Creating Connection Edmonton: New friends, new ideas

By Debra Donohue, Creating Connection Director for Canada West
Creating Connection Edmonton is thriving! Have you ever wondered how a simple gathering can spark lasting connections and inspire new possibilities? On the Thursday before this year’s Mission Conference, 13 of us came together to share stories and talk about how Creating Connection has made an impact in our communities over the past 10 months. We also brainstormed fresh ideas and explored new possibilities for the future.

I heard inspiring stories of participants who have become regulars—and even friends—with Edmonton members. Some have started attending other Creating Connection events, and one man, after learning about the Hills of Peace men’s retreat during a Conversation Café, decided to join the retreat. One participant was so enthusiastic about the program that he’s considering starting his own Creating Connection conversation group. Even our own members shared exciting ideas for new groups they might lead.

What stood out to me most was the mutual benefit we were experiencing. Community of Christ leaders and participants were not just offering something valuable—they were also receiving so much from the community members in return. It was a beautiful exchange that enriched everyone involved, fulfilling our hopes for meaningful connections.

(See the photo of the Creating Connection Edmonton team below.)
Eileen Johnstone, who co-hosts the Conversation Café with Terry Ball, shared some great updates from the last two meetups:
On October 4th, nine people joined for a session on "Happiness is… #2." The discussion prompts included examples of awe, moments of serenity, sources of inspiration, and things people feel grateful for. The event was filled with laughter, and everyone had a great time.
The November 1st meetup had even more participants, with 16 attendees exploring "Happiness is… #3." Reflecting on the previous session, participants shared how long their happy feelings lasted, with answers ranging from several hours to a few days. The group also talked about what joy and amusement look like in our lives.

As I write this, I’m excited to see that the Creating Connection Edmonton Meetup page already has 18 RSVPs for this Friday’s meetup. I wish I could be there! You can check out what Creating Connection Edmonton is up to here.

If you’d like to learn more about Creating Connection, discover new ways to engage in mission, or if you have any ideas to share, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].