 By Troy Roach, Creating Connection Director, Canada East
Did you know that almost every day of the year is tied to a special observance? From global causes like World Mental Health Day and Earth Day to fun and quirky celebrations such as World Book Day or Random Acts of Kindness Day, these designated days present opportunities to engage meaningfully with our communities. They also offer moments to promote inclusivity, celebrate diverse perspectives, and build connections through shared values. For congregations, these observances open up creative possibilities to connect with local needs, build partnerships, and engage in advocacy that resonates beyond the walls of our buildings. Many congregations struggle to find ways to make their presence and message relevant in today’s world. The good news? We don’t have to invent something entirely new. Instead, we can tap into what the world is already talking about and align our activities with causes that hold significance in our communities. This approach reflects the example of Jesus, who didn’t wait for people to come to him but met them where they were—in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Why Special Days of Observance Matter We’re not just talking about the traditional church calendar. This is about exploring new opportunities—days of observance that reflect today’s social issues, cultural conversations, and advocacy efforts. By tapping into these observances, we stretch our engagement beyond the familiar and show our communities that we’re actively paying attention to what matters in the world right now. People are increasingly drawn to causes and action-oriented events, offering new ways for us to connect. Days of observance provide a cultural and social touchpoint that helps congregations connect with people in relevant and meaningful ways. These observances also create opportunities for inclusive community-building, fostering connections through shared experiences. Aligning activities with these days shows we’re paying attention to what matters and are willing to engage in issues people care about. Even though fewer people are engaging with traditional church gatherings, they’re still searching for belonging, purpose, and meaning—just in different ways and spaces. For example, you could celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week in March by partnering with schools or organizations to host events that celebrate diverse ways of thinking and learning. This might include panel discussions, storytelling events, or community art projects. In November, National Family Caregivers Month could inspire a "Caregivers’ Appreciation Day" with free wellness activities, practical resources, or opportunities for caregivers to connect and share experiences. On World Storytelling Day, March 20, your congregation might host a storytelling night focused on local stories of resilience, community, or justice, fostering intergenerational conversations. By participating in these observances, we make our work more visible and approachable to the wider community. People who may not feel comfortable attending a church service might gladly attend a community event that aligns with a cause they care about. Ideas for Engaging with Special Days Congregations can creatively engage with days of observance by partnering with local organizations to amplify shared messages or organizing events like workshops, cleanups, or awareness campaigns. Social media and community boards are great tools for raising awareness and inviting participation. Supporting advocacy efforts, such as World Food Day or International Human Rights Day, can also be impactful ways to align with these observances. Overcoming Resistance Some leaders might worry that aligning with special days feels gimmicky or strays from traditional practices. However, these observances can be entry points for deeper conversations and practical ways to live out our values. It’s not about replacing what we do but enhancing it by connecting faith to real-world issues. Supporting existing events and efforts can be just as impactful as leading our own. Finding the Right Observances There are many resources to help identify relevant observances, including: United Nations International Days: Focuses on peace, human rights, health, and education. Government of Canada Awareness Days: Provides a list of Canadian-specific observances. National Today: Offers a comprehensive list of quirky and serious days worldwide. Moving Forward: A Call to Action What would it look like if your community became known for building meaningful partnerships that make a difference? How might it transform your outreach if you tapped into ready-made opportunities to engage with your community in practical ways? Special days of observance give us the chance to align our faith with action by connecting our values to real-world causes. They help us meet people where they are by engaging in issues they care about, foster belonging through shared experiences, and build meaningful partnerships. It’s time to move beyond Sunday and start making meaningful connections—every day of the year.
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 Did you know almost every day has a special observance or cause tied to it? From Earth Day to World Book Day, these moments provide countless opportunities for congregations and groups to align their activities with real-world causes and issues that resonate deeply with their communities.
Join us for Canadian Leaders’ Coffee and Conversation on Wednesday, January 15, at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM ET on Zoom. This month, we’ll explore practical ways to leverage these observances to create meaningful connections, build partnerships, and foster community engagement. Bring your ideas, questions, and a cup of coffee (or tea!) as we discover fresh insights on how to make your congregation’s ministry more impactful and relevant in today’s world. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82426151627?pwd=SHZWN2h5NVkzSmRwaHdpcUpmVVRXZz09 Meeting ID: 824 2615 1627 Passcode: 486753  The First Presidency’s draft Statement on Nonviolence reflects our shared call to peace, reconciliation, and justice. The statement is presented in three sections: foundational principles, faithful responses, and practical applications of nonviolence in today’s world.
Your feedback is vital in this process of Common Consent. The survey is open until February 28, 2025, and your insights will help finalize the statement, which will be shared with the church by May 1, 2025.  Discover fresh perspectives and deepen your understanding with free, live Zoom sessions presented by the Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). Starting January 15, Community of Christ experts will explore topics in theology, culture, and mission through short, "bite-sized" sessions that are interactive and easy to follow.
Most sessions are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM Central and run for about an hour, including time for live Q&A. Join from the comfort of your home and connect with others who are curious and eager to learn. If you miss a session or want to revisit one, past recordings are available on the CIMM YouTube channel. Here’s the upcoming schedule: Preaching Series • January 15 – The Power of Narrative Preaching in Witness and Mission – Linda Booth • January 22 – The Power of Narrative Preaching to Awaken Congregations – Linda Booth • January 29 – Narrative Preaching in a Post-Modern World – Linda Booth • February 5 – Emerging Thoughts in Sharing the Message (pt 1) – Joey Williams • February 12 – Emerging Thoughts in Sharing the Message (pt 2) – Joey Williams • February 19 – Loss and Light – Barbara Weldon • February 26 – Finding Your Voice – David Lloyd • March 5 – Millennial Preaching – TBA Adult Reunion Text Series: “Hope is Here” • March 12 – Story of Hope – Stassi Cramm • March 19 – Breathe in Hope – Katie Harmon-McLaughlin • March 26 – Turn Toward Hope – Crossing Identity Boundaries – Zac Harmon-McLaughlin • April 2 – Spirit of Hope – Conflict Transformation – TBA • April 9 – Onward in Hope – Celebrate Community – TBA Preaching Series (Continued) • April 16 – Quick-egesis: A Quick Exegetical Process for Worship and Preaching (pt 1) – Tony & Charmaine Chvala-Smith • April 23 – Quick-egesis: A Quick Exegetical Process for Worship and Preaching (pt 2) – Tony & Charmaine Chvala-Smith Register now at www.graceland.edu/cimmsessions to attend any or all of these free sessions. Everyone is welcome—bring a snack!  As the year draws to a close, we celebrate the profound impact of your generosity through World Accord’s life-changing work. In Nepal, our partnership with Women for Peace and Democracy (WPD) empowers women through vocational training, financial literacy, and small-business support. These programs foster economic independence and resilience, creating real change for families and entire communities. Your support also makes a difference in Guatemala, where sustainable agriculture helps families thrive. Across the globe, underserved youth are gaining access to education, and communities are becoming stronger in the face of climate change. Together, we are transforming lives and building a better future, one step at a time. As a trusted partner of Community of Christ, World Accord remains committed to building self-reliant, sustainable communities through empowerment and partnership. By joining the Global Giving Campaign your year-end gift will ensure this vital work continues into the new year. Thank you for being part of this life-changing mission! 
Call for applications: Director of Leadership Development and Director of Camping and Campgrounds12/17/2024  Community of Christ in Canada is excited to announce the anticipated creation of two full-time staff positions aligned with our strategic priorities.
1. Director of Leadership Development This role focuses on equipping leaders to support our mission. As in-person congregations face the challenges of aging membership, strong leadership is essential. The Director will oversee the implementation of our leadership development strategy across Canada. 2. Director of Camping and Campgrounds Camping programs play a vital role in fostering intergenerational connections and church identity across Canada. The Director will lead efforts to collaborate with camps and campgrounds, ensure operational sustainability, and implement our camping strategy. While the full job descriptions and compensation details are still being finalized, we hope members across Canada will begin considering these roles. At this stage, we are requesting letters of intent rather than formal job applications. If you are interested in either position, please submit a letter of interest by midnight January 12, 2025 to the attention of Dana Gidge at [email protected]. Please put in the subject line of your email, “Community of Christ – Call for Applicants.”  Are you ready to grow in your ministry? The Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission invites you to participate in upcoming Spring A Session classes running from January 6 to March 2.
Course Offerings:
The cost for each course is $25 USD unless otherwise noted. Classes open every Monday, and you can set your own schedule to complete weekly readings, discussions, and assignments by Sunday at 2 p.m. CST. Facilitators provide feedback and grading each week. Certification is awarded upon completing three classes. There’s still time to register - don’t miss out on these upcoming opportunities to grow in your ministry. These courses are offered through the Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission, a partnership between Graceland University, Community of Christ, and others. To learn more and register visit CIMM’s page on the Graceland University website.  We are immensely thankful to the 311 members of Community of Christ in Canada who participated in the “Priesthood & Personal Relationships” poll. To put this into perspective, 360 members voted in the Canadian National Conference of 2012, when our active membership was significantly larger than today. This level of engagement indicates this is an important matter for our church today that will have a vast impact on our journey ahead. The Methodology As Apostle Art Smith explained at our recent Mission Centre Conferences, only if the proposed policy showed a substantial consensus from the membership would the draft policy be presented to the Council of Twelve, and then, if approved there, to the First Presidency for review. A two-thirds majority might be considered a 'substantial consensus,' but World Conference Resolution 1327, which gives Apostles the responsibility for creating new culturally specific policies around marriage, does not define a fixed threshold. A decade ago, the vote on LGBTQ+ inclusion received 80% approval, which was seen as a very substantial consensus. But because this is not as simple as a yes/no issue for many folks, members were invited to express their level of support. The five options, ordered in decreasing level of support, were FULL, MODERATE, TENTATIVE, LIMITED, and NO support. To ensure a conservative estimation of YES responses, this methodology uses a conservative classification approach: of the five response options, only FULL and MODERATE were categorized as YES, while the remaining responses, as well as the undecided responses, were classified as NO. This approach prioritizes minimizing the likelihood of overestimating YES responses, even at the potential cost of underestimating them. The rationale for this conservative approach is to account for the significance of a YES outcome and to ensure that any conclusions drawn are robust and cautious. The Results We received 311 responses from members of Community of Christ in Canada, including 260 from CEM, 50 from CWM, and one from a Canadian member not associated with any congregation. We also received eight responses from individuals not formally affiliated with Community of Christ in Canada, which were greatly appreciated but not included in the poll results, as the primary purpose of this survey is to inform the First Presidency about the perspectives of members of the two Canadian mission centres. The first question asked for the level of support for the intent of the proposed policy change, that is, to remove any automatic ban on priesthood based on personal relationships. The overall level of support was 83%. The second question was regarding the level of support for the proposed policy change as currently written. The overall level of support was 80%. Important Findings Although we expected a stark gap between the level of support across age groups, the results show that most members of all ages support the policy. For example, 87% of members 59 and younger expressed support for the intent, compared to 80% among those in the 60–79 group, and 83% in the 80+ group. On the other hand, how the current policy has affected individuals and their families made a significant difference. FULL support from those who have been affected personally or through their families was 88%, while FULL support from those not affected stood at 70%. About one quarter of the respondents said either they or their family had been affected by the current policy. What’s Next? The poll indicates a broad consensus among members of Community of Christ in Canada to move forward with revising the policy. At the same time, the Canadian Leadership Team deeply values and acknowledges all the comments shared in the survey, including those from members who expressed objections to change. These perspectives will be thoughtfully considered as we seek to move forward together in a spirit of healing and reconciliation. Following the process outlined by World Conference Resolution 1327, the field apostle will now present our proposed policy changes to World Church Leadership for review. We ask you to continue to join us in prayer as we reflect on the results of this poll and prepare for the next step in this process of discernment that will have a lasting impact on our path forward. Thank you for sharing your voice!  What will our church look like for the next generation, and how can your ideas help shape it? Your insights can create a unified mission centre that honours our traditions and prepares us for the future. Joining the Mission Centre Design Team gives you a vital role in building a structure that reflects the values and aspirations of our shared community.
The team will explore ways to honour cherished regional traditions while envisioning unified practices for the future. Their work includes examining equitable methods for congregations to support the mission centre—whether through quotas, generosity, or innovative funding models. They will address differing voting approaches, such as the delegate system used in Canada East and the all-member voting model in Canada West, and envision Canada-wide conferences that promote connection, community, and shared purpose. Additionally, the team will focus on ensuring the vitality of campgrounds, reunions, youth camps, and retreats, while seeking opportunities to strengthen connections with individuals not currently engaged in a congregation. Because we hope the team will faithfully reflect the diversity of our church, we extend this invitation to members of all ages and locations across Canada. Whether you have church administration experience, facilitation skills, a passion for community, or simply a heart for prayer, your contribution matters. This is not just about decision-making—it’s about shaping how we live out our mission together. The team will meet monthly from January to June 2025, leading up to the fall conferences where the design proposal will be presented. If you feel called to contribute, please submit a letter of interest to Field Apostle Art Smith at [email protected] by December 8, 2024. Let’s build a mission centre that reflects the richness of who we are and prepares us for a vibrant, united future. Learn more at: Onward Together  We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your incredible generosity! This year’s Giving Tuesday was a remarkable success, thanks to the kindness and support of donors worldwide.
We’re especially thrilled to celebrate the contributions of 88 Canadians who gave a total of $44,857.05 CAD. Your generosity plays a vital role in strengthening our mission to foster love, community, and justice—a space where everyone feels seen, loved, and welcomed. Altogether, 675 donors helped raise an astounding $681,000 USD, including a matching pledge that grew to $293,000 USD. Thank you for sharing the light of hope with others this Advent. Your support helps extend Christ’s mission of peace and love across Canada and beyond. Learn more about Giving Tuesday and how your contributions will make a difference. |
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