What we learned at our leadership retreat and congregational visits in Ontario

By Lanette Vawter, Director of Leadership Development
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Over the last week, the Leadership Team of Community of Christ in Canada had the opportunity to meet in person to strategize, plan, and get to know one another better. We shared ideas, plans, and the sense of calling we all have for the mission of the church. I am thrilled to be working with this compassionate and hard-working group of people!

We also had the opportunity to visit with several congregations and leaders in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, including the following:
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• an online service with the warmly welcoming Scarborough congregation
• a wonderful dinner and deeply meaningful discussion with Gathering Place+ congregation
• a visit to the unique Centre Place location where we listened in on one of their amazing Q and As in their lecture series
• a tour and discussion of the many, many exciting and community-based outreach activities of the Reaching Out congregation
• participation in the Beyond the Walls service hosted by Kitchener congregation, where we were welcomed into their beautiful sanctuary and met people from other congregations as well

We were also grateful for the participation of Joshua Bennet, Leadership Development Coordinator for Community of Christ in India and Nepal, who joined us as a guest facilitator to share leadership development insights.

This was my first trip to Ontario to see Community of Christ in action in this province, and I was heartened by the dedication and commitment of all the various groups we met.

These experiences have deepened our sense of community and renewed our enthusiasm for the church’s mission. Thank you for your ongoing support and warm hospitality!