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  • About
    • Values
    • Lived Experience >
      • The Congregation
      • The Mission Centre
      • The World Church
      • Mission in Action
    • Theology >
      • Enduring Principles
      • Mission Initiatives
      • Sacraments
      • Statement on Scripture
      • Principles of History
      • Generosity
      • Basic Beliefs
    • History & Heritage
    • Onward Together >
      • Strategic Plan
      • The Mission Centre Design Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Partners
  • Connect
    • Congregations >
      • Online Worship
      • What to Expect
    • Beyond the Walls
    • Blog
    • Stay Connected >
      • CWM Newsletter Signup
      • CEM Newsletter Signup
      • Online Worship Signup
      • Social Media
    • Contact a Minister
  • Give
    • Giving Tuesday
  • Canada West
    • CWM Dashboard
    • CWM Conference
    • CWM CAMPING 2025
    • News & Updates
    • Events Calendar
    • Staff Directory
    • Congregations
    • Creating Connection >
      • Blog
    • Campgrounds
    • CWM Archive
  • Canada East
    • CEM Dashboard
    • Events Calendar
    • CEM Camping 2025
    • CEM Conference
    • News & Updates
    • Staff Directory
    • Congregations
    • Campgrounds
    • Connection Groups
  • Resources
    • Search
    • Training
    • Worship Resources
    • Congregational Resources
    • Forms
    • Posters and Media
    • Online Lectures
    • Job Opportunities

News & Updates

CEM Conference Registration Open

3/23/2024

 
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Registration is now open for our CEM Special Spring Conference which takes place in-person and online at Scarborough Congregation on Saturday, April 13, 2024, with special guest Apostle Art Smith.

This special conference is being conveyned to provide dedicated time for necessary discussion around consideration of legislation intended to be submitted to World Conference 2025. Your voice and vote matters!

SCHEDULE
The schedule for the day includes our business meeting, a light lunch (with goodwill offering), and a keynote presentation by Apostle Art Smith.

Art will share insights and wisdom to inspire and guide us on our spiritual journey, as well as updating us on the Canadian Church vision and mission. A time for Q&A may follow (if time permits).

Click here to view the schedule.

ABOUT REGISTRATION
Everyone attending, either online or in person, is required to register through the link below, even if you've already agreed to be a delegate. This allows us to provide the best experience through effective planning and communication.

PRE-LEGISLATIVE & TRAINING SESSIONS
Two pre-legislative sessions and one tech refresher session wil be held by ZOOM in the week prior to conference. More details and link information will be sent to all conference registrants later next week.

ACCESSIBILITY
Though Scarborough congregation has accessible parking and an accessible entrance (via the front door), their washrooms are NOT acessible.

Let's gather together, ready to risk, embrace the new, and strengthen our bonds as a community. We look forward to your active participation.
REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE

Bridge of Hope Information Session

3/21/2024

 
Please join the Presiding Bishopric for an online meeting to hear details about the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility and the road ahead for Community of Christ.
  • Celebration: We surpassed the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility goal in mid-February, securing over $129 million through your generosity.
  • Financial Strategy: Learn how the fully funded Retirement Responsibility impacts the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and future financial stability.
  • Endowment Growth: Understand how recent asset sales will generate recurring income through our endowments.
  • Worldwide Mission Tithes: Discover how your financial and ministry contributions are essential to our future
  • Q&A Time
We look forward to your presence and active participation in shaping a hope-filled future for our movement and world.

Meeting Details:

Date: Monday, March 25
Time: 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Central Daylight Time)

Registration is required. Click the button below to register.

Please join the Presiding Bishopric for an online meeting to hear details about the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility and the road ahead for Community of Christ.
  • Celebration: We surpassed the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility goal in mid-February, securing over $129 million through your generosity.
  • Financial Strategy: Learn how the fully funded Retirement Responsibility impacts the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and future financial stability.
  • Endowment Growth: Understand how recent asset sales will generate recurring income through our endowments.
  • Worldwide Mission Tithes: Discover how your financial and ministry contributions are essential to our future
  • Q&A Time
We look forward to your presence and active participation in shaping a hope-filled future for our movement and world.

Meeting Details:

Date: Monday, March 25
Time: 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Central Daylight Time)

Registration is required. Click the button below to register.
Please join the Presiding Bishopric for an online meeting to hear details about the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility and the road ahead for Community of Christ.
  • Celebration: We surpassed the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility goal in mid-February, securing over $129 million through your generosity.
  • Financial Strategy: Learn how the fully funded Retirement Responsibility impacts the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and future financial stability.
  • Endowment Growth: Understand how recent asset sales will generate recurring income through our endowments.
  • Worldwide Mission Tithes: Discover how your financial and ministry contributions are essential to our future
  • Q&A Time
We look forward to your presence and active participation in shaping a hope-filled future for our movement and world.

Meeting Details:

Date: Monday, March 25
Time: 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Central Daylight Time)

Registration is required. Click the button below to register.
REGISTER

Migration and Displacement in a Changing Climate

3/20/2024

 
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Guest Speaker: Dr. Robert McLeman
Webinar
Sunday, April 7, 5pm ET
ZOOM Online Ministry
​

Each year over 20 million people globally are displaced from their homes by floods, storms, droughts, wildfires and other extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. The World bank has estimated that, if no action is taken to curb global greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable development, over 200 million people may be displaced by the impacts of climate change by 2050. This webinar will review current science on the relationship between environmental change and migration and identifies pathways for action to avoid worst case scenarios from occurring.

Dr. Robert McLeman is an Environmental Professor at Wilford Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. He specializes in research on the human dimensions of environmental change, with particular attention to the relation between climate change, migration, and security.
​
He is currently a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, on Climate Change’s working group on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation. A foreign Canadian foreign service officer, Dr. McLeman has lived and worked in Belgrade, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seattle, and Vienna. He has advised UN agencies, the World Bank, and governments in Canada, the US, and Europe on issues related to climate change, migration, and security.

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.
Register Here

Getting Rid of Old RLDS History Books?

3/20/2024

 
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The Doris Hillyard Library at Toronto Centre Place has a mandate to preserve books and documents relating to the history of Community of Christ in Canada. We are always looking for materials about the church published in Canada. In addition, we serve as a research library for the study of RLDS history. As such, we have the goal of collecting at least one copy of all books and periodicals published by the church and its printing houses.

Learn more HERE.

Our Deepest Condolences

3/19/2024

 
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Shirley Chittenden

​After a brave struggle with cancer Shirley left us on Friday, March 15, 2024 with her husband and children beside her in the hospice Ruddy-Shenkman facility in Kanata, Ontario. The support and prayers from so many of her family, friends, and pickleball family strengthened her through her battle.

Shirley’s myriad of talents touched so many, whether it was home decor, computer support, behind scenes support for the church, and her artistic creations with needle and thread.  Most of all it was her smile and laugh that shared the joy and love in her eyes.

She leaves behind 2 grandchildren, Calvin and Tyanna, 2 children, Laura, and Ryan, daughter-in-law Mariee, and loving husband of 60 years, Jim; as well as numerous siblings, nieces and nephews.

Worship With Us - March 24

3/19/2024

 
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Beyond the Walls – Rending the Veil
Mareva Arnaud, President of the Council of Twelve Apostles, shares the story of the crucifixion on the 6th of our 7 Easter Sundays, joining us live from Tahiti, as we consider our theme “Rending the Veil.” As Jesus breathes his last breath on the cross, we read in the Gospel of Matthew that the “veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom,” symbolically expressing the truth of the New Covenant, that God’s presence is felt everywhere — that all creation is holy ground.  How do we set apart time in our lives for the holy?  What is the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice today?
We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, March 24, 2024. 

⏰12:00 PM EDT YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZRq1RczUBVg 
⏰12:00 PM EDT Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1JyRKRwgt 
⏰6:00 PM EDT YouTube: https://youtu.be/_xASwOTGtNw 
⏰6:00 PM EDT Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1bvOtlXaD
Join the Chorister
Congregational Schedule

Our Deepest Condolences

3/14/2024

 
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Darwood Morley Shepherdson
July 1, 1953 – March 2, 2024

Peacefully and surrounded by family, Darwood passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the age of 70. He faced multiple health challenges, particularly in the last months.

He was born July 1, 1953 in New Liskeard, Ontario, the oldest son of Morley and Frances Shepherdson. He grew up in Dymond Township, attended Dymond Public School, New Liskeard Secondary School, and graduated from the New Liskeard College of Agricultural Technology. He then entered into a partnership with his dad, Morley, at Sunny Ridge Farms for 19 years, where they raised Charolais and Simmental cattle. When he left the farm, he went back to school at Georgian College. After graduating with a business degree, he worked at Honda in Alliston for 19 years.He retired in 2014, but not for long, as he then worked for Community of Christ as Bishop of Canada until his death.

Dar always cared about, and contributed to, the communities he was part of. He served on the Dymond Township council, was president of the Ontario Charolais Association, and served on the Board of Directors for the Georgian Bay General Hospital and Grace-Carman Senior Citizen’s Home. In his role as Bishop of Canada, Dar served as a director for Zerin Development Corporation, Sionito Community Development Corporation, and Encounter World Religions.

Darwood is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Shari, his children Aaron, Kateri and Joe, his step-children Stacey, Kelly, Cory and Michael, 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He is also survived by his mother Frances, brothers Lew (Carol) and Ed (Donna), sister Keri (Cindy), and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father Morley (2011) and his oldest son Marc (2017).

Dar loved “living the dream” with his family, children, and grandchildren at his home on Georgian Bay, and playing golf with his many long-time friends. If desired, a donation in his name to Encounter World Religions or Community of Christ would be appreciated.

Cards of sympathy may be sent to Shari Shepherdson, 112 Mitchell's Beach Road, Victoria Harbour, ON L0K 2A0.

Family will gather for a private ceremony. A public memorial service to honour Dar will be held in-person at Scarborough Community of Christ, April 13 at 4:30 p.m. ET when we are already gathered. Light refreshments will be available prior to the service. The memorial service will also be broadcasted. Click the button below to register and receive the link.  

Click to Register

Worship With Us - March 10

3/8/2024

 
Beyond the Walls – This Is My Body
Our experience of the passion continues this 4th of 7 Easter Sundays, as Jesus invites us to “Keep Watch with Me.”  Apostle Shandra Newcom shares the vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus prays, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Meanwhile, Jesus’ closest disciples Peter, James, and John are unable to remain awake during the vigil.  Let us share this hour together and reflect on ways we sometimes fail in our discipleship and how we can better embody God’s will.    
We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, March 10, 2024. 

⏰12:00 PM EST YouTube: https://youtu.be/VdYEibeS5a0 
⏰12:00 PM EST Facebook: https://fb.me/e/gXGaCpDPV 
⏰6:00 PM EST YouTube: https://youtu.be/wzzLtvijOeM 
⏰6:00 PM EST Facebook: https://fb.me/e/55oQ5hDS4 

ORDER O WORSHIP
  • Prelude: Fugue No. 4 in A-Flat Major from 6 Preludes & Fugues (Op. 35 No. 4) by Felix Mendelssohn
  • Greetings: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place
  • Call to Worship (Psalm 137:1-6): John Hamer 
  • Opening Hymn CCS 198 - By the Babylonian Rivers
  • Invocation: Ruth Goldstrom — Windermere, Florida
  • Living Church Lesson: Lawrence Simmons — Grandview, Missouri
  • Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place
  • Hymn CCS 228 - Out of the Depths, O God, We Call to You
  • Lectionary (Matthew 26:36-46): Ernesto Borges Torres — Los Angeles, California
  • Sermon: Shandra Newcom —  Rocklin, California 
  • Meditation on the Message: Leandro Palacios 
  • Closing Hymn CCS 624 - God of Grace and God of Glory
  • Sending Forth: John Hamer
  • Postlude: Andante in C Major from Songs Without Words Book 1 (Op. 102, No. 6) by Felix Mendelssohn
Click for a bulletin with the order of worship
Congregational Schedule
Join the Chorister
SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 1:45 p.m. James will preside over the Lenten worship and Karen Smith will share the message. Don Robb will lead prayer and discussion following the service regarding the recent World Church announcement. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.

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

Introduction to Scripture

3/8/2024

 
April 5 - 7
Instructor: Lew Shepherdson
Where: Reaching Out Congregation, 125 Queen St S. Mississauga, ON
​

An introduction and exploration of the nature of scripture in the life of Community of Christ; helps students understand genre, literary context, and historical and cultural context; guides in the responsible use of the Old Testament and dealing with difficult texts; provides a sample small-group Bible study; and explores the function of the lectionary in sacraments, preaching, and teaching.

To register contact Nancy Baer 519.532.3982.

There is no cost for this class. You are responsible for obtaining your class material. Instructions will be e-mailed upon  registration.

Marriage Ministry Seminar

3/8/2024

 
Saturday, April 20
10 am to 3 pm
Guelph Office
355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129
Guelph
Cost: $15 per personInstructors: Pat Stoakley and Doug Bolger
Please make cheques payable to Community of Christ 
Bring a sack lunch


This Seminar is designed for ordained priesthood who wish to be licensed to perform weddings and as a review for those currently holding a licence. In order to apply for a license, the church is legally required to provide training. Each registered participant will receive handouts and resources including wedding service samples. Registration is limited to 12 persons. Preference will be given to new officiants. 

The Seminar will address the following:
  • Government and Community of Christ's requirements. 
  • Preparing 
  • What’s required of you
  • Legal and administrative accountability 
  • Preparing for the Wedding Spirituality
  • Wedding Preparation
  • The Ceremony
  • The Rehearsal including walking through a simulated rehearsal 
  • Sharing experiences
To register, contact Melissa Freer 888-411-7537 ext. 24
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COMMUNITY OF CHRIST
355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129
Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 Canada
888-411-7537
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