Members and friends are invited to a host of events celebrating Holy Week and Easter. We've been blessed to share the Daily Prayer for Peace live from various places on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week
. 
 
Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday, when we remember the Last Supper, gather with one of the many local churches that are hosting online community services.

Good Friday
Join a 30-minute, Taizé-style worship service on Good Friday, the day we commemorate the death of Jesus. Join us at 1pm (CDT) on Facebook or YouTube. If that time doesn't work for you, the same service can be viewed at any time beginning at 8:00 a.m. Friday on YouTube.
This online experience will be available in in French, English, and Spanish, with singers and instrumentalists from Canada, USA, Bolivia, Korea, French Polynesia, France, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Hawaii, Germany, Kenya, Spain, England, Wales, Honduras, and Zambia.

Holy Saturday
On Saturday, we hold space for the grief and despair that Jesus's disciples must have felt when they thought their friend was dead.

Light a candle and practice a moment of silence. Share a picture of your candle and a statement of blessing on social media using #CofChristLent. 

“Breathe New Life” airs at 5:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Join 10 minutes early for meditation music and share your thoughts with others watching via social media as the recorded service plays on YouTube and Facebook. Multiple languages will be available in captions.

We will be sharing in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper so please have your emblems prepared and ready for this part of the worship. 

To read more about the worship details, visit www.CofChrist.org/announcements.

​Celebrate Palm Sunday with disciples and seekers from around the world! Neil DeAtley will preach from Washington DC on the theme, “Blessed Is the One.” Christian Vago of Montréal, Québec, will give our Peace Lesson. From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Corleen McLean will offer our invocation and Jeanny Jakobsen will read our Call to Worship. The lectionary scripture (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29) will be read by Alexandra Cozart from Innisfil, Ontario. From Toronto Centre Place, John Hamer will lead our Disciples Generous Response and Leandro Palacios will lead our Mediation on the Message. Beyond the Walls Choir will premiere CCS 463 “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” and CCS 34 “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!”

Our inclusive Beyond the Walls church service will take place on Sunday, March 28, at 12:00 pm EDT.

Brydges St Congregation - Holy Saturday gathering, Saturday, April 3 @ 7 p.m. Meditative music, spiritual practices and sharing. Contact Susan Trimble for Zoom info.

Windsor Congregation - 10:30 Worship. Contact Jeff Moor for Zoom info.

SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 2 p.m. Speaker, Don Robb. Presider Karen Smith. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.

Port Elgin Congregation - 9 a.m. class. Coffee & Conversation 9:40. Worship 10 a.m. Darrell Belrose will be the speaker. Presider Kevin Mercer. 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 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.

(Community of Christ in Canada is affiliated with the Canadian Council of churches who is organizing the forum noted below for conversation and action.)

We are an ecumenical partnership through which Canadian churches work toward intercultural leadership development and ministry learning in Canada and globally. Through our work, Canadian churches engage in innovative education and programming; come together for reflection on contemporary issues; participate in dialogue about honouring diversity and God’s unequivocal welcome; and networking and support for intercultural ministry.
 
This Spring, join the Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning for a series of interactive conversations about race, gender, poverty and social change. These guided conversations are a 1st step in a series of collaborative projects aimed at addressing some of the challenges/barriers to achieving the Just Intercultural society we are called toward as people of faith. Providing safe space to explore our personal relationship to these issues - and how our individual place, in society, informs our ability to respond. These talks are meant to provide a more personalized complement to the learning events FILL will be offering around the same time. 
 
Offering participants a way to engage with these issues from a personal (non-academic) place. Each exchange is meant to begin the process of discerning some potential collective responses to these pressing issues of our time. While attending one (or all) of the concurrent learning events might enrich your understanding of the issues, no formal learning is required to participate.
 
We're planning to meet on four Saturday afternoons, at 4:00pm EDT/1:00pm PDT: April 17, May 15, June 12 and June 26.
 
The first of the 4 conversations is around race, colonialism, anti-racism - and how we can help decolonize ourselves and our communities. This conversation is scheduled for April 17 at 4:00pm EST/1:00pm PT.  Please see the FILL Conversation Circles webpage for a small package of materials meant to stimulate conversation on these themes. In the weeks leading up to our gathering, engage with the pieces that resonate with you. Ask yourself, how and why they speak to you. Additionally, choose one (1) of the questions provided to sit with in the coming weeks. Be prepared to talk about your answer to this question, when we meet.
 
To reserve your place please register at: https://www.interculturalleadership.ca/programs/conversation-circles click the link below. We ask that you RSVP by Thursday April 1st to ensure your place and allow time to engage with the materials.
 
If you have questions, please contact Niki Andre, the Conversation Circles convenor, at: [email protected]
 
Feel free to pass along this invite to others who may be interested in participating soon!

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Schmidt
Associate Secretary: Intercultural Leadership; Justice and Peace
Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning
Canadian Council of Churches / Conseil canadien des Églises
47 Queen's Park Crescent
Toronto ON  M5S 2C3
416-972-9494 x207
www.InterculturalLeadership.ca
www.councilofchurches.ca
Sign up for our e-newsletter: “The Art of Intercultural Ministry

The next part of the Toward the Peaceful One series continues our focus on following Jesus and going deeper into what it means to call Jesus the Peaceful One. 

In the March/April Herald, Sherri  Kirkpatrick shares how the life and ministry of Jesus as he tended those in need of healing in mind, body, or spirit has informed the work of HeathEd Connect. Read this story online and then register for the Zoom discussion group on April 12.   

Community of Christ invites members and friends to a host of events celebrating Holy Week and Easter. 
 
March 28 – Gather with an online community for Palm Sunday. Services will be offered throughout the day.

March 29 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time – Daily Prayer for Peace offered in Spanish on our Facebook page

March 30 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time – Daily Prayer for Peace offered in French on our Facebook page

March 31 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time – Daily Prayer for Peace offered in English on our Facebook page

April 1 – Gather with an online community for Maundy Thursday. Services will be offered throughout the day.

April 2 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time – Join us for a 30-minute Taize-style Good Friday service on our Facebook page.If you are unable to join at 1 p.m. the service will be available to watch as you are able on our YouTube channel, starting at 8:00 a.m.

April 3 – Light a candle and practice a moment of silence. Share a picture of your candle and a statement of blessing on social media using #CofChristLent. 

Easter Sunday – April 4 at 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. (CDT) join a celebratory Easter worship and share in Communion with members and friends around the world. 

The Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning of The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) has an opening for a Teaching, Research, and Program Assistant. The position provides teaching, research and program support to the Associate Secretary, Intercultural Leadership and Learning.

Experience in adult learning settings; competency in on-line platforms such as Mailchimp, WordPress, and Videoconferencing support; and commitment to Intercultural ministry is preferred. This position will be adapted to the competencies and learning goals of the successful candidate and in part is designed to provide skills development and mentorship opportunities. Fluency in English is required and in French or other languages is an asset. Visit the website www.interculturalleadership.ca and see the Position Description for details.

The position will be 10.5 to 14 hours per week at a pay rate of $27.50 per hour. The preferred start date is 15 April 2021 (negotiable). Applications will be accepted through 9 April 2021.

Examples of human impact from low-elevation islands to the Andes Mountains, and from Bangladesh to Louisiana.

How can we mitigate the climate disasters affecting our global brothers and sisters?




Climate disruption has not only created hurricanes, tsunamis and floods that hit the headlines around the world, but continue to impact human populations in a variety of ways. Long droughts have prompted migrations of villages and tribes, while rising sea levels necessitate the permanent evacuation of communities from low elevation islands to higher ground. 
 
Our presenter for the April webinar exploring the human impact of climate change and climate disruption is Dr. Richard Waugh of Wisconsin University. In his research and travels, Dr. Waugh has witnessed climate-caused difficulties in various cultures around the world. Prior to retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2020, Dr. Waugh taught classes on climate change, social geography and human impact, and led an annual extended field trip to key geographic locations with his students. He brings personal experience as well as professional insight to the conversation.
 
Dr. Waugh is also a long-time elder in Community of Christ, and did his doctoral thesis on geography and sacred space.  He has served as a pastor and as a counselor to leadership in the former district and mission center. His articles have been published in The Herald and in the JWHS Journal. 
 
Come join us in the Climate Webinar on April 11 with Dr. Richard Waugh. Invite your friends to join as well. All sessions are free.  Participation in previous webinars and conversations is not necessary to join in this opportunity

Join further discussions about these topics on these dates:
​

• Thursday, April 22, 2021, 9 PM EDT, or
• Sunday, April 25, 2021, 2:00 pm PT, 3pm MT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET

Watch previous webinars, conversations and Community of Christ President Steve Veazey’s sermon:

Please Note: 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 a few days before each webinar, panel and conversation.

After careful consideration of global pandemic recovery trends and consultations with field leaders and health professionals, the Community of Christ First Presidency has decided to delay 2022 World Conference until 2023. The presidency, in consultation with the World Church Leadership Council, has set 21-29 April 2023 for the next World Conference.

The difficult decision to delay was made in conjunction with church leaders, several who live and serve in nations greatly affected by the pandemic. Current published vaccination projections indicate people in many countries might have access to the COVID-19 vaccine in time to support traveling for a 2022 World Conference. However, that is not the case with all countries where the church has a presence. Based on the global projection of vaccination availability, the presidency weighed the need for the church to make timely decisions with the associated risk of bringing people together from around the world. Upholding our Enduring Principles in light of the collective information we have at this given time, it was wise to delay the next World Conference until delegates from around the world can safely travel, enter the USA, meet together, and return without contributing to community spread of COVID-19 or its emerging variants.

The First Presidency consulted with the Conference Organization and Procedure Team, which includes four registered parliamentarians, regarding their authority to delay World Conference due to a global pandemic. The most important reference in the church bylaws is found in Article V, Section 6: “These conferences meet at the call of the responsible administrative officers, at times and places determined by the bodies concerned, or without such provisions at times and places set by the responsible administrative officers.” This reference, broadly interpreted, gives the First Presidency the authority to determine the time, place, and manner of meeting. Further the 2019 World Conference passed WCR 1320 that provides “the World Conference authorize the First Presidency to set the dates and locations for future World Conferences in compliance with WCR 1288.”

Additionally, the First Presidency wanted the fields to fully resume in-person ministries. It was also felt that for the welfare of families and the church, we needed time for financial recovery from the effects of COVID-19.
Question and Answers

1. Summarize why the First Presidency delayed the 2022 World Conference by one year.
• Safety of delegates
• Safety of communities
• Limited effect on delaying legislative decisions
• Opportunity for the field to fully resume in-person ministries
• Financial recovery from the effects of COVID-19

2. Does the First Presidency have the authority to delay the conference date?
Yes. The First Presidency consulted with the Conference Organization and Procedure Team, which includes four registered parliamentarians, regarding their authority to delay World Conference due to a global pandemic. The most important reference in the Bylaws is found in Article V, Section 6: “These conferences meet at the call of the responsible administrative officers, at times and places determined by the bodies concerned, or without such provisions at times and places set by the responsible administrative officers.”
This reference, broadly interpreted, gives the First Presidency the authority to determine the time, place, and manner of meeting. Further the 2019 World Conference passed WCR 1320 which provides that the World Conference authorizes “the First Presidency to set the dates and locations for future World Conferences in compliance with WCR 1288.”

3. Will there be any kind of gathering in 2022 online?
Yes, the First Presidency is working with the World Church Leadership Council to organize online gatherings in 2022 to worship and explore important topics before the church such as World Conference Resolution 1319 - Nonviolence and the nature of mission beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Once details have been developed more information will be provided.

4. What are the dates for the 2023 conference?
The Presidency, in consultation with the World Church Leadership Council, has set 21-29 April 2023 for the next World Conference. The dates are later in April to avoid Holy Week and Easter.

5. Does this mean we will have conference again in 2025 to stay on schedule or will the following conference be in 2026?
The Presidency, in consultation with World Church leaders and the Conference Organization and Procedures Team, determined that after the 2023 World Conference, the next conference will be held in 2026. To hold a World Conference in 2023 and then have another conference in 2025 was not feasible due to the financial impact to the church and members.

6. Will there still be an International Youth Forum (IYF) in 2023?
The IYF director’s team is working with the Council of Twelve and First Presidency to determine the best plan for the next IYF. More information will be shared when a decision is made.

7. When will legislation be due for the new 2023 conference?
Legislation will be due 21 April 2022, one year before the start of conference. Legislation already received in anticipation of a 2022 World Conference is valid.

8. Will people be required to have a vaccine to attend the 2023 conference?
At this time, World Church leaders have discussed this question but have not made any final decision regarding requiring a COVID-19 vaccine to attend the 2023 World Conference. It is possible that the church may choose to rely on the criteria established for entry into the USA and not levy any additional requirements.

9. Vaccines are rolling out now; why can’t we have conference in 2022?
As we uphold our Enduring Principles, it was important to delay the next World Conference until delegates from around the world could safely travel and enter the USA. Current published vaccination projections indicate that people in many countries will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine in time to support traveling for a 2022 World Conference. However, that is not the case with all countries where the church has a presence. Based on the global projection of vaccination availability, delaying the 2022 World Conference was the decision that aligned best with the church’s value of the Worth of All Persons and the voice of representation from all mission centers of the church.

10. Why was the decision to delay made so far ahead of the 2022 World Conference?
Initially the plan was to make the decision in June 2021. Based on input from those who work the travel logistics for delegations around the world to attend a World Conference, a year of lead time is necessary to successfully pull everything together. As the decision was being considered, feedback from the World Church Leadership Council was that having a decision sooner than June 2021 would be helpful. Part of this related to needing time to identify and plan other experiences in 2022 if it was not safe to host the World Conference. With all these factors and based on the information that was available, the First Presidency proceeded with making the decision to delay.

11. Will delegates be able to attend conference online in 2023 if they do not want to or cannot travel to the USA?
At this time, all delegates will need to be physically present for the 2023 World Conference. Hybrid conferences that allow physical and online participation as a delegate may be a possibility in future conferences sometime beyond 2023. Although delegates will not be able to participate online in 2023, there will be opportunities for others to participate in some worship and non-legislative experiences. The 2023 World Conference schedule will indicate which events will be accessible online.

​Barbara Jean Norton Robinson, age 75, passed peacefully Wednesday, March 23, 2021. She was born September 4, 1945 and grew up in West Branch, Michigan with her parents Ivan and Neoma Norton, sister Judy and brothers Fred and Tim.

In 1963, she joined the U.S. Navy. After recruit training Barbara went to Newport, Rhode Island for disbursing clerk school and then on to the finance office at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. A few years after being discharged from active duty, Barbara joined the Navy Reserves. While in the Navy Reserves, she was able to serve in CAG Twenty located in Cecil Field, Florida. She also served in Patron Squadron Sixty-Two. While Barbara served in the Navy, she was able to serve at the jet base at Fallon, Nevada, Rota, Spain and other places. In 1994, she retired as chief petty officer disbursing clerk.

Barbara’s daughter, Laura Horning, was born at Quonset Point, Rhode Island in 1970. Barbara’s son, Christopher Horning, was born at Patuxent River, Maryland in 1972. After her children’s arrival they were her main concern and attention. Her civilian jobs as bookkeeper at a junior high school, plus military pay clerk, then as an accounting technician for military pay in the Federal Service, Navy Reserves and church activities kept her busy until her retirement.

Through the years Barbara has enjoyed being with friends and doing what she could for others. Barbara enjoyed visiting with and doing fun things with her mother, siblings, children, grandchildren, other family members and friends.

March 1997, Barbara and Vernon Robinson were married and began their life together. October 1997 was early retirement from U.S. Federal Civil Service so Barbara and Vernon could live in Sheguaindah, Ontario, Canada. Her husband, Vernon died in 2003.

Reading, visiting, playing cards and games as well as listening to music brought pleasure to Barbara.

Being active in her church activities and being about the Lord’s work was her main concern in life. Being an ordained minister in Community of Christ, provided many opportunities to server her Lord.

In October 2005, Barbara moved back to her hometown of West Branch, Michigan. She has worked as an elections inspector at city hall, was active in American Legion Post 103 in West Branch and was a volunteer at the West Branch Book Nook.

Barbara traveled, visiting family, friends and enjoying life. Some of the places she traveled to were twelve other countries, plus Branson, MO, Nashville, TN, the Smokey Mountains area, and many other places in the United States. Her times at church world conferences in Independence, MO were special, also.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Robinson, mother – Neoma (Vincent, Norton) Reid, father – Ivan Norton, step-father – Logan Reid, brothers – Richard and Randy Reid.

Surviving are her children, daughter Laura Horning (husband Arthur Smith) of Independence, MO, and son Christopher Horning (wife Anna Horning) of Middleburg, FL, step-children – Loree Robinson of Sunnyvale, CA, Richard Robinson of Ontario, Canada and Elizabeth Harris Wylde, of Arizona. Barbara’s grandchildren are Elizabeth, Erik, Emily and Erin Horning of Florida, Eliza Horning of Ontario, Canada, Tiona Horning of Missouri, and Lacie Beland, Emma and Thomas Cornwell of Florida. Great grandchild Serena Bowick of Florida. Her siblings are, sister Judy Klemetti (Lee) of Muskegon, MI, brothers Fred Norton of Belleville, IL and Tim Norton of Kansas City, MO, Ethel Jean (Harold) Iutzi of Michigan, Virginia Thompson of Florida, Marlin Reid of Florida, Marlene Baggett of Florida, Judy Matthews of Michigan, Darla Fox of Michigan and Marsha Russell of Michigan.

Also surviving is her friend, Edward Zimmer, who has given her such special companionship.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Friday, March 26, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery with veteran honors. Seventy Kevin White will officiate.

Visitation will be held with precautions, due to the current pandemic, limiting the number of attendees at a given time.

Please Note:  The family has requested that if you have a nice picture (or even a few) of Barb you can share those using the link provided by the funeral home (https://www.tributeslides.com/up/13215214286031) to add them to the slide show that will be playing at the funeral home during the visitation. They would love to have your pictures of Barb included if you are able. Thanks. 

​In Loving Memory of
Ronald James Robson

On February 11, 2021, Ron Robson, a devoted and supportive soulmate to his beloved wife, Isla Robson for 44 years, passed away at age of 69 at St. Catharines Hospital. After receiving a lifesaving kidney transplant in 2005, he later developed a rare form of cancer which became fatal. Survived by his mother Stella, (father, late Joe Robson) sisters Wendy, Nadine (Dave) Scott, sister-in-law Gloria (Gord) Robbins, nieces, and nephews. Special friend of Leona and Bill Bonnar; Anne Pigeon and Barb Luchka. After attending university and college, he worked as a program developer at Photo Labs and a rent all company. He was president of Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club and the Y's Men's Club. He enjoyed being Santa's "Special Helper". He visited schools, family gatherings and retirement homes. Everyone enjoyed his jolly "Ho, Ho, Ho!" Children were delighted to talk to him on radio at Christmas. His passion was always for his other "family members", his many lovable dogs. He enjoyed Camping and bird watching. He was a train enthusiast, a model railroader and enjoyed working with computers. He was grateful to have such loving and caring people at the Greater Niagara Pharmacy. Special thanks to the nurses at the Walker Clinic. Cremation has taken place. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no services.