​Mission Centre President Kerry Richards was invited to participate in the joint signing of a letter declaring the celebration of people of African descent and as a "commitment to addressing the root causes and current manifestations of anti-Black racism within the church." 

July 1, 2020

We lift up the importance of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024) and commit our churches to recognize and celebrate this decade in our denominations. Through this International Decade we hear a call for our churches to do more to address anti-Black racism in Canada and globally.

We recognize that in proclaiming this Decade, the international community is recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent...

Birthday Honored with Prayer for Peace
​TODAY!
2 p.m. EDT

Today is President Emeritus Wallace B. Smith's birthday! To mark this special occasion, join his daughter, Julie Smith, on our Facebook page for a live webcast of the Daily Prayer for Peace at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA. She will be sharing a prayer written by her dad.  🙏☮️📱💻

Register for Live Discussion Group
As we continue to explore the guiding question, “Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?” a yearlong series of interlinked Herald magazine articles, videos, and live online discussions began in June. The next article titled "Toward the Peaceful One: Looking Back to See Ahead"  is now posted. You can also find links to previous articles and videos at www.CofChrist.org/guiding-question. 

The online discussion for this article will be held on Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. (CDT). This will be a free event hosted on Zoom. Apostle Janné Grover will lead a discussion with Ron Harmon, author of the second article in the series. Opportunities for questions to the author and small-group discussion will be provided. 

This event is free but registration is required for the online discussion. Register by Sunday, August 16. 

Contribution Update
Total contributions to Worldwide Mission Tithes through June 30 are $5.4 million.

​Thank you for supporting local and global mission. Your generosity changes the world. A big shout-out to those who are using eTithing and other forms of automated giving!

​Let us gather with hundreds of participants from around the world as the church Beyond the Walls this Sunday, July 12th, 2020. Live from St George, Utah, Nancy Ross will offer the message on the theme "Hear the Word." Our lectionary scripture comes from Matthew 13:1-9: “The Parable of the Sower.” Other ministers will join us live from Canada and the USA including Jennifer Redfern, Gordon Hodgins, Lew Shepherdson, and Del Franks. The Beyond the Walls choir will premiere CCS 66 - “Speak, O Lord” and CCS 390 - “Onward to Zion” with Michael Karpowicz at the piano. We invite everyone to sing with us. This inclusive online church service is an opportunity to share a sacred moment together regardless of physical location. All are welcome and invited!

SLIM (Sharing Love in Ministry) - 2 p.m. Please bring a pen and paper. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.

Port Elgin Congregation - 10 a.m. Contact Larry Buchanan  for Zoom details.

La Salle Road Congregation - 11 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.

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

Saturday, July 18th
11 am  -  2 pm
Zoom Gathering

 This Seminar is designed for Priests and Elders who wish to be licensed to perform weddings and as a review for those holding a licence.

The Seminar will address Government and Community of Christ requirements.
 
Preparing
What’s required of you, legal and administrative accountability
Preparing for the Wedding
Meeting the couple, Spirituality, Wedding Preparation,
the Ceremony, the Rehearsal,
Sharing experiences…
 
 
To register, contact Seminar Instructor
Bishop Vivian Beeching
magnolia@rogers.com  or  647.350.1756

Come one, come all for a Virtual Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, July 11, 8:30 a.m. David Barth, Executive Director of World Accord will be the host. Find out what World Accord has been up to and how we can support their incredible projects to help end poverty and needless suffering.

Bring your favourite hot pancakes to the table for the 8:30 start time or try out one of the suggested recipes below, chow down with your friends and maybe make new friends during some informal visiting time. Fun activities have been planned and it's going to be a blast! Visit ecamping.ca for the link to the session.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joan Drysdale passed away on Saturday, July 4th. 
 
Joan was a much loved, long time member of Scarborough, and she and her husband Doug hosted the congregation's annual church picnic for many years at their beautiful property in Alliston.
 
Your prayers are requested for Doug and the family at this time. 
 
In lieu of flowers, donations to Camp Quality in Joan's memory would be appreciated.
 
Please see the attached obituary for further details.

Online Course

"Community of Christ History"

November 9-13, 7:30 - 10 Eastern Time

$30/student for credit or non-credit

MEADS is an in-depth educational program providing interactive learning in subject matters relevant to the church mission and message. It is a certificate program requiring 12 courses. Recently we’ve been adding new courses to better equip congregational leadership.  

Course Description
This is an issues-based course that focuses on the background and development of church history from its nineteenth-century beginnings to the present. By analyzing the historical literature and research, the goal of this course will be to appreciate the commitment of previous generations, learn their lessons, and create an understandable and believable history.

Registration
Registration deadline is October 23, 2020.

Click here for registration form or contact Melissa Freer.

Click here for FAQ and a full list of course descriptions>>>>

For more information please contact: David Lloyd at idlloyd23@gmail.com

​
We have been given the unique opportunity to participate in
 
The 2020 European Peace Colloquy Webinar Series
 
PEACEFUL HUMANITY
A NEW CREATION
 
All webinars are held via zoom at 2 p.m. ET
 
This is indeed a gift to be included in the webinars and the conversation! Perhaps you have not been able to attend past annual events held in Independence, Missouri. But now you can participate for FREE from the comfort of your own home. Register for the topics that interest you and join other peacemakers to be inspired to make a difference.

Wednesday 8 July 2020
Foundation webinar: Evolution and Human Violence
- Richard Wrangham

Thursday 23 July 2020
Dehumanization yesterday and today: When to Act as a Neighbour
- Andrew Bolton

Thursday 6 August 2020
Ecumenical and Interfaith Partnerships and Advocacy
- Zac Harmon-Mclaughlin

Thursday 20 August 2020
Nonviolence and Diet: Can Peace Begin on our Plates?
- Ryan and Georgia Comins

Thursday 3 September 2020
Making Soldiers out of Children: Is there Space for Peace in
Schools?
- Isabel Cartwright/Ellis Brooks

Thursday 17 September 2020
Leo Tolstoy’s Political Thought
- Alexandre Christoyannopoulos

Sunday 27 September 2020 (tbc)
Theme exploration: Peaceful Humanity - A New Creation
- (presenter to be announced)

Thursday 1 October 2020
Peace of Mind: Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Sarah James and Hannah Langford

Sunday 11 October 2020
PEACE AWARD CEREMONY 2020: Spirituality and Social Change
- Keith Hebden
 
See the flyer for complete information including a bio of each speaker.

​Join us for the 16th annual Emma Smith Hymn Festival on Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. This year's hymn festival will be the first online festival celebrating the life and remarkable story of Emma Hale Smith. The hymn festival will be broadcast through YouTube and the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation's Facebook page. Follow the link below to share with us on July 10th, Emma Smith's 216th Birthday. 

​Interested in Joining Your Voice to the Online Choir? 
We invite you to join your voice with the Beyond the Walls choir in recording nine hymns for this year's virtual Emma Smith Hymn Festival. Click the blue button below to learn more about how you can submit your voice to the online choir. Deadline for audio file submission is Sunday, July 5.

​First Sessions Begin Monday, July 6

Reunion Text “Living Jesus…Living Peace” will be presented by David Lloyd at 10:30 a.m.

• Monday, July 6 - "On the Way"
• Wednesday, July 8 - "Living Jesus Today"
• Friday, July 10 - "The Audacity of Shalom"
• Tuesday, July 14 - "Toward the Peaceful One"
• Thursday, July 16 - "Living Hope"

Click here to purchase the Kindle Edition of the text from Amazon. Text is not essential to participate in class.
 
Opening worship with SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) including Evangelist blessing on our camp by Mary Robb

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Registration Now Open

cemcamping.ca

In the life of Community of Christ, camps and reunions play a vital role in bringing people together for spiritual growth. This summer, although we are unable to be physically together, we are happy to provide opportunities to gather for events replicating the camping experience.

Easy as One, Two, Three!

One registration provides access to the entire summer of on-line events via ZOOM.

1. Visit cemcamping.ca
2. Click the REGISTER button
3. Submit your name and email address       

Build Your Own Experience

With over 60+ events currently scheduled, choose one or many places to go as part of your e-camping journey this summer.

Oh, the things you'll see!  Oh, the things you'll hear. 

First Session is July 6th

You can view the wide variety of happenings offered by visiting cemcamping.ca to help you plan your summer. Certain events are geared to children or youth while others will be of interest to adults. You can expect to see:

• campfire
• children's bedtime stories
• classes on the reunion text
• worship services
• chats
• and so much more!

New events are being added often so be sure to register in order to receive notices about added activities.


Guest Ministry

Along with the familiar directors and leaders you already know and love from past reunions and camps, we are also excited for the opportunity to hang out with these friends:

• Art Smith 
• David Lloyd
• Poul Wilson
• Robin Linkhart

One ZOOM Connection

Once you register, you will be provided with the one ZOOM link that will be used for all sessions. Easy peasy, quick and easy! There is no expectation to attend all happenings. Some (but not all) will be recorded in case you are not able to attend the live session.

Plan to meet your camp buddies for a spirit lifting summer.

Register now and be in the loop.