This event is designed for local congregational and parish leaders across Canada

At the request of the Privy Council, The Canadian Council of Churches is pleased to promote this letter (click for English or French) for religious and faith leaders with Dr. Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, or Dr. Njoo, Canada’s Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, on the current vaccine rollout and immunization program on January 20, 2021, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. (EST) Registration closes already on Monday, January 18 @ 12noon ET. 

The event is designed for local congregational and parish leaders across Canada. Please extend this invitation far and wide across Canada to your local church, pastoral, diocesan, congregational networks and leaders.

Please also encourage prospective participants to submit questions for Dr. Tam using the email address provided in the attached letter.

Please point out the short timeline for registration. There are 1,000 registration slots available on a first come first serve basis.

Details on the event including how to register can be found in the letter from the Government of Canada in French and in English.

If you have questions about the event, please feel free to connect back with Peter Noteboom, Canadian Council of Churches General Secretary: noteboom@councilofchurches.ca.

The Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning is a reference group of
The Canadian Council of Churches


Copyright © 2021 Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning, All rights reserved.

Thank you for supporting Christ's mission, our mission!

Your generosity supports the many ways Community of Christ is living Christ's mission around the world.
 
See just a few of the things your mission tithes support in Generosity at a Glance.

Join Community of Christ Recorder Christopher Shaw on Zoom or Facebook Live to learn the basics of using Shelby as a congregational or mission center recorder at 1:30 p.m. Central Standard Time Friday, 15 January. This brief course will offer several examples: how to enter a baby blessing when neither parent is a member, change a priesthood status, and an explanation of changes that can be made locally and which must be performed at World Headquarters. An opportunity to ask the World Church recorder questions will be provided live at the end of the session.

Participate on Zoom or, for members of the Community of Christ Shelby Users Group, on Facebook. 

This session will be recorded and an archived video link will be available for those unable to attend.

Exploring Community of Christ Basic Beliefs: A Commentary, edited by Anthony J. Chvala-Smith, is now available in e_book (Kindle) format from Herald House and Amazon.

Community of Christ produced a revised statement of beliefs in 2005. This has since been available in pamphlet form and on the church website for use by members and others. The statement consists of an introductory paragraph and an additional eighteen paragraphs, one on each of the following topics: God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, Creation, Humanity, Sin, Salvation, The Church, Revelation, Scripture, Sacraments, Discipleship, Ministry, The Reign of God, Peace, Resurrection and Eternal Life, Judgment, and End Time. 

This new commentary is the result of some years of painstaking effort on the part of multiple authors from several nations to provide elaboration on the Basic Beliefs paragraphs. The authors’ work has been reviewed by editors, brought together in one continuous work, and approved for publication by the First Presidency. An introductory chapter ("What We Believe Is Important") and a chapter on each of the first nine paragraphs have been completed and are now available as a Kindle book.
Each chapter of this exploratory commentary contains:

• "Restatement of the Belief Paragraph"
• "An Introduction to the Topic"
• "Biblical Foundations"
• "Tradition"
• "Application for Discipleship"
• "Conclusion"
• "For Further Reading"
• "A Testimony on the Topic"
• "A Spiritual Practice"
• "Questions for Reflection and Discussion"
  
  

Commentary on the remaining nine chapters are expected toward the end of 2021 or early 2022.

Community of Christ has no formal creed that all members and ordained priesthood must accept, so no statement on beliefs will ever represent every member of the community. However, the writers and editors of this commentary have succeeded in finding the “center-ground” of the beliefs of Community of Christ—a place where each member can connect and express their own theological perspective.

It is hoped that members and inquirers alike will find this volume useful in understanding the church’s basic beliefs as well as exploring their own journey of discipleship.

​Join us this Sunday, January 10, for an inclusive communion service. Share this core Christian sacrament in real time with disciples around the world as we build Sacred Community together. Nancy Ross of St George, UT, returns to bring the message on the theme "Wind Upon the Waters," as we ponder the first verses of the creation story in Genesis (1:1-5). Puna Teniau will offer our invocation live from Tahiti. Ann Mitchell of Caledon, ON, will lead our Disciples’ Generous Response, and JoAnn Fisher of Boise, ID, will share our Peace Lesson and Prayer. Rohn Wagner of Lansing, MI, will read from our Lectionary and Tom Webber of La Conner, WA, will read our Call to Worship. Sharon and Jim Diddle from Liberty, MO, will offer the communion blessings, please have your emblems (bread and wine) ready at your location.

The Beyond the Walls Choir will premiere CCS 51 - “God of Dawn, Each Day's Renewal” and CCS 102 - “Earth and All Stars” an we will sing CCS 49 - “Wind upon the Waters”.

Let us worship together with hundreds of participants from around the world this Sunday, January 10th, 12 PM EST.

SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 2 p.m. We are excited to share with you this invite to a very special service of Sacramental significance—a service of ordination for Anthony Smith who will be ordained to the office of Priest. Please print a copy of this dove for the service. On the Dove write words of support, love or a brief statement of a time when you have seen Christ in your life or his. We will use them during the service. After the service, please mail them to Anthony at: 208 Park Ave West, Chatham, ON N7M 1W4. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.

Port Elgin Congregation - 9 a.m. class. Coffee & Conversation 9:40. Worship 10 a.m. Speaker, Ron Harmon, President of Council of Twelve. Contact Larry Buchanan for Zoom details.

La Salle Road Congregation - Social time from 10:15-10:30. Worship 10:30 a.m. Special speaker this week is Scott Murphy. Contact Pastor Vonda den Boer for Zoom details.

Reaching Out - Generally meets twice a month. Please sign up for email notices by clicking here.

Kitchener Congregation - Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact John & Ruth Black for details.

Cambridge Congregation - 11 a.m. Complete Worship Services are held each Sunday at 11:00 am For details go to www.cofchristcambridge.ca. On the calendar page click on the event for the Zoom link. Social time follows the service

First People Community of Christ (FPCC) - Reaching out to Native People across North America  and the World! Online Prayer and Testimonies Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Worship Sundays at 7 p.m. Contact Larry Buchanan for ZOOM details.

Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with.

Corolla J. C. Neller
Neller 

​Corolla (Schlotzhauer) of Stratford Ontario, passed away on January 3rd, 2021. Her motto was always “Age is just a number, you are only as old as you feel.” So… Corolla passed away at the age of 39. 

Corolla was the loving mother of Karyn Horton, Yootha Neller, Brandon Neller (Brittany). Cherished grandmother to Jaxson, Austin, and Briar-Lynn, Jeff (Angela) and Sarah (Madison). Sister to Brian (Karen) and Joan Gerber (Dennis). Predeceased by her father Alvin, mother Henrietta, brother Alvin Jr. Proud Aunt to many nephews. 

Corolla was a woman who utilized every single second, of every single minute, of every single hour, of every single day. She cherished deeply the time she spent with loved ones, especially with her children and grandchildren. In all aspects of her life, Corolla worked hard. Whether she was laughing and reminiscing with her friends, preparing for her dances, volunteering in her local community, mowing her lawn or tending to her garden, Corolla was always keeping busy. And without fail, she did it looking her absolute best. Her hair was always carefully styled, her clothes always matched, and her lips were always painted with the perfect hue of rouge. Corolla worked for 32 years at Can. Fab., until they closed their doors. She was also an active member in Community of Christ Stratford. Corolla facilitated in uniting singles all throughout Southwestern Ontario. Over the years, her dances brought thousands of singles together to not only meet, but to have fun, eat, drink, and best of all…dance. Corolla also spent many hours volunteering for The Local Community Food Centre and Meals on Wheels.

Among the many bonds made throughout her life, friends Toula, Aunt Loretta and Ted were held dear in her heart. Corolla lived a full and adventurous life. She was someone who did everything for everyone else, but never enough for herself. Her youthful spirit and heart of gold will be missed by all those who knew her soul.

A private service has already taken place. A Celebration of Life will happen at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to The Local Stratford the www.localfc.org or Meals on Wheels www.onecaresupport.ca or to a charity of one’s choice through the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford. ON. 519.271.7411. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com

Climate Webinar and Conversations for January

Through Crises Towards Transformation:
The Unraveling of God’s Sacred Creation

Sunday, January 10, 2021, 5-6:30 pm EST 

1. Dr. Gammon: “Mitigating Climate Crises”
2. President Veazey will dialogue with Dr. Gammon on: “Climate Crisis—Science, Faith, and Prophetic Response.”

Dr. Richard Gammon was Educated at Princeton and Harvard and co-authored the first UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 1990.

Join further discussions about these topics on these dates:
Thursday, Jan 21, 2021, 9:00 pm EST
Sunday, Jan 24, 2021, 5:00 pm EST
 
Watch Steve Veazey’s Sermon: 
“Crises: Exploring the Response of a Prophetic People”

​Join us for a special Beyond the Walls worship service as we look forward to the New Year of 2021 and reflect on our past experiences in 2020. Sunday, January 3 will be a special musical service as we premier a dozen new hymn arrangements from the Beyond the Walls choir and reflect on ministry we have shared during the pandemic. Please note that this will not be a communion service. Join us for communion the following Sunday, January 10th.

Let us worship together with hundreds of participants from around the world this Sunday, January 3rd, 12 PM EST.

SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 2 p.m. Communion service coordinated by Anthony and Michael. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.

Port Elgin Congregation - 9 a.m. class. Coffee & Conversation 9:40. Worship 10 a.m. Arland Wicksey assisted by Scarborough Congregation. Contact Larry Buchanan for Zoom details.

La Salle Road Congregation - Social time from 10:15-10:30. Worship 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Vonda den Boer for Zoom details.

Reaching Out - Generally meets twice a month. Please sign up for email notices by clicking here.

Kitchener Congregation - Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact Carman Thompson for details.

Cambridge Congregation - 11 a.m. Complete Worship Services are held each Sunday at 11:00 am For details go to www.cofchristcambridge.ca. On the calendar page click on the event for the Zoom link. Social time follows the service

First People Community of Christ (FPCC) - Reaching out to Native People across North America  and the World! Online Prayer and Testimonies Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Worship Sundays at 7 p.m. Contact Larry Buchanan for ZOOM details.

Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with.

Kirtland Temple Christmas Eve Service 
Join us for a special Christmas Eve service of Beyond the Walls this Thursday, December 24th, at 6:00 pm EST. Each year at Kirtland Temple, the Christmas story is shared through scripture and carols. Although the community cannot gather in-person, the Spirit of the season will be expanded and streamed around the world. The Beyond the Walls choir will sing Canticle of the Turning; Noël Nouvelet; Good Christian Friends Rejoice; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; Silent Night! Holy Night!; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Angels We Have Heard on High; Silvery Star; Precious Star; What Child Is This; Community of Joy; and Joy to the World. The choir will be joined by special Christmas ministries of music. This is an evening not to be missed. Commemorate Christ’s birth into the world with disciples and seekers the whole world over.

Sharing Love in Mission will be worshipping together on December 24th, at 4 p.m. EST to celebrate the Birth of our Lord. Contact Don Robb for ZOOM details.

Port Elgin Congregation - Christmas Eve Service, 7:30 p.m. Jan Storms presiding assisted by Ruth Parker. Contact Larry Buchanan for ZOOM details.