 By John Hamer. As human beings, we fall into weekly and even daily routines. Sometimes it’s difficult not to be swept up by the news cycle. It’s easy to lose sight of the larger perspective or to appreciate what can be accomplished when we commit together to sustained effort over the course of years and decades. I had occasion to reflect on this principle last Thursday, as I participated in a long anticipated groundbreaking ceremony. For many years I have volunteered my service as president of the Sionito group of charities, which provides affordable and subsidized housing here in Toronto, in many cases for individuals who would otherwise be at risk of being homeless. The charity began half a century ago when members of the congregation rehabbed distressed apartments in the neighborhood of our old church, as a way to provide housing for refugees from Latin America. Members of the newly housed community felt that we had a little piece of “Zion” — God’s peaceable, equitable kingdom, here in Toronto — and so they called the apartments, “the little Zion” (“Sionito” in Spanish). Over the years, the charity expanded to include three buildings with a total of 133 apartments in Toronto and added a sister charity, Zerin, which is developing more buildings in London, Ontario. Unfortunately, the crisis of housing injustice is still with us and is, perhaps, more acute than ever. Housing justice is an issue of which everyone who lives in a city has long been aware. And as housing has become ever less affordable, it is an issue that has now come to the attention of everyone in Canada. Fortunately, decades of work have given us expertise, equity, and strong partnerships, allowing the charity to construct an all-new development. The new building will include 158 apartments, more than doubling the good work we are currently able to provide. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Bryce Taylor, CEO of the Sionito Group of Charities and a member of the Gathering Place+ congregation, remarked, “all social support starts with the need for housing [...] We at Sionito fit into this societal support system by providing housing for seniors impoverished by mental health challenges at a time in their life when they are fighting just to maintain their independence and their activities of daily living. We will give them that and more in this building [...] this project shows how citizens can come together in this society of ours in Canada and citizens can make Canada the more civil society.” The world needs community, and Sionito is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when people who share values work together to confront a global issue in their own neighborhood.
0 Comments
 “Quick-segesis: A Quick Exegetical Process for Worship and Preaching”
Join us for the final two sessions in the current CIMM Wednesday night minis series, as Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith offer a two-part exploration of “Quick-segesis: A Quick Exegetical Process for Worship and Preaching.” This approach offers a condensed version of their 8-part Introduction to Scripture class from the Ministry and Priesthood series. These free sessions are open to all. No registration is required—just come as you are and enjoy thoughtful, accessible learning. The sessions will take place Wednesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. CDT / 6:00 p.m. MDT / 5:00 p.m. PDT / 8:00 p.m. EDT via Zoom. Zoom link and session details can be found here  The Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation, in partnership with Community of Christ, is offering a new summer opportunity through the Alma Blair Internship Program.
This year’s position is based at the F. M. Smith Library on the Graceland University Lamoni campus. The selected intern will work with the university archives, assisting with the organization and exploration of the archival collection. To learn more or apply, please visit the job posting.  We know some members are feeling uncertain about travelling to the U.S. right now. You’re not alone—and you have options. We’re excited to offer a remote gathering at Kitchener Congregation where delegates from across Canada can fully participate in the legislative sessions of World Conference—no travel to the U.S. required.
What to Expect Remote Delegate Participation Thanks to a special provision by the First Presidency, this remote site allows full delegate engagement. Canada East Mission has 74 delegate spots, with only about 30 currently filled. Canada West Mission has room for nine more. If you’ve been considering serving, now is the time. Your voice matters. Observer-Friendly Environment Not a delegate? You’re still welcome to attend. Join us for worship, discussion, and fellowship throughout the weekend. Be Part of History Celebrate the ordination of Stassi Cramm to the office of Prophet-President and honour the ministry of Stephen Veazey as he retires. Witness the call of Shannon McAdam to the Council of Twelve—a significant moment for Canada. This year’s theme, Hope is Here, rings especially true. Reserve Your Spot If you're a current delegate or would like to serve as one, contact Sam Smalldon at [email protected]. To learn more about the Kitchener gathering or reserve your place, reach out to Melissa Freer at [email protected].  The Mission Centre Design Team invites you to share your perspective by completing two short surveys.
The first survey asks which spiritual practices and traditions should be preserved and honoured—and what new expressions we could embrace and nurture. The second survey focuses on how you prefer to stay connected with your congregation, camp reunions, Mission Centre, and the wider church. Your responses will help the Mission Centre Design Team better understand your experiences and hopes. Your feedback will inform recommendations as we imagine our future together. We’re grateful for your insight as we seek to deepen our spiritual life and improve how we stay connected across Community of Christ in Canada.  By Andrew Bolton, World Church Peace and Justice Team We mourn what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. We mourn the 1,200 Israelis killed on 7 October 2023. We are in grief over the 48,000 Gazan Palestinians killed since, and a further 1,000 West Bank Palestinians. The wounded now total around 130,000. The International Criminal Court and Amnesty International have spoken out. In February, President Trump’s offer for the USA to take over Gaza and move Palestinians to other countries seems like ethnic cleansing. The ceasefire brought some hope and respite—but that was devastatingly broken recently. What can we do? John Hamer and I were part of a peace delegation of Community of Christ members last November to Israel/Palestine. We were on a study tour with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), based in Washington, DC. Community of Christ is a member. This was my second study tour with them. I have been involved with this organisation for nearly 20 years. I trust their spirit, analysis, and commitment to making a just peace. The first thing you can do is go to their webpage (https://cmep.org) and become a member. Meet Destiny Magnett at a Lunch and Learn session at World Conference in June. Destiny is a dynamic young adult. This bewildering conflict is rapidly changing. It is becoming more violent. The suffering of Palestinians is increasing dramatically. How do I make sense of it? What can we do? There are two kinds of Zionism at work. First, Jewish Zionism. This goes back to 1897 with the launch of Theodor Herzl’s political and secular Zionism. It resulted in Jewish settler colonisation of Palestine, victory in the war of independence in 1948, and the occupation of Palestinians since 1967. The Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, rules 12 million people, but 5 million cannot vote—the Palestinians. Some of us fear that the end game is the forcible removal of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. Second is Christian Zionism. This Zionism supports the return of Jews to the Holy Land; the whole land is theirs, given by God, they say. There are 50 million Christian Zionists in the USA. They are a big political lobby for Israel. President Trump has Christian Zionists in key positions. There is no concern for Palestinians, whether they are Christian or Muslim. Simply, the land they have lived in for centuries is no longer theirs. The resolution G2 at the coming World Conference opposes Christian Zionism. Both these Zionisms are nationalistic. Jews in. Palestinians out. There is a third view of Zion. In Community of Christ, Zion is for the flourishing of all people. All humans are of equal worth and dignity. No one is excluded. It is this kind of Community of Christ vision of Zion that will bring a just peace in the Middle East. Others—Muslim, Jewish, and Christian—using different language, advocate this vision. So, pray for this vision of “inclusive Zion” to grow. Write to your senators, representatives, and members of Parliament to end military support for Israel and to support a just peace with democratic and human rights for all in Israel/Palestine. To do nothing is for us to be complicit in ethnic cleansing and genocide. I live in Leicester, England. There are as many Muslims as there are Christians, and Jews live here too. Leicester is a super diverse city, like Toronto, and in both cities, people live with dignity, without violence, and all of us can vote. This too can happen in Israel/Palestine. Salaam, shalom, peace is possible—with your help.  Harmony invites you to the next Sacred Pause gathering on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Central (6:00 p.m. Pacific / 7:00 p.m. Mountain / 9:00 p.m. Eastern) . This month’s theme is Wilderness Journeys, and the gathering will include Communion (Lord’s Supper).
Sacred Pause is a monthly online gathering created for Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies—a space for connection, rest, and spiritual renewal. Hosted by Harmony (a non-profit advocating for full participation of Queer voices in Community of Christ), this hour-long gathering includes a centering activity, time for reflection or small group conversation, spiritual practice, and prayer. Everyone is welcome to bring their whole selves—whether you're grounded in faith, questioning, or simply seeking community. Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81963030597?pwd=fNeR3u9aa0aAQbiAUtjLUYKJUqK7Rm.1#success Meeting ID: 819 6303 0597 Passcode: 276646 Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome. Come as you are—and bring a friend.  You are invited to “Percolating Purpose: Brewing Ideas for Inspired Leadership”. A space for deep, forward-thinking conversations about the future of church leadership.
The world is changing, and so is the role of the church. How do we lead with vision when the old ways no longer resonate? These sessions offer real, honest dialogue about the shifts we face and the opportunities ahead. Upcoming Session – April 3 at 7 p.m. EDT Topic: Responding to the Global Economic Climate: A Faithful Posture in a Shifting World Discussion Questions:
Key Question: How do we uphold our mission of peace, justice, and the worth of all persons in the face of economic and political shifts? Join the Zoom Meeting Click here to join Meeting ID: 854 6676 8718 Passcode: 505051 Join us at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). Upcoming Sessions & Topics April 23 – Leadership in Times of Change: Setting Healthy Boundaries and Releasing the Past May 21 – Beyond Nostalgia: Reframing the Church’s Role in Society June 18 – Co-Creating the Future: Church as a Partner in a Changing World Join fellow pastors and leaders in engaging conversations that challenge, inspire, and equip us for what’s ahead. Let’s brew bold ideas together—we hope to see you there!  By Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
On Monday, new field assignments were announced that will come into effect if all anticipated calls are accepted at our upcoming Community of Christ World Conference. You can read the announcement here. There are a lot of things that excite me about this new configuration, so I wanted to share that with you! Exciting Thing #1: Shared Leadership! As part of a three-person Mission Centre President team, I have learned to deeply appreciate the shared leadership model. It makes the work feel less lonely and provides people to bounce ideas off of and share burdens with. I’m really excited to be working with Lachlan MacKay. Lach has dual USA and Australian citizenship, so is a fellow member of the Commonwealth! We are both eager to explore how we can best support our new, diverse mission field. Additionally, we will collaborate with the USA Apostle team to support mission in the USA. I think it will be great to have a Canadian voice in that mix to broaden horizons and forge cross-cultural connections. Exciting Thing #2: A Diverse Mission Field I’m excited that Lach and I will get to serve a diverse yet unified group of church members around the world. The mission centres in our field have many things in common, and we are already looking for ways to make connections between them. Especially in our current global political climate, transcending borders to build relationships is incredibly important. Exciting Thing #3: Solid Foundations The Apostles who have previously been assigned to the various mission centres in our new field have done a wonderful job in providing ministry and building solid foundations for the future. Each area has been working on how to re-imagine church as we move forward in an ever-changing world, and I’m excited to build on what Art, Mareva, and Richard have all worked so hard at. Exciting Thing #4: New Opportunities for Mission With all these solid foundations, it is even more exciting to look at where the new opportunities lie. It is also exciting to have Karin Peter and Joelle Wight, presidents of 70, as our partners in mission. Their wisdom and enthusiasm will be a gift to this field. Things like refugee ministry and creative new expressions of the church are emerging in many places. I cannot wait to see what new things will continue to grow as we foster a focus on mission across the church through these new field assignments. I hope you, too, are excited for what is to come!  Looking for an online worship service? The Communications Team has gathered all weekly online worship services offered by Community of Christ congregations across Canada into one easy-to-use page. In addition to Beyond the Walls, the global of ministry of Community of Christ in Canada, many of our congregations offer regular worship services that you can join via Zoom or live stream. Is your congregation hosting regular online services?
If your congregation's online worship service is not yet listed, please let us know at [email protected]. We update the page regularly, and the full listing is also emailed every Friday to keep everyone informed, especially since some congregations may occasionally change their programming. By keeping your congregation’s information current, you help members and seekers easily connect online with your ministry. We hope this experience leads new online visitors toward future in-person connections at a Community of Christ congregation near them. |
Archives
April 2025
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed