Dear Pastoral Teams and Church Friends,

In this celebratory season of Advent anticipating the Holy birth of Christ; we all desire to joyfully come together in-person and sing the hymns of Christmas. However, Covid case counts are up and some Pastors are receiving official letters/emails from local Health authorities, even some as recent as today. They are reinforcing current standards. As a new variant has emerged in Canada with too little known about it now, there will be ongoing clarifications coming from provincial and local health units over the coming days and weeks.
 
In the meantime I would like to address a common question that has emerged from congregations who have reopened within the existing mandates and guidelines.
 
Singing at in-person gatherings

The City of Toronto and other health sites do not recommend singing without or with masks. Their opening paragraph cited that many outbreaks originated through singing. An article in their July Houses of Worship info said singing is a "variable" risk due to the variety of masks, their fit, the exuberance of those singing and facial movements. Particulate projection is beyond 2 meters and floats. Multiple songs sung creates a flora of unsafe air exchange. 

Therefore, in our current time of increasing cases I would not recommend singing. However, I will leave the decision to Pastors based on your local area health protocols. Let me emphasize that your geographical location is key in your decision making. There are 50 health units in Ontario. One in Eastern Ontario just tightened with increasing COVID numbers to limit church gatherings from 25, the current Ontario standard, down to 10. Caution is becoming more prevalent. 
 
The other side to this is that we may think everyone in our gathering is practicing safe interactions, however every theoretical safe circle is constantly compromised at work, school, shopping, etc. throughout the day. When we gather, our supposedly known group is really the interactions of all those non-perfect connections of everyone over the past week. 
 
Our current CEM protocol guidelines….

• No symptomatic attendees are allowed to gather
• Limit gatherings to 25 or spatial distancing (or less as Health units advise)
• Masks are mandatory
• Spatial distancing from those NOT living within the same physical dwelling (even vaccinated). Every person’s circle of schools, work places, friendships, or shopping is not 100% safe and far less so and therefore impacts all gatherings.
• Singing even with masks is a risk. Consider hymn humming to Christmas choir videos.
• Gathering timeframes still need to be reduced to limit exchange of air space. Social sharing after services is not recommended.
• Single use communion emblems are mandatory.

 
I recognize the collective impact of these standards we are upholding still at this time of year. Thank you all for your wisdom in the decisions you make to protect the vulnerable. There may be further updates in the coming weeks.
 
Hope this helps you make your decision.

With Meaning,
Kerry Richards
CEM President

Dear Friends and Supporters, 
Ready. Set. Go! Today is #GivingTuesdayCA, a global day of giving back to the causes you care about. This year, a generous matching contribution of $250,000 USD has been pledged for this event. Today, if you contribute $25, it will be matched and becomes $50! 
Any size donation is important for Christ’s mission. Here are several ways you can support Community of Christ’s #GivingTuesdayCA Campaign today: 

1. Canada Helps: Visit our Canada Helps page to donate (Community of Christ receives most of your gift but incurs a small fee to process the payment) 

1. e-Transfers: Send to heather@communityofchrist.ca with the password givingtuesday   

1. Mail Cheque: Send cheques to Community of Christ Canada Headquarters, 129-355 Elmira Rd. North, Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 and mark the cheque as “Giving Tuesday” 

1. Facebook: Click on the DONATE button on our Community of Christ in Canada Facebook Page 

1. PayPal: Visit our PayPal Giving Fund page to donate 
   
   

Note: If you are donating via cheque or eTransfer, please call or email Heather Huffman (888-411-7537 x23) at the Canadian Headquarters to let us know these gifts are coming so we can count them towards our goal for Giving Tuesday. 
 
Other Ways to Support Our Campaign 
 

• Like, share, and comment on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts throughout the day to ensure others are seeing our content. 
• Forward this email to friends and loved ones who would be interested in supporting our campaign. 

 
Tips for #GivingTuesdayCA: 
 

• Due to the high volume of donations received on Giving Tuesday, you’ll have a higher likelihood of success when using online methods if you donate earlier in the day on November 30th.  
• If you are having issues while attempting to donate online – keep trying. You will see a confirmation screen when it has been processed properly. 
• Donate no later than 11:59 p.m. EST today (November 30, 2021) in order to ensure your gift is matched dollar-for-dollar. 

• If you would like to contribute in another currency, please visit https://www.cofchrist.org/giving-tuesday for more details. 

 
Thank you for your support and generosity! 
 
 
With gratitude, 
 
Dar Shepherdson 
Bishop of Canada 

​Greetings, 
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesdayCA, a day of global generosity to support the causes we love. This year Community of Christ has received a generous matching contribution of $250,000 USD.  
This means your gift just got a whole lot bigger!  
We can’t wait to bring you updates throughout the day tomorrow containing running totals as generous contributions are received from around the world by people just like you. Check out our giving options below! 

1. No Fee Methods (Community of Christ receives 100% of your gift) 

• e-Transfers: Send to heather@communityofchrist.ca with the password givingtuesday
• Mail Cheque: Send cheques to Community of Christ Canada Headquarters, 129-355 Elmira Rd. North, Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 and mark the cheque as “Giving Tuesday”
• Facebook: Click on the DONATE button on our Community of Christ in Canada Facebook Page 
• PayPal: Visit our PayPal Giving Fund page to donate 
  
  

1. Other Options (Community of Christ receives most of your gift but incurs a small fee to process the payment) 

• Canada Helps: Visit our Canada Helps page to donate 
  
  

Note: If donating by mail cheque or eTransfer, email Heather Huffman or call 888-411-7537, ext. 23 at Community of Christ Canada Headquarters to ensure your gift is included in Giving Tuesday totals. 
 
Tips for Giving Tuesday: 

• Due to the high volume of donations on Giving Tuesday, you’ll have a higher likelihood of success when using online methods if you donate earlier in the day on November 30th. 
• If you are having issues while attempting to donate online – keep trying. You will see a confirmation screen when it has been processed properly. 
• Donate no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on November 30, 2021, in order to ensure your gift is matched dollar-for-dollar. 
• If you would like to contribute in another currency, please visit https://www.cofchrist.org/giving-tuesday for more details.  

 
Thank you for your generosity and support! Your contributions directly fund the mission of Community of Christ. 
With gratitude, 
Art Smith 
Apostle  

BROWN: Jewel Elizabeth (Pegg) went to join her beloved husband of 54 years, Martin J. Brown (predeceased in 2006) and daughter, Gwen E. Kalyniuk (predeceased in 2012) on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, in Chatham just short of her 91st birthday.

She was also the loving mother of David and Marcia Brown of Thunder Bay; James and Shannon Brown of Waterloo; Margie and Steve Lamoure of Chatham; and Rosemary and Jason Doupe of North Bay. Beloved wife of Martin J. Brown. Jewel will be sadly missed by grandchildren Troy, Julia, Victoria (Elio), Daniel (Alyssa), Benjamin (Claire), Isaac, Emma, Brad (Erin), and Mark. She will also be missed by great-grandchildren Logan and Ryker Brown.

Not to be forgotten, grand-dog Apollo, her car ride companion who both shared the front seat and pizza dates. Predeceased by parents, Albert and Emma Pegg, and brother Lawrence Pegg. She is survived by sister-in-law, Connie Brown of Tilbury.
Once a Merlin girl, always a Merlin girl, Jewel proudly grew up in Merlin and leaves behind three of the eight “Girlfriends”, Colleen O'Neil, Marion Gamester and Jeannie Babcock. She moved off the family farm near Valetta to live in Ridgetown in 1968. She was a graduate of St. Clair College Craft and Design Program and was a gifted Artist. Her painting of Red Rock in Fenelon Falls was a favourite.

Jewel was a proud member of the IODE in Ridgetown where she served in many capacities including past president. If there isn’t a doll club in Heaven yet, Jewel has started one. She was a founding member of the Kent Doll Club. Dolls were her favourite passion, and she was always surrounded by her “friends”.
Faithful and servant are two words that describe Jewel’s journey in Community of Christ. She loved her Blenheim church family and her recent Sharing Love in Mission congregation loved her. She served as a Lay Minister in Community of Christ. Jewel will be fondly remembered as a caring and compassionate community member. She was loved by everyone including the staff at St. Andrew’s residence. Many thanks to their commitment to her throughout her final days.

Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Friday, December 3, 2021 from 6:00 - 8:00pm and on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Those planning to attend are asked to register online at (https://signup.com/go/OCaPKmh) or by phoning the Funeral Home. A Private Family Service will be live-streamed at 2:00pm Saturday on the Funeral Home website. Jewel will be interred at Stewart Cemetery, Merlin, following the service.
Jewel will be interred following a funeral service, in Stewart Cemetery, Merlin. Donations can be made to the CNIB, World Accord, or the charity of your choice in her name are appreciated and may be made through McKinlay Funeral Home, Chatham.
Click to leave online condolences.
McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham,
519-351-2040

Beyond the Walls - Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
​
Celebrate the First Sunday of Advent with music ministry from Handel’s Messiah. As we light the candle of Hope, our theme is “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted.” Our tenor soloist is Leandro Palacios, singing from Toronto Centre Place. Leandro is joined by Soprano Alexandra Cozart, Alto Sandra Byrne, Bass Neil DeAtley, and harpsichord and organ by Michael Karpowicz. Neil will also share this week’s sermon and Michael will teach our Living Church Lesson. Lily Maiau will offer the Invocation from Tahiti. Keith Chappelow of Hastings, Michigan, will read the Call to Worship, and Pat Marmoy of Tempe, Arizona, will read our Lectionary scripture. 

​The governing board of the Canadian Council of Churches has unanimously accepted Community of Christ’s application to become a sponsoring affiliate of Project Ploughshares. This project is the peace research institution of the council that works with churches, governments, and civil society, in Canada and abroad, to advance policies and actions to prevent war and armed violence and build peace. 
According to the organization’s description, “the work of Project Ploughshares is rooted in the ethics of Christianity – namely: peace, reconciliation, and justice – but Project Ploughshares grounds its research in careful analyses of facts and presents its findings in reasoned, public-policy language.” The project was part of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which included Community of Christ member Matthew Bolton. ICAN was the winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. 
The executive director of Project Ploughshares stated that Community of Christ’s historic focus on peace and the church’s peace-making values made it an especially welcome addition to the project’s sponsors. Evangelist John Nichols will serve as Community of Christ’s representative to Project Ploughshares. 
 
Click to learn more about Project Ploughshares. 

Enrollment Information for eLearning Classes:
 
The following credit classes will open December 9 for a limited enrollment: 

• Ministry of the Deacon (MP302): 6-weeks, January 8 - February 18
• Ministry of the High Priest (MP307): 8-weeks, January 8 - March 3
• Introduction to Priesthood (MP300): 8-weeks,  January 8 - March 3
• Introduction to Pastors Ministry - 6-weeks, January 8 - February 18

Each class costs $7.50 and includes credit. To enroll, go to developmetrics.org and click on the "Canada Registration Form" when registration opens on December 9.
After enrolling for class, please send a cheque payable to: “Community of Christ” and include the title of class you’re registering for on the memo portion of your cheque. 
​
Attention: Melissa Freer
Community of Christ
355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129
Guelph, ON 
N1K 1S5
 
If you have any questions, please contact David Lloyd.

To our members in Canada, 
This Giving Tuesday, you can DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT simply by making your contribution to Community of Christ between now and Tuesday, November 30, 2021. ‘Tis the season for generosity! 
 
How? 

• A generous matching contribution of $250,000 USD has been pledged for this Giving Tuesday. If you contribute $25, it will be matched and becomes $50. 
• We have a variety of secure online and mail-in options to suit your needs. We have broken out giving options below into two categories: (1) No fee methods and (2) Other options. You are encouraged to choose the option with which you feel most comfortable. 
  
  

1. No Fee Methods (Community of Christ receives 100% of your gift)  

• e-Transfers: Send to heather@communityofchrist.ca with the password givingtuesday   

• Mail Cheque: Send cheques to Community of Christ Canada Headquarters, 129-355 Elmira Rd. North, Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 and mark the cheque as “Giving Tuesday” 
• Facebook: Click on the DONATE button on our Community of Christ in Canada Facebook Page 
• PayPal: Visit our PayPal Giving Fund page to donate 

2. Other Options (Community of Christ receives most of your gift but incurs a small fee to process the payment) 

• Canada Helps: Visit our Canada Helps page to donate 

Note: If donating by cheque or eTransfer, email Heather Huffman or call 888-411-7537, ext. 23 at Community of Christ Canada Headquarters to ensure your gift is included in Giving Tuesday totals. 
 
Tips for Giving Tuesday: 

• Due to the high volume of donations received on Giving Tuesday, you’ll have a higher likelihood of success when using online methods if you donate earlier in the day on November 30th. 
• If you are having issues while attempting to donate online – keep trying. You will see a confirmation screen when it has been processed properly. 
• Donate no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on November 30th, 2021, in order to ensure your gift is matched dollar-for-dollar. 
• If you would like to contribute in another currency, please visit https://www.cofchrist.org/giving-tuesday for more details. 

Thank you for your generosity and support! Your contributions directly fund the mission of Community of Christ. 
With gratitude, 

Dar Shepherdson
Bishop of Canada

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide effort to support causes, programs, and organizations we love, and it’s taking place next week on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. This annual event benefits Worldwide Mission Tithes, and we hope you’ll pass these important messages along to your fellow congregants, friends, and loved ones.

A generous matching contribution of $250,000 USD has been pledged this year. When $25 is contributed to Worldwide Mission Tithes, it becomes $50. Any donation helps! 

Giving options this year include a variety of secure online and mail-in options to suit your needs. We have broken out giving options below into two categories:
(1) No fee methods and
(2) Other options.

You are encouraged to choose the option with which you feel most comfortable.

1. No Fee Methods (Community of Christ receives 100% of your gift)

• e-Transfers: Send to heather@communityofchrist.ca with the password givingtuesday 
• Mail Cheque: Send cheques to Community of Christ Canada Headquarters, 129-355 Elmira Rd. North, Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 and mark the cheque as “Giving Tuesday”
• Facebook: Click on the DONATE button on our Community of Christ in Canada Facebook Page
• PayPal: Visit our PayPal Giving Fund page to donate

2. Other Options (Community of Christ receives most of your gift but incurs a small fee to process the payment)

• Canada Helps: Visit our Canada Helps page to donate

NOTE: If donating by cheque or eTransfer, email Heather Huffman or call 888-411-7537, ext. 23 at Community of Christ Canada Headquarters to ensure your gift is included in Giving Tuesday totals.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity!
With gratitude,

Community of Christ Canadian Marketing Team

​Beyond the Walls - Testify to the Truth 
Beyond the Walls presents a special service on the theme: “Testify to the Truth.” Across Canada, disciples and seekers are sharing their passion for mission and their hopes for the future of the church. Share in this testimony service with us as we envision the path ahead. 

Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm EST. All are welcome at this inclusive church service.