Written by Shannon McAdam Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Due to some last minute scheduling changes we were lucky enough to get a visit from Art Smith our Apostle for Canada in BC last week. Becky of our Mission Centre President team and Dar our Mission Centre Financial officer also made the trek to BC. In spite of winter storms and delays everyone made it to the Vancouver area.
Art visited with folks in Chilliwack during the week and then we all gathered in Langley for a weekend retreat. We discussed the future of our Mission Centre and the evolution of Community of Christ in Canada as we strengthen ties between East and West. How heartening to see that we can overcome regional differences that people often feel in secular society in Canada, and come together with our shared enduring principles in Community of Christ. It was great to spend time planning for the year ahead and sharing our hopes and struggles. We shared meals and laughs and even played some board games together. On Saturday the new leadership team from the Vancouver congregation met with us for lunch to share updates on their visioning process and we were able to share insights and support. Very early Sunday morning, Becky, Dar, Art, Kat, and Gwyn headed to Victoria to attend the service and business meeting. During the business meeting Victoria voted to sell their building and to dissolve the congregation to relieve some leadership burdens. They are looking forward to continuing to meet regularly online and in homes as they step into the next phase of their life in community together. We are excited for the year that awaits us in Canada West. There are so many wonderful events planned and many opportunities to be generous with our time and talents. We are looking forward to seeing many of you this Saturday at 9am/10am/11am for our Special Winter Conference. Our agenda and zoom link are available in the Weekly Wire. Hope to see you there!
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WHAT: “The Next Step Together: Time to Join a Climate Support Group!”
WHO: North American Climate Justice Team WHEN: Webinar – Sunday, January 28, 2024, 2pm-3:30 pm PT (Begins 3pm MT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET, 12pm HT, 10pm London, 9am Sydney + 1 day) WHERE: ZOOM Online Ministry On January 7, we explored a variety of support groups dealing with climate issues. They represented a variety of interests. Examples included support for eco-anxiety, personal lifestyle changes, greening your congregation, climate advocacy, biodiversity and habitat preservation, how to talk to others about climate change, and how to engage with young people passionate about climate issues. On January 28, participants can choose their support group and begin tailoring it to fit their own passion, interest, skills and schedule. Support tools and team facilitators will be available to help get the groups started. Invite your friends. No prior experience is necessary. Participation in previous webinars is not required. And the Climate Justice Team will support but not dictate the result. Support groups will be independent and can continue networking on their own, based on the needs and interests of the members. These support groups are not replacing our webinars. Our February webinar will feature guest presenter Dani Lindamood, sharing “Grassroots Organizing for a Sustainable Water Future.” Please register at https://www.cofchristclimatejustice.org. All sessions are free and participation in previous webinars and conversations is not necessary to join. If you registered for a past webinar or conversation, you do not need to register again. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link before each webinar and activity. Written by Becky Middleton Canada West Mission Centre Co-President From November 11 to December 6, 2023 my husband Doug and I were privileged to be in Honduras.
It was a different experience this time as there was no build going on. We did some sightseeing, relaxing and certainly deeper relationship building with the Honduran people. We also viewed some interesting agricultural projects World Accord is doing in association with Asocialayo, World Accord’s partner in Honduras. Asocialayo is a farmers co-op group and we travelled with an agronomist staff member on two different days. The project featured 8 different varieties of beans (baking types) grown in 4 different locations. The study was testing for production as well as resistance to weevils and preference of the people for flavour and cooking. The object in the long run is to hybridize for optimum results of all the testing. The testing groups besides physically caring for the planting were monitoring temperature, humidity and growth daily. There were women instrumental in all aspects of the experiment as they are important in determining the desired qualities for eating as well as production! It was a very interesting time and as farmers ourselves we are interested in the results! All in all we had a lovely trip! Vaya con Dios, Becky May your 2024 be filled with joy, hope, love, and peace. We pray that your heart may be open to the callings of the spirit to share generously of your time, talents, treasure, and testimony in the year ahead. Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca It is with Joy, your Mission Centre President Team wishes you a very Merry Christmas. May you allow joy to fill your heart and carry you through these dark but shining days. May celebrating the birth of Christ renew your enjoyment of life and may you feel connected in joy with your neighbours far and near. Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca This third week of advent, your Mission Centre President Team send you greetings of Love. May you feel God's love for you warming your heart and radiating to all those you connect with. As the season gets busier, may you find strength and courage from that love of God that holds you unconditionally. Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca Let's come together to celebrate the holiday season and spread joy, hope, love and peace! Click on the video above to watch a wonderful Christmas Message from our Mission Centre Presidency Team! Yours in Christ,
Gwyn Beer gwyn@communityofchrist.ca Kat Goheen kat@communityofchrist.ca Becky Middleton becky@communityofchrist.ca Shannon McAdam smcadam@communityofchrist.ca This second week of advent, your Mission Centre President Team sends you greetings of Peace. May you be blessed this season with moments of peace and reconciliation in your heart and in your close relationships. May you be challenged this season to find ways to be peace in the world, for our planet and its people. Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca The season of Advent is upon us, the time of preparing and waiting for the Christmas season to begin. As I reflect on the year that was, I realize there is an abundance to consider. There were great joys but also times of turmoil and chaos. In reflection, I'm reminded of the hymn "Light Dawns on a Weary World," a beautiful composition that resonates with the essence of Advent and lends hope to our hearts.
The lists we create for our preparations and multiple events can make anyone weary this time of year. On the four Sundays of Advent, we light candles to focus on hope, love, joy, and peace. These four simple words have such great meaning when we pause and reflect on each one weekly. Taking the time once a week leading up to Christmas to reflect on these four words can rejuvenate our souls and may lead us to be energized for our Christmas experiences. Light reveals what is going on around us, love grows in our hearts as we acknowledge or pray on what the light has shown and then hope will bloom, possibly in the form of action. If we each can find the love which brings hope, we can find our inner peace. A time when we take a deep breath and feel the weight of the world come off our shoulders. It is a “let go and let God” moment we may treasure. The peace that comes from knowing you did your best, or after a well-deserved break you will try again. A true peaceful feeling brings joy to all around us. The tune for the beautiful hymn, Light Dawns on a Weary World was presented during a Hymn Society Gathing in the Community of Christ temple in Independence Missouri, a location known as a peace church, so the composition was entitled Temple of Peace. The poem, or words written to accompany this tune, proclaim the feeling for peace. The final phrase of this hymn is inspired by the words found in Isaiah chapter 55 and were crafted to create a sense of peace making through worship, “We shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace, as all the world in wonder echoes shalom”. Any place you find yourself in this Christmas season, you can be present with joy so all of those around you may follow your example and feel a sense of peace. Let the light of the season dawn upon you, heralding the birth of the peaceful one. Rejoice in sharing sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year with all those you encounter. Wishing you a season filled with peace, joy, and the wonder of Christmas. Dawn Dawson Mission Centre President Team As we enter the advent season, your Mission Centre President Team sends you greetings of Hope. We hope for a season not only of connection with loved ones and service to the community, but also rest and calm. In the midst of this season we hope you find tender moments to savour and times to rest. Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca |
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