justice, and peace. It is in light of this passage that we reflect today on the mission of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where I live, in the face of numerous cultural, religious, and social challenges. The DRC is a country rich in cultures, languages, traditions, and mineral resources. This diversity is a blessing. However, in reality, it often becomes a source of division. Instead of love, we see tribalism, which pits brother against brother; the rejection of others because of their origin, language, or religion; and the loss of a sense of community. In contrast to the spirit of Acts 2, where everything was shared, our society is marked by selfishness, mistrust, and sometimes hatred. The Church is called to be a prophetic model, showing that another way of living together is possible in Christ. In certain regions in particular, the country is deeply affected by armed conflict, population displacement, trauma, poverty, and injustice. War destroys not only bodies, but also relationships, hope, and human dignity. Faced with this reality, the Church affirms an essential Enduring Principle: The Pursuit of Peace (Shalom). Here is how our Church puts this enduring principle into practice in our country. In response to a number of epidemics that had struck several regions of the country in recent years, the Church allocated funds for medicines and other healthcare supplies, as well as providing free access to care for the needy through the provincial government. There is a midwifery program called WA SAIDIZI that was established by the Church, where women have been trained in this profession to assist with childbirth and reduce the associated mortality rate in villages. The DRC is a deeply religious country. However, we see conflicts between Christian denominations, tensions between religions, and the use of religion to manipulate or divide. Yet the Church’s mission is not to dominate, but to serve; not to build on religious competition, but on the living witness of the love of Jesus Christ. The Church affirms that every human being, regardless of faith or background, is loved by God. Tribalism is one of the deepest challenges in the DRC. It sometimes even permeates the Church. Yet Acts 2 shows us a Church where the primary identity is no longer tribal, but Christ-centered. Unity in diversity is at the heart of the Church’s mission. This means welcoming all cultures into the Church; rejecting all forms of discrimination; and building a community where belonging to Christ is stronger than ethnic identity. Admittedly, in the face of these challenges, the Church’s influence is not yet strong or very noticeable, but we are working hard in every region where the Church is present, living out our identity through small actions that make a difference and impact the surrounding society, to offer a space for healing, a prophetic voice against injustice, and a reflection of the Kingdom of God within Congolese society. |
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